happygirl65

Um yeah...had my period on the day of surgery...and now...is like 1 month out and like clockwork it is back. I have to say...I made chili this weekend with my dh and I wanted like 4 bowls of it....ok it was really good, and really healthy and all of that but, I should have been happy with the 1 cup at each of two meals. At lunch I just had the one, and dinner I had two...couldn't help it....then I was hungry again 4 hrs later which almost never happens to me at my evening meal...but it usually happens to me that I am very hungry for the week before and the week of. This month, I was super crabby two days before and hungry the week of...so that is certainly an improvement in my symptoms overall but it still sucks to be so hungry. What I am unsure of however, is how much of the hunger is hormonal and how much is any residual swelling going away and appetite simply returning. Time will tell I suppose. I also think that chili maybe too much of a slider food ezpecially the way I make it, so I will stick to really solid foods today and see how that goes.

Your body can still be redistributing the weight even if you haven't gained muscle. I know it's hard to imagine but your body needs to heal and adjust. Exercise will help. And remember that most people plateau during that time of the month...or the week before.

My doc says, every normal person can eat 3 oz of Protein and some veggies and after 20 minutes the hunger hormones abate and that satisfied or "not hungry" feeling will last about 2 hours. With the band you can eat the same 3 oz protein and 4 to 6 oz of veggies and be "satisfied" for 3 to 4 hours. Hunger feelings and full feelings vary widely from person to person. The band will not control how much you eat, you have to control that. The band will not control what you put in your mouth, you have to control that. All the band is there for is to fool your brain into thinking you have eaten more than you have. He says also that it should take about 20 minutes to eat that 3 oz portion of meat and 4 to 6 oz of veggies and if there is anything left at 30 minutes, you are done. There is no room for grazing (which is any eating taking longer than 30 min) or you will defeat the band. No eating mushy foods or liquid calories because the defeat the purpose of the band. If you are able to eat pretty much anything as you have said I highly recommend food journeling so you can see exactly how many calories of coming from where. When you can measure it, then you have a better idea of what is going on and can make better choices. When you reach a good fill level you should be able to eat the 1/2 c mean and 1/2 cup veg and be satsified for 3 to 4 hours. If it's sooner for you, then you just have to keep working on getting more fills...and it will get better.

I am not sure what is up with that? I do remember the walking helping a ton. For me, the gas pains lasted about two weeks but it got less everyday and by the end of the second week I would only feel it when I laid down. I do have to mention though that I was walking a TON the first week. Like 20 to 30 minutes everyday from the second day through the end of teh second week. It really does help move the gas out, as does belching. Leaning forward from a sitting position seems to help me burp. Others might have more suggestions or different experience. Hopefully that part will be over soon.

I have no idea how many mine has done...600 is a good number, that's enough to certainly know what he/she is doing. It's pretty normal to freak out and question everything....just keep in mind that. And if they are a center of excellence that is awesome. That means they have been monitored and audited on not only surgical outcomes but patient care and followup as well. Sounds like you are in good hands.

If you can't add intensity try adding one or two additional workouts that are the same...or increase your time on those three days to 45 minutes. That will help, as will adding any strength training you can...you don't have to go to a gym for this, it can be an exercise ball and resistance bands but it does help to build the muscle. It can be as simple as crunches and leg lifts, pilates, yoga etc. You can even find free programs on early morning TV for these. You might need to switch it up a bit so you don't get bored too. Like Indiogirl said, you are probably not eating enough if that was a typical example of what you normally eat in a day. What I can tell you is that whenever my calories drop below 6-700 I don't lose at all regardless of my protein intake...so make those tweaks. Banana for breakfast is good....so is yogurt, or oatmeal. I have never been a breakfast eater either...my coffee was always my bfast...now I still have my coffee but 10 min later I have a yogurt and that works for me. I am just coming out of the post op liquids and I got so bored with the shakes that my caliries dipped really low. Once I started a few mushies and bumped my calories up over 800 BAM...losing again. There is something to it for sure. Hang in there. Even when you don't see major changes on the outside often there are big changes happening on the inside. Very best wishes to you for your continues success.

Maybe try drinking a glass of water 10 minutes before you eat and then don't drink after for longer? I am still on liquids and have a hard time not drinking especially since I like spicy stuff.

two words...super hero....you rock!

I had trouble sleeping the first few nights. Keep taking the stronger meds round the clock, don't let the pain take over, after a few days you will be able to alternate and then will be feeling much better. Walking really helps even if it's just a walk around the house it helps especially with the gas pain in the shoulder. Hard to drink the Protein stuff..I know. The most important thing though is not to get dehydrated...so drink what you can drink...water....or crystal light, juice...something like that. Lots of pillows! You probably already know but sitting up can really hurt and if you are like me...I do too much on the pain meds and then make myself hurt longer. So...take it easy! Don't be bothered by housework or anything else that needs to get done,. just rest! Rest...walk...sip....pretty much in that order...repeat as needed. You will feel much better soon! Congratulations!!!

HeatherinCA always has awesome advice and I have to second everything she said....I would add that you need to have a variety of things becuase you may get bored with what you are allowing yourself...and that is where the temptation to stray comes into play. Congratulations!

Stop weighing everyday! I personally have a huge struggle with that! It was the brain trickery that the scale played on you that sent you into your frustrated fit....I know this from personal experience. I would do awesome...do all the right things...and then the scale didn't say so....so I would get into my "wah phase" as I call it and blow all the good work and great choices I had made. 8 lbs is a lot! You have done great...just need to start seeing success as things other than what the scale says...it plays dirty rotten tricks with your brain. Your body is adapting to your changes and it is helpful even if the scale doesnt move your health is improving and that is excellent! Everyone has varables with their weight (including the thin people that seemingly never worry about their weight) you are no different. Pick a day and weigh no more than weekly. It will help. Then you can focus on your success and not what the silly number says.

I did it too. Last Supper Syndrome hit me really hard and since my surgeon didn't require a pre op diet for me...it was bad with the cravings and emotions. I was eating stuff I hadn't eaten in years by choice...like croissants...lol. Hadn't eaten one in 3 years...hadn't desired to....but when I saw a ham sandwhich on a croissant I had to have it...crazy mixed up emotions. However symbolism has been BIG for me in my life, dealing with hard emotional things...so the whole time I was eating that sandwhich I was enjoying the texture of that croissant, focusing on the flavor and found it to be a mediocre sandwhich at best. I realized that the true flavor of the sandwhich was in the meat and veg that I can still have...but symbolicly...I was saying goodbye. After surgery the 3 weeks liquid diet (that I am still on) was easy for week one while dealing with healing...week two HARD...the family was eating junk and it was very emotional....had a couple melt downs that you can read about in my blog...but since starting the third week it is way easier! It honestly is like going through a detox from drugs. My advice...while you are eating and overindulging on your last suppers...really try to savor the flavors and textures and mentally record what it actually tastes like...even write it down if you can so you can refer to it when the menal craving hits you. Then you can remember that your memory of how that tastes is actually lying to you. It's never quite as good as the craving would lead you to beleive.

I would find your "magic day" of the week where you seem to weigh less and weigh in on that day only. That is what I am going to do. Doing it everyday is what has always gotten me in trouble before (shame spiral) which lead to more eating the wrong stuff. I can't do that to myself anymore. Never once did I consider "toilet weight" but it is likely that most of the time. So pick a day...like Saturday...and stick to that day...keep in mind (unless you are well past menopause) that there will be hormonal fluctuations causing Water weight too. Do you have a scale that measures muscle/fat content? You might consider investing in one. A good one can run from $70 on up but there are plenty on amazon. I just got one because I want to see if it's just more water weight...etc. Hang in there. I know how frustrating that is. I have the same war with the same 4 lbs up and down all the time. I think I am going to schedule my Dr weigh ins for the week after my period...lol. That's when I weigh the lowest of the month.

Mean People Suck! I keep telling myself that as I work in customer service and deal with crabby people in person from time to time. The good news is that there are plenty of nice people too. The truth is though that most of the time people reach out in their darkest hour because they need encouragement and help getting out of the hole they feel that they are in. It feels like your trust and confindence in the system of the message boards has been shattered at that point and it is really sad. It is even more sad that some people seem to kick others when they are down...hang in there. Talk to real people in personal messages...it is much more personal that way when you find a few people you want to connect with. Try not to take it personally since most of the time it's not meant to be personal afterall they really don't know you at all, they only know what you tell them. Some people are just crabby to everyone too. It's a risk that is inherent with pouring your heart out on the internet. I do best when I take what I like and leave the rest behind. I do wish you every happiness and success....maybe peruse some blogs and make connections with individuals.

It has been emotional and uplifting, depressing and rejuvinating all at the same time. I have only been banded two weeks and yes, I would do it again. I have already lost 17 lbs since surgery and am feeling great. Even on liquids my energy is good, overall I am very happy, no complications. The liquid thing can get boring so plan for variety there in week two especially and it will help. I think we all kind of question whether we really need surgery and we each have to search our souls for that answer. For me, surgery was like giving up at first I thought...but after all my waffling back and forth I decided it was not giving up, it was reaching out for help with both hands and accepting help that is actually available to me. Why shouldn't we take advantage of something that can help us take control of our lives? I am so glad I did. It is scary to change....but so worth it.

You can also look in the provider directory on the blue cross website. I have used it plenty of times for BCBS of AZ

We make a Breakfast casserole at home we call it....much the same but we use the whole eggs, somtimes a lean sausage (tukey bacon would be good too) add lots of veg like mushrooms, forzen potatoe shreds (like a frozen bag of hashbrowns) Very adaptable and always good! Delicious with fresh pico de gallo on top too! YUMMM!!

If I were in your shoes...I would probably do this... Get up, take viatamins, eat breakfast, workout...then drink coffe to relax after then shower and get ready for the day. your Vitamins dont really count as drinking a liquid even if they are liquid vitamins. I personally like to work out on an empty stomach...don't know why but I am gonna try mornings sometimes too.

How much swelling, can you describe it? Definitely call the docs office and talk to a nurse or someone like that who knows...maybe you can move your appointment up so they can check it out? Maybe you could even email them a picture of it and have them tell you something from that? Just a thought. Ice is always good for swelling but don't do it for more than 15 minutes my doc said...also I did have swelling but it went away. Is the site red, itchy...what's it look like? Do you think it looks infected....or does it just seem to be sticking out there?

I had to do this multiple choice written test which they sent me the week before so I could complete it and bring it with me. Then the interview lasted like 15 minutes, really low key. I had prepared myself for a full on shrink session, it felt more like taking of a medical history. Straightforward and nothing to stress over.

Hospital gown....If you are on your period...like I was they will give you net panties and a pad...it works. Basically you get back to the pre op prep area and they have you get undressed, put on a gown, weigh you, do a pregnancy test (pee in a cup) then they hook up your IV, give you a shot of heparin which you can't even feel really if the nurse is skilled, then they let you put on the socks, they put the leg massagers on you, you talk with all the docs and then eventually they wheel you into the surgery room where they have you scootch onto the op table, put the pulse ox thingy on your finger, tell you you are gonna have a party and if you are like me you are OUT...I didn't even hear them ask me any questions at all...next thing I was waking up. Once I woke up I had to pee, they got me another pad and net panties and from there it was upper GI, and lots of walking, visits from various nurses, physical therapist etc then on my way home about 4 hrs later.

Keep up on your protein....those shakes may not be the best tasting thing in the world but they really help stabalize your blood sugar!

Prtien baby...seriously ...only thing that cuts down the hunger. Muscle Milk rocks....try it...get the vanilla creme because the chocolate is a poor imitation of a true chocolate taste....and the vanilla perhaps you could even add flavors to. 22 g of protein per 14 oz shake....easy to get in enough that way.

(((HUGS))) You know, you are the only person who knows what is right for you. Your boyfriends comment about lainess is just plain bull. He obviously has NO IDEA how difficult and painful it is to be in your body and deal with the extra weight it's more of a disability than laziness so don't let that cut into your soul and stop you. As far as getting less calories and energy level goes...while you are healing HELL YES you will be slowed down....of course you will...but once you figure out how to get in enough Protein and nutrition on the liquid phase you will have more energy than you know what to do with! Please don't listen to other peoples fears, you will have enough of them on your own as you go through this process. His issues are his....most likely (knowing a little about how mu husband thinks) he was sitting with you in the seminar and heard something about how some patients experience a lower energy level during recovery and he turned off his ears at that point and started running in his brain something like...oh great that's not gonna help...she will never be able to exercise etc.....and whil his brain was doing all of that he completely missed the part where they say after your body adjusts you will have more energy and start feeling healthier every single day. I honestly feel like I am waking up from a food coma...I have more energy, I sleep better even though I still cant sleep on my left side or tummy, I don't even need as much sleep at night, I am waking up before my alarm excited to start my day because I have hope and something to look forward to every single day. Don't let anyone else persuade you one way or another. You are the one who will live with the choice one way or another. If you decided, YOU can do it. Now...go throw some TP at your BF and tell him to clean up his crappy attitude.

Read my blog for more info...but here is my experience in a nutshell. My doc didn't require a full on pre op diet, just no fast food etc....so that part I can't help with too much but I can tell you that you could get some of the Muscle Milk brand Protein shakes, the are 240 calories but 23 grams of protein and they are filling and really help a LOT with physical hunger, they also have lots of Vitamins etc so that is also helpful. I personally have found that if I get in less than 40 grams of protein I am TIRED like you would not beleive...like I gave wrong change at work, had to put my head down and rest...and it's a DESK job! So...seriously take in the protein my favorite peotein rich foods are yogurt and cottage cheese...cottage cheese being the highest. The Protein Shakes really pack it in though so keep that in mind. I like the vanilla creme flavor better than the chocolate because I KNOW what good chocolate tastes like...and that aint it....lol. Going back to work....well my surgery was on Tuesday and my first day back to work was the following tuesday. I honestly wish I had taken one more day off but I had caught a cold also and was feeling crappy again. I did find that it took a week before I could get myself on a normal eating schedule and about a week and a half to get bored with the liquids I had chosen up to that point. I can not stress variety enough. Seriously...the K20 protien Water drink mixes ROCKS they taste just like a crystal light but has almost as much protein as a glass of milk at 5 grams for a 16 oz glass of water. Pink lemonade hit the spot too because all of the sugar free stuff made me feel like I was on sugar overload and I was a sweet junkie! I am just totally getting sick of the sweet taste of everything. I know for a fact that if I had been better about gettig my protein in those first few days at work I would not have been so tired and perhaps might not have had the major emotional hunger issue that I had on Wednesday...but I beat that craving into submission and moved on in my own way. I don't think it matters if you tell everyone. If you really want to hide it you can. Things to be aware of...you can't bend over that first week. I am day 12 post op and can for a few seconds at a time but it really hurts. I am no longer hacving to take anything for pain, not even ibuprofen, but it is really hard to bend over still and I can't lay on my tummy. My husband is sick of the pillow volcano that I sleep in to keep me from rolling onto my tummy or left side...lol. But in all honesty it has been a great experience. I think you will do fine to just take a week off....or surgeryday through the end of the week. If you have the time and can take a couple extra days you will be mostly normal again by the time you go back....so I think you can hide it just fine. You can always say you worked out hard as a reason for moving slowly and being tired and the protein shakes are a popular "diet" so ...easy enough. Just remember protein protein protein...that is where your energy comes from! Good luck...it's goona be awesome!