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I talked with my doctor about this. I had trouble getting protein and calories because I can only hold small amounts. She said to aim for 350 calories and 20 grams of protein at each meal. (This is difficult but I'm trying) Eat until you feel full. Three meals, no snacks and then supplement with protein shakes at the end of the day to hit your targets. I am not able to drink a lot of the protein shake so I buy the Body Fortress Protein Powder ( it's 30 grams each scoop) and mix it with 1/2 a cup of skim milk. This has been getting me to my targets.

I went for my post op follow up and I lost 8lbs at there office. But at my primary office a total of 14lbs. In so happy , I thought maybe more but hey I'll take that. I was told to start eating mushy foods and I did. I had to meals today and I noticed in slightly sore. I might just have one meal tomorrow and shakes and yogurts the rest of the day. Good luck to those out there feeling my pain. So far it's worth it.

I took two but they wanted me to wait a month so we compromised with three. I go back Monday. Sent from my iPhone using VST

Can't wait to get back into the gym. Doctor just let me start weight training this week. I want my body back I had 7 years ago befor the accident rueind my leg and I sat around and got fat. The gym keep it off. That's no excuse I could have gotten back into the gym 5 years ago and used my right leg as a excuse not any more. Now if we could just gat a Planet fitness or a golds gym in my town. So the YMCA will have to do they just renovated their gym so will have to check it out Friday Surgery Anniversary 7/30/12

It will vary from person to person but mine are... Flour Bread of any variation Too much sugar free anything Too much sugar in anything More than 1 serving of yogurt in 24 hours Every few weeks any and all green veggies

Weekend again...Sometimes they fly by and sometimes they drag. Guess it depends what you are doing and this weekend I have absolutely nothing planned so looks like a slow one. Still, when I'm home I tend to be able to stick to my own rules better so suppose that's not a bad thing. I didn't eat a thing last night at the dinner. I drank six glasses of water. Can't say it was easy but hubby understood, he was trying to keep food down wind of me lol. I don't have a problem with people eating and I can't but the smell last night...my favourite foods, all freshly cooked. It was a torture :phanvan Never mind...there's nothing on the schedule for the next few weeks so should be OK. Was tempted to look at scale this morning as I lay in bed wondering how things are going but I didn't. I got up and left the room immediately and then had other things on my mind and so another day passed... Have walked and drunk 3/4litre of water so need to drink some more. TOM back ache kicked in so maybe just a short walk this afternoon...I'll see how things go.

So, was sleeved 3 weeks ago today, spent time recovering and now continuing my journey through central/South America. Finding it hard to locate good food sources, as Greek yogurt not common, and a lot of meals are based around maize and beans etc. In terms of eating I’m managing 1 scrambled egg for breakfast (takes a good 30mins to get it down) and drinking lots of water, but worried I’m not getting enough protein. Have tried pharmacies for protein and protein bars but all seem to carry a lot higher sugar and carb content than I’ve been used to and am allowed. Anyone else been travelling straight after surgery? Any ideas? Also still have wicked pain and bruising from major incision site - is that normal after 3 weeks? I would have thought it would have eased up by now. Every other site including drain site is healed and fine. Thanks.

I knew this would happen eventually since this has been my pattern for years, but I'm starting to lose motivation. I haven't worked out in almost a week. Drinking the bare minimum water intake. I'm keeping my calories low but that will probably go out the window at some point as well. This all reminds me why I'm fat in the first place. Even losing 31 pounds in two months hasn't been enough to keep me going. Worst of all, I had my fiance take some pictures to commemorate my reaching 1/3 of my goal weight and all I could think was "Wow, I don't look much different. I'm still really fat." It was kind of a nasty wake up call for me and made me feel pretty down. I thought I must be looking pretty fabulous because I was getting so many compliments from his family but I don't see it. Why can't I give myself a break?

Yes exercise must increase to at least 3 times a week for 30 mins. I dont get a real picture of what you are eating you said you eat less than you use to ? Are you weighing and measureing what you eat.......sticking to 3 or 4 oz as Dr instructs? this is key to sucess our eyeballs tend to decieve us on a regular basis if we don't keep a check on them. Especially true of my pair. Review the basic banding rules and keep reading over and over again until its second nature. Ive was banded almost 2 yrs ago and I review the rules monthly.

So I recently switched insurance companies to one that will approve my surgery...as long as I have a paper proving that I had another insurance UP TO the day that my new insurance starts. Basically that little sheet of paper means that there is no pre-existing clause to my new insurance and PRESTO approval for the VSG. I've had the insurance guys swear on all they hold dear that this is so. No problem, right? WRONG. My 'old' insurance is about to feel what my boot up it's derriere feels like. I cancelled my old insurance and dated it the day before my new insurance picked up. Well, three weeks later their system FINALLY updated and they said they would send me my Proof Of Insurance paper....dated at the end of this month. I don't need the cancellation to be at at the end of this month, I need it to say at the end of LAST month because I've gone to doctors this month and said that my insurance was Insurance B. If I had 2 insurance coverages for the last month that means I have to go back to all these doctors and submit paperwork showing that I had primary AND secondary insurance for them to bill. So sayeth the law. Now, I'm tickled all shades of pink that I finally have this magical document, but I am less than thrilled that I will have to traipse across the city to different doctors to submit another insurance for them to bill that I dont even have anymore. Especially as my 'old' insurance was crap and basically laughed in the face of medical claims and would just punt the claims to my new insurance. Seriously, WHY can't we go back to the way that it used to be and just pay the doctors in chickens? How about a goat? I'm a cake decorator and I'll trade wedding, holiday, anniverary, birthday, and divorce cakes for surgery! Pretty please?

Hello. Fellow 9/19 sleever here. All-in-all it seems like I've had a pretty non-eventful recovery. Day +1 in the hospital was tough to get in all the liquid the dr. wanted (about 10oz). But every day I've been feeling better by leaps and bounds. Came home on Tuesday (9/20) evening. Pain & discomfort are completely manageable. Haven't had the need to use any of the prescribed pain meds since I've been home. I did use liquid tylenol on a couple of occasions, but I think the last was on thursday. Only real discomfort now (and it's pretty minor) is at the main incision site when I get out of bed. The incision sites seem like they're healing up, because they're starting to itch like crazy. I work mostly from home, and for the past couple of days I have been able to spend as much time as I need to at my desk without feeling uncomfortable. Only issue on that front is the energy level. I've taken more naps in the last week than I have since my kids were babies. Up to about 48 oz of Water a day, and able to do 3 Protein shakes plus a couple of other smooth/liquid meals (soup, pudding, yogurt) per day. Walking around fine, and the energy level is finally starting to increase. I feel like I'm ready for soft foods, but I'm not doing anything until my Dr. tells me to at my follow up visit on 9/29. sleeping was a little tough at first, but now seems pretty good. And last night I was able to actually sleep on my side for a while (I'm a big side sleeper). Had some issues with gas early on, but found that the Gas-X strips do a great job managing that quickly. First poop was on Friday, 9/23, and I've been pretty regular since. Biggest challenges now are getting the liquid and protein in and increasing the amount that I'm walking. The liquid diet is getting a little boring, but I'm hopeful that I'll get the thumbs up on Thursday and I can go until then with no problem. HW 348, SW 321, CW 312.

Hi everyone! As I've posted before, I was banded 2/28. After a rough 1st week, last week went very well (drink that water!!!). Tomorrow I go for my check up and I am assuming will be cleared for mushies. So here is my question: any ideas on how I can have some of my family's planned corned beef and cabbage dinner on St. Pat's? I know I can forget about the cabbage, but what do you think, put it thru the food processor, mix with a bit of mashed. I know this whole thing is a bit sick, but truly I was on liquids for 1 week before surgery, plus the 2 after and I am DONE with Soup and shakes! Thanks! Mayra

You feel this way because you JUST had surgery. Its takes a week or 2 for the anaethesia hangover to go away..plus any pain meds you might be taking and even if none, just the antibiotics can have side effects. Your coming out from under a major cocktail..full of gas, swelling and probably having a deficit of sugar/salt/vitamins, etc. I PROMISE..it will pass and the way you feel 1 week from today will be very different. Not perfect..but different. Its normal in the first month or so to second guess. Wait until you feel great again and realize you have no restriction and can eat anything you want! then you will REALLY second guess the process!!!!..but then its fill time. Its not just a tool..its a process. I'm almost a year in and loving it.

My son's asthma started acting up again on Monday he has asthma attack on Tuesday! 160.00 on med's Texas Weather is trying to smother my baby. The soldier that I adopted early this year made it home SAFE and SOUND *well I hope so* He and his family are staying here at the hotel for the week his baby is so beautiful. He said something that struck me he said the people in Iraq dont want us there! and that he was told that they would be better off if the soliders left! WOW I didn't know what to say after that I'm happy he dosent have to go back. He said that they lost over 100 soilders last month I'm to scared to get on the scale to see if I have lost any weight so afraid the scale wont move down!!!! well enough for now

That's alright you're going to past that in a few more weeks! Be blessed!

I'VE BEEN EXTRA AGGRAVATED FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS NOT SURE WHY BUT I HAVE....:scared: I WENT TO SEE MY GYNO FOR REGULAR CHECK UP!! SHE DIDNT KNOW WHO I WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I GOT ON THE SCALE AND IT READ 245...... MY TOTAL LOSS IS 29 POUNDS IN 2 1/2 MONTHS!!!! I'M VERY PROUD OF ME!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE AND I WILL SEE YOU GUYS SOON!!!

Hello all - was just sleeved on the 27th and am one week out tomorrow. I've only just come home from Mexico and am on my last pain pill (which is little - 10 mg of Supradol). It does not make me groggy or loopy at all, just take the edge off a little bit of post-op discomfort, which usually feels like an uncomfortable internal tugging sensation when I've been up and around too long. I think a regular dose of Tylenol would do the same trick, so I'm just wondering if that's okay to take after 1 week? Should it be children's Tylenol? Is there anything I should NOT take? Second question - do Syntax nectars and hot chocolate mixes (the Protein ones from Bariatric Pantry) count as full liquids, Clear Liquids or what? My nutritionist keeps referring to full liquids as ones with "residue." Anyone? Sorry if this is a bit disjointed, I literally just came in from the airport and had no Internet all week! Just questions I know I'll be asking myself in the morning...

OH MY GOD... YES, YES, YES I have experienced these spasms. Let me tell you my story: I was banded on 5/22/08. Was doing great until February of this year. About 8 weeks after I had had a fill (was thinking of going for another as I was eating anything and everything) I awoke one night with severe chest pain radiationg into my neck, down my arms, vomiting, was diaphoretic (cold sweats), and feeling like I was dying. Went to the local emergency room. Had full diagnostic work up with some EKG changes though not enough to cause the pain I had. Was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Well...from the vomiting with the chest pain I developed swelling to the band area. Went to my Lap-Band surgeon expecting just a small unfill to get back on track. He unfilled me immediately (didn't listen to what I had to say as to what I think had happened to cause the pain-I was thinking esophageal spasm as a Donnatal coctail eased my chest pain in the E.R.) and decided to take me to surgery for a diagnostic laparoscopy. Well, that was normal. He did do some lysis of adhesions. Anyway, I have been going back for gradual refills. The last time I went for a fill was about 5 weeks ago. Well, 2 weeks ago I had a really bad incident happen (life incident so to speak-was involved in a really bad accident where my car was totalled but I was not hurt) and vomited due to the stress. Well, since that time I can't eat without severe pain. This pain occurred just as soon as the first bite would round my throat on the way down to my stomach. Hadn't even reached my stomach. Well, after the spasm, I couldn't eat as every bite I tried would lead to a spasm. Went to my family doctor who told me to use nitroglycerine 5 min before I eat-I can't do this as my blood pressure is normally only about 110 on a good day. When I take the nitro I feel like passing out as it lowers my blood pressure. The family doctor did give me some very mild "nerve" pills to take if something bad happens again to prevent vomiting in the first place. Anyway, I continued to have the horrible, severe spasms until I got the bright idea to drink some hot Water or tea just prior to eating and then eat with a warm pack (one of those cloth bags filled with dry Beans or rice warmed up in a microwave) on my chest. Now I can eat with no pain. I am able to eat like I should. I know my band isn't too tight because I have just had a barium swallow which I am awaiting results on but the radiologist did say that the band was not too tight. The warmth of the hot drink and the warm pack keeps the inital spasm from happening and starting a viscious circle. I have been able to eat for the last 2 days like this and feel like I'm on the road to recovery, so to speak. Hope this helps. It is too bad that Docotors don't listen to their band patients and take it from there. I feel as though I had an un-needed surgery and other tests done because they wouldn't listen. Millie

I know that I will forever be mindful of chewing...chew...chew...chew I know that I could not have achieved the weight loss to date without the band. I know that regardless of my success, I will always feel embarrased I let my body 'go' so far. I know that I will eventually be the body size/weight combination with which I am happy. I know that I should have done this several years ago. I know that if there was a magic pill to cure my cravings for nuts, I would take it. I know that my lifestyle changes will impact DH - and ideally mean we are together longer. I know that my family are proud of my success to date. I know that if anyone had said I would become 'a regular' at the Y and be there before 6am 4 days a week, I would not have believed them. I know that I have to keep exercising, even though I do not enjoy it. I know that I have tremendous respect for many of the people I have met on this forum, and that we would not have 'met' were it not for this band.

When I woke up from surgery, I could feel a 'tightness' that made me think I could feel the band. Now, 2 weeks out, when I wake up of a morning, I have restriction and I can feel that, but it goes away after I drink my coffee. I guess I'm just one of those that is tight of a morning.

Hi huni - I am 4 weeks post surgery and feeling incredible, I had alot of gas pain and bruising which took a little over 2 weeks to go. I'm now a completely different woman and can hardly believe I had surgery with so much after pain that I have to check my stitches to prove I had surgery at all. It gets better and you won't believe how quickly. Just get over this 1st hurdle babes, it's very early days for you xXx

Hey Everyone...I made my one week post op vid....Enjoy!!