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CANADIAN WOMEN Three men were sitting together bragging about how they had given their new wives duties. Garry had married a woman from the U.S. and bragged that he had told his wife she was going to do all the dishes and housecleaning that needed done at their house. He said that it took a couple of days but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were all washed and put away. Jimmy had married a woman from Australia. He bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes, and the cooking. He told them that the first day he didn't see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done,and he had a huge dinner on the table. The third man had married a Canadian girl. He boasted that he told her that her duties were to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything, but by the third day, most of the swelling had gone and he could see a little out of his left eye. Enough to fix himself a bite to eat, load the dishwasher, see the dials on the washing machine and start the lawn mower.

<p>Hi Donna D!</p> <p> </p> <p>I am doing GRRRRReat! I have just started on the puree stage. I am happy to be having a few more choices on my menu... lol although it sure is odd to be eating muck! So far I think I am healing well I still have a few steri strips hanging on and I will just let them do their thing. They don't bother me and no one else sees them.</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr Cobourn warned me that I may not lose any weight and could possibly gained during this phase so I am surprised to have lost 6 lbs since surgery. That doesn't mean that I won't gain though... I still have a few weeks to go before grown up food -=winks=- I think I am really looking forward to a peice of toast! I want some crunch!</p> <p> </p> <p>How are you feeling now that you have had your first fill?</p>

One of my goals when I lost 50 pounds of my weight was to learn how to drive a motorcycle. I have always been a rider and had many stares and ugly comments about the "fat woman on the back". Well I have signed up at our local Harley dealer to learn how to drive in an all womens class and they even have a garage party a few weeks before it that is a womens only event where you can go in and ask all of the stupid questions you want without the people treating you like a total dummy. I am nervous and excited about obtaining one of my "non-food related goals. Any motorcycle drivers out there willing to give this newbie any advice? I am still needing to get some different gloves and a jacket which is a requirement when you are on the course (long sleeves). I am looking also for a motorcycle for me that would be a good starter type bike. Any suggestions would be helpful.:whoo:

Well I haven't had my surgery yet, but I've had a few that have been done laparoscopically and yes, incision sites can take a while to heal completely. I've had a c-section too and the scar is still sore sometimes (mostly itchy), and that was over three years ago. Some things just take time.

If there was a tear in the tissue it could have bled and the hard knot that forms is called a hematoma. It is just a build up of clotted blood under the skin and it is normal. It could take a few weeks to go away. That's just one likely possibility.

I lost 16 in the first week. I'm in the middle of week 2 and haven't lost any. :\ very frustrating - especially since my liquid diet IS a liquid diet - no actual meals. I know what I lost the first week was mainly water weight.

I'm in my first day preop and I'm STARVING! I'm allowed 2 shakes and one 4 oz protein and 1/2 cup green veggies. In between I can have 2 servings of each: broth, jello & Popsicles (sugar free of coarse)

I know that this won't help you with the long wait and the anticipation, but I'd rather be having surgery from a surgeon who is booked for weeks ahead than one who doesn't have many clients and can schedule me right away. I'd feel comforted by the fact that he is in demand for his services!!! Congrats on the date, though and keep us posted.

Welcome! I am a 37 year old mom of three young boys and my story is very similar to yours. Now that this body is done making babes, it's time to get it back!!! Surgery is scheduled for 3/4/14. Best of luck to you! I have learned sooooo much here and I'm sure you will too!

I'm 39 year old and have one 15 year old son and have been thinking about doing this surgery for at least two years. Both my parents are type 1 diabetic with high blood pressure and heart problems too. I refuse to be in the same boat in 20 years! I'm scheduled for surgery two weeks from tomorrow!!!

Hi from the uk Ive had weight issues for my entire adult life (im 34) and am addicted to food. Ive finally decided to stop letting food control me and so here i am three days post op and im struggling to say the least. Not with the food side of the band but with my state of mind. I feel really down and keep thinking about the fact ill never be able to eat normally again, (i didnt feel like this before the op i was super positive and fully researched). I'm starting to wonder if ive done the right thing i know its too late now but is it normal to feel like this? Did anyone here go through the same? Any positive experiences/words/vibes very much welcome:) x

I really don't have advice on the surgery itself because I'm going through the pre-process. I will tell you how I came to my decision....I'm turning 40 this year. I've been struggling with my weight for 20+ years. I'd lose 40-60 pounds to gain it all back plus more. I had a son at age 37 and now that he is so active, I decided I needed to get this done. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I want to be around for my son, I don't want to be an embarrassment. I've stopped and started this process probably 3 or 4 times and was originally going to go with bypass but the whole idea of them cutting my stomach and reducting my insides, freaked me. Permanent freaked me out. The band is such a great tool, I think. Am I worried about complications, yes. BUT, what about the complications from our weight issues? Am I worried about death? Yes, but what about dying from a heart attack at age 45 (for me). I think the risks are worth it. I have really changed things about myself just preparing for this surgery. I know if I would stay on track with the changes I have made for myself, I could probably lose the weight alone but I know it would come back on quickly and the lap band will help me maintain control.. I am a frustrated dieter/life changer. I am able to diet and lose but I get so frustrated when I'm living off of raw vegetables and lean cuisine and not seeing that scale move. I get mad and quit....and the cycle continues. I'm hoping this band will help control the hunger so I'm not "starving" and getting frustrated. I've researched, and weighed my options. I can remain overweight and risk the chances of diabetes, heart disease and cancer to name few or I can gain control of this weight and gain control of my life. I want my son to be proud to call me his mom. I want to take pictures with my son so he has memories of me, but I wont' do it now because I'm humiliated with my appearance. I'm done living in the shadows and I want to be healthy. I'm not saying I want to be skinny...healthy. I've told my surgeon....If I could get to 165 and stay there, I would be thrilled. I want to be able to shop in the normal clothes section and not have to shop in the chubby chic section where they only sell clothes with big flowers and fish on them! In my opinon, you have quit smoking....great move to improve your health and kudos for your decision. Losing weight will only add strength to you and make you feel better, inside and out. I am excited about my decision and will eventually look and feel on the outside like I do on the inside. Do the research.. try www.lapband.com - I got a lot of information there. Go to the surgeon and ask tons of questions. I probably call the nurse at least once a week with a new list of questions and they gladly answer them for me. There is a lot of information here too, just don't listen to the horror stories, because they are with every situtation. Some people have horrible pregnancies, gall bladder removals, perms.....but it doesn't stop other people from have successful perms and births....

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.

this site is soooo awesome. i'm glad to know you all are happy post-op and beyond. for those of you who are having surgery this coming week, my thoughts and prayers are with you. be strong.

I got my date yesterday its 4/8 n im so excited cant wait. . I wanted to do it next week but they were booked already lol

Hello all! I was sleeved on 04-24-12 and I'm curious to know what were/are you eating and how much at Week 6 ? I can eat 4-6 table spoons at the most of soft food and that's 2 times a day, if that. And chicken, I can barely eat 2 tables spoons full. Is this normal? And I can only drink about 20-40 oz of liquid a day :-/ Thank You in advance to your response.

Banded about the same time as you. 2/19/13 and down 90, but have slowed to 7 pounds in 3 months. Not letting it get me down though. If you have support groups in your area, attend, attend, attend as if you life depended on it! Overeaters Anonymous and other programs have helped many surgery patients. Maybe if you have a support group through your hospital you can volunteer to be a speaker for groups of new people seeking bariatric surgery. I did that last week and feel like a new person. Will speak again next month at the Seattle hospital. Good luck and keep on going.

I have to say, I feel great! I am not having any issues. I went for my first post-op visit last week and was told that I can start my mushy stage this week. So, I'm looking forward to a little more solid foods. I do have to admit, I have cheated a couple times and had 'real' food with no issues. I was careful to chew extremely well and take small bites. Other than a little gas, I felt normal. I am concerned since my appetite has returned. I am looking forward to my first fill. I know that I need the restriction in my band because the hunger can be oerwhelming at times. And a protein shake only lasts for about 4 hours before Im starving again. I know this is normal, and just take each day as it comes. I'm happy with my progress and know that when I start getting my fills I will feel much better and not so hungry. Thanks to all of you on this forum, its great to have people of all stages of this process to bounce ideas, comments, and suggestions off of. I have learned so much and appreciate you!

I just returned home from the hospital thus afternoon, my surgery was on the 11th also. My first day post op after I passed my swallow study they wanted me to get in 300-500ml of liquids in, that was a struggle. Now for the next 3 weeks its 48 oz a day. My surgeons told me the best way to know if your getting in enough fluids us by your output. You should be peeing 4 times a day, any less then your not getting enough. I thought that was good advice. Pretty sore but glad to be home.

I don't work but there was no way I could do anything for the first week. Your in some pain and sore and want to sleep it off. Your bloated from the gas they pump into you to move your innards around. You are on only liquids and are weak as a kitten (at least I was). I felt a lot better about 3 weeks out. But then again I am 60 years old. Best to take at least a week off.

From a different point of view.. I had my surgery on Sept 5th (Fri), and returned to work on the following Monday. Still a little sore, but I have a desk job, so I just had to make sure I got up a walked around 30-45 minutes. As far as telling your boss, no you do not have to tell anyone you are having it done. I work in a small environment, and I have yet to tell anyone here that I had it done. To add to the mix, one week post op, and I was preparing for hurricane Ike. Which had me doing a little more than what I had expected to be doing at that point, but I was more than physically capable of doing the needed preparations. Everyone is different, but I just wanted to let you know that yes it can be done.

Betty, just try to relax...I kinda felt that way yesterday, I took my temp and it said 98.3 so I started to freak, but after replacing the battery and taking temps of all three people in the house, including myself, finding out we all had a temp around 98 I was so much more relaxed. My surgeon tells us to call at any hour, even if in the middle of the night. Of course, I wouldn't want to disturb for some unfoundedreason, but if you re really concerned you should write all your questions out nd call your surgeon's office and get them nswered, even if to just make yourself feel better, b/c stress is never good! Tina

As of two weeks ago my company started an Biggest Loser Contest. But no matter what I do all that seems to happens is that I gain weight. I have been hitting the gym 5 times a week and watching what I eat! But as of today I have gained 5 pounds!!! It is starting to get depressing!

I had my surgery 2/11/09 and had bought a case of the Isopure previously. I had three and that is enough. I can't even stand to look at the bottles without gagging. I will try the protein powder I had used before, which is not bad. I will try to find this Unjury.