Hi All - I am being banded aug 24

I know these forums are filled with tips. Was wondering if anyone had some or just one good tip for the first two weeks after surgery that worked really good for you.

Thank you in advance.

Walk,walk.walk!

Walk,walk.walk!

thank you soo much

I happen to be the nurse that recovers the bariatric patients on the surgical unit. My co-workers have also my mantra of walking. It has been 3 1/2months since my lapband& have already lost 58 lbs. I walk 4 1/2 miles 3-5 days a week.

I happen to be the nurse that recovers the bariatric patients on the surgical unit. My co-workers have also my mantra of walking. It has been 3 1/2months since my LAP-BAND®& have already lost 58 lbs. I walk 4 1/2 miles 3-5 days a week.

Wow Ice queen..that is remarkable...weight loss...Congrats to you and thank you for the tips...

I found that after surgery my taste changed and the protein shakes I liked before were too thick and sweet to suit me. I used Special K protein water mixes every day and still do. They give you 5g of protein and 5g of fiber in every bottle of water and are easy to drink when other things may not be at first.

Bree99, I second you on the Special K protein drinks (and on the protein supplements, yuck!).

Take it slow and listen to your body. No means no more! Stick to your post op orders, they are written based on experience.

Best of luck!

I got banded Monday 8/9/10 & today was my first day on the protein drinks. I had 2 today with a lot of water and took a nice walk. I'm so looking toward week 2 when I can have other items.

Gas-x, walk, take time for you dont rush it and if you have to stay overnight in the hospital have someone stay with you...oh yea lots of pillows both in the hospital & at home AND finally stay on this website!!! It was my survival guide the first week.

Be patient! Give your body time to heal. And, STAY OFF THE SCALE!!!! Too many people get discouraged because they're not losing right away. Your body needs time to get over the major surgery you're putting it through.

Wishing you all the best!

1. Don't be afraid to ask for pain medication. It helped me sleep because the large incision felt like it was "tugging".

2. Bring Water with you wherever you go. When I had hunger-pangs the water usually did the trick.

3. I had a strange craving for OJ after my surgery when I was only allowed liquids, the doctor told me to have it when I felt I needed it because my body was telling me something was missing.

4. When you are allowed mushy and pureed foods, go out of your comfort zone. Some things you may not have liked before may become appealing to you.

My best advice is to walk a lot--it really helps recovery.

But since that's already been mentioned, I'd say STAY OFF THE SCALE--it will just frustrate you at the beginning.

This is my 2nd week post-op and my suggestion is: Stay away from the TV, I never knew there were so many food commercials on there! This website has become a great tool for me, esp. when I feel a little down.

Take your own pillow with you to the hospital, and ask for lots of them while you are there; I found sleeping on my side to be most comfortable. Good Luck!

Here are my tips:

1. Get a heating pad, it's very comforting.

2. Get some life savers--they taste great and in some weird way they made me feel better. I had one about an hour after surgery!

3. Don't be a hero and decide you're not going to take your pain meds. Stay ahead of your pain, don't wait till you're miserable. The pain meds help you heal, they take the edge off.

4. sleep as much as possible, it's while you sleep that you heal.

5. Let others take care of you--allow yourself to be taken care of.

6. Soupy cream of wheat tasted so good!

Good Luck!

Rocketray...I totally agree...with everything

You need the heating pad...it's so great when you are not used to sleeping or sitting certain ways or for long periods of time. The pain meds keep you relaxed and healing and why torture yourself? Today was my first day postop when I felt like I might not need them.

Take care of yourself, sleep and don't push it. This is the healing time.