Hi guys! Hope you don't mind me joining you. I'm Rachel, I'm 32, and I was banded on April 12th with a Realize band. I have 2 daughters (3 and 6) and a husband and we live in sunny (HA!) Massachusetts.

I had started the lap-band process in 2006, but ended up getting pregnant while on my pre-op diet. Fine by me, as we'd been trying for 2 years and had had 2 miscarriages and had pretty much given up on having another child. Once she turned 2.5, we'd moved close to Boston and I decided to look into banding again. I was 282 at my first appointment. I went down to 271 at my last pre-surgery weigh in. I'm 5'7".

So there's all my random personal info for ya I feel like I've been on this site 24/7 since I had the surgery!

Hi guys! Hope you don't mind me joining you. I'm Rachel, I'm 32, and I was banded on April 12th with a Realize band. I have 2 daughters (3 and 6) and a husband and we live in sunny (HA!) Massachusetts.

I had started the lap-band process in 2006, but ended up getting pregnant while on my pre-op diet. Fine by me, as we'd been trying for 2 years and had had 2 miscarriages and had pretty much given up on having another child. Once she turned 2.5, we'd moved close to Boston and I decided to look into banding again. I was 282 at my first appointment. I went down to 271 at my last pre-surgery weigh in. I'm 5'7".

So there's all my random personal info for ya I feel like I've been on this site 24/7 since I had the surgery!

Welcome Rachel, you came to right place. There is alway someone going through the same things you are on the site and it makes life so much easier. Hope everything is going well with your band.

Thanks for the welcome Brenda- so far so good! The incision sites are sore still but today was my first day on "full liquids" and I lost 8 pounds last week. I'm AMAZED that I managed to live for a week on protein shakes, broth, and jell-o but now I'm glad to move on!

Hi Rachel! I'm 2 days behind you. Banded on the 14th. I'm feeling great. My port site is a bit sore still, but the other incisions are mostly healed, I guess, because I don't even feel them. I'm on liquids until next week, so its Protein shakes, Soup (no chunks) and jello/pudding for me, but I'm not hungry. I've been drinking a slim-fast or carnation instant Breakfast for breakfast, some soup around mid-day and have needed to remind myself to eat something for dinner. Now that's different!

Welcome!!

Welcome! Congrats on having to wait to get your Lapband, and then the ultimate banding .

Hi Rachel! I'm 2 days behind you. Banded on the 14th. I'm feeling great. My port site is a bit sore still, but the other incisions are mostly healed, I guess, because I don't even feel them. I'm on liquids until next week, so its Protein shakes, soup (no chunks) and jello/pudding for me, but I'm not hungry. I've been drinking a slim-fast or carnation instant breakfast for breakfast, some soup around mid-day and have needed to remind myself to eat something for dinner. Now that's different!

Welcome!!

Hi Carol, thanks for the welcome! All 5 of my incisions are still sore, you're lucky

Welcome! Congrats on having to wait to get your Lapband, and then the ultimate banding .

Thanks so much Spot I'm sorry your whole surgery and trip experience was so miserable. Are you feeling OK now?

Thanks for asking. I'm doing much better. However, my belly has been awfully sore the last couple days. I may be trying to eat too much, too soon. Trying to figure out all my new feelings in my stomach, at least, lol. My doctor might be a little too loose in regards to post-op diets, me thinks.

Yeah, it's amazing how the feelings in your stomach change, huh? I had to do a full week of clears, 1 week of full liquids, and it's hard but I'm glad I'm doing it. No wonder if anything's not going through

Hi and welcome!

Hi Rachel....

Congrats on your daughter and the banding

I'm scheduled for 4/26 and just had my final pre-op appointment this past Monday..... at that point I was at the same as your starting weight for surgery. I'm on my 3rd week of pre-op liquids and (knock on wood) haven't cheated once! This will be a huge accomplishment for me if I make it the full 3 weeks

I'm glad your banding went well (and you too Carol).... I hope I feel as good as the both of you afterward

You definetly came to the right forum.... the group here is terrific! There is a lot of support from everyone and its great to talk and read from people who have and maybe still have the same struggles you do!

Welcome!

Faith

Hi Faith!

I CAN NOT IMAGINE doing the liquid pre-op diet, not for one week, sure as heck not for three weeks. That's AMAZING that you haven't cheated once Must make you feel like you know you'll succeed after surgery, since you have shown such amazing self control!

Hi Faith!

I CAN NOT IMAGINE doing the liquid pre-op diet, not for one week, sure as heck not for three weeks. That's AMAZING that you haven't cheated once Must make you feel like you know you'll succeed after surgery, since you have shown such amazing self control!

Thanks Rachel!

I honestly was really super worried about it and I'm definetly NOT saying its easy but my family and friends have been really helpful. To tell you the truth I was petrified and wanted to scream when the doctor said I had to do it for 3 weeks.... I knew I'd have to do it for up to 3 weeks but I was hoping for somewhere in the middle. So I started trimming down in the month before I started to try and make it a little easier to manage (eating smaller portions, higher Protein foods, etc).

I couldn't have done it this far without my husband and kids though. He is really great cooking dinner every day and trying to have it cleaned up before I get home so I don't have to see everyone eat. The kids have been great too, my son is so cute, he keeps me going by counting down the days and saying cute things like "mommy can eat real food again after she gets her belly fixed" and my daughter is very supportive, she was chubby most of her childhood and slimmed down recently so she has been helping as much as possible. My friends also text me to check in on me every few days.

I'm not sure post op but I am hopeful that I will do good! That's why we are all here to help each other

Thanks again... I hope you have great success!!!

Faith

Hi all, I had my surgery 4/12 and have to do 3wks of liquids only. I am drinking lots of water with a little light cranberry juice to help with the taste, protein shakes, Popsicles, and strained v8 juice. I am feeling weak and exhausted by the end of the day. Anybody else having a problem with this? I know that some doctors allow eating yogurt, pudding and creamed soups but I can't and am worried about going back to work on Monday. Any suggestions?

Yes, it leaves me feeling weak and wiped out as well, though I'm now on "full" liquids. Gosh, I can't imagine only protein shakes and clear liquids for three weeks, you poor thing I would call your surgeon Monday morning and ask if you can be moved to full liquids now that you've been banded almost 2 weeks. It really does help you to feel more human.

Hi all, I had my surgery 4/12 and have to do 3wks of liquids only. I am drinking lots of water with a little light cranberry juice to help with the taste, protein shakes, Popsicles, and strained v8 juice. I am feeling weak and exhausted by the end of the day. Anybody else having a problem with this? I know that some doctors allow eating yogurt, pudding and creamed soups but I can't and am worried about going back to work on Monday. Any suggestions?