4/20/12 Surgeries

[Babiecaykes 3]

Hi All, I was hoping that since we all share the same "Bandday" I was hoping we could share stories and support. I had my first follow up on 5/2 and have lost 25 lbs since my pre op on 4/2. I have hypothyroidism so I was/am very concerned about that affecting my journey because it has been a hell of a journey on its own, I wish it on no one. I also didn't have the best eating habits before (i was an undereater) I would often go all day without eating. I have mostly always eaten healthy so overheating, binging, or snacking on unhealthy foods wasn't a major issue for me my psyche find is difficult to eat when I am not hungry. I had to promise my doctor that I would put all of my effort into eating several times a day. I set reminders on my phone now and I really try to follow through because I know the thyroid is already a great challenge to my metabolism.

Right now my typical diet is a Protein Shake smoothie I make at home in the morning and sip on all day until its finished. I believe it has enough Protein to take me through the daily requirement. I drink Water consistently through the day which I always did so that's easy! About 10 am I have cream of wheat, 12 - pudding, 3 - instant grits, then when I get home I flux ( to give myself some variety) between another cream of wheat, grits, chicken salad, or a few slices of thin sliced deli turkey and about 7:30 I have another pudding and I don't have a habit of eating late or normally after 8 unless I'm traveling for work or at a social function so I'm usually done after my 7:30 pudding. I will continue to drink water though until I go to sleep because I am usually more thirsty than hungry anyway. The only variation in my time may be traveling for work for example I went on a work trip the past three days and I took everything with me except the protein but I did purchase pre-made shakes because after one day without it I felt the difference. I think with my medications the protein really makes a difference in my energy levels.

My dr still has me on the post-op light duty and I figured out why the conference was in Atlantic city and I'm not much of a gambler(would much rather spend my money on shoes) so I tested myself and walked the boardwalk and that is the first time in since about day 4 post op that I have felt pain so I am taking it easy!! The most difficult part for me so far has been the Constipation I also have to take Iron because I am anemic (side effect of thyroid) so that makes it that much worse!!!

So please share how your doing I would love to know?? My first fill is scheduled for 6/6

[c945105 18]

Hi , I was banded 4/20 too. I'm doing and recovering I think as well as could be expected. First few days sore at incisions but quickly subsided each day. I was lucky as didn't have the dreaded gas issue most talk about. The recovery nurse said my dr tries to push as much gas out of body before closing so maybe there is a secret to that . I worked from home the first week which was nice but could have gone in. I have a computer/phone job.

After 5 days hunger started coming back. I have been pretty diligent to stick to the diet but able to eat more. Now on regular food I can eat most anything . Dry chicken hard though .

I'm somewhat in bandster hell though as only lost .6 pounds second week after losing 7lb the first week. Thinking lack of calories is shocking body but not freaking out yet since I've read about this.

Feel great now and hoping can stay strong until fill 5/30.

Cyndi

[Chrja01 0]

I had my surgery on 4/20 also. 1st week was a litte rough but worked anyway. The second week was pretty normal with eating nothing but Protein shakes, eggs and bisque. Third week just beginning and I have eaten fresh fish with no issue. I too have leveled off on the weight loss but not too concerned. I am only eating low carb and staying below 15 carbs a day. There is no restriction with the band and will try more normal food this week.

I do have a concern with my bile movements and have started taking my Fiber again to get more regular. Curious to know if anyone is having issues in this department?

[c945105 18]

I had my surgery on 4/20 also. 1st week was a litte rough but worked anyway. The second week was pretty normal with eating nothing but Protein shakes' date=' eggs and bisque. Third week just beginning and I have eaten fresh fish with no issue. I too have leveled off on the weight loss but not too concerned. I am only eating low carb and staying below 15 carbs a day. There is no restriction with the band and will try more normal food this week.

I do have a concern with my bile movements and have started taking my Fiber again to get more regular. Curious to know if anyone is having issues in this department?[/quote']

I haven't had issues but I think normal as I see allot of posts about that . I'm actually reversed as had lots of loose stools before I think from high carb diet and not tolerating. Now it's much more normal although much less as intake is much less.

Cyndi

[DerbyGirl4 0]

I had chicken today, was a little worries at first but I ate slowly and really felt sastified after I ate.

I am finally now getting over being sore and have added back skating to my cardio. Are any of you exercising other than walking? I want to do more but I am going to wait until 5/17 when I have my first checkup.

I haven't had any issues with bowel movements either but I have been adding some benefiber to my morning Water daily.

Can't wait to hear everyone's results this month. I am trying not to weigh myself all the time.

[Babiecaykes 3]

I had my surgery on 4/20 also. 1st week was a litte rough but worked anyway. The second week was pretty normal with eating nothing but Protein shakes' date=' eggs and bisque. Third week just beginning and I have eaten fresh fish with no issue. I too have leveled off on the weight loss but not too concerned. I am only eating low carb and staying below 15 carbs a day. There is no restriction with the band and will try more normal food this week.

I do have a concern with my bile movements and have started taking my fiber again to get more regular. Curious to know if anyone is having issues in this department?[/quote']

I do have issues with the bowel movements too and mine take me down until I go. However my dr told me to takes milk of magnesia and that worked well yesterday. Other than that and a little tenderness by my port I am ok too. I am trying not to weigh myself too much be ause I don't want to be obsessed with it.

[Babiecaykes 3]

Hi ' date=' I was banded 4/20 too. I'm doing and recovering I think as well as could be expected. First few days sore at incisions but quickly subsided each day. I was lucky as didn't have the dreaded gas issue most talk about. The recovery nurse said my dr tries to push as much gas out of body before closing so maybe there is a secret to that . I worked from home the first week which was nice but could have gone in. I have a computer/phone job.

After 5 days hunger started coming back. I have been pretty diligent to stick to the diet but able to eat more. Now on regular food I can eat most anything . Dry chicken hard though .

I'm somewhat in bandster hell though as only lost .6 pounds second week after losing 7lb the first week. Thinking lack of calories is shocking body but not freaking out yet since I've read about this.

Feel great now and hoping can stay strong until fill 5/30.

Cyndi[/quote']

You can do it keep your eyes on the prize and stay positive. The few times I felt hungry I realized that I didn't finish my Protein shake so I have resolved that that is a really important part of my day.

[c945105 18]

I had chicken today' date=' was a little worries at first but I ate slowly and really felt sastified after I ate.

I am finally now getting over being sore and have added back skating to my cardio. Are any of you exercising other than walking? I want to do more but I am going to wait until 5/17 when I have my first checkup.

I haven't had any issues with bowel movements either but I have been adding some benefiber to my morning Water daily.

Can't wait to hear everyone's results this month. I am trying not to weigh myself all the time.

[/quote']

I'm just walking still. I'd like to add a slow jog in but they basically said to wait until next appt. although I think when really comfortable can do it. My next appt is 5/30 and don't think will wait that long but probably give it another week or so. I just don't want to risk the port shifting or band moving but surgeon didn't seem worried about that.

[aemh 1]

Hi everyone! I was also banded on 4/20/12. This has been an interesting process. As of right now since April 11^th (pre-op diet) I have lost 18 pounds. I am trying to set goals for myself to help motivate myself.

As far my surgery, I do believe I had a perfect experience. The only pain I experienced for 2 days was from the port, the gas pains hit me that Sunday. I was back at work that Tuesday. I had no appetite for over a week and was constipated. I am still trying to get my energy level back to normal and I still have pains from my port when I stand up. As far as the food, last week I went through the depression of I’m never going to be able to eat normal again. This week I am on chicken and tuna salad. I did cheat this weekend and had chickfila chicken nuggets. I felt very guilty, but it tasted sooooo good. I am back on the right track now.

I go for my first fill on Wednesday, I am very very very nervous, but excited at the same time. I do feel like my appetite is back and this weekend I kept testing myself to see what I could have i.e. the chicken nuggets.

A suggestion for any kind of Constipation is to use Colace. This is what my doctor told me to use, which was a life saver. This was not a heavy ex lax that made me stay home all day.

[c945105 18]

Hi everyone! I was also banded on 4/20/12. This has been an interesting process. As of right now since April 11^th (pre-op diet) I have lost 18 pounds. I am trying to set goals for myself to help motivate myself.

As far my surgery' date=' I do believe I had a perfect experience. The only pain I experienced for 2 days was from the port, the gas pains hit me that Sunday. I was back at work that Tuesday. I had no appetite for over a week and was constipated. I am still trying to get my energy level back to normal and I still have pains from my port when I stand up. As far as the food, last week I went through the depression of I’m never going to be able to eat normal again. This week I am on chicken and tuna salad. I did cheat this weekend and had chickfila chicken nuggets. I felt very guilty, but it tasted sooooo good. I am back on the right track now.

I go for my first fill on Wednesday, I am very very very nervous, but excited at the same time. I do feel like my appetite is back and this weekend I kept testing myself to see what I could have i.e. the chicken nuggets.

A suggestion for any kind of Constipation is to use Colace. This is what my doctor told me to use, which was a life saver. This was not a heavy ex lax that made me stay home all day.

[/quote']

You lucky duck getting a fill so soon! Have to wait until 5/30 and hungry! I'm trying trying trying. I've slipped a little too but not too bad. Nothing like before. Funny how the guilt fills I didn't think I'd feel comfortable eating things although I've heard enough people say no fill=eat anything.

[Chrja01 0]

Hi everyone! I was also banded on 4/20/12. This has been an interesting process. As of right now since April 11^th (pre-op diet) I have lost 18 pounds. I am trying to set goals for myself to help motivate myself.

As far my surgery' date=' I do believe I had a perfect experience. The only pain I experienced for 2 days was from the port, the gas pains hit me that Sunday. I was back at work that Tuesday. I had no appetite for over a week and was constipated. I am still trying to get my energy level back to normal and I still have pains from my port when I stand up. As far as the food, last week I went through the depression of I’m never going to be able to eat normal again. This week I am on chicken and tuna salad. I did cheat this weekend and had chickfila chicken nuggets. I felt very guilty, but it tasted sooooo good. I am back on the right track now.

I go for my first fill on Wednesday, I am very very very nervous, but excited at the same time. I do feel like my appetite is back and this weekend I kept testing myself to see what I could have i.e. the chicken nuggets.

A suggestion for any kind of Constipation is to use Colace. This is what my doctor told me to use, which was a life saver. This was not a heavy ex lax that made me stay home all day.

[/quote']

I can't believe you are getting a fill this soon. I thought we had to heal first.

[Chrja01 0]

Hey April 20 Banders, how is week 3 going? I have nothing new to report and eating a low carb diet staying mostly with fish, tuna fish and chicken salad. I feel great and the weight is just the same. After going back on fiber everything in the lower track is back to normal. Rocking along until my next visit May 25th.

[DevusQT 0]

Hi all. I was banded on 4/20 as well. At my follow-up appointment 5/2, I had lost 15 lbs. The soreness has now stopped. But I do not feel regular... Started back taking fiber today.

[c945105 18]

Hi, I'm feeling good. No pain and digestively good. I'm pretty low carb and mostly tuna, chicken. Well it's way low carb for me anyhow and body feels better for it. I only weigh on Fridays as don't want to be depressed . Getting more walking in and feeling like I can increase but they didn't tell me I could.

My only problem is I am hungry. No fill in my and can pretty much eat anything but working hard not to. Fill will be 5/30 and hope it helps! The planning and still being hungry shortly after will get old in 3 more weeks.

If you are on fitnesspal I'm cyndi_w if you want to friend me. Kind of cool hearing from people that had surgery same day .

[Chrja01 0]

Going into week 4 and do fine eating. I notice when I eat too fast I get very uncomfortable. I am practicing eating slower and waiting to drink after each meal. I get the hiccups every once in awhile during meals and I never used to. Anyone else getting hiccups? All in all doing real good on low carb diet every meal.