I've been banded for 21 months. Let me know if you have any questions. Julie

Hey hey! You are doing great!

Let us know when you reach goal...how exciting!

Hi Grace, you are doing fabulous. Will you have to have plastic surgery when you hit goal?

Julie,

I was banded on Friday, March 14th. I'm pretty miserable right now. I have had a glass of wine on both Saturday and Sunday - Is that acceptable? The dr. didn't mention anything other than staying on liquids. Obviously calories would be an issue but......I love having my one glass at night. Thanks for the offer to help.

Wine will not kill you if you have a glass. I drank early on in my surgery and it really took off the edge. That being said, I am a big drinker so that is why my weight loss has stalled. You may find that to be true for you if you over indulge too :-} Enjoy.

Julie,

I was banded on Friday, March 14th. I'm pretty miserable right now. I have had a glass of wine on both Saturday and Sunday - Is that acceptable? The dr. didn't mention anything other than staying on liquids. Obviously calories would be an issue but......I love having my one glass at night. Thanks for the offer to help.

It's not a matter of weight loss at this point as much as healing. Your stomach is swollen and irritated right now, alcohol is an irritant. It's not a wise idea at all to be drinking alcohol at this point.

I'd call your doc and get his opinion, I'll bet it will be a "no" to alcohol just yet.

It's not a matter of weight loss at this point as much as healing. Your stomach is swollen and irritated right now, alcohol is an irritant. It's not a wise idea at all to be drinking alcohol at this point.

I'd call your doc and get his opinion, I'll bet it will be a "no" to alcohol just yet.

I second that.

If you had a 2 week liquid diet post-op, what did your diet consist of??? I will be banded on 3/27, and I am trying to map out my diet plan for the post op...

Also, what did your mushie stage consist of??

Personally I had Resource for the first two weeks, then mushies were healthy foods, mushed up!

Naturally, it has been quite some time since my post op diet, so perhaps Julie would be better qualified to answer.

I believe I did liquids for 2 weeks followed by full liquids., then mushies. Mushie stage consists of tuna and chicken salad, chili, and soft foods like that. Anything that is soft foods. Anyone else?

So, you did 4 weeks of liquids Julie? Wow! That must have been tough!!

I've been banded for 21 months. Let me know if you have any questions. Julie

I been banded since last friday 3/14/08. I am having loose stools all today. I have been on chicken broth and popsicles. Is this normal. Plus, I am feeling an urge to eat something not because I am hungry but I am used to eating. any suggestions

Loose stools are very common since you are basically on liquids. As far as the head hunger goes that is totally normal. Just try and stay focused and keep the eye on the prize. You will be on mushies then solids then it is fill time. Everything will be okay. Good luck.

I been banded since last friday 3/14/08. I am having loose stools all today. I have been on chicken broth and popsicles. Is this normal. Plus, I am feeling an urge to eat something not because I am hungry but I am used to eating. any suggestions

I don't normally advocate protein drinks, but during the first few weeks, paticularly when one is on liquids, we need the extra protein and vitamins that such drinks contain. They are usually not high calorie so won't affect your weight loss in any great way.

Perhaps you could try throwing a protein drink or two in a day. And if you haven't already, talk to your doctor regarding the loose stools. He/She might have some suggestion than none of us have thought of.

Julie:

I'm so glad you made the offer of answering questions. I have a bunch...hope you don't mind. I'm considering lapband, but, and I'm not quite sure why, it scares me to death. I think it is because it is for the rest of my life...but then I realize that this is the ONLY way I'll be able to lose weight and keep it off.

question 1: does the port interfere with anything? (swimming, tanning, sex, exercise, etc.)

question 2: a friend told me that eating bread was basically out. Does that mean I won't be able to eat bread again? His reason was because it kinda clumps together and won't pass through.

question 3: what about steak? Is that a possibility after being banded?

question 4: I guess this kinda hits the whole food issue...what do you do when you eat out? I was on weight watchers for a while and I could eat out if I was careful. How 'bout with a band?

question 5: is the surgery an outpatient thing? Do you spend the night in the hospital? Is the stomach/abdomen swollen after surgery? If so, for how long?

question 6: how often do you get fills? What determines when you get a fill?

I think that's all I can think of for now. I guess I just really need someone who's been there to tell me all about it. Hope I haven't asked too much.

I am not Julie, but I will help out if I can.... (my reply in blue)

question 1: does the port interfere with anything? (swimming, tanning, sex, exercise, etc.)

The port doesn't bother me at all. I have a fairly low BMI at this stage, and I can feel it quite easily but it doesn't stop me from doing anything.

question 2: a friend told me that eating bread was basically out. Does that mean I won't be able to eat bread again? His reason was because it kinda clumps together and won't pass through.

I am totally unfilled (by choice, I didn't want to lose anymore weight) and I eat bread on a daily basis. Brown, never white, but it's still bread. I have no problems, but some people do. It's very individual.

question 3: what about steak? Is that a possibility after being banded?

I know of people who do eat steak.

question 4: I guess this kinda hits the whole food issue...what do you do when you eat out? I was on weight watchers for a while and I could eat out if I was careful. How 'bout with a band?

I eat anything I like really. I just make sensible choices.

question 5: is the surgery an outpatient thing? Do you spend the night in the hospital? Is the stomach/abdomen swollen after surgery? If so, for how long?

I was in hospital for 2 nights, 3 days. But I am in Australia, and we do do things a little differently.

question 6: how often do you get fills? What determines when you get a fill?

I had fills as often as I needed them for the fist six months. On average every 4 weeks. Afetr that, I had one here and there. But again, that is something that is individual. Usually the determination is, if you are hungry after meals, are exercising, eating right and not losing. But that does vary from doctor to doctor.