Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

I believe it.....but what is weird.....when I got back from barium test , they never reconnected me to the IV fluids. I did drink water all night long. Oh well, I would rather be pumped full of fluids than dehydrate.

I imagine this applies even more to bypass procedures. But judging by how many people come home and jump on the scale only to freak out because they gained up to 9 pounds, it must be true for us, too.

I imagine this applies even more to bypass procedures. But judging by how many people come home and jump on the scale only to freak out because they gained up to 9 pounds, it must be true for us, too.

lol yup, i made it my goal to weigh myself at home in the morning right before i left for surgery, and they had me take some liquid med and drink some water after surgery...i came home, 4 1/2 pounds heavier from 4 sips of water and a tbs of medicine....lol (and about 4 1/4 pounds of IV fluids)

took me these past 2 days to rid myself of that and get back to my starting weight.

lol yup, i made it my goal to weigh myself at home in the morning right before i left for surgery, and they had me take some liquid med and drink some water after surgery...i came home, 4 1/2 pounds heavier from 4 sips of water and a tbs of medicine....lol (and about 4 1/4 pounds of IV fluids)

took me these past 2 days to rid myself of that and get back to my starting weight. :mad2:

ya the nurse told me to not even bother weighing myself, she said my body is so confused from surgery and all the fluids it wont know whether to gain or loose. ( the nurse was also a bandster)

HI all, 4th day out and feeling pretty good. Still tender but the gas pains are much better. I weighed this morning and have lost 5 pounds since surg date. My husband says he can really see it in my face and I can feel it in the abdomen. The gas pains were terrible yesterday. Had to force the protein drinks and water down but had to do it. I think that helped to relieve a lot of water retention. Finally on the upswing.!!!

OK, vacationing with my new band hasn't been too bad. I was nervous about vacation food temptations.

I am surpraised about the psychological connection with the banded stomach and the brain! Normally, I would be eting everysea creature and tasty treat know to the sushine state. But I am not. I am able to "do" my liquids and be satisfied. Unbelievable!

Wednesday I am allow to start mushie foods. I am looking forward to Salmon. Now I am getting paranoid, because I am have done so well on the 2 weeks of liquids with the band (Highest 199.6/ Surgery day196/ current 184/ goal 130) I am afraid when I go the "Real food", I might gain the 15 pounds back. Did anyone else think this way?

My first fill is scheduled for Sept. 2. and I really think this will be important as I am concerned about being about to eat more than my 1 cup a meal.

Any suggestionw will be helpful. I just don't want to mess this up - it is going sooooo well.

I love my little buddy; "Bandy"

Going to the beach today with my children and grandchildren.

Life is good and skinny feels GREAT!

OK, vacationing with my new band hasn't been too bad. I was nervous about vacation food temptations.

I am surpraised about the psychological connection with the banded stomach and the brain! Normally, I would be eting everysea creature and tasty treat know to the sushine state. But I am not. I am able to "do" my liquids and be satisfied. Unbelievable!

Wednesday I am allow to start mushie foods. I am looking forward to Salmon. Now I am getting paranoid, because I am have done so well on the 2 weeks of liquids with the band (Highest 199.6/ Surgery day196/ current 184/ goal 130) I am afraid when I go the "Real food", I might gain the 15 pounds back. Did anyone else think this way?

My first fill is scheduled for Sept. 2. and I really think this will be important as I am concerned about being about to eat more than my 1 cup a meal.

Any suggestionw will be helpful. I just don't want to mess this up - it is going sooooo well.

I love my little buddy; "Bandy"

Going to the beach today with my children and grandchildren.

Life is good and skinny feels GREAT!

Ok, first, have a WONDERFUL time on your vacation. I am sooooo jealous! I spent mine working summer school (to pay my 2500 co pay) and now recuperating :mad2: And school starts back here Aug 4th.:biggrin:

I have been on mushies since day 8. I only eat 1/4 to 1/2 c per sitting. Even though it is mushy, I still chew. It takes me about 15 min. to eat my "meal" and then I am done. If I feel like I want more, I wait. A few min. later I always realize that I am, indeed, FULL. I never would have thought this would happen!!!! I am eating mushies every 4 hrs and it is working well for me. Oh, your first mushy meal will be the best food you have EVER put in your mouth. What made you think you could eat a whole cup of food? Did your dr/dietitian give you that amount? I don't think I could eat a whole cup, and I don't want to know if I can.

Continue to have a fabulous time with your family in Florida, and let us know how it is going.

I was banded on the 24th of July. I have been reading all of your posts and that is what has kept me going these past few days. Everyday gets easier and easier.

Anyway, I was always on the skinny side while growing up and through my twenty's. When I turned 32 and had my 4th child is when I started having problems with my weight. I also had high cholesterol and diabetes. So, after trying myself for 6 years I decided I needed help. My mother and my aunt both had gastric bypass and I knew I didn't want to go that route. I started researching about the lap band earlier this year and decided that it sounded right for me. I have been married to a very supportive man for the last 9 and 1/2 years. I have a 17 year old boy, 13 year old girl, a 9 year old girl and a 6 year old girl. I work at the school my two youngest attend so I feel like I am with them everyday.

My surgery went well. No real complaints. I just was surprised that I couldn't move very well...I guess that's because I never had any real surgery before.:biggrin2:

I hope everyone who is getting banded next week does well and my thoughts and prayers are with you!

Kari

Hellooooo Can I join please? I am a July Butterfly, I got banded 10 days ago in the UK which is where I am from. I am so lucky to have had this surgery done for free over here. I have loads to lose but one day at a time to win this ol' battle. I finally was able to lie down in bed last night, it was sheer bliss lol., and I was lucky to not have any gas. I am still on liquids and will be for 4 weeks post op, so am making my own nutritious soups and they seem to be working and filling me up. Would kill for a burger though....

Hi Babysoftly!

I was able to sleep on my right side and lay down flat last night, hooray!!

I just weighed myself and I have lost 5 lbs. since Thursday....but a good burger always sounds good! LOL

Welcome, Babysoftly! :-)

Lol... thank you for the welcomes X I have in total now lost 24 lbs pre op and post op.

That's great, congratulations!

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Today is my first day on full liquids. One cup of soup and I was full! Weird feeling, but I guess we'll get used to it. Can't wait until 8/4 when I can start mushies.

Question, does anyone salivate alot when they eat/drink? It's something new to me.

Hi Orea15!

How do I get the ticker and July Butterflies banner on my posts?

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Today is my first day on full liquids. One cup of soup and I was full! Weird feeling, but I guess we'll get used to it. Can't wait until 8/4 when I can start mushies.

Question, does anyone salivate alot when they eat/drink? It's something new to me.

I'm interested in what you're saying about saliva - I'm having surgery this Thursday. I understanding about the PB (productive burp_ but I've also read about people "sliming" - it sounds disgusting. Does anyone know what this is about? thanks - good luck to all this week's butterflies.