Hi I'm Jen,

I had surgery in sydney 2 weeks ago with SIOS. 10kg down, 25kg to go to my goal. Done everything by the book so far.

Starting puree food tomorrow.

Anyone from sydney provide advice for me?

What have i got to watch out for? what works? what doesn't... any ideas on puree food recipes?

Also, I have something like muscle pain around my port still... is this normal? other incisions do not hurt. No idea what they look like, as dressing is still on., Was told to leave it until my first appointment - which is on tuesday 19th.

Cheers, :rolleyes2:

Jen.

Hi Jen, I just notice no one responded to your post, thats not very friendly of us!!

I cant really help you tho cos im not getting banded until 6th of July!

Hope its all going well for you! Any advice about opti fast? So not looking forward to it.. I have decided that I am going to go on 2 weeks early.. give the LB a headstart! So in total i will be doing 4 weeks of opti.. My Bf is going to do it as well so hopefully that will help i wont have to cook him food!

Cheers

Pickle

I'm not from sydney sorry but muscle pain is pretty normal. I had a bit of pain even a month after surgery - not severe mind you, just uncomfortable. If it continues though, speak to the doctor.

Ms Pickle - my advice on the opti is to mix it with ice and cold Water . The colder you can make it the better. The first few days are the worst, but it does get slightly easier. I have also heard of some people mixing low cal flavoured syrup to it to make it like a milkshake. Good luck!

hi jen

im from sydney and getting my band on the 10 june with sios. so how are you feeling. with being 2 weeks post surgery whats it like with being on the fluids are you in any pain. im starting to get nervous now.

jacqui

Also another thing for the optifast stage. I've tried the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes - Overall I'd say the strawberry are better even though I don't really like strawberry, they're sweeter and when you do end up burping it up you don't feel like your going to puke. Also try putting cottes low fat low sugar choc syrup in the choc ones, same with vanilla and strawberry, hardly any calories and makes it taste better. I'm just over 2 weeks out at the moment (almost 3) and I'm still getting pains behind my port, so I'm ringing my nurse tomorrow to see what's up with that. Good luck =)

Hi Jaqui,

Im doing really well thanks. No pain anymore - everything is as it was pre-surgery, although I just get full alot quicker! liquid phase was not difficult for me, nor the puree phase. Start solid foods tomorrow! I'm about 13 kg lost so far, and the band has not been filled yet! so I would not be nervous at all - it will be fine. First few days are not pleasant, but bearable. Just keep the anti-vomit pills handy, as I had a bad time with anaesthetic, until about 2 days post surgery. I actually enjoyes the liquid phase - Optifast was not hard, topped it up with low cal drinks and also got right into the continental thin soups! Just remember - sip, sip, sip - dont gulp! and try to cough after surgery - the sooner the better. Gets rid of all the 'left over' gas stuff from the breathing tubes etc.

Keep in touch, im sure you will be fine :cool: who is your surgeon? Ashfield or Concord? I went to ashfield.

Thanks four weeks out now and you're right, just uncomfortable if i bend right down - but its no longer painful. :cool:

Hi Mspickle thanks for the reply. The optifast is strict, but my advice is just to do it, try and get your liver solid and small as possible for the op - it does make a real difference. I had the choc & vanilla - sure you get sick of them, but its not that bad. You can thicken it with crushed ice, or as everyone has said - add topping. I didnt need to do either, but i hear it works. The first week is hard, you just gotta get through it - then your appetite re-adjusts and your really not that hungry. Also, drink heaps. 2L water a day - sip all day - that also quells your hunger. (we often mistake thirst for hunger)

Good luck for July! :cool:

Cheers,

Jen.

Hi Jen,

I also wanted to let you know that you're not alone in Sydney. I was banded in October 2007 and have lost about 30 kilos since then. I found the Optifast terrible, because it's pre-band so I was still so hungry. And it's hardly gourmet meal stuff! But it did the trick, getting me down to a safe, operable weight.

Post band it's been great. Not all plain sailing, having to learn to eat the right quantities at the right times, but it has been worth the effort. I now have about 4 to 5 kilos to go before I reach my goal weight. Yes, it's taken a long time, but I'm in no hurry. It's a life changing decision putting in a band and I am going to enjoy the increased energy for the rest of my life!

MC

Rivven,

I am also in Sydney banded on 11th June. You are doing amazingly well to lose 13 kg so far. I am down 7kg but have not lost any weight on my mushy stage. I think I need tips from you.

I am getting my first fill today, so I hope that will help. I think I must have been eating too many calories on the mushy stage. It is incredibly frustrating. I think I actually put on half a kilo. I am trying not to let it get me down and wait till after the fill.

It sounds like you may have a similar amount of weight to lose that I do. I also have around 25kg to lose to get to my goal.

Good luck and hope all goes well with you.

I am from Wollongong and I had my op last year. About the port I still get some pain around the port after fills and when exercising. You need to be very carefull when doing exercise I find different things can cause pain to the port and my left shoulder.