Liz

haven't talked to him since we were banded, but he posted once in a while on here.

how are you doing?

I'm doing fine! I've lost a total of 13 lbs. but, have gained 3 probably due to the fact I went from liquid to more caloric soups. I'm starting to eat some solids now and haven't had any problems. I just make sure I chew my food until it is similar to a liquid. I'm also going to start working out this week. Hopefully, I will be able to loose a few more pounds before I get my first fill.

Hi,

I was banded 6 days ago and now I feel completely healed which is a good thing....but i am worried because I am able to eat without feeling any pain or restiction. I can't have a fill for another 5 weeks, is this normal? Please advise...

You're only supposed to drink liquids so that your band/stomach can heal otherwise, the food you consume may cause the band to heal because you are still in the early phase.

i wanted to post this because i wasn't sure what to expect about what my abdomen would like like after surgery. i hope this never-meant-to-be-posted picture helps any soon-to-be bansters who wonder what they'll look like afterward. it's not a close up of the incisions, but you get the idea.

i was banded on november 14th. this picture was caught by my cousin as i looked at my incisions in the mirror the next day. i look pregnant (haha); my abdomen was distended because i was blessed with a belly full of gas, which is very normal after this type of surgery. also, couldn't hold my belly in at all because i was really sore at the time. the soreness lasted about a week for me, but i hear time and time again that some have no pain. i have one 1" incision and four 1/4" incisions. and i should say, it has been 16 days... as a registered nurse, i am very impressed at how well everything is healing! absolutely no sign of infection or any other complication. i've lost 13 pounds and feel absolutely wonderful!

good luck to you all!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b264/maz...Untitled-18.jpg

i wanted to post this because i wasn't sure what to expect about what my abdomen would like like after surgery. i hope this never-meant-to-be-posted picture helps any soon-to-be bansters who wonder what they'll look like afterward. it's not a close up of the incisions, but you get the idea.

i was banded on november 14th. this picture was caught by my cousin as i looked at my incisions in the mirror the next day. i look pregnant (haha); my abdomen was distended because i was blessed with a belly full of gas, which is very normal after this type of surgery. also, couldn't hold my belly in at all because i was really sore at the time. the soreness lasted about a week for me, but i hear time and time again that some have no pain. i have one 1" incision and four 1/4" incisions. and i should say, it has been 16 days... as a registered nurse, i am very impressed at how well everything is healing! absolutely no sign of infection or any other complication. i've lost 13 pounds and feel absolutely wonderful!

good luck to you all!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b264/maz...Untitled-18.jpg

It's me Liz again. Do you know how Greg is doing? He is the guy that was banded the same day we were.

Liz

lizkruth@yahoo.com

confused about something...

should i not continue to drink protein drinks once i start solids?

why or why not? doesn't seem that i'll be able to meet my protein requirements on three 1/2 cup meals a day.

or am i wrong? i should know this... sorry if this is a silly question. please help.

thanks!

Hi Kristi Ann,

It's me Liz, I was banded the same day you were. When are you scheduled to eat solids? Are you eating soups yet?

Liz

Lizkruth@yahoo.com

Tell me more about the fatigue...? My surgery date is Nov. 14th and I may be starting a new job should I be worried? You also mentioned that you don't have much of an appetite but, how is it that you've gained weight?

Hey,

I had the surgery on Oct 10. Today is the 24th. Here's my experience so far.

I have no appetite, and food doesn't bother me at all. I'm on mushy foods, and

have found some wonderful soups. I don't miss other foods in the least, and I can go out

with friends and have soup and whatever they have doesn't bother me a bit!

That may change in a bit as I heal, I think.

Protein is a pain to find. Sugar substitutes give me

headaches. But I've found some good protein drinks, but rather high calorie protein drinks.

The things I wonder about are the fatigue and sometimes lightheadedness/dizziness.

Some evenings I have a slight headache. I realize I'm on a lower calorie regimen these days,

and some days it is really low. With no appetite, I have to force myself to eat.

And I know all about dehydration and I am drinking water. It feels like sometimes

I'm dehydrated. (do a dyhydration test by pulling up a bit of skin on the back of your hand,

on the knuckle. A dehydrated person will have skin that stays pulled up, or doesn't snap back

to flat very fast).

The first 10 days or so, once in a while I'd run a 99.2 temp, usually after

a soup meal.

I have no sense of restriction at all. But so far it is all mushy, and I do drink water with

foods for now, to heal and get nutrition.

I am also having some weird mood swings. I'll break into tears for no real reason, then

I'm fine. I took a couple of extra days to rest and I feel better now. The counselor thinks

it is rather normal for what's going on nutritionally and in my life.

I thought the nutrition side effects needed to be taken care of, so I started eating more,

and now I'm back to my almost surgery day weight of 202. I'm at about 199 or so. I may have been at about 195, but I'm not very sure (old scale). Could be water weight.

If you have similar experiences, let me know. Seems fairly normal to me for the

big metabolism changes going on.

Hi there! I'll be at the TJ hotel on the 13th for a NOVEMBER 14th surgery.

If anyone else is going to be there at this time, I'd love to hear from you!

Hi Kristi Ann,

I'll also be at the TJ hotel on the 13th for a November 14th surgery. Let's keep in touch!

Liz

Are there any other Novemeber patients out there??

I'll be there the 13th. My surgery is scheduled on the 14th.

Liz

Hello all! I am new to the forum. I am flying to San Diego Nov 13, for a surgery on Nov 14 also. So, Kristi Ann, I'll see you at the hotel.

Greg

Hi Greg,

I too will be there the same dates as you. Where are you flying from?

Liz

Hi Everyone!

I'm scheduled to have my surgery on Friday, October 27th! I'm very excited about it and am looking forward to a new life! It is a bit discouraging to read a few of the "minimal weight loss" experiences that people have had with this surgery. I hope that doesn't happen to me. I'm looking foward to a consistent weight loss of 5 lbs. a month. Am I being realistic?

Liz