527 replies to this topic

[lonelyspiral]

That's awesome, Ann!! Well done!!

[Lizzy51]

Great effort Ann keep going.

[abbie84]

That's great Ann!

[sexyvic]

well done Ann, keep it up

[Ann69]

Just wondering how all of the January bandits are going. I feel fantastic and finally feel back to normal (except for a slight tenderness in my wound area) 15 days post op. Have been feeling fairly tired up until today, but got up today and feel on top of the world - did the housework (only light stuff) and have been cooking meals (I like to have a store of healthy food in the freezer). I'm now on "normal food" (Thanks to having a midband which requires no stitching to either the band or the port). Went out to dinner last night for Valentine's Day with hubbie and am pleased to report I was able to eat white bread and drink champagne (only after seeking approval from my dietician) with ease, all this and I'm down 9 kg since starting pre op optisfast. I feel so positive about everything, it truly is the beginning of a whole new life. Best decision of my life

[Lizzy51]

Thats great Ann 69. I am 21 days in and feeling great. Just starting now to get the odd hungry moments and could eat bigger meals. I am trying though to keep to small portions with will power. I go to the Doctor next week for my first fill. I dont know what type of band I have and if there is any fill in it. A friend who is 6 weeks ahead of me and at the same Doctor said he didnt put any fill in to start with, so I guess he has done the same to me. I think I have lost weight but not sure how much as I need to weigh on his scales and then mine. I didnt do Optifast so my weight loss journey started on the day of surgery. I am eating most things. Havent tried bread or steak yet, too nervous to as I dont want a stuck moment. I freak at vomiting so I have been chew chew chewing till there is nothing left. I went and got the nurtrichews as I felt I needed a bit of umph. They taste very chalky with an orange flavour. This morning I crushed them and drank some water after and that was better than chewing them. Definitely dont taste like a Monkyes A...s. Thank god. Well hope the other Jan Bandits are doing well too.

[lonelyspiral]

Hi ladies, I'm still not 100% as I have a chest infection that is making things difficult. I had a bad experience with pneumonia in 2010 so my doc has given me more time off work. It's weird - my head is so ready for work but my body just won't comply

In other news, I had my first adjustment this arvo. Found out I have a 10ml band and had 1ml in it from surgery. I'm now on 3ml and feeling liquids slowly move through is such an odd sensation!! Hoping this kickstarts the weight loss again although the lack of exercise is making things hard...

Wishing you all well!!

[Ann69]

Well girls I think I jinxed myself. After spruking on so much yesterday about how great I am feeling, I wake up this morning and notice some redness around my port area. Kept an eye on it throughout the day and by mid afternoon thought I should ring my surgeon as it seemed to be getting redder and a bit more tender. So of the his rooms this afternoon and it seems I have an infection - bugger. On a course of antibiotics and fingers crossed all will be okay

[lonelyspiral]

Oh Ann, I hope that everything clears up for you!! Thankfully you acted quickly on it - I've read about a few others who left it longer before they saw their surgeon... Fingers crossed for you!

[Steff]

Oh no Ann, that's terrible.. I'm sure it will be ok though considering you got on to it so quickly...
Today marks my 4 week bandiversary and while I should be moving on to more solid foods, I find myself a little scared at the prospect.. Is anyone else the same?? The most solid thing I've had is salad with a little bit of chicken..
I'm also not really sure what to eat anymore and finding food doesn't really excite me that much so it's easy just to stick to soup... The downside is I'm only on about 600 calories a day, which is probably way too low... especially considering I went back to the gym two weeks ago...
Who else is on solids and what are you eating??

[lonelyspiral]

Hi Steff,
I will be 4 weeks post-op on Monday and I've been on solids for a week already. If you're feeling up to moving on, then do it. Are you doing mushies? I found the easiest thing was starting with pureed veg and slowly eating less pureed until I was eating solids. Cut meats up really small and chew everything really well!
I got my first adjustment yesterday and I'm hating being back on liquids/mushies for the weekend... I miss chewing properly!!
Other 'transition' foods that worked for me were pasta (cooked really well) with vegies, baked veg, casseroles, stroganoff, curry... Then I just slowly reduced the sauces and didn't have any issues.
Good luck with it all!!

[Steff]

Thanks for the tips Rach, might head to the supermarket tomorrow and give a few of those a try in the coming days..
I've been doing lots of scrambled eggs, soup and salad (sometimes with bbq chicken).. I might even go buy some more Optifast tomorrow too (never thought i'd say that) just to have for breakfasts because always find myself running late...
How was the fill? I'm not due for my first for another 2 weeks.. How much did you have put in? That's so exciting... Have you noticed a difference?

[Lizzy51]

Hi Steff

Rach's suggestions sound great. I am three weeks in and have been eating solid food for the last 5 or so days. I eat porridge with some sort of fruit for breakfast. Two cruskets with tuna/mayo/tomato or a curried egg, lettuce and mayo small wrap for lunch. I started with mashed veg and gravy and cauli au gratin. Then I progressed to tuna mornay, tuna patties with a tomato and onion gravy, fish with a lemon sauce, chow mein mince and last night I tried gourmet skinless sausages with salad. No probs with any of these and starting to wonder whether I have a band in there at all. Havent tried bread or steak not sure I am game as I dont want a stuck moment. I do chew chew chew till there is nothing left so I have not experienced a PB yet and I hope it stays that way.

Liz

[lonelyspiral]

Liz, I laughed so hard when I read your comment wondering if you've got a band in there at all - I keep asking the same thing!! Actually invented a little conspiracy theory this arvo and almost convinced myself that it's all a mind game and that there is no such thing as a real band... Loopy, I know, but am still not really feeling any restriction as such...

Steff, I was really nervous about my first adjustment but it was really easy. The doc asked lots of questions about my recovery, weight loss and diet since banding. Then I lay on the table with a pillow under my back. She got me to put my arms over my head and do a half sit-up to let the needle go through the muscle easier. I had 1ml already in there and she added another 2ml to that. It didn't hurt at all and was over so quickly. Since yesterday arvo I've found I'm not as hungry as I was. I'm on mushies again so I'm not getting that satisfied feeling that I will on solids apparently... Next adjustment in 2 weeks, can't wait!!

[Ann69]

Well I've just started my second course of antibiotics and (fingers crossed) the port infection appears to be healing well. If all goes well I will finally get my first fill on 5 March (was meant to be on 29 February but they've pushed it back to make sure the infection is completely cleared). Can't come quickly enough as my appetite is back and I have no restriction at all. Have been eating really healthly but the scales haven't moved at all. Hope everyone is doing well xxx

[Lizzy51]

I hope for your sake Ann your infection is in hand and you can continue on your journey. I am 4 weeks on my journey today and was glad to go to the Drs for my first fill. I had no restriction and was surviving on will power only. Was really surprised I had 3.75 mls in my band as I have been able to eat just about anything lately with no ( PB's ) my worst nightmare. Had 1.4 mls inserted so now I have 5mls. Hoping this takes me back to the first week after surgery. Dr did say after two weeks if I am still hungry in the morning come back and see him. My biggest hurdle is going to be not eating before lunch as I have always been a breakfast person. Can skip any other meal except breakfast. That is why I hope this fill helps me with this as the Dr said you will lose my weight if you dont eat before midday. Has anyone else been a breakfast person and over come this problem. On a happy note I did lose 6 kilos since surgery so I am really happy with that.

[Ann69]

Lizzy51, on 22 February 2012 - 05:21 PM, said:

I hope for your sake Ann your infection is in hand and you can continue on your journey. I am 4 weeks on my journey today and was glad to go to the Drs for my first fill. I had no restriction and was surviving on will power only. Was really surprised I had 3.75 mls in my band as I have been able to eat just about anything lately with no ( PB's ) my worst nightmare. Had 1.4 mls inserted so now I have 5mls. Hoping this takes me back to the first week after surgery. Dr did say after two weeks if I am still hungry in the morning come back and see him. My biggest hurdle is going to be not eating before lunch as I have always been a breakfast person. Can skip any other meal except breakfast. That is why I hope this fill helps me with this as the Dr said you will lose my weight if you dont eat before midday. Has anyone else been a breakfast person and over come this problem. On a happy note I did lose 6 kilos since surgery so I am really happy with that.

'First, congratulations on the loss - that's great. That's interesting that your Dr says not to eat before lunch, to lose more weight. I had not heard this before. My Dr recommends still eating 3 small meals a day. I'll be interested to try different options, once I get some fill

[sexyvic]

Hi

Hope everyone is doing well.

Ann I hope you feel better soon.

My tummy ( left side above my navel) is pretty sore ( did do lifting my 9kg baby n cleaning /bending much today but thought thats normal now since I am 24 days post op) . it feels like my tummy is burning ( have burning sensation since yesterday actually on n off ) and I am burping and hiccuping. Wondering whether I had too much chilli ( had yoghurt with some peanut spicy chutney with some lentil pancake all pureed into a thickish paste ? are you allowed to have hot spices after 3 weeks post op ? not sure what to do, anyidea pls ? I might take a panadol, its a burning stabbing sort of pain between my two cuts on the left side above the navel.

Hiccups n burps are making it feel better. When I sit its no problem just when I get up or walk.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[sexyvic]

Hi , I feel much better after sleeping the whole night. I also took panadol last night and not doing any housework or lifting baby for the next few days.

[Ann69]

SO pleased you're feeling better Vicky. I'm also feeling much better - looks like the latest antibiotics the surgeon has me on have finally start to have some effect - infections clearing up by the look of things. xx