Christy26

Everyone, Sorry I just read all of these - the holiday season is my busiest at work - so i've been gone ALL day.... but THANK YOU for all the replies and well wishes - I truly hope I can be as strong as all of you - I just don't look forward to it at all lol After Christmas work slows for me so I will be able to really focus on cutting back my caffiene so hopefully by my surgery Jan 8th I will be off of it. Again, thank you so much for the support.... I really appreciate it ~Christy

I know my health is way more important that caffiene....however, I am the General Manager for my company, its a very stressful job, and im on the go all day long - and honestly, if I dont have about 20 oz diet coke in the morning - WATCH OUT = you dont want to be one of my employees that day.... So i've been researching and I know its not allowed with the band.... and i dont know if I can give it up - I am so unproductive at work when I dont have enough caffiene... .and im hateful. I know this will go away over time but I dont know if I have the willpower. I have felt like crap the few times ive tried to give up diet coke. As long as I have the morning drink (i sound like an addict!) I've been able to switch to water for the remainder of the day once i get in the habit.... i just dont know how I can go all day with just water. I can tolerate sweetened ice tea but its not something i enjoy and nothing i would ever willingly pick to drink unless there was no other choice.... but I know me, and I know im going to need something to get me started in the morning.... Am I crazy or has anyone else went through this? I obviously have sucky will power or I wouldnt be getting the band.... i dont want to pay all this money and go through the pain just to screw up the band or cause it to stretch or slip because i just *had* to have my diet coke in the morning. All advice is welcome! but...fyi.... I love plain water - any flavored water is nasty to me - just give it to me plain. I dont like gatorade, coffee, powerade, crystal lite, hot tea, green tea, etc.... Im picky for a fat girl! Im also a vegetarian who LOVES bread..... lol What am i going to do? ~ Christy

Thats interesting..... thanks for sharing. I think I have a little more to think about

wow - good question. I drink ALL the time and always with food. I almost always have a drink with me. I drink diet coke and a ton of water throughout the day. Its ok to drink water when your not eating right? I start feeling sick when I get dehydrated. Physically ill.... and I mean I need about 150-200oz of water a day to feel "good". Thanks

Thanks Cindylou, If thats the case what is the issue with everyone taking liquid tylenol instead of taking normal tylenol? Thats great news though! I was at the store last night looking over medicines trying to figure out which ones come in liquid lol

Hey all, I have a question. Ive read we should take liquid medicines because pills can get stuck or cause ulcers. Well I dont take alot of medicines. Usually just Pamprin or Midol for a few days a month. Tylenol doesnt do a thing for cramps for me.... so how do you all make it without these? Also, how are cramps after banding? Mine are usually awful for just a day or two then i dont have any and I wondered if the band affected this.... Ironically - I should be dealing with this a few days after surgery so I would like some info to prepare! lol Thanks

I will be flying in on the 7th so I will probably see you there. What part of TN are u from? I am from TN as well, Chattanooga. ~Christy

Hey everyone, How many weeks did you wait between surgery and your first fill? Ive been reading this board and another board and I've seen people waiting 3 weeks to 8 weeks before their first fill. Is this an individual decision or made by the Dr? THANKS

I dont know if you all have Smoothie king around you but we have them all over here and I like one of their smoothies, Strawberry Kiwi Breeze and I always have them add extra protein powder - but I was curious - do you all ever use these for your meal replacements? they are expensive so I dont use them often but I was considering it pre and post op They use alot of real fruit and some can be very high in calories but you can have them "make it skinny" and they take out a ton of sugar. Thanks!

You look wonderful!! Congrats on your success

Jazzy Thank you! I will definitely let you know if I deside to get these

Jazzy, I went to the website of the protein drinks you use. Can you tell me a little more about them? I would probably only order the chocolate and possible the vanilla. How do they taste? I read they are mixed with 6oz of water - thats a small shake! do they keep you full? I tried the Myloplex (spell?) shakes and they were so thick it was like trying to drink cake batter (tasted that way too - the vanilla - for those of you that would like that ) and I couldnt get 2 shakes down and wasted all of that money. Just wanted some more info other than the website before I bought them. Thanks, Christy

Karen, Thanks...that sounds pretty painful when u were pregnant!!! ouch! But you did ease my mind - thank you. Since i scheduled the surgery I have been thinking of everything that could go wrong. Hopefully I make it through the healing stage with no sickness

Hey everyone, For those of you that have had your band for a while.... Have you gotten sick since having the band (like stomach virus, flu, etc) that caused you to throw up? Im getting the band in Jan, and I usually get sick atleast once every winter, and I'm worried that if I get sick and it causes me to throw up, that it will hurt the band or cause it to move? Have any of you gotten sick and if so was everything ok? Im just very nervous about any complications.... and it just hit me today that any sort of gagging/throwing up could possible cause some trouble. Thanks for your help and advice

Lisa, thanks! those pics are amazing - she healed great! I hope I am that lucky - I only have one scar and its on my knee from when I was little and had a bicycle accident lol so I dont know how I will heal. thanks again

Thanks Jazzy - your info is always very helpful. I will be sure to buy some of that too!

Hey everyone, i've been searching google for pictures of lap band scars and some look pretty bad or i guess i should say, alot more noticeable than i expected. How long does it take for them to heal and approx how big are they? Its a total of 5 incisions correct? Ive read on here that they fade over time- but is that over years? ~Christy

Wow thats great! Congrats!

Thanks Jazzy, amanda, and Anne I appreciate everyones patience with me and answering my questions Those were pretty close to what I had imagined those words meant! I am a little disappointed to hear about the restriction - i was really hoping to begin the weightloss soon after surgery. Well as long as I can avoid anything thats called "slime" I will consider myself good. lol Thanks again ladies

hi everyone, I have been reading all of your posts. I am learning all sorts of information! However I am also very confused... What are you referring to when you say "Pb" or "slime"? Also, I have read several of you say that you felt no restriction until after your first fill... what does this mean? Do you mean that from surgery until your fill you could eat anything and had no help from the band to eat less? Am i going to have to wait weeks after surgery to start losing weight at all? Thanks for your help in learning your lingo Thanks, Christy

yeah definitely! I would love to have some support there of others having it done that day - since I got the date booked ive been freaking out about everything! ive never had surgery so maybe im just over reacting .... lol Even if you go the day after I guess I will be there recovering?

Congrats! i am glad everything went well for you. I'm worried about the pain meds though - im very wimpy when it comes to pain and i want stuff to make it go away lol I just dont think tylenol is going to do much for me if they have cut me open. lol Good luck in your journey

Hey everyone! I have a question about exercising....despite being overweight, I actually exercise alot and its not just cardio, I do alot of cardio, and alot of weight lifting - i have a personal trainer who is very intense with me... so I am wondering - I know i will have to wait a while after surgery but once fully healed - will there be any restrictions or will I basically go back to all of my normal activities? I want to be sure to continue weight lifting so that my skin tightens with my weight loss. Just curious if anyone had any problems or issues with the band from high intensity workouts? thanks!!

Protein shakes are very hard to suggest to anyone cause they all taste different to everyone i think. I've tried for years to find a good one that doesn't taste like chalk. I like the carnation instant breakfast drinks, they are good and just taste like chocolate milk to me. Nector protein powder in Strawberry flavor isnt too bad - you can get it at the Vitamin Shoppe if you have those where you live - the benefit to them is that they are super low in calories as well! Good luck... if u find a good one please share! Im getting banded the day before you!

That is really great