First Post Op Dr Visit Today!

Well this post is also in my blog and I tried to make is short but it's rather long. 

I am really hoping that Candy, Ginger and Terri have some feedback for me since they are bandsters.

Worst thing was that MY dr's scale is higher than the scale the day of surgery weight UGHHHHH GRRRR and according to his scale I lost about 2lbs from my last visit on Wed 9/9.  Surgery and consuming nothing and having to see the number just really ticked me.  We had a long long talk.  Matter of fact he and I talked for a little over an hour. 

He assured me that post surgery I do have water retention for one which will cause the scale not to move.  He told I am in the range he expects of weight loss from consult to first post op visit.  And prepared me what to expect for next time after I transition to pureed foods.  In a round about way he told me I won't start seeing much until I am on a stable diet.

BAND unlike bypass there is no malabsorption which is why bypass patients can lose 15-20lbs+ at their first visit.  As a former bypass surgeron he explained to me how crucial it is to compare notes with bandsters as the band is extremely different from bypass - from the procedure to the way your body works afterward.  I tried to take in and believe him and he tried to convince me to not live by the "scale"  which I know will be hard for me.

He explained to me why I feel the way I do post surgery and that my surgery took twice as long as normal.  Most BAND surgery is about an hour and mine took TWO HOURS!  He said my abdominal wall was so thick (meaning so fat) which means my organs are way back in the cavity that he had to use the largest tools and still had a hard time moving around with much leverage to manipulate the instruments.  He said this was not my fault, just my make up and does happen in patients with a BMI over 50.  Had I known, I really seriously may have tried harder to drop 15-20lbs even before my liquid diet but no one mentioned the necessity.

We talked about food choices and ideas for the next step.  Also what I could do to get more protein and fluids in right now.  He said any soups are fine that have no food particles.  He was glad with my choice of Campbells healthy requests or the 98% fat free and encouraged me to add whatever amount of unflavored protein powder that I could tolerate by taste.  

In the office, the girls were so worried about my protein intake they made me UNJURY Chicken Soup Flavor.  It was actually much more tolerable than the shakes and I got my protein in with that! I also bought a canister and believe it will help me to up my protein. 

I am certainly already brainstorming on healthy, high protein, low carb choices to have for the pureed phase and think I have quite a few great ideas.  

I'm going to try and start blogging week #2 post op liquids tomorrow through next week.  

All in all educationally and emotionally my visit was great.  No scale victories but hopefully once I become a bit more active and get into a routine with my drinking first - then eating, the scale will move.  I truly need to lost about 20-30lbs before  I can fit into my damn fall clothes and I have NO BUDGET to buy new clothes right now.  I have sizes as low as 1x and 16/18 so I hope they take me through the winter and cold spring season and that I don't need to start buying until late spring. 

I try to look as much into the short term future as I do the current moment.  I'm not weight frustrated a week out but I know I will be feeling pretty bad if I don't lose anything in the next two weeks before my post op #2. 

Hi Nikki, I just read your latest blog. It sounds pretty much like my first post op appt. conversation.  My scale was doing fine until about 4 weeks ago, it stopped moving and I honestly thought it was broken!  Turns out I wasn't eating enough, now can you imagine???  Now it's moving again. I pretty much had cut out carbs, but they are important. I remembered using Nutrisystem and losing weight, very well, and they had carbs.

Remember my telling you I ended up with 11 incisions after a 4 hr. surgery?  The gas thing was HORRIBLE, and I remember telling my husband, "I can't live the rest of my life like this."  Well thank God, I feel fantastic, never better!

I use Syntrax Nectar, CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE flavor.  I put a scoop with a small amt. of cold water, adding it to my coffee (32 oz. cup) in the morning, and it's like Latte.  Boy is it good! 

There is a normal life after lapband. I've gone to buffets and eaten properly.  I've eaten from menus, bringing home most of it, creating 3 meals from 1!  Boy, are you going to have fun with clothes!  What a wonderful journey you're on.  Wake up everyday, with a smile on your face, knowing you're doing something great for yourself!

Ginger

I was just about to send you a message to see how your were doing. I'm glad to hear your appointment went well and that your doc was able to make you feel better about things. I'm not a bandster, so I don't know what your pureed diet allows, but I'd be happy to share some of things I came up with on my puree stage. 

Oh, and I found a new protein that doesn't seem to have the smell and taste that gags me...BSN Lean Dessert. I've tried the vanilla cream flavor so far and it's very similar to a vanilla milkshake. GNC carries it. 

Nikki,

Both fortunately and unfortunately everyone's journey is going to be different.  Even RNYer- to- RNYer and Bandster-to- Bandster.  I'm glad that your surgeon took the time to sit down with you and go over all of this.  I don't think I've seen mine for a total of 30 minutes in the last year and a half, although I really didn't and don't have a lot of unanswered questions, it would be nice to see the person who actually did my surgery!

Hang in there...one week down and the rest of your new life to go!
Heather

Oh Nikki I have been told the same thing and I have not had surgery. My nut told me you must not skip meals because your body needs some fuel in order to burn calories. I don't get it but it sounds like all in all you had a good visit. I am sure that scale will start dropping soon. Keep your head up your new life has began. 

                                                                                                           Julie

Hi Nikki, i've been reading your post since your surgery and although i'm not a bandster, i can feel where you're coming from regarding the scale. 

I just wanted to say to you to be patient and take this thing step by step.  You will reap all of the rewards for deciding to have a Lap Band put in place.  We as women always want immediate gratification, (actually that's why i had the RNY) just like shopping when we see it we want it right then. 

it makes a lot of sense that once your body gets in the flow of everything, i.e. food/liquids/protein etc.  you will start to see your results and i hope they will come fast and remain consistent for you. 

good luck,

venita

Hi Nikki!

Everything he told you and everything you are experiencing is perfectly normal.  I KNEW there had to be a special reason for the larger incision.  You are moving right along just fine, in my humble opinion.

I just became a grandparent for the first time so my life is upside down for the next couple of days, but I have it on my radar to send you a PM with some tips and info that I found helpful, both from my doc, my nut and other vet bandsters.

The Campbell's Healthy Request cream of mushroom, chicken, broccoli are all good choices to run through the blender or bullet, then heat and sip from a big comforting mug.  SF Jello gelatin and puddings, cream of wheat, liquidy oatmeal are just some of the soft foods I used.  I'll get more to you ASAP.

Congratulations...you're doing great!

Terri

Hi Nikki (and everyone!) - I'm glad you are doing great!  Definitely do keep us in touch!