Surgery completed 1/28/2011

I have been a way from the boards for a short time.  I was banded on 1/28/2011 and so far it has be amazingly uncomplicated and easy to recover.   I am down 32 pounds as of today.  17 previous to the band and 15 after the band.   I have been working hard to get my protien counts, walking and fluid intake.   Now that im 11 days in please tell me what to expect from here.  I'm so looking forward to the next steps. 

First of all...CONGRATS to you for making the choice to have WLS.  It is a big step and lots of commitment.  Just follow what your doctor says.  You are on liquids now and eventually you will move on to other things.  When you have your first adjustment that will be the real test.  Again you will want to do what your doctor says.  I have to admit I thought I could go and eat something right away after my adjustment, but it only would make me sick.  My first adjustment was 3cc I have a size 14cc band.  Thereafter it was only 1 or 1/2cc.  Never much more than that.  I finally have my sweet spot at 12cc.  You may find your sweet spot at  6 or 7cc. It will depend on your band size.  I was on 350 and needed that big band.   Each person is different.  You will find out along this new journey that things you could eat before will not work. i.e.  I use to could eat nuts pretty good, but now its very few.  Also, remember to eat slow.  Try using chopsticks!  Yes this works. Your weight loss will go up and down. Remember to do your protein, vitamins, exercise and drink plenty of water.  The water I found actually helped me to  tone up my muscles with the exercise.  I wish you the best.  Keep us posted.

Hey! Fellow Floridian AND Dr Kim's patient!!  Me too!   Had my surgery in Dec.   Everything went very well for me too.   If you're Dr Kim's patient then you know exactly what your next steps will be.
Everything is right in your notebook in black and white!  It was great to know what to expect and to do in the next phase.    I just went to the lapband support group last night.  Try to get to them if you can and we can meet.  I live in Davenport. 
So you are still on liquid shakes and other liquids now.  Next is your purees.  Real food will taste soooo good!  The first food I ate was some egg salad.  It was yummy!   I don't know if I really pureed my food right but I just put it in my small food processor along with lite mayo or salsa or something to moisten it and made it all mushy.  Veggies I just cooked till very soft and mashed them up real good.
I had no problems.  When you get past the mushies and start with solid foods just make sure you cut them real tiny and eat slow and chew well.  Try to take 20 min to eat.  I finally learned to keep my veggies in the hot pan cause if I put them on my plate with the protein they would always be cold by the time I got to them.  It is an exciting journey and I wish you continued success.  Dr Kim waits 6 weeks before a fill and I was able to pass on my first one cause I was not hungry at all and my meals were satisfying me for about 4 hrs.  I'm just starting to experience some hunger so I imagine a fill is in my near future.

Lyn