slm2007

I had surgery on a Monday and could have been back to work on Thursday or Friday, but took the full week off because I had the time. I do a desk job and honestly the hardest part for me was the commute and "time" away from home. I was tired, not too sore that I couldn't have worked but my schedule for work is up at 4:30 a.m., drop of son at 6:00 a.m., on the bus by 6:30...work....back on the bus at 4:40, dropped off at 5:45 and pick up son around 6:15, home by 6:30/6:45......so my day was really, really long and that is the main reason I took the whole week off. I was just too exhausted to put in a full 12 hour day....3 or 4 hours would have been fine for me but my commute is a killer.

It's only your weight from your initial visit....if you lose 50 pounds in 6 months, awesome! I was scared of the same exact thing and the doctors office told me that it goes by the initial weight....they don't want to see a weight gain, as that might be an issue with your "dedication" to the lifestyle change.

It's an insurance thing...if you were self pay, you'd be done quickly. However, I went through the six months of weigh-in's and it will be here before you know it. Those 6 months helped me get prepared for my changes and honestly, I was still considering cancelling because i was scared of the changes ahead. I"M THRILLED that I didn't. I've only been a few weeks with my band and I love "her" already. I don't have restriction but the thought of my band really keeps me under control. I guarantee you will be on here about a week before your surgery wondering if you are doing the right thing, talking about cold feet etc.....it is the best thing I've done for myself. I can already see a difference in my face, my clothes and how I feel. The six months will go by quickly and use the time wisely. Good Luck and it is totally worth it.

Well said...Amen. I feel exactly what you are saying. It is harder for me to control it now but I'm hoping that once i get that first fill and feel some type of restriction (fingers crossed) it will help me with the control. I've been very good and only had a few doritos, one oreo and two licks of my sons ice cream cone (hey, I had to stop it from running down his hand, right?)...so that is really good comparing to what I might have done pre-band. I wish I had that padlock...

Put on socks...no cold feet. I will tell you my personal experience and I may be one of the very lucky ones. Day before surgery, heck the week before surgery I was terrified and going to cancel...then I said to myself..."If you cancel, come this time in six months you'll still be overweight and kicking yourself." I have reasons for doing this surgery and I just reminded myself of them. I went with my sisters the weekend before and I purchased a size 10 pair of capri pants....they are hanging on my closet door as inspiration. Here's my recovery since surgery. I was banded on 4/18. I had surgery at 7:30 a.m. and was out of surgery by 9:20 (that is when my dr. went to see my husband so I was probably out sooner). I had a HH repaired too. I woke up and felt pretty good. Sore but good. Before I opened my eyes I touched my stomach to see if they had to "open me up" - nope two little incisions...one about 1/2 inch and the other about 2 inches. Closed beautifully. Taken up to my room and I was on a patient controlled pain pump. Loved that! They asked me around 4:00 what my pain level was and I told them honestly it was only about a 3. I felt really good but wobbly...thanks to the drugs. Tried to sleep most of the day/night between them coming in every few hours to check my vitals...seriously, I'm recovering please just let me sleep! Next morning....pain set in a little more...and I was probably at a 7 but still tolerable! Nothing to drink and around 9:30 a.m. they took me down for an upper g.i. - - - I had one done before surgery where you drink that chalky pink or white stuff. Well, whatever they gave me to drink for this one...was cruel punishment for something I must have done...literally, it tasted like vomit (that bile stuff you try to throw up when there is nothing left in your stomach, bitter nasty stuff). Anyhow, you asked so I'm telling. Then they gave me a little chalky stuff to drink and this was to check and make sure everything was closed up and in place nicely. Back up to my room after the ok. I had some chicken broth and some juice....awesome. I was released on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. Went home and slept. Didn't take any pain medication. Wednesday, no appetite and swollen but not in too much pain. I took my liquid pain medication because I was just a bit uncomfortable and wanted some good sleep. UGH, the liquid pain meds made me so sick...I was sitting there praying I wasn't going to get sick. I didn't but it was close. Didn't take any pain medication after that and really didn't need it. No appetite and was eating popcicles, juice, broth etc. Feeling pretty good surgery wise but just tired. Wednesday after surgery, this headache set in like I've never ever felt before. I was prepared for the gas pain in my shoulder like others talked about but this headache scared me. Nothing touched it and I refused to take my pain medication because it made me so sick. I actually called the on-call doctor on Saturday because I was scared I was goign to have a stroke or something. It made me sick to my stomach, I couldn't swallow without shooting pain. It was at the base of my head (top of my neck) on the left side and as each day went by it would spread to the point it was across the top of my shoulder. I sat there and cried in pain and couldn't turn my head. It was horrific. Dr. said it was probably the gas settling in my neck!!! (this finally disappeared after almost 3 weeks...two weeks of intense headache and then it slowly disappeared). Well, Easter was the Sunday following my surgery and this is when I discovered that I have no problems with eating anything. I ate some sweet potatoes, some mashed potato salad, some peas and something else but can't remember. I have had no problems eating anythign I've tried since then. I am a horrible, horrible follower of the rules and my advice would be to try and stick to them the best you can. I do pretty well and stay on track for the most part but do cheat.....and I know I shouldn't. Next week I should be on regular foods according to the schedule. I do NOT eat like I used to.....I eat much less, and I'm honestly not as hungry as I used to be...maybe it's mental but I don't care, it's working for me. I had restriction at first and was so excited, but soon realized that was because of my stomach being swollen and not because of anything the band was doing for me. I cannot wait to get that feeling back and I LOVE my band already. I do eat less, and I do eat slower so I think that goes hand in hand. I've lost 20 pounds and it is awesome. I put on a pair of jeans this past weekend that I haven't worn in 3 years. I'm down one whole pant size already...and people who haven't seen me can tell the difference in my face already. DO IT...remember your reasons.....I wouldn't take this back for anything. i'm still a little sore around my port area, but that is because I try to be Wonder Woman and do it all myself...and my husband doesn't get that he should just do certian things for me without me having to ask him 100 times to do it.....he should know that I'm still recovering and shouldn't be trying to lug in a bunch of groceries, lifting heavy things and carrying them far, but if I don't do it, it wont' get done. With that aside, I wouldn't change this experience for anything. I have an 11cc Realize band and they DO NOT give you any fill after surgery with this band and I think that has helped me with my recovery....not so much in the faster restriction like others have but I don't have a lot of port pain and I don't have problems with things getting stuck etc. I get my first fill on 6/2 and cannot wait....I'll let you know how it goes after that...When I REALLY have to start following the rules because hopefully there will be some restriction there! I do love my band and I know it is going to be the best thing I could have done for myself.! Good luck......

Good Luck tomorrow.....everything will be fine.....wishing you a easy recovery.

OMG! I've never heard of such a thing....scary!!! I have a Realize band that isn't stitched in...but the thought if it moving.....YIKES! Well, just another reason to avoid sex at this point (lol). My poor husband....

I had my band placed on 4/18 and don't get my first fill until 6/2. Curious about how much to expect from first fill? I have Realize 11cc band and can't imagine they would just give me 1 cc or .5 cc in an 11 cc band? At that rate it would probably take me forever to get any "restriction." Also, I've seen where people have a 4cc band....why do an 11 cc band then? If a 4cc gives you good restriction, then why make a larger band that requires more fills? Maybe I'm not asking this right??? It seems like an 11cc band would take longer to get results where a smaller cc band would not?

I'm not secretive but I didn't post it on FB or make a huge announcement. I think Snow said a lot of what I would say so I won't retype. I hate being judged. I hate explaining that the band is a lot of work and it isn't this easy miracle cure for my fat issues. I really hate everyone "watching" me and what I do. My sister is so up my butt right now criticizing me but she thinks she is helping when she watches everything I put in my mouth and asks me "is it okay to eat that." I'm not a child, I know what I'm doing and I will lose the weight at my own pace. I'm not going to "diet" and restrict myself, so if I'm at a birthday party and want two bites of cake to enjoy the celebration, I'm going to have it. I will limit myself to the two bites and not two pieces but don't stare at me while I'm eating!! That is the main reason I didn't want to share it with the world but almost everyone I know knows that I did the surgery and have been so wonderful and supportive. I've had to explain 1,000 times on how the band works because I think they expect it to be like bypass where the weight just starts to fall off...."why are you still fat" thoughts???? I know how I am about "dieting" and if you restrict me, I'll do it just to be spiteful......I'm changing my life now, I'm eating less and making wise decisions but will also allow myself to continue to live and will once in awhile allow myself a treat! I do not want to make it a habit and really don't even miss it but if you tell me I can't have a bite or two of cake, I'm going to bake a cake and eat the whole thing just to tick you off (while sabatoging myself in the meantime but that's not the point)...... It's a real personal decision whether to tell, I just didn't want everyone staring at me and now that they know...YES, they do stare at me and see how much I'm eating. I don't have restriction yet so I have to explain all of that over and over again, that I'm still pretty normal size and not restricted to eat less and I'm doing it by will power.

Yikes! It MOVED???? I thought these things were supposed to be attached to a muscle, not able to float around and move!?!?! That's kinda scary. I'm still trying to figure out where mine is at. Dr. told me after surgery they usually place it very close to the incision mark but he had to move my down and to the left a little because of the way the tubing wanted to lay. My incision (the port incision) is about 2 inches below my sternum and then the port is about an inch below that incision to the left (at least that is what they told me). I think I can feel it but I'm not sure yet.

Thanks. I was curious if they give you a substantial fill the first time or just keep giving you 1cc at a time till you reach a good point.....glad to hear that they start off with a little more (at least for you... my luck he'll say he's starting w/1cc).

I didn't read through all the posts but reading your question made me think of someone who posted something before saying something like "I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG" - - - they kept messing with her fills and unfills etc and nothing was working and they did a florscope or whatever it is called and her band actually became unhooked. Not detached from her stomach but the little loop thing that the hook inside to make it the band became undone. They had to refix it. Not to worry you but strange things can happen.

I was banded on 4/18 and have been lucky. I have been sleeping on my side or stomach probably since about a week after surgery. There are times still that if I "roll" wrong I will feel it pull or do something funky but it stops me and I just move another way. I can sleep on my stomach perfectly fine now.

Of all of these posts the one that really helped me as I'm a big cheater too (not steak or anything like that but I've cheated with more than mushies)...is the fact that someone posted about the stiches in the stomach needing to heal and that the stomach grinds etc. Okay, I sort of realized that but seeing it in writing and then sitting there thinking about what I could have done to myself...back on the wagon....mushies ONLY for me for another week and even after that I think I may take it easy for awhile. I'm not really hungry and the haven't super fell off the wagon (and not with major junk food, just wanting a piece of grilled chicken). I have a problem with my head and that "because I can eat without a problem, it is okay." When reality is obvious that there is a reason for doctors orders....I'm stupid, I know. As for the questions at hand. I have been so, so lucky with my surgery....and I think it is almost a bad thing because I've been able to eat food sooner than I should have. I do try to make wise choices but I've eaten a few doritos too. I've also take a few swipes of my sons ice cream cone...vs. getting a whole cone for myself. I do get the hunger pain but it doesn't seem like it is as bad as yours. Maybe a good suggestion would be keeping a Protein bar close by or a few sips of a shake. If I get hungry, I have SF pudding or cottage cheese (yuck) and have been bringing mashed tuna or chicken for lunch. I know I could be doing better but I also know if I tell myself "you are never allowed a bite of cake again" - I'm going to eat the whole thing. I'm happy with my band so far, I have no restriction whatsoever so I think any lack of appetite is mental for me because I do eat so much less and really don't miss it. I do have to watch that I don't start eating out of boredom which is a problem for me...not an emotional sad or happy eater, but just a bored eater. The Realize band has no restriction in it after surgery so I'm hoping I can get back to that feeling I had right after surgery when my stomach was swollen that food wasn't interesting and a little bit made me really happy. Good luck

I'm low EVERY time I get bloodwork done...and they specifically check for it now. I've been given prescriptions for it where I took it every third day for 6 weeks. Now I make sure I supplement with a Vit. D in addition to my calcium (w/D), and multi vitamin. What you don't use is "stored" in the fat....you'd think I'd have a surplus but apparently not.

I agree with you and I totally pee'd myself with the viagra comment......."honey, look at ME"....gotta love those little blue pills...cheater!

I was told to stop drinking 30 minutes before and wait 30-60 minutes (preferably 60) after finishing. It should take at least 20 minutes to eat and no more than 30....then it is considered "grazing" which is a no-no.

So glad I didn't offend you or come off as a "negative nilly" but I was so excited that I had no hunger for days and then *poof* it was back. My experience has been relatively easy so far and I'll admit that I've been a horrible rule follower! I know I don't drink enough water/fluid. I didn't drink that much before this surgery and just can't get 64 ounces in. I've cut back my portions, but I've tested the waters with great success at eating pretty much anything I've tried. I eat less out of self control but I could easily eat a steak (with smaller bites and chewing) and would have no problem finishing it. I've lost a few more pounds since surgery but could probably be doing better and losing more if I followed the rules. I am careful and at this point I should be in my mushies which I'm doing for the most part but yesterday I had two pieces of grilled chicken. No problems (maybe I shouldn't be telling anyone this). Honestly, I was prepared for the worst possible pain, problems and healing issues. I've done wonderfully, maybe too wonderfully because I've not been following the rules as well as I should. I wish I felt fullness and I just keep telling myself that everyone is different and this is about healing and not losing at this point. I try to do the Protein Shakes but don't do 3 a day like I should be....I'm getting protein from my food (hence the grilled chicken). I was doing great while I felt restriction so I'm praying when it comes back and I start getting fills that I will be a better follower of the rules because I will "Feel" something - - - know what I mean?? I know how well I followed the rules while my stomach was swollen and I couldn't "eat/drink" that much so I know I'll be okay when restriction finally sets in...until then, I will continue to watch my portions (I just bought these really great portion control utensils from Avon) and count my calories!!! Right now it is up to me and my band isn't my friend yet but I know it will be. I know it will work for me just because of the few days I felt the restriction so I'm still so very positive of my choice to have this done!!! Gas Pains...ugh, I feel for you. I didn't have it in my shoulder but Wednesday after surgery, my head was about to explode. I was actually in tears on the livingroom floor because I couldn't even swallow or turn my head without this intense shooting pain coming over me. It was on the left side, at the base of my skull and worked its way down across the top of my shoulder. I would give birth again without medication rather than feel that type of headache again. I actually called the on-call doctor on Saturday because I was truly afraid I was having a blood clot issue or something. It has finally started subsiding to the point that I'm not taking Tylenol to keep ahead of the pain. So that was two weeks straight with a bad headache! Miserable. But the gas does go away...keep walking and I even used Gas X strips but because it was in my head, I don't think it helped that much. Oh, and I do get a stuck feeling if I eat to big of bite or don't chew enough, so that is my constant reminder that my band is there and is keeping me in check. I haven't gotten "stuck" but I get that uncomfortable feeling in my chest and it tells me to slow down and cut back. GOOD LUCK....I am already in love with my band.

I also have the Realize band and received it on APril 18th. First, I will tell you and I'm sure your doctor told you that they usually don't put any fill in the Realize band at first. With that, I was so excited after my surgery because I had no appetite and was eating/drinking very little. GREAT I thought. I had surgery on a Monday and the following Wednesday, hunger set in. I'm NOT telling you this to discourage you, I'm telling you this to maybe prepare you. There is no restriction and when my swelling started to go down from the surgery itself (which was what was apparently giving me that restriction feeling), my hunger was there. I'm doing this on will power pretty much alone. I DO get a little fuller faster but not nearly as I think it will be when restriction sets in. I do take smaller bites and still chew chew chew because I know that that stoma is a little "tighter" just from the band being in place. I however, can eat anything I want...this is a bit discouraging and again, I'm trying so hard with will power. I do have the ability now to "limit" my food intake because I think it is the band inside of me and I'm afraid of getting stuck or doing damage, so that is helping with the will power. I lost 15 pounds from my 5 day liquid diet to my post surgery follow up. That was amazing. I'm sure I've gained a couple back by now but I'm doing well and just waiting for that first fill. I keep telling myself it is about healing right now and getting my Protein in.... Please understand that I didn't tell you this to discourage you but I too was so excited about the "restriction" I felt and was so bummed out when it started disappearing.....I just want to tell you my personal experience so if it happens to you, you aren't disappointed. You may be totally lucky and have some restriction from just the band itself and that has happened, it's not impossible....and I hope that is your case because that would be awesome. Keep up the good work and you'll do great. Good luck to you!!! I too am looking so forward to our band journey's.

Just an FYI, not to discourage you but I have a Realize band also and they do not fill us after surgery. The "restriction" you are feeling is swelling.....seriously. I was excited too right after surgery because I had surgery on Monday and wasn't "hungry" until the following Wednesday....guess what, the swelling was going down. I'm not telling you this to discourage you but to prepare you for the next week when you wonder "where the heck my restriction went." I'm having a tough time now because I'm fighting the hunger and just can't stomach a Protein shake again. I'm on mushies but honestly, I can probably eat just about anything I want but try to fight it because I know my stomach is healing and I don't want to screw that up. Good Luck to you! We can do this!

Losing Inches is awesome! I've always said, I don't care what I weigh as long as I can fit into a size 10! I wouldn't look at the scale, honestly....inches are what count. I've always seen people advise that.....ignore the scale for now, how do your clothes fit, are you feeling better....that is what is imporant. I would see about more calories though, that just seems like you are starving your poor body and how is it going to heal without nutrition? That would concern me....300 calories is nothing...I get that in my Protein shakes alone.

I am in the SAME boat!!! Frustrating as all can be. I went to my follow up and they assured me that I would NOT be able to eat anything....little did they know that I tested the waters and believe that I could eat anything I really want. I've eaten a bologna sandwich with no problem...bread, not an issue. I have gotten that little "stuck" feeling and I sit up straight and it subsides after a minute or so. So, with that, I know there is something "different' but I've had the feeling before by just eating too fast. I saw the band when they did my upper GI so I know it's in there. I was told that it won't stop me from eating and I get that but like you, I don't get "full" and it is very frustrating. I have to keep coming back here and reading that I don't have restriction yet, that this is all about healing etc., etc., etc., but it still doesn't stop me from feeling bad because I know I could eat whatever I want and I don't get that "full and one more bite is going to make me sick" feeling. I know I have to do better on the self control, I went through wtih this surgery for a reason, but it is hard. I feel for you. I just have to keep telling myself once we get our "restriction" following the rules will be easier. It is hard right now.....when you don't feel any "different." Keep it up and we'll be okay. We'll get there and like someone said earlier...this is only the beginning of our journey!! :welldoneclap: :banghead: (this is me after eating) I'm really glad you posted this......I didn't know how to put it into words and you did a great job for me.....Thanks

I WISH I could get full. I have no fill, which I knew would be the case, but can eat ANYTHING I want so it is really really hard for me. I don't get full very easily anymore....now that the swelling has gone down I'm assuming. At first, I would eat little and be full but not so much anymore. 21 pounds if fantastic!!!! Mushies are pretty easy.....mashed sweet pototatos, mashed tuna or chicken w/either light mayo or I mixed in some cream of chicken soup with the chicken, cream soups, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, I mashed up chick peas and put some light dressing on them and that was filling. Pretty much anything you can mash up would be good.

Naked, naked, naked oh,...and your socks! Remove everything but your gown and socks......I know the gown had to be removed for the operation and they put in a catheter so I know they were below the waist too.....oh, the dread, but he sees 5 naked people 3 times a week..