G-Ma

I was banded in October 2010. In the beginning I had the shoulder pain bad. I thought it was the gas from the laprascopic procedure but it wasn't getting better. Then I learned that it was the band putting pressure on the phrenic nerve and it was my signal to stop eating. I actually liked the physical signal that I had enough to eat. Then it went away. Well about a month ago or so (and not correlating with any fills or anything) I started getting that pain back every morning. It has nothing to do with eating because I am too tight in the morning to eat so I just deal with it and it fades as my day goes on.

I was banded October 2010, lost about 20 lbs post op. Had first fill end of Jan/beginning of Feb. Had another fill after that. I believe I am at 7cc's. Since Jan I have lost approx 10 more lbs (all of it in the beginning). I haven't lost anything in sooo long, I have tried different approaches but I don't know what to do to start the weight loss. I feel like I went extreme in trying to lose this weight and I am not losing it. Does everyone count calories? I am wondering about starting with a nutritionist but not sure about the $$ involved with that approach. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have about 60 lbs to lose still and really want to do it this time......... Thank you in advance. Sally

Thank you to everyone! I really do want to make this work and I appreciate all the support.

He sent me to nutritionist before surgery for the required appt but not really that much help for this stage of the game, more for liquid and mushy stages. I don't even get to talk to my dr anymore really. My fills are in the hospital under flouriscope and he doesn't really have time to chat then and they say no office appt unless I have problem. It feels like I am just on my own now.

OK, I started to type what I eat but I would not be being honest with you or myself if I try to list food I eat. Basically, I do not eat in am cuz of band tightness. During the rest of the day I try to make healthier choices, protein first, limit carbs. I do eat stuff I prob shouldn't but I definately eat less food than I did pre surgery and I eat less snacks than pre, so why wouldn't scale still move? Even if it was slow? I honestly don't think I am doing it right, I don't think that the band isn't working for me, I am not working the band and need to figure out that key to make it click in my head (

I drink protein shakes from costco. They are from Premiere Nutrition, chocolate flavored. They are 30g protein 160 calories and 5 carbs (3g fiber) they remind me of yoohoo. They are pretty good.

Hi, I am not sure if this happened or is happening to anyone else but I figured I would post it because it would have helped me if I was aware. I was banded in October 2010, my doctors do not do fills until post-op 3 months. I have had 3 fills since february 2011. My first 2 fills did not restrict me, then I had my 3rd fill and would have sworn that I was too tight and needed some fluid removed. I called my dr and due to insurance "politics" they could not schedule me for removal. Long story short, while waiting I figured out that it isn't too tight, I just didn't know what it felt like to be full. Instead of sitting and waiting for my food to get unstuck so I could eat more I finally realized that I was done with my meal at that point. It has helped me learn how to eat the "banded" way. I no longer want any fluid removed and started losing weight again!!!!! It is an odd feeling to be full when you aren't used to it, just slow down and try to recognize it )

Congrats to all!!!! I weighed in this am and I am 197! I am so excited, we can all do this. It is nice to do something for yourself, we all deserve it...

Thank you

Off topic but how do you get the ticker on the bottom of your profile?

I too am a nurse. NICU nurse. A bit scary how many of us are on this forum and in the same boat, but we are all doing something to change it which is wonderful. I am down 31 lbs but it seems to be going tooooo slow. I am lucky if I get 1 lb a week, maybe not eating enough but I don't know how to increase it. But still trudging forward. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I feel the exact same way. same amount of weight loss and everything. and I am very frustrated by it. They wont do my first fill for another 6 weeks or more and it is so frustrating!!!

I am glad (and sorry) to hear that I am not alone in this feeling of not being restricted. I was banded on 11/16. At first because of swelling I was restricted. I lost 20 lbs in the first 3 weeks, then nothing. I have no restrictions, can eat almost anything, can drink and eat at the same time. It makes it so difficult to follow throught when you do not feel like you had the surgery at all. I am getting so discouraged and I do not like this feeling. I went for my 6 wk followup and the dr told me he can not adjust me until after my next 6 wk follow up, which leaves me with 2 more months before I get filled, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you...

I feel the same way as you do. No restrictions at all, not what I expected and I am a bit disappointed. I was banded on 11/16 and the dr will not fill me until after 3 months. I feel kinda cheated and disappointed in the whole process. I hope things change for the better.

Hi, new too. I just got banded on the 16th. Insurance was super quick and I had the surgery before I even knew what was happening. I was surprised but happily. This surgery is about you and it is your husbands loss to not go thru your experience with you. Just focus on you and hopefully you have friends or some other support system. Good luck on everything.

Hi, You could also try the thermapacks. They are heat packs that stick on your skin, the heat helps the gas pains. I also was on clear liquids for first 2 days and now on full liquids until post op visit, surprised you are on mush already. Thanks

Hi, I am new to the board. I was banded Nov 16th by Dr Bertha Advanced Laprasocpic Surgeons of NJ, I have my post op appt on Dec 1 so I am still on full liquids at this point. Down 15 lbs in the first 10 days, (I am sure it is part dehydration).