RainInSpain

32 hours after my 3rd fill to 3.5 cc's, and I just ate 1/2 cup chicken soup (with noodles) like it was nothing! Honestly, I have experienced very little restriction thus far. None of the problems swallowing or keeping food down, as others have reported. And I'm hungry ALL the time, even just a few hours after a substantial protein meal. My doc always said 4cc's was the max you could go in a 4 cc band. I'm glad to know you can potentially put more fluid in there, but can't understand why there is so much conflicting information on the subject. Your feedback is much appreciated - I am feeling very confused and worried.:help:

Hello from Los Angeles! I'm on day 7 of the liquid diet, and it is getting harder and harder to push on. Honestly, I'm starting to feel like an overfilled Water balloon. I don't know how I'm going to manage another 2 weeks of this. At night, I fall asleep fantasizing about real food - especially supersized McDonald's meals, my #1 vice pre-surgery. I can so vividly recall what a double cheeseburger tastes like. Even foods that never really appealled to me before, like plain white bread, makes my mouth water uncontrollably. On the other hand, I have lost about 10 lbs so far. I'm not going to lie - that feels pretty terrific. So, guys, I am looking to develop ways to make the liquid diet tastier, more filling and more interesting. Any tricks ya'll would like to share? Me: -I buy tasty Progresso Soups, strain out all of the solids, and just drink the flavorful broth. Much tastier than drinking stock or boullion. -sugar free hot chocolate with 4 splendas and one tablesppon Protein powder (must be stirred VERY well) -Isopure Protein Drink mixed with Diet berry Snapple or Juicy juice Your liquid recipes are much appreciated. Thanks!

Sweethot, I've been experiencing hunger since day 2 post op! Can't tell if it's "body" hunger or "brain" hunger, but it really doesn't matter, right? Hunger is hunger, nagging and impossible to ignore. Here's what I've been doing to effectively combat hunger: 1. Chewing pepcid AC to lower acid content in stomach. Acid buildup sends hunger signals to the brain. 2. Putting something in my stomach every 2-3 hours, whether I feel hungry or not, to stabilize blood sugar (I am still on liquid stage, so this consists of juice, broth, popsicles or jello.) 3. As far as Protein shakes go - I am using the hideous Isopure drinks. They are intolerable alone (I think it's the wierd viscous texture - blech!!!) However, they can be mixed with any number of delicious drinks/flavors to make them more palatable. I like sugar-free hawaiian punch. I mix the 2 liquids, stir it up until it becomes frothy, and add some more splenda. I am getting much of my Protein that way. Other suggested for getting protein during the liquid stage would be much appreciated!

My port pain seems to be decreasing slowly. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of drinking too much too fast. Makes the port pain feel like a bug bite in comparison!

Hi fellow low BMI's, I was banded 12/23/06 with a starting BMI of 33. At my pre-op appointment on 12/19/06, I weighed 198 lbs (at 5'5".) Six days later, my weight is 187. Needless to say, I feeling VERY motivated! Like many other low BMI bandsters, I am trying to stay on the liquid diet for as long as possible to maximize my weight loss results. Another thing I plan to do in order to get the most out of the band is to avoid "cheat" foods like ice cream, milk shakes and custard. Frankly, I can't understand why there are people on this forum advocating these food items as part of the lap-band diet. These are high-calorie, high-fat foods that will eventually slow and possbily even stop the lap band's progress. I am a firm beleiver that the lap band is a means to something more than just rapid weight loss. It's also a teaching tool to help us re-learn how to eat, what to eat, and how much to eat. Bottom line: at any BMI, If milk shakes and ice cream are still on your menu, your aren't making that greater lifestyle change.

OK, it seems as though moderate port pain is normal. Very reassuring to hear from other people on this issue, as I was convinced this morning that I had torn the sutures in my sleep or while walking! I am managing the pain with liquid vicoden. I expect the pain to lessen over the next week or so. Will update.

Thanks for the reassuring words! The pain is subsiding a little....guess I just panicked when I woke up this AM.

I've been taking liquid Vicodin. It helps to some degree. I definitely don't have a fever, and the port site doesn't look swollen or abnormal. All this same, this kind of pain doesn't feel right. I have been taking short, steady walks for the last 2 days, and the port site never hurt like this. I really hope I haven't pulled any of the sutures!

Hi all, It's my 3rd day post-op. Everything has been going smoothly so far - gas pain as expected (slowly decreasing,) soreness at the port site, weird burping episodes. This AM, I woke up in excruciating pain at the port site. This is totally unlike the pain I have been experiencing thus far. I can't even stand upright. There does not appear to be any new bleeding at the port site, nor pus, and I do not have a temp - can I rule out infection? I am also worried that perhaps I have been too active during my post-op recovery - taking walks around the block to relieve gas, etc. I'm also wondering if I might have twisted around in my sleep and pulled out the sutures! I would really appreciate your feedback ASAP. As it is Christmas, I may not be able to reach my doc until tomorrow, and I am worried. Thanks!

Hi all, I was banded 12/23. Hope to be in bathing suit form by next summer! Everything has gone smoothly so far - gas pain as expected (slowly decreasing), with minor port site pain for the first 2 days. UNTIL this morning, that is! I woke up this AM with excruciating pain at all of my wound sites, and in particular, the port site. On a pain scale of 1-10, this is at least a 7 or 8. Standing upright is agony, and even when hunched over, I can barely walk. This does not feel right! I worry that I have been too active the last few days, or that perhaps I twisted around in my sleep, pulling out the sutures. I don't see any fresh blood at the port site, but the whole area is very, very sore. I am going to call my doc tomorrow. Dr. Marc Paya in Los Angeles.