B-52

Just do the best you can. I find that many people expect instant results. I have been banded 4 months now, had 3 fills, and only now can I say that things are really starting to make a difference. The first month, my band was empty. Everything was post-op diet foods, tracking any significant progress was frustrating. Go through the motions, hang in there.

I had this happen also. Only difference was the would was a little open which means it would have left a wider scar. Goal is to keep the edges of the skin tight together to leave a thin scar. I went to the drugstore and got some steri-strips to close it up tight.

Had my 3rd fill yesterday. I now prop myself up on my elbows instead of laying flat, and watch the whole thing while carrying on a conversation about the weather, sports, etc.. He uses a very large bore needle, that has a open/shut valve between it and the syringe. He sticks it in the port, and pulls all the saline out of the band. Turns the little valve closing the needle off, then removes the syringe from the needle. I'm laying there as he examines the saline in the syringe with the needle sticking out of me like a pin cushion. He's basically measureing the volume taken from the band. He then replaces all the saline with fresh, plus a little more. Yesterday was 2 cc's more making a total of 8. He then re-attaches the syringe to the needle, opens the little petcock, and re-fills my band. After he pulls the needle out I hold pressure on the point with the alcohol swap, and walk down the hall to the Water cooler. I then have to drink the water in front of him to show him I'm fine. Then I'm on my way home. I have to say that mu port is right there under the skin. Not only can I feel/see the port, but also the small tube that runs from it for a few inches until it goes deep.

Mine looks as though there is a golf ball right under my skin. I'm a man, and my stomach has always been hard (although big!) When I go for a fill, the Dr. always chuckles saying "No problem here" and "I can do this with my eyes closed" or "I wish they all this easy"

There is only a small handful of people who know I've had the surgery. Family. No one else needs to know. It's none of their business. I'm on a diet. I don't eat as much. Simple. I feel if people know I've done it, then I'm putting myself under their microscope. I don't like being graded and judged.

Until my first fill, which was 4 weeks post-op, it was as though I did not have the surgery at all. Only time I felt any difference was the first week after surgery, and that was probably inflammation of the band site giving some restriction. I just had my 2nd fill 2 days ago, and I am now feeling the band doing it's job. 4cc's first fill, 2cc's 2nd fill. I see my Dr. every 4 weeks. But that first 4 weeks..........Only reason I lost weight was due to the post-op diet regime. And was always hungry.

Funny you should ask. I had my 2nd fill today. I was banded 1/31. Had my 1st fill 4 weeks later, 4cc. Cant say I felt a lot of restriction, but I did from time to time. Got stuck a few times. learned my lesson about chewing and swallowing. Today, 2 months from being banded, I got my 2nd fill of 2cc's. Too early to tell a difference. My Dr. has me back on liquids for 36hrs after a fill. So that makes 6cc's total.

Question for you guys out there. Prior to being banded, I was told that the Port is more noticeable on Men than Women. I was Banded last month. Was 85lbs overweight. Had/have what is commonly called a Beer Belly. Large, but rock hard. Right now my port is right under my skin, and looks slightly smaller than 1/2 a golf ball, not to mention the scar. I can see the bump with a t-shirt on. I go to a gym/health club that has showers, steam , sauna and whirlpools in the locker room where all the men walk around naked, and I am very self conscious of this bump. I joked with my Dr. saying that it looks like I will be one of those guys that always wears a "Muscle T-shirt" while at the beach.He said don't worry, as you stomach goes down/flat, it will be less noticeable. I do crunches everyday, meaning when my belly does get flatter, it will still stick out?? What say You????

Every Dr.'s plan is a little different. I was Clear Liquids for 3 days post op, then heavier liquids for 4 days to finish out 1 week. Then mushies for 2 weeks, and solids after that.

Cough drops, cough drops and cough drops. I had one in my mouth non-stop for 2 days. It really did help.

My Wife and I are avid cruisers. Will be on Royal Carib this coming June for a 9 nighter. This will be our first cruise since I was banded 1/31 of this year. Should be interesting. I did go ahead and book some specialty rest. for 2 different nights. I don't mind not "Pigging out" A salad and appetizer will be fine if that's the way it is. Fortunately the buffets on cruise ships lost their appeal to me a while back. And I already have a table for 2 reserved in the MDR so as not to be rude with other guests by getting up and leaving early each meal. We'll see.

From what I've read here, everyone is a little different. I was clear Liquids for 3 days, the "heavy" liquids (Shakes, Soup, etc) for 4 days. Started "mushies" on day 8 for 2 weeks. Then reg food for week 4. First fill end of week 4.

I was told mine were waterproof, took a shower very next morning.

I had the same problem. With small sips of Water, I can feel it sit, then pass through the band with pain. (sometimes a gurgling sound) I called the Dr. and said I 'm not getting any fluids in at all. He had me come in, day 3 after surgery. Stuck a needle in my port and pulled (vacuum) just in case there was any air in the band. Said sometimes there is a little trapped from the manufacturer. It did not help. Got better the next day, and every day after that. Wrote it up as Post-op inflammation.

I take numerous pills, some pretty large. I was told I would have to crush them, and take chewable Vitamins. However, I've found, only been filled once, that I can still swallow pills, one at a time, with Water. Fortunately, I quit drinking soda years ago for other health reasons.

I have found that there is nothing I can't eat (which is not good thing) as long as I take small bites and small swallows, and take my time chewing. I've been stuck and slimed a few times, but learned that was because I rushed.

Dr. told me one week, I was back at the gym working out, including 30 minutes in the sauna, then 15 in the hot tub. Also was cleared to lift weights, but told me not to over do it. I have to say that this was when I went back to see him one week after my surgery, so he was able to see my incisions, etc.. It was then I asked him the question.

I had started the process and waited 2 years before the day finally came to be banded. A herd of horses could not drag me away from what I had looked forward to for so long. I was also afraid, that if I missed the opportunity, I would regret it for the rest of my life!

Let it go. I experienced almost the same. It felt as though I didn't have the surgery at all. I was always hungry, and could eat just about anything. I did get stuck once or twice from taking too big swallows. But as long as I took small swallows i was eating just fine. I had to force myself to diet, just as before the surgery. I though what a waste of time. Then I had my first fill, not much immediate change, but as I read here it takes few weeks for the fill to start taking effect. I'm coming up on 2 weeks since my first fill. I'm not really hungry. At least not like before. And when I do eat, I find after eating a very little bit, I loose interest, and start to get that "Stuck feeling" which will also make you stop. The weight is coming off. I think after my next fill things will really start kicking in. So hang in there. You got to struggle through this Post-Op phase.

Same here. Although everyone's pain tolerance is different, you have described exactly what I went though.

There are maybe 4-5 people in my life that know I have had the surgery. And that's immediate family. I have told no one! And don't intend to. My health insurance is not connected to my job, and I had time coming to me so I simply took a week off. My hunch was, and I now believe I was right, that most people would not have a clue. Also I did not want people, after learning I had the procedure, to constantly be observing and grading my process. Why should they need to know? I'm on a diet. I have a goal. How am I doing it? Don't eat so much and exercise! Granted, I'm sure there will come a person who obviously could benefit from my experience, and I will share with them confidentially what I am going through. But until then, I don't need to wear a sign on my back.

I take a liquid protien supplement called "Pro-Stat" has 15 gm per dose. Worst tasting stuff I've ever had, need to hold my breath and take a swallow of orange juice as a chaser. But you do get used to it.

Yea, it's good to take it easy the first day or two, and take the pain medicine By day 3 I was stir crazy and had to get out of the house. I took the week off, but ran errands to the mall, etc by day 3.

After 3 days I was allowed to move from clear liquids to heavier liquids. Yes, I relied on shakes from time to time, yogurt, cream soups, etc. This was for 4 days, completing 1 full week. Then for week 2 I was allowed to move on to mushies. As far as "gas pains", there appears to be some confusion, or mix-ups. There are 2 different "gas pains", one of which is from the surgical procedure, the other indigestion. Gas-X will not help the surgical procedure type of trapped gas at all.

It's that feeling when you've got your head over the toilet, just waiting to vomit. The saliva comes and you do a lot of spitting. No, it's not a good thing, unless you remember what brought it on, learn your lesson and swear ...... Never Again. Chew, Chew, Chew.....small swallows. That's what I learned. When I get stuck, it is usually within the first minute or two when I start eating, because I've forget the above lesson.