stratcat

Hi, I just wanted to add that crushing the pills is important while your stomach is swollen from surgery, even if you have no fill. I have small pills and started taking them uncrushed about 2 weeks after surgery. Here is what took me by surprise: After a fill you also swell and go back to liquids for up to 2 days. (More pill crushing) If you are that hungry (such that it is making you mentally and emotionally uncomfortable and stressing your recovery ), maybe ask if an appetite supressant is appropriate for your situation. Best wishes for you lap journey.

My advise is to call your health care team and advise them how you feel. The nausea is what I would stress. My PA prescribed nausea meds just in case in addition to the pre-surgery pill. The first week is about keeping you stomach a still as possible and letting it heal. Hiccups and nausea cause movement. Your health care team may be able to give you something to make you more comfortable.

Welcome Tim, to the other side of the band. The post-band world. Glad to hear that surgery went so well. I hope you fly through the first few weeks with no problems. I live 2 hours away. When I told the nurse that I was planning on renting a hotel room for the first night, she offered to keep me overnight in the hospital. She said one of the doctors insists that all his patients stay, so she would just mark it like that on my chart (no extra charge). Hearing what the others have said. I love that nurse.

BEST WISHES for a Great Surgery Come back and tell us how you are doing ASAP.

I just had to comment about giving up food. You summarized it for me. And I want to tell you about my journey dealing with loosing my crutch because I just realized in the past day or two what loosing the crutch means to/ for me. I feel like I actually grieved the loss of my best friend. FOOD. It loved me, I love it. I was so wrong about how I treated food. I got real honest with myself about how much I ate to medicate my overworked mind, tired body, hurt feelings, uncertainties and .....so .... on. And I did not like what I saw. I lived to eat, not ate to live. I had no idea how much I depended on food to make me feel better. It was soooo wrong. The good news is that on the other side of the band, you get your food back. My PA and I got into a discussion, I wanted to know what I could/should eat. "He said whatever. That's what the band is for. You eat quality now, now quantity." And friends, that set me on a new direction. I am not dieting, I am simply eating small amounts of the food that I love. Protiens first, then veggies. I eat what my husband eats. (just not as much) And he (hubby) and I actually discussed the idea that I will not loose as fast as others because I am not eating low-cal diet food- - We agreed that the important thing is that I WILL get there and perhaps become even more successful, since I will actually enjoy the journey. Don't misunderstand. I am still stuggling to feed myself correctly. EVERY DAY. Some days it is harder than others. But, thanks to my PA's wise words I am trying to learn to eat like a natural person and not like a fat woman who is dieting. Does that make sense?????

Hi, my name is Terri and I too am a Christian. I am 6 foot, and YES you are entirely correct: every inch is important. I started at 320 highest, 307 DOS (2/15/2011), and am now 283. My goal is 175. You will start feeling better soon. I recommend afternoon naps, and warm liquids. Its like a hug from the inside. Heating pads and massage help with the shoulder pain. The all liquid phase will be tough since you will watch others enjoy their food. But this, too shall pass. Once you can eat soft foods you have alot more options. Mashed Potatoes, oatmeal and, hummus were my favorites. If you are a busy mom on the road alot, the fast food places can actually be helpful. We went to KFC for mashed potatoes when I needed a meal quick. Yes, I ate the gravy too, I'd have fought to keep my gravy. McDonalds has oatmeal. Once you can puree things, you will feel lots better. Personally, I thanked God that I had made it through the wilderness. I am lactose intollerant and allergic to eggs. Protien drinks and cream Soup gave me the runs. BTW: Hot dogs DO puree. So does chicken salad. Hamburger - not so much- wait on those. A friend made me homemade pimento cheese spread. AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!! I just mashed up fish. pureed fish was, totally off-putting to me. Well, I've tried to be funny as well as offer some advice. Welcome to the boards. If you want a laugh, go to the powder room gone wild forum, it really has some wild questions - that are very valid. Terri .

I craved hamburgers thoughout the first month of my post surgery life. After my first fill, I find that they are hard to eat, but not impossible. These are my rules: 1. The meat has to be warm (eating a cold hamburger is not a good idea - Mistake 1 ), 2. Take your time and chew like you are liquifying it. 3. One must take baby bites. I was too hungry one day and started chowing down and did not chew enough . Mistake 2 and 3 - Not good. 4. The meat to bread ratio must be greater than 1 to 1. I personally like 2 to 1. If all else fails, meatloaf is easier to eat and can partially satisfy the hamburger craving. BUT NOT ENTIRELY !!!!

Thank you for asking. I am very happy with my decision to band. BTW I am a self-pay so it was one of the biggest and bestest presents I ever gave to myself. My highest was 320 on Jan 15, 2011. 307 At surgery 2/15/2011. 283 this AM which is almost 6 weeks post surgery. I am 6' tall and have set goal at 175 lbs. So I will have a long journey. That's OK, My life is not about sitting at home counting calories, or watching my scale constantly. I go go go. In fact, we eat in restaurants so much, today I counted 6 take out boxes in our fridge. I am just saying, that being a wife and career woman are my priorities, and I trust the lap band to do its job while I carry on living life to its fullest. I PROMISED myself that I would enjoy my lap band journey, not suffer through it. The best part is that the hunger is gone. Previously, I never felt full. An hour after supper I would be in front of the fridge looking for a snack. Now I go 5 hours most days without feeling the need to stop and have a snack. And I stop eating when I feel full. I though maybe the band would starve the weight off me. That, maybe I would be hungry all the time and only be able to eat a little at a time and never feel full and satiated. Not even close. And at my first fill, (at the 1 month point) I asked my PA what I could eat. He said whatever I wanted and could tolerate. That it was about quality not quantity now. The lap takes care of the quantity. And I took him at his word. I still do not drink carbonated beverages, or coffee. I am a tea drinker. I do something the others here at the site did not think was so cool. I use nutrisystems (not the first month). The Nutrisystem people told me that lots of banded people use their products. Well, no one but me has admitted to it. But it makes things so much easier for me that I use it for convenience. Not every day, but several times a week. Its fast, mostly good, has the glycemic index balance thingie going for it, and it is low cal. and the portions are fine for my lap. Also I eat the deserts quilt free. Yes, its not fresh, yes home cooked is better, Yes it feels a little expensive. But it helps me and my PA and the NUTritionist are ok with it, so I am good. Honestly, my biggest trial was diarreah - many others have the opposite problem. But since I am very lactose intollerant i had trouble with shakes and cream Soups. Once I got onto KFC mashed potatoes, oatmeal and hummus i felt better. But, when I got to week three and could eat meat again I praised GOD that i had made it through the wilderness. So far my biggest win so far was cutting my blood pressure meds in half. Maybe in another month or two they will be discontinued. I am proud of myself and I am hoping that my mother, age 69, will get a lap band. She says she will see how I do. She had a friend who did had a lapband and the little drama queen told my mom that it took her a half hour to eat a peanut etc etc. And she believed it.>>>>>>>>>>> UGH Again, thanks for asking. I would hope that your lap band experience is as positive as mine has been. Yours sincerely, Terri

I found the post i mentioned. It is on the pre-surgery board, this site, posted by Alfiepoo on 26 Feb 2011, and last replied on 10 March 2011. She only mentions the nerve briefly - phrenic nerve pain. So then I did a search on Phrenic nerve pain on this site, all forums. It is actually mentioned quite a few times with several very good medical explainations. So maybe, run a similar search, check out the info, see if it matches what you are feeling . Good luck. Terri

I had a similar pain for the first two weeks post surgery I had back pain if I stood too long. It was under my shoulder blade and I could not stand comfortably. I kept fidgeting trying to get the feeling to stop. Then i read somewhere about a nerve in the area of the chest near the band site that can get irritated after surgery. It was in a post about "things I wish I knew pre-surgery. " I have tried to find the post again, but I don't even remember the exact site I was visiting when I read this post. Maybe someone else can fill in what i do not know. And, then again, maybe I have the details wrong. But, I can tell you that my pain gradually lessened and went away. I hope yours does too.

Hi, I was banded 2/15, just a little ahead of you, and I asked the same question. I am not saying I have all the answers, I am just giving you insight to my situation. It may help you My PA's response was that he wanted me not to worry about weight loss at all. The first 4- 6 weeks was about healing. He actually said that some folks gain a litlle weight back until their fills start. My first fill was at the 4 week point. But then he asked these questions: How much do you eat. I told him 1-1/2 cups of food. He said that's ok. How often are you hungry each day. "About every five hours". That's about right he said. Are you throwing up or in discomford. "NO". Well, you seem good then. He told me that without a fill I could expect these feelings and not to worry that this was a lifetime thing and not something we have to have perfect in the first month or even two. If you are worried, call and share your concern with some one on your medical team. I called about 1 per week with my questions and talked to the office nurse/secretary and she either routed me to the PA or helped me herself.

Thanks for asking/answering a question that I would not have thought to ask, but needed to know. Plus, I the coochie car wash comment made me lol.

Hi, I am 48, (and banded 2/15/11) BUT i wanted to say hello and welcome. Also, i wanted to tell you that if you go to the start page of lapbandtalk.com and page the whole way down, you will find a section that has an age-specific forum. Actually you will find any type of forum you can think of. I was pleasantly surprised when I first found these additional sections. You will find that the posts are a litlle old in the 60+ section, but if you leave a message there as well as here you will have replys in no time. But best wishes and congratulations on the decision to do something so wonderful for yourself. Terri .

:)Go Kristi Go! Tomorrow is your day to shine !!!!!!!!!

I am due for my first fill exactly 4 weeks after surgery. This seems fast compared to some of other comments I have read. How soon and how fast were your fills? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I am planning on using Nutrisystem for my weight loss program. And when i called them, they said that LOTS of lap banders use their program. So, are any of you all out there using Nutrisystem? How is it working for you? I like it for the following reasons: 1. Right size portions 2. Gycemic balance. 3. Variety of choices. 4. No calorie counting. 5. Desserts and snacks: Nutrisystem does not ignore between meal snacks and desserts. 6. It is good every day food that I will eventually need to transistion to using in my every day life.

I am severely HYPO with no function at all. i am under the impression that as you loose weight, there is less of you to medicate. BUT, it all boils down to your TSH numbers and your t-3/t-4 balance. I get tested at least once a year. Nothing makes you feel worse than an imbalance. But, i am told I will never get better.

Hi, I just wanted to see who else has their port in places other than under their rib cage. Mine is about six inches down from the top of my shoulder. The PA said that he can access it easier and use a much smaller needle for fills. Also, he said that it seems to be a less used, more comfortable spot. So far it seems just fine. But I am going to ask next visit what will happen when I have my upcoming boob job. (hey -- if I loose the weight ==> i am getting myself a new, higher tighter set). BTW: My husband is thrilled with the weight loss so far.

[ I wanted to comment that we are both from GA. I had my surgery in Valdosta (2/15), so maybe it is something that the Georgia doctors are doing.

Hi, I am planning on using Nutrisystem for my weight loss program. And when i called them, they said that LOTS of lap banders use their program. So, are any of you all out there using Nutrisystem? How is it working for you? I like it for the following reasons: 1. Right size portions, 2. Ready in a minute 3. Easy to grab and go to work., Eat in the car, or pack in my purse for emergencies. 4. Gycemic balance. 5. Variety of choices. 6. No calorie counting. 7 Desserts and snacks: Nutrisystem does not ignore between meal Snacks and desserts. 8. It is good every day food that I will eventually need to transistion to using in my every day life. 9. No cooking - It is hard to control portions and calories when you cook from scratch. 10. it is hard to cook low cal for one - and keep it tasty. Hubby wants no part of low calorie meals that taste low calorie. 11. Very time consuming to cook low calorie. I am busy. 12. No leftovers, so no guilt for wasting food. It seems like it will work, but I would like to hear from you if you are using/considering Nutrisystem.

No, cannot see.the port, now. I do not know, but I doubt if it will be seen later. I am not too worried, it seems deep enough. But I will ask the PA., I do like the upper chest location over the other options. It will be covered by bathing suit top when on the beach.

You are getting close. Time to get mentally ready. And do some fun stuff too!!!! Go shopping! I went shopping early for baby food, juices, gas x, and Flinstone's chewables with Iron (fun and easy to take). Oh Mango apple sauce (my fave), pudding, Jello. GOOD! Slim fast, and Muscle milk - not so good. Powdered protien from GNC. Vitiamin E oil for my skin. I have bad stretch marks. liquid tylenol. Liquid benedryl. Your nut(ritionalist) will have many recommendations. Vitiamin Water, etc. Pack early and pack fun. I packed a beany baby teddy bear (0r two). Had a book, and all my lap band pamplets and notes. I bought good looking jammies and had my old comfy slippers for walking the halls (or going home) after surgery. I wanted to be styling down those halls. And, make sure you have an ELASTIC waist band. (seriously) I got a notebook to tract progress. I did NOT take measurements or final pictures. I just didn't want to focus on where I was. I want to focus on where I am going. But, some do, some don't. Don;t wait too long, as time gets away. The pre-surgery diet helps to shrink your liver so that surgery goes better. So what kind of diet are you on? I have read of many variations. Full liquids to high protien to Sugar Busters to "just don't gain any weight". I do not know what or how the doctors figure out what is best so I would NEVER second quess. I am just curious how strict your doctor is with you. Will you stay over night or go home. I live 2 hours from Valdosta where I had my surgery done, so they kept me over night. Very nice not to ride up I-75 at 80 miles an hour or through the construction after surgery. Plus the nurse was very generous with the pain meds. Hubby slept in a cot, bedside. It was good. BTW: The Marching band thingie is super cute.

Hi, I'm stratcat. I hail from PA, but live in GA. Love the South and am glad they did not return me. Banded on 2/15 and see food a whole new way. My raging, never full, never satisfied appetite is gone. . And I am praying it stays gone. Blood Pressure med was cut in half already. And hoping that cholesteral and other meds follow. I still want all the old stuff (especially sloppy hamburgers) , but once i have some mashed potatoes or some oatmeal or some Soup I am satisfied for 4-5 hours. AMAZING for a chow hound like me. I hope this does not change. I am even wondering why I need a fill. I seem to have the control I need now to diet on my own. My problem was the raging appetite that i could never control. But, I am schedule for a fill in two weeks for my Allergan, 10 CC lap band AP system. (does anyone know what AP stands for?) So I will see what happens. I have a long way to go as I am a big woman. Six foot tall, broad (OF course big-boned) and in the high twozies. I want to get to 175, and if the Good Lord is willing, 165. So that's just over 100 lbs to loose. I am planning to use Nutrisystem for my long-term program once I get the go-ahead from the PA. (I only met the Dr. briefly before surgery). The hospital I went to uses a PA, a nutritionist and an exercize therapist for follow-ups of a routine nature. I am also self-pay and had my band in with-in three weeks of my first call to the center.

I lived through that too. I laid awake. I worried as I was a self-pay. Complications could bankrupt us. Here is what kept me going. I had the benefit of knowing someone who had a lap and now looks AMAZING. And, just had a successful pregnancy. GOOD FOR HER!!!!! Plus, I asked myself what was my next plan was if i let this option go--- and I had none. I had a talk with my mom and dad who were supportive. (I am nearly 50 years old- so this is kinda funny to me). And I talked to the hubby. He was not so sure..........but he was like me. The options were dwindling, however. l was looking at High Blood Pressure, High Cholesteral and the early signs of type 2 diabetis. I had to do SOMETHING, as I was beginning to be a health train wreck. AND, so far, (banded 2/15) I think I made a good decision. The anesthesiologist and i talked for a while before my surgery, and he said it best: You are choosing to take a risk now while you are healthy in order to change the future. Where, if you make no change, you will have to face even more health risks in a less healthy state..... Does that make sense? BTW- I had a rou-en-y sheduled 10 years ago and backed out: For me it was a mutilation that I could not do to myself. (I apologize if this offends anyone-but this is honestly how I felt). And laps were still too new. Now, the lap is fully developed and FULLY REVERSIBLE. For goodness sakes, its a 35 minute OUT PATIENT surgery. (I kept telling mysef this over and over again.) From my heart, I can say to you, that I am so proud of myself. I now have the power to change my life and impact my health. I already have seen results. BP meds were just cut in half!!!!!!! I pray that I can keep on track. Good luck ladies, I'm here if you want to ask me anything. But I am no expert.