Jenn1214

The first month is probably the hardest time for bandsters. I was so depressed the first two weeks after surgery, thinking "Oh my God, what have I done to myself? I'll never be able to eat again! I made such a huge mistake!" So not true. I'm down almost 60 pounds, and I look at feel so much better. It's not an easy road but if I can do it, ANYONE can! Things will get better. Hang in there, you can do this!

It will pass. Definitely move around as much as you can (but don't overdo it, you're still recovering). People say Gas-X strips helped them but they did nothing for me. You may not be able to yet, but I found lying on my left side kind of helped push the gas out. Feel better!

Your body is just recovering from the trauma of surgery. I remember being terrified to burp because I thought it would mess up the band, but I feel like I needed to burp all the time (you won't mess up the band if you burp, I was just a paranoid idiot). The gas pains and hiccups are totally normal too. I know it sucks but it will pass and then you'll be feeling great!

Nice! Keep up the great work!

It's a awesome feeling, isn't it? Great job!

It took me five fills before I got to a good place with my eating. Don't forget that fills sometimes take a week or two to kick in. Also, you're still healing from surgery and learning how to eat with the band, so don't beat yourself up! Concentrate on getting enough water and eating right...the weight loss will follow. You can do it!

Unfortunately gas seems to be part of life for me now! It's a lot better now, but in the few months after surgery I belched louder than my fiance and the gas didn't know which end to come out of (TMI I know, sorry). It should get better, so hang in there!

I will be 8 months post op on the 14th. When I first had the surgery I couldn't feel my port at all, but now that I've lost almost 60 pounds it will bug me if I lean up against a hard surface, like the kitchen counter (my surgeon placed it a few inches below my belly button). The band feels a little tight in the morning but otherwise I forget it's there (except when I'm eating of course!). You should never be able to feel the band under your skin.

I think sometimes people don't want to comment on someone's weight loss because they are afraid of hurting their feelings somehow. If they say "Wow, you look great!" maybe you'll think "Well gee, I must have looked horrible before". That's the way I am, anyway. People started commenting on my weight loss at around 30 pounds because I had lost a lot of weight in my face. I no longer look like a chipmunk storing nuts for the winter

I am often shocked at how fast and how much people eat. I sit there and think "Holy crap, did I used to eat like that too?" It actually makes me nauseous thinking about it!

I had the same problem and got discouraged, but the weight started to drop off after a little while. Like everyone said, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

I have never had a fill under floro, but I thought it was cool when I did my barium swallow the day after surgery. I could really see the band slowing down the flow of the contrast...I was pretty impressed (it could have just been the anesthesia scrambling my brains though!).

I was starting to notice my weight loss stalling, so I took a good hard look at everything I was doing. I was in denial, thinking that the band "wasn't working" and that I shouldn't have to work so hard to lose weight. In reality, I was eating too fast, too much, and too long. I was also drinking much more than I should and not exercising at all. I started a workout routine, tracked my calories on myfitnesspal.com, cut down on alcohol, and ate more mindfully, and the pounds started coming off again. Remember that the Lap Band is a tool, not a magic wand. I tend to forget that sometimes, even all these months later. You can do this, but it does require work and effort on your part. The Band can only do so much.

Today I decided that I needed some new jeans and bras because my old ones were too big, so I stopped in Lane Bryant since I had a coupon. The saleswoman was very nice and helpful, but I was having a heck of a time finding my size (I'm a 14 now). As I was trying on a coat, she looked at me and said "You know, you're going to be too small for Lane Bryant pretty soon". I couldn't help but smile!

Sometimes I can feel my band is tighter in the morning, but usually I forget it's even there. I can feel my port if I'm lying down and press on my lower abdomen but otherwise it doesn't bother me.

In a typical day: Breakfast: Container of Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup Kashi Cereal mixed in Lunch: Tuna with light mayo on a couple of Wasa crackers or 1 cup turkey chili dinner 3-4 oz lean Protein (chicken, fish or pork) and 1/2 cup veggies If I am hungry in between meals I will have a serving of almonds or a small banana with 1/2 tbsp of Peanut Butter as a snack.

I live at Trader Joe's...they have so much great stuff!

Are you having problems with all foods or just certain ones? If everything is getting stuck I would go back to the doc for a slight unfill. The more you get stuck the more you will turn to slider foods and gain weight (my fiance's cousin has this exact problem).

Make sure you are drinking enough water. A lot of people overlook this as a cause for constipation. I definitely notice that if I haven't had enough water for the day, things aren't "moving along" as they should.

Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws (well, future in laws I should say). They just can't really grasp that I can't eat big plates of pasta anymore (they are full blooded Italians). I would much rather serve myself at Sunday dinner , but one of them always grabs the spoon and starts doling out portions before I can say "Lap Band". When I say "Just a little bit for me please", it's still too much and I'm afraid of being rude or a pain in the ass. My fiance's aunt kind of gave me a dirty look once when I asked for some to be taken out of my plate so I keep my mouth shut now. I eat as much as the band will allow and quietly try to pass off the rest to my fiance. He will be banded in February so this won't really be an option anymore. I guess I should just stop being a wuss and speak up about it, but in such a food centered household I am so afraid of insulting them. What should I do?

I went to a support group meeting once where a woman was putting Big Macs in the blender because her band was so tight. Sounds pretty disgusting to me! Did you speak to a nutritionist? They should be able to give you some ideas on what to eat during the puree stage.

I've tried eggs a few different ways and they always make me sick, so I know how you feel! My favorite breakfast so far is a container of Greek yogurt with some Kashi Golean cereal mixed in. Lots of protein and no tummyache afterwards!

Good for you! Walking away from my bad relationship was one of the hardest things I ever did, but now I'm engaged to a wonderful man and have a great life. Let your new life begin!

I passed a lot of gas shortly after surgery. Not sure what causes it but I feel like it's the body's way of coping with the GI tract being messed with. I don't fart as much now but sometimes I let out burps like a truck driver...my fiance finds it hilarious but it's so embarrassing!

I've been noticing over the last month or so that I've been feeling kind of run down, hardly any energy, and sometimes my heart beats fast for no reason. My concentration is also worse than ever (if that's possible; I was tested for ADD three times). My brain just feels "fuzzy". Could I be anemic? I take vitamins every day so I don't see how I could be, but I guess anything can happen. Anyone ever have similar symptoms? I'm trying to decide if a trip to the doc is worth it. Thanks!