Jenn1214

My fiancé was banded almost 3 months ago and he burps constantly. He also eats too much and too fast but only his doctor can yell at him for that... As for me, what I lack in frequency I make up for in volume...I sound like a truck driver!

My first cycle after being banded was all screwed up. It was late, and when I got it I had it for almost two weeks. My GYN said it was a combination of the stress from surgery and the antibiotics I got as prophylaxis. I haven't had a problem since.

My lower abdomen is numb and has been since my surgery. I'm used to it now, so it's not a big deal.

The first fill can be tricky because they kind of have to poke around for the port sometimes...at least they did for me because mine is under my belly button and was buried in lots of fat! I did ask for lidocaine in the beginning but now the fills are so quick I don't even bother. I feel pressure when the PA touches the port and a pinch when she puts the needle in, and that's it. Then I sit up, drink some water, and I'm done. Good luck!

I am sad to hear of Shirley's passing. I did not know her personally but she was a fixture here since I joined last March. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Don't worry about weight loss right now, worry about healing and giving your body the nutrients it needs. The weight loss will follow!

Hmm I haven't seen those...where did you find them?

Losing weight isn't hard for me, keeping it off is the problem. I've lost and gained several hundred pounds in my life, and I got tired of it. I was banded last March and I know I would have started to gain back the weight I lost if it wasn't for the band.

I hear about them all the time and I can never find them! I bet they might have them at Whole Foods or Fairway or something.

I just had some tonight as a matter of fact...went down with no problems!

I had an enormous bruise on my lower abdomen after surgery, where my port was placed (I had SILS). I asked for it because I didn't want to have five incisions...now I have a big gigantic scar. My fiance has five little ones and you can barely see them. Go figure!

It was definitely hard for me at first too. Just stick with it and eventually it will be second nature to you. Good luck!

I had my most recent fill on Monday. I felt very tight for a couple of days afterwards, which has never happened before. Last night, everything started to loosen up and I'm not feeling the restriction that I was. Very weird. I know this has happened to others but I've never personally experienced it. Anyone else get the restriction back after starting back on solids?

I was filled at about 10 am on Monday. I'm still on soft foods until tomorrow so I'll have to see how my portions are once I start solids.

I found that I had to "detox" from sugar after surgery because I was so addicted. Eating several candy bars a day, or a few bowls of sugary cereal was nothing for me. I stuck to my post op diet religiously and once the sugar worked its way out of my system, the cravings were much better. I still eat sweets, but nowhere near the volume and frequency I used to. I find that if I tell myself I can't have something, the desire for it becomes much stronger. So if I really want something sweet, I'll have a small piece and that's usually good enough. Although when I'm PMSing, all bets are off, so keep the chocolate away from me!

I would stay away from fruits and veggies at this point. Although they are good to eat once you are on solids, they aren't part of the soft diet and may give you trouble. Stick with the soup and whatever fish you can comfortable eat. Good luck!

My full signal is usually a hiccup. If I eat too much past this point, or eat too fast, I'll get shoulder pain or pressure in my chest. That's my band telling me "Enough already!" This usually happens several days after a fill when I'm getting used to things.

A little over a year after surgery, I've lost 82 pounds and 4 dress sizes. I have no more acid reflux, back pain, or high cholesterol. My PCOS is practically nonexistent. I feel more comfortable in my own skin and I'm gaining self esteem that I've never had before. I've lost count of how many compliments I've received from family and friends. Would I do it again? Without question. Tomorrow, if I had to.

Most of the time I become a ravenous monster, but during a few cycles I've become tight instead. Not sure what causes the difference, but man is it annoying sometimes!

Is that all you're eating all day? If so, you're definitely undereating and your metabolism is slowing as a result.

I had my first fill since November this morning, and I'm not sure if it's because it's been so long or what, but I felt kinda tight afterwards too. Almost like I had a lump in my throat, and I had some pressure in the middle of my chest too. It's better now, and since this morning I've had two cups of water, tomato soup and plain greek yogurt with no pain or anything. I'll see how I feel tomorrow, but so far so good!

My fiance was banded on February 15th. From the start I feel like he's pushed the guidelines a little too far. He eats too fast, his portions are too big, doesn't read food labels, drinks his calories, and eats a lot of soft foods that. He definitely needs a fill but his surgeon won't do it unless he's not losing weight. I try to set the best example I possibly can and tell him tips and tricks that have helped me along my journey, but it seems like he's always challenging the band and doesn't listen. I am afraid once he starts getting fills, all these bad habits will lead to problems down the line. How can I help him get on track without being a pain in the rear end? I feel like no one responds well to nagging, and I know I can't MAKE him follow the rules, I'm just concerned for his well being.

Be careful with eating solid foods this soon after banding...most surgeons don't allow a normal diet until a month after surgery to allow the stomach to heal. Please be sure to follow your doctor's orders.

You will never be able to eat the same volume as before without risking damage to the band or your body. There will probably be foods you can never eat again because you simply can't tolerate them. I haven't had any carbonation since surgery and I was a crazy soda fiend. Bacon is not my friend anymore, and I can't eat breadsticks or very doughy breads. It's different for everyone, and the only to find out is trial and error. Honestly, not being able to eat certain foods any more is a small price to pay for getting my health and self-esteem back, so don't let that deter you from getting the lap band.

Alcohol is a big time trigger for me to eat crappy food. Wine usually doesn't give me the munchies, but after a whiskey sour or two, I become a human vacuum cleaner! Needless to say I seldom drink them anymore.