crzytchr

I can feel mine and have been able to since banding. It doesn't bother me at all, though.

It happened to my friend who was banded two weeks before me. She has pcos, and after she was almost 4 months post op and down 40 lbs, she started ovulating and became pregnant without knowing!!!! She had two previous pregnancies using fertility drugs and her twins were only 9 months old when she found out she was pregnant again. Soooooo, yes, it can happen once you have lost some weight.

I have been really lucky. Even without having my band prefilled, I had some restriction just from having the band placed. My PA normally places 4ccs at the first fill, but I told her that I was already doing well, so I only wanted half of that. She put in 2ccs and I felt restriction with the cold Water she gave me, so she took 1 of the ccs out. I had been reading posts on here immediately after surgery, and I knew that I never wanted to be too tight. My second fill was back in November and it was also only 1cc. I still have restriction. I am probably ready for a small fill again, I think I will ask for .5cc and see what that does. Honestly, the best advice anyone can give and take to heart is don't be too aggressive with your fills. It can cause a lot of pain and problems.

It depends on the surgeon. Some prefill it, but I think most wait until you are 4-6 weeks post op. I waited.

I was 40 on the day I was banded and it was the first surgery I had ever had. I was terrified! I began playing every horrible scenario in my head. My surgery was uneventful and I recovered fine. Being banded was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I don't regret one minute of it.

I bought mine at GNC. They aren't cheap, but you only need them immediately after banding during the clear liquid stage. It is just soooo easy to get your required protein for the day. Be sure to buy the 42g ones, because they make one that has like 23g also. Bearbandit likes the blueberry, but I preferred the tropical punch. They are kind of thick and have a tart taste that my husband compared to sweet tarts. Some people mix it with crystal light, but I drank it straight. Two sips and you have an ounce already down. It is easy.:smile2:

I used the New Whey protein bullets because in only 3 oz of liquid it had 42g of protein. I found it to be the easiest way to get all of the required protein in per day.

I do not deny myself anything that I want that my band will allow. Tonight my daughter is making a hot fudge sundae cake and I will eat a piece with a scoop of ice cream. Before banding I would have put 2 scoops of ice cream AND gone back for seconds. I did not get my band to feel like I was dieting my whole life. I eat whatever I want, just a LOT LESS of it.

1day at a time, KICK, KICK, KICK...now, get past it, realize you feel like crap for doing it, and move on forward. We all do this occasionally. Don't continue to beat yourself up over it past today. Tomorrow is a new day and you will do better, do like your name is and ...take it 1day at a time.

Dark chocolate sugar free jello pudding cups. I have one almost every night before I go to bed!

Well, I have finally taken off 1 of the 2 lbs I had gained since the beginning of April. Standardized testing and Easter killed me!!!! Sugar is the DEVIL!!!! Now if I would only get off my BIG LAZY BUTT and exercise, maybe I would start really losing again. UGH!

I totally love the porthole! Good luck tomorrow and update when you get a chance.

My dad isn't being pushed into bypass. He weighs 450 and KNOWS that the band isn't the correct tool for him, because he sees how disciplined I have to be. He sees my success so far and knows I love being banded, but it isn't what HE needs. I think his information has him on 10 day liquid preop. They will give you a folder of info when you go.

I have never slimed for that long, but I have had birthday cake stick on me. I drank a little coffee and it made the cake go down. Try a warm beverage next time, or like me now, just avoid that dang cake! :/

I was banded without a fill and felt restriction right away. My stomach is very sensitive with being messed with. I am 9 months post surgery and still only have had 2 fills of 1cc each in my 11cc band. Everyone is different.

To this day my husband does NOT know my starting weight. Isn't it funny how I tell people on here, but wouldn't DARE tell him? Ok, I tell anyone and everyone that asks or comments on my weightloss about being banded. I don't feel it negates any of the work I put in. I tell, because someone I worked with at my last school had it done and when people commented on how good she looked, she would smile and say "oh, I am just watching my portions and exercising more". Technically true, but it makes others feel like failures and wonder what is wrong with them that they aren't able to do it on their own. Later, we all found out because she actually told one person. Yes, if you tell one, all will eventually know. I felt that if she were more upfront, it might would have had me considering the surgery a little sooner. So, another friend of mine that I worked with and I did it within two weeks of each other and we tell people. I find that people are supportive and I have actually been a reason that others are looking into being banded now. This is a personal decision that only you can make, but I have never regretted my decision to not keep it a secret.

My dad is scheduled for pre op with Dr. Richardson on Wednesday for a bypass. He hasn't actually seen him yet, but I do know that he is highly recommended and my dad is traveling 80 miles to have him do it rather than using the doctors around Baton Rouge, because his cardiologist and PCP think so highly of Dr. Richardson. Go see him and let me know what you think.

Call your surgeon's office and request pain meds. Unless you are allergic, I can't understand why it wasn't prescribed for you. I only took mine for 5 days, mainly at night, but I would've been angry if I were told just to take tylenol if I needed something stronger. I was prescribed liquid lortab and only took about 1/3 of the prescription, but I DID need what I took. If you are still hurting tomorrow, call and see if they will prescribe a liquid pain med for you. Also, make sure you are consuming the liquids you are supposed to. It should help you with the nausea.

I got jello'd out really quick too, but I LOVE the sf dark chocolate pudding that they make!!! When I started on full liquids I liked eating the cream of chicken soup with a little sage, garlic powder and pepper added to it. It is VERY tasty. As soon as I started mushies I would put my food in the food processor: chili, homemade chicken or tuna salad. I also enjoyed eating refried beans with ff sourcream and cheddar. Scrambled eggs is also good once you start the mushies. Good luck!

My port is about 3 inches below my breasts and a little to the right of center. I can feel it when I push, which is good, because it is easy for the NP to find it to do my fills. My NP doesn't numb the site, but it still doesn't hurt. DO NOT look at the needle at all when you go for your fill. Look at the ceiling. Getting the fill doesn't hurt me, but it does feel weird. THat is the only way I can explain it. After you fill they will have you drink some Water. If it goes down too slowly, LET THEM KNOW. You don't want to leave with the band too tight. It is much better to get small conservative fills and never be too tight. Proper restriction will require you to take small bites, chew well and eat slowly. If you don't, you food will probably get stuck and will need to come back up. If you are ever so tight you can't eat meat at all, you are too tight and should get a small unfill.

I put my chili in the food processor and ate it with ff sourcream and cheddar and it was very yummy. I also made my chicken salad using the food processor.

Congratulations, you have a reason to be proud. You have completely turned your life around. With the positive attitude you have, you will achieve your goal. Isn't it amazing how much more we can do when we start moving? Good luck with the rest of your journey.

You look awesome Bella. Congratulations!!!

I consume 60-80mg of protein everyday and it hasn't stopped my hairloss. I don't know if anyone knows exactly what causes it. I hear the weightloss and also that major surgery causes it. I am losing hair, but it is only REALLY noticeable when I wash it. To me, it is a small price to pay for my weightloss.

I eat popcorn all the time, but I am also not that restricted. I don't want my band tight. I like being able to eat most things.