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Can't sleep. Killer pressure on the left side of my head, I know its because of the lap band because when my chest tightens I feel pain in my left shoulder and left side of head...not sure why or if this is normal. I think my band is really really tight. I'm on "mushy" this week and all I had today was a protein shake, mash potatoes and a broth soup and sips of water. So I don't think I'm stuck or anything, I really don't know what's going on but the pressure is painful. Going to call my dr first thing in the morning. 12:45 PM (NEXT DAY) Updating my blog. The nurse called me back from the weight loss place and thank God she said this is normal and says it sounds like I'm VERY dehydrated. I had only been getting in 4oz of water so today I'm going to go back to all liquids so things can calm down a bit. I had oatmeal 2 days ago w/ tiny raisins and apples (From McDonalds) and on about the 2nd or 3rd apple I could then tell maybe I shouldn't be eating apples, it wasn't as "soft" as I though it could be (green apples are usually soft) and maybe part of that is stuck (reason I'm having this tightening in my chest) ???? They are even considering taking some of the fill out if I can't get enough water in today. Right now I'm trying to drink a protein shake though I'm not hungry at all. Each sip the pressure in my head comes on full force. It's very painful making me NOT want to finish this protein shake, but I know I need to get some fluids in. Has anyone else experience this? What did you do? (Thanks) UPDATE: January 4, 2012 - Yesterday I went back to the doctors and they removed ALL of my saline out. It was 5.5cc's, she said that was a lot. She did not put it back in, however told me to get children's liquid ADVIL to help w/ the swelling. Yesterday for the first time ever I was able to get in 32oz of liquids before going to bed, that was awesome and I thought everything would be okay however at 4:32 this morning nausea and pressure headaches (over my left eye socket) woke me up again. I read if vomiting too much, it could cause the band to slip. I pray I do not have to get surgery all over again. That would be a nightmare. I'm really scared now.

GREAT NEWS! I was banded Dec. 14th and have been having problems not getting in enough water (only 4-6oz a day) Went to doctor office today and they took ALL of my saline out Said I had 5 1/2 CC's in. Had me drink out of a dixie cup of water, said it should only take me 1 minute. Took the first sip, by on the 2nd sip my chest tighten up and that pressure came behind my left eye socket again. You could even hear the water trying to go through the lap band out loud. She said wow, you must be very very swollen. So she had me get children's liquid Advil to help w/ the swelling and wants to see how much water I can get in tonight and call them in the morning. The past hour, I got in 1 8oz of propell water and 1 8oz of V8 juice, Yeahhhhh! (I can see the light at the end of this dark tunnel) I'm still having pain in left shoulder/neck but that headache pressure hasn't bothered me since being at the doctor's office. She said maybe I had more swelling since they did repair 2 hernia's on top of me having lap band surgery.

Dear blondeblueeyes - I know exactly how you feel. I believe I'm way too tight also. My son says I should leave things alone because the weight is pouring off, however even the nurse said I was very dehydrated (reason I'm having this killer headaches like behind my left eye) I"m getting about 4-6 oz. of water down on a good day and about 2 tablespoons of food. After that, if I try anything else I'm vomiting it back up.

Hi Puppypaw57 - I was banded Dec 14, 2011 and it hurt for me to swallow many days after the surgery. It's better now. Since I've been on "mushy" my scale hasn't moved like it was doing during liquids and my calories are still pretty low (between 500-800) but I guess we'll eventually get there

I was doing great til yesterday. Down 28 pounds (my scale) 23 doctor's scale. Starting to have a lot of pressure in my head (left side) the pain goes up each time my chest tightens. I think my band is really really tight - I'm rarely hungry. Not sure what the pain/pressure in my head is about though. Even still, I'm happy I went through w/ the surgery.

Thanks everyone for posting. I look forward to when I can eat Red Lobsters again (don't worry TracieR, I don't care for their cheddar biscuits too much... now O'Charley's rolls is another thing.... haha, use to eat 8 of those back in the days - but I hear we can't eat bread anymore after l.b. - is that true?

Merry Christmas everyone! I was THRILLED to get a Red Lobster's gift card today for Christmas. I'm just now on "mushy" so I won't be able to use it until my 4th week when I turn to solid foods, but wanted to know - has anyone who had lap band try to eat Lobster, Shrimp or Crab meat and if so, how did you do? Is that a food that would get stuck or does it go down ok? I pray so, this is my favorite restaraunt of all time - I pray I can still eat those foods down the road. Well this morning I'm about to try scramble eggs w/ cheese - I can't wait, haha (so excited to be on mushy's) For dinner I'm eating a sweet potato. I'm down about 28 pounds on MY scale (doc scale adds about 5 pounds) but I'm loving shedding the pounds, makes it so easy to eat "right" - Have to get ready for church - Hope you all have a wonderful day. God bless!

Oh my gosh... yesterday I was finally allowed to go from all liquids to MUSHY's!!!! You would have thought I'd won the lottery or something, it's ridiculous to be this much in love with food, I tell ya! But after having liquids like forever, the taste of 6 green beans and 6 tiny scalloped (box style) potatoes was like HEAVEN!!!! Yes, a tablespoon of food filled me up. I did take about 5 "sips" of water BEFORE I ate the food. Still trying to remember not to GULP the water. Man... my chest tighten up and I was like woooooo! Okay, sip sip sip! But I guess if I do it enough it will finally sink in! For breakfast I did get in my protein shake so that (green beans and potatoes) was my lunch for a late afternoon snack I had a couple crackers w/ peanut butter (oh to taste peanut better again... yummy) and then very late for dinner I had about a tablespoon of cottage cheese and peaches and that was it for the day. AND I was satisfied. On MY scale I'm down 28 pounds (nude) but at the doctors w/ my heavy gym shoes and winter clothes I'm down 23. Okay, maybe my scale is off, but I'll take either one. This is only 9 days since my operation!! I saw the dr. office Wed. the nurse checked my stitches and said they are healing nicely. Two days ago I stop my pain medicine all together and I feel pretty good. Walking much better, though light headed if I stand long probably co's well, maybe I not getting enough protein in, but the nurse said not to worry about that til week 4, right now she said we're just trying to get you healed. I was thrilled to see my doc just before I was leaving. He came out of his office to give me a hug and said "She'll be a rock star before you know it." (I had to laugh. I REALLY like Dr. Watkins a lot. I was SOOOOO grateful he repaired my hernia (also finding a 2nd one I didn't even know I had) during my lap band surgery. My port is now right above my belly button. He said mine is different than most people because he put it where the hernia was. Not sure how that is going to change things for me or not, but "right now" even when I get sick (tell ya about that in a minute) I'm LOVING my band and sooooooo glad I made this decision to go through with this surgery even after all the negative I was hearing from friends. Mom told me last night, not everyone is going to be happy your loosing weight - so do this for yourself and she told me that she was proud of me. That made me feel so good! I have the best parents in the world! Now about the "getting sick" - well I tried to take "Alive" a multi vitiamine for woman and man, I took one bit of applesauce (I had mixed it in there) and I was straight to the bathroom. I was like Oh Lord please don't let me vomit (esp. since my stitches are still healing) but I did a little, but it wasn't too rough - my body cramped up in my stomach (prob. co's I'm low on water) so I just stretched and that went away. NOt sure what vitamine I can take but that one went into todays TRASH! I haven't started my 30 min daily exercise yet. I think I'm going to wait until after week 4 (my own personal choice) I forgot to ask the nurse about that, but I do notice it feels like I can BREATH BETTER!!!! Like there's is not so much weight on my chest or something???? So right now I'm in a happy place. Thank God for my lap band!!!!

Hi Shellie2011 - Merry Christmas!!! Thank you so much for posting. I will look for Centrum Silver when I go to the store this week. How are you doing w/ your lap band? I'm loving mine so far, but today I'm about to try "scramble eggs" so pray for me, haha - I'm so scared about getting stuck. Hi GermaineF - Merry Christmas!! Thank you, I'm excited myself - not sure which scale is right but I'll take it, haha. Yes, and I go to solids on Jan. 4th and I had surgery last wednesday so it's exciting. I love talapia myself, I forgot I can be eatting that now, thanks for reminding me about fish haha! I'm having sweet potato for dinner!

I was on 14 day pre 800 calorie liquid diet prior to surgery

So excited when I stepped on the dr. scale and it read 269lbs. That's down 14 pounds since my last visit. I'm on my liquid pre op diet right now which has not been easy! I still have a week to go before surgery. I'm nervous and excited at the same time.

Thank you banditmarie! How are you doing? Best wishes!! Oh my gosh cdwalters65, mix coffee w/ milk shake??? uggggg ha ha - can't image that one, LOL Best wishes!

I heard the same comment and all I could do was shake my head. They don't have a clue. Doing something for a week or two weeks is not doing it for a lifetime! I'm so glad I went ahead w/ my surgery 4 days ago.

I just got banded yesterday (12/14/11) Found out I had TWO hernia's. I knew about one but not the other. I'm so glad they fixed both of them! My doctor (Dr. Watkins) was wonderful! He is so funny and I heard he sings country music during his surgeries. He told me that he really loves his job and you can just tell. I'm so happy w/ him and the staff at West Chesters "University Point hospital" - I'm feeling a lot of pain in my left shoulder and just a little where the cuts where made. Not sure what my weight is since I don't have a working scale but when I was weighed in last, I was down another 3 pounds so that from 17 pounds lost total! God is good!!

Thanks everyone for your comments. This is so exciting. I actually heard my stomach growl today (but I didn't feel hungry at all) The pain meds have me to "whoozy" to leave the house.. but tomorrow I'll have no choice as I have a client to meet in the afternoon. Still feeling the shoulder pain and the cut where I think he put the port. My chest feels a little tight. Not sure why when I'm under 300 liquid calories. Definately glad I went ahead w/ this surgery!

congrates on your post op. I just had surgery 12/14/11 (yesterday) they kept me over night at the hospital. Everyone was really wonderful to me and my doc is so funny. They said I did great, and he even repaired 2 hernias I had! I'm glad co's I only knew of the one whic h was hurting me. Most of my soarness came from my left shoulder, but I hear that should go away soon. I hope so!!

Just started my pre op diet today - surgery was pushed back to Dec. 14 because they had over booked before. Wanted to know if any of your doctors say you can add fruit to your shakes? I know mine said only liquids but I was thinking of adding a 1/2 banana just to thicken it up a bit and so I don't feel so weak??? I need to loose 20 pounds in 2 weeks and 5 days (probably impossible) but it has to be 20 since I gained 10 when they told me to loose 10. (I honestly think that was a mental thing... how in the world did I gain 10 when trying to loose???) anyway i know every doctor is different and wanted to know if yours say okay to fruit yet still staying under 800 calories? Thanks in advance!

Hi Kath109, my doc allows me to have caffeine (as in tea) so I'm good on the caffeine department, I weighed in today and lost 14 pounds! I'm so excited. I still have a week to go before surgery. When is your surgery date? Best wishes!!

12:00 Noon - Today has not been as easy as it was yesterday. I feel weak and my head is spinning. My friend said that is only "Food withdraws" like a alcoholic has when he turns away from the bottle. He told me, "get over it" (He is tough on me, but I guess I need it) About to drink my lunch. Today I decided to put Indian spices in my chicken broth for a change. I LOVE Indian food and curries, so hopefully this will taste like Indian soup. It doesn't smell the greatest, but we'll see.... Just tasted it. About burn my throat! Well, it's not Indian soup but it's different. Just "okay". I'm going to need the favor of God to get me through today. Day 3 continues....

Hi Tammy, How is your pre op diet going? I weighed in today at the dr. office and I'm down 14 pounds!! I was so excited. Your letter above had me in tears. I thought, wow "I" inspired someone else... that was a motivating feeling for me to keep it up! Not sure what your dr. has advised as far as pre op diet, but for me it's "all liquid" except for sugar free Jello and popcycles. I think 4 shakes might be putting you over in calories. (I was told to stay under 800) I normally drink 2. But I'm praying for you Tammy, I know you can do this!

To Floridays - you look amazing!!! and WOW 22 pounds in 14 days???? You have definately motivated me!!! So far today I've done really well. Only 1 cup of broth (I put a bullion cup in Water today and it tasted much better than that nasty swanson broth) and I had 1 8oz Whey Protein shake which is delicious! The scale hadn't move when I weighed in last night but I'm going to wait a week then try again. It felt so good when my mom told me she was proud of me today! (Co's NO ONE thought I'd make it w/o food!!!) but what I don't understand... like w/ cbreeden28, why does some doctors allow "applesauce" ---- I'd LOVE applesauce right about now, but my doctor said only water, tea, broth, Jello and popcyles ONLY. (I don't like jello or popcycles) but I'm going to stick to this because I really do want to be banded in the next 2 weeks. Gosh.... just saying thats me smile, but I also have butterflies!!! cbreeden28 I'm so happy for you that you've lost 10 pounds already! I tell ya... I'll be so happy when I can say goodbye to the 200's and get into the 100's.... I won't know how to act, LOL Thanks for writing! I really appreciate it to everyone!!!

Yes, I'm nervous and excited as well. It is nice to find others who are on the same path.... best wishes!

I'm excited for you as well. I'll be right behind you (Dec. 14th) Best wishes!!!

Well it's 10:30pm and you all will be happy to know I DID IT!!! Praise God!!! I guess I needed that 'butt kickin' emails from you all and my good friend called and whipped me into shape and Matt I met here on the forum has been a God send, always so motivational to me. Today I am at 685 calories (I'm allowed 800 liquid) I had: breakfast: whey Protein shake 08oz snack: 08 oz tea w/ splenda and 1 bottle Water lunch: 1 cup chicken broth (liquid only) dinner WHEY Protein Shake 08oz snack: bottle of water a friend told me that this is a spiritual battle and that kinda got me thinking differently. I said I'm not going to let satan win in any area of my life. And he was winning because I couldn't give up food. But through prayer and the support I'm finding on here I'm going to do this! I'm going to succeed. I have a new mind frame today and that comes straight from the Lord. Honk I'm still proud of you, that was a long time to be on any type of diet. and "new chp in my life" to start your diet ON Thanksgiving... wow... I take my hat off to you. I knew better to even try that, LOL. I got on the scale... no weight loss yet but I'm praying the 20 pounds will come off before the 14th of Dec so I can get banded. there is a saying that I really like... the battle of the tide turned as soon as I started to pray. and it's so true. Good night!

To Honk and the others, no I don't think you are being mean spirited... I know you mean well and I appreciate your honesty. I will call my doctor's office today and let them know I honestly don't think I can do "all liquids" for the next 2 weeks and 5 or so days. Everytime I try, I fail. No one in my family feels I can do it either and they feel I shouldn't get the surgery at all. If I don't loose the weight I won't be getting the surgery. I can't understand how I WAS loosing before they TOLD ME to loose more, as soon as they said that I started gaining. Yes, my portions are big because I stay hungry. I'm on medicine that causes weight gain as well. The other night, I made it all the way up til bedtime, then I ate my grand daughter's chicken nuggets that she didn't want. (I HATE chicken nuggets) but I was so hungry I threw them in my mouth regretting only after I ate them. And Honk you are a inspiration.. you did the liquid diet so many months before surgery - that is amazing. How did you do it? I can't even get a good 1 day in without cheating. I'm going to try again today.