jennilamb007

I really believe that I have a pulled abdominal muscle, but was wondering if anyone else has had a burning pain in the abdominal muscle near the belly button. I am not sore around my incision sites anymore, but when I rub across my abdomen it is sore all along the lower left side from the navel over, almost like a deep, deep bruise. If I move a certain way then I get a stinging, burning pain right at my navel. If I put pressure on it, it stops. Anyway, I see my doctor on 1-9-12, but I was hoping someone could either concur with what I think it is or offer another explanation. Thanks, Jen

I know I am too full when I get this pain between my shoulders and in my chest. It is like I am "clogged up". I seem to have been getting stuck more lately, but I have had a ton of sinus drainage (sorry for that image). I asked my doc if the constant drainage doesn't fill up my pouch somewhat and he said it made sense to him. I get the sliming effect much worse if I am not feeling well to begin with. Otherwise, I do good. I feel like I am in the green zone most of the time and then there are days where it feels like I ate the house down. I know I didn't, but it feels that way. Started exercising and oddly enough, it is like I can eat more after I do. I don't know what to think sometimes. I am down 50 pounds, so that is great and I can't complain. Jen

I needed to see this to remind myself of what I already knew. It is frustrating when you want the scale to move and it doesn't. I will just keep doing what I am doing and it will drop before I know it. I have lost 50 pounds so far that I will never see again, so I can stop my snivelling and get on with it. ; ) Take care, Jen

I was banded Dec 22, 2011 and I feel like I have stalled. I have 5.25cc in a 10cc band. I have great restriction. I barely eat anything. I take a few bites and it is like I have had a Thanksgiving dinner. I eat slow and chew everything. I have had more sliming lately than I care to admit. I can drink some juice and have an episode. So....I just slow it down even more. It is odd. Some days I can eat or drink something with no issue and then next it is slime time. To clarify, I am not unhappy with my decision and in fact I think it was a great decision, but I wish it would come off faster. I have lost about 30 pounds post surgery (43 if you count pre-op diet). Maybe it is just me being anxious. I have so much to lose and I want to get on with it. I admit that I do not excercise like I should. I can make excuses but that is all they would be...excuses. So, I guess what I need to do is jump on the treadmill when I can't walk outdoors and get this progressing. I suppose I thought that with how little I eat that it should be coming off irregardless. I haven't been on in awhile and this forum helps a lot. Take care everyone, Jen

I stopped leaving my office for lunch because I found that because I have to eat soooo slowly, I can take my lunch at my desk, take a bite and continue to work. So, now I get to get off early and enjoy more daylight. ; )

I don't know what your doc says, but mine said if I have an episode where anything comes up for any reason I am to go to a clear to full liquid diet for 24 hours to let the irritation pass before resuming soft foods. I dont know if that will help you or not, but I would try that. Jen

My first stuck experience came a few weeks ago. It was awful. It was like a rock stuck right on my sternum. I knew I didn't want to throw up or anything so I just breathed through my nose and paced up and down the hall. Suddenly, I felt a drop and the pain disappeared. I had chewed up my food thoroughly, but I think it accumulates and then bam. Anyway, just keeping calm and walking cleared it up.

I have a question...why does it take a week or two for a fill to "kick in". I don't understand why it isn't instantaneous. I really want to know. I got a fill today and I am at 5.25 ccs in a 10cc band. I am starting to feel restriction finally. I was banded on Dec.22, 2011. Also, why do they make you drink only clear liquid after a fill for 24 hours? Thanks, Jen

It made me crave sweets and/or made me feel hungrier. If I go through a drive up I now get unsweetened ice tea and tell them to keep the straw.

I also want to add that when I eat too little the scale doesn't move, but when I get those 26 points in, the scale moves with great consistency downward. You have to eat.

I have read a lot of posts saying they don't eat certain foods. I have never been told that by my doctor. I can have bread and pasta, but just a lot less of it. I have found that I really don't crave it as much as I used to and it may be that I am afraid of getting stuck more than anything. I eat my protein first, then veg and if I am still hungry I will eat a carb. I do the WW points plus program and I love it with my band. (I was banded 12-22-11). I am consistently losing weight, albeit slowly (which is good actually), and I have never had one day of feeling deprived. I do the points and although I am able to have 41 based on my weight, I shoot for the minimum of 26. My WW leader said to modify it to suit me and if points are not working (it is hard sometimes since most fruit and veg are zero points), then do the WW program where you eat the power foods until you feel satisfied. If you want more info on power foods I can get that for you. It tends to be more protein, but you also get fruits and veg in there. I don't believe in denying yourself a particular food group because it leads to feeling deprived and then overindulging later. I am so thrilled that I have my band to help me enjoy the things I like but without falling completely over the edge. Take care, Jen

I was told to avoid carbonated beverages because it fills the stomach with gas and can stretch the new pouch. I used to have a 12 oz bottle or two a day and I quit cold. I am glad I did because I feel loads better not having the false high of the soda. My head hurt like all get out the first 3 days but after I got over it I felt great.

I have never been happier than I am right now with my band. I look at it as my internal reminder that I am satisfied and I don't need to eat any further. Before the band, I would swallow my food without really tasting it or chewing it up and ate a lot more than I do now. Now that I am banded, I take it very slow, enjoy every bite and chew it all up before swallowing. I find food to be much more enjoyable now and although I don't eat near as much as I did, the time it takes to eat my food makes me feel like I have eaten a lot. I was more scared before the band because I didn't know how heavy I would get. Now that I have Portia (the nickname of my band) I feel I have control and I know I will lose this weight and never have it on me again.

BlueTattoo thank you for your post. I have to remember that all docs are different. I have to remember that my doctor has had a great success rate and that when a lot of people didn't have to be strict pre-surgery, I was doing 3 weeks of clear liquids. I always do as he asks me to do, but I was thinking that maybe with what I was reading that I misunderstood him. A phone call to the office to make sure I was doing the proper thing made me feel a lot better. For the most part, I chew things up like mad until they are nearly dust before swallowing. I did try some steak and couldn't get it to break down the way I like and ended up just spitting it out. I stick with fish and chicken mostly. Chicken gets dry as all get out when you chew it up properly. I am so scared of getting stuck that I probably overdo it on the chewing, but it makes a small bread plate seem like a serving platter by the time I finish. Again, thank you for reminding me that all docs are different and that I probably should worry. Take care, Jen

I was told after my banding that I could eat soft foods 3-4 days after the surgery (My surgery was 12-22-11). I did, but I wasn't able to eat a lot, maybe a few tablespoons of food. I had a fill earlier this month and I have to say I am not feeling restriction and I get scared that I am eating too much. I do WW and I stay within the points and I am losing 1.5-2 pounds a week. Still, it is the amount that bothers me. I can eat more that a cup of food at a sitting. I know we are supposed to eat a half cup. I get scared that I am overeating and hurting my band. I don't feel uncomfortable or pain or anything but the anxiety of screwing this up is making me feel sick. I get my nutrients, I take vitamins, I eat good protein and veggies. I did have a lousy weekend of eating crap (I had a burger). I am usually positive and ready to make it work but I have to say I read everyone doing liquids for a month or so after surgery and I didn't do that and I worry about messing this all up. Today I am having my protein bar for breakfast, a WW meal for lunch (I usually cook, but this week I am working days so I don't leave the office) and probably fish and veggies for dinner. Maybe I am being a paranoid worry wart for nothing and am borrowing trouble, but I really want this to work and I want to be healthy. Any words of wisdom? I appreciate all comments. Thanks, Jen

I was given a 10 pound lift restriction for 2 weeks and then a 20 pound lift restriction for 4 weeks to ensure that all sutures healed properly and I would prevent complications. I thought this was a bit much, but I guess not.

That is fantastic news. I weighed today and I have lost 3 pounds this week. I had my first fill on Monday, January 9th. I am thrilled with my band.

I notice that after meals the area around my port feels hard. I think it is just the new stomach pressing against it as it gets full too.

One pound of fat may indeed weigh the same as one pound of muscle, but the density is entirely different. For instance it would be like a brick and a pebble weighing the same, but the pebble takes up a lot less space.

I am a nurse and also the biggest needle-phobe in the world. I hate needles. I will stick you all day, but don't you come near me with that...lol. That said, I just had my first fill and this is how it went. I was taken to an x-ray room with a fluoroscope that was used to locate my port accurately. I laid down on the table and they put a mark to show where it was located with a pen. The doctor took a syringe of Lidocaine to numb the area (which surprised me but I was thankful). Lidocaine feels like a pinch and a sting but subsides. Then, he took a larger needle that I was thankful he didn't show me and he went right in to through the fat and into the port. It didn't really hurt, but I wanted to grab him by the buttocks all the same because I was nervous (did I mention I hate needles). I started feeling a bit of a gurgling/vibration around where he was putting in saline. That tickled. Then, it was over. No lingering pain, no discomfort. It took all of 5 minutes, maybe. Then, I sat up and was handed a cup of Water. I was ordered to drink it like I would normally to make sure I didn't throw it back up. All went down well and I went home. That was it. So, if I, a big baby who probably needs extensive counseling to get over the needle fear, can do it then you will be great. Take care, Jen

Today was my first post-op doctor's appointment. I was banded on 12-22-11. He asked me how I was feeling and I told him I was feeling good. He asked me how eating was going this past week and I told him that honestly I was feeling more hungry and that I felt I was eating more than I should. He looked at my food log and said I was actually doing really good and not eating too much at all. He asked me if I was keeping my portions low because of restriction or will power and I told him will power because I truly could eat more, but I was afraid of hurting my new surgery and band. He said that it sounded like it was time for a fill. So, I was given 2cc in my band bringing it up to 3cc. I hope this helps, I think it will. I will keep you posted. Jen

First of all, I am very sorry that that happened and that your feelings were hurt. I have come to realize that there are simply some people in this world who have a serious gap between their brains and their mouths and I don't know if they mean to be rude or if they are oblivious to just how hateful the words coming out tend to be. It doesn't make it hurt any less. I understand what you are saying. I ask myself all the time how I could have allowed myself to become what I am. I am still the same person but I wear a coat of armor that has been built up over the years as a "protective layer" if you will. As outgoing as I am, privately I am very insecure. I want to be everyone's friend and I want to be the person that is always smiling and positive. I am not always. I have had my share of really insensitive (or blithely unaware) people that have said things that were truly mean. I never really got hurt from people who were being deliberately mean, it was always something like a little kid saying something innocently that hurt me, because kids just see what they see and I had to admit it was true. I had a "mean girl" in college come up to me because she wanted my seat (I sat in like the 3rd row of an auditorium). There were hundreds of empty seats and it was simply her way of exerting herself. She came up and told (not asked) me to move (at the time I was 100 pounds less than I am now) and I said no. She said "well, you don't want to move because you are fat and lazy". I slowly looked up and sizing her up and down (a barbie doll nightmare sorority chick) and said, "Well, there was an intelligent response. Perhaps I should speak with the dean about the state of affairs at this university and how terribly obvious it is that they are scraping the bottom of the barrel for students." She burst into tears, quit the class and I never saw her again. I can be pretty damn mean myself. But anyway, it was always the innocent remarks that stung the worst. I really hope he didn't mean it the way it came out, but if he did, then he is a schmuck. You are taking control of your life and you are beautiful and you are strong. You will become the best you that you can be and I am going to be so thrilled to see how well you do. Take care, Jen

I can understand being apprehensive over the unknown. It is something you have never done and it is, frankly, drastic. But, from my own point of view, I am thrilled that I took this leap to be the best me I can be. I cried like a baby about 2 days before surgery because of nerves. Then, I stopped, realized that it was just a reaction to an unknown journey and got myself ready for a life changing event that I am positive is the best thing for me. Regarding what you can eat....I have read a lot of good responses in that you can eat good, wonderful food, but in smaller portions. My doctor, as I read other posts, must be a bit more liberal with what we can do because I did not have to be on liquids for weeks after my surgery. I did a 2 week liquid diet prior to surgery. I did Clear Liquids for a day and then moved to full liquids. I was given the go ahead to eat mashed potatoes (albeit 2 tablespoons) for Christmas. So, I went to very soft, mashed foods pretty quickly. By New Years Day when my kids were asking for pizza Hut pizza, I was able to have 2 hot wings and I loved every morsel. It took me about 40 minutes to eat those two wings, but I got every ounce of flavor out of them. By the time you chew it down to dust you really learn what food tastes like. I actually appreciate how I have to eat now because instead of throwing it down the gullet and never really tasting it, I now savor every bite and hate that I missed it before. I use little appetizer spoons and forks to get my bite size just right. I have yet to feel hungry or deprived. Instead of lamenting that you will have to eat differently, embrace it. You might find that you appreciate the flavors and textures 1000% more because of the new way of eating. I know that the leader of the Weight Watchers group that congregates where I work is interested in my bringing in my eating utensils because it is a good way for anyone to eat. Slow down, savor it and enjoy what fuels your body. Don't be scared. We are all here in this with you...you are not alone in this process. Take care and I look forward to seeing your great success, Jen

I was banded on December 22nd and just started back on Weight Watchers yesterday (1-5-12). I got with the leader and talked to her about my band. She gave me my points (a whopping 41 a day) and we talked about the fact that I can eat only small amounts. She said, for me, I need to concentrate on getting my protein, veggies, healthy grains and take my multivitamin. I am supposed to get as close to 41 as I can. I find that using my protein powder and skim milk for a meal helps knock out 10 points. The first day I had a surplus of 23 points left. Today, I ate healthy protein and low-fat dairy and I am clicking off the points. I find that it helps me know what I have eaten during the day by tracking and I can show this to my doctor and dietician on Monday at my doctor's appointment. The one thing that kills me though (but I am sure is awesome for those not banded) is the fact that fruit is zero points. Well, fruit fills my little pouch so I make a point of tracking it and making a side note that it is a healthy choice but equals zero points). I love mashed banana. Oh my goodness, after the liquid and getting that it was like eating creme brulee for the first time. ; ) I think that the Weight Watchers way of eating combined with the lapband is a good marriage and will help us get our nutrients and help us choose food wisely to put in the limited space that we have. I am so glad I am not alone in doing WW with the band. Jen

Does anyone else's port feel like the heel of a baby's foot stuck in their ribs? Jen