lillieb53

That's normal for your first week and you're just doing fluids now. More than likely when you start mushies it will slow down. You may even start to gain. Again, nothing unusual. So, don't be concerned you're doing well. Congratulations!!!

I was able to go back to an 8 hour shift where I clock 3.5-4.8 miles daily. I have to do a lot of bending but, not heavy lifting. Also, my Dr said no situps or lifting over 20 lbs for 6 weeks.

I was told to avoid them during my nutritional consults. Something about the carbonation. I've never been big on soft drinks anyway. I may have one a week. I also read a manual published by the LapBand manufacturer that was given to me by my doctors office. In the nutritional part it says to "limit" carbonated beverages. I've been told by two banded family members that they also still drink them almost daily. They've both been banded 4+ years and have lost 100+ lbs. Another bandster told me she has to let cokes go "flat" before drinking them or she has painful burping and chest pains. If you look at it technically that is drinking air bubbles (carbon gas) which we are not supposed to do.

I was told to avoid them during my nutritional consults. Something about the carbonation. I've never been big on soft drinks anyway. I may have one a week. I also read a manual published by the LapBand manufacturer that was given to me by my doctors office. In the nutritional part it says to "limit" carbonated beverages. I've been told by two banded family members that they also still drink them almost daily. They've both been banded 4+ years and have lost 100+ lbs. Another bandster told me she has to let cokes go "flat" before drinking them or she has painful burping and chest pains. If you look at it technically that is drinking air bubbles (carbon gas) which we are not supposed to do.

No need to panic. Unfortunately, everything you described is normal. You'll be able to eat and guzzle any and everything until you start feeling restriction from the fills. Just be patient and hang in there. It's all willpower until restriction comes into play.

... And Renae, I think it makes you get fuller fast (hence you eat less) and forces you to eat slower (or you suffer the consequences).

The fills are no big deal. You may feel a pinch but, nothing to fret about. Don't get your expectations too high on feeling any difference after the first fill. That is very rare but, it's one step closer to restriction and feeling like you have more than "just the band". Hang in there. You're headed towards the green zone.

I would call the doctor. I too had glue and I caught a cold and had a bad cough which cause a few of my inscisions to come unglued slightly. Those that came unglued left pUckered scars. The ones that stayed intact are flat and barely noticeable. So, if only to reduce your scaring you want the glue to stay intact as long as possible. If the doctor oks it I would at least use some liquid bandaid or some steristrips.

I've never had any breathing issues and I was given one. I did use it as instructed. I didn't want to take a chance getting pneumonia.

I have 4 small holes and 1-1.5 inch incision.

By the way, at 6.4cc I still had no restriction. I was given another 0.5 and that made a difference. I hope the next fill gets me into the green zone.

When you go in for your next fill just have the doctor/ NP pull out the fluid and measure it before adding any additional fluid. This is what my NP did for me at the last fill. The doctor recorded putting 3cc in during surgery and I received 1.5cc at first fill. At the second fill when it was measured, I actually had 6.4cc instead of 4.5. So, get them to actually measure it. They can do it without pricking you twice. Lol

Eli, you have a forum full of supporters. Your journey is not over. Your doctor is there to help you, not to stand in judgment of you. So, don't be embarrassed. Go in, get a fill and continue to improve your life. Hey, you are already 24 lbs lighter than when you started. You can do this!

You and your husband take it easy over there. You are still healing. But, after that break him girl! LMAO!!!

Go see your surgeon to be sure. I felt my tubing a few weeks after surgery and thought it was because I was still healing and it would subside. WRONG!!! Turns out my tubing had shifted. At my follow-up visit, which was 6 weeks later, the doctor told me I would definitely have to have a revision surgery but it didn't have to happen immediately. Original surgery 12/28/11. Had bad shoulder pains 4/10/12 and ended up in the er. I didn't have gas pains after the initial surgery so I thought that may be the culprit. NO!!! It was the pain radiating from my abdomen. Had to have revision on 4/18/12. Scar tissue had developed and I have had a rough recovery. I've had 10 times more pain than initial surgery. So, my advice is to let your surgeon take a look. It may be nothing. If so, nothing's lost. If there is a revision needed its better to do it early.

My doctor had me start protein drinks the day after surgery. So, I say it's ok.

I work in a retail pharmacy without the option to sit. I took off one week, felt great and went back to work and had horrible pains and broke out in a sweat. I started having all the symptoms of a heart attack. I ended up having to take another week.

During my surgery the doctor allegedly added 3cc. At my 1st fill the NP added 1cc. Before the 2nd fill, the NP actually measured the saline already in my band. Turned out to have 6.4cc. I was given another 0.5cc and still feel no restriction. I have to make a conscious effort to eat a balanced meal of about 300 calories over 30 minutes. I'm hungry again in 2-3 hrs. I hope my 3rd fill does the trick. I'm at 6.9cc in a 10cc band. Just hang in there. I'm sure it will come for the both of us.

I too went back to work after 7 days and ohhhh what a mistake that was. I felt fine until about 2 hours into an 8 hour shift. I work in a retail pharmacy which requires no heavy lifting but, a lot of bending and constant walking. I had no problems with gas but, experienced some horrible shoulder pains and broke out into a towel ringing sweat. I had never experienced anything like that in my life. I seriously thought I might be having a heart attack and was deathly afraid. Needless to say, I had to take off another week. Turns out the shoulder pain wasnt gas or a heart attack. It was a result of radiating abdominal pain according to the doctor. I was just relieved when the EKG came back clear.

According to my doctor and NP omlettes with veggies are great. Just don't use butter and go light on the cheese. I had one yesterday morning with onions, peppers, broccoli and a little shredded chicken I has leftover. I left out the cheese and topped it with a little fresh salsa I made. It's full of protein and a little over 200 calories with 2 eggs.

Is cottage cheese the only thing that you've tried? If so, try a nondairy mushie like applesauce or puréed veggies. I personally seemed to react not so good to dairy early on but I was fine with other things and I started mushies day 6.

That doesn't sound good. Your doctor should have an emergency line. I would call or visit an ET. That could be bile.

I've recently been turned on to canned sardines. They stink like heck but, taste kinda like canned tuna. The ones in water are 75 calories, 17 grams of protein and full of healthy omega 3. Just put your own deli mustard or hot sauce on them....and take some ziplock bags to put the empty cans in so the bears won't sniff you out. LOL. Enjoy your niece and trip!

Don't beat yourself up. I think most people have a slip day. Mine led me to Taco Bell where I had a Mexican pizza and a taco during week 2. I was so discouraged after that and my doctor reminded me that I've lived my life thus far making not so healthy choices. It won't change overnight but, it will change. My weightloss has been slow but steady. I was banded 12/28 and I'm averaging 2 pounds a week, a total of 35 pounds. It may not be much to some but, it's outstanding to me. Tomorrow is a new day. Get back on track and enjoy the lifelong journey. You'll do well I'm sure.

I posed that question at my last doctors visit and was told I could have them if tolerated but, limit the intake. I was advised to have corn vs flour if given the choice. Like the previous post stated, nothing is forbidden. Some people can't tolerate everything and some things should be rare treats just to establish better habits and a good nutritional diet. It was explained to me that part of the reason behind eliminating breads, pastas, etc is because the items expand in your stomach and should be limited to 1/6 of a meal. My doctor said it's realistic to give yourself a cheat day each week. She told me to write down all the "bad" things that I craved throughout the week and look forward to eating them on my cheat day. She said the list may get long but, when the actual day comes I'd likely just consume a few things from the list and be more than satisfied. It has only been a few weeks since I was given that advise but its holding true so far and I'm a junk-food junkie...lol.