jen_1381

It's a struggle the first week or so post-op. I always felt full, never thirsty. Just keep your bottle handy and whenever you think of it or look at it, take a drink.

All I can say is keep calling the doctor. I'm pretty new at this fill/green zone thing, but it sounds like maybe you're too tight? Keep on your doctor. If he isn't available ask for a partner or their nurse/MA.

My surgeon was in love with the Sleeve. I started out weighing 243 lbs and felt that something as durastic as bypass or sleeve (re-routing organs? no thanks!!) would be too much. I didn't feel like I needed to drop 100+ lbs, which he said was the average weight loss for those two procedures. I explained to him that 1) I need the least invasive because I don't want to take too long off of work, and 2) I felt I could use the band responsibly. I did my research and knew what all it entailed before my consult. It fell in line with my goal of wanting to lose about 80 lbs. I also found the fact that it was removable very comforting. Not that I would ever want it out, but if I was having issues it could be most easily taken care of (vs reversing a bypass).

I'm 28 but feel like I'm still 16 most times! Please, do not be embarassed about your weight. It's just a number that we're all working on lowering. By the way - If I would have known how successful I would be, I would have done this when I was in my early 20's. Good for you for recognizing the issue and taking steps to make it better.

It can be so discouraging. I get on really good losing streaks then will plateau for five or six days. The past few times, I let it ride and knew my body would eventually catch up, but this last one I went to liquids for a day. Hit the protein shakes during the day (breakfast and lunch) then had a very low cal/high protein dinner. It worked, busted right off that plateau. I've heard that people find either increasing or decreasing their calorie intake for a few days can help (I've always been to afraid of trying the high calorie method). Good for you though, sticking to it in the face of discouragement. It's not easy living the bandster lifestyle like we do, and when the reward of lower scale numbers isn't there, it's overwhelming.

I had a few recipes that I loved. Low Fat Refried Beans pureed with some Fat Free Sour Cream and Salsa. Sprinkle a pinch of shreded cheese on top and microwave. Canned chicken mixed with Fat Free Vegetable Cream Cheese warmed in the microwave. I stuck to the basics, but those two were nice every now and then to make me feel like my tastebuds were getting something normal.

When I was starting my process, the WLS Coordinator told me about a woman who lost over 145 lbs with Lap Band. When asked how she was so successful, the lady said that she ate her serving of protein first. If she was still hungry, she ate her serving of vegetables. If still hungry, fruit. If that wasn't enough to satisfy her hunger, she would go for a walk. I've been following that advice and have been successful so far. Good luck to you!

My best advice is to come prepared. This is something that I'm still trying to get the hang of - - planning my meals since I have limitations now (can't exactly just grab a cheeseburger and fries on the road anymore). I'm still learning, and have found myself stranded a few times. Convenience stores are REALLY hard to find healthy Snacks in!! I'm going to Vegas in September for 5 days with family - - family that is already planning buffet trips! I let them know that the morning we arrive I need to hit up a grocery store and I plan on getting my "normal" snacks - Greek Yogurt, string cheese, fruit, etc since a buffet will be a waste of my money. It sounds like you're on the right track!

Were you eating appropriately? Where at in the process are you? (Pre-op, post, etc). Need a little more info from you Any time you make a change in your "plan" it can affect your weight. For the first four weeks or so, I was losing 6 oz - 1 lb a day. If you're concerned, I would pass it by your surgeon. I always welcome weight loss, but I'm working very hard for it. If I wasn't trying at all and was dropping lbs, I would look for another reason (thyroid, diabetes, etc).

What a great topic! Congrats to everyone on their success!! I'm 10 weeks out and down 48 lbs since I started my weight-loss journey (a few weeks before surgery). I feel GREAT and can jog 3 miles without wanting to give up. It's so nice to shop in the regular clothing section, not the plus size!

I think it's rare for a surgeon to fill a newly placed band. Most wait 4-6 weeks. At 4 weeks post-op I got 3 cc's put in my 11 cc band. At 8 weeks post-op, he put in another 1.5 cc. All falls down to surgeons preference.

It depends on what your WLS program requires; I had to see the Nutritionist twice in one day - - the first visit was a small class (me and one other person) to go over the Lap Band diet and how surgery works. The second was a 1 on 1 session to go over my current diet and a post-op plan suited for me. The psychologist was only 1 visit to clear me for surgery, but if the psychologist feels you need more visits before surgery they will usually hold up the process until you complete your visits. You'll want to make your nutritionist your best friend in this process. Mine was kind enough to give me her email so I bounce questions off of her now and then (my insurance doesn't cover her visits - $180 a pop).

I haven't heard of such a thing - - the surgeons are the ones who carry malpractice insurance. If something goes wrong and they are at fault, you sue them and their malpractice insurance covers it if they are found to be at fault.

Pain varies for everyone. Sorry, there's no straightforward answer. I have an extremely high pain tolerance, and felt essentially no pain and came back to work on post-op day 3. Discomfort, yes...mostly because of the air they use during surgery to inflate your abdomen, but pain was very slight...for me. Something to keep in mind is that they do cut through the layer of abdominal muscle for both the lap band and the gallbladder. Granted, they typically do it laparoscopically so the inscisions are smaller, but you won't want to sit straight up after surgery. In the "big picture", almost 10 weeks post-op, the pain didn't matter at all because the weight loss feels SO GOOD!

I can only speak from personal experience, but when my surgeon goes to do a fill, he injects a small amount then pulls it back out. He explained that he does that in order to ensure he's in the port; if he pulls back and nothing comes back, he's not in. When it comes back out, he finishes injecting the rest. Do you remember, did your doctor do this? It wouldn't hurt to give them a call just to double-check.

I actually just talked with my nutritionist about this yesterday. I'm almost 10 weeks post-op and struggle to get in 600 calories a day. Add in my hour of cardio and my net calories are very low. She suggested that I try to up my calories to 800 a day. I emailed her my menu over a couple days and she made a few suggestions how to add in healthy calories. Do you have a nutritionist you can call or email?

Our bodies take a while to bounce back after surgery anyhow, then add in the huge diet changes that we make and you're bound to be tired and run-down. Sounds like you had a super busy day too!!

Don't limit yourself and your happiness on their behalf. Your friends should love you no matter what you look like. Maybe you losing weight is making them consider their life choices. The fact of reality is that people change, always. I expect my friends to embrace the change, as I do with all of their life changes. This journey can be super tough, as you probably know, and that's why it's SO important to surround yourself with positve, supportive people.

I agree with everyone else...you need to get that checked by a doctor. They look really irritated. Mine were a little pink-ish, but never red like that. Everyone heals differently, but I would get that checked ASAP.

Could that be your port? It's a hard, roundish type lump. Have you gotten a fill yet? Surgeons seem to all differ in where they place the ports. Mine is on my right side just below my rib cage.

My port is becoming more visible/palpable as I keep losing the lbs. Once I hit goal, depending on how it really looks, I think I may consider revising to the low profile port. I've never been able to physically feel my band though.

Jean - Like a fountain - what a visual! I've never tried eating and drinking at the same time since being banded, and thanks to your description it's something I don't think I will ever try!