alicia

Hey, Kelly, I just got my second fill. My suggestion on eating meat is this: eat a tiny bite, chew until it's mush, swallow half of the volume and keep the other half in your mouth for about 10 seconds and then swallow it. I couldn't eat chicken until I did this. (The beef went down without any problems.) I am having to do this with bread if I don't want it to get stuck. Oh, and I found this out the hard way.... the Tylenol pills that are round did not want to go through my stoma. I could have sworn my doctor said this would be small enough, well, it wasn't!! I never PB'd it but for an hour it churned in my stomach until i guess it dissolved and went on through.... But now I know what you guys are talking about with all of the saliva!! How weird that the body can produce that much!

Hey, Alexandra. After having my second fill only 3 days ago, I am now finally experiencing what good restriction is. And you have some good tips to think about/follow. IAMOMX6, I am right with you on the shrimp dinner experience....can't eat it all! But as far as physically - what is life with the band like? Fine, no problems... it's the emotional/mental part that's got me. For example: A week ago, I would have told you I was a failure; I've only lost 19 pounds since July 24 and that's with one fill in October. I beat my self up miserably. I finally talked it over with a friend who actually got me out of the depression. Then I got my second fill 3 days ago. Right now I am a little upset with the fact that I can't eat as much as I used to. For some reason this really bothers me, I guess because I am finally accepting/realizing that I am mentally/emotionally dependent on food more than I should be. I mean, for 30 years I used food as a drug, so it's a little hard to break. I do feel good about the fact that weight loss is the end result so it lifts my spirits. I must have hope that I will get to 200 pounds one day. Maybe not in 6 months, maybe not in a year, but one day I will. Don't know if that's what you were looking for, Alexandra, but that is how I feel. Thanks for caring!

Cool! Thanks for sharing this.... no wonder I got fat!!

I had a very simliar experience to Alexandra's, pain in the chest and no gas pains. But talk about the pain right after surgery? A big ol' honkin 10!! But that's what morphine is for and it only lasted a minute because then I was out again! Pain rate: Day 1 - 8 (4 hours post surgery) Day 2 - 6 Day 3 - 3 Day 4 - ache in my chest, very tolerable Now I can hardly remember the pain.

I am not a doctor but I advise that you continue your medicines, even if it is every other day. I know, it's not what you wanted to hear but your blood sugar is still considered on the high side. Yes, it is exciting that it is lower than it has been in the past (a great improvement!! congrats!), but since you are newly banded you will begin to eat real foods again and you'll notice an increase in blood sugar levels. Maybe after your first or second fill you will be able to omit the meds. In the meantime, if you are unable to get a new doc, then please consult your surgeon (if possible); he/she should know how to advise. Your GP/doctor should be supportive of your life-changing decision so as not to work against you.

The fluoroscope (barium swallow) with fills is a normal procedure and many doctors (not all) utilize it to ensure proper restriction. The amount of radiation you receive is low. You would get more radiation from a 3 hour flight on an airplane than from this simple and quick procedure. I was a nuclear medicine technologist and am well versed in radiation safety. I have no concerns what so ever in the amount of radiaiton I will receive from this procedure, even if I have to have 10 fills in one year. Besides I'd rather have my fills by fluoro than not; how would the doctor know if the barium can pass through the newly adjusted opening? But please talk to your doctor for reassurance. (If you are pregnant you MUST inform your doctor.)

Oh my guad! I'm cringing in pain for you. I hope you are feeling better.:sick

I've watched my dad pour coke onto a crusted battery. It fizzles and gets rid of the crude...

Hi, prthomps. Dr. Cribbins was also my surgeon! He's a cuite, huh? Isn't this board great? After surgery I wasn't aware of any support groups with the Dr. Cribbin's office so this board is a tremendous value. Welcome!

So now I am eating real foods (4 days post 1st fill of 1.5 ccs) and I can still eat bread and about 1 cup of food. HOWEVER, I feel full for a longer period of time. If I can just stick to 1 cup of food 3 times a day and NOT SNACK, I can do this. BTW, today, I am wearing a pair of pants I haven't worn for 18 months. WOOHOO!!!

Hey, bobby! it wasn't so bad was it? I got my first fill today and I feel fine. Yea, the local anesthetic hurt a little but there was nothing to it! It took less than 5 minutes... amazing, huh? I am so excited because I've got another "new beginning!" I was getting frustrated because I plateued at only losing 18 pounds, but now I am on my way again! YEAH!!!

Funny! It's my baby picture that my dad took! Update... I had relations a few days ago and so far so good. Still, I am going to stock up on the acidophilous pills (can't stand the taste of yogurt. :sick )

My psych exam consisted of about 30 minutes of the doc and I chatting about my weight loss/gain throughout the years and a series of questions about addictive behavior. The last protion was an exam (about 1.5 hours long). The questions are basically trying to make sure you don't have any deepseated mental problems. Answer them truthfully or else it could show that you have the ability to deceive people.

Fabulous, Laughing Girl, I will definitely check this out! (By the way--we're neighbors!)

Megan... no I wasn't on antibiotics. Godo point on the yogurt. My doctor prescribed me a regimen for my second outbreak but I decided to wait and see if my period would cure it. So far so good. I might have "relations" later this week and see what happens. Alexandra, it's the pits, isn't it!! Your statement about disrupting the hormones got me thinking. I hadn't had yeast infections for years until last year I started a new birth control, Yasmin. I am now getting a yeast infection once every 5 months. Then after surgerym, as mentioned above, I got 2 in two weeks. I am going to investigate this with my GP next time I see him.

Yes, it was suggested to me by my doctor, but I wanted more protein per serving so I bought the Whey protein mix from GNC and have two unopened boxes of Carnation Breakfast!

Yeah! Coal! Congratulations. You will be so happy you got the band. Take care!

I have a high libido but it dropped drastically after surgery and I still do not have a desire to make love to my husband (9 weeks post op). This next part is graphic and, Gentlemen, you may not care to read this, but I write it because I'm curious if any others experienced this. We had sex 5 weeks post op, I got a yeast infection. Waited 2 weeks, had sex, got another yeast infection. Anyone else experieincing yeast infections? Now I think the main reason I don't want to make love is because of these darned yeast infections. Also another thing I didn't think would happen to me because, as you can tell, I'm not all that modest, but I have been soooo self conscious about my scars and didn't want my husband to see them. That may be another reason to look at, bunkie68. I have faith that the drive will come back. My husband has been so patient. But as you begin to lose the pounds, you will feel sexier and your husband will notice which makes you feel good and then he get's lucky!

Lenny, you've got me laughing. What a great sense of humor you have. It will definitely help you as you go through this journey. Good luck to ya!

Good luck with the Dr's visit. As far as the pain, I've only experienced it one other time (a very sharp stab). And the doctor told me it was because I was losing weight and the port was moving a little and tugging at the sutures. The pain will be less as it heals.

I am 6 weeks post op and this morning I am experiencing sharp pain (almost like a pinch) in my port area. It occurs when I move a certain way and when I touch it. Any thoughts or similar experieince? I see my doctor this afternoon, but I am so worried. I am imaging the worst case scenario.... I need some support....

I have found that Pro Performance® 100% Whey Protein from GNC taste like chocolate milk with a little aftertaste. (FYI...I won't drink diet drinks because of aftertaste and this mix is ok.) It's 29 grams of protein if you add 8oz of skim milk.

The only time that I can think of using it was when my friend insisted that we go to an all you can eat meat buffet (Mongolian Grill). Anyway, the meal was $13 for all you can eat shrimp, beef, sausage, chcken and you preapre it however you want it as many different ways as you want. Well, hello! I can't even eat half a bowl if I wanted to and the lady would not offer me a child's menu nor the lunch menu. I just decided not to eat so I sat and watched my friends eat and I had water. Good thing I wasn't all that hungry.

The pics were interesting. Thanks for sharing, Leo! I get my fill in October so I'm glad to know you didn't have pain!

Cool beans, desiree!! Take it very easy.... this is your time to heal....