terrisch

Hi Forestcat Sorry you aren't feeling any restriction...I wonder why? I am on the other extreme. I am going to call tomorrow to get unfilled (not total, but some). I can't eat anything until ~noon, and haven't been able to eat any starches except for crackers and tortilla chips. So I have been living off of soup. Everything else gets stuck, and I wretch and slime for hours. It is so miserable! I even got stuck trying to eat french onion soup today. When I get stuck, I can't even keep fluids down. No potatoes, breads, pasta, rice. I think I've lost about 8 pounds since my last fill (late December), but I hate getting food stuck all the time! This weekend was the worst. I hope they can get me in soon. Do you know how much your band is filled? I am so surprised you don't feel anything after 3 fills. When was your last fill?

forestcat and sbee...are you out there??? how are things going????

Hi Angie Welcome! Glad you joined us. Where are you having your surgery? It is coming up soon!!! Forestcat, sorry to hear about your arthritis. I have been trying to walk too, but go to the Y on an irregular basis too. I am having major PMS cravings again....I hate this time of the month. Weird cravings...salsa, pickles, and chocolate, and some Indian food, yummm. Wish the band would get rid of the cravings. Terrish

Hi Forestcat Sounds like you are doing fantastic!! I am hanging in there, slowly losing but that's ok w/me. Had probs w/food getting stuck for almost 48 hrs earlier this week...I just couldn't keep any solids down. Miserable. But now I am back to normal. I also have trouble in the morning, and mostly stick to my coffee w/milk. I try to get in some low fat cheese mid-morning. I have been so busy at work, the exercise thing has been tough. I try to get in stairs as much as possible. And lots of housework on the weekends!! What kind of exercise are you doing, Forestcat? Sbee...are you out there? Hope all is well!

Hey Forestcat- I had the same worry...that maybe I stretched my pouch! I had another fill yesterday. The good news is that I actually lost another 3 pounds (I think I'm up to 24 pounds total), which is remarkable! Imagine what I would have lost if I hadn't eaten the holiday sweets and exercised more! The bad news is that Ben Meir was nervous about giving me a fill b/c of my shoulder pain, so he only put in another 0.5 cc (was going to put in 1.5 cc). Bummer! I notice a little difference, but not a lot. I think I am up to 6 cc in a 10 cc band. He said it usually takes between 6-8 cc to hit that sweet spot (so 1.5 cc would have probably been perfect). Since he didn't add much to the band this time, he wanted me to come back in a month for another fill in 4 wks. But he had NOTHING open for 2 months! UGH. You might be able to get in a fill earlier than the 22nd, but you will probably have trouble getting another appt in february for your 3rd fill. I hope he gets some help soon! He is a really nice guy, though. Pretty laid back for a surgeon. My new yr's resolution is to start getting on track w/exercise again! Have been taking stairs whenever possible at work, but that isn't enough. How are you doing with your exercise? Sbee...how are you doing?? Have either of you experienced food getting stuck and sliming?

Hi!! Happy Holidays:) I definitely haven't hit that sweet spot. ugh. I have been eating too many sweets this past week, and am afraid to weigh myself!! I go for another fill on friday. I hope this does the trick. I had been losing wt at every visit, but am worried I have gained this time. After my last fill I did have episodes of food getting stuck and sliming (YUCK), but haven't had that happen for at least a couple weeks now. I am definitely going to get back on track! I am not sure how much of a fill I have...they never mention it...but I will have to ask this time. SBee and Forestcat, when do you get your fills again?

Hi Forestcat- I just checked the SVCH website...looks like the last meeting was the first thurs in December, so we both missed it!! When is your first fill? How are things going?? I have another fill scheduled for 12/28. Haven't had any more problems w/food getting stuck since last weekend. Thank goodness! But I HAVE to get better about exercising again.

ps...are you going to attend any of the support groups they have at SVCH??

Hi Forestcat Are you getting in enough fluids? I wonder if that is why you are dizzy. When do you get your first fill? I don't think I'm quite at my sweet point yet. I can still eat pretty well at dinner time (but not a lot at breakfast or lunch). ALmost done w/shopping. Went over my budget already, jeez!!! we have tons of candy, cookies, etc around work and home b/c of the holidays. Am I the only one struggling w/this temptation? Yikes!!!! I hope sbee is doing ok....

Hi Forestcat How are you doing? Did the extra protein help? How did your appt go? I'm doing ok. Had a couple more episodes of food getting stuck, and now know what people mean by sliming!!! I have to be REALLY careful about not eating too fast. And turkey is dangerous! Hope all is well...

Hi- Forestcat, happy to hear you made it through Thanksgiving! I am impressed w/your restraint with the Desserts. And with painting over the weekend holiday. I SHOULD be doing that! I had even a worse experience this morning than the salmon incident. THe surgeon warned me about turkey at my last fill (it is drier than other meats). He also told me that my band will be tightest in the morning. Well, I had a small piece of leftover turkey this morning. Chewed it well. Was fine for about 15 min, but then the pain started and would get worse in waves. Oh, it was awful! I did feel like I had trouble breathing and kept pacing, hoping it would pass (thank goodness I was home when this happened). Eventually I threw up some mucus, and felt so much better afterward. First time for that, and hopefully last time! Made lots of veggies for thanksgiving to help balance out the calories in the meal. How did others do w/the traditional thanksgiving fare?

Hi again Just found out from some other posts on this website that left shoulder pain is a complication of the band...I thought I injured myself! It has definitely been worse and more frequent since my fill. It really hurts. Anyone else dealing with this?

I thought I injured my left shoulder somehow and that is why it was hurting! Had no idea it could be due to the band until I read these posts. It really aches sometimes. I've not noticed a relationship to eating. Will now pay closer attention.

Hi Forestcat Yes, I was definitely getting hungry by my first follow up appt w/the surgeon! Increasing your protein:carb ratio should help decrease your risk of reactive low blood sugars. I've had intermittent problems like that before too. To be honest, Forestcat, I was able to tolerate regular food a few wks after surgery just as long as I chewed it well. It was easier for me to get in Protein that way. That first appt took maybe 1-1.5 hrs. Not too long. I don't think they were expecting any records, but you do fill out a sheet which asks details about how much Fluid, protein, calories you are taking in, and symptoms. The dietitian reviews it w/you. There was one other person there who also had a band; we met w/the dietitian at the same time. I had my first experience w/PBs tonight! Not pleasant. Went to Red Lobster and had salmon, which was a little dry. I didn't puke, but it really felt stuck and I wanted to throw up but couldn't and didn't (thank goodness!). I got up and walked to the bathroom and stood in a stall for a while, burped as much as I can. I can definitely tell I had a fill this time, unlike the first fill! Not hungry for Breakfast anymore (Ben Meir said this would happen b/c the band is most tight in the morning). So I'm back to coffee w.protein powder only (was eating Cereal before the fill). Was warned that turkey frequently gets stuck too...will have to be careful! Happy Thanksgiving!

Forestcare....mushies, yum!! I think you have a good plan for thanksgiving. I have a big family and don't think anyone will notice how much I eat, so I think it'll be safe. sbee...I had the same experience, no significant change w/the first fill and doc said to come back early if that was the case. So I went back today (about 3 wks after my first fill) for my second fill. surprisingly I lost 5 pounds in the past 3 wks (total of 21 # since August). I am shocked that I lost...thought I gained for sure!! :whoo: Anyway, I got another fill and I can tell with this one, at least so far. Just in time for thanksgiving. Was talking to another woman in the waiting room who is one yr out (and 70 pds lighter). was so encouraging! Am craving a glass of wine, but have to wait since i just had dinner. :rolleyes

ps...my sister told me this weekend that I look so much younger...she noticed my face is thinner! Yahoooooo!

Hey Forestcat! Happy to hear things are going well so far. I was able to tolerate thinned cream of wheat one week post-op. I forget who told me it was fine to try it, but if you think about it, it is the same consistency of pureed soups. There isn't anything that I haven't been able to tolerate so far. I have to be careful not to eat too quickly, esp when I am hungry, b/c I do get that stuck feeling. But in general I apparently don't have much swelling around my band. Still have only had one fill; was told it usually takes a minimum of 2-3 fills before I will notice a difference. I get my second fill on Friday...can't wait! I think they do fills on friday mornings, at least it seems like it. But maybe it is b/c I request Fridays??? Carnation instant breakfast is good too...have you tried that yet? It is pretty inexpensive, which is a bonus. Just mix w/skim milk. Terrisch

Hi- How are you doing w/getting enough fluids and calories in? I ate cream of wheat mixed/thinned w/jelly and diet margarine, that helped during those first couple weeks post op! thirty pounds is awesome regardless of how you did it!! That is wonderful. Are you pretty much pain free now? I was able to tolerate everything when I moved on to soft food. I guess I just don't have much swelling around my band. My post op visit and first fill were both a little late b/c Ben-Meir was on vacation. He told me at my first fill a couple weeks ago that I should come back earlier than a month if the first fill didn't help. It is just really tough to find a time that works with my work schedule. Will let you know what happens. Terrisch

Hi Forestcat! Happy to hear things are going well so far. I also had to get the shots to prevent blood clots. Was so happy when that was over. You've lost 30 pounds so far!?! That is great!!! I need another fill...have one scheduled in 3 weeks, but might try to get in earlier (he suggested I do this if I didn't have a response to the first fill). When are you returning to work?

Forestcat, it is almost here!!! Good luck w.everything. Hope you will get a chance to check in with us sometime soon. Sbee, yes I have cheated, and more than your cheat, but still less than what I would have eaten last yr at this time. We had catered lunches x 2 days at work, and I ate mostly salad and fruit, but did have small pieces of dessert. I have noticed that I have trouble eating potatoes (not mashed, but roasted red potatoes, wedges, etc). They get stuck and it is very uncomfortable. Will avoid those in the future! But amazingly I can eat everything else...all veggies (even asparagus, which is one of my favorites), bread, Pasta, etc. and avoiding fluids w/meals really hasn't been as challenging as I thought it would be. I definitely will need at least one more fill before this band really starts helping! Happy Halloween!

Hey Forestcat! Wow, 3 more days!!! So exciting! My surgery was scheduled for something like 9:30, but I didn't go in until after noon. Apparently the surgery before mine was longer than expected due to complications (pt had bypass, not a band). So I had a LONG wait, alone, in the pre-op waiting area. That wasn't fun. But hopefully that won't happen to you. I left the next day around 2 pm. Couldn't wait to get home!! I was in the telemetry unit instead of bariatric unit (moved there thurs night due to my slow heart rate), so it was a bit unorganized, but went just fine. You are going to do great! My fill went fine; I can tell I still need another one to make this band really effective. But I have had that "stuck" feeling a couple times. This week has been TOUGH between PMS and halloween (2 parties this week). Too many tempting foods, but I still don't eat as much. And I have started exercising again which should help. Thursday will be here before you know it!

Hi Sbee I really didn't notice anything right after the fill. I had to drink some water in the office to make sure it wasn't too tight and had no symptoms. The surgeon told me that it usually takes at least 2 fills before noticing a significant difference in fullness. I go back in 4 wks for another fill, but he told me if I don't notice any difference to come back sooner. I noticed this afternoon, after eating some chicken too quickly, that it felt like it was stuck. Nothing too awful, but uncomfortable. It has been a tough weekend b/c I have PMS and am craving chocolate and sweets! Will be back at work tomorrow and will have very regimented meal times, but Halloween week is hard for everyone, I think!

Hey Forestcat That is fantastic news!! Next week!!!! I am so excited for you. You'll be able to eat blenderized thanksgiving dinner! I hope you have the same easy recovery that I had...only needed narcotics for pain the night of and day after surgery. Tylenol was enough starting Saturday (Just don't forget to crush the pills!!) Got the fill this morning...what a breeze! And I can tell it is helping. I am staying full longer. Have to go back to full liquids for 2 days. I really wanted a fill b/c I just wasn't staying full long, and could eat anything. Amazingly my wt stayed the same even though I didn't have any restriction. I am a big needle wuss (I didn't look at the needle), but I swear it was painless. The port site is very mildly tender, but definitely tolerable. Gotta get back to exercising. Was doing great until I caught a bad cold last week. I thought the chocolate Optifast bars were ok, definitely better than thte pb. But to be honest I didn't think they were so good that I was able to eat as many as I was supposed to! Terrish

Hey Forestcat- I think the crushed ice and sponge thingie are standard if you ask for them. I swear I remember reading or hearing about it somewhere, which is how I knew to ask. ok, i had some halloween candy today..ugh...not a ton, but a couple pieces. Really healthy dinner and breakfast, though. This is a rough time of the yr not to have a fill! Let me know how it is going w/the optifast!

Hi Forestcat That is nice that you had others at your pre-op visit. I was the only one. But it did go very quickly, which was nice. After surgery they gave me ice chips with one of those sponges on a stick to moisten my mouth. I ended up sucking some of the Fluid out of it (which they advised against), but it helped a lot and I didn't have any trouble. I got the barium study done in the morning and by late morning was able to have fluids. The nurse brought in a popsicle and it was the best popsicle I've ever had in my life!! lol But really it wasn't so bad waiting to have fluids. I focused more on sleeping and walking when I was awake. Regarding your co-workers, I am sure they are well-intentioned. But you are educated on this choice. There is evidence for the band, unlike the other things mentioned. And even though there is some evidence that diet and exercise can lead to mild to moderate wt loss, it is not as much wt loss as seen with this surgery, and even better people keep it off. The published studies supporting wt loss surgery and the reported complications are not "made up" by surgeons who want to make money. I just don't buy conspiracy theories...that is rarely the case. Secret ingredient to lose wt my a--!!! If that were really true, the author would be a multi-millionaire and everyone would be using it. Snake oil. Those kinds of authors are really the ones who can't be trusted. There are no miracle cures. For your family get-together, maybe you can drink the liquids (and maybe substitute low cal liquids) then eat at the event...just limit how much and what you chose. I have absolutely no restriction on what I can eat (still can't eat a lot though), so I am really looking forward to the fill next week. I think I may have gained a couple pounds (my wt was the same last week when I checked, but then this morning was up, but I also had more clothes on than usual). But overall I think I am doing pretty well considering....I usually have very minimal calories at breakfast and lunch, it is just dinner time when I eat a full meal. It's weird....I forget that I even had the surgery. Seems like a distant memory already! So I definitely feel absolutely fine. And separating the liquids from solids really hasn't been so bad. Though I did have a margarita w/dinner the other night. Had a horrible day from beginning to end, didn't have time to eat lunch, so I REALLY needed that margarita! I know that isn't the best way to handle stress, but if you could have witnessed the day i had, I think anyone would have understood. I barely ate any of my dinner so it all balanced out from a calorie perspecitve! When do you start Optifast??