cupcakebabe84

Try chewing gum the added air bubbles moved around the surgery air and helped ease the pain for me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had the same problem for the longest time and the Dr's office just kept telling me it's normal and it will pass and it's just gas. Well I couldn't stand getting that pain so often so I read more into it and listened to my body more closely and I discovered that it's your body telling you that your getting full. After my surgery I never got that full sensation ever again I'm not sure why and the dr gave me multiple reason why but it's your body that you really need to be paying attention to. I noticed that my body tells me I'm full when I get that left shoulder pain or a runny nose/ stuffy or I start sneezing. I noticed it every time I would eat and get to a point to where I should be stopping. Your body does respond to things it doesn't like. If you fill your small pouch too much your food will come back up. So my suggestion to you is to pay closer attention and really listen and look for the signs. Everyone is different so you may have different signals that are triggered when your full. I hope this helps. I wish I would have had more insight when I had my concerns. This forum really helped me figure out a lot of other things and changes throughout my journey. Good luck to you. Lindsay

Hi to anyone reading this, I started my journey at 264lbs and a size 18/20. I never thought I would make it to where I am today. I not only feel like a different person but I look like a different person. I feel great and my self esteem and confidence has gone through the roof. For the first time in my life I am a healthy woman. Mind you I stand at 5'8, I now weigh 174 and I wear a size 8/10. My ultimate goal is to be at 150lbs and a size 6/8. The journey I have worked through has been the hardest of anything I have ever done in my life. I not only went into this alone with no one in my life to understand what I'm going through but I made the decision to not tell many people of my life style change. It's had its rewards and it's had its punishments along the way. Along with accomplishing the weight loss of 90lbs, I met the love of my life, whom I adore with all my heart and soul. I have gone down almost half my size, I eat much less then I used to which till today still blows my mind on the amounts I used to eat. I find that I'm hungry every few hours which I think isn't supposed to happen because of the purpose of the band but I'm still losing. I don't work out as much as I should be but with a back injury I do what I can. I have ran a few mud runs, which are 5K's each, I have of course run into many and I do mean many road blocks. The stuck episodes were hell at the beginning but a learning experience, the vomiting was another thing to learn from, the depression of not having anyone to really talk to about whats happening to my body, the changes happening to my body and chemical changes were a big one for me. I think for those just beginning the journey should seek a local support group or someone from a support group locally to you to help you get through your good and bad experiences like a friend would be there for you. My family has been my ultimate support but they just don't understand what I'm going through. The few friends I told are there for me and will do what they can to show their support. The only advise I can give now that I know what is to be expected I think would be to take your time getting to each step of the process. There really is no reason to rush through it when your health is on the line. I promise that you'll reach your goal at some point and some of you will understand that those good and bad days are always going to come and go. No one is perfect and no one follows the rules to the perfect T. I know the normal life eventually kicks back into reality and changes things. I never in my life wanted to get married and have a baby more then I do today. The weight loss has changed my prospective on life and the way I live it. I wish I would have taken the steps into this journey a lot sooner then I did so I could have felt this amazing sooner. The best thing that's happened for me is my relationship and that I'm no longer shy about being in the nude with my boyfriend, I'm not shy about wearing short dresses, shorts, tank tops and sexy lingerie. I am confident and strong! Sorry for making this such a long post but I wanted to just get some of my experience out there so that some of you don't feel alone out there. This journey isn't easy and it's most definitely not the easy way out as I have heard people comment along the way. Thanks for reading! Lindsay

Oh and I forgot to mention I made it to the green zone at 6.5cc's in a 10cc band...

I have past my band anniversary. I wish I could say I met my goal weight but not yet. I am 27lbs away so I'm very close. Since making it to onederland a few months ago my confidence has gone through the roof. I not only look better but I truly feel better... I went from a size 18 jeans to a 10 and my jeans goal has been an 8. My shirt sizes went from a 1X to a medium and as for dresses I didn't wear them before surgery so now I'm confident and loving my new figure wearing tiny dresses. As for everything else like my wish list for things I have wanted once the band has helped me get to where I want to be so I can be happy and healthy I have accomplished more then I set out for except next month for my 29th birthday my boyfriend and I will be going skydiving. I'm looking forward to it and scared at the same time. No one but a bandster can truly understand what this feels like and how much everything changes. It's a life changing experience that I wouldn't ever trade anything in the world. I'm so happy with myself on how I look and feel. I never thought in my life that I could be this close to my weight goal let alone actually getting there within the next few months. I wish everyone good luck and a big congratulations to how far they have come. I can only hope the best for everyone.

My stop signals are always different between fills. The obvious signs that I have experienced are a runny nose, hiccups, a pain in my left shoulder, I sigh heavy or I even just don't want food anymore because I feel like I'm topped off. However, my body sometimes gets a stuck feeling giving my body the full signal to give off and I stop and ill have a PB moment but once that's over I'm still hungry so look for your signals and you'll know once you are there. I think I finally hit my green zone after 4 fills and at 6.7cc's in a 10cc band. Good luck and enjoy the tool we all had put in because it will become your best friend once you know how to really use it.

I had this very thought just yesterday. I have been getting so many compliments at how thin I'm getting but right behind those comments are " and your clothes look too big for you to be wearing to work anymore" so I decided to head on over to New York and Company. I automatically head to the far right end of the rack to grab the biggest size that I would wear from that store which was an 18/ 20, Turns out I am down to a 12. I couldn't believe my eyes and had to re check the size on the tag. Yup, I'm wearing a 12! Yay... So putting on clothes that fit helps me realize the changes I have gone through. Hard work, sweat and even pain are paying off. It's like they say no pain no gain! Congrats to everyone on your NSV's....

I paid $9,500 in Orange County, CA. It included everything from all pre-op visits to aftercare plus 3 fills. Shop around and research your doctors. My doctors office worked with me after my insurance company approved me and then bailed out after I was almost to surgery date. Their accounting department might even work with you, mine did. So just talk to them about your situation. Good luck!

I sometimes find all the flavors on eBay and I especially like finding the sample packets too. This way I don't have so much of one thing and get tired of it. The unflavored tastes like powder but I put only half the amount called for so it's not so powdery tasting in a drink. The chicken soup flavor was hard to get used to but it's actually pretty good once you have it when your really hungry. Haha

I would order directly from the website first. I personally bought the package they had with samples of all of their flavors to see what I liked most and once I decided which ones were good I started ordering mine from eBay. They are brand new and nothing wrong with them except very cheap. I only use them when I have those days where I am not in the mood to really eat anything. They taste great if you blend them with the right stuff. Hope this helps...

I don't think I ever really took huge bites to begin with so I try sometimes to eat slower and smaller bites but I don't find that to make a difference. What makes all the difference for me is chewing my food till it seems too mushy to continue chewing any more and swallow half at a time.

Hi All, I have 4.2 CC's in my 10CC band. I think I finally hit my restriction. As soon as I eat anything 4 to 6 bites in I can feel the restriction. I'm not sure if this is normal or not but I stay full for up to 5 hours. The restriction feeling I get is not a full or I over did it kind of thing it's more like my body gives me signs that its time to stop eating and it's enough. I will get a burping kind of feeling but it actually feels like food wanting to come back up but not in a painful way at all like a stuck feeling and it never comes back up. I also get a pain in my left shoulder, or a runny nose that gets annoying after it starts. If you ever have to take a big breath and a sigh then that is an obvious sign that your body is full. Just thought I would mention those signs since its what really helped me realize the band is my friend and is doing its job. Have a great weekend everyone!

I was absolutely terrified at my first fill and I nearly fainted, but they had two nurses in there with me one to give the fill and one to hold my hand. They numb the area with lidocaine and to be honest that shot was all that stung for a quick second and then from there all I felt was the nurse touching my tummy. In my mind I still get scared but I promise each time it gets easier and easier. I am at the point to where I just close my eyes and start singing to myself and the nurse knows to leave me alone while she is giving the fill. It's done faster then you know and it can be scary but they are all there to help you and believe me they are very supportive of anything you tell them.

I have a 10 CC band and I had my first fill about 12 days ago. They gave me 2CC's and I feel some restriction but not as much as I would like. I haven't seen much of a change in weight tho, but then again it is that time of month for me and I am always miserable for a week. On the plus side with the band I do find that I have almost no bloating. I'm not sure if its just me or the band doing me a favor. Lol

I was banded on the 7th and I went back to work on the 12th for a half day but found that I still didn't feel like myself so I waited to go back to work for a full day on the 14th. So it took about a full week to start feeling somewhat normal again. Take the time off if you have it. Believe me sleep it off and walk when your not sleeping. It will help so much with the gas pain and getting past the exhaustion that the healing process does to your body. Congrats on getting banded and welcome to the other side.

I am 7 days post op and I still have gas pains. Every day gets a little better and easier. Walk, walk, and walk some more. Oh and take deep breaths to expand your lungs to move the gas in your upper chest. That was the worst for me. GasX works some but not that great. It will pass though. Congrats on joining us on the otherside.

I am 7 days post op. I am also tired of chicken broth and jello. I steered towards puddings and applesauce almost right away. Fruit smoothies with just protein powder, fresh or frozen fruit, ice cubes and crystal light or fat free milk. ( I asked my doctor first before going towards the fruit). These are pretty good too and it's what is keeping me from going nuts. You can also try spaghetti sauce watered down with chicken broth and that's also a nice change from the creamy soups and Fudge pops.... I hope this helps. I know what your going through and my main issues are the gas pains and port pain.

I was banded on the 7th as well. I was in a lot of pain the first two days but today I'm feeling so much better. Not 100% but it's not as bad as it was. The gas pains are more tolerable today but I want them to go away fast because my back and shoulder pains are what's causing me to not want to get up and move more. I am on full liquids for two weeks but I don't know that I can go that long. I love the homemade broth that I have and I am slowly sipping on watered down apple sauce to give me the feeling like I'm eating. Otherwise I think I'll be good to go back to work on Tuesday. Does anyone have any idea as to how long the gas pains will last? Or any other ideas besides walking and gas X to relieve the gas pains? I hope you are all doing well and recovering fast. Lindsay

I was just banded yesterday as well. The worst part for me was that first initial sit up in the hospital bed. The gas pains I thought were going to kill me. However, today the pain is a little more tolerable. Is anyone else having trouble sleeping like I am? I wake up trying to move a little for comfort or having to go to the restroom or i need to take my pain Meds. The sleep I want to believe will help me heal easier. I hope you all are doing okay and getting past the scary part and going pain free soon. Lindsay

So, I'm getting really nervous and having some thoughts like what if I regret doing this once I have the band in? What if I can't bear the initial pain at beginning? What if I fail? I'm at the point to where I'm so nervous that it's starting to stress me out. Anyone have any advise or any good experiences that would help me not be so scared or nervous about this procedure coming up in two weeks? I'm scheduled for July 11th. I thought I was excited but now I'm just getting really really stressed over this.... Anything will help at this point. I don't know anyone that has gotten this procedure done so I don't really have anyone to talk to about it.

Yay for you! I'm scheduled for July 11th and so excited.... Good luck!

Hey, I have Blue Shield Ca PPO. I go to the OBand Center. It's the easiest process with them. They do everything there as well as no up front fees which is what lead me to them. I am in Orange County so I use the Tustin office but I believe they have other locations that are contracted with the same insurance. I am just waiting on approval now. I mentioned to the nurses and the insurance coordinator that I was nervous about being denied and they mentioned that they have a legal team that will fight for you get approval with no additional costs. The team there is so great and very knowledgable. I haven't had surgery yet but I already feel well taken care of with this office! Good luck with starting your journey and reaching all of your goals...

I haven't had my surgery yet, still waiting for approval... However, I decided to make my surgery known to only my parents and two of my siblings. I thought I could trust a good friend of mine seeing as to how her family tells her she needs to do something about her weight, thinking maybe this would encourage her, maybe her and I could do this together. No, She only knew how to be negative about it and decided to open up her big mouth and tell the rest of our group of friends. Of course they all have nothing but negative input. So After that I realized once you ring a bell you can't un-ring it. Since then I just didnt say anything about any appts or dates scheduled for the other testing that needed to be done. I just pretended I forgot about it and am not doing the lap- band anymore. This makes my life so much easier and less stressful. I dont need food police or people telling me I failed. So if you prefer to keep it to yourself then go for it, more power to you! Good luck....