Sal58

I got mine from Shaklee. I don't mind the taste either and it is only one teaspoon a day. Also Healthy Weight does a dissolvable one that isn't too bad as long as you wait for the bubbles to go.

I just turned 54 in June and had my surgery April 15th. I was only on the preop diet four days and so didn't lose much before my surgery. My starting weight was 234 and I was still okay on the day of the surgery. I know each person is different but for me everything worked out just fine. My weightloss has been pretty steady since being banded even though like you I was concerned that with my previous weightloss attempts things never really worked or I would be slow to lose. I have started to level out and losing between 1.5 to 2 pounds a week. I had my first fill June 1st (which was painless) and things still seem to be moving along.

Congratulations and please keep us posted as to how you are doing. Take care of yourself.

I felt the same way right up to the time I was on the table. Then for the first two weeks I started to doubt if I made the right decision...here I am 2 months post op and I feel this has been the best decision I have made. It is an adjustment. You have to re-think food and think about your eating triggers. Actually taking time to eat and listen to your body telling you that you are satisfied and not full is a huge learning curve. All the while worrying about getting in enough calories. I have found I don't worry about getting in enough....I concentrate on how my tummy feels and if I have head hunger or tummy hunger. For me the most important thing for the first few weeks was making sure I stayed well hydrated. I didn't feel like eating anyway till about week 4. I can't emphasize chew chew chew and then chew some more before swallowing...then wait in between bites and really listen to your body. Eating out was also a struggle at first since you will eat differently than others. I am to the point of not caring and just taking my time, eat slowly and enjoy each mouthful...and bring home leftovers. Keep posting on the forum as to how you are doing and if you have any concerns. Also make sure you have good communication with your doctor and staff. There are no stupid questions. Take care and I wish you much success.

I still find it more comfortable to lay on my back than on my left side and I am 2 months post op. Everyone is different though.

I have been banded now 2 months. I started having port area pain a couple of days ago while doing my walk. It really feels like a tugging, stitch type pain. Is this normal and has anyone else experienced this? I walk between 5 and 8 miles a day....adding a morning and evening walk together. I try and hold my tummy in while walking so just wondering since I am losing weight am I breaking up scar tissue?

I also remember doing Wii bowling and archery....I guess I could have just over done it all. Thanks for your response though...if it keeps up I will call my doctor.

I would serious talk to your doctor and if that doesn't help find a different doctor that will listen. Before taking such a huge step I would really try and rule out other issues first. The band is a great tool...don't get me wrong as I am 7 weeks now post op but it isn't the only answer...it is a life style change as well. I went to Healthier Weight in Birmingham. Great people and no pressure. First though just make sure you don't have something else going on. I didn't think I ate a lot either but this band has proven me wrong. Nibbling was my demon that came along with stress eating. Take care and I hope you find some answers.

Thanks for the info. I just had my first fill Friday and didn't notice a thing. I am on liquids though till tomorrow and then mushy for three days then regular. I was wondering what to expect. Right now with just liquids I am hungry all the time since the liquids seem to pass right through. I did get my little timer though so now ready to learn to listen to my body...stop with satisfied and not full. A new learning experience. Good thing is...the fill part didn't hurt at all. That was another fear of mine but it was totally painless for me.

My doctor told me to only come back if I find I find myself gettig hungry too soon or if my weightloss has stopped.

I had my first fill today as well. He removed what the surgeon put in and put in 5cc. I am on liquids for 3 days, mushy for 3 days and then regular food. It was totally painless. I am almost 7 weeks post op and have lost 26 pounds. I am starting to see the difference and excited about the next few months. 53 more pounds to go.

What a journey you have been on. I hope things work out better for you this time. Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Yep, walking, heating pad on shoulder, warm peppermint tea. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Congrats on your decision and I hope your healing time goes quickly and well for you. I had mine on April 15th and have no regrets. The first week was a bit rough with gas pains but peppermint tea and hot packs on shoulders helped that. Take good care of yourself and keep us posted on your progress.

Wonderful to read this. I am not looking for a size to be either. I am 54 years old and I just want to be happy in my skin. Thank you for the post.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. It is inspirational and I wish you nothing but the best of luck. Please let me know how you are doing.

thighs and hips....

I haven't had a fill yet but still not able to eat much at one time. I am eating my protein first though...try to get as much down as I can but just not hungry after a few spoon fulls. I did have a couple of days last week when I thought I could eat a horse but that seems to have gone away. I see my doc in two weeks and will go over things then.

No I haven't even notified my GP yet and it has been 5 weeks. I was private pay. I just got a call from the nurse at HW to check on how I was doing. We went over what I was and wasn't eating. She said only to eat till you feel full and not to worry about if I have taken in entire meal. I still have enough calories in my fat reserves to stop me from going into starvation mode. That was good to know since I am usually full after three mouthfuls of food. I can't wait to get the all clear so I can work out on the weight machine. Need to work on my flabby arms, tummy and thighs. One more week and it will be 6 post op. I can already see a difference in my clothes and can't wait for the first two stone to be gone....only 7 more pounds. I still get tired through the day but I know it is all part of the lack of food and the healing. Oh and she also said that my burping could be that I have eaten too quickly and too much so will slow down and listen to my body. My problem is that I am a great cook and I love the taste of food so hard to stop at 3 mouthfuls...then again....that is what got me here in the first place. I will just saver the smaller portions...LOL! Let me know how you are feeling Quackerz.

It was the same for me, shoulder pains, gas, not able to eat but it really does get better. I kept a hotpad on my shoulder and drank peppermint tea. I think about the end of week 2 I notice considerable change for the better. I did get depressed the first two weeks as well since I wasn't eating, not sure what was going on but support from the nursing staff, forum and family helped. Just know it does get better. I am 5 weeks post op and feel great. Walking 5 miles a day and looking forward to my fill since I have no restriction most of the time. Just making sure I don;t put any more than 4 tblsp of food on my plate at one time, eating protein first, veg and then carb. Drinking through the day and trying to get in 8 glasses. No regrets so far.

I used heating pad on my shoulders and drank lots of peppermint tea. Just sipping slowly. I felt that way after I got home as well but once the gas starts to shift you will feel so much better. It took me several weeks for it to be completly gone but each day you will feel a little bit better. If you have any concerns about your port you should call your doctors office. I am sure follow up care was part of the deal so take advantage of it. Best of luck and keep us posted.

I was banded through Healthier Weight. I am hoping to get my first fill on June 1st. I was banded on April 15 in Birmingham. My doctor is great and I get lots of support. I think I was gassy till about a week ago. Now I just burp all the time when I eat or drink. I don't feel like I have any restriction now since the past two days I have been able to eat anything. When I had the gas pains in my shoulders I found a heating pad worked great and drank lots of peppermint squash warm and peppermint tea. I also walked frm the first day of surgery. I am now up to 5 miles plus each day and I know that has helped me heal. Lets keep in touch.

I live in Wales. I was banded almost 5 weeks ago.

I was banded on April 14th.....like you I lost 18 pounds up to week 3 then last week I gained 6. I have always walked and up to 5 miles a day now...getting close to or just over 10,000 steps a day. I am also a bit frustrated, upset and worried. I have no restriction so able to eat normal. When I weighed myself this morning I was so upset. I keep thinking at the this rate I will be back to my starting weight before my first fill on June 1st. I am going to keep a food journal just to see if that helps. I feel I am working so hard and getting no where at the moment. I know this is probably normal but doesn't help my emotional state. I still don't regret this as I know once I get my first fill things will start going down again. I am still struggling with constipation and I am sure that doesn't help.

Only my husband, one close cousin and best friend know. Not my mother, in-laws or siblings. No support or understand on that end of the world so didn't feel it was any of their business.