Im_Lost_Again

I have had pain too. It's from not chewing the food enough, making sure it's going to be able to get through the band. I have trouble with beef in general. Try using some condiments while eating, but try using them sparingly or go with the low-carb ones. Good Luck!

I hear about this on the news today. They were discussing if it's OK for kids. I give it my blessing! I know a couple of kids that definatley need it. Good luck to you! I hope you keep in touch and let us know how you are doing! Donna

Shonda, Dr. Clarey did my surgery on 4/20/07. Do you know what size band you have? Depending on how much the swelling has gone down and the size of your band, you may be able to eat without much restriction until your 6 week check up and you get your band filled. I had the same issue. I found out that if I eat meats (mostly chicken) that it takes longer to pass through to the stomach letting me feel fuller longer. Stay away from the soft foods that can easily slip through. I had a few people tell me that they didn't lose anything during the first 6 weeks. 21 pounds is AWESOME....Good Work! (I'm down 30 so far.) I had a few days of weekness. Are you getting enough protein? Start the day with a protein shake. I use Unjury, it tastes really good, but you can only get it on line at unjury.com. They have chocolate, vanilla and Strawberry Sorbet. You can get them in the large canisters or individual packets. You can buy sample packs to try them out. Good Luck! Keep in Touch. Donna

Teresa, sounds like a dream job with great benefits! I wish you luck! Tell Dr Siddiqui that I feel that having one of his nurses banded would be a BIG benefit to him and his practice. It would make me, as a patient, feel that the nurse really knows what is going on with me and how I feel physically and emotionally. I've worked with a RNY patient and the diffences after surgery are numerous, so someone taking care of me that had the RNY may not understand what is going on with me. (Just my 2 cents worth).

I thought I gelt my port just under my incision, but when I got my fill she put the needle in a few inches lower. Now I think I was feeling scar tissue since it is gone. At this point I can't feel it.

Congrats! It doesn't take long to get much easier. I didn't have but a couple of days that I felt weak. That is when I started to watch my protien intake more closely. I use the protien drinks that they sell at the office and unjury (can only get on-line). It's helped quite a lot. If you don't get enough protien you can suffer from hair loss. Keep in touch! Donna

You can still do it, even if he said you don't need to. Have you watched the surgery video? He talkes about the pre-diet and it's benefits.

You have a smart doctor. I'm 48 and got my band three months ago. I wish I had done this years ago. I didn't get those health problems until my 40's. I can't imagine having them in my 20's. Sounds like you family isn't educated about the band. Get them literature, have them talk to people that have had the band. Have them go to the seminar with you. The more informed they are the better you will do if you have the band. You can PM me with your questions or questions from your family. The band is one of the BEST decisions I have ever made! Good Luck and keep in touch. Donna

I've had my band since March 20. 2007. The band is not a magic wand. You still need to watch what you eat afterwards not just stay away from the foods that will get stuck in the band. I have noticed that foods that are mushy like mashed potatoes, applesauce, sugar free Jello, etc. do not stay with me very long, thus I get hungry sooner. meats stay with me for what seems hours. I feel full and do not have the desire to snack. If you do eat the mushy foods, I suggest that you eat them first as they tend to help the more solid foodds slip through the band faster. Drinking Water during a meal defeats the purpose of the band. I limit my fluids to sips IF needed. If you follow the 45 minute after meal before you drink suggestion, you will get the full benefit of the band. Don't sabotage yourself. If you eat right and walk, walk, walk. You should have good results. I lost 12 pounds on the pre-op diet then didn't lose but a couple of pounds until I got my first fill (1.5ccs) almost 8 weeks later. It's during that time that you are eating the mushy foods and the swelling around the band is at it's maximum. As that swelling goes away you will notice that you are getting hungry sooner and can eat more. Be careful not to over do it. I'd be glad to answer any questions that you have. PM me if you wish. Good Luck! Donna

Congrats on the decision NaNalga. I have a concern over the no pre-op diet. How overweight are you? If your BMI is low (around 40-42) you may be OK without the pre-op diet. If it's over, you may want to do it anyway. The purpose of the pre-op diet is to make the liver more pliable thus reducing surgery risk. It makes it easier for the doctors to move it around allowing them easier access. My BMI was 40.2 at surgery. I did the diet for the full 10 days. I drank slim-fast for Breakfast and lunch and for dinner I had either a piece of chicken or fish (without breading). It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Let me know how it goes! Good Luck Donna

This is a good place to ask questions. I've had my band since 3/20/07. I'm down 30 pounds. I love my band. I don't know how I survived without it before! Let me know if I can answer any questions or put your mind at ease. Good Luck! Donna

I got my first fill last Monday, 1.5 CCs. So far I haven't had any real problems. I walk quite a bit and watch what I eat and drink lots of Water, but haven't lost any more yet. My initial weight loss to date is 25 pounds, 70 to go. (I can't get my ticker to work properly.) Tonight I am going to the Dayton Bariatrics Seminar with my Daughter-in-law. She's wanting to have the RNY (spelling???).

Thank you Nurse Teresa, I am glad to know that he is still practicing in the country. I would rather know the truth and put the speculation to rest. Thanks again! Donna