La_madam

Mistybreezes.. I experienced the exact same thing you are going through right now. I ate to my hearts content right up until the night before surgery. I too was also on liquids for 3 weeks and I was worried I would never make it through it all but I did and honestly I was not even hungry for the first 2 weeks post op. You have so much swelling and gas that food doesnt even sound good, atleast for me it was that way. Everyones weight loss varies I lost 19 lbs in the first 6 weeks...many will tell you though that the first 6 weeks is not about weight loss but healing, any weight you lose is a bonus, so do not get discouraged if your weight loss is slow during this time. Some have lost lots of weight where others have not, it is once you start getting your fills is when the band really starts working. However, there are both men and women who have great restriction from the start and go months before ever getting a fill. Some have also made it it goal with no fill, but that is more of a rarity. I had my first fill at 9 weeks post op. I am now 9 months post op, have lost 73.50 lbs and am goin in for my 3rd fill next Monday. Best of Luck to you onm your upcoming surgery.

Thanks, Looks like I will finally have to be forced to get a passport.

I just got over a cold last week. The thing that worked best for me were "Cold Eeze" lozenges, they diminish the symptoms of a cold and cut the cold time down. They taste great too! They are found in the cold medicine section with the throat lozenges.

Melissa.. I'm so glad you went to TJ to have your port looked at and got it all fixed up. Looks like you are on the mend now

Hi & Welcome! Every Dr. has different pre fill advice. My Dr. does not want me to eat 2 hours prior to a fill but I can drink liquids up to a half hour before a fill. Other then that , it is a pretty quick and painless process. Does your Dr. use flouroscopy? Best of luck to you both..I remember the anticipAtion of my first fill, alot of nerves for nothing.

Becca..lookls like by the sounds of it Dr. Ortiz has changed his post op diet guidlines if you get to move from liquids after 8 days because in April 2004 when I had surgery I was on Clear Liquids for 2 weeks and 1 week of full liquids..so consider yourself lucky Some great things that helped me were popsicles and Jello, they both felt like food but were both clear liquids. Hang in there it will be over before you know it and so worth it, but do try your best to stick with his instructions , there is a reason they are there. I remember the feeling of wanting to burp but couldnt, that my friend is from the swelling and the trapped gas in your diaphram, as the swelling goes down you will be able to burp...Good Luck

Teresa, if you go to expedia.com and sign up to get there weekly email on fare specials to Hawaii, they will send you specials all the time. I know this becasue my son lives in Hawaii and it is how I get his tickets. I also use Aloho Airlines alot too, they seem to be the cheapest from my area anyway. Best of Luck to you. Hawaii is beautiful.

Lenna If the problem persists..I would call your doctor. Having as little as .2 cc's removed can make a huge difference. PBing too often can result in slippage of the band and I do not think you want that. Also everytime you PB you should be on liquids for atleast 24hrs or the exact same thing will happen next time you eat. You esophagus needs a rest. So if you have PBed and then continued to eat, that could be part of your problem also...Like Alex says..many docs require liquids for 2-3 days after a fill. When was your fill and how much do you have?

Monday 1/10 191.50 down 1.5 lbs for the week Melissa - Iam glad to hear everything went wellfor you in TJ,and that you are on the mend I read your post on the other thread. Congrats on your 6 lbs that is awesome! Darcy - Fantastic Job..way to go! 7lbs is superb in 1 week

Alice..Sorry to say this but everything is going to make you gassy that did not before, so get used to it. Many of us here have posted on how much more gas we have now then ever before prior to banding. Sorry But true

Alex, the liquids for a few days will definately help. Got to give your esophagus a rest so it has nothing to spasm or irritate it. The script Ortiz gave me actually made it worse for me so my PCP told me to stop taking it and within days & liquids only I was so much better. The script he gave me actually sped up the spasms instead of slowing them down like it was meant to do..You definately will not experience hunger when your esophagus is irritated, atleast I din't. I also took prevacid which helped heal my esophagus. I did not have any reflux or heartburn, just the pain in my throat and constant spasms. Liquids for a couple of days and you should be good ..unfortunaltey I was on liquids for 2 weeks becasue the first week I was in denial still eating somewhat solids & thinking it would go away and then by the 2nd week I could not take it any longer and went to TJ. I now know better and have learned from this experience. Next time, if there is one, straight to liquids for me. Hope you fell better soon

Do a search on Dr. Verboonen, there are mixed opinions here and around other boards about him. I have heard nothing but great things about Dr. Kuri

My husband and I lost a child as well and it has only made our marriage stronger. I was told the same thing, that a loss of a child will destroy your marriage. They were wrong. And Anyone who allows their weight loss to affect their marriage is not thinking of their vows..for better or worse..sickness & in health ..til death do us part. He loved you when you were fat didnt he? This is just my opinion though. My marriage & sex life has improved 100 % since my surgery..we have rekindled that flame My husband has been the most supportive person in my life since getting my band. He has been there for me every step of the way and is soooo proud of me and tells me so everyday..now how could I ever think of leaving a man like that ? No matter how thin I get He loves me like no other man ever will love me..to him I am a queen and he treats me like one too. I love him no matter if Iam fat or thin.

Looks Beautiful Penni, especially since all we have been getting is clouds, wind & rain

My best girlfriend has Asthma..one of theworst cases I have ever seen and one culprit for her is mold ( she had it in her house) and the other is damp rainy weather..we live inCalifornia and it has been raining for a month, she can not breathe..is on every kind of asthma medicine imaginable and the steroids. Hers has also gotten worse from scar tissue build up on her lungs..

Could it be Asthma? Have they ran tests to rule that out. Sounds like Asthma to me..and yes those steroids will makeyou eat! (Sorry) but its the truth on the other hand they should open you up to help you breathe. Never heard of weight being an issue to block your airways..I know being overweight can causeshortness of breath. Ask aboutthe ASthma if you havent all ready..I hope you get answers soon Hang in there!

Hi Janie Welcome back....seems like you were gone forever! Glad to see you hear again.

Way to go Leatha!!! I'm hopin for a loss this week also..got off the carb machine too since the Holidays are now over and drinking my gallon of Water every day this week... Congratulations..watch out 170's here she comes !

No Better reason to stay away then being in LOVE! Loved your inspiring post. I can hear your voice as I read it! Thanks for all of the enouraging words So happy to hear you are doing so well & don't be such a stranger..you have been missed

I'm a smoker and did not quit prior to surgery. One of the main reasons they want you to quit prior to surgery is so you will heal faster and better. Actually my nutritionalist told me not to try and quit smoking if Iam going to try and lose weight, she said trying to quit 2 addictions at once will be difficult. After surgery I had no desire to soke while I was swollen and al lgassy..it was 3 weeks later that I felt like smoking..I know I know, why did I start back up again after going 3 weeks without it..I'm asking myself the same thing. I tried to quit New Years day and had a neating frenzt like a pack of wolves..so I decided I'd rather smoke then eat right now, atleast until I get to goal then I will re-evaluate

Kelli I'm sorry to hear of all of this but glad to hear you are on the mend..dont fret about what you are eating right now, the main thing is to get well and get your strength back up..I remember when I had esophagitis and did not eat for 2 weeks, when I felt good enough to eat..I ATE and did not care what I was eating, I just wanted to feel better. A bit of advice for us bandsters so Northener tell your Doctor this Ask your PCP to give you a prescription of Phenergen suppositories to keep on hand in your medicine cabinent in the event you get the flu..they work great .It's what I did and am greatful I did.

Northerner, goodfor you to arrange a Dr. in the event of an emergency. Dr. Ortiz & Martinez are fabulous on answering their cell phones and answereing any questions you may have once you get home. Never once in 8 months was I not able to get ahold of them, if not directly I would leave a message and get a call back within minutes...but it is wise to have something lined up close to home in the event of an emergency. Where do you live?? Maybe someone here on the board knows of a Dr. in your area who takes patients banded in Mexico that can offer some help.

AMEN to what Leatha and Betty said.. I regret not doing it sooner. This has been the best thing I have ever done for myself and would do it over again in a heartbeat!

Heather..you look fabulous. What an inspiration..I am in need of that these days! Thanks for posting the pics. Congratulations to you!

Do you have a Dr. in mind? Where do you live? Will your insurnace cover it or will you go to Mexico?