gigglypug

I had very bad shoulder pain immediately after surgery. The hospital gave me this little beauty and between it and the pain meds, I was snoozing in no time: http://www.shop.kozizones.com/Kozi-Natural-Neck-KNN.htm I'm sure there are other brands/similar products, I liked this one because it also has aromatherapy. Popping it into the microwave for 1 minute and then putting it on my shoulders was a HUGE "aaaaahhhhh...." moment

Yep, banded on May 15th and port area is definitely more sore on some days than others...haven't really figured out a "why" yet, but it's really more discomfort than pain, and certainly in my case not Lortab-worthy

I went in for my 4 week/first fill appointment two days ago, but my doc and I decided to wait until I return from vacation (rather remote area). So I'll just have my initial primer fill (2 cc) for another couple of weeks... ...can you tell a difference? Most seem to not really have restriction until two or more....

Was banded on May 15th and since then have flown from SoCal to Oregon and back, Arizona and back and Minneapolis and back without any bad effects. Heading to Ecuador next week, for something a little more challenging/longer.... Having said that, everyone seems to have different challenges/issues....and, if you are anxious or stressed about flying, it could easily become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I travel for business, so I don't have much of a choice, but even if that were not the case, I'd hate to limit my options to those reachable by car...

If you look around the forum, you'll discover that there are a LOT of differences in doctor recommendations. Some surgeons tell their freshly banded patients to try mashed potatoes etc. 2 days after the surgery, others put theirs on Clear liquids for two weeks (haven't seen anything more conservative than that, though). Personally, I was on full liquids right after surgery for a week, blended/mushies for another week and then gradually added "real" food. The consensus from the board will be that you should follow whatever your doctor recommends. I agree with that. However, I do think it is fair to have a discussion with your surgeon as to WHY they recommend whatever they recommend. There is, in my opinion, a BIG difference in "rules" that prevent serious complications with the band and "rules" that maximize weight loss (which, in my mind, are more negotiable until you're in the green zone)

If you used to eat a lot of simple sugar and starches, quite a bit of your "hunger" most likely was driven by insulin spikes/sugar crashes in the past. If you've ever done Atkins (or, to some degree, South Beach), the decrease in appetite when going to a low carb/high Protein diet should be quite familiar. It sounds as though there might be a psychological component as well, perhaps anxiety about the surgery? In any event, enjoy it while it lasts...it's a great feeling NOT to be hungry when trying to lose weight

Calories in-calories out is a sound principle, but the calories out is not nearly as predictable as BMR calculators would suggest! Add to that: - the recommended Water intake alone is 64 oz or 4 lbs...unless you weigh your, uh, emissions you don't know the fate of these fluids - while a calorie is a calorie in terms of the amount of energy you derive from them, different macronutrients (Proteins, fats, sugars etc) trigger different responses in the body. The insulin/glucagon antagonistic pair is the best known of these, but there are others...especially in women. The human body is an extremely complex system and not nearly as well understood as most people believe. Once we do have a handle on all of these mechanisms, I believe WLS will become obsolete as there will be more non-invasive/less costly way of effecting weight loss. In the meantime, it's a grand experiment...

I personally would be hesitant to have a procedure (any procedure) by a surgeon who does not 100% recommend it ..and that goes double for the lap-band, where success is majorly dependent on correct installation. As others have said, a lot of docs prefer sleeve and/or by-pass because of the difference in after care, so IF you decide that your best bet is the band, I would consider looking for a surgeon who backs up your choice and is willing to work with you after the cutting and banding is done...

Hi Steph, my doctor is equally relaxed about amounts. I just had my 4 week check-up and normally would have gotten my first fill (apart from the surgery primer), but we decided against it as I will be vacationing in a very remote area starting next week. When I asked him how to deal with hunger, he said that it was okay to eat more than 1 cup at a meal or alternatively more often. The most important rule is to go SLOW so the band has time to give you feedback.

My surgeon suggests asking yourself "would I eat a hard-boiled egg right now?". I happen to love hard-boiled eggs, so not sure this works for me...but clearly the idea is distinguishing craving vs. hunger.

Don't want to get in a policies discussion, just pointing out that in order to look at the long term effects of anything, one has to go back in time the appropriate amount. I hope that today's surgical techniques lead to superior long-term result (in fact, I bet on it by getting a band just last month), but we won't know for another 10 or 20 years, will we? In the meantime, I don't think there is some sort of shady agenda or questionable data involved in this study...the subjects were long-term patients so by definition they had their procedure 15-20 years ago...

I read somewhere to wear tops with buttons or a zipper rather than tops that need to be pulled over your head...

I'm feeling mine coming on and definitely can feel a change in my band (or rather, in my fluid levels which affects the band). While I'm normally yellow-to-greenish, I'm certainly more restricted now, which makes me wonder whether I should get a fill as planned in 2 weeks. Has anyone ever crossed the green/red boundary because of their TOM?

I had two glasses of wine 5 days post-op (hey, it's a liquid, right?). One of the big concerns with alcohol is transference...if you have a food addiction, it might be easy to transition into an alcohol addiction (my drinking was social...splitting a bottle of wine with my boss on a business trip, like we have always done). So honestly take a look at how likely that is to happen for you. Also, be aware that soon after surgery, you'll still be at a very low caloric intake and your tolerance is not likely to be what it used to be. I had no ill effects, but if in doubt, it's always best to consult your medical team....

Was banded on May 15th with a 2cc initial fill at surgery. Been flying between Southern CA and Portland, OR and Phoenix, AZ without any problems...don't know about longer flights yet but heading to Ecuador in a few weeks :-)

Traveled right up to 4 days before surgery, but as I had no pre-op diet, there was no issue. Traveled locally (4 hr freeway each way and an overnight) 5 days post-op, no problem with the travel component, BUT: the purpose was me giving a 90 technical seminar to some 70-odd people. While I would have SWORN I knew my material in my sleep (this is something I do routinely in my position), I was stumbling through it, foggy and light headed and my incisions started hurting from all the loud talking....so depending on your level of required "up", know that your energy levels are very different for the first few weeks. Just completed my first plane trip post-op (social weekend in Seattle) and no problems...but I am also on solids as of last Wednesday

2 weeks post-op, still learning. Lost 9 lbs before surgery (no specific pre-op diet), another 9 lbs came off the first week...nothing in the second week (although never over 1000 cal/day). Been reassured by doc and this board that this is somewhat normal so hanging in there...

Couldn't agree more about picking the right surgeon! I went as far as going out-of-pocket because I didn't much care for the insurance-contracted option (came across as very paternalistic/heavy-handed and didn't provide nearly as many stats about his track record). The band itself is just a piece of plastic and silicone, the surgeon's skill at correct/effective and safe placement are much more important, so weigh your options and don't rush :-)

Hi Cat Whisperer! I was sorry to read about your early complications in a different thread, hope you feel alright now! I find there is definitely a learning curve involved...and the relatively "easy" recovery from laparoscopic surgery can be misleading! I went back to work this week, which is mostly from home and no big deal. On Tuesday, however, I had to give a technical seminar to about 70 people, and boy did I almost fall on my face!! My brain clouded up, I was sweating and stammering my way through and felt on the verge of fainting...it was a disaster, LOL. In addition, the area where my hiatal hernia was repaired started hurting with every deep breath again (gotta breathe deeply to project to such a big room)...luckily I had my pain meds in my bag and took a nice big gulp once it was over. Lesson: for the first week (or even two) post-op, take it EASY even if you "think you can"!!! I'm on full liquids and hungry!! According to my doctors office, I can blend bananas into my shakes which makes them pretty thick so that helps. Down 8 pounds since surgery day (May 15th), for a total of 17 lbs lost since initial weigh in (without a formal pre-op diet) Hope everyone is doing well!!!

Okay, so this might be unique to my band placement/anatomy, but just in case it can help someone else.... I found burping very painful immediately post-op, but discovered that if I leaned forward (with a pillow against my tummy in the very first few days), the trapped gas would just gently "rumble" to the surface without any of the painful stomach spasms/hicc-ups For what it's worth, I am today 7 days post-op, relatively gas and pain free, feeling pretty good and down 7 pounds since banding, so it DOES get better

Airplane seats!

That's happened to me with every weight loss campaign ever (and likely will with this one). For me it makes sense...any kind of weight loss requires me to pay attention/be conscious about food and it's effects, self-consciousness is just another facet of it. For most of my life, I wasn't actually miserable about my weight, I just completely ignored it! Once a year or so, usually after seeing a particularly unflattering photograph, I resolved to "do something", with varying successes but it wouldn't be too long until I got distracted by life. You, of course, know on your head that you look better in a swimsuit than all those pounds ago...your heart just needs to catch up. When in doubt fake it 'til you make it!

Lorac1952, I was banded on the 15th as well and my insides just today "worked" for the first time! I have been taking miralax daily starting on the 16th and it still took time....

I got a 2.5cc primer fill in my 10cc band during surgery. According to my surgeon's PA, people rarely need more than 5 cc for that band size.

When I woke up from my surgery yesterday, I wore an abdominal binder. I only take it off for showers and it keeps everything nice and motionless (for the most part). Also got a scopolamine patch right before surgery...between the binder, the patch and my pain meds (which I take religiously, why risk unnecessary suffering), I have no problem walking around. Perhaps ask your doc's office?