drehn88

I was nauseous for about 3 days post op, but my anti nausea meds worked great for me. Did the surgeon put any fluid in your band during surgery? I guess it could be from the swelling. Hope it goes away and you start feeling better soon!

Creekwood...I didn't even recognize you in your new picture! Keep up the good work!

Honestly, I'm surprised there is that much in my band. I haven't had any stuck episodes and can eat pretty much anything. Since I went on solid foods (3rd week after surgery) I stay satisfied for at least 4 hours between meals. I thought that was because I'm eating too much since I haven't been measuring my food. I've been measuring time. I wait 1 minute between each bite and eat for 20-25 minutes. I guess it's been the band the whole time. I haven't lost as much weight post op as I wish (about 14 lbs in 5 weeks), but I guess that's decent. I'm going to stop eating what I want (in small doses) and start doing low carb. Hopefully this will make the weight really drop off.

Just got back from my appointment (BTW, it was the first one since surgery on May 6). I asked how much saline was put in my band during surgery. They said 6 cc. OMG!!! No wonder I didn't feel like eating for 2 weeks! I talked with the nurse practitioner about my eating habits, etc. She was going to give me a small fill, but then I said I didn't want one. She was happy to hear that because she really thinks I don't need one right now. Basically, just because I CAN eat anything and take big bites doesn't mean I SHOULD do that. She said even if I don't vomit or PB doesn't mean the pouch can't dilate. She also said putting Fluid in could make that worse and I still don't have to have the vomiting symptoms. I've been a little worried that damage can still be done even without the obvious symptoms. So, it's back to following all the rules. Going back in 2 weeks to see how I'm doing.

Ditto! It scares me that I will finally have a stuck episode after my fill. I don't want to experience that!!

I get my first fill tomorrow too! I'm nervous. I know I need one because I'm able to eat anything and I take too big of bites. Hope it goes well for the both of us!

Ditto!

What I've read lately is that you get a "bigger band for your buck" if you do 30 min. of intervals than an hour at one intensity level. In Chris Powell's carb cycling book he says to do this 6 min. cycle 5 times for a total of 30 min.: 3 min. of low intensity, 2 min. of medium intensity, and 1 min. of high intensity. He also says to take Sunday off. It really makes the 30 min. go by fast. Experts say you need to change things up when your body gets used to a certain type of exercise. If you think that's what is happening, it might be good to try intervals and see if that changes the amount of weight you're losing. BTW, congrats on all of your exercising. You rock!

When I was in this very uncomfortable post op phase I read a comment from someone that said to walk around while flapping your arms like a chicken. I felt like an idiot doing it, but I think it helped. At 2 weeks post op you should be completely gas free.

If you are on facebook, there is a good fb page for lapband recipes. There are some recipes for pureed foods. Search hely lb.

If the (unspecified number) of weeks after surgery were all about healing then why do some doctors say regular foods at 3 weeks and others say not for 4 or 6 weeks? Are you saying my surgeon, that said 3 weeks, doesn't know what he's talking about? I was clearly ready and healed for "real" food after 1 week liquid then 1 week mushy. I didn't cheat even a day early. Obviously every surgeon is different so in my case and many others it did not take more than 3 weeks for my stomach to be healed enough for most foods.

I'm starting to think some surgeons keep their patients on liquids then mushies for several weeks to keep them from falling off the wagon. I'm almost 4 weeks post op and can eat anything, almost any amount, and realized last night I don't even have to wait 1 minute between each bite (going out to eat with friends makes you forget to wait). Right now it's 100 percent JUST a diet. I'm sure the first fill will make a big difference. If not, then the second. Hang in there!

Your post is me to a "T"! I have clothes sizse 8 to 20. My poor husband gets very little of our rather large closet! Like you, I am NOT going to keep my fat clothes this time. I've been upset in the past when I got rid of fat clothes, then when I got fat again I had to go buy clothes. I know it is very possible to gain the weight back with the LB, but I just can't let it happen! Good luck to you!

Hey everyone! My surgery was May 6. I feel AWESOME!! I guess LB surgery is like childbirth because I can't even remember how miserable I felt that first week. I had to cancel my fill appt last week and now have to wait another week. I'm certain I need a fill. I'm trying to eat small bites, but bigger bites have NO problem going down. I got off track with my Protein last weekend and the cravings for bad stuff are back. I must focus and get back on the wagon. I developed a terrible rash about 10 days post op from the strips on my incisions. I thought for certain it would never go away! I think today I am finally on the mend. So, if anyone gets that horrible rash, it will take at least 2 weeks to start getting better. School is wrapping up for the year and that means summer vacation for me. I have big plans to be in "one"derland by the time school starts again (middle of August). This will take a lot of dedication with diet and exercise. I'm remaining positive that this time I will actually follow through with my goal.

I'm almost 2 weeks post surgery. My durastrips (sp??) that cover my incisions are starting to peel back. I've developed a red and very itchy rash in those areas. Is this normal?

Your pictures look VERY familiar! I think today my rash looks a tiny bit better. From what I read on the internet, it can take several weeks for the rash to clear up. I really can't wait until that happens!

I read a post that said take full doses of Miralax until you have a BM. From then on take a half a dose daily for prevention. I think I'll try that too because I'm having the same problem.

Tomorrow's the day! How exciting for you! You are very well prepared and informed of all the good and bad things that COULD happen. Just remember, even if the first few days aren't the best it is a million times better the second week. Did your doctor prescribe anti-nausea medicine? For me that was a life saver. Best of luck in your journey!!

My surgeon said after I'm no longer taking pain meds.

I started the antibiotic yesterday and I think the rash is worse!!! Thank you so much for your advice. I'm going to use neosporin from now on because the cortisone cream is just making it dry and painful.

Hey lilmis and brigida! I was banded by Dr. Marsden on May 6. I too have had sticky situations. It's like you can feel every inch as it goes down. Do either of you have trouble with cold Water? Sometimes i can feel that going down too. Brigida, have you gone for your first follow up at True Results yet? I'm going in a couple weeks. Still don't know if I want a fill yet. Sometimes I can go 4-5 hours before I'm hungry and other times it's 2 hours. Lilmis, I read that book last summer and did it for a couple months. I lost like 12 pounds. It's really a good diet. Not as restrictive as Atkins. My problem was my cheat day got out of control and then I stopped losing weight. That can't happen anymore because of the band. The EXACT reason why I'm happy I did it!

I did call my doctor...twice. The first time (I was exactly 2 weeks post op) the nurse said to take off the strips and start applying hydrocortinsone cream. Well, that was 4 days ago and the rash hasn't gotten any better so I called the doctor again. I had to send a pic of the rash (I never thought I would text a picture of my ugly stomach...ever!) and the doctor called in a prescription for antibiotics. My nurse at school said I'm probably allergic to the strips. The pills are really big so I asked the pharmacist what I should do. He said to empty the capsules into applesauce or something. I don't like applesauce so hopefully I can find something. Thanks everyone for the comments.

I didn't have the exact same feeling, but I thought it felt like gas rising from my abdomen, along side my esophagus, and then to my upper back/shoulder. It last until about 4-5 days post op. I'm sure yours will be gone soon. Congrats!

Thanks!

I totally understand. I felt that way for about 2 days post op. Did your surgeon prescribe any anti nausea medicine? It really works. Maybe you could call your surgeon and ask him to call you in a script. It saved me many times in the first 2-3 days.