LadyHR

LauraG - I think the fills are like everything else - the docs are all a little bit different in their requirements. I had my first fill 10 days ago - I was on clear liquids for a day, full liquids for a day, mushies for a day, then back on solid food. I didn't feel any diffence until I was back on solids. My restriction is good - can eat about 3/4 cup of food then feel food for 4 hours or so. It is so easy and I love it! I hope it lasts for a while but from reading the posts, I know it won't. I didn't understand why until I read (on this board) that when we lose weight, the fat in our stomach lessens so the band loosens and we need more fill to get the restriction back. I have been fortunate as I haven't had anything get "stuck", no PBins or sliming! I hope that part lasts.

Denise, How many fills have you had since December? About how far apart have they been? I'm just got my first fill about 10 days ago and have good restriction with nothing getting stuck so far. I'm just curious how long people are typically able to go between fills? Good luck with your visit home - I bet your Dad is proud of your weight loss!

It doesn't get better when you start eating again if you eat high protein and low fat. I use chewable Benefiber - fruit flavor and they aren't too bad. I have also used Gerber strained prunes on occasion.

Hi, everyone: This site is working v e r y slow for me tonight! Faith - thanks for the info on taking vitamins and calcium at the same time. I have started separating mine. Stefanie - we appreciate your insight into the "full" feeling. I haven't had any sliming or PBing yet. Sometimes I have a little "burp" just before I feel full - I think that is my signal. Thanks to all of you that have suggested a sit of warm liquid if something gets stuck - I am definitely putting that into my memory bank in case I need it. I guess I have named my pouch - I heard myself say out loud to someone, "Well, I think Mini-tum is full". Mini-tum is my new buddy so I might as well name it! Ha - am I nuts? Holli - I like the idea of adding the New Whey liquid to water. I have been drinking them straight from the vial if I get hungry between meals. I am going to try adding them to water tomorrow - maybe it will help me get all the water in. It's a challenge.

I've been using the Benefiber chewables - they don't taste bad and I take it at same time as chewable vitamin and viative chewable calcium. Takes a while!

I'm so sorry to hear about all the "stuck" incidents - sounds very painful. I can assure you that by sharing your experiences, I am being more careful to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. Suzzzie - those diet quotes were funny. It reminded me of something I did when I arrived at my hotel tonight. There was bottled water and a package of Oreos waiting for me in the room since I am a frequent guest. Not trusting myself with those Oreos, I crushed them to fine powder and put the package in the trash. Then still not trusting myself, I went back, tore open the package and emptied the powder into three other trash cans. I will not be tempted to dig through the trash for the crumbs (I don't think!)

Hi, everyone: Glad to report some restriction since my fill - I seem to be able to eat only about 3/4 cup and not as much hunger in-between meals. I know from reading other posts that this may not last but I am pleased for now. IndioGirl - What a rough time you have had. I hope it gets better and I'm sure now that you are home it will. I found walking (about 5 minutes every hour or two) helped those gas pains which traveled all over my upper body. Hope everyone has a great week - I'm on the road with work from Monday-Friday this week and it is a great challenge to eat the right things. If anyone has any tips or advice for traveling, let me know!

nvalicia - I'm so sorry to here about your experience. I think this is everyone's fear. Let us know what they decide and congrats on your success up 'til now.

Hi, everyone, I enjoy reading all your posts. I got my first fill today. I was expecting "no big deal" based on your experiences but I have to say that mine hurt. I told DH it was more like a rabies shot than a mosquito bite! Then the barium wouldn't go down and I fought like crazy to keep it down. Finally they let me sit up and it went through. The moral of this story is for me never to lie down after eating! Anyway, I got 5.5cc in my large AP Band. I sure hope I feel some restriction. I admit I am impatient to get this show on the road!!

A trip sounds great - San Antonio is always a great destination!

Green, A couple of years ago, my DH and I converted our king bed to an electronic one. We opted for individual controls so each side can be raised or lowered. It's been great for my back as I can raise my legs as well. When I was banded, they found a hiatal hernia that I didn't even know I had. I had no symptoms of reflux - maybe because I sleep with the head raised (I don't know)? Anyway, we love our electonic controls - the only downside is that because it is two twin mattresses pushed together, it's harder to "spoon" especially if one of us has our side raised higher than the other. But after 36 years of wedded bliss, we've found ways to accommodate and get a better night's rest. Just a suggestion that worked for me - good luck to you!

Hi, everyone: Cbm - I would die if I had to wait 10 weeks for a fill. I'm 3 weeks post-op now and most of the time "starving". I'm trying to stop eating at 1/2 cup but it isn't working! Every once in a while I will feel full after 1/2 cup but not usually. Then I'm ravenous way before the 4 hours are up. I know we are supposed to be practicing but when you have "huge hunger" it's not fun. Anyone else have this experience pre-fill? Thankfully, I'm getting a fill on the 19th - can't wait! Also, traveling during the work week has been a challenge to pre-plan my food. So far, I'm sticking to less than 1000 calories a day and getting 65g protein. I miss my carbs! Hope you all have a great week!

Hi, everyone: I love reading all the posts - it's my new relaxation tool! I'm back on solid food now but cannot just eat 1/2 cup of food three times a day - I'm starving and my thoughts turn to the "no-no" foods. So I'm having something mid-morning, and mid-afternoon to get me through - like a smoothie with added protein or one of the liquid protein vials I have bought, or can of Slim-Fast. It really helps. I have an appointment for my first fill next Thursday and cannot wait. Count me in the group that does not really enjoy exercising. My DH is being so supportive. Last week we decided we didn't need two guest bedrooms so we sold all the furniture in one and while I am on the road this week he is going to convert it to an exercise room for me - stationary bike, elliptical and home gym as well as a big flat screen HD TV mounted on the wall to entertain me. I guess I will really have to use it now!!! So wish me luck. Have a great week...

Ms Jen, I'm back on solid food now but your recipe for chicken broth sounds yummy - I think I will make some. I like the idea of flavoring veggies with it. Thanks for sharing! Good luck to you IndioGirl. This process has never been "easy" for me but well worth everything we go through to get to the end result.

Suzzzie, Carraba's is one of my favorite places. Next time try their grilled trout with grilled veggies. It is soooooo good!

Karey - Thanks for the Diet Power recommendation. I set it up this afternoon and think I will really enjoy using this site. Green - I am not looking forward to aging quickly!! Did you lose a lot of weight quickly or is this something that will happen to all of us? Share more info, please!

Hi, everyone: I really love this site and learn so much! I am watching Big Medicine right now - I had never heard of it but so many of you posted about it, I decided to find it. Very informative (and a little gross). Thanks to the poster who told about the Diet Power website to track what we eat. I got that set up this afternoon and think I will love using this site. Pippz and Stefanie - thanks for warning us with relaying your experiences. It certainly makes us want to avoid those events at all costs! Happy July 4th - this is our first "Independence Day" from over-eating!

Hi, everyone, So good to hear everyone is doing pretty well. I'm 8 days post op and I have advanced to full liquids and can add creamy soups, thin mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, smoothies, and hot cereals. My appetite is only now coming back and fortunately, not with a vengence! I use the Designer Whey protein powder which has 19g protein per scoop. For my clear liquid days, I used the Isopure drinks, 20g. I travel with my job and have bought the New Whey liquid protein vials which have 42g protein per 2.1 container. It's a little like drinking melted jello but is handy just to throw in my purse. (I think I'll take Faith's advice and split it into two sessions). I got all these products at The Vitamin Shoppe. A co-worker told me today to order the Profect liquid protein vials - he says they are available online at Protica.com and that they taste better. Anyone tried these? I went to the movie today (Live Free or Die Hard) with DH and made it through without coke and popcorn. I drank a whole bottle of water and a New Whey vial during the movie and was fine. I love popcorn so this was a big positive for me! I am making my first out of town business trip on Monday so wish me luck - I think I will make it fine. It's a 5 hour car trip so I will just have to pack my things in bags that weigh less than 5# so I don't over-lift. I just bought a second Magic Bullet for my travel bag! Well wishes go out to all the June Banders - you really have make my journey more fun...

Kimberly, I had those twinges or a very tight feeling in my chest. I thought it was just the "gas" moving around. It lasted two days and today has been pretty much free of any pain (I was banded 6/22). But if it continues and you are concerned, please call your doctor's office.

LadyHR on the 22nd. I counted 113 entries - wow! Thanks for updating for us.

bcat and FarmerE: So glad to hear that you are home and doing well. BigSexy: My advice is to expect discomfort for a few days and then if it is not as bad as you expected, then you will feel fortunate. If it is, then you will know it's the norm. I'm four days out and really starting to feel back to normal. I've used the down time to email and talk by phone to friends and relatives - I'm usually in such a hurry but this gives you the perfect excuse to take the time. Best wishes! If someone is putting that "fill" calendar together, I got my date today. It's July 19, 4 weeks after my band date.

Green, I have chosen HRT because I have night sweats, insomnia and serious mood swings if I don't and with my current, very stressful job, those things are not a good mix! I told myself I would only take them for five years and I'm in year four now. I don't have any family history of breast cancer or heart disease so for now I think this is the right choice for me. However I always have the risk factors in the back of my mind. Congrats on your weight loss success! I, too, am curious if HRT seems to have inhibited anyone's weight loss. I haven't read anything about it - anyone?

Congrats Bigsiqc! It only gets better. FarmeE and Marga - let us know how you are doing when you are up to it.

Hi, everyone: I'm 4 days post-op now and doing well. The gas pressure has just about gone away and I can raise myself from a prone position without much discomfiture now. I am noticing that my energy level is not back to normal so I take frequent breaks. I was off work through yesterday, back "on the clock" today but able to work from home through tomorrow. I think by Thursday I'll be fine to go to my office. It is so interesting to read the different approaches doctors take. I take HRT but was not told to stop them before surgery. They did give me a shot in the tummy which I was told was a blood thinner so maybe that compensates. I didn't have to go through all the tests many of you do. I went to a seminar, had a consultation with the doctor, had a chest x-ray, blood work and EKG. I did a two week pre-op diet (high protein, low carb). It was all done in one months time! It may have something to do with being self-pay but I'm glad it's already done. Good luck to those of you about to undergo banding!

Hi, everyone: I've posted some on the June 2007 Bandsters forum but since I am 56, I think this location will be helpful to me also. I had my surgery June 22 (two days ago) by Dr. Marsden in Hurst, TX. It was great that three of the surgical team have been banded and were willing to share their experiences - helped my husband a lot to talk with them. I'm doing very well and move around frequently. I can do almost anything comfortably except pick up something off the floor - the port site pulls a lot! The pressure feeling (gas) is very annoying but walking and heat does seem to help. I'm very encouraged at this point and don't feel my age was a deterrent in any way for this surgery. Looking forward to reading your posts.... Marlena