Mary-2b150

I heard a similar story from another doctor involving white castle hamburgers.. I was confused by it because I had only heard it that one time - I thought maybe he was joking or trying to scare his patients, so I dismissed it. Interesting to see someone else has heard the same thing - very confusing.

I'm newly banded so I don't have much experience still, but I have read people talking about an adjustment not "kicking in" until a week or two later. Perhaps it's too much restriction? I hope everything is okay, let us know what you find out from your doctor - goodluck with everything!

I lost almost 100 pounds on atkins (93 or so pounds - I voted '100").. I decided to really buckle down that time and devote a whole year of my life to nothing but weight loss.. Worked my arse off, exercised every day, and went from 270 to 177.. I probably would have lost more but I got "greedy" and started to starve myself to lose weight faster (my wedding was coming up)... suffice it to say, I fell off the wagon and gained a lot back.. not all of it thank goodness! Even though I'm not on atkins anymore and never could seem to get fully back on, it did teach me a lot of new healthy eating habits, like choosing high Protein meals before eating sweets.. and even though I went "off" I never went back to mcdonalds or french fries, pizza, or things like that... and I never went back to soda either... Don't ask me how I gained 45 pounds back, I have no idea!! Sorry if I was rambling there lol. Thank goodness for getting the lap band - i was at my wits end trying to lose weight, this has got to work!!

What kind of foods are you eating? Are they higher in fiber than usual? Any sugar alcohols in your food? (sugar alcohol does some crazy stuff to your digestive tract!)

I haven't given up the milk products actually! The list of foods my nutritionist gave me to eat for the next two weeks is kind of limited, and most of the food items have milk in one form or another on there (cottage cheese, cheese, Protein drinks, etc)! The gas doesn't bother me when I'm home and can burp as much as I want (sorry if that's tmi lol), but when I'm at work, and sitting up at my computer desk, it sucks! What do you normally eat for lunch/dinner? I've heard some people complain that products with whey in them (like the carnation protein drinks) can also cause digestive problems for them. Everybody's different in what they can tolerate. I'm not lactose intolerant, but even before the surgery I knew that milk products sometimes gave me problems. I hope your pain goes away!

I've flown from LAX to orlando, the flight was about 5 hours or so, I think. Some things that might make it easier... Your first choice is to check in online before the flight and look at the seating chart.. You want to find a row of seats where one person is already sitting in the aisle OR window, and then take the aisle/window seat available in that row... people are less likely to sit in the middle between strangers if they have a choice, that way you can have an extra seat in between you and a stranger. Second choice - EXIT row!! much spacier! Some airlines are charging a small surcharge fee for this row now (like 20 bucks), but not all. Some airlines you can choose this row on-line, other airlines you have to request it at the airport. Third choice - might not be feasible, but one time I was flying somewhere and I bought an extra ticket and had this imaginary person check-in and seated next to me on the plane so I could have more space. (the ticket was only 90$ extra so it was worth it) For the plane ride home - I can't help you there as I didn't have to face that problem, but I would suggest taking the medication they prescribe you (i'm assuming they give you some - but not sure). I had tylenol with codeine after the surgery, and I think I could have slept through anything after taking a swig of that! I know how you feel about the plane ride- but don't worry! You'll get through this and it will all be worth it!! Goodluck!

Congrats on entering bandland! The first day of surgery, the gas pains hurt more when walking than when I was sitting or laying down (it also caused some nausea and the hiccups!), but by the next day I was able to walk around without discomfort.. and then the more I walkedd the better I felt! I also noticed the same pain you described when i'd get up out of a recliner. I was okay standing/walking or sitting.. but getting up out of chairs - ouch!! Anything that uses the ab muscles really hurt. It will get easier everyday though!

I had my surgery on august 20th and am experiencing the same feeling. I figured, for myself at least, it was because of all the milk & milk products I was consuming that weren't agreeing with my digestive tract, but it could be something else. I did wonder in the back of my mind if there was any gas from the surgery left. I'll be curious to see if anyone else has any experience with this.

I was told not to chew gum for at least a month out. I'm guessing because of the chance of accidentally swallowing it, but maybe there's another reason. I actually had a dream a few nights ago I was chewing gum and swallowed it and it screwed up the band. And I don't even chew gum!

I might be interested! I'm in the kalamazoo area, so GR is about an hour from me as well

I'm still on the "mushy" stage, but I can tell you that I notice the same type of soreness you're describing when I start to feel full. I take it as a signal that I'm full or almost full - it's kind of helpful in a strange way! It doesn't last long, but I'm assuming that's because i'm on mushies and they go through my stoma quicker. I'm guessing that because you're on solids it stays there longer making you fuller longer. I'm also guessing that the sensation will leave once we are fully healed!

Every doc is different as to how long it takes to get back to their patients. You could try posting in the Oregon subforum here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f58/ asking if anyone else has used that doctor, that way you can get more specific responses I'm not positive, so don't quote me, but I think 90% coverage would leave about 1,800 to 2,000 out of pocket expenses or so (like I said - don't quote me on that one!). Goodluck with everything!

That seems like such a strange thing for the psychologist to say... aren't we all yo-yo dieters to some degree? Isn't that why we're here? WOuld it be better if you never tried to lose weight (and therefore didn't yo-yo?).. Doctors can be strange... I wouldn't pay much attention to that - if you know you're going to do well then you WILL do well!

I think having second thoughts is totally normal!! If you've come this far then your rational side probably knows that this is the right thing to do, don't let fear cloud your judgement! When I'd get nervous before the surgery I'd come on this forum and read through the threads and see how almost everyone said that they never regretted things for a second... Looking at the before & after pic thread also made me feel better about proceeding.. For me, I knew If I was 27 and never able to lose weight on my own - then some day I was going to be 55 and never able to lose weight.. I was sick of failing!! Goodluck with everything and if this is really what you want, then don't let the little devil on your shoulder do any of the talking.. take care!! :clap2:

I've known a few people who chewed on food, but spit it out instead of swallowing it, and they said that it calmed their temptation to eat something solid. Doesn't work for everyone (like me...) but I thought I'd mention it as a suggestion

I know the feeling... When I am out of routine it is so hard to get with the exercising! I find if I start out really slowly with the exercise I'm more likely to start. I tell myself "I'll just go on the treadmill for 10 minutes, at any speed.. that's it".. I find if I do that, I can get on the treadmill.. and I always go LONGER than 10 minutes... But it makes it easier to get on the treadmill in the first place- does that make sense? Start out doing anything - five minutes, ten minutes.. whatever gets you moving! I always tell myself "the hardest part is putting on my exercise shoes" - in that the decision to exercise is always harder than the task itself! If you can do just a little and work your way up, exercise isn't as scary. Goodluck!! Now I need to go follow my own advice :whoo:

I think "Mushies" are more liquid in nature and therefore doesn't take as much for your stomach to break it down. Did your doctor/nutritionist give you a list of acceptable foods or did they just say to eat "mushies"?

I found this thread helpful. The terms "PB" and "sliming" are the most common lingo, I think! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f73/abbreviations-what-they-mean-7959/

It's exciting isn't it!! Congrats on your future banding!

Congrats on your future banding! :girl_hug: Check out this sub-forum to see who else is getting banded in September. Goodluck with everything! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f97/

I've actually been wondering the same thing! I'm only one week out but I'm feeling the same thing, I'll be curious to see if it goes away or not!

Congrats on your decision and your surgery! You won't regret it!

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I think it's a great idea sharing your story so that newcomers can get an idea what the day of the surgery is like. I've written my experience in a journal but haven't put it online anywhere yet. Congratulations on your surgery!

I wish I could be one of those people posting that I went to work a few days later! But my abdomen was really sore and I was groggy for quite a while. The gas pains left after four days. I was thankful for a full week of rest and only really felt back to myself about 6 days after surgery. Goodluck I wish you a speedy recovery!

I would definitely stay away from the pepsi, the carbonation in any soft drink can stretch out your stomach poucn, or so I've heard. I think usually doctors will have their patients go from liquids to mushie soft foods, and then to solids. I have read that it is normal to feel a lot of hunger before your first fill, since you essentially have no restriction around your stomach, and that most people can eat all types of food before their first fill. I'm only six days out so I'm sure someone more experienced will better be able to answer your questions!