new2tch

Hi there, I can't believe how I relate to all of these lists. Every single on of them is true. 1. I also want my pants to be quiet and not swish with noises. 2. I want to be able to enjoy the tub and worry how to get in and out. 3. I want to walk a mile without thinking am I going to pass out. 4. I would love to run a 5k, but I don't have a clue on how to begin to do it. 5. I want to like to move around and exercise. 6. I would love to feel sexy...I don't think I ever have. I am happy with myself as a person, but I feel that I am not enjoying life as a person should, because I feel embarrassed with myself. My weight is coming off so slow, I am still working on finding the sweet spot. Thanks for being there everyone, I enjoy your posts. Cyndi

I realize everyone on this forum is different and we all react to our bands in a different way. I have an AP band (10cc) with only one fill so far. The fill did nothing for me and since I was banded in August I feel like when am I going to lose weight? What is the average fill amount for most people where the sweet spot is found? I was just wondering how long will it be to find that spot. Do doctors fill only 1cc at a time or do they put as much as they feel is adequate? How do doctors determine how much fill they place in the band any particular time? I am just curious. I had a dr's appointment today and will be having another fill in two weeks. I just feel like I am wasting valuable time. Thanks for any input you have for me. I learn a lot on this forum. Cyndi

Hi All, I will be banded on August 20th. I am looking forward to the proceedure. My doctor is Dr. Forgione in Burlington, Vermont. I am on the CIGNA health plan. (which has not been the best of support). I am married with three sons 24, 19, and 14. I graduated from college this past Dec, with a degree in elementary education. I am 47 years and will beginning my first full time teaching job the week of my surgery. How will I do it? One step at a time. I will sign my teacher's contract today and inform them of my pending surgery. Thanks for having me on board. I am sure I will be asking questions along the way. new2tch

Thank you both Annie and Patty. I will be very observant to how I eat and feel. For some crazy reason I felt more restriction before the doctor did my first fill. I have PB'd, usually on meats and breads. Now at only 1cc I eat everything and anything. I was just wondering if the doctors only add 1cc at a time or do they add more than that? My band is Inamed too at 10cc's. I am feeling impatient at the lack of weight loss and it has been about 5 months out. My next fill is like you Patty, on 1/14. I hope all goes well for the both of us. Thanks again for your support. Cyndi

Hi There, You are right, we do have to attend a support group once before surgery. I had my Lap band in in August of '07. I wish I could attend the support meetings to help with my morale, but I work 2 miles from the Canadian border and it takes me an 1hr and 1/2 to get to Burlington as it is. It is hard to leave work all of the time. I am not loosing weight and I have had one fill so far. I see Dr. Forgione on 1/2 and I wish he could give me another fill then, but I know it is just to talk. Be careful with CIGNA. I have them and they are hard to get to pay for the bills. For some reason they are not covering my fills, they would not cover the initial psych eval, or the heart monitor check (to get an idea of your heart rate at the pre-op). I have CIGNA through my husband's work. Other than that, I am very pleased with my experience with Dr. Forgione, the procedure and everything else. I just wish I would start losing. (People who know I have had the operation look at me like why isn't she loosing yet?) Cyndi

Hello, I am not sure but something odd is going on with me. I was banded 8/20/07 and had my first fill 11/30/07. Never felt any restriction at all, so I was planning to ask for another fill when I go to my 1/2/08 visit. Yesterday, I lost my appetite, and only had 3oz of yogurt, and I tried to have beef with my family at dinner. I had three bites tops. Today I am only able to handle 4oz of coffee and 3/4 cup of chicken broth. I thought maybe I am sick? I tend to pb after I eat or drink. Last night I tried to vomit thinking I am sick. After reading these post I wonder if I am dehydrated? Could it be possible that my band is starting its restriction now? If so, why would it take almost a month after the fill? I am curious to see how the rest of this week will go. Thanks for any input during this busy Holiday Season. Cyndi

I was banded August 10, 2007. Friday, November 30 was my first fill. I have a total of 1cc in my band. My weight is coming off extremely slow. Today I can have mushy foods. My doctor also said he would rather have me eat healthy Protein than to drink it, for the same reason you said. It made sense to me too. Cyndi

GraceUtah, Just out of curiosity, when were you banded? I was 8/20/07 and I have only lost a few pounds. I am hoping to get a fill soon. Cyndi

Well it is like this...I get a hurt feeling behind my sternum and I know I cannot take another bite or sip. I don't vomit, but sometimes I keep burping repeatedly and I spit up phlem. It's not a fun process, but I do not regret having the band. I am still learning about developing better eating habits such as taking small bites, eating slow, don't rush into my food unconciously, and cut up my food into small pieces. It is a learning process for me. Remember everyone is different. Cyndi

Hi All, Last night my husband cooked a wonderful steak. From previous experiences I remembered to cut the meat tini-tiny and chew well. I still could not handle it. I was so disappointed. I don't know why there is a problem. Chicken/turkey is the same way, unless is covered in some kind of gravy. (Which defeats the purpose) Pork chops have to be very moist as well. It is weird. Some breads I have no issue with, some I do. My doctor said I needed to eat salads, but I have been afraid to try. But as everyone says: We are all different. Cyndi

Hi There, Yes, the doc is very conservative. The best advice I can give you is to follow his directions. I am 2 months out and I am losing weight very slowly because I have not had a fill yet. I healed well with no problems. I go back the week of Thanksgiving and hopefully I will get a fill then. good luck to you and you will be fine. Just follow his advice and take it easy with the food. Cyndi

Good Luck to you Newbeginnings! I saw Dr. F this past Tues for my post op check up. I am now 7 weeks post op. He did not give me a fill, saying things are going well since I am not hungry. By the way I had a small hernia too, but I don't remember what size it was. I wonder why he feels the gastric by pass would be a better choice? I would ask for a reason and weight the pro's and con's about the two procedures. I really can't complain...except the Nurse Practitioner DW is not very sympathetic to large people. Let us know how you make out at your next visit. Cyndi

Hi All, I was banded 9/20 and it is odd that I now have the painful burps, discomfort in the chest and I get funny noises that come from my throat. I feel the noises rising from my throat and it is embarassing. I healed well and been eating well, it has just been the last 4-5 days that I began to have these experiences. Odd? Cyndi

I am glad I read your thread Wendell. I have not had my first fill yet and I was discourage. I would gain 3-4 pounds, lose 3-4 pounds. People who knew I had the surgery would ask, "how is it going?" because they could see I am not loosing any weight. I was hoping to go from a size 22 to 18 by the winter holidays. Thanks for the reassurance. Cyndi

Hi, I had my lapband with Dr. Forgione on August 20th. Starting weight in March 240, now 222lbs. I saw him last week and I am concerned because I feel like I can eat too much. I am hoping he will give me a fill at the next visit. Have you been having fills all along? Are you happy with your results? Let me know what you think. I have not started an excerise regimen though. I do not seem to have any problems (which is good) as long as I chew well. Michelle, my wishful thinking goal is 145 too! Cyndi

Alexandra, That is good to know. I had my two week post-op check up today. I mentioned that I do not feel real restricted. My dr. stressed to eat slow and he said the band will slow down the flow process to signal fullness. He said not to be afraid to try foods as long as I eat slow and chew well. So do you think as I continue to heal I will feel more restriction as time goes on? I hope so, I can now eat a good 1 and 1/2 cups of food with no problem. Also how much time do you recommend should pass between bites of food? I was just wondering. Cyndi

Hi again! I believe I read about the sippy cup thing on this site. It prevents me from gulping down the water like I want to and forces me to take small amounts. Today I had to take with me to church, because prior to that I felt light headed again. So far, having my sippy has been OK. Have a good first day of school. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Cyndi

Thanks Jennigan, I never made the connection of dehydration and light headedness. I should have though. I start school this week and I wonder how I am going to keep sipping from a sippy cup in front of the students too. From what I was told drinking water is a full time job. Cyndi

Hi, I was drinking milk and dairy products for my pre-op diet. All of a sudden I was having cramping and all of the lovely things that go with it. I was told by my NP I was taking in too much "whey" for my body to handle. So, since I had so much whey protien at home I switched the milk for lactose free milk. It seems to work fine. I stopped the sick feeling. If it had continued I would have switched to the lactose free milk and soy protien. I have had thrush before which was caused by antibiotics. Good Luck! Cyndi

Hi There, I am at day 5 post-op. Yes, my incisions are itching. I try not to touch them so the steri-strips don't come off. The clear liquids were not too bad to deal with. Today I started full liquids for the next ten days. I have been out of the house since my third day out. I jsut went grocery shopping with my 14 yr old son so he could do the lifting. I am glad to get out and move around. However, when my body says it's nap time...nap time it is. I feel it coming on now! I am glad it was mention about the light headedness. I thought it was just me. It doesn't happen all of the time, but it happens. 2 questions: Does anyone have a hard time getting water/liquids in? I mean not feeling like drinking? And do you burp after your liquids/intake? Thanks, Cyndi

The day of the surgery is hazy. Today is day three, I can move better today. I have very little gas pain. Follow the advice here and you will be fine. Tomorrow I will go to inservice so I will not be working hard. I will sip camomile tea and take gas x as needed. I have had three C-sections, but the pain was lower and my upper body was not as restricted as I am now. However, that said I can tell every day is so much better. Relax, don't push your body. Listen to what it tells you. Cyndi

I lost four pounds during my pre-op diet. I had my surgery on Monday the 20th and hopped on the scale at the hospital and I gained it all back. Tell me it must be from all the fluids they pumped into me. I even had a difficult time putting my socks and sneakers on yesterday. Cyndi

I am going in as well tomorrow. I know things will go well. It has been great reading all of the information here. It's nice to know what to expect or at least be aware of. Good Luck IFM !!I will see all of you in band land! new2tch

Barb, Thanks so much for the info. As you were describing the effort it takes to manuver around the hospital I was visioning myself going through it. You know that is a good idea to go to the mall while were there. I too live an hour away, so I try to do what I can while I am there. There used to be a Dress Barn and Clays in the "Blue Mall" across the street. You may find nice petite clothes there. I am 5'3" so I understand the pants problem. I am a Title I reading teacher. I have a group of 2nd graders and a group of 4,5, and 6 graders who read at 2nd grade. I do not know what I am doing in the afternoon as of yet. Maybe co-teaching or tutoring. I am looking forward to teaching as well. Again thanks for chatting with me. Cyndi

Thanks Barb, It is cool to know someone with the same doctor. So far things are going well. I am on the liquid diet this week in preperation for Monday. I am in northern VT. Do you have far to travel to Burlington? I was wondering if I have to take time off from school to have check-ups and fills. Since it is a new teaching job, I hate to be inconvenient to the staff. Thanks again to everyone who post their words of wisdom. Cyndi