Weeviegurl

Hahaha! I'm too new to the game, and I have a love/hate relationship with my band...it's a touchy lil bastard! I'm 2 months out. As a problem child from the word "Jump," (because my body swells more than most); I have been dubbed "a weenie" by my NP who does my fills at my surgeons office (all-in-fun of course! ) After my surgery, I couldn't keep liquids down from the swelling and was hospitalized for dehydration. I had my first fill of 4.5cc six weeks out...rrr...uhhh...wait! I didn't even make it out of the office, as the first dixie cup of Water didn't stay down. So, 1.5cc backed out; I went home and was good to go. My second fill was 2 weeks later...adding back 1.5cc while being told by my NP that "We may have to sneak up on it." She wanted me to come back the next week for a possible small fill. Needless to say, I had to cancel that appt. for this Tuesday as I am just starting to be OK with solid foods, while paying extra special attention to eating small bites; chewing really well, and waiting 1 minute between bites. I feel that I may already be knocking on the green zone door. The love part comes in because it IS doing it's job! I am steadily losing inches and pounds. I will be thinking of a good name in good time!

I would say that it may not be healthy that your friend feels as though your friendship only surrounds drinking. You can still have fun with our drinking, I have most of my life. There may be some that do not support your life changing decision... but it's your life and your decision. I luckily have been supported by everyone I've told. Good luck DanaKat!

That's where mine is. I have four total. Two to the right and left side of my upper belly, and one larger incision just above my belly button with a small incision just above my port to left of my belly button. I'm almost 2 months out and they are healing beautifully.

Yes, prep shakes can usually be made with skim or 1% milk. I started using Fair life which has higher protein and calcium and lower fat than regular milk...and it is lactose free. It's so good!

I would suggest eating high protein/ low carb things right before bed. Greek yogurt usually was good at tiding me over at night. Or string cheese. These foods help me level out my blood sugars when I stay up late during the weekends.

Please stay with it. We all trip up here and there. These are things that I bet all of us have struggled with. One mis - step is not going to make or break the whole deal. Pick yourself up and try again. Don't give up, you can do this! I believe in you! Your doc will not rip up your paperwork for a slip. You're human, just let you doc know and you will be fine.

Wow, I had a feeling! I just went in for my 2nd fill yesterday. They filled me up 1.5 cc which is what they unfilled during my first fill appt. It is day two. Very tight...doing liquids, took me 24 hours to get through a 20 oz. Muscle milk. I'll see how it goes tomorrow. May or may not need this unfilled. Junebug36- so glad you feel better.

Wow, I had a feeling! I just went in for my 2nd fill yesterday. They filled me up 1.5 cc which is what they unfilled during my first fill appt. It is day two. Very tight...doing liquids, took me 24 hours to get through a 20 oz. Muscle milk. I'll see how it goes tomorrow. May or may not need this unfilled. Junebug36- so glad you feel better.

Wow, Nolansnana! I haven't heard of that. Mine is just to the left of my belly button...about 2" over.

Welcome! I had a lot of the same motivations for taking this step. I thought for a long time I could do this on my own. But, in reality, my body was fighting back. I needed the help and am happy for the choice I made. I wish you a successful journey!

Good, I'm glad you're doing better...and I know just how you feel.

I am only 1 1/2 months out from surgery, but day 1 I could feel the port. I agree, the marble analogy is spot on. It is not an obnoxious lump you can see, but you can feel it. I also agree that no one will notice but you. It is worth having a small lump for the rewards the lap band will provide.

I was in your shoes nor so long ago. Congrats! Your day will be coming soon....Hang in there

Hey Junebug. Have called your surgeons office about this? Mine told me that if by the 2nd or third day, if the was problems getting back to solids.. you should go in for an unfill. You should be able to get down mushies at the least. I'm kind of worried about you. Also, it could be a possibility that you did too much early on after the fill and you stoma is irrirated. Then I would stick with liquids for a few days for swelling to go down. I would still call your Dr.

Hi bulawookie! Well, I was a problem child from the start. I was fine the day of surgery and for first 3 hours of liquids on the first day home. But then could mot keep any liquids down. My body swelled up so much that I was hospitalized for dehydration. I have a 10 cc band. My first fill was 4.5cc. But whole in the waiting room...could not keep the first Dixie cup of water down...was just like before. Had to go back in ( I hadn't left the office yet) and ask for an unfill.

You should be able to eat a meal of about 1/2-3/4 cup within 20-30 minutes. It's very difficult. But if you're having to stop and wait...that may be your stopping point. Remember...you don't have to eat your entire meal (that is what a lot of us are having to relearn). If you haven't finished and keep eating till your meal is finished...you are leading into grazing, which can cause stalls. I believe if you're feeling full, that is your Band talking. Listen to your body and learn your soft and gard stops. As this is new to me, I think I have found them. My soft stop is when I take a deep breath. I listen, because often times one more bite could be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Just wanted to see if there were any June banders scheduled. I am scheduled for June 3rd, my Doc only requires 2 day liquid diet, but eating clean 2 weeks prior. I'm so excited, but would love to have some people on the healing track to follow up with.

Yeah, it feels like a big bubble in your esophagus! That's how I felt sipping 1 oz of water the day after surgery when I couldn't keep down liquids. I was fine 2 days after the fill...but the swelling is catching up. I need to listen to my band and just lay off solids for a few days. At least we know how our bands react to a fill, and can have a food regimen for the first few days. Keep in touch and let me know how you're doing!

I know, Junebug! I struggled a bit yesterday...and going back to mushies and shakes for a couple of days too. I'm having to really pay attention to chewing already. Hang in there, we'll get this!

Hey Junebug! I am doing well. Was eating just fine the next day, and still able to eat a decent amount, but feeling more restriction than before. You're right, I will most likely require less fills to reach my green zone. My PA told me to remember this, warm/hot food and drink relaxes the band and cold tightens it up...makes sense. But, take that into consideration if you're having problems getting stuff down. A lot of people are tighter first thing in the morning, so try to drink tea or coffee first thing to loosen up. She also said that women tend to swell more during that time of month. Just listen to your band and your body, and make sure if you get call your Dr if anything worries you. During my fill, I stupidly sat there and wavered whether I should go back and have the unfill...I don't need this to be a race. Our health is most important. It shouldn't have even been a question, once I was feeling uncomfortable. Take care of yourself, Junebug! Hang in there!

Yay, Junebug! I'm glad you're doing well and your first fill went well. I had my first fill today as well, 4.5cc's......then had to unfill before I left the office. No down to 3cc's. Its all good! :-) Keep up the good work!

I kept telling myself that, "I can do this on my own." and ”I'm not afraid of hard work, because I've done it before." I finally came to terms with the fact that I needed help. I struggled with major plateaus for 6 months at-a-time, while practically killing myself working out 1-2 hrs/6 days-a-week while eating clean and giving up cheat days. I realized my body was fighting back, and this may be my only chance to see results and maintain the results without giving up everything, time, money, sanity for mediocre results. Some of the issue was cost/insurance, and some hesitation was because I know a few people that have either had major complications, or have regained. I was just tired of the yo-yo dieting, and knew that it is not healthy. I know how good I feel when I am eating healthy and being active, and I was starting to notice I was feeling worse and worse. I want to be here to watch my son grow up and be involved in his life instead on "watching" him grow up, because I am unable to keep up with him. I want to have a more healthy relationship with my husband in the bedroom; poor guy has suffered considerably because of my lack of drive, self esteem. I have also considered (every time that I have been at a healthier weight and active) that I want to be a fitness instructor, ZUMBA to be exact. I really want to pursue that possibility. I have missed out on much of my life because of my weight, and I want to LIVE!!!!

Yay! Just start getting your list of stuff together that you're going to need post surgery. I filled a medium sized plastic tub with all the necessities, like colace, gauze and tape, my blood pressure monitor, chap stick, Dixie cups, thermometer, gas X strips, my pen and journal to write down how I'm feeling and you experience. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't sitting all day to recover...got up every hour and walked around the house. Keep moving. Keep comfy pillows close and you may need to sleep in a recliner for the first several days. I'm only a bit over 3 weeks out, but doing great. Get to start solids next Tuesday! You'll be fine. Keep checking in with us so we know how you're doing. Congratulations!

Today is my surgery and I am super excited to begin my journey of Lap Band Living! I am all packed up and ready to go. Weighed in at 304 lbs. this morning after my 2 days of Clear liquids. Have all my necessities ready for me when I get home. I've got my timer next to my recliner for my walking every couple hours, and sipping on my liquids every 15 minutes. Let's DO this!

You will have to discuss this with your surgeon. When I had my EGD pre-op to rule our Barrets Disease from Acid Reflux, they did find a small hiatal hernia (I'm not sure if a hiatal hernia is the same as or similar to a ventral hernia). As I have seen that many Dr's repair this at time of lap band surgery, mine did not and also said that the reason why, is they usually come back anyway. Every surgeon is going to be different. Since you have had numerous issues, I would sit down and discuss that with them at your initial consult. It is my understanding that the land band can still be done, though. Good luck to you, and I wish you success!