AlisonL

I would like to thank you all for the kind comments! I am happy that I could be an inspiration to some of you. I am trying to get before and after pictures bit I am not sure how to shrink them down to the correct size. My Dr. is going to put me on his web site. I would like to wish you all much success with your weight loss, it is such an exciting time!!!

Congrats on your surgery! I was somewhat restricted before my first fill, I could eat more than I can now but I did have some restriction.

Thank you very much!!

I have a very hard time with chicken, it seems to always get stuck. I eat cheese to get in my protein

Don't get discouraged! My doctor said I should hope to loose 6 - 10 pounds a month. When your eating making sure you eat very slow, this allows your mind and stomach to relaize that it is not hungry. The hardest thing for me was to learn that i didn't have to feel full, just not hungry...there is a big difference. Once you get an adjustment you will also drop weight quicker...Set small goals for yourself. I started at 282 I was looking so forward to less than 2 1/2 (250). Once I hit that I started thinking how exciting the 10 pound increments were. It will come off, don't get discouraged!

Thank you all very much! It was so nice to see responses so quickly. I have no doubt a year from now you all will have your "brag" stories to tell, I look forward to reading them.

Has anyone experienced pain in the middle of your back and in your shoulder blades? I have been having quite a bit of heart burn and now this...any ideas??

I used to drink 2 liters, at least, of Diet Pepsi daily. My surgery was July 27th and I have not had a diet Pepsi since....I was told it could stretch the band so why would anyone risk it? If you made the commitment to have the band, you need to do everything you can to succeed....just my opinion

+Drinking before does not affect me, drinking in less than 30 minutes after I eat will cause me to vomit. It is a hrad habit to break. When we go out to dinner I do not order a drink, it would be a waste.

Thank you for the advice

Thank you all very much for replying, this is the first time I got a response. I had my surgery 10 1/2 months ago and have lost 92 pounds. I called my doctor and I am going to see him this week. The hardest thing is that I keep losing weight at such a study pace I would hate to slow it down, but I would hate a complication and possible removal even more. I really do appreciate the advice, thank you all so much!

Dr. Carson Liu, O Band surgery Dr. LaPort in Fountain Valley

I had my surgery on July 27th. Have I ever had food stick?....yes Was it uncomfortable?...yes Did I do it again?.....unfortunatley yes Have I learned over time what to eat and what to avoid?....yes It is also very uncomfortable to be over weight! Would I do it again?..... In a heart beat!!! I can now cross my legs when I sit, bend over and tie my shoe, run around with my kids at the park, shop at non plus size stores, eat a small portion and feel totally satisfied, stop eating even if there is still food on my plate.....the list goes on and on. I must say the benefits out weigh the other. Good look with what ever decision you make.

I understand what you are going through. I am a self pay. It seems like a lot of money but I must say I can not be any happier. My children were loosing out by me being over weight. I could not od the things I wanted to do. When I talked to my husband he was totally supportive. I could of had surgery in Mexicao for significantly cheaper but I am a nurse and was concerned about the potential complications and not having resources available in Mexico. When I had my surgery my doctor found a nodule on my liver and removed it, luckily it was nothing :blushing:. I would not have wanted a docotr in Mexico to cut on my liver out of fear of bleeding complications. Long story short I am about 9 months post surgery and have lost 80 pounds, I am sure I will reach 100 pounds by 1 year. I am wearing a size 14 and I feel FANTASTIC!!!!! My children and I are taking walks, camping, and doing all the things I wanted to do. Roller skating is next... Have we had to cut back a little to pay for the cost of ther surgery...yes we have. But if I had to do it all over again I would cut any corner I had to just to feel the way I do today. Good luck with whatever you do.

Thank you for the advice, I will do that. Congrats on your weight loss, you are doing phenominal!

I have been banded since July 17th 2007 and I love it! My last fill was Feb 6th and I definately notice the restriction. I have lost 25 pounds since my fill (for a total of 75 pounds). I am thrilled and so close to onederland. My concern is since the fill I can not eat many things. Salad is out of the question, no way can I eat chicken. I can not drink with a meal or I will throw up almost immediately. Part of me thinks the band is too tight but I love the weight loss....Any thoughts?

I am a nurse. After my surgery I had one of our thoracic surgeron tell me I should have just stopped eating...Well there's a thought...I decided to hit him were it hurts and told him how much I paid for the surgery, $16,000.00. I then pointed out that he chose the wrong specialty. That shut him up:smile:

Oops I forgot the detail that is the main focus of this blog. Since my fill I seem to have quite a bit of lower abdominal pain. Someone I worked iwth said it sounded like gas pains....I guess I am one of the lucky ones who have never experienced gas pains. Has anybody else experienced this?

Anti inflamatories are very hard on you stomach. With the pouch they can causes ulcers if the medication sits in the pouch. NGT's are inserted through your nose and go into your stomach. I do not think they could get one blind through the pouch.

I had my surgery on a Friday, 15 boys at my house on Sunday for a 10th birthday party and back to work on Wednesday. I am an RN. I could not lift patients for 1 month but otherwise I felt great!

I seem to be vomiting quite a bit lately. I had my surgery July 27th and have had 2 fills, the last one was 2 months ago. Lately I seem to be vomiting quite a bit. I am not sure if I am not chewing enough or what is goin on. Has anyone else had this problem?

I was banded July 27th, 2007. Mys tarting weight was 282 I am down to 256. I can not wait to get to onederland. I am happy I saw this posting. I have been telling my husband that I am not focusing on my goal weight at this time but insyead on breaking the 200 pound mark. it is very exciting for me to read how many people are doing well, congrats to all of you!:clap2:

I would call your doctor immediately!!! It is not normal to have blurred vision post any type of surgery.

Thank you very much, I appreciate you taking the time to answer this. I honestly do not now what type of band I have. My doctor said it can hold 10 - 15 cc and is a new one. I see him again in 4 weeks, I will ahve to ask him at that time. Again I appreciate you feedback, Thank you!

I was banded July 27th. I can not complain about weight loss, I am down 26 pounds not because I can not eat but I choose not to since I am paying for this. I went in for my fill 5 days ago, 3.6 cc's, I am surprised that i can eat anything. when I get full I feel it in my back by my left shoulder blade. Is that normal? Nothing seems to get stuck, I guess that is good. Any thoughts?