Suebob

I had my first fill yesterday. No gurgling, no pain, no soreness afterwards. Guess I was lucky. I'm only 4 weeks post-op so I was surprised I was getting one so soon. He put in 4 ccs. I'm back on liquids for a day then can try some soft foods. Wish me luck. I'm petrified to get something stuck!! I have Christmas parties Saturday and Sunday and need to stay focused on what I'm eating! Should be a challenge...

I have to admit I was surprised by the pain...for the simple fact that I never thought about it. When someone drills 5 holes in your stomach, it's going to hurt afterwards! But it just never crossed my mind until the surgery was over and there it was! It hurt pretty bad for a couple of days but every day it was better. I found that keeping a small pillow pressed to my stomach while I walked helped alot.

My doctor put it to me in a very humorous way. He said carbonation is just gas. And if gas goes in, gas has to come out. Typically it would be small burps (or big ones if you drink fast). But he said the restriction from the band would sometimes block the gas from coming back up...and there's only one other way for it to leave your body. So he boiled it down to one question. "After all this work of losing the weight do you really want to be known as the hot chick that farts?"

So how long does food stay in the pouch? I know it's different for different foods, but is there an average?

People asked me that all the time and I was so surprised! Excitement is never a word I would have used. Excited to go under the knife? Excited to have to totally undo all those bad habits? Excited to get my big behind off the couch and start exercising? Now...ask me in a year when I can fit into normal clothes I and feel healthy and well...and maybe excited will be the right word.

Susan - I think i lost 9 lbs the 1st week and have lost a little every week - some weeks just 1/2 lbs but so far have lost every week - What are you eating - are you counting calories or logging your food on fitday or sparks ---------------------------------------------------------- I don't know what fitday or sparks is. Can you fill me in?

I'm so glad to have found this thread. I was banded on November 19th and lost 13 pound the first week! But since then...nothing! It's been four weeks to the day and I've lost one additional pound! I'm so discouraged! I'm eating the right things, though I don't feel any restriction. And I have to admit I'm not exercising yet but the vast reduction in calories alone would make me think I should have lost some more by now! Is this normal?? Susan

Hi all, My question is not only quantity but timing. I was banded Monday and this coming Monday I can start mushies. How long does it take something to leave the pouch and travel to the stomach? Someone said above they can eat 2 oz per hour. Is that alot? A little? I mean from a digestion perspective. My first follow-up is Monday so I guess I could wait and ask the doc. Just wanted some feedback from the vets!

I am being banded in November by Dr Turnquest in Houston. I really liked him and his staff. Don't know if he takes BC/BS but it's worth a look. Good luck!

November 12th for me! My big fear is finding things to eat afterwards! I am a fast food junkie and don't like to cook. I fear I'll have to live on protein bars and shakes and don't even know if I'll find any I like. I guess it's time to start experimenting with different ones before the surgery. Any favorites?

I'm getting banded in November and I'm a little nervous about finding a protein shake that I like. I see Isopure is one that is liked. Do any of you others have suggestions to try?

Hi all, I'm pre-op, scheduled for November 12! All of you are so inspiring! I'm curious about what a typical day is like for you. What do you eat? I see we have lots of exercisers out there. That will be new for me. I have to get my behind off the sofa!! But aside from exercise I'm just wondering what a day of typical meals will be like when I reach my goal so thought I'd see what others are doing. A year from now I hope to join this thread as a bonefide member!

Hi all, I have been looking through these posts for a few weeks now and finally made my first dr. appointment today. I am seeing Dr Dexter Turnquest in two weeks. I would love to know if anyone out there has used him. I am curious about a few things, being a newbie. I'm seeing comments about soda. Is soda something you have to give up with the lapband? I am a die hard Diet Dr Pepper fan! Also...I'm almost afraid to ask but what is sliming? That is a horrible word that I'm sure describes an unpleasant experience!

Hungryforchange is right! We need a name! November...Thanksgiving... Thanksbandsters? Okay, that's a stretch...

Hey Dave01 -- what kind of shakes are you having? Are they pre-made or are you making them yourself?

Hi Bobbi, I'm just north of Jersey Village in the NW part of town. Susan

Oops....I clearly failed in adding my ticker. :think

Add me! I'm November 12! Woohoo Susan

Hello all... I'm scheduled for November 12! It looks like we have a trend of self-payers in November. I go in for some breath test on Monday, and on November 6th I have an EKG, chest xray and blood work, plus one more visit with the dr and a separate one with the nurse. They just like to chat one last time to see if the patient has any issues. It's all included in the cost. That's all very comforting! My dr. is Dr Turnquest, in Houston. So far I love him! Glad to see I'm not the only nervous one. I really think I'm doing the right thing but that doesn't soothe the nerves. Big question in my head is...can I change my life that quickly? Can I get my behind off the couch and into a gym? I didn't before. What will make me now? Can I take small enough bites? Stop eating when I'm full? I guess the first time the food comes back in the wrong direction I might be cured of that problem. Huh...I guess that's more than one question in my head... Glad to have you all on this journey with me! Susan Houston, Tx

Hi again, YellowRose... Have you had to have any fills or unfills with Dr Turnquest? I am curious if this is doctor specific. Do you have to have more or less with some doctors? Is it a matter of the doctor getting it right the first time.

Hi YellowRose, Just following up from a post last year. Did you end up with Dr Turnquest? If so, how was the experience? I have my first appointment with him in two weeks.

Hi Luckylady... I have an appointment with Dr Turnquest in two weeks. I just wanted to follow up from your previous post. Have you been banded yet and did he do it?

Thanks to all for your responses. Becca, I would love to join you. If you could tell me what time you're all meeting I'll be there! Betsyjane, thank you for the vocabulary lesson. I learned alot! Texgal, good luck on your surgery. I look forward to following your progress. I'll check out Dr Davis, thanks.

I'm so glad I read this. I haven't had the surgery yet and have been reading alot of posts about the trials and tribulations of fill...unfill...refill. I was getting concerned since I'll be a self-pay and it looks like you have to pay for each of these procedures! It's good to know not everyone has these issues.

Burping....sliming....I was right! That does not sound pleasant! And I have to admit...sitting by a restroom at a restaurant worries me a little. I have a picture in my head of eating with someone who doesn't know I was banded and being embarassed by a quick exit. Does this happen often in the beginning? I'm in the northwest part of Houston.