readhdgal

I had surgery on 2/17/14. Besides a lap band, I also had a "huge" hiatal hernia repair. Before I left the hospital, I had a barium swallow and it turned out that my band was too tight. It still had water/fluid in it and so I had my first unfill. For several weeks, I was liquids only and when I did eat something, it would be a shot in the dark whether it would stay down. I had a lot of PBs and stuck feelings.. But as time went on, I could eat some things if I ate them very slowly and carefully (think chicken salad) or mushy or mushable types of food. Last week, I went in because at this point, my seat belt hurt near my breastbone. The surgeon took about more Fluid. The good news was that I had lost 30 pounds. (Which didn't surprise me because I weighed myself every morning and it would be down a pound.) So far, I've had two unfills. In the week that I've had the last unfill, I've been able to eat a little more and without throwing up. (Although I know part of my problem is that I need to eat even more slowly that I thought so I've had a little push back from the food during this time too.) I even ate a salad last night which was wonderful. I had been afraid to eat something like that since the surgery. No surprise, though, my weight crept up by a pound or two. Before I had the last unfill, I had been scheduled to see the surgeon in one month. Tomorrow is my appointment and I suspect that I'll have my first official fill. Which I can't wait for! Sickening, isn't it? I've enjoyed the week with significantly less restrictions but I also miss checking my weight and seeing the pounds fly off. I'm hoping that my fill will be a compromise between the two: enough restriction to make the weight come off but not so much restriction that I can't stand wearing my seat belt. Honestly, I don't mind drinking liquids and eating mushy/mushables if it means losing weight. In some ways, I'd rather not have the many, many choices. Is this normal?

Mama Angela, it sounds like you are doing really well. You're exercising regularly which is something that I need to do. (I have insomnia and then I start a bad sleep cycle which makes me useless except during the work hours. But it's an excuse -- I can and should do more exercising.) I religiously write down stuff in my My Fitness Pal on my smart phone. And I weigh myself every morning. So far I'm stuck or plateauing but again -- I have to do the exercising part. I won't get anything for another four weeks until May 5. But this is where I need to be, I suppose and teach myself how to eat better, healthier and do more healthier things. I'll get some rest tonight and plan on walking and gym tomorrow. Thanks for writing. This group is pretty great and supportive.

When I went in for my appointment, I thought I was going to get a bit of a fill. They were surprised to see me. Apparently I should have cancelled my appointment (which was going to be my first monthly appointment after the two week check up after surgery). No one told me. Still, she asked me questions on how I was doing and feeling. I was correct -- I did go up a pound but she wasn't concerned about it at all. She said that happens and not worry -- just concentrate on eating well (not junk) and exercise. She wasn't going to give me a fill (thank goodness I thought!). I'll be honest. I did sort of want a fill because I did like the idea of weighing myself and finding that I lost another pound, etc. On the other hand, it was NOT worth feeling so uncomfortable and not being able to stand wearing a seat belt. But as you all said it so eloquently what I need to be doing. So....I sucked it up and went to the gym, used the weights and tried to exercise harder than usual (which probably was a fail as I'm still very out of shape). I've been diligent about keeping track of what I'm eating and being as honest on that as well. The band is a tool and I have to relearn how to eat and in what amounts and around 1000 calories. I also need to exercise. Yesterday was a great day. I really wasn't as hungry as I've usually been and so for lunch I had some hummus with a little pita bread (not much) and I could eat celery (which I love, love, love*) with a little Peanut Butter. *I'm weird like this; I really do love celery for some reason. My weight loss may be slower now, but I feel better and eat better without throwing up, PB, etc. I'm glad I did this. AdFreeman, you might want to measure yourself and keep track of your weight loss in that way as well as pounds. Sometimes people lose inches or shift rather than have pounds gone. I hope your fill went well on the 7th. Thanks so much for all of the good advise and good words. I love this place!

Believe me, I know the feelings. I have had two unfills (one before I even left the hospital after surgery). And I understand your fears of gaining weight. But it is nice to be able to sit in my car with the seat belt on without pain. That's how tight my band was. Tomorrow I am supposed to get a fill as it was scheduled a month ago. I will probably show up with a gain or at best, maintained. Previously, I was losing insane amounts of weight. I'll be honest -- I don't think I was learning anything except how to eat mushy foods. I hope you feel better; Get it checked out.

I'm now on my fourth day post-surgery. I've been trying to get up to my doctor's recommendation of drinking 64 oz.a day; I managed to get to it last night and today at noon, I'm at about 25 oz. The last day or two, I feel like I'm Constanza's mother in Seinfeld, "I'm hungry, George!" But even three teaspoons of Greek yogurt made me have a PB; swallowing liquids makes me feel stuck. I know, I know, drink it slower and I'm still on a learning curve. I can think of mushy things to eat but if I can't handle yogurt, perhaps I'm not ready. Last night I had several moments of feeling stuck. My nutritionist said that I'd be ready for scrambled eggs by the weekend (surgery was on Monday). I don't feel that way. I'm a little afraid to even try. Meanwhile my stomach is gurgling and gurgling. So far today, I've had the liquids (mostly Water and decaffeinated tea), one teaspoon of Greek yogurt and a sugar free Jello. When I had surgery, my band was too tight. So I had my first "unfill" at the hospital where she removed 3 cc. I also had a big hiatal hernia repair and I suspect that's also a reason for my pain. Any ideas? Otherwise, I feel good. I will say that I'm not hungry 24/7 -- just at various times, but oh, it's so intense.

I'm scheduled for 6 a.m. Monday, the 17th. I'm very nervous and afraid that I will screw it up, but yet I'm feeling very hopeful and positive. (If that makes sense.) I've been told to just do "low fat" for two weeks before surgery to shrink my liver. At my pre-op appointment, my surgeon said I had eaten too many carbs. (But I have been eating very low fat foods.) I tried unjury (Strawberry) and it's not so bad tasting. I'll probably go out tomorrow and get some more Protein powder. My nutritionist said to try it out beforehand in case I really hated it and had time to get something else.