Parvathi

Sorry to hear that your first fill was a bad experience. It does get better. I generally in and out within 5 minutes now .. that includes talking to the doctor lol. Just remember to take things slowly for the next few days (food wise) - generally, mushie foods are easier to manage right after a fill.

<big hugs> I've been there and it's not easy. I don't know what to say other than the pain will go away with time and if you need to talk, we're all here for you! Take care of yourself!

I saw a report on a current affair type show a few weeks ago talking about a study done here that showed Tai Chi was great for 'bingo arms'... I've got them too :/

<shakes head> That's unbelievable! Do you have a link where I can read more, Vines?

Don't stress over it. We all slip up from time to time. It's over now - move on and just try to follow your doctors orders as closely as possible. Happy Birthday!! Just think, by this time next year, you're gonna be *really* celebrating! Only a week to go - you can do this

I really didn't start getting too hungry til right before I started on solids (so about the 4th or 5th week for me), but I guess everyone is different in that respect. Just take advantage of it while you can hehe

Hi Daniela, Congratulations on getting banded Regarding vomiting, yes, the food can get back up. That said, it is best not to vomit, if at all possible, as it can eventually cause the band to slip. Alot of people keep fenagrin (sp?) suppositories in their medicine cabinet for stuff like the flu, or food poisoning, etc, as it helps to keep away nausea. Ask your doctor if he (or she) thinks this is something you should do. I started working out again about two months post op. While doing ab exercises really hurt at first, this was just because I'd had something stitched into my muscle (the port). I've now built the strength back up in that muscle and have no problems at all doing any ab workout. I think we're all a bit freaked about having a piece of silicon put in our bodies at first. You get used to it. I only really felt it (the port, I never felt the band itself) for about the first month and that was only when moving certain ways. Six months post op, I don't even remember it's there most of the time...

One of the things that the doctor stressed before I went into this, was that I would require follow ups, for the rest of my life. Whether this will include fills or not, only time will tell, but I am at peace with the fact that every so often, I'm going to have to go in and have a sit down with the doc and talk about my band. To me, its a small price to pay, considering the new lease on life it's given me.

*bump* Surely there are more March bandsters out there .. we need an update

Well, I've only barely made it, but gosh it feels good! This morning I stepped on the scale and it read 90.5kgs. I double checked 3 times to make sure I had the right number lol, then ran up stairs to convert it to pounds... 199.5! It's been years since I've been here and gosh does it feel good hehe Next small goal, 180 lbs - that's what I weighed before I got pregnant with my daughter. After I had her (7 years ago), I did the dreaded grapefruit juice diet for a few months. I went from 206 lbs to 180 lbs. Of course, when I stopped the diet I gained it all back and then some - haven't been under 200 since then. I still have a quite skimpy skirt that I could (just barely) get into before I got pregnant with her. I plan on dragging it out of the closet in just a few months hehe (not that I'll ever wear it in public again lol, its probably the main reason I ended up pregnant *g*).

Happened to me as well lol. I was told to wear a pad and those disposable undies they give you. It'll be fine. The doctor and his team are professionals - they're used to this kind of thing happening ..

My restriction has done the same, Kelly. I've had this current fill since 01 August. It was great at first, but slowly wearing off. I don't know about the VG band, but I know in this one I've had good luck with finding restriction on 0.1cc added. Are you on anything for the heartburn? When I started getting it several months ago, the doc prescribed me a daily heartburn medicine that really helped...

Wow, Corinne - that's awesome!! I still can't jog to save my life lol (might help if I give up smoking), but so can't wait til I get to that point. I'm gonna race with my daughter hehe

Glad they're getting you fixed up good, Trish! Again, really sorry to hear this happened to you.

Thanks everyone!!! Pam, you're so right! On the way up, when I hit 199, I was like, "OMG I can't believe I'm nearly 200 lbs .. ick!" and fought it like you wouldn't believe lol. Course, I obviously lost. This time I'm celebrating majorly

Hi Hedwig! Welcome to LBT You're not alone in your concerns - we've all had them. It would be abnormal not to be worried a bit. I'm a wimp when it comes to pain, but it really wasn't that bad. I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, it was about a 3 and that was just the first day (although, had you asked me at the time, I would have said a 6 lol). After I was up and walking around the hospital, I felt heaps better! A week post op I was feeling good. A month post op, I was completely back to normal (could exercise and such with no worries). You'll do fine

Technically, yes, they can generally be avoided. That said, the band has a learning curve, of sorts. Once you have one, you learn what to avoid. Most aren't nearly as bad as the one poor Trish posted about today, luckily. Just remember to eat slowly, take small bites, chew chew chew and try to avoid foods that tend to expand when eaten. If you think you can handle some of these foods (rice, gnocchi, Pasta, etc), go for it, but in very small quantities until you're sure. As Maria said, you're doing great! Try not to stress about the stuff that could happen

Your first real one can feel pretty bad, but that's mainly the "OMG what's happening?!?" factor. There are definitely different severities of a PB. I've only had one that was really quite uncomfortable (for a couple of hours - it sent me to be early) and that was on gnocchi. Other than that, I've had a handful that have been a mere slime and it was over in a matter of seconds. Sounds like poor Trish had the worst one I've ever heard of.. :/

Here's a link to a site that someone gave me (I believe it was Kathy) when I was having this issue. It helped me heaps! For me, I don't get that same full feeling that I got before the surgery. That's probably because I don't stuff myself to where I could almost vomit for some relief anymore LOL. Instead, I get little signals from my body that tell me I've had enough - sometimes this may be a hiccup, sometimes a lil burp (excuse me!), sometimes a slight ping of pain in my port area for some weird reason, etc. Luckily, these signals usually come early enough for me to recognize them and put down the fork. Most people don't find that 'sweet spot' on their first fill. I think it took me around four fills to even notice a difference, but my doctor gave them to me in very small doses. What size band do you have and what is your current fill level? On those times when you say you get really tight, could it possibly be due to the type of food you're eating at that time, not chewing enough, or in the mornings (mornings are definitely tighter for myself)? Good luck with whatever you choose and let us know how you go

Congratulations, Dianne and best wishes for tomorrow. I'll send some happy thoughts your way. See you in Bandland

0.1cc, for me, is a huge difference between not quite restricted and over restricted. Have him (or her) up your restriction in small increments, adding 0.1 or 0.2cc at a time...

Youch! Hope you're feeling heaps better soon, but if not, I'm with the majority - go see the doctor. Keep us posted, please...

Congratulations, Vines I can't answer your question as to why this happens, but I've noticed the same. During football season, we would go to pregame functions full of food. If I had a few vodkas and some good potato chips and maybe a slice of cake, I always was shocked to see the scale go down on the following Monday. Its bizarre, but it does happen occassionally.

Since being banded on March 4th, I've lost 28.5kgs/62lbs. My Measurements Then & Now Neck: 14 inches - 13 inches Under Bust: 42 inches - 36 inches Waist: 40 inches - 36 inches Hips: 53 inches - 48 inches This is definitely the best thing I've ever done for me. I wouldn't trade my band for a roll in the hay with Johnny Depp lol.

Sweeeeeeet!! What a wonderful feeling that must be Congratulations!