ssfano

I had exactly the same experience today. I had to try a neighbor's homemade bananna nut bread. Thank goodness I was at home. I swallowed and wow the discomfort and pain. I even had a small panic. I tried to swallow some water to help, no such luck. I finally did this crazy neck stretch looking up at the ceiling and it shoved itself down scraping what felt like a layer of the inside of my throat with it. I thought exactly what you typed - what a motivator to eat properly. I think this restriction is totally normal. I have had my second fill and didn't fill this until then. I would like to say it will never happen again, but I know that sometime later I will forget and do it again.

Kim, Update us when you have time. I hope everything went well. Just thinking of you and hope your doing fine.

I was nervous and anxious for my first fill. I went today and he put 2cc. I am happy to say it went without a problem and no pain what so ever. I hope my post calms anyone else about to go in for a fill because it really was so simple and took less than a minute. I met with a nutritionist also. I am back on clear liquids today, mushies tomorrow and easy solids three days out. He said not to judge anything until the two week mark because you really cannot tell until then if you need more or less. I am understanding this all so much better and feel much more relaxed. Good luck to all heading for your first fill. I hope you have as great an experience as I did.

Hello Holly, You and I were banded the same day and yesterday was one of my worst days. I think this is a normal stage we are hitting and it will pass. I read an excellent post from someone on here that "has been there and done that". She said that it really isn't "bandland" until around your second or third fill. She said when we reach that point, we will start dropping weight on a regular basis. She stated that we would get back to that point right after surgery when we were not hungry. It just takes time with "fills" to find that perfect point. And, as we lose the weight, this will need adjustment. However, she said this is a critical time for proper healing of the band and starting an exercise routine for life and preparing our mental state for that careful eating and drinking later. Everyone on here has repeatedly said stay away from carbs because they only make you more hungry. I found that to be true yesterday when I ate a piece of pumpkin bread that I beat myself up about. I made a decision to move on and did an extra a 30 minutes of exercise. It was the first time I "messed up". I also read another post about "cheating". Someone really put it all in perspective about how we can stretch our bands and heal improperly and cause slippage later. Scared the *@ out of me and made me have a reality check quick. I tell you all of this in case you are experiencing some of the same grief. If you are, know you are not alone. My first fill isn't until Nov 26th. I am glad you get to go sooner. The wait is hard. So, hang in there!!!

At the next parent-teacher conference, make sure you say how absolutely wonderful their child is :confused:. Congratulations on your weight loss. Getting back into your clothes is an awesome feeling. What are we going to do when we do not even fit into those "old" clothes we are excited to fit into now? Call me and we will go shopping! :whoo:

I know most will say do not, but I must. I like to see the numbers go down. I know I will be disappointed when they do not and that is probably what everyone is talking about. But, I have to see what is happening, though I know you will also feel it.

Thank you for rePORTing all that information. I am so happy you are doing well. Your fantastic positive outlook is such an inspiration. Keep us posted by rePORTing. -Stacie

I was banded Oct 9 by Dr St Laurent - aka Dr Delicious as one of you coined. I have not had my first fill - Nov 26. Read so many horror stories about the fill I was becoming quite nervous until I read this thread. What a relief to hear the great comments about Dr Delicious. If any of you ever meet as a group nearby, please keep me posted. I have just begun this journey and like some of you, though supportive - no one else in my family or any of my friends understands anything I am doing.

I have been using Stevita for years. I have mostly used it in teas and coffee. I have not tried to bake with it. The following website is where I purchase it and they have numerous other products and information...Home - stevitastevia.com. I do carry the little packets in my purse and use when out. I will use Splenda if all else fails, but I have read so many articles about Splenda, Equal, Sweet-n-low that really didn't have much good to say. So, I try and use the Stevita whenever possible. Of course, ideally, would be to do away with all, but I just cannot seem to get there. :paranoid

My doctor yanked the last two off today at my first post op visit. It didn't hurt at all. I figured he knew what he was doing and if anything happened, he could repair it. There is something mental about getting them off...like your closer to recovery.

I went to my first post op doctor's appoinment today. He scheduled my first fill for November 26. They were going to schedule it just before Thanksgiving, but decided it wouldn't be good with the holiday just around the corner. They were thinking that if there was any problem with the fill, it would be too hectic a time. I was thinking I needed the fill (fix) to keep me "good" through the holiday. Oh well. He also yanked off the last two sterile strips. I decided he could, but I wasn't. If he caused it to open, he could repair. On the 26th he said I would also meet with a dietician.

I was banded on the 9th by Dr St Laurent. All seems well, I have no complaints. (yet!!) He seems very professional and comforting. I researched the whole procedure and him for about a year before I joined the "banded". I felt confident using him for this surgery. Good luck to you.

Jen, I was banded on the 9th as well. I lay on either side and just make it work. While I have that same feeling as you that I will move it or something, I just lay as I please figuring it has to work itself out sooner or later. Lots of pillows help. Hope you get that good night's sleep soon.

I cannot and have not burped since surgery two days ago. I feel that weak attempt and then it seems to just stop. I feel like I would much rather burp then have gas get trapped.

I am so anxious or nervous. My surgery is at 11:00am, it is 7:30am. I am waiting for my sister to pick me up. I sent the kids off to school, I think I covered everything. I have my pillolw in hand they asked that I bring. This really couldn't be over sooner. Next time I am online, I will be as others have put it "on the other side". I almost deleted that but, you know what I mean. Fingers crossed.:help:

I arrived and waited for my turn. I was 5th for the procedure that day. My surgery was scheduled for 11:00am. Unfortunately, all four people before had hernias that needed to be repaired. This shoved my surgery to almost 4:00pm. The wait was a little tough, no Water was driving me nuts. My only suggestion here is try to be scheduled first for the day. They took me back and they put in my IV. Then they said they were going to give me a shot in my stomach. I mention this because I do not want you to be alarmed if they say this to you. It was nothing, like a TB test shot. It was to help prevent blood clots. No biggie. When they came back to give you the good stuff that knocks you out, I was ready. My surgery was one of those that was over within thrity minutes. I have had 3 c-sections andI knew from going under before, I would be slow to coming out. This time was no exception. They want you up asap. So it was a short walk to the restroom. Then a small x-ray where you drink this tiny white liquid that they x-ray to see all is moving as it should. Then its off to sipping water and your out the door. Today, I was so surprised to have very little pain. I walk constantly because they say I am still having some kind of reaction to being put under. I feel like an urgency to keep moving, even if laying down or sitting, I am still moving a foot or a leg (not involuntarily, like a nervous habit). I was up walking all night also. I haven't taken any pain medication but may because they suggested it might help me slow down and rest. All the crazy walking and moving has helped tremendously with moving the gas which is necessary. I am sipping water and chicken broth all day and never once have I felt hunger. It is a wonderful thing. It has only been 20 hours since the surgery. I felt compelled to write in some detail so if anyone still waiting to "cross to the other side" can find some confront in seeing how smooth it truly went for me (thus far - fingers crossed). Good luck everyone!

I have your exact concern. My family is joking with me because I am one of those people who just will not eat without a drink. I know it isn't going to be easy at first, but I have never been so prepared, ready and anxious as I am now to do this surgery and have it work. I also think about the habit making and breaking thing mentioned above, and I know eventually it will just be natural. I also started chewing my food to what I think to be a ridiculous amount of times in preparation for my surgery, which is tomorrow - gives me goose bumps! :car:

It is great to hear you two above are doing well. Like many of us who haven't been banded yet, I am anxious and nervous. We have all heard the horror stories, hearing your stories of doing well really does help. Thank you for that. Oct 9 I will join you and I hope all goes as well for me also.

Hi Holly, Please add me next roll call. I will need this group. ssfano 9 Stacie

Hello, I will be banded Oct 9. After much research, and the wonderful info on this site, I am ready. However, I do take medicine for hypothyroid, I was wondering if anyone else is in the same situation and if they had any comments or advice...any problems with dosage, change in calories, energy, etc. Thank you for any information.

I will also be banded on Tuesday, Oct 9 in Tomball, TX. I wish you the best. I have been searching the site for the last few days. One of the best things I found was a list of items to have on hand prior to surgery. You may already have everything, but I did not (like liquid pain killer, chewable vitamins, etc.) I will look for you after Oct 9. Good luck!