evansmom

I had my 4th fill yesterday, bringing me to 7.5 cc's total, in my 9cc band. I am happy with the fact that I haven't experienced any reflux issues thus far (esp. having such tight restriction), however, did I forget how hard the liquid diet is? I have been moaning all day about how hungry I am- when did I forget? I just had to vent about this. I am sticking to Protein shakes and Water for now. Also, I saw a different doctor this time and he instructed me to stay on liquids for a whole week. My usual doctor instructs me to go 2-3 days of liquids after a fill. How long do you wait after a fill? Thanks for listening. Evansmom

Thank you all for the good advice and kind words. I am feeling better today. I think I might try mushies for dinner tonight since I've had no problems with Protein shakes so far. Evansmom

Hi All, I was banded on 3/3 of this year and I have lost 42 pounds since the surgery. My blood pressure was borderline high before the surgery and went back to normal after the surgery. Suddenly, almost 5 months out, I have high blood pressure again. My doctors seem to be at a loss as to why this is happening especially since I've lost a pretty good amount of weight. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks :confused2:

I agree that HBP can strike anyone- even thin people. I guess I was taken off guard by this because I have always been able to control it by losing weight- but this time that isn't working. So last night I went and bought a blood pressure machine to keep at home, as WebMD suggests keeping a log at home since you may be calmer than in a Doctor's office. Sure enough last night my blood pressure was 116 over 81. That's pretty darn close to normal! I will keep tracking it at home and periodicaly at the doctor's. Thanks for all the good advice! Rukshanna:thumbup:

Wow, ok...so I am not the only one here. Thanks...I guess it could be a number of things (including stress and Water retention too).

Hi All, I was banded on 3/3/08 and have lost 36 pounds. By all means, I am not complaining, but in the last two weeks I have lost and regained the same pound several times. I just had my 2nd fill on 5/28 so my weight loss should be picking up, not slowing down. I know for sure that I have been stressed and eating forbidden foods, and this is the reason. I just can't seem to get back on track. I have been eating a lot of chocolate, everyday. How do I get past this? Any advice for getting back on track? I am still working out 3-4 times per week, but even with the exercise nothing is happening. This is probably a good indicator of how sharply my calories have increased in the last 2 weeks. I'm feeling pretty sad about this. Any ideas? Thanks, evansmom

Maybe the second fill will do the trick. I have decided to go back for a third fill in a few weeks since I still don't feel restricted enough. Good luck and hang in there!

Thanks Vikki...I needed that. -evansmom

Hi All, You guys are looking great! Slow and steady loss is great...any loss is great! I am still working out steadily at the gym....my Doctor advised me to avoid heavy weights- so I'm back to doing mostly cardio. I had my second fill on 5/28 and feeling really restricted now. Can't even finish my usual 1/2 cup! I can't figure out how to post my before and after pics- it seems to want a URL instead of being able to attach a picture... Keep up the great work ladies! I think we are all doing great =)

Hi hungry4help, So you've had 3 fills already? Wow! that was fast...my doctor told me to wait 1-2 months to see if I need another fill. I think I will need another fill....I can still eat a little more than 1/2 cup at each meal. I am still losing though, and that keeps me going. I am working my tail off at the gym- at least 4 days a week at 40 minutes of cardio (elliptical & bike). On Sundays I do weights. I can see muscles in my arms that I never knew I had....and I'm sleeping better at night (maybe my sleep apnea has subsided). I am down 27 pounds since surgery, but still have another 79 lbs to go! Rukshanna

Hi All, I am doing well too...Just had my first fill on 4/15 and today I am trying food because I am sick of the liquids. I'm getting food down ok. I have lost 24 pounds since surgery and I'm feeling pretty good. I hope to hear more progress reports from our 3/3 bandsters! -Rukshanna

Hi GBear, I was banded on 3/3/08 and have been doing very well. Dr. Foster is my surgeon and my surgery was done at Mills-Peninsula. I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Foster- she has a great reputation (from what I've heard from others). She is definitely a stickler for rules, so no straying from the program once you're with her! I'm down 24 pounds in six weeks and she did my first fill today. Good Luck in your decision process! -Rukshanna

OMG...I just found this thread and have been laughing for the last 5 minutes. I too had a Reese's peanut butter egg on Easter- it was given in a basket for my 2 year old son...I know...shameful! I since have been eating m&m's here and there but not everyday like I used to....and I certainly don't keep a stash at home anymore! I guess we are only human...

Hi Everyone, How's everyone doing? I am getting nervous about my first fill next week because everything has been going so well that I'm afraid to change it. I have lost a total of 21 pounds now since 3/3/08 and I'm feeling good. What I've come to realize is that my weight loss is totally unpredictable- one week I lose 1 pound and the next week I lose 4 pounds. anyone else experiencing this? Just wondering. Thanks, Rukshanna

Hi All, I will definitely update everyone on how my first fill goes. Sorry to hear about your experience hungry4help- hopefully next time will be much easier since they know where it is now. Hi Terrisioux, I definitely can't feel my port or band from the outside. Take care everyone! Rukshanna

Hi All, I am all for a reunion/ sharing photos online in a year! On April 15th, I am scheduled for my first fill. I can't wait as my feeling of restriction is slowly dwindling down. If anyone has their first fill before me, please let me know how it goes! Happy Monday. Rukshanna

Hi All, Well this is the beginning of my fourth week post surgery, and I have to say that the honeymoon is over and my weight loss is slowing. I have lost 16 pounds in the last three weeks, so I'm really happy with that. I unfortunately, started having snacks here and there in between meals and I think that's why I am at a stand still now. I am back on plan today and committing to keeping myself away from tempting foods. Sounds like everyone else is doing good! Rukshanna

Thanks for the info Andi! Congrats on the weight loss!!! Since being on liquids for so long, I have a new appreciation for food...even a cracker here and there! It's still kind of a struggle for me to get in all of my Water in between meals.... It's so funny how we all have different meal plans...I guess it depends on the Doctor. Rukshanna

Hi All, Well I am back to work today and feeling fine. It has been a full two weeks for me since surgery and I am feeling well. It's taking me awhile to get the hang of how much food to eat....my Dr. gave me the go ahead to move onto soft foods so I have been trying different things. Do you all know if we are supposed to stick to 1/2 cup of food at every meal? It's unclear to me...BTW, I have lost 14 pounds since surgery on 3/3!!!! So excited! Thanks, Rukshanna

Hi there, Yesterday I felt so hungry that I had a snack in between lunch and dinner. I know we are only supposed to have 3 square meals and no Snacks, but my stomach was hurting quite a bit. I had 4 oz. of yogurt and that held me over. I too have been cooking dinner for my husband and toddler every night and it's hard not to eat...I totally hear all of you on that! I have two more weeks of this liquid phase to go before transitioning to food. Good luck to all! Rukshanna

Hi All, Well I was banded at 7:30 Monday morning. Everything went well. I stayed overnight in the hospital and needed lots of anti-nausea meds. I am at home and feeling very sore. I have been taking pain meds that my Dr. prescribed but it is only doing so much for my pain. I am still not able to walk comfotably. And today I am super HUNGRY...don't know why...I am following the post-op liquid meals exactly as I should, but today the hunger I am feeling is uncomfortable. Anybody else feeling this way? Rukshanna

Hi All, I too have been "giving up" things in the past few months that I will no longer be able to have like red meat, soda, Pasta. I think this is really going to help me afterwards because you don't miss what you never had (or haven't had recently!). I am also using crystal light on the go packets. I haven't yet bought the gas-x strips or the colace so thanks for the reminder! I'll be out doing my shopping this weekend too.

Hi All, I am also on the Peninsula (in Daly City) and I am being banded on March 3rd in Burlingame at Mills Peninsula Hospital. It's really great to see the photos of you who have recently had the surgery. I am still trying to mentally prep myself for all of the changes to come...any advice from those of you who have already had it? Any problems so far? Thanks, Rukshanna

Hi there, Andi, it sounds like you had to go through a LOT of pre-op tests...I only had to have an EKG and have some blood drawn. The rest of the day was behavioral stuff- like meeting with the dietician, RN, and surgeon. Well at least you know all of your bases are covered. I'm with you on the coca-cola slurpee...I think it would be occasionally ok, because they use flavored syrup to make those right? (no carbonation) I haven't yet ventured into thinking about shopping for cute clothes because deep down, I still have reserved thoughts like, maybe this won't work because nothing else has worked. I have been obese since I was a child, so I have never known cute clothes and never been able to wear them. I am currently a 3x in tops so anything is going to be an improvement for me....I just have to stay optimistic...

Hi Terrisioux, Welcome! I am happy to hear we have another March 3rd bandster! I have a question to throw out there and maybe some of you can ask at your pre-op appt, but do any of you know whether or not Lap Band patients can drink alcohol in the future (after surgery)? I got conflicting information from two different dieticians that I met with. One said yes, and the other said no- not ever again! I understand that we will be at higher risk for getting ulcers, but do any of you know for sure? I don't drink a lot, but would like to have the option to do so in the future if I want to... Thanks, Rukshanna