UltraGeek

I too have had this happen to me on occasion since being banded (12/2007). For me this only seems to happen when I eat late in the evening and then quickly going to bed. I will almost always wake up in the middle of the night coughing. To not have this happen, I will try to eat my meal before 8pm. I will also have a glass of Water around 10pm before going to bed around 11. It seems to work well for me.

Hi All! I haven't posted in awhile. Things are good. I am well over the century mark and loving it. My weight has maintained the past 2mos with little, if any fluctuations. I am actually at my target weight of 225lbs but now beginning to think maybe I can get down to 200lbs by the summer. I have been working out with a trainer since the end of September. I am looking forward to posting my 1 year after picture on 12/20. -UG

I'm on the 5min before and 20min after routine. However, I don't always follow it. I do drink Water with my meals and doesn't seem to be a 'managable' issue. Sometimes the water and food will compete for space. -UG

I am down 60lbs since my surgery in late December with only 2 fills. I am hopefull that I would be 250 by July as my realistic goal. -UG

I'm a managing consultant for a technology practice and writer. -UG

Great Doc! I was banded by him in Dec 07 here in Los Angeles. He can seem a little fast at times in his office, but overall he is an amazing doctor. I would recommend him! -UG

Yes - you heard it first (at least after striking naked through the house with the scale to show my wife!)!! I haven't been under 300lbs since Sep 2005. I weighed in this morning at 298. I usually don't give much thaught to my daily weight because it fluctuates everyday. I am hopefull I can stay under 300lbs for my 'record' weight day on Thursday. Also, I bought a new bike yestarday. It is a Giant Rincon mountain bike. I had them install a computer that will help track my speed, distance and cadence. -UG

I went in for my first fill today. It has been 4 weeks since my surgery. At my appointment my doctor said he wanted to get me nice and tight. He wanted to go for an initial 4cc to 5cc and see where my sweet spot would land. He did not want to do flouro/xray fill for the initial load. He numbed my port site and then hung out and talked for a few minutes. Then out came the 'big' needle. He got it right on the port on the first try. He asked me to get into a crunch like position. He then filled the band with the full 10cc. He wanted to check the functioning of the band. Next he asked me to stand up (with the needle in my port) and drink a cup of Water. He backed out the the Fluid until the water flushed all the way through. He really took his time and slowly backed the fluid out to find my optimal spot. He got 3.5cc for my finitial fill. I hung out for about 30mins just to make sure I was ok. I drank some more water. He said fluids only for 2 days followed by puree for another 2 days before resuming my regular diet. I am pretty tight. It took about 1 hour to drink a Protein shake. I did PB once and I am sliming a little. But I think I am ok. My doctor did say if I needed a 'tune up' to call and come by the office tomorrow. -UG

I told everyone but my wife that I had my appendix removed. I still don't think I am ready to tell anyone. -UG

How tall are you? The band does fit differently depending on your height as well as the size of the 'pipe' leading into your stomach. I was supposed to get the 14cc AP large band installed but my doctor at the last minute switched me to a 10cc AP small band. Me typically are better cases for the larger bands because of the size of the 'pipe' as well as the fatty deposits on the upper stomach and GI intersection. After my surgery, he also confided it is much more difficult to perform lap-band surgery on men vs. women. I have pretty good restriction because of the smaller band. When I was filled, I can tell I have restriction because I cannot drink like I could previously. Now I have to sip otherwise I will for sure PB, even on Water. -UG

I am eating ok, I guess. My fill seemed a little tight and weird at first. I was pretty tight and good only get liquids down at first. Cottage cheese has been a staple for me from the beginning. This past Monday, I went to a resturant with my wife and kids. I had some Corn Chowder thinking Soup would be ok. Instant PB. For dinner, my wife made some turkey chilli and of course I had another PB. I have to learn not to inhale my food (bad habit I picked up in the Army) and chew. Yestarday, was an odd day of sorts. I had a small cup of Turkey Chilli from work and everything went down fine. Also for dinner, my wife made a Pita pizza and that also went down fine (although I was very carefull to chew). So I am assuming my fill of 3.5cc on Thursday took about 4 days to get back to some sense of normalcy. Even with only 3.5cc, I can feel the difference between being unfilled and having some restriction. I seem to be able to last much longer without the need to eat. -UG

I had my fill on Thursday as well. The only thing I feel safe enough to eat is some cottage cheese with pineapple puree. My wife made some delicious Turkey Chili today. One bite, Two Bites, Three bites - and I am going to PB. I can't seem to hold anything down but Cottage Cheese. -UG

Here is the link to the article: Surgery helps woman drop 135 pounds, 10 dress sizes - CNN.com -UG

UPDATE: I weighed in this morning at 294lbs. Tomorrow is my 'official' weekly weigh in day. So far I have lost a total of 9lbs since last Thursday!!!! Also - tomorrow I will have my first fill appointment. I have been losing without restriction. -UG

You may want to try liquid tylenol. I used it alot the first 10 days. -UG

I actually ran downstairs to the kitchen where my wife was doing laundry. Very funny in hindsight. -UG

I felt similar when I first started on puree. Make sure whatever you have has lots of liquid. It will help slide through the band easier. Soon you should notice that you will need to make it thicker to stick in your pouch longer. Have you tired cottage cheese? It has been a lifesaver for me. It is now officially my comfort food. -UG

Yes - I feel the same way too. Since I am now transitioning to 'soft' foods. My wife and I have been choosing our food from the recipese on the Food Network. It helps us find soft foods that are tasty for our 'sophisticated' palat as well as make healthy choices. Eating on a smaller plate along with the band helps me learn size portion as well as listen to my body signal when I am full. Just before I had surgery, we bought ourselves a juicer for christmas. This is much better to drink the natural juice to by it from a store. How much protien are you consuming daily? -UG

Yes - I feel the same way too. Since I am now transitioning to 'soft' foods. My wife and I have been choosing our food from the recipese on the Food Network. It helps us find soft foods that are tasty for our 'sophisticated' palat as well as make healthy choices. Eating on a smaller plate along with the band helps me learn size portion as well as listen to my body signal when I am full. Just before I had surgery, we bought ourselves a juicer for christmas. This

I noticed today at work that I kept needing to pull up my size 48 jeans. I also think I need a new smaller belt. It was pretty funny to walk around the office and keep pulling my pants up. -UG

Well....actually I already did it! I am 2 weeks post op today and weighed in at 304.5 lbs! That is down 26.5 lbs from my 'season' high of 331 lbs. I have to be honest with all of you....I haven't really been walking or working out like I should. I want to wait until I am sub 300. I am close - so I may shop for a new 'bike' this weekend. Not too much pain to report. I can touch my port and it sometimes touches me back. Especially when I am working at a desk. I also started having some back pain (mid-level) on the left side. I am not sure what that is from but is aches. I think maybe a massage or an adjustment is needed. My trip to the Rose Bowl went well. I had plenty to drink and eat. A friend of mine made a terrific lobster bisque. I was full watching the game and had plenty of cold Water. I snuck in a Jello Protein shot at halftime. I have been having a love affair with Soup and Cottage cheese since my doctor removed my liquid restriction. No PBing, Sliming, or anthing. My daily intake is the following: Breakfast: Protien shake Lunch: Soup Snack: Protien Shake Dinner: Soup Desert: Cottage Cheese!!!! Also, I will be 38 tomorrow! -UG

I have been officially banded for 7 days now. Today I had my first Post-Op appointment with Dr Naim. I weighed in at 310.5 lbs. I am down 20.5 lbs. I am healing well. No redness on the incisions. No pain at the port site. I can sleep 'somewhat' normal. I still have to learn not to get out of the car too fast. He wants me to start an exercise program. But I think I am going to hold off for a few. At least until I am cleared to lift weights. I am thinking about getting a bike. I was supposed to be on liquids for another week, but my doctor said I was doing great and should advance to the 'Pureed' phase. I immediatly had some mashed potatos! -UG

My hunger started coming back last night and today it is here with a vengence. I am on liquids until 1/4/08 and I don't know if I could last. My stomach gurgling and gas seems to be a 100% improvement from yestarday. So far I have been eating SF Jello, Protein shakes and Water. I wish I could be on mushies! Any advice? -UG

I am doing well. Today was my first post-op appointment. My Doctor is advancing me to the pureed phase 1 week early! What I used to get by was New-whey Protein shots (taste like a Jello shot), cream of mushroom soup (with extra non-fat milk to make it thin), and SF Jello. I also found a Protein shake from Naked juice with 38g of protein. -UG

I feel much better today. I am at work, although siting upright at my desk puts a little too much preasure on my stomach. Nevertheless, I am here and productive. I brought lots of SF Jello, 2 Protein shakes, 2 New whey protien shots. I am planning on getting some Soup for lunch. I did leave my Tylenol at home. I was planning on leaving here about 3pm today for my post op appointment with Dr Niam. I am hopefull I can make it till then. -UG