Mysticalks

Hey everyone...Garth happens to be my cousin. I also watch the show periodically (when I'm not too busy studying!). I have a 10 cc band and asked Garth to recommend a surgeon in ATL for me to have the band done- I must say that he is a fantastic doctor and is concerned for the well being of his patients, so there is nothing to worry about. The doctor that he recommended to me is Dr. J. K. Champion who also happens to be an amazing surgeon. Good luck with your surgery and let us know how the consult goes!!

I lost 6 pounds between my surgery and my first fill, and my second fill is on Jan 21st. As you all know, the holidays came, and I cheated so badly that I guess I lost motivation in what I was doing, and went back to eating crap every day. I'm not full at all, but of course I only have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band. I don't know- maybe it's because I'm getting so impatient and so frustrated with the whole thing because it's already been about 10 weeks and I've only lost 6 pounds. I just can't seem to get back on track with my dieting and exercise. My family keeps buying these brownie and cake mixes and I fall into the trap! I'm so disappointed in myself. I feel like I don't deserve the band. I just need that motivation back because I want to lose this weight- I'm just getting so impatient. When am I supposed to start only eating 3-4 ounces? I'm so frustrated...

I'm 7 weeks post-op and the soreness in my port area JUST went away about a week ago. My doctor told me that it takes 6-8 weeks for the pain to completely go away, and it might come back slightly after working out. I remember thinking to myself that the pain wouldn't ever go away, but it does, so don't worry! I understand how annoying it is for you though!! Just be patient and I promise it'll go away.

Hey everyone, For about 3-4 days I've been getting slight pain (it feels like) in the lower right side of my back as well as the lower right side of my body. I tried to figure out if it was from my port somehow, so I pressed on my port site slightly and the pain got worse. When I would stop putting pressure on my port site, the pain would go back to the way it was before- minor. My port was placed about 2 inches under my chest on the right side. Has anyone else experienced pain in this spot? I'm wondering whether it'll go away with time or is a problem...Thanks!

I've been getting pretty bad acid reflux for the passed week or so when I eat ANYTHING! I had never had problems with heartburn or acid reflux before surgery...my doctor puts all of his band patients on protonix for the first month post-op, but a week after I ended that medication, I started getting very uncomfortable (not painful) acid reflux. I know that acid reflux is common when bands are too tight, but I've only received 1 fill so far (5cc's in a 10cc band) and I don't even feel that restricted! I've tried taking extra tums, but it doesn't do too much good. Any suggestions on what to do? What kinds of foods trigger acid reflux? Thanks :huggie:

Hey all! I was banded on October 31st with a 10 cc band. I just had my first fill this passed Monday (December 10th). My doctor told me that I was being filled with 4 cc, but ended up putting 5 ccs in my band. I couldn't eat much yesterday, but today I don't feel restricted at all. I was wondering how many cc it took everyone to finally be at that point where you could only eat 4-5 ounces at a meal? My doctor told me that I might not feel restriction right away, but I did yesterday. I've heard that there is a "delayed" reaction where you might not feel any more restriction until 1-2 weeks after the fill..is that true? Thanks!!

Crazy, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having so many problems with the band :huggie: I can't say that I've had the same problems as you, but I wanted to reply to try to make you feel a little bit better! You're definitely not the only one in pain. I helped my sister move out of her apartment two days ago, and my port is killing me OUCHHH! I can barely move. Not to mention I have bad acid reflux to go along with it. I've been taking left over percocet from my surgery and it's been a life saver. Are there any stronger medications that your doctor will let you take to allow the pain to lessen a bit? I would think that you'd be allowed to take painkillers if you're experiencing so much pain. Stronger medicine will also help you drift off to sleep. This is going to sound very stupid, but are you sure that the pain is from complications with the band? You might have the port infection as well as some other problem that can be causing the side and chest pain. When I have something crazy going on with my body, I first think of the band because it is so new, but I also consider other reasons why the pain could be there. I do suggest you ask your doctor if you can take something stronger than tylenol. I hope I've helped at least a little. Keep us updated. Hope you feel better!!

Hey! I've always slept on my tummy, so sleeping on my back was a real pain to me. My back actually started hurting after a good 1-2 weeks of constantly lying on it! I began sleeping on my side 2 weeks post-op. It was a little painful for me, so I would sleep on it for about an hour just to give my back a break. As for my tummy, that took about 3 1/2 weeks. Only painful when I would try to get up (strains the stomach muscles). I'm 4 1/2 weeks post-op now, and I sleep on my stomach perfectly. Hope this helps!

Hey Everyone! My name is Kara and I'm 21 years old. I was JUST banded October 31st (Halloween!) y Dr. Champion here in Atlanta, Georgia. I wasn't an outpatient- my doc likes his lap band patients to stay in the hospital overnight. I must say that these passed couple of days have been pretty rough on me. Really the only "excruciating" pain that I've had is where the incision was made for the sewing of the port. I knew there would be pain, but I didn't think it would be this bad. I can't move! :cry It's gotten a lot better, and it gets less sore every day. After I get by these rough next couple of weeks, I'll be all set and ready to resume my brand new banded life! I can't wait! :whoo: I'm looking forward to chatting with you all Love, Kara

Hey all! I'm 2 1/2 weeks post-op and on my regular 3 meal a day with 1 snack diet. No mushies or liquids anymore (Yay!). For the first 2 weeks, I felt very full after eating and think I lost about 6 pounds. Now, my appetite is just as heavy as it was pre-surgery, and I'm having a lot of trouble being able to stick to the diet because I get so hungry. I still eat healthy and am adding more protein and less carbs to my meals (I used to be a carb addict!), but I can't seem to get full after I'm done eating my meal. My doctor says "eat until you're full", but If I were to do that, I'd be eating way too much in my opinion. I'm not drinking while eating, and I wait 30-45 minutes after my last bite until I take a sip of any liquid. I realize there is no restriction until the first fill, but mine is on December 10th, and I'd really like to shed about 5 more lbs by my first fill. Do any of you have suggestions on how to stay full/satisfied? Thanks!!

Good luck with your surgery! You're going be just fine. This is the beginning of a lifelong journey for you! Please keep us updated with how everything goes. (By the way, I have relatives who live in Israel!)

Oh- I forgot to add that I'm only 3 weeks post-op and don't have a fill yet. Oops- it's always good to mention that in posts, so people know how far along you are

Hey! Definitely not a dumb post...I wondered the exact same thing about a week ago. I asked the nurse at my doctor's office, and she said that usually people do not have restriction without the fills. I was definitely happy to hear that because I'm probably hungrier now than I was pre-op (EEK)! I mean, I'm sure there are SOME people out there who feel a little bit of restriction without a fill. I don't know- maybe not! As for your question, for now, let's leave the answer as "there is no restriction without fill" until somebody posts the opposite! Haha

Hey randiik. I'm not quite sure about the other doctors who are around the Acworth area. I live in Marietta, but location wasn't the reason why I chose Dr. Champion. I had spoken to maybe 5-6 doctors and Nurse Practitioners to ask them if they had heard of any good Bariatric Surgeons, and every one of them said Dr. Champion without hesitation. If you go on Highway 75, he is literally JUST off of exit 267B. He's absolutely fantastic. I've heard only amazing things about him. If you go to Bariatric Surgery Georgia - Gastric Bypass - Weight Loss Surgery by Dr. J.K. Chapmion (I think I gave out that website in my last post-eh), you can get a lot of information on him. If location is most important to you, try to go to obesityhelp.com (I THINK that's the website- someone correct me if I'm wrong!!), and you can do a surgeon search for your area. Good luck!!

How often do people get fills? Is it every 6 weeks? I have no idea what kind of band I have. I didn't even know there were different kinds until a few days ago. Is one better than the other? I thought there was a general lapband that everyone had. I'm only 2 1/2 weeks post-op, and my first fill is on December 10th and I'm really excited!! For those of you who were banded by Dr. Champion here in GA, do you remember how many cc's he put into your band during your first fill? I know he is very cautious and likes to go slowwww, but I'm worried that he will be too slow and I'll have to live with being this hungry for even longer if he decides to fill me with 1 cc for example. Of course I have no idea what kind of band I have, but to the rest of you who were not banded by Dr. Champion, how many cc's was your first fill? Thanks!!

Yankee, I can't even tell you how relieving it is to hear that I'm not the only one who is a little bit down about not losing that much weight so far. It's always been SO easy for me to gain weight and hard to lose. I'm currently 2 1/2 weeks post-op, and I don't feel as if I've lost a thing. I've really been trying. 3 meals a day and 1 snack. No drinking until 30-45 minutes after the meal, stick with lower fat, more protein, less carbs. I'm hungry in between meals and don't feel satisfied after. My first fill is December 10th, which seems like a lifetime away, but I'm forcing myself to stick to it. I weighed myself about a week ago and it looked as though I had lost 3 lbs. On Friday AND Saturday, I had a relapse and went overboard with the eating. But I didn't let it get to me and started again today. It sucks because everyone I run into first asks "so how much have you lost so far?" and I feel like I have to lie even though they don't understand that the band doesn't work like that- you don't just get the surgery and drop pounds and pounds immediately. Everyone thinks it's like Gastric Bypass and it annoys me so much. Anyway, besides for complaining (haha!), I guess the point of my reply is to tell you that I'm in the same boat as you are, and it sucks, but we've got to just keep it going until the 1st fill!! The benefits will come eventually...don't give up! Let us know how everything goes.

Hey! I'm on your exact medication. Effexor XR 150 mg. My doctor didn't say anything to me when looking at my medications. He just said to continue them until further notice. I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op and my first fill is on December 10th. I've been swallowing my effexor whole since the first day I got home from the hospital. I suggest you continue to take them whole, but if you are finding that you are having a problem with that, call your doctor and let him know. If you aren't having a problem with it, keep on going, and ask him again when you get your first fill because I'm sure things will switch up and change regarding medications then. Good luck!!

Hey Sunrise! Did you say you were getting your surgery done with Dr. Champion in Atlanta or getting it done in PA? I haven't been on lapbandtalk.com for a while, so I'm a little bit lost!

Hey chiqui! First off, congratulations on your 17 lbs loss! Whoo hoo! I'm 6 days post op and don't know exactly how much I've lost. My family tells me that I look like I've lost so much weight so far. I've been on the "delicious" liquid diet too. YUCK. Anyway, my question for those who have lost a significant amount of weight a good couple days to a week post-op is whether you already have some fill in your band? Do you count your calories during the day? If so, how many are you eating? Once again, Congrats!! Talk to you soon and good luck on your lap band journey :confused:

Thanks to all for all the great advice and reassurance!! Wish you all luck in your weight loss :confused:

I think you and I have always been in the same or similar boat! I don't feel as if I have many other problems except for my weight. My weight has caused mostly ALL of the problems in my life--it's caused me to become unhealthy, which has restricted WHAT I can eat, how much energy I have (which is almost none), and has made me take as many pills a day as my 80 year old grandpa. It's always been so difficult to lose weight for me, and that's why I'm hoping that this will finally help me. I'm 1 week post-op tomorrow and I've been on the liquid diet and have already lost about 3 pounds. And it's HARD for me to lose weight, so it's exciting for me!! I don't think I've had enough experience to let you know if it's truly "helped" a food ADDICT yet! I'm so happy to hear that you have such an amazing family- a support group, I feel, is necessary when considering such a procedure. Thanks for letting me cry on YOUR shoulder! lol

Hey! I saw that you were looking for doctors in GA, and felt as if I would put in a good word for my doctor. Dr. James K. Champion banded me Oct. 31 and he's great! Doctors I've mentioned his name to (my nurse practitioner, general practitioner, endocronologist, other bariatric surgeons, etc.)know who he is and always have excellent things to say about him. His office is located in Kennesaw, and his surgeries are performed at Northside Hospital. His website is Bariatric Surgery Georgia - Gastric Bypass - Weight Loss Surgery by Dr. J.K. Chapmion- you should check it out if his office locations aren't too far from where you live. I promise you won't be disappointed with him!! Good luck finding a surgeon and continuing with your lap band journey-keep us posted!

Hey Smylie! I'll do my best to try and help you out. There are a bunch of procedures that need to be taken care of before the actual surgery takes place (even surgery scheduling!) In my personal case, my insurance required me to do a lot of stuff for approval- psych evaluation, cardiology clearance, pulmonology clearance, a test for H. Pylori (a stomach bacteria that causes ulcers), Nutritionist consult, proof that I've tried numerous diet programs and failed over the past 6 months (I got a letter from Jenny Craig stating my weight from the first time I went there until the last visit), proof of my comorbidities (I had to ask my endocronologist for proof of my insulin resistance, PCOS and obesity). This all depends on your insurance requirements, and to get all of this done, it took me 3 months. I have Coventry, and supposedly they're pretty decent when it comes to paying for things! I was banded on Oct 31 and I'll admit that I LOVE food! I don't know if it would help the food ADDICT, but I think you have to have the right mindset going in. You need to WANT to be healthy and be willing to change your lifestyle. I'm not too happy thinking that there wont be any chocolate, ice cream, etc. But think of it this way: once you're at your goal weight, you can treat yourself here and there with your favorite foods! The lap band is great because it's lessening your food intake. So even if you do buy a cheeseburger and fries at McDonalds, you most likely won't even finish the burger and never get to the fries, so at the end of the day, you're taking in a lot less calories than you usually would. Take my advice though...after going through such a procedure, it wouldn't be too smart to continue to go to fast food restaurants, but I'm sure you know that already LOL (oh how I've heard it a million times from my doctor, friends, family, etc). I think you'll be surprised at how much it might help you. Good luck with your insurance and let us know if you get approved and continue with the lap band journey! I hope I helped!

Thanks for all of the advice that You have given me! It makes me a lot less frustrated to know that It's normal to have this terrible port pain. I'll ask my doctor about the meds- that's a great idea. As for the hunger, thanks for the recipe! I'll definitely try it sometime. I just had egg drop soup yesterday and I noticed that it was a lot more filling. I appreciate you giving me the recipe Once again, thanks for all of your advice and info!! You've helped a lot.

I usually just sip at meals until I feel full- then stop, and when I'm no longer full, I sip on water or even gatorade mixed with some water (watching calories a little bit!) until the next meal. The most important thing I was told by my doctor (Dr. Champion) is to stop the second you feel full. That way, you can get as many liquids in as your body can tolerate. It's important to keep hydrated- I found that gatorade does the trick if you feel as if you aren't feeling too hydrated through out the day. But try mixing it with water. That way, you can get the electrolytes that gatorade provides. There's not much of a taste, but hey, water doesn't taste like anything either!! I hope that helps!