Jeni

Hello everyone. I am approx 2/12 years post op and having issues with my lap band. I did lose weight, not all but still happy with my results. Started slowly slipping into bad habits and eating a lot of slider foods. I only had 2 fills if I remember correctly and never went back due to hectic work schedule and thinking everything was okay. I was long, long overdue for a fill but had not made an appt yet. Fast forward to approx 1 month ago and all restriction is gone. Used to get full faster, couldn't eat a lot of different foods and breads were never tolerated well. NOW I can eat Everything and Anything as much as I want. I just had a barium swallow test and band is still in place and esophagus looked fine. I'm wondering why I had some restriction and now nothing. Any ideas or similar experiences would be really appreciated. Also Happy New Year to everyone in 2011.

Hello, I was banded in Jan 08 and haven't been to see my doctors in about 2 yrs due to working all the time etc... Haven't lost as much as I'd hoped but was still happy with what I had lost. Did have issues with eating too much because I went back to drinking with my meals but I kept saying to myself that eventually I would get back on track and lose the rest of the weight. About 4 days ago I noticed that I had no restriction whatsoever. I can eat whatever I want and I could never ever do that before. I am sick with worry that I've ruined my band. I have an appt Jan 7 for a barium swallow test and then to see my Dr. on the 10th. I am wondering if anyone else has overeaten or taken bites that were too big and the band suddenly stopped working. I used to be able to tell pretty much right away if I had taken too big of a bite and it would hurt in my chest and sometimes I had to throw up from it. Now it's like I don't even have a band, can't tell or feel when something goes down like before when you know it's passed thru. I did this to myself, I have no one to blame and am praying that it is fixable without having another operation. This is the story of my life, self sabbatoging and saying I'd be good the next day. I'm beating myself up about this but really want to hear from anyone else who may have had the same issues. Thank you for any advice.

I was banded January 17, 2008 by Dr. Brian Boe of Barix Clinic of Langhorne, PA. I just wanted to say that I would recommend them to anyone and that I had a really great experience with them. Dr. Boe did a wonderful job with my surgery and I have nothing but good things to say about him. Before I had my surgery, my husband was very concerned about my doing it and I called to ask Dr. Boe's office some questions regarding surgery etc... Dr. Boe could have just called me over the phone but he wanted my husband and I to come in and talk with him about any concerns were were having before the surgery took place. He addressed all my husband's concerns and I was very impressed that he took the time to meet with us again and put us at ease. It really did help. The hospital staff were wonderful and kind and took their jobs very seriously. I was very impressed and would recommend the Barix Clinic of Langhorne, PA to anyone. Remember to ask for Dr. Brian Boe if you go there and you won't be disappointed! Jeni in PA:redface::smile2::biggrin:

Hi: Thanks you for your reply about my post. I am feeling good although I had my first fill on 3/4/08 and it didn't do anything. It is very frustrating. My next fill is on 4/24/08 and I am hoping that it will work. The band doesn't work unless you have restriction and at this point, I have none. It is hard for me to stay on track and eat right when I am relying on my willpower alone. If I had willpower then I wouldn't have had the surgery and would have done it on my own. I just have to stay positive, make the right food choices and remember that I will eventually get restriction it's just that when is the question for me. Anyway, good luck with your banding, you'll do fine. Everyone who took care of me at Barix Clinic was really great and you'll probably meet people who work there that have had the surgery done. When you get home, remember to keep walking even if it's just around your house and use a heating pad for your abdomen. It will really help with the surgical gas you may have. At this point, if I didn't have the scars on my belly, I would never know I'd even had this procedure done. Good luck with everything and keep me posted on your journey. Best wishes, Jeni

Hello. I was banded on January 17, 2008. I have lost 16 lbs as of March 4th and won't know if I've lost anymore until I go for my next appointment. I have decided not to get on a scale at all except for when I see my doctor. I don't want to get upset by looking at the scale all the time so I don't. I have an 11cc band and my doctor gave me my first fill on March 4th which was 3cc's. I was very careful with drinking and eating but realized very quickly that my first fill did nothing for me. I was wondering if because I have the 11cc band, would it take longer for me to feel restriction? If anyone has this band, how many fills did it take you to feel any restriction? I am feeling a little depressed because my doctor's office called and told me that I have to have my 2nd fill date changed from 4/8 until 4/24 due to my doctor having emergency surgery himself. It is frustrating to have to wait that long since I'm really doing this by willpower alone. I am still eating too much at one sitting but trying to make better choices and eat protein first. I just wanted to hear others experiences. Thank you. Jeni in PA:redface:

Hi everyone! I just had my first fill today. I wasn't nervous but it did hurt more than I expected. The numbing medicine they injected before they did the fill was painful as it burned. After that, it was just a little uncomfortable pressure as the doctor was trying to find the exact spot to inject. Not too bad overall. I was told I didn't have to do liquids but too be very careful about what I ate and eat no more than 2/3 at each meal. I am allowed to drink right up until I eat then I have to wait 45 minutes before I can drink again. I am going to be super careful about what I eat and how I chew since I don't want to get stuck. I am happy that I have lost 16 lbs total and it is such a good feeling. For so long, I felt that I was incapable of losing any weight and would just eat and eat. I guess time will tell if my first fill will restrict me or not. Has anyone been restricted after the first fill? I'm curious but I do know that many people have to have numerous fills until they are restricted. Thanks for all advice!! Jeni :biggrin:

Hello everyone. I had my surgery on January 17, 2008 and I am one month post op. I am having this throbbing pain and I'm not sure where it's coming from. It could be my port or could it be the band? I have not had a fill yet but I am concerned about this throbbing pain I'm having. Has anyone else experienced pain like this? Jen

Hello everyone: I am feeling a little down and depressed about my band. I was banded on 1/17/08 and this thursday it will be 3 weeks since I was banded. I am feeling pretty good except for the port area which is taking longer to heal but I will get there. I have not started exercising yet and have no good reason why. I need to just do it. I am noticing that I can now eat more than before and sometimes I eat too much and it gives me bad pains in my side when I do. I guess my head hunger overcomes me. This morning I didn't do too bad and had cream of wheat for breakfast and for lunch I had mashed zucchini and squash with tomatoes with fresh garlic and olive oil. It was good but then I had to go and have a some vanilla wafers just because. I am mad at myself for eating them when I didn't need them it was just out of habit. I'm afraid I am going to resort back to all my snacking issues because I feel no restriction at all. My first fill appointment isn't until March 4th so I have to really focus and be good. It is still early on and I was always an emotional eater and now I don't have that anymore. I know I have to find other ways to focus my stress/emotions onto but food was always my comfort. Did anyone else have trouble sticking to the bandster rules of eating before they had their first fill. I still drink when I eat and I think I take bigger bites than I should but it's hard to remember since nothing is happening since I didn't have a fill yet. I hope all that changes after my first fill. I'm just venting and disappointed in myself. I really need some encouragement and advice right now. Thanks guys. Jeni in PA:frown:

Hello: I wanted to thank you all for your responses to my post. I was having a bad morning and just needed some support. I do have a response to "Make33" in regards to your comment and I quote: "It's very obvious that you weren't mentally ready for this surgery and the key word in these few weeks is "discipline". I am looking for support and not judgement on your part. I'm glad your so perfect! I on the other hand had a single lapse over a few vanilla wafers and I realize it was wrong but I don't need you to tell me that I wasn't ready for the surgery. You don't know me and what I have gone thru so please don't judge me unless you know me. I am looking to this board for support and nonjudgemental advice. I wasn't asking you if you thought I was mentally ready. I know what discipline is but if I was perfect than I wouldn't have needed this surgery. I am still at the beginning of my journey and have every intention of doing well despite my lapse this morning. Jeni in PA

Hello everyone: Today I am 12 days postop and had my first appointment since my surgery. I was a little disappointed that I only lost 3 lbs during this time and can't believe I didn't lose more. Did this happen to anyone else? I followed the full liquid diet but have not started exercising yet unless you count running after a three year old! I was told to move on the pureed foods which is better than full liquids. I am so sick of soup!!!! Anyway, just feeling a little depressed about today and hope to start losing more when I start exercising which will be today. I have lost 12 pounds total which I should be happy with but I want more!!!!! I'm very impatient!! Thanks for any advice. Jeni in PA:frown:

Hello everyone: I have a question I'm hoping someone can help me with. I had my lap band surgery on January 17th and my port site is still very tender and sore which I expected. I took off my guaze bandage to change it where the port site it and near the incision is two small painful blister like welts. I am worried I have some sort of infection. Did this ever happen to anyone? I have been keeping the port site covered since surgery because any rubbing or bumping of the site hurts so I keep putting guaze and the tape they give you on it. I hope it is just some kind of skin irritation that will resolve on it's own but I'm worried. Anyone experience anything like this? Thanks for any help. Jeni in PA:redface:

Hello everyone: I was banded on Jan. 17 and I read that I have to have 64 ounces of liquid per day. Do I count the amount of Water I use in my Protein shakes towards the 64 ounces? I am having a hard time fitting in my Protein Shakes plus 64 ounces. Thanks for anyone's help. Jeni in PA:redface:

Hello everyone: I was banded on Jan. 17 and have been reading a lot of posts about life after lapband. I am concerned because reading some of the posts makes you realize how hard this process is going to be and sometimes it seems that even if you try and do everything right, you still don't lose weight. I would love to hear from bandsters who have been sucessful with a consistent weight loss and how they are doing it. I was thrilled to lose 9 lbs on the preop diet since I can't remember the last time I lost any weight but am worried now that once I start to eat, I won't lose any weight. I guess that after going thru the whole process of being approved for the band, the surgery and trying to feel well again, it scares me that I might never find restriction as I've read my people have a hard time. I just want to be sucessful for once in my life and would love to hear what experienced bandsters feel has worked for them. I see my surgeon on Monday for my first postop checkup and hopefully I'll lose a little before I start the pureed stage. Thanks for all advice! Jeni in PA:redface:

Hi everyone. I had my lapband procedure done on Thursday January 17th and now it is almost the end of day 6 postop and it is really really hard sticking with the full liquid diet they recommend. I actually started feeling hungry for food yesterday and resisted and I will continue to but the question I have is my stomach feels like I have bad hunger pains and it's making me feel a little nauseous. I am racking my brain to think of what else I could have that would be considered a full liquid but I can't think of anything I'm not already doing. How the heck am I going to make it 2 more weeks like this? Does anyone have any advice and tips for me? I didn't feel this hungry while I was on my preop liquid diet which is odd. I will survive this and I will stay on track but it sure is hard. Thanks for all and any advice. Jeni in PA:redface:

Hello everyone: I was really suffering from the surgical gas they use after surgery as I was banded on the 17th. Last night I felt like my stomach looked like I swallowed a basektball. It was very painful and uncomfortable but I wanted to tell everyone what worked for me. I did get up and walk more but I also used a heating pad right on my stomach and would move it from my upper stomach then my lower stomach. After awhile, it really did get things moving and I felt much better. I just thought I'd mention it as I know how awful it feels. Jeni in PA:redface:

Hi to all lapband newbies and my lap band buddies. I just had surgery on Thursday January 18th. I went to the Barix Clinic in Langhorne, PA. My surgeon was Dr. Brian Boe and he did a great job. My first night was a little tough as I am not good with painkillers like vicodin or morphine and the nausea I got from them was almost worse than the surgery. I spent most of the first day fighting off the nausea and trying not to get sick but after the medication wore off, it was more bearable. I have to be honest. I guess everyone has their pain thresh holds but this is more uncomfortable than I thought. I am used to pain and have a high pain tolerance (i.e. has 10 lb 7 oz baby all natural) but this I'm not used to. I guess I wasn't thinking that even though it's laproscopic surgery, they do cut through the muscle which in inself will make you feel uncomfortable. As for my port that too is painful but remember, I am not taking any meds they gave me for pain because I am afraid of getting nauseas again. Anyway, on my preop diet I lost 9 lbs which I was happy about and the surgeons said my liver looked nice and lean which is the objective. I have to admit that on the first day after surgery I was thinking to myself that I must have been crazy and why did I do this but after my nausea wore off and I was feeling a little better I am feeling very optimistic about it all and am really looking forward to changing my eating habits and getting healthier. This is day number 3 and I am still tired and quite sore but I guess that is to be expected. The one thing I am not having any luck at is getting rid of any of the gas they pump into you from surgery. My 3 year old asked me if I had a baby in there. Unfortunately no. I am using the gas-x which doesn't seem to help this type of bloated feeling and I am drinking peppermint tea. I just think I would feel more comfortable if I could get rid of this bloated gas filled belly. If anyone has any tips, I'd love your advice. No matter what, even though I am going to have to tough it out for a little while I feel in the long run it will be worth every little ache and pain if this is going to help me get healthier and lose weight. I will keep posting about my journey and things can only get better from here!!!! Jeni in PA:redface:

Hello everyone: I am Jeni from Pennsylvania and I am having the lap band done on Thursday, January 17th. I am nervous, scared and excited. I am currently on a 10 day liquid diet which has been very tough but I am doing it. I am looking for a lap band buddy to share stories and keep each other motivated. I would like to lose at least 90 lbs but I know it will take time and patience. If anyone is also starting out like me, I'd love to talk with you. Thank you everyone for all your great advice and I know I'll be posting much more after my surgery. Thanks and best wishes to all of you. Jeni in PA:tongue:

Hi everyone, I am on my 10 day preop clear liquid diet. My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday the 17th. When I got on the scale this morning I saw that I've only lost 5 pounds which is not a lot. I am also due for my period on the 17th which I'm thinknig is why I haven't lose more weight. I am worried that not enough weight loss will mean I will not shrink my liver like they want and they're going to be upset with me. Do you think I'm over reacting? Thanks for any help. Jeni:confused:

Thanks to all who have replied so far about being my lap band buddy. I say the more the merrier. We can all cheer each other on. I have a question. I was going to reply to each of you personally but when I hit the quick reply it wouldn't go thru for me? I must be doing something wrong. I'm not so great with the computer. Anyway, thanks to all and I will be posting again soon or after my surgery. Thanks guys! Jeni in PA:tongue:

Hello everyone! I am scheduled to have surgery on January 17th and I am wondering if anyone has any advice for me on what to bring along with me that would help. I already know I'm going to bring Gas X strips but what else is helpful? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeni