KarenH

Thank you for all your experienced insights into the fill process. I am a little over anxious for weight loss/fill/instant results. I will keep everyone's advice in mind. Slowly but surely, I will get to my "sweet spot." I am a little nervous about the process (withdrawing saline and then re-inserting), but I was able to give myself injections of byetta for a few months and then lovenox after surgery. I just have to keep telling myself it will be okay! Once the first fill happens, I am sure I will not be nearly as concerned/nervous. Thanks for your support! Karen

I am almost 6 weeks postop and I can eat a considerable amount at a meal. Dinners still seem to be the biggest and I eat for a longer period of time. I am going for my first fill next week. During the last week or so, I feel extreme hunger and my stomach growls so loudly that it's embarrassing. I have lost 18 pounds. I am pretty much staying there even with exercising 5 - 6 times a week. I can tell some old habits - grazing, eating cuz I am so hungry, a sweet here or there - have flared up during these 10 days or so as well. What is having a fill like? Painful? Easy? Difficult to find port? How scary is it? Also, I am hoping for about 1 to 1.5 cc for the first fill. Is this realistic? All thoughts and/or suggestions are welcome! Karen

I just feel like I am able to consume too much at one meal right now. Sometimes the amount parallels that of pre-surgery meals. I am also hanging at the same weight for the last 2 weeks. I exercise almost daily for 45 minutes to an hour. I just thought I might need a slightly bigger boost(cc) in the beginning. How often does one go for a fill? If this first fill is not enough, I guess I am hoping that the doc will allow me to return within a month or so? Reasonable? Thanks. Karen P.S. I am VERY impressed with your weight loss success. I will be happy with half of your success in 10 months time. Congrats!

Why is it that Girl Scout cookies go down without any restriction? I can eat close to a whole box and only stop because I know I am SO cheating. I will be moving these into the garage. I know I was stress/anxiety eating and I need to get away from them. I have only been banded since 1/25 and don't feel any real restriction yet. My first fill is on 3/11. The sooner the better! I have still managed to lose 18 pounds (I need to update ticker) but am stymied by my weaknesses and knowledge that I can pretty much eat whatever I want. I am exercising about 5 times a week. Either walking for an hour or step aerobics. I am a little disgusted with myself. :mad2:Karen

P.S. - Kat you cracked me up! Thanks for the giggle. Karen

Heather - I agree. I have a sweet issue, too. I want to learn to be able to eat more like a "normal" person - sweets included. I don't think we should have to deny ourselves anything either. I am looking forward to the band helping me to follow the adage, "Everything in moderation." Until then, it's the garage for those types of things. I will work with the, "out of sight/out of mind" theory. Karen

My surgery date is scheduled for January 25th. I am happy and excited about my decision to have this surgery, but at the same time I have a few doubts. I have heard from my brother, my best friend and my boss that maybe this isn't really necessary. "You've lost weight before." "Couldn't you just watch what you're eating and hire a personal trainer instead?" While I don't think they quite understand the effect of their statements will have/nor do they intend them to be negative(?), it still hurts! These statements make me doubt my decision for the long term. I have debates with myself all the time. Bottom line - I have been overweight for 20 years, I have sleep apnea, the beginnings of diabetes and I am not getting any younger! I want to sleep without a cpap! buy regular size clothes! have some energy! Thanks for letting me vent. I am sure we have all experienced these negative comments. K

I, too, burp more now than ever and I am not drinking anything but water and tea. From reading the previous postings, could burping be related to overeating? - although I seem to burp after every meal. 3 weeks out from surgery and today I had my first pb. THAT will teach me to eat more slowly! Holy cow, that was painful. Anyway, why do we burp? Are we making room for the food to process? I don't understand since it seems none of us is drinking soft drinks. K

Ah........I do love this support group. I find it sad and humorous at the same time that my co-workers (and a few friends) find it difficult to support me in this surgery, and yet I can come here in the comfort of this site and receive support from you all. Thanks! I really want to say f... off to all those passive aggressive people out there. I haven't told my own mother yet cuz I just don't want to hear it! Karen

I was recently banded, and told my immediate boss because of doctor's visits, changes in eating habits, all the possible issues that might arise. She was never in favor of it. Couldn't understand why I didn't just "watch what I eat and hire a personal trainer." I am sure this sounds familiar. Well, I work in a doctor's office and today she couldn't wait to point out a patient who had gastrointestinal bleeding and that he/she recently had lapband surgery. Now, I didn't even get to read the whole report....was it because of banding or was banding just an issue they needed to be aware of? "I just wanted to keep you informed." I said, "gee, thanks." This coming from a 5'10" 160 pound blonde (sorry for the blonde reference - she's really pretty smart - just socially inept.) What is it with people? It's like some want us to fail! Just venting at people's insensitivity and stupidity.

I had surgery on 1/25 and really had no pain to speak of. Lots of itching. Slept on my stomach by day 5. I started exercising this past week. Walking a couple of miles daily and some step aerobics. I have been noticing port site pain. When I walked the other day, I literally had to hold my side it hurt so badly. I slowed down to more of a stroll and it receded. I did my step aerobics tape the other night - no pain. Only now I seem to always have a slight discomfort/pain/pulling feeling. Is this normal and will it go away? I am very interested in your experience on this. Thanks. Karen

No fill during my surgery. I am scheduled for my first fill on 3/11. I asked during my post-op what to expect. I was told by the physician's assistant to expect 1 maybe 2 cc. I am not sure if I have any real restriction. I am following the rules fairly well. Almost had a p.b. the other night when ate a little to fast. Up until that time, I would have said I wasn't even sure I had a band in place! K

Thanks for your reply. It is just a little scary and I don't see my doc for a few more weeks until my first fill. I suppose I could call them, but this web site has been so helpful and informative. I thought I'd ask here first! Karen

I was banded on 1/25/08 and feel almost completely healed. The incisions are itchy as all get out, but I am over the gas pains, can sleep on my side and/or stomach the last 2 nights. I was able to start creamed liquids the first week according to my doctor. I did, however, drink one bottle of Isopure (GNC - 40 grams of protein) each day, along with 20 grams of protein shake. The Isopure does NOT taste the best, but I had read on this site to add some crystal light and it makes it more palatable. I never felt hungry or over tired when I ate all of the recommended protein. I am now 9 days post-op and walked 2 1/2 miles today. No more feelings of pulling or like I am ripping my stitches out if I lie on my side. Just try to look beyond the first week. That really helped me. There are so many SUCCESS STORIES on this site. Keep reading and they will can be your inspiration. YOU CAN DO THIS! Taking the step to have surgery took a lot of courage. Good luck. You'll do great!

When I first rise from a sitting position, I get this weird feeling like my stomach is slipping or there's a flutter or inner contraction. Is this normal? I was banded 3 days ago. No pain. Every aspect of recovery seems to be going great. Is this just me getting used to having a band? Has everyone else experienced this? Thanks! Karen

P.S. I have stopped watching regular t.v. because of all the commercials for food. I don't want to see that just yet. I have never watched so many movies before! Karen

Pam, I am four days post-op. No pain, just a few esophogeal spasms. Reading all the diets on this site makes me wonder which one is correct! I was on clear liquids for my one day hospital stay. The first week, creamed soups strained, thinned cream of wheat, pudding, protein shakes. 2nd week blended (blender) food - pureed meats, vegetables, whipped potatoes, etc. 3rd week soft foods chicken, fish, eggs, cottage cheese, toasted breads, 4th week all foods as tolerated. My doctors want us to be on solid foods prior to the first fill. I am down about 11 pounds, but that includes the pre-op day before of clear liquids and citrus of magnesium for a good "clean out." I was hungry last night as well - I think it was head hunger, too, because I have felt full ever since surgery and have to remind myself to eat and get my protein in. I did try to sleep on my sides last night. Did okay, I rolled over on my tummy and thought I had ripped my insides out. I guess I am not ready for that yet! I know it's been said a million times before, but we all heal differently. Just take your time and remember that your diet program will allow you to eat foods before you know it. The pain will be gone, too! Good Luck. Karen

Thank you for the jello/pudding recipe. You can tell I am a newbee. I have learned more from this web site than I have from my doctors/nutritionists! Karen H p.s. I am glad to provide a chuckle!

Thanks for the ticker info. I seem to have been able to create one, the test will come when I need to update it with my weight loss! thanks. K

I just had my surgery on 1/25. It was required that I stay overnight because I have sleep apnea. I really tried to fight that. I thought I would be more comfortable at home. To be honest, I am grateful that they made me stay. I had unanswered questions, gas that I wasn't expecting and the reassurance of someone taking my vitals and checking on me. I was out the following morning at 10:30 a.m., but still glad that I stayed. I was the "textbook" case according to my surgeon, I was up and walking the halls 2 hours post-op, the nurses were wonderful. I would recommend staying if your insurance pays for it. Karen

Thanks Aubrie. I wondered if it could be normal. I also have this feeling of being full all the time. No fill yet, I am in a 10 cc band. Should I be grateful? I can keep my 2 to 4 oz down at each meal just fine. I just get this periods of feeling discomfort. They pass very quickly. Can I ask how you did the weight loss ticker? I don't seem to be able to figure it out! Thanks Karen

All this waiting, waiting, waiting, and testing, testing, testing. I thought the day would never come! I am starting to think that the day before may be worse than the day of. My doc required citrus of magnesium and I have been at work in the bathroom for a good chunk of the day. Silly question - what does one use on one's tush when it feels like it is on fire? I am certainly "cleaned out.":eek: Why am I not totally nervous? I feel pretty calm, almost surreal. Perhaps it's no food! I am really happy:tongue: with my decision to have this surgery. I leave for the hospital at 7:30 tomorrow! Here I go! Karen

Just banded yesterday. As I waited for the O.R. to become available I turned to my husband and said, "Is this the right choice?" I, too, am a loser of weight only to put it back on. I am looking forward to having more control over the quantity I eat, gradual weight loss, and not regaining every pound and then some that I have lost! By the way, his response was, "YES!" He knows how much time I have spent researching this and how much support this web site gives me. If it weren't for insurance hang-ups, I would have been banded years ago. Good luck to you! Karen

I was banded yesterday. Doctor said it was a "textbook case." Everything went well. Up and walking the hospital halls after just a couple of hours. Home today. Feel pretty good. A little sore, but really no pain! Not hungry. I have to remind myself to have something. I am drinking the Isopure protein drink from GNC - had to add crystal light to the punch flavor. It's going down well. I suppose I should enjoy this time of not feeling hungry. I keep going to the frig and looking around (old habits), but it's clear liquids for me! Hope this continues to be this easy! Karen:lol:

All this waiting, waiting, waiting, and testing, testing, testing. I thought the day would never come! I am starting to think that the day before may be worse than the day of. My doc required citrus of magnesium and I have been at work in the bathroom for a good chunk of the day. Silly question - what does one use on one's tush when it feels like it is on fire? I am certainly "cleaned out." Why am I not totally nervous? I feel pretty calm, almost surreal. Perhaps it's no food! I am really happy with my decision to have this surgery. I leave for the hospital at 7:30 tomorrow! Here I go! Karen