lovegrapes

I was banded the same day as you with the Realize band. I've lost 22 lbs to date. I lost the first 15 two weeks after surgery. I went pretty much another two weeks without a loss, then lost 4 lbs, then lost another 3 two weeks after that. I have had no restriction and also feel as if I've had nothing done. I had a 3cc fill on Thurdsday and it has made little difference. From reading this board it seems like most of the people who have the realize band don't hit restriction until they are filled at 7 or 8cc's. I think you just need to give it some time and see where the fills lead you. You may find that you need a diet change wether it be more or less calories.

The dietician who spoke at my initial education day told me that bandidng was ineffective and that they didn't offer that service and refused to answer my question. I just ignored her since I work in the inpatient setting with my surgeon and his PA and they told me otherwise! There are three dieticians at my office and I just refuse to see this particular one. The bottom line is that it is your choice! Any weight loss surgery is hard work. I'm only 6 weeks out and have no restriction. The band has made me incredibly mindful of what I am putting into my body. I eat to fuel my protien needs and allow fruits and vegetables and an occasional treat. I've had to modify my behavior to fit my band. If you feel you are fully informed, know your foods, know what it may be like after the band and you are satisfied with and resolved to the fact that you will have to make behavioral changes to make this tool work giving the band a good honest go this is for you. If you are sure of this be determined and don't let this individual get in your way. Just be fully informed and make sure you are making the best choice.

I went for several years with severe pain in my abdomen. Day in and day out I'd be miserable. It never presented as a burning or acidy type discomfort so all the doctors I saw never suspected that over active acid pumps were my problem. I started taking Protonix when I had a positive H. Pylori test. I had never felt better in my life! My pain was gone. I have taken some kind of proton pump inhibitor ever since (Protonix and Prilosec). There have been times when I haven't taken these meds for a week or more and I pay the price dearly! I certainly can't say for sure that this is your problem, but taking one of these drugs is preventitive and possibly curative treatment. My doctor strongly suggests that all his bariatric patients take these medications. Of course you should tell your doctor about your troubles at your next visit. Good luck

I was swollen for about 3 weeks.

You may have over active proton pumps (acidy stomach). You should try taking Prilosec or its generic Omeprozole. Your doctor can also prescribe similar drugs in prescription stregth (Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex.) I think every bandster should be taking one of these drugs daily to prevent GERD, ulcers and other acid-related disease or processes.

I had nine incisions--which is very atypical. Five is the norm and four is pretty much minimal.

My co-workers are getting increasingly insensitive about bariatric surgery. The worst part of it is that I actually work in a hospital on the unit where the bariatric patients come post-op. About 98% of the surgeries are Gastric Bypasses, 2% Gastric Sleeve and we just started doing bands. None of the comments are directed at me personally, but it really makes me mad because they have no idea what it's like to be obese. The most common comment is, "have these people really tried to lose weight?" One girl last night said "I would go to the gym, hire a trainer and pay someone to cook for me before I'd consder surgery." And my favorite: "they can do it on The Biggest Loser." I've given up on saying anything because it just falls of deaf ears. If they knew what it was like to be overweight since the age of 8! The social rejection, the inability to participate in activities and being rejected for employment. Heap on top of that the myriad of health problems that would probably bring them to their knees. Have they ever read the studies about weight loss in obese individuals. The statistics are bleak--even the best trainer and the best chef would hard-pressed to make long-term headway against obesity. These people are well aware of my surgery. How on god's green earth do they think I can comisserate with their narrowmindedness. Appently I've commited some henious offense against society again; first being obese and second trying to do something about it. I'm just really getting mad about this. These people are there to care for patients, not to undermine the intense preparation patients need to take to have the surgery and the hard work they will have to put in after. Perhaps I need to tell my boss that it's time for another sensitivity training session.

Well you seem to be doing something right! A little exercise and weight training definetely couldn't hurt too. I've had a difficult time starting either as well. I have about a million excuses not to exercise!

Awesome! It's refreshing to see someone who is actually happy with their progress.

You are having either heartburn, acid reflux and could possibly be setting yourself up for an ulcer. You need to start taking a Proton Pump Inhibitor. You can buy Prevacid or its generic Omeprozole over the counter. There are also several prescription PPI's that you can take--Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex ect. I'd get on one of these medications ASAP and hold off on the OJ and any other offending food until you have one or two weeks of these medications on board. There is no need to suffer, these drugs work well!

I didn't have port pain until 3 weeks post op. In one week it went from pinching and pulling to overwealming agony. I went to the surgeon and I had a seroma on my port (seroma is a pocket of serous fluid). He just stuck a needle into it and drained it. Talk about immediate releif! I had to return a week later and had it drained again. It should be totally cleared up soon. If you feel that something is out of the ordinary just call your surgeon. I was ready to chalk it up to healing, but I'm glad I didn't because I was really suffering.

I don't think a drink or two or three could hurt, just drink some water in between drinks so you don't get dehydrated. I've been out three times since my banding and I my band seems to be super tight in the morning after drinking.

I was banded 4 weeks ago and for the first 3 weeks I had absolutely no pain around my port. In the last week I was having an increasing amount of pain. Every time I bent over, got up, sat down I got a sharp sharp pain around my port. After sitting at work all last night I was in so much pain. I happened to see my surgeon at work and he told me to stop by today. So he poked and pressed around my port and decided to see if there was any fluid around it. So he stuck a needle in my abdomen and hit a seroma and pulled out a bunch of serous fluid from around my port. The good news is that it did releive most of my pain, the bad news is that if he can pull more fluid out at my appointment next Thursday he said he wouldn't give me my first fill which is scheduled for 9/11. So I really really hope that this will clear up because I am in desparate need of a fill.

I'm not a nurse, but I'm a Unit Clerk on a busy Surgical Unit. I would suggest at very least two weeks off and have a contingency plan in case you need to take more time off. I took two weeks off and I felt like I was hit by a train by the time I went home after eight hours. I couldn't imagine what it would be like doing more physical work as a nurse would do. All the stooping, crouching, leaning and being on your feet will wear you out fast and can make you quite sore.

I would try some Milk Thistle. It has shown to be effective in helping liver inflamation. It can be purchased at any pharmacy or health food store. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) - MayoClinic.com

Slimfast products just have too much sugar. There are protein supplement products out there that are so much better! Drinking Slimfast is like buying an expensive car and putting in the lowest grade of gas.

My doctors office suggests 1 T. of mineral oil daily for the first month post-op. You can use up to 3 T. daily. It lubricates your insides and makes things easier to pass. It's about $4-$5 for a bottle.

What you have is called NASH or Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; it is more than likely caused by your obesity. Hepatitis itself refers to ANY liver inflamation. The good news is that your weightloss will improve this condition. You can read more informaiton here Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)-Overview

The preferred bariatric procedure for patients who are on chronic NSAID therapy is the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy because there is a higher complication rate with NSAID use with Gastric Banding and RNY Gastric Bypass. Some physicians may be willing to take on a band patient on chronic NSAIDs. You will need to also need to be monitored for gastric disease (ulcers, bleeding) and will definetely need to take a Proton Pump Inhibitor (Prilosec, Protonix, Prevacid) and or a H2 blocker (Pepcid, Tagamet) for the rest of your life. If I were in your shoes I would take a good look at the Gastric Sleeve. If my insurance would have covered it, I would have done the sleeve instead of the band. Good luck to you.

I put enchalada sauce and sour cream on my refried beans. I've also mixed a little refried beans, Boca crumbles, enchalada sauce and topped it with a dab of salsa and sour cream. Tastes like chili. Boca crumbles are great, 13 grams of protein for 1/2 cup of crumbles (when cooked it turns into 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup.)

I beg to differ in many respects. The health of the inner aspect of your stomach is just as important as the surface the band rests on. Gastric ulcers and bleeding are a serious matter to any bariatric patient, especially those fitted with a gastric band. Just having the band in place leads to further complexity in treating any gastric disease; most notibly difficulty using endoscopy to diagnose and treat gastric health processes. Gastric ulceration and bleeding can lead to having to have an unfill or even having the band removed. Utilizing preventitive measures like abstaining from or avoiding use of NSAIDs is paramount.

Chronic use of Non-Steroidal anti-inflamatories after gastric banding is not advised due to the potential of stomach bleeding or ulceration. Very occasional use is okay. If you chronically use advil or aleve or any other NSAID you should find alternate medical intervention for your pain if you are banded or are going to be.

Penny, I don't know exactly what the recommendations are. My boss (I work on the Surgical floor) told me about the new diet the surgeon was using and that it came from the Association of Bariatric and Metobolic Surgeons. The post-op diet for my surgeon is--day of surgery: clear liquids, post-op day one: full liquids, post-op day two-two weeks: bariatric blended (which is mushies, anything that can be mashed with a fork, flaky fish, blended meats). I haven't got past this point yet so I'm not well versed in where you go after that! I think the most important thing is that you stay within your doctor's guidelines in a way that makes you feel comfortable. I've actually taken some liberties with the diet and advanced the portion size because I can feel I have absolutely no restriction. I've added more protein portions and cut back to two protein shakes a day from three.

You're really going to want to have some loose fitting elastic pants and a comfortable shirt to wear to the hospital and home. Other than that I'd pack a hair brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, some slip on shoes--like birkenstock sandals. That's all you need! I of course packed way more than that, and I didn't need anything other than what I listed.

I like Designer Whey. I've tried the chocolate and strawberry. They aren't so bad when mixed with milk. I've tried others and they were pretty bad. I've bought all of my protein through drugstore.com. They have a GNC store within their site, and you can get most items way cheaper than you can purchase them at GNC, you can use a gold card there too if you have one. They send out many promotions for discounts and free shipping.