cherycl

Congratulations!

Not at NYU. Chery

I had my first fill today, 1/3/06. I was nervous about the needle, but excited about feeling some restriction. Since the surgery, I have been able to eat anything and everything! I found out my band is the larger band, the nurse-practitioner used initials, vgb, vbg???? Not sure now. I would like to know the difference between band types. I found out that I had 2 cc in the band from the initial surgery on 11/21/05. Today they added 4.5 cc, for a total of 6.5 cc. I don't feel any restriction yet, but I will be on liquids for the next two days. Perhaps I will notice restriction when I move on to mushies? I was weighed today and have not lost any weight since my first post op visit on 11/28/05. HOWEVER, this is the first holiday period I remember where I didn't gain weight. I ate what I wanted and tried to pay attention to when I felt full. I did notice that on New Years Eve we drank wine and snacked on h'orduerves for a couple of hours before dinner. I found that grazing was too easy to do and dangerous--way too much food can be consumed over a period of hours and defeat the purpose of the band. I will make sure I don't fall into the grazing habit! Has anyone had similar experiences? Chery Banded 11/21/05 Dr. Ren, NYC 272/251/135 1st Fill 1/3/06

are you any happier now that you have restriction?

hi, i had no problem with insurance approvals and I have been on sythroid for a couple of years. good luck

I haven't had a fill yet (4 wks post-op). The first 2 wks after surgery, i would get uncomfortably full after 1 c of protein shake or broth. Now, I feel like I can eat the same amount at meal time that i was able to eat prior to surgery. However, I don't eat the large amounts--I try to eat about 1/2, but it is more like dieting because I am conscious of what I am eating. I guess the fullness I felt after surgery must have been from swelling? Can anyone explain why some people don't feel restriction after their fills and then the restriction kicks in a couple of weeks later? Thanks.

I went in to see the nurse practioner after my esophogram--8th day post-op. My port incision looked questionable (he prescribed antibiotics). At that time I begged him for mushies, the liquids were getting exceedingly difficult with each passing hour. He let me begin them on Saturday instead of Monday. You would have thought I had won the lottery! Mushies were easy to stick with -- I like cottage cheese, etc. Now on regular foods. So, yes, I did follow instructions.

Question. I like to make Soups in the winter. However, won't they go right through the pouch and leave me hungry? Should I only have soups for the couple of days after a fill? Thanks for the info.

Dr. Ren's team advises no drinking 5 minutes before through 20 minutes after. However, the brochure from Inamed suggested no drinking for 2 hours post (i think i remember it correctly). I adhere to the 5 minutes before and try to stretch the time to at least 1 hour (believing that I will be hungry faster if I drink sooner). I wonder why the instructions from the manufacturer and the surgeon are so different.........

I can relate! I was so excited about being banded--I couldn't wait. In fact, on the day of my surgery my procedure was moved up to the first one of the day -- I almost skipped into the OR. Up to the point of beginning the pre-op liquid diet, I was having one last goodbye's to the foods that might not be in my life any longer. Two days after the surgery, I was in bed during the day and all of a sudden the thought struck me, "what have I done?". I felt like I was mourning the loss of a friend that had always been there for me. It lasted a couple of hours and I realized there was no turning back and ultimately I was pretty sure I was going to be happier and healthier. The next day, three days post-op, I stayed home when my husband went to his sister's home for Thanksgiving dinner. I just couldn't face all that food. When he came home, I asked how dinner was. Well, the turkey breast was a mail-order, pre-cooked turkey, injected with lots of salty chemicals. There were no mashed potatoes and gravy, etc., etc. I wouldn't have enjoyed the meal because I am a very picky eater. Later this week, we are going to my Dad's for Christmas dinner. I am now on regular foods and will be able to enjoy a small amount of all my favorites. That was exactly what I wanted to be able to do. Small portions, no seconds, enjoy the good food and good company! However, I understand that twinge of "mourning". I am looking forward to my first fill because at this point I don't feel restriction and am working hard to control my food urges. Right now it feels like I am dieting! Also, I still think about food alot and I am hoping that once I can only eat a few bites, because I feel the restriction, I will focus less on food. Hang in there! Chery Banded 11/21/05