SCbeachbander

Hope this new fill works well for you! My first fill will be tomorrow...fingers crossed...I hate needles!

Hi everyone! I'm terrifying myself...can anyone relate? 5 weeks post-op, and I know I am eating too much. Doc says 1/2 cup, and I can lie to myself and say it's 1/2....but I would bet it's a whole cup (or more!) I'm eating (volume-wise). So now I'm scaring myself. I've been told that I feel like I'm starving because I don't have a fill, and to make sure I stick to the 1/2 cup. So, I tell myself, next meal = 1/2....and then how much do I eat? Way more than 1/2 cup. My weight loss has been great....34 lbs including pre-op diet, so I can't complain there. I'm just worried that I have now stretched my "top" stomach before I have my fill! I don't feel any restriction, and have even thought (jokingly) that they really didn't even put a band in there...just put some cuts on me to convince me. I don't do too bad with WHAT I am eating, just the volume (although the Hershey's kisses beg to be eaten occasionally, a few of them each time). SO WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MYSELF? :angry Oh no, I'm not hurting one bit, physically - I don't stop eating because I feel full, I stop because my brain *finally* screams that I am going to stretch my top stomach! But by that time, I have eaten way too much. Have I already stretched my stomach? I go see my dr in a few days...scared to tell him I'm overeating....and he's just going to say the same ole "eat 1/2 cup". How bad have I messed myself up if I've been doing this for the last two out of my 5wks post-op?????????:eek: I would appreciate any comments!!! I don't get to get on here near as much as I would like (3 & 5 yr old always clamoring for my attention, LOL)...but sure hope you all will respond and give some advice. Thanks!!!

You're right, Buick, some awesome supportive replies! I thank everyone for their comments! It is so nice to be able to come here and get support!

OK, went to the doc yesterday...still said to only eat 1/2 cup, but if I was going over, don't go over much. They're trying to schedule my fill for either next week or the end-of-month (doc's on vac the week in between). SOoooo....my next question...I am irrationally terrified of needles (my Doc keeps saying he's going to hide behind a bush and shoot me with a trigger gun as I get out of my car, LOL, so I won't have time to think about the needle). How does it go? A numbing shot (s)? Then...? I know I have to do it, and that's the only way I'll be aboe to get through it...keep saying I have to do it, I have to do it....LOL. I'm such a scaredy-cat! Been through two c-sections, you'd think I'd be used to needles! So tell me about the fill, anything you can think of. How long does it take? Have a good day everyone!

HHMmm...I never thought of using these drugs post-op...and I certainly have some left over! Let me go dig through my cabinet....at least they may help til I get my first fill!

Whew, thanks, guys...I feel better! As one of you said you heard from your doc, mine has the same opinion, "tough it out".....but he will schedule a fill for 6 wks if we want it (I do!). I've read bunches of posts, and have to admit I absolutely cannot understand (and almost can't believe) that there will be true restriction. I mean, I really cannot imagine that I will actually feel full at 1/2 cup, but I sure hope it happens! Please, please, please let there be restriction! Thanks everyone, I feel better....and I see my dr Wed....will ask to schedule fill!!!

Hi Blondiee.....it's taken me forever to have time to go online! I had to read back up the posts.....how was your fill? What was it like? Do you feel restriction? I'm beginning to wonder if they gave me a "placebo" band...ie, cut me open to make me THINK I have something around my stomach to make me eat less. I've done great by pound standard....34 lbs since 1/12 (2 weeks before surgery).....but I feel like I am starving all the time. And I am certain I am overeating if you go by 1/2 cup per meal. In one hand I am scared to extend my pouch, and the other my hands overtake my good sense and still cram it in my mouth. No, I'm not eating like a hamburger or anything like that....still small portions, but I'm quite sure over 1/2 cup. Ok, have to run....please let me know your experiences! Or anyone else that can add advice, please do!

Hi Lisa, Welcome! How have you done since your band-date? Good to see more SC's posting. I was banded 3 days ago....and minute-by-minute taking myself through this liquid stage. I actually had to do liquids 5 days pre-op, too, plus a bowel cleansing the night before surgery....well, between those two I lost 14 lbs before my surgery. Keep in touch, I usually watch/post in the SC forum. Hope you're doing well! Janet

I made it, I made it! It started off a little rough with trying to get the IV's in (I'm terrified of needles), but from there it went smoothly. It was outpatient at Rivertown Surgery Center with Dr Anderson, and apparently lots of onlookers. My doctor has been doing it at Conway Hospital, but has worked out an outpatient surgery center for self-pay patients, to lower the costs. Representatives from Inamed were "overseeing" to qualify this as an additional surgery center for lapband...I'm guessing there were over 15 people in the operating room, LOL. Hey, the more the merrier, and the more to make sure things went right! I stayed in a recovery area til noon, and then had to check in at the Holiday Inn a mile away. Dr Anderson came to check on me at 8pm that night, and then again at 8am the next morning at which time I was "released" to go home. I was getting up every hour to walk a bit...didn't want to get stiff, trying to help myself. Drank Crytsal Lite all afternoon and through the night (getting a little tired of Raspberry Ice!). Actually stopped by work on my way home to "check-in" and pick up some paperwork, and then came home to rest. I've been hungry since I woke up! The strangest sensations in my stomach - I can't determine if I'm hungry and the sounds are my stomach growling, or if I have to go to the bathroom. Does this sound familiar to what everyone goes through? The pain (which isn't horrible, but still there) seems to confuse me and I can't figure out what is going on like I used to. I drank 3 Protein shakes yesterday, and already one this morning. Just strange. I've uncovered 4 of the 5 bandages (I'm a wimp when it comes to looking at incisions, too). They all look great, but am saving the biggest for when I have more courage. Blondiee, can I borrow your Mom? LOL, I have not told my Mom yet...she was against the surgery and was terrified that I would die on the operating table...so I decided to wait until I was okay. But I sure am missing out on all the good Soups she could be making for me! I am very close to my Mom, talk to her one-two times a day, so it has been interesting the last couple of days. She's two hours away, so it's all by phone. Angie, thanks for the questions and support! I have another friend that is getting banded in Charlotte today by Dr Bauman...the husband to my friend that was banded in Nov. Just wanted to check in, and say thanks again for the thoughts and prayers! ) Janet

Thanks, Blondiee, you mentioned some things in your post that I had not thought of. Yep, started the bowel prep a bit ago....I hadn't read the pkg til tonight, and then realized I should have started earlier. Oh well...looks like it will be a LONG nite in the bathroom. ANd here I was thinking I'd have a long, relaxing soak in the tub. I'm getting nervous. My surgery is actually at the Rivertown Surgery Center....they are just starting to do self-pays there, and I'm actually the first (there will be 3 done there tomorrow). Representatives from Inamed are supposed to be there also to qualify the new place of surgery. It's about a mile from Conway hospital. I stay there a few hours, and then go to the Holiday Inn nearby for the night....at which I think Dr Anderson will visit later in the afternoon to check on me. After the night I'll go back in the morning to the office. It's the way they had to set it up doing it out of a hospital. Should be interesting....I definitely plan on trying to get up and around since you made a point that it will help. Your first two weeks.....just clear liquids/soups? Protein supplement drinks, and broth, Jello, etc? How did you get a variety? OK, let me go get some things done before I have to sit in the bathroom. Say a prayer for me in the morning! Janet

Hi Janet, this is Janet (LOL)....I'm going to be banded on 1/31 (coming up quick!), and have been researching Protein powders/drinks endlessly. Do you like the RTD Isopure that this website has? I need something for those quick binds at work or in my car so that I don't make a wrong choice. I;ve been on liquids since Thur (5 day liquids pre-op), and have been basically disgusted with powders. The only thing I have been able to do to "masK' the powders is throw in a spoon of Peanut Butter. So how are these drinks? Aftertaste? Thanks! Janet in SC

Hi all! Just so you know, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth....just trying to get some things done and caught up before the BIG BANDING DAY....speaking of which, it's this TUESDAY! I bet if you listen real close you can hear two things 1) my stomach growling since we have a 5day liquid requirement before surgery, and 2) the butterflies scrambling around in my empty belly! Please keep me in your prayers on Tuesday! Angie, how was lunch Sat? I'll have to check out to see if you guys posted a new pic. I didn't make it to Charlotte this weekend, maybe sometime I'll get to join you guys. I'm hoping I can get something going in this area for Banders....we seem to be hard-to-find, LOL. Our Dr's office holds a meeting/support group once-a-month....and it is interesting and positive to go to, but very few banders show up. And Jennifer? I am still chuckling over the panties! I have to confess, though, it will be a while before I have to get new ones....I have different stacks of smaller sizes that husband has bought me over the years, and they didn't fit. Carmen, let me know if you ever get towards Myrtle Beach! Blondie, check my reply out on the other thread you started....I think it would be great to follow Angie's lead (the Charlotte get-together's), and get something going here. Have a good nite, everyone....I'm off to have another yummy Jello. Janet

Hi! Saw your note about being banded by Dr. Balder. I'm actually going to be banded 1/31 by Dr. Anderson. How are you doing? How has the first few weeks gone for you? I'm getting nervous! I'd like to get a group of "banders" going in the area to meet once a month....interested? I've gone to several of the support group meetings from Anderson/Balder's office, and while I learned a lot, there were mostly Gastric Bypass people attending. The Charlotte group of banders meets once a month somewhere, and it always seems so positive. Plus they take photos at this meeting of all of them, and it looks like a journey of "Incredible Shrinking Women". Would love to keep in touch! Janet

Welcome, you guys! Good to see ya! Leigh Ann, the SC thread is a bit thin (no pun intended)...so it's great to see someone that's moving here, LOL! The NC thread has quite a bit of followers, and very nice people....so I jump over there every now and then. I'd love to get something going like they do (meet once-a-month), closer to home. I live in Myrtle Beach. Let's keep in touch, and maybe plan something after you get settled in! When were you banded? My surgery date is 1/31...getting nervous! Plus my dr requires 5 days of liquids pre-op....I'm going to be one miserable person for 5 days! Maria, how did your consultation go? Welcome to the group! Angie, feeling okay after last week's surgery? Have a good Sunday everyone!!!

Wow, Angie, this was an unexpected surgery? Ouch! But at least it's over with, huh? Was the incisions similar to lapband, or? Are you guys still meeting in Charlotte next week? I need to take a look at the NC post to see what the plan is....there's a chance I may go visit my friend in Charlotte that had lapband on 11/22. If I'm up there at the same time as your mtg, I may join ya. I'm still on for 1/31....have to start liquids 5 days before that, I will be pulling my hair out, I think. Have been doing some research on best Protein supplements, etc....I tried a sample from my dr's office by Vitalady. OK, let me run....kids running around my feet! I'll look for the mtg info!

Hello SC/NC....I had my EGD done yesterday (where they cram a tube down your throat to look for stomach hernias or anything else odd). I know some docs don't mandate this, but mine does. Let me tell ya, when the nurse says "this is going to be the worst stuff you've ever had in your mouth", believe it. She had a can that looked like a yellow WD40 can with a long tiny "straw"....which she wiggles to the back of your throat, tells you to hold your breath, squirts a gallon into your throat...and then says swallow. OMG! Between that and the IV (I'm TERRIFIED of needles), it was a rough day. My doctor asked if I would prefer them to wait, hidden, in the parking lot, and shoot me with a tranquilizer gun.....I think it's a great idea! Kim, glad you read the post! We can certainly get together when you come to N Myrtle! I am eager to meet and talk with other banders because I think I am going to need help/suggestions, or just plain ole friendship from someone who knows what I'm going through. I actually live in Surfside, but with the new Hwy 31, it's a quick ride further north. Let me know when you're going to be in the area! Angie, the New Year went great....but today is going to be hectic.....my daughter is having her 6th birthday party here today. And guess what idiot me decided would be "fun" to have a bunch of 6 yr olds do? Tie-dye t-shirts. HHmmm. If there's a way to do a warm sun-dance, I need to be learning how to do it quick! I am going to be in trouble if I can't do at least part of it outside! Add to it that my mother-in-law came down last night with her best friend, and I had to act like nothing was wrong from the EGD (I'm not telling her I'm having the surgery since she is against it...same with my Mom). And (laughing) my 3 & 6 yr old are being "helpful" saying "Mommy has to go somewhere where she can eat mushy soft stuff because she's sick". I just blamed it on a good ole sore throat! Let me run and start cleaning before the little people arrive for the party! I'll check in with you guys hopefully soon! Janet

Hi Angie, Thanks for the warm welcome! Sorry it has taken me so long to post....the icky sick stuff has been making the rounds in my family. Hope your New Year went well, and it sounds like you're ready to get back on the bandwagon - you've done so great this far! I did wander around this site and found where you guys meet & take the pics every month - cool idea! I actually have a friend who was banded by the same doc as you on 11/22/05; she lives in Charlotte. I told her to check this website out as well. I hope I can make the group meeting someday....lapband is very uncommon around here (Myrtle Beach). The support group arranged by the doc's office is very slim on lapband patients, and the gastric bypass patients have a bit of disdain for anyone that chose lapband. Yesterday I was given a "tentative" date of Jan 31...fingers crossed, it will be then. Let's keep in touch - I think it's going to be rough on me, and any way I can help you or others might make it easier for me as well. ) Janet

Hi all! Looking to get banded in Jan here at the beach...so a great big (soon to be smaller, I hope) HELLO from a newbie to this site! Would love to hear from fellow Carolinians! ) Janet