Shakey22

Yes! I've had exactly pretty much the same experience, although at first I felt the restriction, then not so much, then a few days later, the restriction was back. Now, if I eat to quickly or eat something that is too dry, like fish or toast, I get a pain at the base on my neck on the left side -- I wonder if there is a nerve that runs through there, and if this is the "shoulder pain" that others have described. It passes quickly but is quite intense and is a powerful motivator to eat more slowly.

Hello fellow November Bandsters! I had my first fill yesterday and I can actually tell a difference! When eating, I get more immediate "feedback" -- I feel full faster and stay full longer! The actual fill was a non-event -- only slightly painful and took all of about 5 seconds. I have the Realize band and they only added 3 cc's, but it's good to know that they band is there and doing what it's supposed to do. Hopefully, the scales will really start moving now! I'm six weeks post-surgery and have lost 21 pounds, mostly through sheer willpower! Now the band can start to work. I love my band. How are you all doing with your fills? Best. :blushing:

Good luck to you, too, AngieAngel. I feel the same way about Christmas! We will be traveling and there will be many meals at restaurants and parties and Christmas dinner. I wish I could go back for another fill before I leave, but that won't work out. I found that, even without restriction, if I really watched my portions and ate very slowly (1 min. between bites), that I could stay on track without feeling like I was starving. I could certainly have eaten more, but was okay with very small portions. Now if the dang scale would start moving again! Please let us know how you do with your fill. Happy holidays!

Good luck, gentylwind. I'm already feeling a bit less restricted already today, which I guess is to be expected. Fortunately, my doctor's office told me that I could come back any time, as early as next week, for additional fills. I think they want to get us to optimum restriction asap. I hope you fill goes well!

SunnyRachel, I'm doing really well. I've lost 19 pounds since surgery day, which I guess is pretty quick -- doesn't feel quick enough though. The constipation issue has improved a lot since getting off liquids. How are you doing?

Hello fellow Notorious Novembers, I need your help. I was banded on November 4, a little over two weeks ago. Although I've lost 12 pounds, the scales haven't moved in over a week -- since I went from liquids to mushies. I've been following the diet 100% and have been as active as possible. I was even up a pound this morning which, although I know this sounds irrational, made me want to cry. I just can't understand why the scales aren't moving given how little I'm eating. Is anyone else struggling with this problem? Oh, and the constipation! I'm doing my best to get the Water in, but things are not moving. My doctor said to try Milk of Magnesia, which doesn't work or Senekot (I'm still waiting!) Anyway, thanks for replying. I know I might lose a bit slower than average because I have less to lose than some, but this is ridiculous. I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't this. :thumbup:

Hi Amylynns, Your pain and ER visit sound very frightening. I had a similar experience that, based on your experience, I now feel may have been dehydration as well. I was in quite severe pain for a couple of days, but it resolved on its own. I was going to go to the ER if it got any worse, but thankfully, it didn't. I also had a similar experience with being hungry and feeling like I didn't have any restriction once the swelling from the surgery went down. Initially, I had a difficult time even getting Water down, then it felt like there was no restriction at all. What I discovered with the hunger was that although I certainly missed food and felt like I could eat a lot more, if I paid attention to my body, I wasn't really hungry. I tested this by carefully measuring everything that went into my mouth and I found that I was not any more "hungry" when I strictly limited my intake than when I let myself eat a bit more. I've also found that it really helps to take 30 seconds between bites. That really slows me down and gives my tummy a chance to let me know it's full. I'm at three weeks post-surgery and I find now that sometimes I eat and feel like there's absolutely no restriction and sometimes I can really tell the band is there. I eat a little bit (slowly) and I get that signal from my tummy that I've eaten enough. I'm still struggling with the scales and with constipation. I find that if I eat anything I haven't prepared, even canned Soup, that has more sodium, I'll retain water and the scales will go up. I'm proud of myself, though, as we went to New York for the weekend and I managed to stick with my eating plan. I took some food with me and when in restaurants, I was able to find something semi-mushy to eat. Portion control was a challenge, but I tried to estimate proper amounts and when I'd eaten that amount, I asked to have the plate taken away so I couldn't eat more. I'm finding that I have to use a laxative on a fairly regular basis now. The main thing I keep telling myself is that this is a long-term process and that it will take a while for the results to show up on the scale. I just try to eat good foods in correct portions and to gradually increase my exercise. I guess I thought there would be some significant drop initially that would be effortless. I guess I'm not so lucky.

Thank you both for your replies and encouragement. Although I know, intellectually, that this will take time and that I have to be patient, emotionally, this is a real difficult time. I have read about "bandster hell", but I've also seen so many people here who say the pounds just keep rolling off. I was so hopeful that I'd be one of them, but I guess I won't be that fortunate. I'll keep on keeping on as they used to say.

There is no standard protocol for pre-op. You follow what you doctor tells you. Some doctors require a pre-op diet -- some diets are low-carb, some are just protein drinks, or a combination of the two, and some doctors, like mine, don't require any pre-op diet.

Hi All, This is my first post. I've been reading since January of this year, but haven't mustered the courage to post until today. I, too, am a November bandster -- my surgery will be on November 4. Although I feel pretty okay right now, I have been through my share of "emotional rollercoaster" times since I decided to do this in January. Since I made to decision to be banded, I've mainly just wanted to get it done and over with, but had to go through the 6-month pre-surgery stuff, waiting for approvals and surgery dates, etc. After I went for the anesthesia consult a couple of weeks ago, I went through this weird, rebellious phase where I still wanted the surgery but was mad that I have to go through this to get my weight under control. :eek: I'm way past that now. I'm just looking forward to seeing the weight come off and to, hopefully, the day when my doctor tells me I am no longer diabetic (or that it is in remission or whatever!). I have to think that my attitude will be 90% of the battle. I've sworn to myself that I will try not to whine or complain after the surgery about the pain or about how hungry I am, etc., because I have chose to do this and know that there will be tough moments ahead. (We'll see how that goes. I am a bit of a complainer.) I have learned so much from this site and I am very grateful to all who take the time to share their experiences and wisdom. I am wondering if it would be helpful to have a place (maybe a new thread or maybe here) where we can post the best information, advice, tips, that we've found. I find it hard at times to zero in on the information I need on this site at times. I guess I'm thinking particularly of the immediate post-op period. Anyone interested in sharing this way? Good luck to all. I look forward to hearing of the success of all the November bandsters and to benefitting from your input. I will try to share my experiences and information as well. Good luck everyone! :eek: