kei1170

Snapdragon...I could not have said it any better!!! I was banded in April 2008 and for a month or so, read every post, reply, etc. There isn't anything I can't eat as long as I chew it well first and I drink beer - just not as many as before (so don't feel like you'll never have one again) - all you can do it try - if you can, then great, but you need to watch. Your life can remain the same, just in smaller quantities - and still lose weight. Who you choose to tell is your business and your business only - I had great difficulty coming to terms with having the surgery done - felt I took the easy way out, but that feeling will pass - you must make peace with it or it may never. You'll be okay, Brad and will find your way with what works for you, etc. we've all been there, have gone thru this, and are better people because of it. Also remember, the band can be removed/reversed - is not permanent if you don't want it to be - that was a huge plus in my book! All the best!

Sue... who cares about inches when you've lost 138 pounds - that in itself if a HUGE accomplishment and motivation enough! You should be proud of yourself... besides, who wants to look back??? Moving forward is what matters and I'm confident it shows! Keep up the good work!!!

Seriously! I think your doctor is too strict and you should ignore his rules. Clearly we are the ones who have the experience of the band and not the experience of the surgery performed. Protein is so important during the beginning healing stages - it's what well, helps heal your body!!! I'm not telling you to eat chicken or solid foods, but Isopure like mentioned or high protein shakes, should be tollerable and allowed! Just take small sips and listen and see how your body reacts... Good luck ~ I wish you well!

Look for Isopure drinks at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe if you have one there. It has 40 grams of Protein per 12 ounces with 100 plus calories - it's great for the protein and Benefiber rules! Also eat a chewable fruit flavored Calcium supplement - also at Vitamin Shoppe, but am sure GNC will have all you need.

Yea, glad you're okay - how scary for you! Am glad you listened to more than just the post replies and went to see your doctor. God speed@

how funny... we were both banded the same day and my name is kris, too! i started at 218 and am down to 195, but i haven't done all that i can to be less - need to step it up a knotch, but am thankfull that after 2 fills, i'm still able to eat and tolerate everything - just need to make sure i chew the hell out of it first!

I was banded on 4/21/08 and thought I'd never vomit - I did for the very first time about a week or so ago - due to not chewing well. First it was "stuck" and it was the worst pain EVER! Thought it would never go away - I couldn't get the food to come up or down, it was just there. Then by the grace of God, it came up, but never do I want to experience that again. Solution ~ chew, chew, chew. I truly believe this is the only reason why vomiting occurs - well that, plus eating more than tolerated, which we shouldn't be doing in the first place! May you all never experience it!

Ugh ~ I'm 12 days post op and the gas (not from below) but in my shoulder and back are making me boderline suicidal (well not suicidal), but for the love of god! The pain is so bad and nothing seems to be working. I've tried everything from peppermint tea, gax-x strips to a massage - nothing is passing and and I am having great difficulty burping even when I try on purpose. Any other suggestions to help this? Other than that - I feel great - a little port pain but that's about it and I'm 12 lbs down from the day of surgery. :thumbup:

Yes, your worries are not really accurate. You will be able to do everything you do now, just not as much. I was banded on April 21st and can say I can still eat everything I did pre op, just not as much, which is exactly what the band does - keeps your portions small. Call your doctor - at least find out more about the procedure, etc. You owe yourself that much. Good luck!

This is the very reason why I stated what I did about leaving such a negative post... Pennyllane - I was scared to death to have my surgery and went back and forth with such apprehension thinking I'll never be able to do this, never be able to do that and it's NOT TRUE! I am 8+ weeks post op and I can honestly say I am doing exactly what I was pre op - just in smaller moderation and the band has been a blessing - it's not the be all end all and it a tool, but a tool that helps you eat not nearly as much as we did, which is what we all need or none of us would be here! If you feel you can do this on your own - girl, more power to you BUT if you've tried and tried again to no avail, please reconsider and don't let one negative post dissuade you from being a healthier better you! Good luck!

Jodi ~ couldn't have said it any better! I'm 20 pounds down since my April 21st surgery and although I would love to say I'm lighter and this band is not working well - it is and it's things I'm not doing that I should be to move myself further along. If you've only lost 13 pounds in 19 months, there is CLEARLY something wrong and I wouldn't say it's the band. I also have a thyroid condition, which required medication daily and for the rest of my life, BUT if you watch what you eat, exercise, etc. there is NO WAY you wouldn't lose weight. I don't mean to be harsh, but perhaps you need some tough love. Posting a message like that, especially to others who may not have had the surgery yet isn't fair... it's a negative message that isn't deserved.

Thanks Wallygirl... I pretty much do everything I can to keep my hunger at bay and I exercise almost daily. My weight loss is at a stand still or so I think - I try not to step on the scale too often or it will rule my life so I go by my clothes, which seem to be the same more or less and I'm okay with it - from all the posts and threads throughout the site, it seems that once the restriction goes away before the first fill, weight loss kind of stops - but I hope when my fill is done, this will change. Overall I'm very pleased - just don't like the scars on my belly or the fact that my port sticks out a little - more like a bump than a stick ~ lol, but it's the price I was and am willing to take to be better... We bandsters rule! :thumbup:

Seriously??? This is how you comment on someone who is clearly hurting. Joking or not, we are all experiencing this "bandster hell". I am 6 and 1/2 weeks post op and I can eat whatever I want - I just chew the hell out of it first. Then I make it a point to not drink for 30 minutes following, but when you're hungry - you're hungry and eating 4 oz. of food on a non restricted stomach is a tease. Maybe you can see if you can get a fill sooner than you're originally scheduled for. Mine is scheduled for the 12th and I'm holding out as long as I can... yes it is a mind over matter also, but what a bitch of a matter! Good luck and hang in there! All of us will be fit and fabulous in no time!!!

You were just banded 2 days ago! This is clearly why you are feeling the effects of being full after a sip or two. You are so swollen inside that anything is going to seem extreme - know what I mean? Trust me - embrace the fullness because after a few weeks, the restriction goes away and the hunger and feeling that you can eat anything comes back before your first fill - which is where I'm at. I'd be much happier having restriction than none, but again - you're body just went thru major stuff and it takes time. With every passing day you will feel better. Good luck ~ you're gonna do great! :w00t:

600 calories is way too little and that's not a good thing to do bc all your body will do is hold on to the fat cells thinking it's preparing for starvation mode. I would also say 1000 calories is a bit under too - you'd be amazed at what your body will do when it's fed too little. Try upping your calories as crazy as it sounds - this might do the trick.

A big fat, make that a skinny NO! I think we've answered your question ~ lol. So not worth what could happen. I'm almost 6 weeks out and I'm still hesitant...

I'm curious... I'm 5 weeks post-op and haven't had my first fill - I'm scheduled June 12th. I notice that I have zero or very little restriction - I mean I can chug Water and eat pretty much whatever I want (but I do chew the hell out of it before swallowing). Will this go away once I'm filled? I ask bc if I didn't have the incisions on my belly as proof - I wouldn't even know I had the surgery and this is a little bit upsetting - the whole purpose is to have restriction. Will this happen after I'm filled?

Thanks everyone... it is very comforting to know I'm not alone and crazy for feeling like I haven't had surgery. Good luck to us all!!!

hi... i can tell you that i was banded on april 21st and my insurance company initially didn't approve me because my bmi was also 37 BUT i do have sleep apnea and a thyroid condition, which pushed me right along for the approval for surgery - have your dr be persistant with your insurance company stating that this is necessary. my initial weight was 218 pounds the day of surgery, which isn't life threatening either and i'm now down to 195 lbs. i don't believe i will only loose 40 lbs with the band and neither would you if you really follow through with this - i expect to double that number and be close to 80 lbs lost when all is said and done. i did have a few out of pocket expenses like my initial dr visit, which ran me $250, then i had my psych/nutritionist eval, which was $50, then blood work, pre admit, etc. i would say i paid about $400.00 - and the rest was covered (at least i hope so) since i haven't received any bills and i'm 5 weeks out. this is something only you can decide - if you feel this is worth it, etc. maybe you can call your insurance company and find out more information on what's covered, etc. before proceeding. either case - good luck.

I had very little fluid put in my band the day of surgery and my doctor did explain this to me - I guess I thought since I was restricted after surgery and I now realize this was from swelling, too - that I would still be somewhat in the sipping stage. As for eating sensibly - I do - I just have everything in little quantities and have steadly been loosing - but I do have to remind myself when to say when and I'm just more comfortable with my body determining that for me so to speak.

I was banded on April 21st and although I'm doing well I have noticed that from time to time I get stomach pain. Not port pain - but a pain in my stomach. It's kind of hard to explain, but it's almost like when I have to burp and swallow "air", I get a jab of pain in my belly. Again, I know I'm not explaining this well but it's hard to describe. It comes in waves (not constant) and although not terribly painful, it is a bit of a concern, which I will contact my doctor about. Just wondering if anyone else may be experiencing this and what it might be? Thanks.

This is to be expected - you only had surgery 5 days ago. It's when you're weeks out, feel good and then every now and again, you feel pain is when you should be alarmed. You'll be back to your old self in no time - hang in there!

I can't imagine flinstone Vitamins being enough for you - they are children's vitamins - not geared for adults. Try taking Centrum chewable and see how that works. Good luck.

You are not even a week out of surgery - you're clearly going to feel like hell and as far as you not being on a liquid diet for at least 7 days is nuts. With all the swelling you have going on, anything besides a clear liquid (and even that's hard at times) is going to hurt. Get yourself back on liquids if you haven't already and call your doctors office just to double check - that's what we pay them for! As for the gas - my god, I was boderline suicidal my shoulder/arm pains were so bad, but with every passing (no pun inteded) day, it subsided. I am 30 days post op and the surgery/gas seems like a distant memory and it will for you. Hang in there.

This is a fantastic and helpful post but one thing does concern me and that's the sipping thru a straw - I've been told by my doctor and dietician that it's a big NO - causes you to swallow air, etc. Double check me, but I'm confident it's not allowed.