trayrenee

Hello everyone! This is my first night on the board -- I have just stated my journey of hopefully getting banded. I have an appointment for a consult w/Dr. Van Wanger out of St. Louis in June. Does anyone have anything they could tell me about using him and their experience (good or bad)? Also I understand his practice requires something called a one-time "program fee" -- is this a common thing? My friend was recently banded in NYC and has never heard of this.

Yup! I was banded with no fill. My surgeon says he likes to take it nice and slow in the beginning to make healing go smooth. I felt restriction for the first week or two after surgery but after that I was fairly hungry. My surgeon's advice, don't expect to loose, but try not to gain. Once you get a fill you'll slowly start to feel the difference. I'm 8 most post-surgery and just had my 4th fill yesterday -- as you can see I've steadly lost weight, but I'm finally feel true restriction. Don't worry. It will come.

My doctor was very clear about both my pro-op and post-op diet. He had handouts and dos and don'ts. But as you will see if you look around the board many different surgeons, many different eating plans. One of the things my surgeon said is he likes for people to go on preop diets so their system and mind is not in complete shock when they have to have only clear liquids after surgery. What does the nutritionist on staff w/your surgeon say? How about plans post-op?

Question here -- never had any problems w/acid reflux, ulcers, heartburn (are they the same) before my band. Had two fills. Still going strong. After my third fill about a month ago, I seem to be getting what I think is acid reflux about twice a week, maybe 3 times. I'm not vomiting. Things are not getting stuck (though occasionally they go down a little rough). No PBing. So what is this all about? I will admit I am under a huge amount of stress. My husband has been laid off for the 3rd time in 5 years. Could this cause it? I'm going to see my doc next week. I'm worried he'll unfill me a little -- but I still feel like I could use more restriction. Has anyone had any similar situations?

Well it's 5 months since most of us Nov 08 bandsters have had surgery. I decided to check in and see how everyone is doing. I've stalled out ... but it's my own fault not the band. I'm still trying to get my head around night time snacking and adhere to bandster size portions. But I've had some success and I'm not giving up. To jumpstart myself -- I just ordered the Beck Diet Solution Workbook. And I need to make sure if nothing else I write everything down -- on good days and especially on bad. But even when I feel out of control I feel way more in control then I ever have with food. And even when I wander off the path a little -- I feel like getting back on is so much easier. The comfort of sort of having it together is the best thing about the band. That and buying a tshirt from Target the other day that not only was in the non plus size department but didn't have an "X" in front of the "Large". I will say I do miss pizza though. Way more than I ever thought I would. So how is everyone doing? Good. Bad. And a little mix in between?

Wow! Denny-C. 101lbs in 5 months (we had surgery the same day). I'm amazed and offer you a super congrats. So help some of us out ... what are your secrets. You must feel great.

Greetings all -- today is my first day back home (I was banded yesterday morning: Wed. Nov. 19) Surgery day I felt ok -- very out of it b/c of the anesthesia. This morning I kind of felt ok too. But this afternoon the pain has progresed. I have the standard gas pains in my back and sides etc. And of course the stitches are a little sore. But what has me concerened is that my stomach feels like a big knot. Kind of like when you take an antibiotic and it just eats up your stomach. I can't figure out if this is normal (just had a surgeon rooting around in my guts paing). Or if this is a misreading of a gas pain? Sometimes it even feels like the kind of pains ones get when you are very very hungry. I've been eating a little: broth, ice pops, diluted juice etc. Everything stays down. I think if it doesn't get any better by tomorrow I'll give my surgeon a call. Has anyone else expereienced this?

So I thought I found the perfect lunchtime meal. Delicious, cheap, low cal and easy: miso Soup with sauteed greens and tofu or grilled cod. However, I have now eaten this every day for over a month. I'm so tired of it. So what is everyone else eating? I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm not a huge meat loving person. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I too had a huge bruise by my left hip! I mean huge -- like the size of a baking potato. My husband and I spent lots of time laughing and wondering "What on earth did they do to me during surgery." It's gone now though.:shades_smile:

I drove 3 days after surgery. It really depends on how you feel. I was banded on a Wednesday and back to work on a Monday so I felt pretty good pretty soon.

I am due to be banded in late November at St. Alexius' New Start program in St. Louis and I wonder if anyone has gone through this program.

I can relate, sort of. While I have not gained any weight back - I have come to a complete stop. In an attempt to get ready for my fill and not gain any back, I am sticking to the 3 meals, 3 small Snacks a day suggested by my dietician. And journaling every calorie on FitDay.com and working hard to stay under 1000 calories. I have found on the days where I'm being honest, writing everything down and staying high on the Protein I'm actually not hungry. And the one or two times I've felt like I could get out of control I go back to liquids. In my mind I'm taking it like I really can't eat. I'm doing all the small plate, 1/2 cup of food at a time stuff. My friend who was banded in April and has lost 65lbs -- says that this is the time to really kick up the exercise as that can really help. I am told once we are filled things will be different. Good Luck.

Does your surgeon work w/a nutritionist that you can call? My place has 2 on staff and I can call or email them w/these sorts of questions any time I want. Also there is a cookbook out "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery" that has really wonderful realistic recipes. I think you need to start following some level of diet modification. Sit down, put some nice music on, and list what you are going to eat for the next week. I know that sounds a little over organized but doing that when your head is clear is great b/c it gives you a path for one week. And you can always change it if you don't want to eat something that night. I agree with the rest of the posters about fills etc. I'm am still in the beginning of all this - but I really think in my mind that this is the tool that will make the diet and exercise work and stick. I'm sorry you do not feel comfortable putting your weight down. As you can see there are people of all shapes and sizes on this board and we are a super friendly bunch. I don't think I've ever come across a mean nasty post once. We really do all try to stick together even if we will never meet one another. We are at different mile markers but we are all on the same path and we can all relate. Listing your weight and fills does help people help you. I hope you work this out. Keep the board posted and let us know how you are doing. There is a lot of help out there so don't give up.

Thanks everyone. I'm really trying to stay true to my 1000 calories and starting real exercise (beyond walking when it's not cold out ... and seeing I live in Missouri -- I'd say that's been twice since I got surgery.) My TOM was a little slow to get here this month (I'm told that's normal) so I'm thinking 1 extra week of Water weight could help that one up one down funny business.

So I'm 22 days out from surgery ... so just getting into my 4th post banded week. I started mushies last week -- everything went well. My oh my was that farina delish. But now I'm just kind of in a standstill. One pound up, one pound down, one pound up, one pound down. I'm not really gaining. I'm still tracking my food -- trying really hard to stay at 1000 calories per day. I would say my surgery restriction is quickly going away. I get my first fill Jan 6th. So is the best I can hope for is not to gain? My walking regime has been cut a little short -- the ice and cold has put a damper on it and I'm waiting for the next round of Water aeorobic classes to start the first week of Jan. So this is pretty par for the course, yes?

Yup. I agree w/the above. I'm 24 days out of surgery and just this week I was able to start sleeping w/out a side pillow. And just last night I was able to lay on my stomach (though I did put a pillow under there) to read a magazine. You will be amazed at how quickly you feel better that first month.

I had surgery on Nov. 19th at St. Alexus in STL w/Dr. Richardson. So far, so good. Everyone has been super nice and helpful. They have 2 dieticians on staff that you can call or email during the week. The program has multiple support groups and educational classes. I picked this doctor more for the program, and the fact that he's a mile from my house and across the street from my work. But I feel completely secure in his abilities too. If you have any questions no matter how small - private message me on this site and I will be more than happy to go over stuff with you. Good luck!

I have been banded 22 days and trust me, it does get better. I don't even feel like I've had surgery. With the hunger pains, you just got to ride them out. It took me a good 2 or 3 days to realize what they were (guess I had never truly felt hungry) -- and once I accepted that my insides were infected I was ok. But I know what you mean, it was quite painful.

Hello everyone -- I'm 13 days post-op and I'm going to a holiday party this weekend. This will be my first real social outing since when i started my pre-op diet. Can anyone recommend a good appetizer I can make that would be mushie stage friendly? I know I could do hummus but I'd like something more interesting.

I'm 2 weeks out -- started mushies yesterday. My food list says I can eat some crackers. I had one round melba toast -- big mistake!:cursing: It's like a golf ball in my chest. Do I just wait it out? Should I drink something or will that just back up more. So what exactly is going on -- is it not going through my band? Or is it too complex for my stomach to process? One piece of melba toast -- I was wondering while putting it in my mouth -- I was thinking -- "Boy this is pretty dry":ohmy:

As long as you are drinking in small amount over the course of the day you should be fine. And the first week you will feel hungry if you are on Thin Clear liquids like I was. I remember sitting at work and having my stomach growl so loud. Your not really putting that much in there for it to work with, but that's the point. I got a huge packet of eating instructions from my surgeon's office -- what did your doctor give you? I personally would not have been able to drink the tomato soup (watered down or not) for the first week. For me it was basically juice, Water, broth and SF popsicles.

Thanks everyone! It went away in about 30 minutes. I caught it early. I was eating on slowly to see how it would work. It's still a little sore but it definately passed. Good to know though about the drinking. My diet was this: Week 1: Thin Clear Liquids Week 2: Protein liquid diet Week 3: Mushies and some very soft fish Week 4: Modified regular diet Weeks 5-8: Add a few foods every week I too thought crackers seemed extreme at Week 3 :cursing:-- but I figured I'd try it. OH well -- something else for my husband to eat.

They did a blood workup on me -- if they did a tox screen I have no idea. They did ask extensively about my use of drugs/alcohol/smoking. But I think that's more for know what they are getting into w/surgery. And they don't want you smoking anything before surgery. It'll be interesting to hear what people say.

I would say do what comes naturally. If you are a person who kind of lives out loud like I do then tell everyone. If you are a person who is more reserved, then stay reserved. There really isn't a wrong answer unless you go against what is your true personality. I've told everyone. That's just how I am. The only person I have not told at work is the office busy body and 90% of that is b/c when she does find out it will drive her nuts that she didn't know and wasn't on the journey. If anyone is negative they are negative behind my back. And that's just fine w/me. To me that's good manners. But it's so nice b/c it's just so nice b/c it's just that little bit of super seriousness (not that losing weight w/out the band is not serious - -but you know how bad food pushers can be) -- but it's almost like telling folks you are in rehab. I have people very careful about bringing me homemade Cookies etc. And I don't have to make up the 100th excuse why I'm not going out to eat. And also I feel like I'm running the show. And for anyone who asks me "isn't it a crutch?" -- I say to them -- it works b/c you can eat 4oz of food, get all your Vitamins and then not be hungry for 4 hours. If you can do that w/out the band -- awesome. But seriously every person I've met skinny, heavy, tall and short has said "Oh, yeah, that's not a lot of food" So be honest w/yourself. You know what makes you feel comfy and just stay true. I have found most people are infinately fascinated about the LB and the nicknames people have come up w/it cracks me up. I have one friend who asks me -- how's your stomach rubber band going? Good luck w/whatever you do.:cursing:

Thanks everyone -- I guess in my mind I had gotten myself thinking INFECTION! It's so hard not to go to one of the big time problems that sometimes happen to people. I have to remember -- 2 weeks out. When I had 2 teeth pulled - 2 weeks out my gum was still so raw. This guy had a knife cutting through my interior fat! :smile2: It's just I feel good and I'm back to normal in the regular part of my life ... Thanks everyone.