Jodi_620

...if only it were available to me when I was 18, *sigh*

Since the tubing and port are stitched to your abdominal muscle wall, you may have popped one of the stitches that are holding your tubing in place. If so, it shouldn't be a problem, they put several stitches in there. Or it may just be that things shifted in there...I really did have a lot of wierd sensations that early on. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you have increased pain but maybe mention it next time you see your doc. Don't do too much strenuous stuff this early out, give those sutures time to heal. Be mindful of how you move and how much you lift.

Like the others said, if... A.) You are only eating when hungry, taking small bites (about the size of the fingernail on your index finger), chewing it thoroughly and putting your fork down between bites (it should take 20-30 minutes to eat a meal. B.) You are not PB'ing only on certain foods (common culprits being doughy breads, dry meats, fibrous veggies, starchy carbs) C.) Are not drinking too soon after a meal ...then you may need to look at whether you are too tight.

The major port pain was gone after a week, there was moderate pain in the second week. The pain improved from there (became more of a skin/nerve sensitivity along the front waistband). After a month the pain was completely gone. I was told to wait six weeks before I did any kind of strenuous ab exercises or heavy lifting, this allows for the internal sutures to heal completely so your port and tubing heals firmly in place. But now I can do any kind of physcial activity without any discomfort.

The theory is that drinking before a meal can take up space in your pouch. When you eat, you will fill up faster but may not stay satisfied after the liquid leaves the pouch. But I have seen in fluro how quickly liquids move out of the pouch and just don't see how this makes sense. Drinking too soon after a meal apparently will flush the food out of the pouch leaving you hungry sooner but if that is true then that would mean that when you drink 30 minutes later you are flushing the food out then. I have tried it both ways and did not notice a difference in appetite or weight loss. Although if I drink too soon after a meal I sometimes slime or PB--so I drink right up to my meal but wait 30 minutes after to have a drink.

You should be able to handle most things, I have had Chick-fil-a (chicken strips), Wendy's (chili) and Taco Bell (mexican pizza). I can do bread but it takes a lot of work which takes the enjoyment out of eating burgers or subs. Some people have said that they can't handle fries...I haven't tried them and have no desire to splurge on something like that. I used to eat at burger joints regularly and I don't miss them at all. I ocasionally drive by a Subway and get tempted (their bread is sooooo good) but I have not given in. I have gone to chick-fil-a a few times simply because my in-laws love that place and we end up there on outings but I can live without it. Otherwise a couple trips to Taco Bell and one to Wendy's was just for convenience sake while out-and-about or when DH just had to have tacos. I mostly miss the convenience of ordering a pizza or grabbing takeout but we are both eating healthier and saving money. When we do want to eat out, I prefer a nice sitdown restaraunt, the food is better and there are healthier options.

It could be the tubing leading to the port too. How long ago were you banded?

Yes it is normal. On average it takes four fills to really start seeing results. Taking it slowly with fills is the best way to go. Be patient, it will happen.

No, your stomach is higher and to the left (just under your ribs). You probably felt your port shifting, is this near your largest incision (port incision)? Some pain and weird sensations are normal during healing. If you start to get severe pain, swelling, seeping from sutures or fever then you should see your doctor.

Sorry, I didn't even realize that I stumbled upon your post in the Minnesota Local Support section. If you want support from local people, this is the place to post your questions. You may get more responses if you post to all members rather than just those in Minnesota. You could post in say the pre-op category: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/ or the General category: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ For the list of all categories, go here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/forum.html Just start a new thread , just like you did here only in the section that is appropriate to your specific topic.

Your last sentence answers your first question...you have not had a fill yet so you really have not started using the band yet so you will be hungry. It may take a couple fills to really start seeing results. As for cravings, maybe you are craving because you are hungry. Or maybe you are not getting enough nutrition...are you remembering to take your Vitamins? Or a lot of people crave food when they are stressed. Maybe you are taking in too many high glycemic carbs like Pasta, potato, rice, sugar and corn which will cause you to crave even more carbs. Maybe you're bored or tempting yourself by keeping goodies around...What ever is causing it, the band will not help you in that department, you need to figure out what is causing the cravings then deal with the cause. Good Luck!!!

If it was recent (last couple months) then you may be able to have those results forwarded to your surgeon but if it was six years ago then you will likely need to have these tests done again. I was not required to have a sleep study, 13 week diet or stress test (in my experience, these things depend on insurance requirments) The psych evaluation is important to make sure you are prepared and educated on this process as is the nutrion classes. As already mentioned, the liver and EKG tests are necessary to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery and the other tests are necessary in order to make sure that you do not have any underlying conditions that will hinder weight loss...those need to be treated and under control first.

I had two weeks Liquid Protein pre-op, two weeks liquids post-op then two weeks mushies. Post-op was easier for me. Although it is not filled, the band is there and that with swelling did reduce my appetite for a while post-op. But I missed chewing during that six weeks! I was banded on May 30th (almost 8 months ago). I lost around 30 pounds from pre-op to my first fill then consistently lost at least 2 pounds per week until recently. The last 20 pounds are coming off very slowly but that is fine. While I did count calories, measure and weigh my food in the beginning, once I got the hang of what and how much I could handle I no longer bothered with that stuff. I never kept a food diary. I just listen to my body and eat when I am truly hungry and quit when I am full. Determining true hunger from head hunger or dehydration took some time...pre-band I rarely allowed myself to get truly hungry and ate based on head hunger alone. I gave up on starchy carbs, white flour and sugar to keep the head hunger at bay, I wasn't allowed this stuff pre-op and I was very choosy about what I re-introduced after that. There are times when I am faced with something REALLY yummy and I wish I could eat more but for the most part, I am satisfied on a small portion of food. Keeping up on fills is also very important. It could take four or more to really get to where you want to be...it took five for me.

Are you getting tummy rumbling hungry or is it head hunger (cravings) or dehydration (empty stomach feeling)? Are you eating solid food like lean protein and fresh veggies? Are you drinking lots of water? Are you wating 30-60 minutes to drink after a meal?

Hi Jana and Welcome! Keep us updated on your progress.

Hi Franny and Welcome! You can do the pre-op diet...If I can anyone can. It is hard but just take it one day at a time and keep reminding yourself that it is just a temporary sacrifice and the reward will be sooooo worth it! There are some wonderfully supportive people here that can help you through it. Best Wishes!!!

Hi and Welcome! No, not everyone here has been banded. There are many like you that are still in the decision making process, many waiting for insurance approval, others working through financing and many others going through the pre-op process. I have been banded for 8 months and I have absolutely no regrets. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

Welcome Bella, It is always good to hear from a veteran bandster! It is beautiful here in Virginia today too...just a different kind a beauty; see attachment. Hope to see you around the site.

Me too...thanks for the info!

Sorry to say Debbie, almost 8 months out and I still cant burp like most people do...not those big ol' belly burps that leave us feeling oh-so relieved. I feel air in my pouch or low in my esophagus and I have to force the air out with using my throat muscles. It is not as productive or satisfying...

I do not miss fast food so much but I do miss the convenience of ordering a pizza on nights that I don't want to cook. I miss Subway... I don't want the wraps--when I go in there and smell the bread that is what I want and so I just don't go. That bread, even whole wheat would just take too much work. In general I miss bread and especially Pasta from time to time but being insulin resistant, it is best that I avoid these things while trying to lose weight. But none of these things have been a huge issue, I see a fast food commercial or drive by a place and think "that would be good about right now" then I remind myself that it isn't worth it and I move on. Since banding I do get intense cravings for fish which is new for me and a good change from my prior habits.

Your pouch is empty and dry (dehydrated) in the morning which causes that tight feeling. It takes a while to rehydrate, sipping a hot drink helps. As for the hiccups, your esophagus passes through your diaphragm in to your stomach (pouch) which is just below the diaphragm. When your pouch fills up it puts pressure on your diaphragm resulting in hiccups.

Just found this thread...Beth, I did not know that Dr. Pinnars office offered support groups. Is this something that is posted somewhere in the office? Did you attend the one in December (if so, what did you think?)

I get the internal gurgling sensation with every fill. Kinda travels from the port the whole way up to my throat.

You are certainly within the common guideline requirements to qualify for surgery, you are an adult and with your prior expereince with weight loss, it sounds to me like the Lap Band could be the answer for you. A BMI above 40 usually does not require comorbities and why does your doctor want to wait until you develop comorbities???...nip this in the bud now while you are still young and healthy. If he does not get on board, I would try to find someone who will. Good luck!!!