Ineedalapband

I've only lost about 26lbs but I was able to sell my large size jeans on ebay this past week and make a few $! I was also able to borrow some smaller jeans from a friend because two sizes down is a bit snug (though I can get them on and zipped!) but I don't want to buy any more of this size because I know it won't be long before I won't need them anymore! I think the best thing was a lady who manages a eatery that I love saw me the other day (don't worry, I was ordering salad!) said "Wow, you are looking good. I can really tell you are loosing some weight". I could have kissed her! The only people who have said anything are my mother and my best friend and you kinda feel like they would be encouraging even if you couldnt tell I'd lost anything. It felt good to have a "stranger" say something!

Hi Linda. I used Dr. Redmann in Covington and had my surgery in Slidell. I have nothing but good things to say and second the recommendation to visit their website at WhyWeight.com- Weight Loss Surgery in Louisiana - Home

Hi, I emailed South MS Surgical Weight Loss in Ocean Springs asking about support groups and got this email in return: We welcome anyone who has had or is considering weight loss surgery to attend our support groups. We have one here in our Ocean Springs office the second Thursday of every month @ 6:00. It is never re-scheduled or cancelled(unless there is a hurricane). We also hold one the last Tuesday night of every month in Hattiesburg @ 6:00. Not sure which one would be closer for you to come to. If you need directions to the one in Hattiesburg let me know and I will be happy to provide them. Thanks, Valorie Barnes Ins. Coordinator South Ms. Surgical Weight Loss phone: 228-872-7277 ext. 3 Fax: 228-872-5553 I may make a plan to go to one. Hope this helps someone else!

You know, I went to the Dr. last week for my first fill and referenced to the nurse that I felt nothing, etc. She told me "You have the hammer, now you need to get the nails". That made perfect sense to me. We have the tool. Now we need the fills to make it work. Once you start getting some restriction things will be better. Thats what I'm holding on to. I got NO restriction from that first fill. So, now I do my best and wait for another "nail". Hope that analogy helps someone else as much as it did me.

What the previous poster said. Oh, and make plans to meet them again this time next year when your smoking hot. That will help those crab leg buffets look not so appealing.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one. If I'm starving I'll have a protien shake (Lord, I know we are sick of those!) but it does help me feel fuller faster. Thankfully our fills are around the corner. It might take several for us to get good restriction so this could be a recurring event. Just get lots of protien and try to keep your portions under control. This isn't gastric bypass and the results aren't immediate. Your only human. Hang in there. I can't wait to get to the Dr. and tell him to "fill er up!".

Its truly amazing to me how different our post op diets are. I was just reading another bandster is on full liquids for a month, others banded the same day as I was (Aug 20) are still on mushies, etc. I was able to move to salads, chicken and turkey today and had a chicken salad for dinner and a turkey sandwich on whole wheat toast for lunch. I haven't had any problem eating anything and wonder if there is anything even in there! I just hope I don't gain any of my preop weight back! I don't get my first fill until Sep 22. Anyway, just thought it was really odd how different our diets are. I was only on liquids a few days, mush a few days, softs a few days and now onto regular food. I can gradually add in ground meat, ham, etc over the next few weeks, but there is no specific date for it.

I agree with the previous poster. My main HH pain was on the inhale. It was like chest pain and hurt so much to breath in the first few days. I recovered quickly though and after a few days felt fine.

I was banded on the 20th and am able to eat eggs/beans, etc. today. I am feeling great except for some port tenderness. I am able to eat about a half a can of refried Beans with a little taco sauce/lowfat cheese on it. I don't feel stuffed or anything afterwards. I've been hungry all day. I've had beans (lunch and dinner), a small cottage cheese, a pudding cup, a protien shake and a popsicle and I could truly eat something else. I am also able to drink pretty normally too (not while eating/1 hr after, of course). I just worry that I'm eating too much or that I'm going to stretch my pouch or something. I know I don't have any restriction yet but I'm still concerned. My Dr. has given me guidelines of what I can eat what day but nothing about how much. Insight?

Of course I recognize that this is my responsibility. I am taking small bites, chewing and doing all the things my post fill stomach will require. What I'm asking is simply how much food (1/2 cup, 1 cup, etc.) is too much for my post band/surgery stomach to handle. I'm not gorging myself. Quite the opposite. I'm trying to make sure I stay well within the range, hence the question. Just because I say I'm hungry doesn't mean I'm eating all the time, thats why I'm hungry. I was simply wondering if anyones doctor told them not to eat more than X after surgery but before a fill, because that would be harmful to your pouch.

I had one too and never had a clue until my Dr. told me he repaired it. I've never had any problems with reflux. The only time I even had indigestion was when I was pregnant.

I didn't have any symptoms nor did I have a clue I had one. If my Dr. hadn't told me he reparied a hiatial hernia during my surgery I still wouldn't know! I did have more chest pain/pain inhaling after my surgery. My Dr. told me this was from the HH repair. I'm 8 days post op now and all is well. I only have some port tenderness.

What exactly do you mean? What exactly happens? How does it feel? I am no where near foods yet as I was just banded on the 20th but I'm curious. I took a small pill today, as per my Dr.s list - it was a Vitamin he prescribes to everyone. It was horrible!!! I felt like it was stuck in my throat. Ended up going to the bathroom and gagging. While gagging huge burp sounds were coming out of my mouth and my saliva was dripping out tasting like posion. Is this whats going to happen? It was horrible. I won't be taking another pill before going to my Dr.s office for my 1 week checkup. If thats what happens when you eat foods that the band doesn't like, I'm going to be scared to eat anything!

Well, I did it! I was banded yesterday morning. Everything went smoothly. I did more waiting to get the band than I did in recovery. I do have gas trapped in my chest so its painful to breathe in but its a little better than yesterday. It might also have something to do with having a heitial hernia repaired too. I also have a fanny pack on with some kind of medication in it being pumped right into some of my incisions. Its stupposed to empty and then I'll pull it out. Or if its not empty by Sat afternoon I'm supposed to take it out. Anyone else have this? I've never heard anyone mention it before. When you guys say walk - how far? I've just been pacing in the house and out to the driveway and back every time i wake up. Is that enough?

i had my band put in this morning. Its so painful to breathe in. It hurts at the center of my chest and goes up into both sides of my clavical. Is this the gas? I also had a hieatal (sp?) hernia reapair. This is the most painful part - breathing! Did anyone else have this problem? Please tell me if its normal, what you did and how long until it went away. Its really painful.

Thanks. My mom called someone she knows that had a band put in an confirmed that it was normal. It was just scary. Last night I started gagging like I was going to throw up and while I was gagging lots of gas was escaping. It was scary but I'm glad I got some of it up. It still hurts but not nearly as bad as yesterday.

Odd, I know, but I'm curious what I'll have under that gown while they are doing all this. Especially since I'm expecting aunt flo. I would really feel exposed without my bra too. Thanks!

So how did you "deal" with the period if you had to remove everything?

Just wanted to share this tidbit of really good info. I went in to sign my consents the other day and my Dr. told me that the lap band doesn't work for 10% of the people who get it. I was really shocked at that high of a percentage and I asked him why. His response to me was "ice cream". He told me that he has patients come in and tell him are drinking wine and eating ice cream, drinking lattes, etc. every day and they can't understand why they aren't loosing weight. Don't go through all of this for nothing! Protien first, veggies second. Lets stay full and make this work for us! Its not a free pass to thin!

Yeah lellow! Shrinking already! I can't wait to follow in your footsteps.

Thanks guys. I'm enjoying (?) a warm cup of chicken broth and a glass of crystal light since i'm on Clear Liquids today and getting everything ready. Packing to stay at my moms for a few days with the kids (since DH has to go back to work), dishes, laundry, etc and trying to stay busy. I'm a bit nervous but I'm sure everything will be fine. Good luck other 20ths! We'll be posting about Gas before you know it!

Title says it all. I'll admit to having a couple extra brussel sprouts one day as well as one slice of sugar free whole wheat bread tonight (plain) but thats it and I feel guilty about it. I'm on day 7 of 14. Thankfully I don't count dream cheating because I'm dreamed of eating about 10 big macs and a bag of chocolate by now! :biggrin:

Glad to know someone else knows what it is! I had to explain it to my PCM last month! I LOVE that thing and can't believe I didn't know about it sooner. I read about it on another website a few months ago and have been a fan since the day I purchased it. I wish I'd known about it 20 years ago. Ok, if you don't know what it is you can go to www.divacup.com and check it out. Oh, and if you want to order one, which lanakila and I think you should here's the cheapest place I've ever found one: DIVA CUP - $15.49 SHIPPED Go to: http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=-2228795031505824959&at=0 Enter this code: DOS357 for $5 off after you enter your credit card info.

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I wonder if I got some egg drop soup (love it!) and strained out the eggs and then blended them and put them back in if that would be ok? I'm on my way to band land in 2 days and I'm trying to think of things other than tomato soup and low fat cream of chicken.

David, how good of you to jump in and give such sound advice. David is right, and another example of how there are good and caring men out there. You just have to find the right one. Your Ex wasn't. You should be thanking him for not wasting any more of your time. I know, I gave 5 1/2 years of my life to Mr. Wrong. Thankfully, God was saving my Mr. Forever for me. :wink2: