Rchavez101

They said that I can crush them. Do I have to crush them for a reason or can I cut them into smaller pieces and then swallow?

Thanks for the compliments.

Hello everyone I have really been walking at work quite abit this week. Tuesday I noticed that my port location was starting to hurt. Wednesday I did some more walking and Thursday even more walking and standing. Tue/Thursday I was moving boxes around that varied from 20lbs to maybe 50lbs. Two of us lifted the 50lbs boxes. Thursday my side really started hurting and swelled up at the port location. I called the doc today and they said come in immediatly. They did a CT scan and all was good. They think that maybe on of the staples on the port may have slipped a little which is no big deal it should heal just fine. They also gave me antibiotics for 2 weeks and a belt that goes around my abdomen. When I was sitting it was find but when I stand it would hurt. 6 weeks ago I weighed 345lbs and today I way 293. I seem to think that as I lost the weight my stomach got looser which makes it hang a little more not much but enough to hurt. When I stand if I hold my stomach up a little there is no pain. It seems to be pulling down on my muscles which is irritating the port location. I am definetly going to use the belt for a good while till I lose some more of my stomach. Of course this is just my thought of what is going on. Has anyone had this happen to them?

I seem to think that I will not get a fill as well on the 8th. I got banded on the 11/4 but started my pre-op diet on the 22nd of October. I have lost 50 lbs since and 27lbs are since the surgery on the 4th. I eat 3 small meals a day and do not feel hungry. I think that I could probably eat more but mentally I have been satisfied with what I eat. I would like to move forward with out a fill on the 8th but we will see. Congrats to you feeling the way you do and the success.

I will pray for both of you that all goes well.

Congratulation on your journey. It sounds like it's been a intresting journey so far.

Has anyone had issues with itching in the area where the port is? I am not itching but would like to know if there is something to put on such as a cream. There is also a dimple where the port is when I bend over. I seen a post awhile back about the dimple and there was a cream to put on it and eventually the dimple would go away. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I thought that I had come across a link to common acronyms on this site. If there is can someone send me the link to them. I read some post's but am unsure of what they are talking about. Thanks

I weighed my self and it's been about 5 years since the scale has said 300lbs. It said 298.9lbs. I know that it fluctuates but just the idea that it was less then 300lbs. Since Oct 22 the begnning of my post op diet I have lost about 43lbs. This is great I can't believe how the weight has been coming off. I work in a clean room enviorment in the semiconductor industry and are required to wear a bunny suit/smock. The one I had a month ago is huge on me where before it was tight. I am so thrilled about this whole journey. I know there will be up and downs and I have had both so I must just move on and enjoy the ride.

Thanks for the comments everyone. To be honest with you the only thing I can give as a tip is keep your eye on the prize of being healthy and happy. I weighed 343 and now weigh 298.9 and would like to be at around 220. I have not had any fills yet. I had the surgery 3 weeks ago. Just stay focused and continue on.

Just like the title says.

Oh Thanks. DUH any bigger it would have slapped me in the face. I do agree there are a lot of ads.

I am 3 weeks out from surgery and feeling pretty good. I was banded on November 4th and went back to work yesterday and have done really well. Since the pre-op diet I have lost 40lbs and about 13lbs since the surgery. I feel no restrictions when eating but have kept my meals to 3 very small meals and have not felt hungry. I get to start eating mostly real foods this Sunday. Overall I have felt really good and possibly mentally doing even better. I have not been very hungry but I do eat since I know that I need to.

It has been 10 days since surgery. I had a scare about 4 days ago where I was having pain in my chest that would immediatly shoot to my head like if it was going to blow up. I ended going to the ER and found that I had a grossly large bubble of air in my stomach and a sinus infection. To make a long story short that night I thought I was knocking on Deaths door. Of course I made it that night to see another day. Never would I think I would talk about things like this to strangers but I know everyone is here to help. I have never passed gas like most people. I normally don't fart unless I am having a bowel movement. I am not able to just push it out. I am concerned that this may be a problem for me in the future with the band. Is there any thing that any of you have taken to really help cut down on gas. I have tried Gas-X strips, Gas-X chewables and Malox. I seem to not have quick luck with those OTC items. I am a point where I feel that my stomach hurts when I get up so I end up having hot tea then 30 minutes later somthing to eat. Today was the first day I had an egg over easy. It was pretty good. I seem to be having a bowel movement with in 10 minutes after eating. This is not the norm for me. Then my stomach starts to hurt again. I believe it is hunger pains but possbily could be gas building up. I know I kind of went on about more then one thing but if you can please give me info on any of the questions above. I am feeling very tired but I think that has to do with the episode I had of trying not to vomit the night of the ER. I think I would be a little farther then I feel if I had not got sick and dehydrated. Any info would be helpful to know if I am considered normal within the community of banders. Of course there may be other issues that don't make me normal but thats another story on another forum.

I lied the the egg was scrambled. Well my post of diet was liquid only for the first 48 hours then I could eat soups that were blended really well with no chunks. I went for my so called one week follow up 6 days later (Tue). They told me that on Friday (beginning of 2nd wk) I could start eating mushi foods like soft eggs, soggy cereal canned soggy vegtables, canned tuna in water, and canned chicken in water and a few more items plus the shakes and soups. Of course I got sick and never made it to that Friday and was told to start on the mushi foods on Sunday. The third week included a few more items plus the above. Sorry I don't remember at this point what is on that list. Ove all I get around fine. This morning I got up showered cleaned the kitchen, bedroom, hardwood floors ETC... I just get that pain in my stomach now but seem to get rid of it by eating or taking gas medicine.

I have BCBS of AZ. I had a little frustration with them over some paperwork that was submitted by the hospital. The paper work from the dieticaian had to have a date on every page since they couldn't figure out the order. I finally go it submitted after about 2 weeks of playing phone tag and faxing over papers. As soon as they got what they needed they took about 5 days to give the pre autorization to the hospital. One thing we did find out in the middle of it all was that the psycologist has to be licensed or it will not be approved. I had used the one from the hospital but they are like social workers and are not licensed. I found this out due to another patient not getting approved. I had to go out and find one that would do evaluations for Lapband. Overall it wan't bad at all. I am just impatient. I had my surgery 1 week ago on the 11/4. Good Look with your journey.

Today is my 7th day since surgery. I got up this morning feeling pretty good. I don't feel all that great now or as of about 9am. For breakfast I ate a chicken type soup that I had eaten before and had no issues. I also had a small spoon of some whole grain rice that I chewed very well. After eating I have not felt good when I go to stand. I get this pain that seems to travel from my chest to my head/face. It almost feels like the beginning of a massive headache. It only lasts for a few seconds but very uncomfortable. It's very hard to explain feelings on a forum unless it is very direct of where it hurts. I explain it the way I did because it feels like me chest although it might be where the band is. Has anyone had this feeling before? I also had to dry heave a few time earlier but that was the extent of it. When I am stitting or laying down I seem to be fine.

Well last night I was feeling like crap and didn't want to eat due to not being hungry. My wife had made chicken and made me a chicken soup that was put in a blender and mixed a little thicker then the previous soups that I had been eating. I decided to eat since I know I should eat. As soon as I ate my stomach stopped hurting and it settled my stomach. I also got up this morning and ate some instant oatmeal. I know I am not suppose to but I let it sit there for about an hour so that it would expand before eating it. It went down smooth and settled my stomach once agian not that it was really hurting. I think I had hunger pains not gas pain. I went with my wife to the mall after my 1 week followup. I feel great with no stomach pain what so ever. I heard someone say they had the same issue and after eating something a little heavier they felt better. Friday the doc said I can start eating a little more foods like cereal eggs etc...

For those of you who have gone through this or are going through this at the moment I need advice. I am content when sitting or laying down but when I stand or go for walks I am having pain that is acting like gas. I am able to go to the restroom after walking and relieve pressure only temporary. I went to the store and got Maalox that only helps temporary. I feel like the walking is creating more gas if that is even possible. What was the average lenght of time you had gas at the beginning until you felt good?

Well I got banded today at about 11:30 and I am feeling great. I can't believe how quick the surgery was. I have very little pain at this point. I am sure it will hurt a lot more tomorrow. I am so excited to start living life and enjoying life with the family.

For those of you who's doctor told them to start out everday with a warmer then room temp liquid what do you normally drink?

First let me introduce my self my name is Robert I'm 32 years old and I have decided to take the plunge and have the surgery done by doctor Kirshenbaum in Denver Colorado. I hope that I am posting this in the right forum. I am scared :scared2:for the fact that I don't know what to expect after the surgery. I have tried many diets :thumbs_down:but always seem to end up going back to my original ways of eating. I had the best success with weight watchers but then like I said I went back to my old habits and gained my weight back. Is there any advice that you all would be able to give me? Also if any of you have had the experience with Dr. Kirshenbaum please let me know what you thought. Thanks Robert

Hello Everyone It has been 4 days since getting banded. Overall everything is doing well. For those of you who had issues with gas what did you find to be the way of getting rid of it. I went walking earlier and that seemed to help somewhat. I am hopeing to find something that might give quicker results. The doc had told me to pick up GAS-X but that doesn't seem to help. The first 2 days were no issue but these last 2 have been a little rougher. Over all it's still not bad but any way of eliminating pain would be very helpful. Thanks Robert

At this point I have not tried to feel for my port. I am weird about things like that. It may freek me out if I can feel it. :smile2:

Hello Judy, It's good to hear that you are doing well. I have been feeling pretty well except for gas pains but can't seem to get rid of the gas as fast as I would like to. The second day was the worst. When I would stand I would get nausea and then start to dry heave. That really hurt my side. Overall it has gone really well. I am surprised to hear you are going to work so soon. I am out till at least the 18th. My job requires lots of movement and lifting. I am pretty excited about this whole thing. I guess it's like any thing else you will get use to it eventually. I guess i do have to remember that it is surgery and you won't feel great immediatly. Keep in touch.