AngieAngel

Guys, hang in there. I just had my first fill on the 23rd and it made a BIG difference. Even though it may take a couple of fills to get there it doesn't mean that you won't have any restriction at all. Remember, you are in it for the long haul...you can do it!!

Are you still on the pain medication they gave you? This may cause constipation and also nausea. Also, anesthesia can take some time to get over. I know it took a good 5 days before I felt like I was over it.

That is what the doc told me. Because I did not have to qualify for insurance I did not have to abide by the pre-op diet. I just ate lightly the day before. I did not have to have a psych evaluation either. I was able to skip steps because I did not have to qualify for insurance. Many of the things that you have to go through to qualify for lapband is imposed by the insurance companies. As for the preop diet I see two things...following a diet plan successfully for a period of time lets the insurance company know that you can do it. Also, dieting beforehand shrinks your liver. Maybe he wasn't worried about my liver because I was not as large as some of the patients?

This is the part they call "Bandster Hell". Until you are filled where you feel restriction you will be able to eat. That being said, you are still responsible for what and how much you eat. Have you been good? Are you near TOM?

Since I was a self-pay I did not have to go on any diet at all. They told me to just 'eat light' the day before surgery. When you are using health insurance, they impose all kinds of rules that have to be followed, but not necessarily absolute requirements Healthwise. That is the one thing that scared me about lapband is that the doctors seem to be all over the map when it comes to pre and post op diets. My doc uses the guidelines from the actual lapband company so I feel comfortable with his diet overall.

It is going to take time, so be patient!! Everyone loses weight differently. Some drop it fast and some don't really start to lose until they get their adjustments. Also, remember, this isn't bypass surgery where people lose weight quickly...it is going to take time. So take a deep breath and be patient. You are going to look back at the time you lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks and see how great that was. In the future, 1 to 2 pounds a week is NORMAL and anything above that is gravy. Merry Christmas!!

Weight naturally fluctuates a couple of pounds depending on time of day, and especially after surgery when your hydration is bound to be low. So, the first thing you have to do is stop weighing everyday! Now that you are past the worst part you are probably drinking more and your body is returning to 'normal' hydration-wise. No more freaking out :tt2: Some soup the night before will not put pounds back on overnight, I promise. Hang in there and know that this is a long process we have set ourselves up for. Merry Christmas!!!!:sad:

I got my first fill yesterday. When he stuck me the first time he told me that the band had 1cc and that he added 4 more for a total of 5cc. BUT, I wasn't able to swallow Water so I had to get poked again when he let out 1cc. This morning I am able to drink...but verrrry slowly. It is going to take some getting used to. The best news is that I have lost 20 lbs since surgery!!

I am just over a month out of surgery and only recently got my energy back. Also, don't be surprised if you should start feeling a bit yucky here and there. It is all part of healing. Good days and bad days. But now it is all good days, as long as I don't eat too fast! :thumbup:

Non scale Victory...you were close!!!:thumbup:

I am so rooting for her. To do this without surgery is a huge effort. I appeared in the June 2006 issue of Weight Watchers magazine as a "Success Story" and gained it all back. :scared2: Now I am recently banded and hope to get the weight off and keep it off. WW is a wonderful plan by the way, just some of us need more help than others.

If you are asking 'when' to have breast reduction, you should have it after the lap band. However, if you want to make sure your insurance will pay you want to have the reduction pre-op because many insurances will not do it below a certain size.

I PB/slimed last week at work. I was feeling a bit weak around lunch time and thought that I would have a couple of dried apricots to tide me over. These are very moist and I thought would be a nice bit of sugar to get me peppy again. Wrong. Although I chewed it all up...it got stuck and boy...it hurt. I had to go to my car and lay down for a while. I was a little sore the next day too!! I was on liquids for a couple of days after that. I had another episode (although not as bad as the above) two days ago with a piece of thin crust pizza. I think in this case I deserved it because I was hungry and just simply ate too fast. So my lesson there is to not get so hungry and to slow down, even though it is hard to. I will never try dried apricots again, it was awful.

Thank you for sharing. I go have a fill on the 23rd and am a little anxious about it. My doctor intends to take me to 4cc and I am hoping not to have any problems, especially since it is right before Xmas and I am not sure he will return calls on that day :huh2:

I get my fill on the 23rd. Lock me down tight before Xmas day. :smile2:

Yesterday I had a cheese omelet, it was very good!

Dr DiMarco is wonderful. Word of caution though, he is extremely busy and ALWAYS late to appointments, but he is worth the wait. There are other surgeons in the practice as well, but I do not know them personally.

I've been scheduled for my first fill on Dec 23. Lock that puppy down before Xmas!

I have had a couple of moments where I felt like I was starving, but once I started to eat I got full pretty quickly.

Mine is above and to the right of my belly button.

I also love this show. It seems to come on sporadically though :sad_smile: Ruby, on the Style network, is an awesome new show. I watch it every Sunday evening!

This period of time after surgery...all the way up until you find your 'sweet spot' with fills/adjustments is called "Bandster Hell". It is going to be a long process, but will be well worth it. Stay strong:thumbup:. I am in it with ya!

I just got back from spending 3 days with the whole fam for Thanksgiving holiday. I didn't cheat at all, but the food smells did get to me from time to time. Last night they went and got Wendy's...normally something I can pass on...but it made me very hungry smelling it all. Especially the hamburgers.

This is one of the bravest things I have ever heard of.

Yes! I started Miralax yesterday hoping it will help.:cursing: