ohjuly7878

My doctor also doesn't like to discuss numbers with me. (And I'm also a physician! So it's not like he thinks it's "too medical" or something!) I think his point is that folks can get "hung up" on the numbers. I believe he is doing this for his patient's own good. He knows that every "body" is different and a number for one doesn't mean the same thing as the same number for another person. I think he feels that if we get too focused on the numbers, we might experience unnecessary worry etc. Yes it is a bit paternalistic. Also, if I really asked more than once, I'm sure he'd tell me. But I decided to trust him and just report to him how I'm feeling; for example for this last fill (I just had my second) I told him how much (or how little) restriction I felt and let him adjust me accordingly. (That is, I wouldn't want to go in there and say "please give me 2cc's" LOL .... ) He's an excellent surgeon who pretty much ONLY does weight loss surgery, and I trust him. He does his fills under fluoroscopy so he can actually see what it looks like after he fills it (he has us swallow the barium and he watches it go through). So I think he bases if it's "enough" based on the images and the patient reports. To this day I don't know if I have a 4cc or a 10cc or a 14cc band, and I don't know how much I have in it. But I'm okay with that. Of course I'm not trying to say how everyone *else* should do it, I just wanted to chime in about what the situation is for me.

I had my second fill two weeks ago. I was fine for 5 days, and then I started getting really bad gas pains! At first I thought it was a bug... but it lasted more than 24hours. After about 2 days of on and off REALLY bad pain, I put a call in to my doctor. Of course, before the doctor called me back, I began to feel better! Actually what happened is that I realized I was probably dehydrated, so I began to REALLY push Water. I think that helped. I had to call my doc back and tell him not to bother to call me back :confused: By the way I had NONE of this after my first fill. So my advice is this: Really concentrate on getting the water in. Also, when I was in the throes of the gas pains, I found that a heating pad worked wonders. Of course, knowing that others have had the same thing (and hence it's probably nothing serious) really helps too; the worst part of the whole thing was worrying that I was having some kind of weird serious complication. Good luck!

I've also been struggling; I was banded on 8/12/08 and have only lost about 25 pounds so far. I just had my second fill about 10 days ago though... so hopefully things will start to speed up now. Let's keep encouraging one another!

I was just thinking that... it's very evenly spread. I'm sitting here reading this board instead of going to sleep (as I should be) because I feel I've eaten too much today... probably about 1350 calories. I know it's not that bad but I'm feeling a LITTLE bit of a failure since I got banded last August but have only lost about 25 pounds since then. (I'm grateful for those 25, believe me!) Over the holidays I gained about 4 pounds... but I gotta say, I really had to WORK to do that! I truly mastered the art of "eating around the band" and sneakily got all the bad kinds of food in. In a way it's a victory that I only gained 4. I've just had my second fill and about to re-start real food; also back in the gym... just so wanting to get back on track... worried because today I felt a bit hungry (which I really haven't felt since my fill) and don't think it was just head hunger. Anyway thanks so much to all on this site for posting and giving encouragement. Happy Groundhog Day to all!

Flaky fish is a good bet as well.

You'll love Dr Nusbaum. I also used him (got banded last August 2008) and he and his staff are wonderful. Good luck to you!

You go girl!

What's downward dog? Is that the yoga move?

I'm so sad about this story. I wonder, does anyone know if she had the procedure laparoscopically, or was it an open surgery? I did not find that reference in the article. I am a physician as well (radiologist) and actually can see how she might have "poo-poo"ed her symptoms. They may have been really subtle and could have been explained by so many other causes. Because this type of post op infection is so rare, she herself might have thought of it and dismissed it. In medical school, we're taught over and over again: "When you hear hoofbeats, don't think zebras". In any case, my prayers go out to her family. It's such a tragedy.

Keep up the good work! I know it's especially hard to stay motivated if the weight loss isn't stellar... so you're doing great.

Thanks for that link, it looks very useful. I've added it to my "favorites" for when I may need it in the future (I probably will, at some point!) -Julie

Hello all; I've been away from this forum for awhile. I was banded on 8/12/08 and had my first fill in September (about 5 weeks after the surgery), and felt some restriction (although my doctor says that his first fills are really quite small; sort of to help you get used to the band). I did well at first; lost about 20 lbs. But, right before Thanksgiving, I noticed that I really didn't have any restriction anymore. I was going to schedule another fill right then and there, but I sort of wanted some freedom during the holidays, and also I had a sort of "macho" attitude where I felt like I "shouldn't" need another fill. (I realize that is sort of silly... I mean, why did I have the WLS in the first place?! lol) Between November and now, I have gained back about 5 of the pounds I originally lost. I had my second fill yesterday, which I'm sure was the right thing to do. My doctor has us go on clear fluids for three days, though, after a fill... then full fluids for a week, then mushies for a week, then regular diet.... and I'm SO HUNGRY! In the past few months, I truly reverted back to my old way of eating... so clear fluids for three days is torture! LOL I'm looking for a little encouragement here :thumbdown: thanks everyone and good luck to all

Tweety thank you for the encouragement :thumbdown: i will do that!

I'm wondering if any readers can give me their ideas for how to increase Fiber in our diets? Although I have not yet reached the "real" food stage (just had my first fill 6 days ago), I have heard that the high fiber foods are hard for us to eat. In that case, what are your suggestions or solutions for increasing our fiber intake? Thanks in advance for all your help, this board has been wonderful reading so far!

I had the same thing from one of my incisions, but there were no other signs of infection. There was only a little bit of clear yellow oozing. I just wiped it away... I think with a piece of tissue actually... and watched it. It did not return and I have had no other problems. But I agree with everyone that if you're worried, give your doc a call... just wanted to let you know how mine turned out.

Good morning all! I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. My name is Julie, I live near Princeton, and I'm 48 years old. I'm getting banded on August 12th (one week from today!) by Dr Nusbaum in Livingston NJ. I have about 70 or so pounds to lose. I am looking forward to "meeting" all of you and supporting you in whatever way I can! Thanks for being here. -Julie

Hiya... I'm sorry I cannot make it this weekend; I have to work... but thank you so much for letting me know! I will try to make the next one!

Hello all, I was banded 6 days ago. I'm *pretty* much feeling normal now (although a little weak from only having fluids!) but I am having one symptom that I am worried about: I get occasional pains that begin just below my sternum and seem to radiate up my chest in the center. They only last a few seconds... often I will get one, it will end, and then I will get another. It almost feels like I have to burp but I can't? I am imagining that it is some type of esophogeal spasm. I don't think it's reflux, since I never had that before and it is unrelated to when I last drank something, or what position I'm in. I will see my doc today but would be comforted to know if others experienced this, and even better if it eventually went away for those who have experienced it! Thanks all; this is a great site and I have always appreciated all your help and support. -Julie

Welcome back, VegasGirl! Glad it went as well as it sounds it did. Remember to keep up on your fluids; I got behind on my fluids the first day home, got dehydrated and felt awful.

Hi all! Nice to see all the other August bandsters :thumbup: I was banded on the 12th. All is fine now except I get these really bad spasms of pain that start just below my sternum and then seem to go up my espophagus... they last only a few seconds... then a few seconds later, another one comes. They seem to come in pairs like that. I can't find any relation to what I've just had to drink, or what position I'm in, or anything. I think they are just random spasms of the esophagus? Or perhaps reflux but I think that is less likely (I never had reflux before). Anyone else have this? I am HOPING it will go away eventually!!! Happy weekend all! -Julie

Hi all... first I want to just thank all of you August All Stars for your input and support, you guys are great! I have to admit to being just a wee bit discouraged today. My whole post op recovery so far has been more difficult than I thought it would be. I had a lot of pain the first night, and then when I got home I got dehydrated... I think it was because I got behind in my drinking but also because I got nauseated from the Roxicet. Of course the dehydration just made my nausea worse and gave me a headache. Also, (sorry for TMI) both my bladder and bowel muscles seem to have forgotten how to work for awhile after the surgery. However, now all of those symptoms are gone except: I still get these weird pains (even if I haven't had anything to drink) that feel like something is getting stuck... they always go away in about 15 seconds or so, but I don't like them and I worry that they will be around forever! I know they will probably go away soon. In any case, I still don't have any regrets and I suspect that I will even look back on this post and laugh some day! Have a great weekend all!

:thumbup:Was banded to day and am spending the night in the hospital. (it was my choice and my surgeon advised that since I've really never had surgery before that it might make sense for me to stay). I just discovered that the hospital has wireless!! The day went very smoothly; I want to reassure everyone who is about to go in for their big day. Main problem I'm having now is gas pains but nothing I can't deal with. I have not taken any pain meds yet... we'll see how the night goes tho. Hang in there everyone about to have their surgery.... it's really not so bad!

Dotem THANK YOU so much for your warm wishes! I am at work now; on the liquid diet today for pre op; and very nervous! Your post, and everyone's posts on here, helped me so much.

and I am so scared! Glad I came to work today; try to keep my mind off of it. I keep thinking... what if something really bad happens to me?! I will feel so stupid! LOL Really looking forward to writing my first AFTER surgery post. Good luck to all of you and thanks for everyone's support and encouragement, and advice.