Kimberley129

Hello, there! My experience with fills has been great, and I have very little pain tolerance. There is a slight prick when they numb the area around my port (and I mean slight) that lasts for only a second or two. I feel pressure when they inject the saline (my doctor has me do a "mini sit-up") but it is not painful at all. With the needle still in my port, they have me sit up and sip Water to make sure it is going down and either stop or fill a bit more while I am doing that. I feel numb for a few hours after that, but when it wears off I am not even very sore. I actually love how it feels after a fill because I feel full without even eathing anything. It's really very easy-I hope that your experience is as good as mine. Good luck! :-)

That's not a stupid question at all. For me, if I eat too fast or do not chew properly the last few bites I take do not go down. I get a "stuck" feeling in my chest and end up throwing up about 1-15 minutes later. It is a bit painful and uncomfortable, so make sure when you advance to eating real food again you are slow and chew foods thoroughly to puree texture. I also notice I have a problem with bread and nuts so far. Everyone is different. Hope that helps!

Here is the list I was given post-op--it says to choose 1 Protein food and 1 other food totaling 1/2 cup. Protein foods: low fat cottage or ricotta cheese pureed fish, poultry or meat pureed or egg substitute pureed eg chicken or tuna salad made with low-fat/fat-free mayo canned tuna, canned chicken (in water) pureed tofu low fat plain or light blended yogurt skim or 1% milk unsweetened low-fat soy milk fortified w/calcium and Vitamin D baby food meats Other food: pureed veggies (except for stringy--celery, asparagus, gas-causing--broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage and avoid veggies w/seeds such as cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchini whipped potatoes canned fruit in its own juice, no added sugar applesauce, unsweetened banana unflavored, cooked cereals (need to puree oatmeal) low sugar baby foods (fruit or vegetable)

Nena, I think the most incredible thing is that you you're trying the best you can to eat only 1000-1200 cals per day! You are definitely in my prayers. You are sticking to it and are determined to do this, and that is great!!!! =) I would say keep it on the 1200 end-you will be fuller and still be within your allowed limits. This whole thing is a process that comes in stages--we are past the first part with the post-surgery pain, now it's that in between time til the first fill. For me, that hunger is horrible and I can get down easily and wonder if this really is going to work. . I was hungry all the time too-had my first fill this week and I can see a big diff. already, even though I will need another fill to really get that satisfied feeling with the small amounts of food. Hang in there! We are all in this together! =)

Bindi how often are you eating 1 cup, meaning how many meals per day?

How are you both doing a few days after the first fill? How are you feeling? How is your restriction? I had my first fill on Thurs, 9/18 as well. I am actually only about 4 weeks post-op, so I am lucky that he did it. He had no trouble getting the needle in, which was also lucky given the fact that he said scar tissue is the main reason the first fill is usually not until about 6 weeks post-op. I must say that this is definitely a roller coaster as far as emotions go. And also definitely trial-and-error. I get hungry easily about 2 hours after 1 full cup of soft foods, but if I eat more solid foods I throw up. I also noticed that I think I am more emotionally attached to food than I thought. I am a bit depressed about not being able to consume a whole meal and enjoy the foods that I used to, even though I know this is the best choice I could have made for myself. I guess you can never know what this is going to be like until you actually experience it. It is definitely going to take time to be able to gauge my body/hunger and also get my head straight and deal with the fact that my whole life has changed and thus my habits need to as well! Hope you are feeling well and enjoying the weekend! =)

ooh! I didn't know Starbucks had sugar free frappucinos! That is why I always stay away from them! I am a coffee addict as well and still always drink a cup on my way to work. I have noticed that I can no longer drink a whole travel mug full because I do get the full/nauseous feeling if I go over the limit.

Hello All! I was banded on 8/20 and can definitely relate to the pre-surgery hunger...with one exception. I can still very much feel that I have surgery because I am very sore where my port is placed. Does anyone else have this??:sad: I too get the "stuck" feeling when I eat too fast or do not chew my food to baby food or puree texture. I have actually thrown up a few times because of this because my last few bites won't go down. That's just a queue for me to SLOWWWWW DoWWWWWWN, if that's any help!

I was banded at Alexian Brothers in Hoffman Estates. Dr. Kane....part of Suburban Surgical Care. They are awesome.

Hello All! I have to be honest and confess because I feel terrible. I was banded on 8/20 and most of my pain is gone. That was merely 4 days ago!! In fact, I am starting a new job tomorrow and feel totally ready! I am so excited that I had this surgery and am committed to losing this weight that has burdened me for 20 years! I am obviously still on the liquid diet and will be for more weeks to come. I got weak tonight, was hungry for the first time since surgery and ate solid food. I ate 4 triscuit crackers with a slice of American cheese, and a Michaelina's frozen dinner which was ravioli alfredo. I did not get sick at all nor feel overly full. But I feel really guilty and disappointed in myself. I have made a promise to myself to get right back on liquids when I wake up tomorrow morning. Has anyone else ever experienced hunger this quickly after surgery? I know my first fill won't be for another 6 weeks or so, but still... I am really worried and would appreciate some advice.

Hello, Alice! Welcome! How do you feel? How much weight loss so far? How many fills?

Hello All! Just wanted to introduce myself to the August All Star Team! =) I was banded last Wednesday (1 week ago today!) I have started to get a bit hungry and irritable just on fluids and soft liquids, but hanging in there! Good luck to all and let's do this together! OH...and how do you all get that cute ticker thing on your post? I made one, but can't figure out how to paste it!

Congratulations! I didn't sleep the night before either! Good luck and don't forget to tell us how it went!

I just got the band on 8/20. I am glad that you are feeling so great already. Yes, 30 lbs does feel great. Obesity is very tiring. I'm only 31 and get winded and sore very easily.

Oh that's right!I forgot that you have to go back for the band this week! You are going to do great-you have so much willpower already! Congrats! I didn't even have a post op diet...just tests and boom-surgery! So, yeah, it's good that you have all that preparation under you belt already.

Yeah, it sounds like every version IS different! Isn't that funny? I just hope littlefroggy gets cream of mushroom soup soon! That was just about the highlight of my day today! LOL! Actually, I am loving the thinned down baby food too--everyone thinks I'm crazy for that one but it does taste close to real food!

I understand completely what you are going through. I stopped by my girlfriend's house the other night and she made fried pork chops, mashed potatoes and broccoli. It was torture. The great thing is you HAVE NOT given in to those cravings and have stayed committed to your post-op healing process. I'm not sure exactly why you have been told to be on just Clear Liquids. I only had to be on clear liquids for 4 days. You may want to ask your doctor. I am actually on the full liquid stage which helps a lot. Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom soup strained (about 1/2 cup) is allowed per "meal" for me. =)

Thank you for all the posts, everyone! Today I went to my best friend's house after work (my first day by the way and of course I was uncomfortable without the liquid pain killers!) only to walk in on her cooking fried pork chops and mashed potatoes for the family. It looked amazing and I was really hungry. But I just stuck to it, had some sugar free pudding and juice, came home a few hours later, had broth and baby food and called it a day! =) It really means a lot that these posts are there and that we can be there for each other! Thank you so much again for the words of encouragement!

Hi, Amanda! HoOrAy for you! Good luck...let's do this together! My name is Kim, I am 31 yrs old and I was banded on 8/20 as well! I am not in too much pain anymore, just sore and the shoulder pain is just about gone. I'm a little worried, though, because I am getting hungry between meals already. In fact, I ate some solid food tonight and did not feel tight or sick at all. =(