Elisabethsew

I was banded on 3/30 and felt like I was run over by a truck the entire first week. On day 9 I had a complete turn-around and felt human. After that, each day got better. Force yourself to walk, bend at the waste (use a pillow for support) and drink as the others suggested.

I am a side sleeper and it took me 4 full weeks before I could sleep on my left side and about 2 weeks to sleep on my right. Try placing a pillow under your side before you turn so it's fully supported. Getting a fill might have made the port a bit tender.

My surgeon and dietician were very upfront with me and stated that "you can beat the band" by not following a healthy eating plan or binging on empty carbs (processed foods, junk foods, etc.). I eat healthy but I eat too much (volume eater) so I was considered a good candidate for the band. Had a been a junk food eater, my surgeon advised the roux - n - y procedure. YOU know YOU the best so take your time, do a lot of research, and decided based on your research and personal insight.

I'm glad that you are feeling better. I have yet to have my first fill but can see from those who post here that the band is highly individual. One person experiences an overfill while others take several fills to achieve restriction.

I was wondering if anyone here gets adequate restriction on one fill and if so, how much saline was instilled? From what I am reading here, it seems very few people achieve restriction with one or even two fills. Since I am getting my first fill on 5/25 (exactly 8 weeks post-op), I was wondering if people feel ANY difference at all with a first fill. Also, what is the average "wait" time before you had a second fill? :help: Thank You

CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT VICTORY!!!

Congratulations on the one year anniversary and good luck at the surgeon's office.

I was banded on 3/30 and will not start on solid foods until this Thursday. It sounds like you have some restriction from what you described in your post but gaining a pound is nothing to worry about. You stated that you're afraid to eat because you're afraid you'll gain weight but what is the outcome of that decision? You "graze" and eat things you shouldn't. Having the band requires that you eat healthy, small meals at least 3 times a day and most surgeons advise eating every 3-4 hours (3 meals and 2 snacks). Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to make an appointment with the dietician? Good luck, you're losing wonderfully.

My surgeon told me ALL forms of exercise are fine after 6 weeks and only to limit abdominal exercises for the first 6 weeks post-op. Since you're 6 weeks out, you should be fine.

It's time for you to go back to work. You state you're bored at home and MOST obese people eat out boredom and as a coping tool. Work on building friendships. Is there someone who you might enjoy going to a healthy lunch with? having over to your place to enjoy a lunch you prepared? Check out what's happening in your community for the summer and get involved in an activity that you enjoy. You'll meet new people. Instead of visiting fast food places, go to a book store, a garden center, the park, etc. You need to think "outside the box" and shake up your routine. You already took the first step by having the surgery.

Welcome, Tina. The surgery lasts an average of 1.5 hours. In your case, it would be wise for the surgeon to consult with your doctors to determine the best intra-operative and post-operative treatment plan for you. I have a friend who had type II diabetes and sleep apnea. He had the surgery last July, is down 100 pounds+ and did not need any diabetic medications 4 months from the date of the surgery.

I am 4.5 weeks post-op and can tolerate all foods, including bread. I have a fill scheduled for 5/25 and am hoping to get SOME restriction. As it stands now, I wouldn't even know I had the band if I couldn't see the scars and feel the port. LOL.

I would start with an MD who could order a bunch of blood tests to determine if you have an auto-immune disorder such as lupus. Rosacea comes and goes and it sounds like your MD is treating you with a "hit or miss" approach. Very unprofessional... see a different MD.

What you described is a not so uncommon reaction to getting a tetanus shot. My arm turned hot and had a black and blue welt for weeks and was painful to move. The reaction will be stronger if you haven't had a shot in a long time. Your body no longer "recognizes" tetanus and that's why you have the strong reaction. That's the reason for booster shots... so the body "remembers" and can mount antibodies for defense. Feel better!

With lapband surgery it is recommended that you don't consume any alcohol. I know many people here do drink alcohol but you might want to check with your surgeon. There are a lot of calories in alcohol and it stimulates your appetite.

I'm glad to hear that all went well for you. Make sure you take it easy, walk, and stay hydrated.

Welcome and yes, it's normal to feel tired and sore for several days. Force yourself to walk and make sure you stay hydrated. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

I had no restriction 5 days after the operation and have had to make a conscious effort to stick to the diet and determine if I am REALLY hungry or just hungry out of boredom or habit. I don't get a fill for another 4 weeks so I'm using this time to make healthy new eating habits.

It sounds like she keep aspirating the needle as she withdrew the needle causing the saline to "spill" out. As long as she aspirated it all out and then put back in the required amount of fill, you're good to go.

I was banded 4 weeks ago also and yes, my port is still tender and even a bit bruised. My surgeon will not do fills for 8 full weeks after the surgery because he believes it takes that long to fully heal. From what you describe, it sounds like your port area was still healing and the fill might have hindered that process and increased the pain.

It sounds like you ARE restricted so you might want to wait a little while before you go in for another fill. When you eat crackers, you might want to first drink some water to "lubricate" the esophagus and then eat them slowly.

Stick with the soft foods for at least a week and no, I doubt you did any damage to the band... especially since you don't have a fill. Take it slow, listen to your body and heal.

I think you're describing a capsule and yes, it will dissolve whether it's in the pouch or the stomach. Enteracoated medications are caustic to the stomach and dissolve in the small intestine so they should not be split in half. Extended release/slow release/timed capsules should also not be altered. The element that is supposed to make a cold leave your body more quickly is zinc. Rather than spending a fortune for the "cold remedy" just read how much zinc is in the remedy and then buy that dose of zinc in a drug store for a lot less money (and you get much more). I hope you feel better soon.

I researched all the weight loss surgeries available and, based on health reasons and recovery time, decided on the lapband. Like many people here, I have lost and regained hundreds of pounds. I am now at the point in my life where numbers on a scale mean little to me other than a concrete validation of weight loss. My "success" comes from being able to walk further with less knee pain, fitting comfortably into clothes that were tight, not being short of breath walking through the grocery store and feeling in control of my life. I have felt no restriction since 5 days post-op and can't have a first fill for 8 weeks from the surgery date but I refuse to let that "control me" and cause me to over eat. I had a tough recovery from the surgery and I didn't go through all the testing, surgery, time off from work, etc. to fail. I knew the band was an aide to weight loss and not a miracle cure so that's how I'm treating it. Ultimately, if I fail, it's my own fault as nobody forces food into my mouth. I take the stance that failure is simply not an option and move forward one meal at a time.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and the best way to keep it from sagging is to keep yourself well hydrated. Thanks for the tip!