Elisabethsew

You're losing weight at a great rate but, if you're not feeling any restriction, maybe you need another fill. I think you first need to determine if you're not recognizing what an appropriate fill feels like from a too tight fill. If you're feeling full after 8-10 ounces of food, it would seem to me that the fill is appropriate but only you can determine if it is. I'm sure others here can give you valuable information.

It's good to hear you're doing well and and that the surgery went well. Make sure you walk, bend, and drink lots of fluids.

I had my surgery on 3/30 and was called today to have my first fill on 5/25. Do most people get a numbing agent? I am nervous about getting it done and found out that the PA's do all the fills at my surgeon's office. I hope you're feeling better after the "torture" of your second fill.

Hi Alex, Your comment about being smart reminded me of the TV show, Judge Judy. MANY times she instructs pretty plaintiffs with not much upstairs to read her book, "Beauty Fades but Dumb is Forever." As I get older, I find this to be very true. LOL.

I have a lot more weight to lose than you do so, for me, I don't look too far down the road. I'm not basing my goal weight on a certain number on the scale. When I look good to myself and feel as good as I look, I'll jump on the scale. Whatever number it reads will be my goal weight. However, that's a long ways off so, for now, I take it one day at a time.

For me, it's all about feeling better and having less pain. I have bad arthritis in my knees and will eventually need to have knee replacement surgery. I'm down 30 pounds since mid-December and can now walk further distances with less pain.

You might want to talk to your nutritionist about advancing your diet. The symptoms you describe in the AM could be due to acid reflux or a hiatal hernia. The other symptoms sound like gas and/or constipation. Increase your water intake and call your MD or dietician.

I think Photonut said it all. Resistance training is what builds the muscle, decreases body fat, and builds strong bones. It's a win-win-win situation.

Congratulations on your amazing success. You've given your beautiful daughter a wonderful gift... a healthy mom.

Has anyone noticed that they are more tired and/or sleeping less since being banded? :notagree I had my surgery on 3/30/06 and can't seem to get more than 4-5 hours of sleep. I'm on a soft diet for weeks 3-5 (will get solids in a week and a half) and don't wake up hungry so why can't I get a restful sleep? I take all the Vitamin supplements and have been sticking to the diet (first fill not until 6/5). I am an RN who works 12 hour shifts so it's not like I am sitting around all day. I also go to school full-time and NEED my high energy level to get everything done. Lately, I'm so tired when I get home from work that I can't concentrate on school work. Am I unique or is this something others have experienced post-op. If you have, when does your energy level kick back to normal?

My inspiration is the numbers on the scale going down, my clothes fitting less tightly, the feeling of eating until satisfied and not stuffed, having less pain in my joints, and tossing away the B/P medication... in short, getting healthy.

I use the premixed, ready to drink (RTD) protein shakes from Medifast (Medifast.com) which I buy online. It's the one my surgeon recommends.

It might be that your port shifted a little on the abdominal muscle and now it's easier for you to feel. As long as you're experiencing a difference in the restriction you have, the fill went into the right place. If the MD "hit" the port, the fluid went in. It IS possible to miss the port and inject into the fat or muscle. If you're concerned, call your MD.

My surgery was 3/30 and my first fill is scheduled for June 5th.

I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and that surgery was a breeze compared to this one. LOL. I'm preparing for my comprehensive exams for my PhD and really thought I would "bounce back" from this surgery as well as I did for the gallbladder surgery. I'm glad to hear I am not the only one taking longer than expected to feel like normal again. I'll be a month post-op on Thursday and will start on solids a week after that... hopefully that will make a positive difference.

Thank you for responding. I still have to consume 2 protein drinks a day with the soft diet so that I get 60-70 grams of protein. I took a week off from work to recover but still feel exhausted at the end of a 12 hour shift. I'm hoping I regain my energy level soon and start sleeping better.

Hi Kim, Did they do a pelvic sonogram or transvaginal sonogram? If so, THAT is usually how they diagnose PCOS and then confirm the degree of the PCOS with the hormonal blood levels. I have never heard of giving glucophage to get pregnant. It's to regulate insulin levels. I really think you would do better seeing an endocrinologist. They deal with this type of problem all the time and can best determine a treatment plan individualized to you. The medical profession is not all it's cracked up to be. LOL. I will give you some inside advice, however. Stay out of hospitals in July and August. That's when the medical students of yesterday are now out "practicing" as interns. A lot of RNs take vacation in those months. LOL.

It would NOT be a good idea to go on birth control pills if you're in your late 30's, a smoker and overweight. That's a triple threat. I do NOT smoke but was on birth control pills (low dose) and nearly died in January when I had pulmonary emboli (blood clots in both lungs). Because many people with PCOS develop diabetes, nearly all patients are placed on glucophage. Make sure you ask a lot of questions before taking medications. You might also consider seeing an endocrinologist.

I am also a side sleeper and the WORST part of the surgery for me was having to sleep on my back. I was able to turn on my right side after about 8-9 days and could tolerate being on my left side at about 2.5 weeks post-op. I am now 3.5 weeks post-op and still have twinges of pain when I sleep on my left side. My surgeon told me the healing process takes 6 weeks so hang in there... it gets better.

I'm 3.5 weeks post-op and, like you, have had no fills yet and can eat anything I want without restriction (I'm on a soft diet). If it were not for the incisions and being able to feel the port, I too would think they did not inplant a lap band in me. LOL.

Congratulations on your amazing progress. I wish you continued success!

I'm an RN so you know I HAVE to say you should see your MD. That said, I do not think your incisions look bad or infected. As you heal, it's natural to see the red color along the suture line as well as some "puckering" of the skin. It's also natural to "itch" as you heal. Clean the incision with alcohol or betadine and then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream/ointment. Shower daily and clean the incisions after your shower and apply the antibiotic cream/ointment. You're suture lines looked well healed so you might want to consider calling the MD to move your appt. up so you can get the staples out.

At 9:30 AM, I went for my first post-op appointment and lost a little over 13 pounds in 2 weeks. :clap2: The surgeon said the incisions were all healing well (I had self dissolving sutures and a dermabond seal as I am allergic to adhesive tape) and told me to come back the first week of June for evaluation for a fill. I told the surgeon that I was feeling no restriction (I have been on a soft doet for 2 weeks), did not need to chew food a lot (as if you can chew soft food - LOL), and did not feel full. He stated, "That's exactly how you should be feeling. Only solid foods stay in the pouch." So, it's 3 weeks of soft foods for me and then I get to introduce solids on week 6. I waited until today for a first weigh-in but plan to jump on my scale ASAP to determine what the difference in pounds is between his and mine. Thank you all for your wonderful support.

Chris, I did not know about the LI group on Yahoo. Can you send me the link? It would be nice to get together with others who have has this surgery. Thank you for letting me know about it.

I was having a hard time getting in the protein shakes also and I hate yogurt. The dietician allowed me to substitute lite ricotta cheese (4 oz) for the yogurt and that filled me up. You might want to consider trying a soy based protein shake instead of the slim fast.