Elisabethsew

I had my first last Thursday. The surgeon palpated the port and then cleaned it. Next, he injected some lidocaine to numb the area and then assembled the materials he needed to access the port. I felt less pain than a fingerstick from the lidocaine and NO PAIN at all from the needle that went into the port. Afterwards, I drank 4 oz of water and that was it. The post fill diet for me was 2 days of full liquids and 2 days of soft foods followed by a regular diet. I was told it could take 1-2 weeks before I "felt" the restriction. So far, I feel the same as I did before I went for the fill. Fills are a piece of cake!

I'm very sorry that you took offense to my post. I noticed a LOT of new people here and MANY were asking for advice. I myself chose lapband surgery and that was after I investigated all the options available to me. My point was that new people or people who are coming to this board as a "first stop" in their research process need to ask MANY questions and decide on the surgery that is right for THEM. I care for bariatric patients on a full time basis and have 25+ years working in the healthcare profession. I'm sorry your so defiensive and objected to me expressing my point of view. Have a nice day.

Diverticulitis is not hereditary but it is familiar. Many people have diverticulosis (outpouching of the intestinal wall) but never develop diveticulitis (Infection of the intestine). MDs advise patients with this condition to avoid things like nuts and seeds that can "sit and fester" in the outpouching sacs and cause diverticulitis. It's also advisable to drink a lot of water after meals to "flush" the outpouchings of retained food particles. I hope you're feeling better.

When I lost 200+ pounds, I never saw myself the way others did. I would see a person and ask, "Am I the same size as she is?" Body image is a strange process and I think the longer a person is morbidly obese, the longer it takes him/her to "see" themselves the way others do. I remember getting a surprise glimpse of myself in a mirror and being shocked it was ME I was looking at. Similarly, when I would shop for clothes, I ALWAYS picked clothes that were too large to try on thinking, THAT size would never fit me... but it did.

For people with co-morbities and pre-existing conditions, I think it would be wise to have the surgery performed in the United States. The decision is personal and needs to be based on MANY factors that includes, but is not limited to, fees. Yes, that's the RN in me talking. :-)

I am so happy that people are acknowledging the hard work and dedication of Alex and Penne. It's well deserved.

Does your MD know you're tossing your meals? If not, I would contact him/her and make sure there's no problems with the band itself. Vomiting causing esophageal inflammation and scarring so please check with your MD.

In my opinion, lapband is not the best option for a person needing to lose 35 pounds and I doubt any U.S. surgeon would operate.

Edy's frozen yogurt is soooooooooo close to real ice-cream. The praline and cream swirl is to die for and 100 cals for 4 oz.

I have not lost enough yet for people to notice. However, in the past when I lost a lot of weight, I was noticed and seemed to matter more. Of course, once you feel good about your accomplishments, that positive outlook does a lot to affect changes in others as well. I hate to shop at my present size but I was a shopping whirlwind when I was a size 16. LOL.

You already identified the problem. Get rid of the cheetos and stop going to Dunkin Donuts. To get back on track, have you considered doing a 4-5 day version of the pre-op or post-op diet... full fluids, protein shakes and mushies? You've lost a LOT of weight and can get back on track if YOU really want it.

Peanut butter is one of the foods I stay away from because, like you, I can't stop at a tablespoon. It's too good and goes down too easy. LOL.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I still don't understand how a fill can "kick-in" a week or two after actually getting it but I'm pinning my hopes on the possibility that it will. I was able to drink down the water with no problem at all last Thursday. If I don't feel any restriction after 2 weeks, I am going to follow your lead and make an earlier appointment.

Thank God they gave you prednisone. THAT is what will aid in keeping your airway open until the antibiotics kick in. Try crushing them but definitely get them down. I'm very glad your hubby is there with you. Moist heat (shower, bath) and warm liquids will work better than dry air and cold beverages. Try sipping liquids continuously. When you have a fever, the body dehydrates more quickly. See if you can get an emergency appt to see the EMT today. Also, DON'T lie flat... keep your head elevated to keep the airway open.

I can't remember not being fat and not being aware that I was fat. I was an obese child and that carried into adulthood. About 5 years ago, I lost over 200 pounds via diet and exercise and got down to 193 pounds. People told me how good I looked, I wore a size 14-16, I felt good, etc. So, why did I regain a little over 100 pounds? Food has always been my safety blanket. After all, who do we hurt the most by overeating? Now I am banded, waiting to feel restriction, and trying to get to a healthy weight. I'm in my late 40's and NEED to NOT be morbidly obese as I have a heart condition with no known cure and severe arthritis. Interestingly, my mother has always been obese and often used our diets as a bonding mechanism. I could probably keep an analyst busy for decades. LOL. Thanks for starting this thread, DeCarla.

It's GREAT to hear the scales are moving for you. THAT does wonders for your motivation. I got a frist fill last Thursday and am waiting to feel SOMETHING. In the meantime, I am sticking to the diet and plan to weigh-in on Thursday. Did anyone feel anything after their first fill? Is so, did you feel it the day you got it or did it take some time?

I am VERY surprised they did not admit you. When your throat is that swollen and the tonsils are badly infected, you really need IV antibiotics and to be observed for airway obstruction. I would suggest you NOT be alone until the swelling subsides. Please see an ENT ASAP. Let us know how your recovery progresses.

Because I have lost and gained weight my entire life, I decided NOT to go public with the banding operation and only 2 people know (my closest friends). It's an individual decision whether or not you share it with others and only you know what's in your best interest. Surgery is scary and this operation is no different. I was not in the best shape going into the surgery but I did fine and continue to feel well. Know that you have many people who support you here so share your concerns.

Slowly sip a hot cup of tea to move the food into the stomach. You're going to be swollen for a while so don't move to solids too quickly. Create a chicken salad out of the whole piece to make it a soft food. I hope you feel better.

I have bad knee arthritis and take 2 Advil a day. The surgeon told me as long as I take an acid blocker (Nexium, Prilosec, Pepcid, etc.), it's fine to take the Advil.

I got a laugh out of some of those. Thank you!

I'm preparing to write a Ph.D. dissertation so all my reading is research and sooooooooooooo boring. I can't wait until I have the time to read at my leisure again.

Long tern steroid use makes people prone to water retention and weight gain. I have gotten cortisone injections and take Aleve twice a day but have not taken a course of oral steroids. I have a friend who goes on prednisone for months at a time and she was banded over a year ago. She's lost 100 pounds and has 30 to go to goal. Talk with your surgeon.

I can well imagine the time you and Alex devote to your voluntary jobs and it shows. I speak for myself but I know the majority of members really do appreciate your hard work and dedication. Hopefully, things will die down and you'll both get a breather soon.

I have one account for school, one for socializing with friends and another devoted to work.