TexasTerry

I was told just liquids on a fill day - and two days after. But I don't recall any instructions such as nothing for a specific time before the fill. All our band doc's have their own approach. That's fine with me, I'm not complaining. I was more worried about the "stick" itself. It was really painless in my experience. But Good Grief! that needle looked huge!!! I thought I was gonna be a human shish-kebob or a pig on a spit! lol Oh, silly me, I've had mosquito bites that hurt more. Terry

I would say that my food cravings have disappeared. I eat when it is meal time. But I don't have that head hunger, hang out in the fridge door looking for something to wrap my teeth around before I go to bed cravings. It is really a new sensation to experience. Protein fills me up, I don't want sweet carbs or just carbs anymore. Now, I really don't think I have restriction yet. I've had two fills in a VG band. I can "almost" eat a normal size serving portion. I'm loosing slowly, but it is coming off and I'm not beating my head against the wall to stay away from food. I love my band! Terry

yuk! P.E. brings back bad memories. Put obesity together with really bad eyesight ( almost no depth perception) and it was h#!! I was so tired of coaches telling me I wasn't trying and just goofing off when a ball would hit me in the face or even miss catching it. I always thought coaches were big @ssh0!# jerks! That was before I was even out of elementary. Terry

It can also depend on your band size as to when you may feel restriction. It's my understanding that with the VG band it can be at least 3 - 5 fills before restriction. I know that I have had 2 fills with the VG. My food cravings are way down, but I would not say that I have restriction - yet. Everyone is different. Our journeys are all an individual thing - but it's great to have so many here to cheer each other on! Terry

Welcome to the Band! Let us know how you do. Were you kept overnight? or were you same day surgery? Terry:)

Sorry about the double post - computer is wiggin out! Terry:)

Well, I've got to chime in and say that Dr. Smith and his staff are wonderful too. His office is in FW and he does his surgery out of the Surgical Center in Hurst on Precinct Line Road. Texas folks, I think we are blessed or lucky to have many great docs in our area! Terry :eek:

Well, I've got to chime in and say that Dr. Smith and his staff are wonderful too. His office is in FW and he does his surgery out of the Surgical Center in Hurst on Precinct Line Road. Texas folks, I think we are blessed or lucky to have many great docs in our area! Terry :eek:

I often get that need to burp feeling too. I also get the hiccups when I'm probably too full. So, I've learned to listen to what my body is trying to tell me. It's a different journey for everyone. Terry :welldoneclap:

Valgal, I'm self pay too. I also did the diet pill thing back in the early-mid '70. Wow! I was actually UNDERWEIGHT at 5'7" - 123 lbs. Didn't last for long of course. Lots of yo-yo since then. My parents and older sis all have diabetes with some pretty severe complications. I'm hoping to head that off at the pass. I love my band, even though I've only started this journey. Let us know how you do. Who is your band surgeon? Terry

Welcome TexasBr@t and valgal from another Texan. Lots of us here. I'm grateful that we have a bunch of great band surgeons in our state. I'm pretty new myself and still learning about how my band act (or acts up!). Stay in touch. Terry

He was passionate about his work. May his family find comfort in their grief. Terry

ROFLMFAO! YOU GUYS ARE TOO FUNNY! I'll just be the village idiot. Terry

I've not posted in a while, but have kept up the reading. I too have the VG band. I've had two fills. I don't feel I have restriction - but my food cravings have been curbed. I'm thankful for that. It's my understanding that with the VG, it can be at least 3 to 5 fills before you hit restriction. MY band doc takes it slow and easy on fills - always under floro and 4 to 6 weeks apart. I really do trust his expertise and skill. Thats why I selected him as my surgeon. BUT, it is frustrating that I seem to be off to a slow start compared to others. However, I have not ever PB'd, slimed or golf balled. I attribute that to the fact that the doc does use floro, not to just hit the port, but to see how the pouch is emptying with the barium swallow. He adjusts the fill until the pouch is emptying just at the "perfect" rate. So, I need to stop comparing my amount lost to others and do the best I can to work with my band. Easier said than done. It's gonna take awhile. I gotta love myself enough to stick it out. Glad ya'll are here to make the journey more pleasurable. Terry

Wow! You and I have the same banding date. If my kg to lbs calculation is right - you've lost about 40 lbs. That is awsome. I've only lost half that amount and thought I was doing pretty good. Keep up the good work! Terry

You've endured so much! Kick that old Petunia to the curb!!! We are all thinking of you. Hope you the best and that you are back on the recovery road real fast! Terry:)

So sorry to hear of your slipped band. You've had some real stressors in your life come one right after the other. Do you have any close friends in your area that can help you when yoor schedule gets hectic? Maybe stay with your child for awhile when you need to tend to your husband? Will your boss give you any personal leave? Be kind to yourself too. YOU need a few moments for yourself, especially since you need to be the caregiver for others. I'm sure some others here will have some much wiser suggestions for you. I really hope the best for you. Take care. Terry

Hmmm. I have no idea. I can understand your concern. I've not been long banded myself, also with a VG, but no fill at surgery. I do know that my abdominal muscles were very sore for awhile. My DH would purposely make me laugh, cause he knew it would be uncomfortable! Maybe it's some sort of scar tissue or adhesion breaking loose.(I'm no health care professional - thats an off the wall guess) Of course, always call your surgeons office and ask them. Even if it is nothing, talk to them to be sure. Let us know how it turns out. Terry

Yes, I'm stunned too! I always enjoyed his work. I know he "irritated" some people, but I could tell he was passionate about his animals. He Enlightened a lot of folks on wildlife. He will be greatly missed. I wish the best for his family. Terry

Reminds me of a dream I had not too long ago. I was SKINNY and wearing cute, cute clothes. Most importantly, I was wearing high heels!!! (Probably has some supressed meaning - lol!) Terry:)

Yea, I went for 6 months and thought it was all over, until about a week or so after surgery. Then WHAM - Surprise! Guess who's back in town! Been pretty regular ever since. Ain't we lucky. Terry

Wow! haven't done that since I was kid. But I always had my own skates (even shoe skates) and really loved it. Maybe I should take it up again! Terry

My band doc recommends that all his patients take a childrens chewable Vitamin daily. I guess if your PCP or nutritionist felt you needed more, then take their advice. I don't think a daily chewable is going to hurt anyone and it seems to be good nutrition insurance in the event we are not getting enough Vitamins with our regular food. Just my opinion - I'm not a health care professional. Terry

Different Surgeons have their own criteria. My band was done as an outpatient. I didn't have any kind of complications so, about 3 hours out of surgery I was "kicked" out the door. lol They did not give me anything in the Surgical Center other than the barium swallow for the x-ray. I was told to stay on clear liquids for several days. Just follow your Surgeons directions. If your not clear on what they are, then ask! Have a great band journey! Terry

DonnaB, I'm with you and Mousecrazy. But Kathy - we luv ya. You can do all the rootin' so much better than us reserved fans. Terry