ZiggyLove

How funny that they only put in 0.5 cc without allowing you to be the judge of how you feel. My doctor put the needle in, had me sit up, then drink Water to make sure it could pass as he adjusted the amount of saline. He didn't just randomly pick an amount and say "there, that's all you're getting". Personally I would insist upon getting a bigger fill if you really feel like you need one. Drink water while the needle is still in and you can tell right away whether or not it's too much or too little.

I'm the same. I had a 2.5 cc fill on 3/17, and after a few days zero restriction. I can basically eat whatever I want. I stay away from breads, but tortillas and potatoes are too easy to eat. My next fill is scheduled for 4/12 and I'm going to call on Monday to move the appointment date up. I don't want to gain any of the weight I've lost so I need to get some restriction going otherwise my old habits will take over! Scary.

Me too :scared2: Name.............. Start ..........Current.......... Goal ........ToGo 3ShotRoc..............345..............263................220......... ..43 alabubba..............464..............464................400......... ....64 annieemmm.........200..............198.................170......... ..28 barb12590............173..............165................155.......... .10 Betelnut…………......95….……...…273 …....……..245………….28 Bklyn1984.............317..............256................230......... ..26 blaze21................200.8...........200.8..............170......... ..30.8 Chicky Abby..........314..............314................270...........44 countrygirlNY........253..............217................182.......... ..35 crzytchr2004.........237..............232................210.......... .22 Fab by 50.............215..............215................175...........40 Fordgal88.............199..............175................199......... ..24 Htaylor1021.....210............210............185.........25 Jennyt71...............245..............207................170........ ...37 keepingfaith08...225..........225.............190.......35 LessJess...............228..............228................199........ ...29 Letsgetitstarted.....229..............229................199.......... .30 libbyjane1976.......283...............283................250.......... 33 LilMissDiva...........251.6............247.6..............227......... .20.6 liz_hager..............158..............158.................145....... ....13 Long2BThin...........192..............191.................169......... ..22 Mair.....................222..............220................199...... .....21 mamacj................316..............269................233......... ...36 MsNickelback....172...........172............149..........23 nicolerose.......365..........288............260.........28 onehotmama.........272.............237.................210............ 27 pbpuniser.............212..............212................182......... ..30 peachwood......251...........251............230.........21 picklesix...........197..........187.............170.........17 sexylips................238..............238................199....... ....39 SillyGoose............258...............243................228........ ...15 simone................182...............182................160........ ...22 ukcatsfan.............340...............340................300........ ...40 workingmom.....214...........214............175.........39 ZiggyLove........226...........202............180.........22 __________________

Hi there, I was banded by Dr Pehrsson as well! He's been great so far, very supportive.

ikerry, you are certainly lucky. My experience didn't nearly go as smooth. I was miserable for about 3 weeks after getting banded...couldn't hardly drink Water, let alone Jello, without feeling nauseous and oftentimes retching. I couldn't sleep on the bed for at least 3 weeks either, had to sleep in the recliner. You are very fortunate. I wish more of us had such a smooth experience as you! I am happy to say that I'm doing better now, can eat and drink just fine, and have been sticking with the diet (down 23 lbs as of this morning). :ohmy:

This thread is full of win.

Hi Barry, we were banded on the same day, February 9th. I've lost 19 lbs so far. The first 3 weeks were hell for me. My doctor suspects that when I went in for surgery and the tube went down my throat that it scraped the inside of my throat. I had really bad pain for a long time. Plus, it was hell not being able to even drink Water without feeling the urge to vomit. So I had a tough time...but it's better now. I had my first fill yesterday. So far, still not that much restriction, but I am eating as though everything I eat has the potential to get stuck. I'm scared to death of that. Glad you're so successful with it, I'm pleased thus far with my results and look forward to more weight coming off.

Hi Colorado! I would totally wait. I'm like you, feeling restriction in an unfilled band. I'm one week post-op and to be honest, I'm looking forward to not being so tight. My doctor recommends a fill 6 weeks post-op, so we'll see how it goes, but I'm inclined to not get one. If you're losing, and feel good, leave things the way they are.

I can relate to the burp feeling (not being able to and feeling pain). I think I've been eating too fast, not taking the tiny sips they recommended. So today I'm eating VERY slow, and so far so good. Seriously a cup of Soup should take you an hour to eat, so therefore 6 cups are ok but should take you 6 hours to eat. I was eating that V8 brocolli cream soup (omg so good) and since I was hungry ate too fast and paid for it all night with the pain of feeling like I had to burp, plus gas. We have this band to force us to eat right! Although, eating so slow is torture for me, lol. I'm getting adjusted though. You will too!

I'm struggling with hunger one week post-op. I'm on clear liquids for 2 weeks, then mushies for 2 weeks, then solids. Boy I can't wait for mushies! I have been eating an egg every now and then, I don't eat the whole thing just a couple of bites, but it helps. The Protein shakes I choke down, because honestly I'm sorta sick of them, but I admit that the protein does help keep me satisfied. I've already lost 9 lbs (in 8 days). I haven't gone back to work yet (tomorrow, and I'm nervous) so I'm curious how to handle the hunger/gas/etc while working...I'll find out soon!

I'm one week post-op and am hungry, but find it difficult to eat. The more I eat, the more gassy I become, and thus, painful. So I find myself not eating much at all, although I'm hungry...I'm going a little nuts to be honest. This must be bandster hell.

And feel like crap. The gas never left my torso to my shoulders (I guess that's good) but my torso is really hurting, I can even get up from chairs without it hurting really bad. Also, getting nausea alot so have to take these pills. This is the first I've been able to post. How long will I feel this way? I know its different for everyone, just hoping for some light at the end of the tunnel. Oh, also haven't been eating/drinking much, just sleeping...which is bad, I know. I try to walk but get so exhausted. :thumbdown:

Thanks for all your suggestions, RestlessMonkey, and I want to thank everyone again for their kind words. I'm so lucky I found this board before I had surgery!

Thanks Colorado :biggrin: I'm just a little frustrated! I hate being incapacitated (don't we all). I'm just taking it one minute at a time. I sincerely hope I will be the one giving such upbeat advice to our next wave of bandsters!

I'm just 3 days post-op so certainly not an experienced bander, but I've read a lot on these boards and from what I've read and understood, your weight loss is completely normal and you should be happy with your success thus far :biggrin:

Dermabond was used on my incisions as well and as far as I know it will come off when it's ready. You hastened it along a bit, it seems, so yes ask your doctor but you are 2 weeks post-op so its probably not that big of a deal.

Thanks everyone for your responses. It's getting better; I just find myself restless as hell, unable to relax without pain meds, and unable to eat/drink much without that uncomfortable pressure in the middle of my chest. I'm so thirsty, but time myself to only take a tiny sip every minute, but even doing that I get the horrible pressure. I know I'm only three days out and its too early to know how I ultimately will react to this, but there was a poster on a different thread that said she basically felt this way for 5 years!! No way. If I still feel this way in 3 months I'm having it removed. This is no way to live.

I was banded on 2/9/09 as well and have to do full liquid diet for two weeks, then mushies for two weeks after that. If you're eating solids already you are either eating too fast or not chewing well enough, is my guess. Surprised you're able to eat them at all to be honest. I tried to eat cream of wheat this morning and put it down without even taking a bite...looked too solid for me at this stage!

5 years?!? I wouldn't be able to handle that for 5 months. I just got banded and am already thinking this was a mistake. I'm going to give it the time everyone says I need to adjust, but personally this is monstrous.

It means productive burp. I asked the same question, see responses here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/question-pb-slime-87209/

So do we have a name yet, February '09 bandsters??

I've been reading a lot of posts on these forums over the past month and a couple of terms keep popping up that I don't know the meaning of. What does "pb'ing" and "sliming" mean? I'm getting banded on Monday and just wondering what those are (and how to avoid them!). Thanks

Nessie, yes, I'm very nervous! But also excited! This has been almost a year-long journey for me, I went to the first consultation back in March 2008. My insurance, Cigna, required 6 months of doctor's visits, all sorts of tests, then took their sweet time before they gave me approval. So here I am now, ready to go! Surgery itself is nerve racking. The recovery is what I don't look forward to! And the two weeks liquid post-op seems tough, but with our band should be manageable. I've read horror stories about solids getting stuck, pb'ing and slime (eww) and I don't want that to happen to me. I'm afraid of pain, so it inspires me to be good when there's a medical condition involved! (I had gall bladder surgery 8 years ago and for two months I didn't eat a shred of fat in order to avoid gall bladder attacks...so I know I can stick to a diet that will prevent me from getting sick!). Good luck Nessie, I hope your procedure goes smoothly and your recovery as well. :biggrin: I'm interested in seeing your progress!

I am fortunate in that my doctor does not require me to do the pre-op diet prior to surgery. However, I elected to diet myself regardless, because of what I've learned on these boards. Because my doctor didn't say I needed it, it's been too easy for me to "cheat" (if we want to call it that, when I'm not really on a doctor's pre-op diet, but my own!). Honestly 2 Protein shakes and a small dinner made me a little crazy. I understand the value of doing it for those with enlarged livers, but its hard core and personally, when I'm crazy hungry I justify eating whatever. Of course after the band we will all be on liquids for quite some time - my doctor requires 2 weeks liquid, followed by 2 weeks mushy, then reevaluation before going on solids - but sticking to that type of diet with a 4 oz stomach vs a 44 oz stomach seems in theory to be the biggest reason why I'm confident I can do it after surgery, and the rest of my life. My surgery is scheduled for Monday, and the day before I can't have anything except Clear Liquids. So I plan on doing the clear liquids for Saturday and Sunday. Tomorrow I will continue my modified diet (Protein Shakes, 1-2 eggs, small dinner, yogurt). I think I will be fine, and although I'm nervous, it's a good kind of nervous :biggrin: Ivernous, you'll be fine. The fact that you're here, looking for support, and willing to listen to advice, tells me you are mentally in the right place and will be successful with the band. Good luck!

Thanks to everyone that replied! These answers cleared up my confusion. :bananalama: