RealityCheck

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. I know what it feels like... On both sides... to have th fill not seem like a fill and then to slip back into some old habits. I must admit, while it is extremely disappointing and frustrating when you plan for those next steps after a fill and you are blown away when you realize you just went through all of this for what? You think, maybe something is wrong with you? Was it something you did? Did they not hit the port?..... (In my case they must not have hit it 3-4 fills in a row, because when they finally did listen to me and take out the fill to measure it was off by more than 4ccs... as you can imagine this drama played out for moths) All in all... you know your body, and by this time you are really getting to know your band. Do not worry about others who immediately just fell into place... You know you. And we seem to share a lot in common. It takes some people longer than others to really work with the band. I say, take it in stride... get back into the routine you are supposed to be in. Work the band anyway, call your doctor for an appointment, but until then you have to buckle down and do what it is that you are supposed to do. Best wishes!

First... Please excuse any typos... I am so sorry to know that you have to go through this. Have you ever given thought/consideration to the fact that he may just be scared? My husband does not handle the whole "Surgery" thing well at all. Sounds like you guys need to talk... I like that earlier reply post about having changed the beat and giving your parterner time to adjust. Because it is just that, it is going to be a huge adjustment and you will need his support before/during/and after. I know it seems as if this was really cut and dry for some people... Step A-B-C yea I made it to Z. Well I know for me it was not so! That support though, is what supports and can navigate you between where you need or want to be... and can definitely get you out of where you do not need/want to be. I hope that this will find you well and that your concerns are put at ease as well as your spouse's.

I am so sorry... I am wishing you the best though! You can do this and you will do this!

At first, because my port was sooo hard to hit, I refused to let them give me afill w/out nubming spray or lidocaine. The PA always did my fills and I would get poked so many times, and while it was ok and numb during... I would be so sore afterwards. Then one day my sadomasichist surgeon, who really is great we just bump heads on some things, refused to numb me. Quick pinch and surprise... It was ok! Now I refuse numbing spray or lido... Just try it w/out to see if you can do it... But it is not anywhere as bad as you think. And yes, there were a couple of times where I had to be poked more than once w/ no numbing but I still prefer none!

I truly appreciate this post because this is where I am at right now. I do not want to go in for an unfil because I think I am at a new point where I need to get reacquainted with my band. Before now I have always been able to just gulp liquids down... not anymore.

I burp like crazy... especially when I am tight and I have not eaten. I am one of those who has not told anyone about the surgery except for my husband and parents. So I have to get the burping symphony overwith before I get to work or around others!

First... It is all normal! Secondly, you need to stop beating yourself up. You just had surgery... you just made a huge difference to an internal organ... you need time to heal. While it is hard, this is what you have got to start focusing on. Early I saw a post about things we wish we may have been told... Well... I just wish I would have realized to take the time to care for myself! You may loose weight, you may stay the same... you may gain a little. But it is normal, and that is why you will not be getting a feel so quickly after surgery, your body needs time to heal... and your new stoma (the new stomach openening) is so small and inflammed and needs time to get accustomed to how it is. Be careful with eating what you should not though (while no beating yourself up though because we all have those days), because you can irritate it even more and set yourself back before you even get moving! By the way... you are now entering bandster hell and I am sorry to say but you have some time to go. And it is just a time where you are really hungry and crave for the feeling of satiety, which is why you got the band... but you have to heal first. It will take time, it will suck... but it will be worth it and you will be on the ball before you know it! Give your new band and your newself some time to get acquainted with each other! This is a long term commitment! On another note... have you tried upping your Protein intake... that would help stave off some of the hunger, want chocolate... make a nice chocolate Protein shake... or fudge pudding, or even better a fudge pudding pop (sugar free ofcourse), your prawn salad... put it in a blender since it is going to take you some time to get the real feel of the bandster chew. Wishing you the best! ~Real

Ok, yes... you are in bandster hell... and luckily for you... your time is kind of short. A lot of people had to wait 6 or more weeks for the first fill, and sometimes that first fill does not give restriction... that is why they are called adjustments. And yes... you are going to be hungry until that first fill because you have no restriction yet. It is also normal to gain a little post-op especially when mushies time comes. DO not worry... once you start getting your fills you will be doing just fine... but at the moment you are right on track! Your body and stomache need time to heal and get used to this contraption that has just invaded your body... no matter how small the incision. Just think... a grain of sand becomes a pearl... but it takes a lot of time, effort and care. You are almost there... just try to keep the cals down and get that protein in!

You are doing excellent. You are supposed to be loosing 1-2 lbs per week... that is what we signed up for, slow and steady so that it can be maintained and not gained back. And as far as the inches... some people wish they could hit a NSV (Non-Scale Victory) like that. Look at it all girl... you are doing wonderfully.

I did the saem thing. It was not about insecurity but I did not need anyone else bothering me. AT times I did wish I had a little more support, but I am happy with my choice of keeping it between my husband and my parents. They really are all teh support I need that was positive enough to keep me sane. A support group will be my next step! I hope that everything goes better for you though... and if people keep bothering you, just brush it off (I know easier said than done) but before you know it you will be in your own zone.

Hello all... my birthday is on July 13th... let's see that is 4 weeks from now. My pleadge for a goal will be for me to reach 225 (that is 13lbs... about 3.25 lbs/week). A little over the suggested 1-2 lbs/week but I am going to make it!

Great tips... gotta give it a whirl!

Finally... It only took three months, but it happened when I was ready. I had my first fill in February (hard time)... and tried two times unsuccessfully after that, then two appointments were missed because I was never notified after that... and finally on June 5th, I had my second fill. We did a little extra because of such a hard time accessing my port... but we got it. It is addicting to feel restriction. It is empowering... it gives you that boost of confidence because you know it was not all for nothing. Everyone's bandster story is different... but I know I will never forget mine or take it for granted!

Finally... It only took three months, but it happened when I was ready. I had my first fill in February (hard time)... and tried two times unsuccessfully after that, then two appointments were missed because I was never notified after that... and finally on June 5th, I had my second fill. We did a little extra because of such a hard time accessing my port... but we got it. It is addicting to feel restriction. It is empowering... it gives you that boost of confidence because you know it was not all for nothing. Everyone's bandster story is different... but I know I will never forget mine or take it for granted!

You can just go to the famous liquid pre-op diet. If you do the right protein shakes, your carbs will definitely be under 10g/day. You caould also do salads to have something to much on, but depending what is in your salads you are going to add carbs. Lean meats would help to stave off the hunger also! I wish you the best of luck... if you really want it... you can really do it!

I think you should focus on the now... whatever the result is from your insurer you are about to commit to a lifestyle change regardless. Focus on that and I think things will fall into place. I know it can be hard to work and be told no... but if you focus on that negative, you will not be concentrating enough on what you need to get done! Best blessings! ~Real

The one piece of information that I was missing was in regards to bandster hell. After having the band placed you will need to rely on dieting and will power for about six weeks until your first fill and then until you hit that sweet spot. I am not trying to scare you but I wish I would have known a lot more about that period of time. ~Real

OK, so I was not expecting to be poked that many times. I went in last thursday optimistic but a lil' anxious about my first fill. Well... it did not happen. I have a high tolerance for pain, but I think it was so much that ran together... embarrassment, dissappointment, fear all running together while this needle is being jammed and you can hear it hitting the port but not the area that the needle needs to go into. Personally, I think I have a flipped port or it has changed movement if not a complete 180. But that was so weird. In two days I will go in again for a fill attempt, however this time it will be under fluoro. I pray that all goes well. Everything happens for a reason. But I tell you what I am not proud of... I seriously fell off the wagon after that fill attempt. I sunk back into my old behavior... sad eat... mad eat. Nothing to do but jump back on!

OK, so I was not expecting to be poked that many times. I went in last thursday optimistic but a lil' anxious about my first fill. Well... it did not happen. I have a high tolerance for pain, but I think it was so much that ran together... embarrassment, dissappointment, fear all running together while this needle is being jammed and you can hear it hitting the port but not the area that the needle needs to go into. Personally, I think I have a flipped port or it has changed movement if not a complete 180. But that was so weird. In two days I will go in again for a fill attempt, however this time it will be under fluoro. I pray that all goes well. Everything happens for a reason. But I tell you what I am not proud of... I seriously fell off the wagon after that fill attempt. I sunk back into my old behavior... sad eat... mad eat. Nothing to do but jump back on!

Best Wishes!

It makes me feel better to know that it was not just me. I have such a high tolerance for pain. I actually started crying. (This is not to scare anyone, because I think dissappointment and frustration set in also). My surgeon nor my NP could not find the port... great it is to the fluoroscope for me... I do not know when yet though. I am so hungry and it was supposed to be my first fill.

I was also banded 02/09/09... And next week I get my first fill... not all that excited... still a week of dieting to do.. But I know how you fill (corny I meant feel but that is what I typed). Anyhow, in the Morning I typically eat a bowl of cereal (Found some SBD cereal w/ 8grams of protein and around 100 cals per cup) with a cup of milk... it goes down to me like mushies since I chew it well. But that by itself is about 16g of prtn. I always take atleast 2 cheesesticks w/me to work (reduced fat and they are 8g of protein each also... that's another 16). Lunch is typically very well cooked chicken or something else of that sort that I know I can get a good amount of protein from. Dinner, depends on how I feel, sometimes a shake (I do this for breakfast alot too). The shake will have atleast 1 cup of milk(8) 1 scoop of protein powder (11-20something g of protein) and 1 scoop of evaporated milk (around 2-4g of protein depending on the spoon lol). But just hang in there.I have been doing pretty good, I have lost about 6lbs since surgery but it has been a serious work in progress during this testiy time. I guess I just try to keep our little credo/anthem ringing in my head... protein first!

Give it some time. You'll be hungery soon and will be able to drink more after about the first 10-14 days. Then you can start with more protein rich or just more servings/increased serving size in general.

Great for you!