meem

I made the mistake of telling one of the teachers at my daughter's preschool about my surgery. She kindda figured out I had some kind of surgery, so I spilled the beans. Anyway, since my surgery, May 8th. EVERYDAY, and I mean, everyday, she asks "how much". It's very annoying. I have tried to throughly explain the procedure and fills and blah blah blah, but in the end some people just can not wrap their minds around the concept of the band. They think "oh you had WLS surgery so by next week you should have lost 90lbs!". I just smile and say that I am doing fine and thanks for asking.

Hi. I had a really good recovery, also. although as of lately my port site (not incision, which looks great) has been giving me a little grief. Off and on I will get a stabbing pain and as quick as it comes, it goes away. Weird. I am thinking maybe scar tissue. No fever, easy to find the port at the docs, so just weird. I feel great, getting mor energy as the days go by. Slow weight loss, but I am fine with it. It's a huge learning curve for me. As far as my hair is concerned, I have thin, very thin hair, to start off with and I can always tell the days I get enough protein in or not, usually if not the next day, for me, there is extra hair on my brush! So I am really trying to get my protein in. good luck to all.

Hi reneek, I was banded on May8th, just a few days before you. My weight loss has been "slow" compared with others, but I am not fretting it. I had my first fill about two weeks ago and while I am not at my sweet spot I do have a fair amount of restriction. I am still learning my limits and taking the time to learn my signals and how I am feelling while i am eating. That way when I go in for my next fill (in two weeks, where I think I will get even better restriction) I will be prepared and hopefully not PB or get stuck. (probably more wishful thinking on my part). But I am very pleased with my weight loss so far. I have never been able to slowly lose weight like this while not starving myself. You have done excellent in your weight loss. On this website I have seen the most extreme weight loss to people who were banded years ago and are only where we are now. If you like we can keep each other motivated, along with all the other wonderful Mayo Banditos. Keep up the great work and keep in touch.

My doctor explained, to me, that drinking during and right after your meals will help the digested food in your new stoma to become liquid like and will pass through the band, therefore not feeling full any longer.

Hey everyone, I have been laying low for a while. I am still in bandster hell. I won't get my first fill until 6-23! Not at all happy about that. But because of the way my doctor does the first fill, the waiting list is long. My doctor does his first fill under fluro in the surgery suite, so he can check the band placement and restriction once he fills. I know that it will make me feel better to know the band is in place and everything looks good, but still, I am ready to get going with this. It stinks because we get so use to dropping weight so fast (pre and post op) and then BAM...nothing.. (allright, enough with my rant)!!! But I am happy that I have not gained anything back, I'm trying to look at the sunny side of it.

My vitamins are chewable, but when I need to take tylenol I can swallow them whole. But my doc did suggest to split larger pills up, so it won't bother the pouch.

My air lasted about a week. I had it in my left shoulder only and funny thing now is that it is my signal when I am full and should not eat another bite. Weird! A heating pad worked wonderfully for me. Good luck, oh, and walking helped too.

check this forum out, it's from Mayo Banditos and has a lot of good questions and tips. good luck http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18163/things-ask-pre-op-appt-92640/

My doc told me to expect band tightness after flying, air pressure, and also the week before my monthly visit (trying to put that sweetly)

Man I can remember the gas pains!! OUCH!!! Everybody will heal just a little different, but the gas pains do go away. I used a heating pad and walking helped a lot. For me, about five-six days out the gas finally evaporated. I had it real bad in my left shoulder. goood luck and believe that this will pass. (excuss the pun)

welcome. everyone here is wonderful. no matter the question or problem it seems that someone else is going through it. good luck in your journey.

I am still on mushie/pureed foods. My next appt is Tuesday and I will probably get the ok to start real food again. But I agree with Hallelujah, I am nervous to start eating real food. How is it going for those of you eating real food? Because of no restriction yet, do you feel like eating a lot? Is it going down ok? etc... thanks

congrats and welcome to the other side. Take your time and heal properly. the recovery period goes quick and you feel better and better everyday.

Hello fellow banditos. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the support and respect that we are all giving to each other and I pray we stay that way. Take a peek at this, you'll need to read the whole thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/ate-something-not-approved-94793/ The LBT moderators have stepped in on this thread, so a lot of the rudness has been deleted.

I haven't had any fills yet, only banded May 8th. but it really helps to read all your post and gives me a good heads up on what to expect and to be patience above all else. thanks for a great thread.

A cruise sounds awesome, but then again so did the margarita!!

I'm right there with you Ann. I weigh everyday. and I am also in Bandster hell, and it s*cks. It's gotten to the point that I get really excited about a 2 oz weight loss, even though the whole number hasn't changed. I have been at this weight for two weeks now. UGH!!!!!!

good luck to everyone having surgery tomorrow. You all will do wonderful and pull throught the post op with flying colors. Take care of yourselves and let us know how everyone is doing, when you can.

My doctor told me that if I got hiccupps it was ok. It's caused from your diaphragm being irritated probably from your stomach being swollen from surgery. He also told me that when I finally get my fills and are full from eating that the swelling in my pouch could irritate it and I will start to hiccup again. hope you are doing well.

I am more hungry now than I was on the pre-op diet!Since I have started the puree/soft stage I haven't lost any weight. My doctor said to expect to gain a little weight during this period. I am happy that I haven't, but after great success pre-op and right after the surgery to hit a wall, kinda stinks. But I will keep my chin up and keep trucking along. Soon the fills will be flowing in for us and the weight will be falling off us.

looking forward to your next public service announcement!! Like all PSA say "the more you know...."

I was banded May 8th with Dr Pinnar and Paul. I just love them and their whole staff. Happyme2009, for me Dr Pinnars office is a hike also (about 25 miles) I live in Kingstowne. but I did MUCH research on Lapband doctors and I decided that for me, I will travel to Dr Pinnars office reguardless of the miles. And I have not regretted once. Good luck with which ever doctor you choose, in the end its about getting healthy and we are:) For anyone deciding on a doctor, go to the lapband website and check out their experience and qualifications. You cant go wrong with Robert Pinnar and his staff.

Hey 26th-ers. Best wishes for a safe surgery tomorrow. You all will do great. Hey Christy, congrats on quitting cold turkey. Not only is that wonderful for your lungs but it will help with recovery time, smoking hinders your body from healing. Good luck and lets us know how you are post op!!

Good luck on Wednesday Juniper and Jamie. Let us know how you are post surgery. You both have done so great with your weight loss pre surgery. Best wishes!!!

ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto to everything you have said Cyndi. I am hungry inbetween my schedule meals and protein shakes. My surgeon warned me about this. Just like you I was the strickest I have ever been in my life with my pre-op and post-op until I got the ok to start pureed food. I didn't go nuts, just a little ice cream here and there, but it was short lived because I ending up kicking my arse about it. I am now back on track and I get moving inbetween meals and I add protein powder (not the same as my shakes, tastes like pink lemonade, etc) to my water to curb my appetite. Good luck.