Miriam

I am wondering if anyone else has this issue, and if so, what they do about it: Every other day or so, I incorporate a carbohydrate into one of my meals, such as quinoa with roasted vegetables or perhaps half of a baked potato. However, when I do this, I tend to either not loose weight, or actually gain a little bit! I don't want to totally stop eating carbs, there's a reason I wanted the surgery and not to do Atkins! But at the same time, my body doesn't seem to want carbs at all anymore, even when they're healthier ones... Has anyone else experienced this?:cursing:

I think it's great that you are trying to get in tune with your emotions and figuring out your behaviors. A therapist could be a great resource to you on this journey. Insurance usually covers all or a significant portion of the fee, so it's worth looking into. You are obviously a strong person since you decided to change your life by getting the surgery, a counselor will listen to you and help you reach your goals. I would definitely check it out! Good luck!

I have the same incisions that you do! The one that looks like it's in the bellybutton has been healing well and it's really hard to see unless you're looking for it. After the swelling goes down and you can take off the gauze, you'll be happy with it. Congrats on your successful surgery and good luck!

If you decide to do Manhattan, I self-paid with NYU Surgical Weight Loss, Dr. Fielding. He is fabulous, and I couldn't recommend them more. They also tell you if there are any studies that you can sign up for, which often pay for part or all of the band (I wasn't eligible for any). But I was able to do outpatient surgery, which saved a lot of money and the practice has offices in Brooklyn for pre and post-op meetings. Fills are $125, but if you self-pay, all fills are covered for the first year after surgery.

Mine skipped for 6 weeks after surgery. I started to worry and saw my doctor who told me that after surgery, periods often get screwed up, coming either early or late. Sometimes you skip a month or two until everything gets back to normal. Wait a few more weeks and see what happens. If you think you have missed two in a row, or 8+weeks, definitely get checked out.

Help, I need advise! My Doctor's office is closed until Monday. Last night I was out to dinner and had my first PB. I THINK it was because of either a small bite of duck or a leaf of raw baby spinach, both things I tried for the first time after surgery. I realized something had gone wrong and went to the bathroom. The piece came up after about 2-3 minutes. While it was not an enjoyable experience, I didn't experience horrible pain, which I am grateful for! Last night I only had Water after that and this morning have tried a Protein shake and more water. However, every few minutes, I get a sharp pain from where I am assuming my band is. It goes away quickly, almost like it's throbbing and subsides. Is something still stuck in there? I feel okay otherwise, I'm not sliming again or anything. Should I try purees or food to see what happens or just stay on liquids? What should I do??

Six bites is probably too little a portion. You should be able to have at least 1/4-1/2 cup of food. Think of your portion like the size of your palm, it should fill that up. If you're having a weird or tight feeling with solids, try diluting them a little bit, maybe they are a little dry going down. As long as you don't have anything stuck or coming back up at this point, you should be okay. After I get a fill, I tend to feel pressure and get gurgling sometimes and it usually subsides within two days. It's all just a learning process, but it sounds like you're doing great!

I am getting my third fill on Monday around 1pm. Can I eat a normal Breakfast or do I have to be on liquids that morning? Has anyone had a problem with this? Please advise! Thanks!

You are doing a great job! I lost 20 pre-op but didn't start loosing again until my first fill, about one month later. It gets better after that. You are definitely on the right track!

That would be a fascinating and worthy study! I agree with the earlier comments about pros and cons. However, self-pay banders also had to show certain levels of commitment before getting the band. Perhaps not a 6-month pre-diet for insurance approval, but I had several steps I had to go through too, like several evaluations and a two-week pre-op liquid diet. Since I was self-pay, I'm definitely motivated to stay on top of this and try my best to finally loose the weight!

I had my second fill on Tuesday and now have 5ccs in a 10cc band. The first day or so when I was on liquids was okay, but since waking up yesterday, I have felt pressure in my chest after swallowing anything, whether it be mushies or water. Is this normal? I can't imagine that I am too restricted with only 5ccs in my band...is this just a part of banded life, or do I need to get an unfill at the doctor? I have not PBed or had sharp pain, it's more like a dull ache or pressure.

Hello Everyone, I would appreciate some advice: I was banded on 2/24/09 and had my first fill of 4ccs on March 26th. I didn't experience much restriction after the first fill, and have noticed that in the past three weeks, I have been increasing the amount of food I am eating and the types of bad foods (i.e. mini-hersheys and frozen yogurt) that I sneak in. I have not once actually felt "full." It's like my bad habits are creeping back in again! Have any of you had this problem? How did you overcome it? I am trying to get a fill next week to hopefully help with the restriction...any and all advice welcome!! Thanks!

Thanks for asking, I am feeling better today after a rough night. I couldn't sleep on my stomach because I felt too much pressure. Swallowing has definitely become easier. Not completely back to normal, but getting there! I'm looking forward to Saturday when I can go back to solids to see if this restriction level is different.

Hi All, Thanks for sharing your stories and offering advice, I am soooo grateful to know that it's not just me! I had a second fill today of 1cc to make my total 5ccs in a 10cc band. I've been having some difficulty swallowing and hope that once the feeling goes away (tomorrow???) it will lead to better restriction that I can still handle.

I mostly drink decaf now, but sometimes the coffee houses don't make decaf past noon. Can I have a cup of caffeinated coffee around once a week? What about caffeine is bad for the band? Thanks!

I was banded on February 24th and have lost 21 pounds since the 2 week pre-op liquid diet. My clothes definitely feel different since the surgery, but the scale has only budged 2 pounds! I have been power walking for 30 minutes five days a week and have kept to eating about 1100 calories a day. I'm going for my first fill on Thursday and am hoping that the scale starts dipping again after that! I have to travel for a week and a half soon after getting my fill, has anyone had issues with travel, both with a plane and also eating out a lot? I'm worried that if I have a problem with my fill, I won't be near my doctor to get it fixed!

Is there something you can take so that the "stuck" piece comes up quickly? What are these pineapple chewables? I am also deathly afraid of PBing and when I eventually experience it, I want it to be over asap!

Hello Everyone, Question: What did you eat for your first few meals of real food? How did you handle the transition? Tomorrow I am allowed to stop eating mushies since I am three weeks post-op and can start eating real food again. Part of me is VERY excited!! But I am also scared of both the temptation of eating a lot again and also trying to find foods that will still digest easily with the band before my first fill. Thanks!!

Unfortunately, I have no advice, but can tell you that you are not alone, I am having the exact same issue. I was banded on 2/24 and have lost one pound, which was also in the first week. Because I am starting to get really depressed about this, I spoke with the nutritionist in the Dr. office this morning. She said that all I could do was continue to eat around 1000-1100 calories a day and get 60 grams of Protein in. I have also been working out, but nothing seems to move that scale! I go in for my first fill a week from Thursday and she said that I can expect to see some kind of result after that. Feel free to commiserate anytime, I hope the scale starts dipping for you soon!

Thank you all for sharing, it's been so helpful! I made a chicken tagine the other night I was able to eat about 3/4 of a cup, which included a tiny bit of whole wheat cous cous. I think the scrambled eggs idea is a good one, I'll try it for lunch today!

I have been on 10/10 too, but we have the same doctor! I am on my 3rd day of "mushies" and am able to eat S/F rice pudding, pureed Soup, and pureed bolognese for some Protein. Good luck!!

Hi Everyone, I am about to transition to purees tomorrow but am worried about the next three weeks of eating until I get my first fill. Since the band hasn't been tightened, is it easy to overeat? Does it matter what I eat as long as it has a pureed texture? Can I expect to loose weight before the first fill? I lost 18 on my pre-op diet, but have only lost one additional pound since my 2/24 surgery. Any advice on how to get through the next few weeks would be great!! Thank you!

Thanks for the advice!! Wow, it really does vary from person to person. I think I'm going to try the small three meals and pray that I feel some kind of restriction soon.

I also got banded this past week, on the 24th. I have been drinking Clear Liquids and Slim Fasts diluted with Water. It's weird, my stomach is growling, but I don't think I'm hungry. But I'm not full either. I'm supposed to do this for 10 days before "graduating" to SF pudding and other purees. I'm scared to do this, I have GAINED 3 pounds since the surgery, I hope this changes soon!! I'm mostly just sore, I have tried to stop taking the fabulous Tylenol with Codene and sticking to Extra Strength Tylenol. I hope you are all starting to feel better!

If it makes you feel any better, I too am three days post-op and experiencing the same symptoms. I have been taking 1-2 Gas X strips every two or three hours and that has helped the gas and other bodily functions subside a bit. It's extremely annoying, but I'm taking it as a good sign that my body's systems are starting to get back in order! Oh, I have also been taking hot showers and walking to take some of the edge off of the stomach rumbling and gas. They both seem to help. Good luck!