sandiegokate

I just received my first fill last Thursday but have been very stressed for the last few weeks. So far I haven't noticed anything with the band... I hope I don't? I need to really try to make sure I get my exercise in.. I went to the gym today and felt much more relaxed. It makes such a difference in my stress level. Stress is a killer... truly.. I have to try to keep it out of my life!!

My doctor used glue and I had no restrictons. I went to a pool a week after surgery to get some exercise (mostly just move around a bit in the water) and it was fine. The glue stayed on for a couple of weeks, I let it fall off by itself.

If it were me, I would wait for the ring. Resizing weakens the ring, it is made thinner usually. You will have the ring eventually forever so what is a few months in waiting now. Just my humble opinion!! A friend of mine's ring broke after a year because she had it sized larger. She eventually got a new ring and had it ordered in her larger size... more expensive but better for long term. Especially for a ring you plan on wearing every day. She was sad that she had to give up her original ring as it was sentimental at that point. It might be a good goal to reach for.. :seeya: I have a diamond/sapphire ring that is close to fitting... I can't wait to wear it again. I had the ring made for me several years ago and I refused to have it re-sized..

Oh man.. so sorry to hear this!! I know I felt a lot of gas the night of my fill but it subsided. Its good you plan on calling the doc, maybe he can prescribe a prescription strength gas reliever. I can't think of any gas reducing remedies.. I hope it subsides and you feel better!!

Wow.. awesome!! Congratulations!!!:blushing: Any words of wisdom to share? I was banded on August 26th and just starting... I'm trying to work out more, I know that will definitely make a difference. I still hope to make it to the SD support group.. always seems to be at a bad time. One of these days.. :seeya: Enjoy!

I was banded on August 26th and my weight loss stalled after I started back on solid foods. I got my first fill this past Thursday and I am hoping for restriction and for my scale to move!! I am also going to really push myself to get more exercise to help as well. I hear it is normal to not lose before your first fill and to even gain. I gained about 3 lbs, my doctor expected it. Frustrating I know but I keep reminding myself this is a process... and going through the adjustments and such until we find out "sweet spot" will be frustrating. It helps for me to look at the oldtimers here and see how far they have come!! Best of luck to you!!

I just had my first fill and that was the realization that the band is there and going to do something for me. After the surgery I felt the pain, the healing, but then I felt normal until my fill last Thursday. I felt like I could eat just about everything. It changed with my fill. I am definitely feeling a bit of restriction and I get full really quick and I now know that I need to adapt and make very conscious decisions about what I eat and how I eat. If I don't eat slowly I can tell. I need to now eat tiny bites and wait inbetween those bites. It will take time to adapt. Best of luck to you.. soon you will know!

Hi and Congrats on your surgery!! For me, the 10 day mark was definitely a turnaround and it does get better every day. What you are feeling is normal. For liquids, try sugar free popsicles. They help you to get your liquid in and they are tasty. I had so many of those in the first several days. Also just take lots of sips, they will all add up! As for sleeping, what helped me is to put a pillow on my side to help support my stomach. That made a big difference as it is difficult for me to fall asleep on my back. Best of luck to you!!! In a couple of days you will feel much better!!

Mine did.. yogurt too! As long as there were no big chunks and take it slow... I had no problems with it at all.

I was where you were 6 months ago.. nervous yet excited for the journey to begin!! I am now 4 weeks and 2 days after my surgery and I am so happy I did it. The first couple of days after the surgery I had a little pain, but nothing I couldn't handle. Now I can hardly tell I had the surgery other than getting full on less than half of what would make me full before. Best of luck to you!!!! If you are like me you will feel inspired and feel like you finally are getting a solution to the problem. Enjoy the journey!!:tongue2:

Hi Eileen, Good for you for getting dollied up for the night! :scared2: This too shall pass... you will get the matter resolved and move forward. I've heard of port flipping and such. There was a guy who had surgery the day I had my surgery who was getting a new port due to a leak. It happens... you will be fine. I hope you had a wonderful evening... I need to get dressed up and go out.. it has been TOO long!!

I agree with crzytchr... go to the doc for documentation!!! I am going to consider that for every little thing I get... could help down the road for excess skin surgery!! I have sensitive skin also and I am prone to all sorts of things. I got a rash from the glue that the doctor used on my incisions, they were itchy!! Hydrocortisone helped though.. Good luck!!

Watermelon is an important part of my life... especially the Dulcinea small watermelons. They have them at Costco and they are a great price and always sweet and tasty!

That is AWESOME!!! Congratulations!!!:scared2: I have a bin full of Adidas/Nike matching pants/jacket sets, I love them!!! I can't wait to get into them.. it will be a while for me yet, but they are ready and waiting!! Although, I am mad that I left a jacket to my favorite Adidas set on a plane several years ago.. guess I'll have to go buy a new set to replace it when I get there!! Enjoy!!!

*waving east to the mountains* Hi there! I live in San Diego, although not up there in the mountains.. so pretty up there! :scared2: The anticipation of it all was so much more than the reality, for me anyway. I was so overprepared for everything, worried I wasn't going to make it through, etc. The first couple of days of the pre-op diet was tough but then it was smooth sailing. What helped me was egg drop Soup. I added extra broth to it, ate it just about every day. Who is your doc? I checked out just about everyone in SD and eventually went to Dr. Bhoyrul. We're lucky to have a few good options here in our county. Best of luck to you!! I look forward to your updates!

Hi Jules, Your doctor might repair the hernia at the same time they install the lapband. If I were you I would probably see a couple doctors to see what their approach is. There may be varying ideas. Good luck on the double knee replacement, are you doing them at the same time? God bless you... thats rough but then again I can see the benefit of doing it at once. My mom had had both hips done, one knee, and is going for the 2nd knee next month. It made a world of difference in her quality of life, so amazing what they can do! A good friend of mine who is just 45 had a hip replacement a couple of months ago.. early onset arthritis, she's doing fabulous!! Take care,

Today I feel SO MUCH BETTER!!:scared2: Around 11pm last night it seemed to suddenly calm down. I am able to drink Water and my Protein drinks fine. My doctor said to stick to liquids for the next 24-48 hours. We'll see how I feel when I start eating... one little bite at a time!!

What seems to help me if I get that sort of thing is anti-fungal cream, like miconozole or what you would buy for yeast infections. Also.. keep it dry, I usually try to dry my crevices with a hair dryer after showering, it helps in healing and prevention. I have "skin issues"... always something on my body flaring up... :mad:

I had 7 incisions too... but, he said my liver looked great. I had a hiatal hernia repaired so I thought that maybe that would be the reason. They are all really tiny and healing well.. so, I am not worried and never questioned the doctor about it.

Eileen, I'm so sorry you again didn't have a good experience.. :thumbdown::sad: I hope that it gets resolved soon and you will be back on track and have a POSITIVE future experience with the band. I hope you are feeling better today?? Take care and let us all know how things go.. I'll be thinking of you!!! ((hugs))

Congrats! I get my first fill tomorrow, I heard from others that he puts in 3cc's usually. I'll let everyone know. I have been hungry and eating the last week or so.. weight loss has STALLED, but I think I am in good company at this point from what I've read. I guess the good news is I healed well and am at a normal place in the process. I have had a couple of things feel like they get "stuck" though, but then eventually they go down in a couple of minutes. I need to work on the Water and not drinking before/after meals though.... need to whip myself back into a good routine after this fill tomorrow!!!!

I do!! He is such a sweetheart!!!!! :biggrin: That was a big part of my decision to choose him over the other doctors in San Diego. I figured I better choose someone I like since we're going to have a long relationship together. I had my surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital. All went well!

Gotta love the Brett Favre comment!:biggrin: I use a natural hair color that they sell at Whole Foods that has made a tremendous difference in my hair health over the last couple of years. It is called "Naturcolor", a couple of my friends have started using it too and like it as well. It doesn't damage my hair as much. My hair is longer than it has been since I was a kid!! I am just 4 weeks out, haven't noticed any loss yet, but we'll see! At my support group meeting the nutritionist gave us a handout about hair loss and that the amino acid L-lysine may play a part.. something else to throw in the mix of Protein, Biotin, hormones, etc.,etc. As others have said, it seems to subside.. if it happens to me I will just roll with it..:biggrin:

I am close to 4 weeks out and so far no regrets at all!! I also wish I would have done it sooner as others have said. I think like most things the anticipation is so much more than the actual process. The first couple of days of the pre-op diet were tough but after that, smooth sailing! After the surgery, as others told me, was a breeze because the hunger isn't there. Although now, as I approach my first fill I feel I am in "bandster hell".. I can eat just about anything, but, atleast I know I am going through a normal phase in the process just like everyone else! The time will come up quick.. congratulations on your surgery date and moving forward. :biggrin: Enjoy the journey !:biggrin:

costco has gummy bear Vitamins that taste just like regular gummy bears. They also have fish oil chewy-fish/stars that taste "ok".. I am going to get the calcium chews also after tasting a sample. I bought some liquid vitamins and they really gagged me.. I spent over $100 on those things. ughhh!! The worst is the b-vitamins I bought at Vitamin Shoppe. OH MY GOD.. it is the worst tasting thing I have EVER had, seriously.... it is almost like it is poison or something. I can take most things, but the b-vitamins I couldn't deal with. At my support group meeting some ladies said that the Bariatric Advantage berry flavored vitamins are pretty good, fyi!