Froggie D

I am so sorry you are having such a rough time! It sucks to have pain and not have what you expected happen.

I read a LOT before my surgery and thought I was well informed but still things happen that I am surprised by and everyday is a new learning experience with my band!

I was very surprised by my bouts of depression for the first month or more after surgery. Even though I knew not to expect to lose much the first month or two, I still was disappointed when I didn't.

I was lucky that my health was good and I did not have a lot of complications (did have an infection in my port incision) and I know when I am sick or in pain, I certainly am more negative. It is difficult to remain positive in hard times.

I am four months out now and have some restriction and am doing well. I have lost good weight and that has made it worth all the effort.

I hope you get to feeling better. One thing is for sure, losing weight can only help those other medical problems. It will take time to lose, but it will be worth it. Congrats on what you have lost so far. Every pound lost is a victory!

Please continue to post and let us give you support in working your band. Hang in there and don't give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

My trainer had me in the pool today doing laps with swim ins and a flutter board. I am sore tonight. It did not seem that hard. I may start doing this once a week for a change up.

On Thursday he had me doing the rowing machine and doing intervals. That was intense, but I am getting stronger every week. I did intervals on the elliptical on Wednesday too.

I set my goal for 150 minutes per week from June 30 to September 1. I am almost to my goal 3 weeks early!

I got 1.5cc the first fill, 1.0 the second , 0.5 the third and 0.5 the fourth. So I have a total of 3.5cc and I feel restriction. It is all very individual.

I have lost over 60 pounds now with this low amount of fill.

Just go with the flow, practice eating what you are supposed to, getting in Protein, getting in fluids and chewing! The restriction will come with time and you will lose.

Remember, it is a process!

It is so great to hear from everyone. We are all so successful! It hasn't been easy, but we have stuck it out.

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:party::party:

No you should not be able to only eat 2 ounces. You are not even a month out and the first month is for healing!!!!!!

You do not have restriction yet. You may not have restriction for several fills down the road. Don't rush things.

Right now you need to be focusing on healing, eating slowly, learning to sip, getting all yor Protein and fluids in and chewing. Practice, practice, practice! As you get restriction, you will eat less and less.

Don't let yourself get discouraged. This is a long process. You are just getting started. You are actually in the hardest phase, sometimes referred to as Bandster Hell because you have gotten the band, but it is not working for you yet.

Someone posted that this stage is like getting a new expensive sports car. It is wonderful and you just can't wait to take it out and drive it really fast - see just what it can do. But it doesn't have any gas in it yet. You have to get some gas put in (fills in your band) before it will really do all it can do.

You will get there. Just keep reading about what each stage is like on this forum.

I know how impatient you are feeling. I have been there. I am now 4 months and 4 fills out and have lost 60 pounds. My band is finally working like it is supposed to and I am a happy camper. You will be too, before long!:redface:

I had mood swings off and on for the first month following surgery. I had tearful episodes when there was no reason. It only lasted a day or so and then got better. I think it was both let down from all the hype and anxiety before surgery and the stress, both physical and mental, of the surgery itself.

I am 4 months out now and down 60 pounds. I feel great and am so glad I did this!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there, everyday gets better. :redface:

You are so very lucky. You do not have time to sit and worry and fret for long. Most people ride the emotional rollercoaster for a few weeks before surgery.

Make sure you have sugar free Jello and popsicles, Protein drinks or powder to mix up to get in your Protein and control any hunger.

Dress really comfortable for the hospital. Pull on pants and loose top, slip on shoes. You will in and out so fast you won't even think about clothes.

Take Gas-X with you. It helps flatulance and burping. It does not help the gas used in surgery, but walking does, so have some stable shes to walk in.

I wish I had had some liquid Tylenol at home as I did not need the pain meds after day one and did not like how they made me feel. Had to go get Tylenol.

I had surgery on Wednesday and back to work on Monday just fine. I did have to use the bathroom fairly frequently as I had very loose bowels after the surgery for a while. (not so loose as to be an emergency, but frequent).

Good luck with your surgery. :redface:

Great decision! You can do it!

I had my surgery in April, have lost over 60 pounds now with my pre-op and I still can eat all my favorite foods. I just eat smaller portions and carbs and sweets way less often.

All the "last suppers" I had in the weeks before I started my pre-op just increased my weight so I started at a higher point - self-sabotage!!!!!!

When I eat my favorite things now, I eat very slowly, savor each bite for a long time and really enjoy it. I used to gulp it down until my stomach ached and wish I had more.

To the person who is thinking about using the laxative more than prescribed -- laxatives can dehydrate you! You want to go into surgery as hydrated as possible. The major reason for returning to the hospital is for dehydration and to be put on IV fluids. After surgery you may have to force your fluids as some do not feel like drinking.

My advice -- do what your doctor said and no more laxatives than prescribed.

Good luck with your surgeries!!!!!!!!!

I refuse to be constipated! I put 5 teaspoons of dissolvable Metamucil in my Protein drink for Breakfast and no problems. No flavor, no thickening, no mess. Never know it is there. I like the Inulin fiber as it has more fiber per teaspoon.

I use extra thin sliced deli meat - I love the Cajun chicken Breast - for Snacks. Three slices is one ounce of chicken and only about 25 calories. I just roll it up and eat it las a finger food. It takes the edge off and I forget about hunger.

People on here have talked about wearing ankle weights for the weigh in.

Get creative!

Great work. You should be so proud of yourself!

Every little bit helps and the next time will be easier. You will soon be able to add to it and increase your exercise. Once you get going, it feels pretty good and you feel so proud and in control.

Keep up the great work!

I agree. You should be able to have a life. I have gotten stuck and it has come back up on several occasions, but they have been when I did not eat small bites, ate too fast and did not chew well enough.

When I do what I am supposed to, I can eat anything, eat comfortably, and still lose weight. I got my band to improve my life, not to make it miserable!

I think some people want the band to do more than its share so they get over restricted and suffer. It just doesn't work right that way. I have found that when I do what I am supposed to do, it does what it is supposed to do.

I love my band!

I felt the same way when I started on each next stage. I was terrified.

It is good to be cautious and baby yourself. You will still be healing inside for 4-6 weeks and after each new fill.

Trust your doctor and team, but take it slow, chew well, and you will do great.

Good luck!

I had staples. One incision got infected and it hurt a lot to remove the staples, but the others were easy - no pain.

Wow, sounds like everyone is doing great! It is so great to hear from you all.

By the way Beachcitygirl, in the last few weeks I have lost more weight in my lower stomach also and my upper stomach is sticking out further than the lower. Really weird.

Anyone have an explaination for that phenomenon?

Wonderful to hear from you!!!! I get fill #4 tomorrow. I only have 3cc in my band so far, but have some fair restriction.

I have lost 58.8 pounds so far and have gone from a 2x to a 14 in pants and an extra large in tops.

I have lost 5.5 inches off my waist and 6 inches off my hips.

I am off my diabetes medicine and cut back on my blood pressure meds.

I am exercising at the gym and working with a trainer 2-3 times per weeks.

I love my band!:wub:

Just remember that dealing with the insurance is all about jumping through hoops. If you jump through enough of them, you will get your surgery. I had to jump through hoops for 18 months before I got approved, but I am banded now and loving it!!!!!!!!!!!

My doctor cut my BP meds back when I got to 110/60. It went back up to 124/82 by cutting my meds. I hope to cut it back more as I lose more weight!

This is the primary reason I got banded - to improve my health. So glad to see it is working! :wub:

I was just wondering where some of our original April Bandster Bunnies are. If you are still out there, let us know how you are doing!!!!!

waynoo

mamasugar

montynic

happy day

a new me for me

purrple lover

deedee3

oceanspirit

new mrs. smith

mslady

happytrucker

twinserley

ravyn

melliebelle

me3

My doctor never prescribed Protein, not in preop diet or post op. He feels I should be able to get enough in with regular diet when I am healed. I think a big part of his problem is the high calories in the Protein supplements. For all you taking the supplements, is it because you are having a hard time getting in 60 mg of protein by eating meals and Snacks every day? Thanks for any input.

Adding Protein drinks or pwsder is one way of adding protein, but not the only way.

Try adding low fat string cheese or deli sliced chicken or turkey. These are low fat, high protein and low carb. They are also finger foods and make great Snacks.

If you choose to use Protein Powder, you can get low or no fat and add to Water or skim milk or soy milk for a low cal addition.

I am not a breakfast person so I have one cup of unsweetened soy milk with a scoop of soy protein powder, a package of Propel Vitamin drink mix and a scoop of dissolvable Fiber. I add 16 ounces of Water and ice. This gives me my Fiber, 31 grams of protein, very little fat and carbs and 24 ounces of Fluid for about 200 calories to start my day. I am not hungry until lunch time.

Getting enough protein not only gives you muscle support, it keeps you from being as hungry.

Worked 60 minutes with my trainer today. He is pushing me hard, but I can feel I am gaining strength. Says he is pleased with my progress. I have 5 more sessions with him paid for and then vacation for two weeks and then surgery on my foot. Then I will have to start over. I may buy more sessions with him. He sure keeps me moving!

Back to the exercise routine. Met with my trainer last night for an hour and then did 30 minutes of cardio tonight. Plan to meet with my trainer again tomorrow AM.

Not losing much weight, but go in for a fill on Monday. I hope it starts dropping off again.

I am so happy for you! Let yourself heal and focus on that. Youw ill get to the end of the special diets and then time just seems to fly by.

Welcome to the banded world!

I have been banded for about 4 months and including my preop I have lost 58 pounds.

I ate for all the wrong reasons and thought I was an emotional eater. Every emotion made me want to eat - anger, hurt, depression, happiness, fear, anxiety, etc. I thought a bout food all the time, even after I just ate a full meal.

Well, I am here to say that the band has reduced my hunger and it has made a difference in my obsessing over food. I still have to eat the right things and not let myself go wild, especially when I am depressed or angry or hurt or bored, etc. But the difference in my actual hunger is amazing. I can go for hours without thinking about food. That never happened before the band.

The band doesn't just prevent me from eating too much, it actually reduces my desire for food and then I can control my emotional hunger. I can't explain it, but it is different.

Thanks Monkeymomma. So far this week is better. I did not get to the gym last night but back to 60 minutes with my trainer tonight. Tonight we did some cardio and a lot of shoulder and back strength stuff. I am going to be sore tomorrow. It was hard after missing five days. My foot is slowly getting better.

Hope your GI stuff is better, too!

Have a good week, everyone!