Tish5632

Thanks so much you guys ROCK! Thanks too for the shrimp recipes, I do like shrimp. Can't wait to try some of these!!!

Hi Chakatw, I go to this website: Graphical Tickers and Trackers: Weight Loss, Trying To Conceive, Pregnancy... Then you can create your own ticker from lots of different choices. Then, once I've created or updated my ticker, I just right-click on the ticker and choose the "copy" option. Then when I have a place I want to put it, I click the "paste" option. You can also do the Ctrl + c for copy and Ctrl + p for paste. At least this works for me. Good luck! :biggrin:

I'm sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble, but actually, your situation helps me gauge mine a little bit. I too have an 11cc band and I've had 3 fills so far with only a total of 5cc in the band. I so desperately want some restriction because I'm dealing with extreme hunger issues. I'm going in next week for another fill and I'm going to request at least 2ccs from her then. My fill doc is good about listening to me and doing what I request - as long as it's within reason. She also asks me to sit up and drink water before she removes the fill needle in case she needs to remove any saline. (I've never had to have any removed) Please give us an update as to how you're doing now with eating/drinking. I sure hope it gets easier for you! :biggrin:

I know it can be hard to hear discouraging things from people, but I will tell you that YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING! You are the only one that can live your life, and it's GREAT that you lost 35 pounds, but we've all lost weight in the past, the problem is keeping it off. And, when you have a large amount to lose (like I need to lose 100 pounds total) then you need help. Keep your head held high and keep coming back here for support - WE ALL UNDERSTAND!!

Oh Cat, I can SOOOO feel your pain. I was banded 7/3/09 and I lost 20 pounds pre-op. I have 5cc in an 11cc band and I also have nearly no restriction yet. My stomach growls most of the day and I try so hard to be good, but it's really hard. I'm going for another fill next month and I hope to get at least another 1cc in the band. I'm so ready to reach my "sweet spot" and have my band helping me. After all, if we could have done this alone, we won't have had the band surgery. Keep your chin up!

Hi, That's very interesting. I've had 3 fills and it has not happened to me. Hope you can find out what it is. Good luck!

I commend what you're doing! It's been hard for me too. I had my surgery on 7/3/09 but I only began to get a small amount of restriction with the fill I got two days before Thanksgiving. I'm using the Fill Centers USA, which I love, but it's been slow going because it took until mid-September before I could have my first fill. I've had 3 fills alltogether but I still don't have enough restriction. I did the Band surgery because I can't do this on my own. I need that help, you know, "keep the honest people honest" with regards to food. Great job on starting the new year! Tish :thumbup:

Hi, I had my first fill on 9/12. My surgery was on 7/3, but the Fill Center that I was closest to was not opening until 9/12, so that's why I waited. It was painless for me. I too was asked to lie down and I had my arms crossed behind my neck and I was very comfortable. They asked me to push out my abdomen and found my port right away. Then the doc sort of held the port between his fingers and injected the saline. I was not numbed but it was not needed. He also removed a small amount of air and blood that was in the pouch. He said that is not uncommon after surgery. I received 2cc in my 11cc J&J band. I have a little restriction now. I too stayed in the office to drink Water, which went down fine. I go back in a month to be reassessed and have another fill. This time it will be 0.5cc and 0.25cc thereafter if needed. I'm happy! :mad2:

Hi tyhelms, So sorry to hear about the gallstones. Yes, I have experienced this, and at young age. I was 32 (same age as my mother when she had it) and it went undiagnosed for several months. I would also have the intermittent "attacks" and would go to the ER. I understand that having another surgery is not fun, but, you will be much better in the long run if you go ahead and do it. I had not had LapBand surgery yet, but I know how horrible the gall bladder thing is. Besides, you don't want to end up with a blocked gall duct either, or have the GB get infected, because then you're in an emergency situation. Hope this helps! :thumbup:

I think I'm scared because I've gained/lost weight so many times and it feels like I'm in that cycle again! I was banded 7/3/09 and did great. I survived (barely!) the 21-day post-op liquid diet per surgeon's instructions. I'm now back on "normal" foods, but I have no restriction because I haven't had a fill yet. (I don't have my 1st fill until 9/12 - long story, clinic not opening until then) I've recovered nicely and I've lost 20 lbs. (includes pre-op loss). But, I HAD lost 21.5 lbs and I gained back 1.5 lbs last week. I'm doing my best to eat what I'm supposed to in the quanities I'm supposed to, but I admit I'm eating more carbs than I should. I've made some really good changes in my diet and portions, but I've failed so many times before. I think I just need a little moral support from my bandster buddies! :ohmy:

Hi! I too have PCOS. It certainly makes losing weight harder. I've had PCOS for about 20 years, but was only diagnosed about 10 years ago. I'm 31 days post-op and I've lost 20 pounds all together. (Including pre-op). The hunger issue I think is mainly mental; however, cravings are still tough. I've determined that life is just not fair, and so I just deal with the PCOS as it comes. This works for me anyway. I know losing is going to be harder due to the PCOS, but I also work in the medical field and I know that weight lifting helps the most with buring calories and fat and adding muscle, which ultimately increases the metabolic rate. Good luck!

Okay All, I got my answer. I talked to the surgeon today and he said that because I'd had reflux for years, this is normal. I didn't have the reflux until 2 weeks post-op because the stomach was still swollen and the acid simply couldn't come up through the swelling. Once the swelling went down, the reflux returned. This WILL stop once I get a good fill. (Which is what I thought was happening, but I wanted my doc to tell me himself, then there was no doubt.) So - it's good news to me! :juggle:

Hi All, Okay, I have a group question. I've had acid reflux for many years (about 12) and I was told that after the band I would have no more reflux. I was told that the majority of reflux is caused by hiatal hernias, which I was told I did not have. I had my surgery 7/3/09 with Dr. Ortiz (LOVED HIM) and post-op I had no reflux. When I finished my liquids phase and began solid foods (per direction of surgeon) the reflux has really come back. I've sent a message to the surgeon and I'll see what he says, I just wanted to check with y'all. Also, I never eat and drink at the same time, I only eat VERY small portions, and I take 30-45 minutes to eat my food. I haven't had my first fill yet, and I feel really good, not too hungry. Thanks Bandster Buddies! :biggrin:

Hi, I had acid reflux prior to being banded (banded 7/3/09) and at first, the reflux went away. I actually didn't get it back until about 5 days prior to the "full liquid" diet was over. I've been on solid foods since 7/24 and the reflux is almost as bad as before surgery. I actually had to take a Prilosec yesterday after lunch. My theory on this is: after surgery, my stomach was swollen, which prevented the reflux from happening, but as I healed and the restriction became less and less, the reflux got worse and worse. I was told that I did NOT have a hiatal hernia during surgery (or they would have repaired it right then). Because I have had no fills yet, and therefore have no restriction, it makes sense to me that the reflux would recur. Also: I have followed my surgeon's rules to the letter, no cheating even once. I also don't over-eat (I'm not all that hungry even without restriction), I don't eat and drink at the same time, and I don't eat too fast. I've got an email into my surgeon about this issue. I'll let you know what I find out! :thumbup:

Hi Erin18, All the things listed are great, but I would also add Gas-X strips (they melt on your tongue). I brought mine and I still think walking helped the most with the gas pain, but I also took a lot of strips too. As a matter of fact, one of the other women that had surgery the same day as I did forgot her strips and so I have her 5-6 of mine. I actually used these for several days and I think they help. :scared2:

Hi Aimnut, I was banded 7/3/09 by Dr. Ortiz in MX. Unfortunatey, I live in central Indiana AND I have extreme motion sickness. So, my scariest part of healing was trying to fly home! I did not vomit, only felt extreme nausea for awhile, but glad to be home. I'm feeling really great! Especially after starting full liquids and being able to have some protein. I also feel very lucky that I'm officially 2-weeks post-op now and I still don't feel hungry. I still deal with "head hunger" on occasion, but if I leave the environment, it stops. I still am looking forward to being able to eat actual food next Friday, but I'm also a little scared that it will make me crave things again. I'll just try to be careful. Best of luck to you! :scared2:

Man, thanks you guys! I didn't know such a thing existed! I'm two weeks post-op and thankfully, I still don't feel hungry. That's not to say that when I'm around people who are eating (especially foods I like) that I don't feel head hunger, but it goes away after I leave that environment. I do like the protein shakes, and I use the Atkins shakes because they have 15g of protein and only 1g of sugar and 2g net carbs. I'm definitely going to GNC this weekend to get some of these "protein shots". This is why I love this discussion forum!

Great question! I was wondering about popcorn too. I'm still not allowed to eat anything yet (solids) as I'm still on full liquids but I'm looking forward to eating solids on 7/24. I won't start with popcorn, but I do love it, especially at the movies. I guess like everything it just depends on the individual. I love pickles too, we'll just have to see!

Hi! Had surgery on Friday and went back to work Tuesday. (Our office is always closed Sat-Mon and reopens Tuesday) I did pretty well, but I did go home after 6 hours on Tuesday due to feeling faint. I felt fine the rest of the week, but still felt more tired than usual. As soon as I was allowed to begin full liquids I felt completely back to normal.

Hi Fluffy RN, My doc said coffee and tea were fine. I have PCOS and I was banded 7/3/09 by Dr. Ortiz in MX. I stopped caffeine about 4 weeks pre-op because when I have caffeine it drops my blood sugar in a hurry. Then I get into that starvation mode and have to eat QUICKLY. I knew that this would not work with having to lose weight pre-operatively or post-operatively. I actually feel much better being off the caff. I do still have my coffee and tea but their decaf. Hope this helps! Tish

Hi Savannahsmommie, Who did your original surgery? Tish

Hi, I was banded 7/3/09 and it took a couple of days for me to be able to burp well. Now, it seems like I burp all the time, much more than I did pre-surgery. I do find though that if I need to burp but have trouble doing it that if I stand up it will usually happen. I'm trying to be really careful about not taking in too much air when I sip, but I guess I still do. I'm on my last day of clear liquids, I get to start drinkable yogurts tomorrow and full liquids on Sunday, so hopefully that won't change my ability to burp. I would check with the doc too, maybe he/she can give you some hints. Good Luck! Tish :thumbup: