Donnawanna

Ok...two nights ago I ate some white bean chicken chili, have eaten it before with no problems. I was banded back in June and have what I consider good restriction. I ate a small bowl and when I started to feel that "full" feeling I stopped. Went and watched tv for a while. About three hours later I started having severe chest pains. These were right about the area where my sternum is. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest and it hurt to breath. It wasn't my heart but it hurt and it hurt bad. My roommate was taking me to the hospital (I didn't think it was a stuck issue since I hadn't eaten in like three hours) and stopped at the fire department because I was in so much pain. They ended up taking me to the hospital. They shot me up with morphine and soon after arriving at the hospital the pain stopped. All tests showed that my heart is fine and it wasn't that. They said I could have had spasams in my chest but I don't think that was it either. I don't know what it was, but it hurt like hell. If this is what stuck is like, then that's fine, I just don't want to be that scared again not knowing what it was. I've taken too big of a bite before and know what that feels like, but the pain is usually higher in my chest when that happens, that is why I'm questioning if it was a "stuck episode." Has anyone else experienced severe chest pains like that?

Thanks so much for the input here. I go to the doctor next Monday and will talk to him. It does sound like the gallbladder from what I have read online about attacks. I had eaten the chili about three hours prior and it was super spicy, which tends to set off gallbladder attacks also. I just know that it is not something that I want to go through again if I can help it. I'm just hoping this was a one-time incident because I don't want another surgery either!

No this definately was not a panic attack. It was the worst pain I've felt (besides labor) and it would not go away no matter what I did. It was in my chest, but the bottom, right about where your sternum is.....I will be going to my band doctor next Monday and talk to him about it. I think it was something to do with the band since the pain was generating below the chest but raidiated upwards and down.....I just know that I don't want to experience that again. Like I said before, I didn't think it was a "stuck" episode as I have had that chest pain and it was sooo different from that. Hmmm.....guess I might never know what it was, but the good news was that it wasn't my heart!

My surgeon requires NO restriction in your diet after a fill. Although after each fill you should go slowly, small bites and chew well. He said they found the weight loss to slow down when going on the liquids so he doesn't require it. I totally trust my surgeon as he has the lapband himself and has done excellent with it for many years. I know each doctor is different, but I think that is just way too drastic!

The first weeks after surgery are the most important time NOT TO CHEAT! You are healing and can do damage that may not show up right now, but further down the line. Once you get off all the liquid and mushy stages then you can begin to eat regular again. It will come, trust me but PLEASE let your band and your body heal. And I also don't believe that after you are on regular food again, there is no cheating for me. What I mean by that is if I want something, I am going to have it. I limit the cravings and do great portion control, but I'm not going to deny myself anything at this point in time. I need to learn to make the right decisions and having things some people call "bad" is not a decision that I want for the rest of my life. I have lost 50 pounds since surgery in June, and I am doing that by working out and watching my calories, but if I want a candy bar, or a piece of pizza (which is kinda hard to do now that I have good restriction) then I'm not going to deny myself and then end up eating things just to take that craving away, and then end up eating it anyway. I don't consider myself on a DIET, I consider that I am eating healthy and working out and watching my portions and the band once restriction has taken place, exactly helps achieve that.

Well went in after four weeks and lost another five pounds, so I finally hit the 50 pound mark! I was banded on June 11th and although there are times I get a bit discouraged if the scale doesn't move fast enough for me (I work out at the gym three to five days a week) I'm very pleased with this. I have a 14cc band and as of this afternoon now have 9.5 in the band. I'm at a very good restriction and the doctor even told me when I lose about another 50 pounds he will schedule me for surgery to get the extra skin removed from my stomach. I am 19 pounds away from Onederland and I can't wait!

Well I have been waiting to feel "restriction" like a lot of others have been. I was banded on June 11th and thus far have lost 48 pounds. I have a 14cc band and after my fourth fill I am at 9cc as of last Monday. Well let me tell you....Yesterday I was questioning how this was going to be since I had such a hard time getting food down. What I mean by that is I was taking smaller bites (but not that small) and it was hurting. After I was done eating lunch yesterday I felt like I was going to vomit, but talked myself down from that episode. Well today I decided to go really slow and listen to all the previous advice out there and take SMALL BITES. I was able to eat a yougart for breakfast without too much trouble, and at lunch fixed a lean cusine. I took bites small enough like you are feeding a baby and it worked. There was no hurting, nothing getting stuck and though I wasn't able to eat a whole lot of it, I was able to get it down with no problems. I think the key is besides all the chewing, is to take small, small, small bites. I've never thrown up since surgery and I don't plan on doing it now or PBing...so it will be baby bites for me from now on and I'm done with fills for quite a while. Let the weight loss kick in!!!!!!

People keep saying "I can't wait for my first fill" well not to burst any bubbles but I felt no restriction at all until my fourth fill. I'm lucky to have a doctor that lets us come in anywhere from two to four weeks for each fill, so I just had my fourth fill and had surgery on June 11th. I just want people to know that realistically though you may feel some restriction with a fill, it is not the norm and you just have to keep using your willpower and common sense when it comes to eating healthy until the band starts to work. I mean you still have to follow a healthier lifestyle after that, but I don't want people to get discouraged if they are thinking they will feel a good restriction after one fill. It is possible, but not probable. Give it time...it will come.

I was going through the same thing as you. I asked my doctor on Monday when I would be in the "zone" and he said he thought I was because I lost 16 pounds last month. I told him that is because I'm working my ass off at the gym and watching what I eat. I decided to get another fill because I want to work the band and even though I know I can do it on my own somewhat...if I get to the point where I want to back off on some of the exercise I don't want to gain..I still want to be able to lose. That's why I got the band. I had always been pretty successful on diets, but then got lazy and gained it back plus some...so I want to keep some restriction and didn't feel like I had enough. Well now it's a different story and I have plenty of restriction and I'm going to stay this way for a while now. I've never thrown up or PB'd but I am sure I would if I don't watch what I'm doing now. Baby bites is what I'm doing today and it is working....so it all depends on how you want to approach your weight loss....all on your own via willpower or let the band help you.

Don't envy me quite too soon! LOL I was in the same position as you until I got this fourth fill on Monday and boy have things changed. I remember thinking about "when am I going to be restricted" the same as when I was waiting to go into labor with my son years ago and everyone kept telling me "you'll KNOW it" when it happens. Well..yeah...I know it now! LOL....hang in there...just this past weekend I ate two pieces of pizza (I don't restrict what I eat as long as I stay within my calories and eat healthy the majority of the time) and now I wouldn't think of trying a piece! Baby bites are working for me now....Good luck and it will come to you soon and you will know it when it does. Loving it so far....

I had surgery on Thursday and went back to work the following Tuesday. I would have loved to have been off a week, even a bit more if possible as I didn't start feeling like myself for a good two weeks. I did it...but it wasn't pleasant...I took naps on my lunch hour and just felt like crap! But I also had a hernia repair also so I don't know if that made a difference or not. I do remember the day of surgery being home and thinking, WOW, this isn't bad at all, doesn't hurt one bit...yeah then the next day came and bam it hit. I had bad gas pains in my shoulder so be aware if that happens it is completly normal. Good luck with your surgery and I'm sure you'll do fine and forget about it after a while like I have. I love my band!

Well went for my 4th fill today and was told they were going to measure how much I had in. She said I should be at 7.5 but actually was at 8?? Go figure, so they added 1 cc and now I'm at 9. I had just started to feel slight restriction last fill two weeks ago, so I'm hoping to be at my sweetspot for now! My dr. says I'm doing great on my weightloss and now I go back in four weeks instead of every two weeks.

I was banded June 11th and I have a 14 cc band also. I have had three fills, for a total of 6.5 cc's. I am due for another fill on Monday, maybe 1 cc, not sure yet. I finally felt some restriction my last fill about two weeks ago, but I'm still able to eat everything. I am working out at least five days a week and have lost 44 pounds so far.

I also had the hernia repaired and I was on two weeks liquids pre-op...two weeks liquids post-op, then two weeks of mushies then on to real food. Even though it was hard some days, most days were okay. You will get through it, just make sure to follow the diet and don't cheat. You will be on food before you know it and then you are not limited to what you can eat until you get really restricted (from what I hear...). I can eat anything still and have had two fills and am losing at a good pace. My first thing I ate after going on real food was a slice of pizza and it tasted soo good. I do eat healthy but there are times that I want what I want and I eat it. I have had no problems. I was banded on June 11th and have lost a total of 37 pounds so far.

That does seem very drastic to me. I know others will tell you to listen to your surgeon but I just wanted to tell you how my surgeon handles it. I have a 14cc band and had my first fill two weeks ago of 4 cc. I had my second fill yesterday with two more cc's. I lost 7 pounds in 11 days (between fills) so I think I'm doing great. I also work out at the gym three to four times a week so I'm working hard. After my first fill I asked the surgeon about being on a liquid diet (due to reading everyone's posts here) and he stated that he does not require any special diet after a fill and I can go right back to foods. He said he has learned that going to liquids and mushes just slows down the weight loss for his patients. I have had no problems whatsoever going to foods. I have to tell you I have the utmost respect for my surgeon, not only due to his being a surgeon but he also has the band. He was banded years ago when it first came out (and I think he was banded in Germany) and so he knows exactly what we are going through and he also knows what works and what doesn't. How lucky are we to have a surgeon who is also with the band!!!

You know what....everyone needs to BACK OFF with all this information stating that the sleeve is better than the band....IT IS A PERSONAL DECISION. I did my homework on it and NO WAY would I ever let someone cut off 85% of my stomach and throw it away, and rely on those staples to hold me together for the rest of my life!!! You can't grow your stomach back and if your body does not respond well, then I guess you are pretty f#$# aren't you??? Don't tell me people don't have complications or deaths from that, because it is not true...It might not be that common but it happens. It's a personal decision...it's not better than the band. I went through some health issues with my stomach last year and was sooo sick....I'll tell you what...I never want something to happen to my stomach (sleeve) that I can't have any chance of changing if there are problems or if my body doesn't respond. Each person is different and there are not guarantees. SO drop it......we will make our own decisions and I'm glad I went with the band...NEVER THE SLEEVE FOR ME!!!!

I feel your pain! I'm four days away from mushy foods: jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, applesauce....and I'm sooo looking forward to that. I had to stop the protein shakes (slimfast) after three days cuz now I'm lactose intolerant (as far as those go anyway) and had severe water bm's (TMI sorry).....so I've been just on broth, water, I did buy some protein mix from Special K that is strawberry kiwi flavored to add to my water for a little shot of protein and it tastes like punch...my dr. said Friday I could have jello, so I made some but seems that it makes me more hungry if i eat that....can't win...hahaha I just keep telling myself a few more days....Oh...one thing I did, was take small (bathroom size) plastic cups and pour orange juice (pulp free) and freeze them...then take a spoon and scrape it and eat it...it takes a while to do it, tastes good, and is cold to your mouth...Nice treat!

I was banded the same day as you and I am still experiencing many of the same symptoms...they do get better sometimes. I notice when I eat a little soup I get the pain in my left shoulder worse, but it eventually does go away. I cannot tolerate slimfast protein shakes anymore giving me water stools (sorry tmi) and gas so bad I can wake up the household...so my friend gave me Special K 02 water mix and that is working for now, at least I am getting some protein in. I am on a liquid diet till next Thursday then on to mushies, but I go for my post-op tomorrow to get staples removed and will ask if I can bump it up a few days, at least be able to eat some jello or applesauce/pudding, something!!! It's hard, but I'm sticking to it...I think the hardest is the gas and those pains, but this morning was a way better morning than the last so I'm thankful for that. I also had a hernia repair and was in surgery for three hours. Also, I started back to work Tuesday and it kicked my butt....I should have taken at LEAST a week off, silly, silly me..... hope you are feeling better soon, hang in there!

Has anyone had any problems with severe runny stools, actualy like water. I only started to drink slimfast yesterday (1/2 can) and today (1/2 can) but it goes right though me. It started yesterday where my stomach was all gassy and then bam it hit me and hasn't stopped since. Stomach makes all kinds of noises and I better be close to the bathroom. It is concerning as this is the only protein I'm getting and it is going right through me. I am drinking water but that is it. Did anyone have this problem or is it something that will go away? I have to go back to work tomorrow (which is probably not a good idea) and I don't want to have an accident, but I have to drink some protein. HELP!

I was also banded on the 11th and am having the same problem today with being more sore than the previous two days. The sharp pain in my shoulder is however lessening, so that is good, but my stomach is churning and I've had a lot of gassy bm's.....my stomach just calmed down a little while ago. I told my cousin it felt like someone had used my stomach as a punching bag today! Hang in there, it will get better I know. i did drink half a slimfast today.....and two bottles of Water, so that is good. I'm just nervous to see if I'll be ready to return to work on Monday like I'm supposed to. I also am worried about wearing a bra since one of the incisions is right between my breasts where the bra is going to hit.

I just want to thank everyone for posting on here, it has helped me tremendously! I was just banded yesterday, June 11th and I'm doing good. The whole experience went great. My surgery was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. yesterday and I was in surgery until 10:30 a.m. I was home by 2:30 in the afternoon. I had to have a hiatial hernia repair so that is why it took longer. Also I remember someone saying that it was hard to "intibate her" and I'm assuming they were talking about me, but I'll ask the doctor when I go back to have the staples removed next week. I got home yesterday and was sipping Water throughout the day. I was on the liquid diet for two weeks prior to the surgery and I'm beginning to really be glad that I was as I think it will help my hunger now, as I'm used to that hungry feeling. I haven't had it bad yet and it is day two. Last night my cousin went and got me won-ton Soup with no noodles or green stuff, just the broth and I had about 10 tsp. of it. I also drank two bottles of water yesterday. I was totally surprised that I had no incision pain (I have five bandages on my stomach) but I did have that awful gas pains in my shoulders and chest. Even in recovery room I had a hard time breathing. They explain it is the gas and it takes a couple days for it to get out of your system through your skin. It is really intense pain and the pain relievers do not touch that pain. Now today I awoke a lot more sore, feels like someone used my stomach as a punching bag, but nothing that I can't handle at all, even without pain meds it's not horrible. I have minimal gas pains in my upper chest so that is good. I had a little more soup and I am going to try a slim fast in a while. i know someone asked that earlier about being on this liquid diet, and I will be on this for two weeks, then two weeks of pureed then on to normal foods. One secret I do is I take the slim fast and put it in a plastic bowl and freeze it and eat it with a spoon. I think just the idea that you are eating something...rather than just drinking it has helped. I'm going to eat a bit of the frozen slimfast in a little while too. So that is a good trick to do something different. I don't want to get sick from not eating but I'm truly not hungry. I willl be reading and posting regularly, so if anyone has any questions please feel free to ask. Oh...my two weeks of liquids before surgery, I ended up losing 17 pounds. I couldn't belive it. I started this journey at 168 pounds and was 151 before surgery. I'll be excited to see where I am when i go next week for my first visit.