Mrs. Mink

I am glad to read about this subject. I had my first fill 9 days ago, and am soooo hungry all the time. As soon as I eat my meal (chewing very slowly, of course. No liquid with the meal. Focusing on lean protein in the meal first.) I find that I am hungry only about 15 minutes later! My stomache growls with hunger all the time. I am frustrated. My doctor placed 3.5 cc's in my 10 cc band. But what I was surprised at during my first fill was that he had me slam (and I mean SLAM ) a large cup of water. Wouldn't the fact that it went down easily be a sure sign that he should have put more fluid in my band at the time?? On top of that, he said he won't do my 2nd fill until 4 weeks later. What the heck?! I feel like I was ripped off by paying nearly $20k out of pocket for this surgery. I feel like I'm forced to just diet without any aid. What did I pay for then? Thanks for letting me vent. lol.

I was also a cash patient. I have not yet received a fill, but I do know that the cost with my doctor is as follows: $325 for the first 2 fills (cost is per fill). After that, from the 3rd fill on, the cost is reduced to $250 per fill. My husband and I look at as peanuts compared to the $20k we spent for the surgery.

I am 3 weeks post op now, and have been chomping at the bit to take a dip in my swimming pool! I also would like to begin using my eliptical machine, but don't know if I have to wait longer into my recovery. What was your experience with this? I have been doing walking around the neighborhood, but really want to begin doing some "real" exercise to begin losing some serious weight! I don't want to bother the staff at my doctor's office with this question, since I know he told me all about this after my surgery (but I've since forgotten). Please let me know how long you waited before going for a swim and before engaging in strenuous excersize. Thanks! :thumbup:

Ok, I have something of a silly question, but must really know. I have read time and again in postings about "onederland". What does that mean? After all, they don't exactly give you the secret book of lap band lingo after your surgery, now do they? :thumbup:

Thanks for asking about a PB, and for the other person to answer it. I assumed that PB meant productive burp, but wasn't entirely clear as to what that meant. Anything else we haven't covered for other newbies out there?

I'm actually not there. I am currently 210. But soon enough, I will be.

Never mind. lol. I just read someone's posting, and it makes it quite clear what it means. I feel silly now.

What?!! What freakin' card are you talking about?! Sorry. lol. I am just shocked to read about a special "card" that apparently most lap banders out there have to assist them while dining out. I knew nothing of this special card, and really wish that I had one. Otherwise, my husband and I have joked about the fact that we'll hardly dine out anymore, since it just won't be worth the cost for me to eat such tiny portions. Having this special card would really help with that!

My doctor did a soft fill during surgery. I did not know this until I was experiencing a very rough recovery, and was advised to come in for my post op appt a week after my surgery. At that time, the doctor removed 2.5 cc's, stating that the removal of fluid would make my recovery easier. He was right. I began to feel much better later that night. Now that I am 3 weeks post op, I am very much looking forward to getting my first fill.

No, I have not cheated. Tempting as it may be, I just remind myself of the almost $20,000 my sweet husband paid out of pocket for my surgery, and of the post op pain I felt last week. Then the temptation evaporates. And believe me...I've been tempted! My hubby's birthday was this past Saturday, and for his party, I baked brownies, german chocolate cake, and caramel corn. (not to mention all the other wonderfully cheesy Italian foods that friends brought to the party.) I heard the little devil in my head tell me that it would be ok to lick the batter off the spoons, the bowl, take just a small bite, etc. etc. But I didn't give in. Otherwise, what would be the point of getting the lap band? Stay strong...it will all be worth it when you reach your goal! :blushing:

I definately couldn't imagine being able to eat as large of a meal as you described. I do eat more than I should, though. I am still on the week of mushies, but I can easily consume a full cup of oatmeal...and half cup does nothing for me. I am trying very hard to not stretch out my new pouch, and am anxious to get my first fill. Since I have about 5 weeks to go before my fill, I have to just use some restraint. I think it's time you discussed your appetite to your doctor, and either get a fill ASAP, or use some restraint.

My band was filled with 2.5 cc's upon implantation. I didn't know this until I was having a helluva time recovering last week from surgery. I went to my doc for post op appt this past Friday, and he removed the fluid. I am healing much better now, but am extremely hungry. Now I have to wait about 5 more weeks until my first fill, and it's making me feel frustrated, since I am no longer losing weight and my appetite is outrageous. :blushing:

I was banded 1 week ago today. I thought for sure that I would be feeling much better in my recovery than I am. I am experiencing shoulder pain, nausea (even with a patch on), a sharp pain just below my left breast (I suppose where my stomache is), and a pain in the left part of my chest. It's as if the pain in my stomache area radiates up to my chest. With every breath, the pain is there. I began yesterday evening, and I thought it came on because maybe I got up too quickly from a laying down position. If I attempt to take a large breath, it really hurts. When I get up to move around, I feel extra nauseated, shaky, and start to break out into a small sweat. I also still have the feeling I've had since surgery day of like I"m being punched really hard in the stomache each time I belch a small bit. Should I be concerned, and call my doctor's office today? Or has anyone else experienced symptoms similar to these, and can tell me that it will go away on it's own? And is it normal to still be in recovery 7 days post op?

I just spoke with the nurse, who then spoke with my doc. Apparently, my doctor did what's called a "soft fill" of my band when they did my surgery, and they feel it just may be too tight right now. So I am going in for my post op appt tomorrow instead of next week, and the doctor will most probably remove some fluid from my band to see if it takes care of my discomfort.

Today marks 1 week ago I got banded. I still feel awful. Couldn't imagine having to go to work. I thought I would feel much better by now, and am feeling frustrated that I am not. I have a surprise birthday party planned for this Saturday for my husband. Now I am really kicking myself for doing this. I am quite sure I will end up going to bed and missing the entire party that night. :thumbup:

I totally understand what you're saying about Gas-X. It didn't do anything for me! I switched to Mylanta a few days ago, and even though it's not 100%, it does help. You should try it.

You and I are the same boat! I too was banded on June 11th, and am also having a hard time choking down protein shakes. Like another person said in this thread, try using some Carnation Instant Breakfast (sugar free, of course), it takes awful but still better than some protein shakes. I purchased flavorless protein powder from my doc's office, and have resorted to blending some of it into some milk, ice, and a few tablespoons of sugar free Torani in either vanilla or chocolate flavor. Not great...but at least it's something close to having a milkshake! LOL. Good luck :tongue_smilie:

I guess this goes to show just each and everybody is different. I have been soooo unbelievably constipated for an entire week! I got constipated during my 2 week pre op diet, and now that I've had the surgery, I can't seem to have a BM to save my life! I've walked everyday, taken Mylanta and Gax-X to help with the gas buildup...but my stomache continues to be rumbling, painfull, no appetite. I hope you feel better soon.

I was banded on June 11, 2009. I was under the assumption that by now (day 3) I would be feeling much better than I am. In fact, I feel worse today than I did yesterday. I am so bloated, I cannot wear any of my pants! It even is uncomfortable for me to put on a bra. The less restrictive the clothing, the better. Anyway, my concerns are that something may be wrong, or maybe I just need desperately to have a bowel movement. I haven't had one in close to a week, and taking the pain reliever liquid my doc prescribed is only making it worse. I've tried using Gas-X strips...but to no relief. I have some Murilax stool softner, but am wondering if it will really help, or just make me more bloated, gassy, and in pain. Anyone use this product post op? And when will this pain go away? It's not just my port area. It's my entire abdomen. It feels like I am being punched in the stomache really hard, over and over. Please help with suggestions! Thank you.

I am right there with ya, girlie. I was banded just this past Thursday, and OMG...I am unbelievably uncomfortable, and really no appetite at all. Like you, I am trying my best to consume at least 4 oz total of protein shake per day, and today 4 oz of skim milk. Other than that, I try my hardest to choke down a few spoonfuls of chicken broth and/or sugar-free jello or sugar free popsicles. I never imagined there would a day in my life where I would be too full to finish half of a popsicle!! LOL. Hang in there...you are not alone.

Sorry to hear the reactions you've been getting. This was the fear that I've had, therefore, I chose not to tell many people in at all. Only my husband, my mother, and a small handful of friends know of my surgery. I chose to do this, because people are unfortunately very judgemental. It amazes me that ppl have the reaction they do...if we were having surgery to reduce a cancerous tumor, they would never dare say something so mean. I feel that like a cancerous tumor, we are ridding our bodies of unhealthy fat. That's all that matters.