Kate27

I'm experiencing the same thing. I've been banded since Aug '06, but have just found a doc to give me restriction, so it's like I'm newly banded... I'm having pain under my right rib cage (which takes my breath away) and also in my chest going all the way around my back. During the day it's annoying for me, but at night it keeps me awake. If anyone knows what's going on, please let me know. I have a call into the doc and am waiting to hear back... we'll see. Katie

Hey girls, My doc said I had to go off my BC pill 4 weeks prior to surgery. So, I did and was banded last thurs. Well, I got my period this week and was wondering if I can start the pill again on Sunday....any of you know? When did you go back on it? Thanks in advance for your reply....

Bug- I hope you're right that it takes a couple of days to feel the effects.....anoyone else experience a delayed reaction?

Guys, I need some help. I had my first fill last Friday and I don't feel like I even went into the Dr. Shouldn't I be feeling restriction? I just called them back to see if I could schedule another fill and they said I have to wait 8 weeks. What is that about? I am so frustrated! I want this thing to work so bad, but I can eat just as much as I did preband. I don't know what to do!

Hey guys, Pebbles...I am so sorry to hear about your infection. You are certainly in my prayers...hang in there! I had my first fill today and what a piece of cake. I was so nervous when I got in there, but didn't feel a thing except for the shot for the numbing medication. I can already tell i have restriction. I haven't tried any food yet, which I am nervous about....not looking forward to my first inevidable PB. But hopefully, the weight will come off now. They put in 2cc for my first fill...we'll see how it goes. Congrats to everyone!! Everyone is doing awesome. Even when we struggle, stand tall...we're all doing great!

Oh yeah...my goal for Oct is 10lbs. I clearly didn't make my September 10 lb goal...so let's try it again!

Well, the scales have not been very good to me since my surgery. I'm down 14.5 lbs total now (6 weeks post-op). I was going up and down and up and down for about 4 weeks. This last week, I finally saw some consistent movement. So hopefully it continues. I am scheduled for my first fill of Friday and am so excited. I have been anxious for this for a couple of weeks now. Right now, I can eat anything I want to. Although the quantities are smaller, I feel they should be even smaller. Last week I was very diligent about the 5 small meals a day and I believe that's what made the scales jump...hopefully it continues. Sounds like everyone else is doing great. I am jealous of most of your weight loss. It has been VERY slow for me.....

Well, I am definitly one of those struggling bandsters. I have only lost 14lbs and keep bouncing back and forth with the same 3 lbs....this morning I was at 12lbs. I am getting VERY frustrated. The scale hasn't moved in almost 2 weeks....grrr.... I have been in quite a bit of pain so I keep blaming it on the pain meds and not being able to be very active, but I don't know. This thread gave me some encouragement, but I really want to see that scale move. I still have quite a bit of restriction. I eat about a cup at every meal and I'm struggling....my body acts like it's pissed at me! I just want that scale to move!

I was banded on Thursday and went back to work on Monday...had to take Tuesday off. I just wasn't ready. I think I overdid it on Monday. I probably should have stayed out until Wednesday or Thursday. I too have a desk job. I would say if you plan 6-7 days to recover, you should be fine. Just be careful about lifting at work. I was 1 1/2 weeks post op and on my way to a meeting. I was carrying a stack of papers and bent down to pick up my water that fell off the papers and bamb...i tore a muscle right next to my port. I have been in intese pain for about 1 1 /2 weeks now...just be careful! Don't overdo it! Get people to help you carry things, bend down, etc....

Faybie- I was very regular when I was on liquids and then I moved to regular foods and went 9 days without a BM...i took some milk of magnesia and the next day, I was good to go. I did call the dietician and she said to integrate some fruit...into smoothies or however you can...that should help too. If it lasts much longer, make sure you get into the doctor..you don't want to end up with a blockage or something. mstrish - I ate a ton of fish on my mushie stage....that and Wedny's chili. THe chili tasted like it had little bits of heaven in it. Well guys....the scale finally moved this morning...wahoo!!!! Lets just pray it keeps going! I started eating a little bit more during the day. I do think my body must have been in starvation mode. The last few days, I have uped my calories just a touch and voila...the scale finally budged. Thanks to everyone for your support, encouragement, and suggestions.

I have this same pain...i have had it for about a week now. I went into the ER last week because it was so bad..I thought something worse had happened. He told me it was normal and that I may have pulled a muscle near my port. But, I have been in intense pain for a week now. I have been taking Loritab and it still hurts like crazy. Like you, I am fine if I am sitting still or laying down, but as soon as I get up it makes me want to double over....the doc seems to think I will be fine and that this is normal.....

Trizzy, I've noticed that I have horrible breath since I've been banded. I brush my teeth like 8 times a day now! It drives me crazy. It's even worse if I'm taking pain med.... I breathe fire!

Are you scheduled for your fill yet Josette?

Thanks so much for that.....I definitly needed a little "pick me up". You're right....it hasn't really been that long since surgery....Hopefully the stallout session ends soon!!

Hey everyone, I am getting discouraged...my scale has been stuck for about a week and a half!!!! I keep gaining and losing the same 3 lbs over and over and over.....What can I do? I'm not eating hardly anything. I still have quite a bit of restriction and have been tracking my food as if I were on Weight Watchers. I am sticking right around 15 points a day. Do you think maybe I'm not eating enough? How have all of you gotten over the plateau????? Please help!

Hey guys, Sounds like everyone is doing well. I woke up this morning and am so discouraged. I am in soooo much pain. I went to the ER last week and they told me I tore an abdominal muscle....but why am I in so much pain??? I am in more pain now than 2 days post-op. I am taking loritab like it's going out of style, it hurts to sit here at my desk, to walk, to do anything...I havent shaved my legs in a week because I can't bend down...wtf??? And the scale isn't moving. Honestly, I could deal with the pain if the scale would just budge...I've been struggling with the same 3lbs for about 9 days now....ugh...I hate to have a pity party, but I'm so frustrated right now!!!

Hey guys, I am going to set a goal of 10lbs by october 1. I too have hit quite a plateau. ...frustrating. Didn't lose anything last week and bounced from 14 lbs down back to 10 lbs down now back to 14 lbs down again.....Hope I start to lose again soon. I did have a bit of a set back. I was at work on Monday and carrying a stack of papers to a meeting. My Water bottle slid off the papers onto the floor and when I bent down to pick it up, i felt like i tore a stitch inside or something. I have been in tremendous pain since. Went to the ER yesterday, per the weight loss center and saw the doc. He said I've just been over doing it. I have been pushing myself quite a bit...so laides, please take it easy. I feel like I'm in more pain now that I was 3 days post-op! Labor Day weekend plans are scratched because of it...i'll just be laying low on the couch. Be careful everyone...remember, you're still raw in there...don't overestimate what you can do so soon after surgery. Glad to see everyone is doing well though!!!! Keep up the good work everyone!!!

This forum is so helpful.....nice to know some other people have stalled out a little too. I am on mushies and when I weighed myself on Monday I was down a total of 14lbs., then Tues I was up 3 lbs, and today I was down 1 lb...so now I'm at a total of 12lbs. I keep telling myself that this is normal, but was a little discouraged Hopefully I'm back to losing. I think I need to make sure I only weigh myself once a week...I'm starting to get a scale addiction!

Good luck WhimsicalClay!!!! Sounds like everyone is doing great. I am now 10 days post op and feeling pretty good minus some port pain. Didn't really think that would be that uncomfortable, but it's ok. I have started to integrate some mushy foods into my diet now and haven't had any problems (knock on wood). This weekend I tried some wendy's chili...boy did that taste like heaven...and I tried a little piece of perch. It was wonderful! Just chewing, chewing, chewing! Good luck to everyone .... you are all in my thoughts a prayers!

Well girls...I went to the doc. He said I can't go back on the pill until 4 weeks from my surgery date....hmmm...weird. Guess I got my answer! Thanks for all your input...I really appreciate it!

I would imagine it gets the swelling down....flushes out your system. But that's just my theory. I'm clearly, not a dr. but that would be my guess.

Henderson925 - I got my period this week....it was right on schedule but it definitly was different. It was dark, like you said...almost tar then it turned to normal. I think this has to do with the surgery and old blood that was sitting in there...somthing like that.. ...clearly, I'm not a dr.

Serendipity- I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with the pain meds... I too have felt very very full. I've been eating clear broth around noon and then some strained creamed soup or tomato soup around dinner time. With the thicker soup, I could only get down about 1/2 cup. I think it's from the swelling. I am starting to loosen up a bit. Yesterday, I was able to get down about 1 cup of tomato soup at dinner . It will get better. Hang in there....I didn't start really feeling better until my 5th day.....it will get better!!!!

Thanks guys!

WhimsicalClay - You're doing great...keep up the good work. Just keep your eye on the result!!! I totally feel your pain and you'll get through it. You're the only other person I have heard that has had to do the lovenox. I didn't have to do it before surgery, but I have had to give myself a shot twice a day since surgery...only 3 more shots to go!! It isn't bad at all...the needle is super super small. It just a little afterburn to it. I know its tough though...but keep your chin up....you're doing great!!!! It will all be worth it...just wait....