thereitgoes

I had mine removed BEFORE I woke up, but in a previous surgery woke up before it was taken out. I freaked because I couldn't breathe, I tried to pull it out myself, then the nurses came over and took my hands away and I fell back asleep; when I woke up the tube was out. I told my anesthesiologist (for the band surgery) that I did NOT want to wake up with the tube in me and he promised he would not let it happen. I am still traumatized by it, BUT I wasn't expecting it so maybe it will be less stressful for you. I'm not sugar-coating, it sucked for me, it was also my first surgery and I was in high school at the time (maybe I was whimpy??) Good luck to you.

goodbydblchin, Do you exercise? Walking can help get things moving. Also orange juice and bananas help with this. I haven't tried it, but what about Activia...claims to get people regular; I know it is a slidder, but if it keeps you regular it seems like an acceptable trade off to me!

I had to stay one night due to insurance requirements. It worked out well for me. I have a congenital heart defect and the side effect (likely of the anesthesia) was bradycardia (slow heart rate) and as a result - low oxygen saturation. My heart rate was right around 38 beats per minute when I was resting and would jump up to about 50 when I was moving around in bed. I slept well even when the nurses and CNAs were pokin and prodin, probably because my heart rate was so low. the only time they really got me motivated to do much of anything was when they threatened to insert a catheter if I didn't start drinkin water and peeing!! lol that woke me right up. :mad2: I agree with some of the others, 3 days seems excessive unless you have complications. Good luck.

Hi Ritalou, did you get your second fill? I go in Wednesday for my 2nd. I am going in a week early, but feel like it is necessary because I hardly have ANY restriction. Hope all is well with you and all you other 6/30ers! Angie

I like the knife fight response too!! I agree with givempills, if he loves you it won't matter. If love isn't part of the equation, he still probably won't mind. Again, I think givempills has a good idea, if you talk ovaries or other "girl parts" with guys, they seem to get uncomfortable and don't want to go there...even to ask why the scar is way up by your boobs! :laugh: Angie

I just have to say that I LOVE pilates. If you take a class the instructor (providing they are trained) can modify any of the moves to ANY exercise/fitness level. It makes me feel like a million bucks after the workout.

That's wonderful! You are doing great, congratulations!!!

I had my first fill about 6 weeks ago. I was so scared and nervous! I really don't mind needles, but decided not to look at the needle because I have read that it is pretty gnarly looking (big). My doc had me stand up, he poked around with his fingers to find the port and then in went the needle. He then had to adjust the needle to find the port, felt odd but didn't hurt. As he filled my band with 4 cc's I could feel it tighten, also odd but not painful. Then it was all done. The worst part was the sting from the needle entering, it really wasn't painful at all...it will be over in the blink of an eye! Good luck to you! Angie

I also have lost 30 pounds and am down one size, but like others have said...my previous clothes were pretty tight before surgery, ok they were REALLY tight! :blushing:

I am so glad you posted again! I was looking for this thread just yesterday and couldn't find it (must not be smarter than my computer!). I don't have a ticker...should get one. I am down 30 lbs...I am under 200 lbs YAY!!! My wt loss has slowed over the last couple of weeks though, may need to go in early for my fill (I have only had one so far). I would also love to hear from everyone, how are things?

I had bay scallops n cooked em in a pepper seasoning w/a little bit of garlic and olive oil...YUM!! I even over cooked them (haven't learned how not to over-cook them yet) and they were still delicious!

My first fill was 4cc's. That was a little over 4 weeks ago. I went in for my 2nd fill and doc said I didn't need one just yet. I have had really good restriction from that first fill. I don't think I will be able to go a full 8 weeks without a fill (which is what he guessed). I hope 3 does if for you...it's a great feeling to know when you need to stop eating in order to not overeat and watch that scale go down. Best of luck!

I can "fit" into quite a few different sizes! I am still wearing my before surgery pants, though I did have to get rid of 2 pr. My point is...I could pour, squish, squirm and tuck my way into my size 18 pants, 30 pounds lighter and I still wear them because they are baggy and comfortable, I don't have those awful pink indentation lines in my tummy after a day's work anymore! lol I am 5'3 and currently 199 (happy to be in ONEderland)!

I agree with everyone, very inspiring. I just started my journey. I am your age and I started at about the same weight you did. I am so excited for you, you look beautiful. I look forward to the day I will be in the same boat! Thank you so much for sharing. Angie

There was a thread about a week ago asking people about their NSVs (non-scale victories). I am starting it up again... I went to the dr's office today and they didn't have to use the XL arm cuff to take my blood pressure!! When I sit in a chair with sides or arm rests...my thighs don't touch the arm rests anymore!! When I lay on the couch, there is enough room for my dog to lay next to me & cuddle rather than lay at my feet!! :thumbup: Please share yours too!

Like everyone has been saying, it has a consistency similar to sour cream. To me, it is less sweet (or fake sweet) than regular yogurts. I tried plain yogurt (not greek) and was convinced it had soured, had to have somebody else taste it and they said it was fine...i thought it was gross, I can eat plain greek yogurt without anything in it tho. Just tastes better to me.

I have people checking up on me sometimes too, but nearly to the degree some of you are talking about. Sorry about that, it sucks. I am 33 and work with 2 ladies in their late 50s, early 60s. They are both overweight and are fascinated by the lapband. I do "show and tell" before lunch everyday for them because they are curious how much I can eat now. They are not catty about it, at first they thought they could see what I eat and then eat the same amount...that is until they saw the portion size I eat! :thumbup: The truth is, having seen a nutritionist, you likely know more about nutrition than they do...maybe they need a lesson based on what THEY are eating!! Hang in there everyone, we are doing great and have taken a giant step toward a healthier life.

I had watermelon...it was painful for me. Based on that I would say maybe a solid, but that's a guess as it isn't on any of my post op lists.

I am happy to hear about your compartment syndrome! I suffer from it too and HATE running just because of it...looking forward to possibly running painfree (relatively) myself soon! :sad:

Hi all, I have been banded for 3.5 wks now. I would like to start exercising but don't have any clear instructions. I will be seeing my surgeon in a week and will get clarification, but wanted to see what those who have actually been banded have to say... when did you start exercise and how intense? anything you wish you wouldn't have tried? what about sit-ups? any info you would like to share would be great. Thanks!

I was just curious to find out if people measure (or at least measured the first few months). I normally don't measure, but I measured some chicken for my lunch tomorrow and 3.5 ozs was much more than I have been "guestimating." And...when you measure (take meat for example), do you measure 1/2 cup as 4 ozs or do you weigh it? Just curious. Thanks!

It was about 4 weeks for me, before that my energy level was pretty low.

S/he said time yourself not limit, just to be sure to avoid eating too fast I assume.

Did you receive a list of "allowable" mushies? My surgeon, like LemonPOPtart's is ok with me eating meat except that red meat is frowned upon. I grilled chicken and then put it in a food processor. Picking a high protein mushie choice will help keep you filled up. If you didn't get any written instructions with food ideas, I would call your nutritionist/surgeon's office and ask them about meat. Good luck.

Have you had a fill yet? I was banded on 6/30/09. I lost 7 lbs before and 11 pounds after surgery. Of those 11, 10 of them were the first week after surgery and it took me 4 weeks to lose ONE pound. I just had my first fill yesterday and when I told my surgeon and his nurse that I was disappointed by my weight loss they said that the slowing of wt loss was normal until after the fill. I hope this helps a bit, but I understand your frustration. If you can't overcome this plateau, I would suggest giving your surgeon's office a call and expressing your frustration.