stephaniel71

Numbing shot...didn't know that was an option LOL. Nah, I really didn't need it. If it is fear of needles, I don't think you have to worry. My doctor puts me on a table where my head is lower than my stomach, so I couldn't see what he is doing if I wanted to. Yes, there was some pinching. My second time was a little more difficult as they didn't get the port on the first try, but really its over before you know it.

I got gas pains every which way. I got them in my lower back, I got them in my middle left back, I got them in my side (kind of like a stitch). It was horrible. I agree, you will know if you are getting them. But these back pains might be some mild gas. The ONLY thing that helped was walking. So if you want to keep it at bay, I would just walk anyway. Good luck.

Its been awhile since I have been on. Things have been going pretty great. I am averaging about 2 pounds a week. Can't complain at all!! Especially when I am really not exercising like the way I should. I was finally getting along with the band quite nicely. Hadn't had too much gas (bottom or top), I have never (knock on wood) experienced a PB or blockage. So I guess I was getting a little too confident and the day before my 7 week anniversary, I decide, let's order Chinese. What was I thinking. In my mind I convinced myself I was still being good. I order Singapore Mai Fun. It has very thin noodles, curried chicken, shrimp and pork. I scooped out my 6 ounces making sure to take mostly protein. I was amazed how much was left in the container. It was like I hadn't taken out anything. I remember before the band eating the entire container plus an eggroll and 2 diet cokes...wow. So I ate it...slow, chewing every bit. Thought wow, I can eat this kind of stuff just small portions...yay! Well about an hour later, I had gas pains like I had on day 2. Crippling!!! Kept me up most of the night. I was finally feeling better in the morning. Decided to have 1 scrambled egg for breakfast. I was scheduled for a fill in the afternoon and didn't want to go all day hungry. Drank some water about an hour later and it started again. :tongue2: I was worried my doctor wouldn't fill me, but that is why I love my doctor...he did. I was getting hungry every 2 1/2 hours and if I didn't get the fill that day I was going to have to wait until the New Year. I couldn't go through Bandster HELL through the holidays. He said that the gas will subside and tighting the band will not make me any more uncomfortable. So if I was ok with it, he was. YAY!!! Well the moral of my story is don't under estimate your band. I was getting along with my band because I was doing the right things. If you stop doing that, hell will be paid. I am still paying 2 days later, but getting a little better each day. Chinese is off my list for a LONG LONG time. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

I actually purchased a digital food scale from Bed Bath and Beyond. It really helps me! I measure EVERYTHING, that way I don't have issues. I HATE to throw up.

I don't always get that FULL sensation or at least it is different then it used to be. However, I measure everything I eat. I purchased a digital food scale for $20 and I measure out 6 ounces. I put it on a side plate so it looks like I am not being deprived. I know that I can eat all of it and not make myself sick and still feel satisfied. It really does help. My only struggle is when I eat out, so I try not to do that too often.

what size band do you have? Lapband actually has recommended fill increments. I have the AP band 10 cc. They recommend the first fill of 3 cc, the second 1 cc and then based on patient from then on. I would be upset too. You should explain to them how far you have to drive etc.

Good luck on your second attempt. It sounds like you are in the right frame of mind for success!!

I went through the same frustrations you did. I was regretting my decision and doubting my new lifestyle etc. This will pass...promise. I was feeling the way you are...I am sure we all did. But after about 4 or 5 weeks I really started feeling good about things. Hang in there. This is just a small segment of a long, wonderful journey!! You'll forget all about it when you are shopping for smaller clothes

I agree. Why not get a fill. If you really want to keep the weight off, this is the best way to do it. Regarding diet, remove bread and sugar from your life and eat protein, protein and more protein.

Not sure what kind of pains? It may even be hunger. Or could be gas. I remember not knowing what my stomach was telling me. When in doubt call your doctor.

Once you start getting protein in you (shakes etc), you will feel much better. And mentally "what have i done," that feeling went away for me about week 3 or 4. It does go away. It may not feel like it, but I promise it does. I am SO happy I got the band now. Don't regret a second of it.

Yes, I agree. I don't understand what the deal is with some doctors waiting so long. I got my first fill 4 weeks, send fill 7 weeks (1 week early due to scheduling) and my next in another 4 weeks. If you start getting hungry after 2 1/2 hours you should call and try to up that appointment. Good luck to you. You are doing great though!

Its been awhile since I have been on. Things have been going pretty great. I am averaging about 2 pounds a week. Can't complain at all!! Especially when I am really not exercising like the way I should. I was finally getting along with the band quite nicely. Hadn't had too much gas (bottom or top), I have never (knock on wood) experienced a PB or blockage. So I guess I was getting a little too confident and the day before my 7 week anniversary, I decide, let's order Chinese. What was I thinking. In my mind I convinced myself I was still being good. I order Singapore Mai Fun. It has very thin noodles, curried chicken, shrimp and pork. I scooped out my 6 ounces making sure to take mostly protein. I was amazed how much was left in the container. It was like I hadn't taken out anything. I remember before the band eating the entire container plus an eggroll and 2 diet cokes...wow. So I ate it...slow, chewing every bit. Thought wow, I can eat this kind of stuff just small portions...yay! Well about an hour later, I had gas pains like I had on day 2. Crippling!!! Kept me up most of the night. I was finally feeling better in the morning. Decided to have 1 scrambled egg for breakfast. I was scheduled for a fill in the afternoon and didn't want to go all day hungry. Drank some water about an hour later and it started again. :sneaky: I was worried my doctor wouldn't fill me, but that is why I love my doctor...he did. I was getting hungry every 2 1/2 hours and if I didn't get the fill that day I was going to have to wait until the New Year. I couldn't go through Bandster HELL through the holidays. He said that the gas will subside and tighting the band will not make me any more uncomfortable. So if I was ok with it, he was. YAY!!! Well the moral of my story is don't under estimate your band. I was getting along with my band because I was doing the right things. If you stop doing that, hell will be paid. I am still paying 2 days later, but getting a little better each day. Chinese is off my list for a LONG LONG time. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

I don't want to be harsh, but what are you thinking??? Your stomach is in such a fragile state at this point. It needs time to heal. You can do damage to yourself. I have to agree with Just-Ice. You start like this, you are sure to be doomed. Please follow your surgeon's advice, not your Mom's. No offense Mom.

This is a big decision and can really only be made by you. I will tell you that my Aunt had BP 2 months before I had Lapband. Comparing her to me...Every day I make hard food decisions. The work and committment I put in to the Lapband will result on the scale. BP is very different. It has many other challenges, but my Aunt is already eating junk food and not working out at all and she is down 55 pounds. In my opinion, my aunt would have never been successful with Lapband. Bottom line if you don't think you can put in the work necessary to be successful with lapband, then you might be a candidate for BP. Just my opinion.

I am only 5 weeks out tomorrow. This will certainly be down the road, but I know it will happen. Down 25 pounds!! So I am pleased so far. Still getting used to things, but overall happy I did it. Take care and Happy Thanksgiving.

I hear some people cannot tolerate rice at all. I would guess that was your downfall. I have not had this happen...yet. I hope it doesn't, but sure it will. Glad you got through it. Best of luck.

I had my first fill on Thursday as well. It was relatively painless for me. No numbing or anything. I agree, the weird sensation afterwards was strange, but overall nothing to worry about. I am bruised where the nurse put the needle in, but doing fine. Don't stress it.

Sometimes you have to eat a little more calories or you body goes into starvation and holds on to your weight. My consumption of calories varies from 800 - 1200 depending on the day. I have been losing a steady 2-3 pounds a week for the last 2 weeks. I stalled week 2 and when I upped my calories and made sure I got my protein in (60 grams), it started coming off. regarding the ticker, you can add it to your signature by going to user CP and edit signatures. I don't think signatures show up on blogs though...just the regular posts.

Congrats! I am glad to hear you are dong well. I know down the road this is something I will have to do. I am a 44 F bra and they are already hanging pretty low. I can't image what they are going to look like when all is said and done. Going to have to start saving.... May your recovery be quick and with little pain.

Good for you! The journey is challenging, but I am finding very worth it. To our success! (4 weeks banded)

I know this is my second blog today, but I haven't been on in a bit, so got to catch up. Anyway, Thursday night, after my first fill and only able to eat mushies, my office had a small party and was having a meatball contest. Well as you know, can't quite eat beef yet. And of course a lot of alcohol was being served. I have to report, it wasn't as hard as i thought it was going to be. I got roped into serving the judges with one of my colleagues. That meant cutting up 10 different meatballs and plating them for 5 different judges! And you know what, I wasn't tempted at all! Yeah they looked good, but I didn't want to go cry in the corner because I couldn't have them. The harder part was not drinking. I told myself at the begining of the night I can have 1 glass of wine despite my doctor saying 6 weeks....but I didn't! I didn't need to! The most difficult thing about the night was everyone was asking me to try their meatballs. LOL. (you can imagine all the jokes) So people were asking why I wasn't eating or drinking etc. Only a couple of people at the office know the truth. It was a strange night to say the least. It was challenging in some ways and easier than I thought in others. I am proud of myself for not giving in to temptation. And I actually had a nice night. If I can do, we all can!

So 1 month banded as of Thursday and down 22 pounds. Very pleased!! I went for my first fill. They put 3cc in my 10 cc band. It wasn't painful at all. I am bruised where they put that long a$$ needle in my stomach. It was just very strange feeling afterwards. Hard to explain, but definetly felt a change. I will be on soft foods until the end of the day and then my surgeon has released me to solids!!!! YAY!!!!! It certainly helped my restriction. I was getting hungry about 2 to 2 1/2 hours after I ate before. Now it is anywhere from 3 -4 hours. I am sure when I am on solids, that will be even longer I have posted before I had some issues with my throat. Feeling like I had a lump in it. Well my surgeon referred me to an ENT (ear, nose & throat) to figure out what was going wrong. So my wonderful ENT went through my nose and down my throat with this lovely device (soooo much fun). And turns out it is acid reflux. I haven't really had heart burn or soar throat, but just the lump in the throat. He said that can happen. Some people just have that symptom, so it is hard to diagnose unless they go down there and take a look. But he assures me in 3-4 weeks with some meds, I should feel much better. So if you have that feeling, you might want to mention it to your doctor. So on with my journey. I return for another fill in 4 weeks. I hope to be down another 10 pounds or more by then. Wish me luck. And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I know this is my second blog today, but I haven't been on in a bit, so got to catch up. Anyway, Thursday night, after my first fill and only able to eat mushies, my office had a small party and was having a meatball contest. Well as you know, can't quite eat beef yet. And of course a lot of alcohol was being served. I have to report, it wasn't as hard as i thought it was going to be. I got roped into serving the judges with one of my colleagues. That meant cutting up 10 different meatballs and plating them for 5 different judges! And you know what, I wasn't tempted at all! Yeah they looked good, but I didn't want to go cry in the corner because I couldn't have them. The harder part was not drinking. I told myself at the begining of the night I can have 1 glass of wine despite my doctor saying 6 weeks....but I didn't! I didn't need to! The most difficult thing about the night was everyone was asking me to try their meatballs. LOL. (you can imagine all the jokes) So people were asking why I wasn't eating or drinking etc. Only a couple of people at the office know the truth. It was a strange night to say the least. It was challenging in some ways and easier than I thought in others. I am proud of myself for not giving in to temptation. And I actually had a nice night. If I can do, we all can!

I eat of a side plate. I bought a digital scale and a weigh out exactly what I can have...about 5-6 ounces. I don't put all the food on the table. I fix my fiance and my plate and bring only that to the table. I know when I finish my plate that is it. I know it isn't as easy as that. But it helped. It does get better. I am 4 weeks post op, and I got really depressed for the first couple weeks. But it gets easier. I promise!