coltonwade

You are right. We all slip up . We have all been in the same shoes. Answering questions, Addressing concerns, ect I am all about , If you look at my other posts you will see that. However I WILL NOT GIVE SOMEONE PERMISSION during the post op phase to cheat . I WONT DO IT . It does NO ONE ANY GOOD. Those of us who are a little further a long might just see things a little differently ? Did I go about things in a way I should not have ? Maybe ? However What would I should have I have said differently to the OP ? I cant relate to cheating 20 days post op . Did I FEEL LIKE Sure . Did i NO WAY . Do I eat crap i should not eat NOW a yr out SURE ! BUT im not going to endanger my band by doing that 11 months out . So honestly , Please if you could tell me what , w/ out giving someone permisoin to go AMA or cheat i could have said differently please tell me , I am open to suggestions. I do sometimes say things wrong. Mindy

LOVE my band , BEST Thing i ever did in my life !!! The first few months were not difficulut. Just "different" . Getting use to the rules . The best thing i can tell you is to CHEW CHEW CHEW practice the chewing and small bites nearly a yr out I STILL have problems rememering that . After you get your first fill you may or may not notice a change ? It depends if you get restriction from the first fill. I Did . Others do not. I have noticed those w/ the larger bands tend to take a bit longer for the fills to kick in . I have a 4cc band . I got restriction my first fill . Foods i cant eat . Bread rice Pasta Breaded things like chicken , fish Wine , I have a small amoutn every now and then but im not a big drinker. Ask away , feel free to email me if you like as well MIndy

Where do you think the beating and guilt is coming from ? the doc or the boards ? Just curious ? Yes they do need encouragement . However the OP did not come here for encouragement or advice. To be honest I cant find where she even asked for advice. She asked for validation and permission that what she did going against medical advice was "OK" . Veteran bandsters are NOT going to give her that ok . Or at least I wont . It does her or any other newbie NO GOOD. Recently there seems to be an influx of newbies asking for this. I wont sit back and say " OH there there honey you will be fine go ahead eat the steak " Because all it takes is ONE OTHER Person seeing that and they say " THERE YA GO I CAN DO IT " I WONT DO IT !! Its irresponsible. If you come here and say " I screwed up my gosh im sorry " I will tell you your human move on tomorrow is a new day " But the OP NEW She did and joked about it . I dont find it funny ! at all ! The OP as far as i could tell was not asking for either. As for it coming from docs. Your right they need to do more of it. But honestly its not really their jobs. If you are lucky enough to have a doc that does that great. But most dont because its not what we pay them for. Im not coming down on " you " Just in general answering the question . Mindy

The thing is that what ever you do in my opinion you have to run it by your doctor. If your on liquids and you are getting sick and feel you need more you HAVE to ask your doctor. My doc allowed me Protein shakes from day one IF I needed them because I get migraines from lack of eating. I did not need them BUT I knew they were there if i needed them . To up your diet w/ out asking your doc I think is irresponsible. As for lack of discipline ... I did not KNOW How much will power i Had until i had this surgery . If i a person does not have the discipline to listen to a doctor for 3 or 4 weeks to make sure their life or their band is safe then your right maybe they did not need the band !!! You can call it what you want . But if you had cancer and your doctor told you to go on chemo for 3 weeks to live would you go AMA against that ? Probably not. These orders our docs give us are just THAT Orders. The docs do give a little but ASK FIRST . My doc requires 6 days liquids after each fill. The first time he told me this before surgery I thought he was INSANE . NOW I could do liquids w/ my hands tied behind my back for a VERY Long time . no joke. The first weeks post op its NOT About sever RESTRICTION its about HEALING. Its about allowing your stomach to heal and the band to anchor so it does not slip . I do not know how much plainer to put that. Our docs are not trying to torcher us . They are trying to have us succeed. Mindy

You will probably find out what size band you have at your first post op appt. If they dont tell you ask , they will tell you then . There are several different size bands from a 4 cc to I beileve a 10 cc is the largest But I could be wrong . I want to say there is a 15 cc ? But I am not sure ? But just ask your doc they should tell ya . Mindy

Congrats !! Its great you have taken the first step . it was the best step and choice i made in my life ! Good luck Mindy

Sure .. I have a 4 cc band . When I got my first fill it was 1.4 cc , pretty standard fill. I was fine no problems . My second Fill I believe was .5 cc . I got tight right away . So we took some out . ok. No problem . I had my third fill , .5 (again pretty standard or "Normal" not too big) went home and a few days later I was too tight again . So after this my doc determined that I am sensitive to fills and that those are too "large" for me. So now i get .25 cc's or less when i get fills. The reason I cant tolerate them is because I have had migraines for so many yrs I throw up very easily . So when i get stuck I throw up , instead of just getting stuck . So my esophagus gets swollen very quickly and easily . 3 weeks ago I had a total unfill. I had gotten stuck and threw up , my stomach and or esophagus got swollen and i began to not be able to keep things down , by time i got in to see my doc ( a few hours ) i was unable to keep liquids down . So he totally unfilled me to allow me to heal completly . Again goes back to how easily i become swollen . My point for you : I love my band still. Even though i have had issues. I have lost over 100 pds in 10 months. I take the issues as they come. People freak when they have to get unfills, unfills are not big deal. I WILL admit I freaked a little bit w/ the total unfill , but im ok now im even remaining unfiled through my vacation . which will leave me unfilled for 2 months nearly . I have gained 4 pds . But im good. It would be a shame for you to have gone through the surgery and NOT get fills. You might as well have them take out the band now , becaues your band is USELESS w/ out a fill ! It wont work . I can eat 100% normal being total unfilled which is what you will be able to do w/ out a fill once you heal from surgery . Basically you will be going on will power . So what's the point to go through surgery to go on a diet again to lose weight ? when you dont have to ? So i suggest if your nervous about fills, which is understand able , if your doc wants to give you say 1 cc fill the first one ask him to please give you .5cc's . It might take you longer to get restriction but you will probably feel better. Until your comfy w/ how fills go. Do you know what size band you have ? Sorry this is so long . Love Mindy PS feel free to email me . click on my name and hit email

I just sent you a private message. I think its good to also post the not so peachy side of WLS . Everyone is SO different and people need to know IMHO all sides of it to be educated and know what can happen to them . thank you for posting . Mindy

I would have double checked that w/ the doc before ever going by that. What the hospital gives you and what the doc WANTS you to do are 2 different things . Hospitals give standard discharge orders for patients regardless of the docs orders in most cases. So be careful following orders different than what the doc said even if it was from a hospital. not saying that's what you did but its a good point and something that happens often and a reason for confusion Mindy

I think that might be the problem is not enough direction on WHAT you can eat. pureed foods is quite a broad "statement" and with so many docs having so many different " interpretations " of that people come here looking for suggestions. I had a very good list if i remember of what i could and could not have . If people do not have that then I can see how it might be hard. Good point Jachut Mindy

Did not mean to offend you . However I am not one to tell people what they want to hear either. What I said and meant was If the rules were something that you were not ready to follow maybe it was not the right time for the surgery ? we all have to get to the point that we are ready for this in order for it to work . If you feel your at that point great. I Will NOT tell anyone " You will be ok for breaking the rules " Espically " Weeks post op . I honestly am not sure what your asking ? Not being rude , are you needing recipes for the pureed diet ? I can help w/ that . Mindy

Actually I look at the rules as to be followed for the rest of my life. Not drinking carbonation , not drinking while or after you eat. those are all things that can seriously affect your band . But that's just me Mindy

I agree, The rules are there for a reason . ESPECIALLY POST OP . You just had major surgery and your going to take it upon your self to decide its ok to go against medical advice of someone who spent 12 yrs in medical school ? That confuses the hell out of me im sorry . Im a rule follower as well. Why ? Because someone who know's better than ME Made those rules for a reason . Not following the rules w/ the band even if its "Not your style" is not only not a joking matter but will cause you to lose your band at some point. I dont understand why or how people can say " OH I did it and Im fine , I caused no harm " HOW Do you KNOW That ? Harm could come a month a yr down the rd from something that was done today . Not following the rules can cause your band to errode, slip and cause you to lose it !! Sorry to seem rude but I just do not get this train of thought ? Maybe that's just me . I feel it does no one any good to say " you should be fine" Because I Dont if you could not follow the rules or were not ready then maybe it was not time to have the surgery ? Just my thoughts Mindy

LOL This is funny to me too . My fills dont kick in for about 3-7 days . My doc told me that they can take up to 2 weeks to kick in . Sometimes i wish they would all get together and get their sh*t straight and cohesive !! Mindy

Yes every doc is different. my doc is a bit more on the "Conservative side" when it comes to post fill diets. I have to do 3 days Clear Liquids 3 days liquids 3 days mushies 3 days semi solid foods after every fill. So its best to go by what your doc says . Some day no liquids some day a day or so some say what ever. Mindy

I have a 4cc band and got 1 cc on my first fill and had restrcition the first fill. GOOD Restriction my first fill and have ever since. BUT my fills also take up to 7 days to kick in . So becareful w/ scheduling fills back to back at least after the first one or 2 . you need to see what your body does. See how long your fills take to kick in . Everyone is so different though . Mindy

Yep sounds like banster hell . You wont feel any restriction until you get a fill. Even then it can take a little time. Banster hell is the time after surgery when yoru healed and the time before you get a fill. Its "Hell" because we try to eat our "Small" portions on a "regular" appetite. There is nothing to stop us from eating like a normal person. So most people are hungry ALL THE TIME !!. It will get better when you get restriction. Like i said keep in mind the FIRST fill MAY not give you restriction depending on what size band you have , it may take a few. SO be prepared. But you will get there. once you do get restriction its a WHOLE new ball game. Good luck Mindy

ROFLMAO Fearless. I just have to tell you I :confused_smile::scared2: when i read your signature .. I just might have to "stea " the dance naked and wiggle your butt if you dont mind . that is SO FUNNY !!! mindy

There is no reason to kick you off this site for posting your experience . Mindy

sorry if someone has something happen to THEM .. that's first hand experience THOSE things need to be posted in my opinion and do NOT NEED to be "watched " and are VERY Believable ! Mindy

I dont think I know more than anyone . LOL If you worked there you i am sure know more than I in regards to Mexico . I worked in the US medical System for 14 yrs. I also worked in a US medical Mal Practice Attorneys office. So trust me NOTHING surprises me . And I think all 3 possibilities are a vary viable option . Honestly I think it depends on what doctor you go to for the out come . And that all goes back to research . I think we are on the same page ? no? I have employee's that are also friends ( they have worked for us or known us for a very long time ) who said " YOUR CRAZY to go to Mexico ( when i was considering it ) and ya know what ? they are FROM Mexico . they know the "ugly" Side of things as well. Like i said I think we are on the same page as far as this is concerned. Mindy

Im not quite sure why you are directing this towards me ? I AM For research , I do not think that EVERYTHING has to be HARD CONCRETE facts in order for things to get out . I think people needs to know that docs do . I think there NEEDS to be public records of what happens to patients. the problem is there is not . there is sure in the US If something really bad happens , in mexico its even harder. the careless things docs do on a daily baisis that takes time to catch up to them is not "public" its those types of things that "leak" out and personally I think are VERY relevant . I am sorry you had a bad experience, rough time , horrible experience, words i am sure do not come close to describing it . Luckily you are here to tell others about it . That is the best way to get the word out . thanks mindy

OK Making sure i didnt loose my mind !!

Did you just change your picture ?? Im SO NOt trying to be rude but you look like a totally different person ? LOL Is it a new one ? And i totally agree w/ you . The band was the best thing i ever did for myself . Mindy

I dont use moderator "Powers" for anything unless someone is doing hard :smile: And you hit the nail on the head, its just that people have different VIEWS it has nothing to do w/ misinterpreting things. they have different views and opinions. It does not mean someone's is RIGHT or WRONG . But they are OPINIONS or VIEWS . I am not angry , pissy ,ect. I am simply trying to point out that info is given to people in different ways. And your wrong in one aspect. In the US info that happens in hospitals , specific patient info is NOT Public info its Private and for anyone to give it out is a violation of HIPPA . So If someone who works in a hospital says " Dont go to Dr So and so they did this to a patient and they died or this happened and ect.." THAT is a violation of HIPPA and someone could get fired for it . So people risk their jobs by staing certain things about docs . what happens in OR's ect. Its NOT ALL public info . I am simply trying to give different reasons why someone might not give out "sources" of info . that's all Mindy