tanderson

I've lost 42 pounds and only one person has said something and that was after I told her I had had surgery...so not too sure if she was sincere or not...probably just being nice. Even though I don't want them to comment, I come home everyday and complain to my husband. WTF? What does it matter if they comment or not? As long as I am losing, I should be happy, right?

Originally I was going to us Dr. Collier, but I decided to go with Dr. Naaman in Houston. Collier does not have near as much experience as Dr. Naaman. I know there are some other people here who have used Collier and are very satisfied. If you post your question at the state site, you might have more luck.

This would be the ONLY letter I would send if it were me...

I couldn't vote because I had 7 including my port...

So true...my husband quit 8 months ago using Chantix and if HE can do it, anyone can. He had smoked for 20 years and at the time he started taking Chantix he was smoking over 3 packs a day and had NO desire to quit. He "agreed" to "try it" and within a few days he noticed that cigarettes started tasting bad, within 2 weeks he was down to about 10 cigarettes a day and within a month he had completely quit as the medication takes away the satisfaction of smoking. So think about it...plus think about how much money you could save and buy yourself some new clothes for you new body your are working on!

Just curious (from an x-smoker myself) to know why in the world you would want to start smoking again when you have gone over 2 weeks without one. Your body is completely detoxed from the nicotine so this is all your psychological addiction, not physical addiction rearing its ugly head.

3 summers ago I was doing Atkin's and swimming laps daily and I lost over 30 pounds in 2 months without ever feeling as though I had worked out...just love it!

For me the band has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. About 2 weeks before surgery, I too was on the fence. You have to remember that people who have experienced problems with their band tend to come to these sites more than people who are not having problems. That may explain why it sometimes seems that you are reading more negative posts than positive. I just know for me that I had reached a place that no matter what I did, I could not lose more that 5 pounds because I was ALWAYS hungry. The band has taken that "lion" away from me and I have been very successful. I still have a long way to go, but I already feel SO much better. Good luck on whatever decision you make...

Dear Brandi, I can so relate to post-op swelling. I was so swollen that I literally gained 11 pounds the first week after surgery. It took my abdomen a solid 2 weeks to go down. If I were you I would get some sweat pants or very loose elastic pants to go back to work. Good luck!

My first fill was yesterday. I have a 4cc band and I received a 2cc fill, so I was very happy. I do have to say it REALLY changes things. I went from no restriction to big time restriction. My surgeon kept saying "go slow, go slow", but boy I didn't know what that meant until today at lunch when I ate too fast and had the most HORRIBLE chest pain for about 20 minutes. I went from about 2-3 cups of food per meal to right at 1 cup per meal.

My doctor requires daily 30 minute walks starting the DAY AFTER surgery. He doesn't care if you have to break them up into smaller walks as long as you get your 30 minutes in. He didn't allow me to start lifting weights until 5 weeks post-op. I think all docs have a little different protocol, but I think the most important thing to do is to develop an exercise program that eases you into fitness (especially if your new to it) and listen to your body....in other words, don't over do it. You want to start a life-long habit of fitness and I think a lot of times we go into these programs "gung-ho" and then quickly burn out. At least that is my opinion for what it's worth...

Yes I know that 36 pounds is a lot to lose in 9 weeks and I know I should remember that...however, this is NOT head hunger...I am usually hungry in between meals with growling tummy, irritability...basically the same as I was pre-band. I think that now that all of my swelling is gone that I basically have no restriction. And yes, I am working out...everyday. I walk 2 miles a day 4 days a week and lift weights 3 days a week for about an hour. So maybe you are right, maybe I am at a plateau? I just want to know if the fill will take care of feeling hungry all the time and will I actually feel full after I eat, because right now I am feeling NOTHING.

OK, so here's my story....I have been banded almost 9 weeks and I am not losing weight anymore. I haven't lost a single pound in 2 weeks. I admit that I have cheated (twice with icecream) in the last month, but other than those 2 occasions, I have been doing very well. The last 2 weeks I feel like eating all day long, I don't (thank goodness), but when I do eat I can eat a whole lot...like 2-3 cups of food and barely feel full! I am due to see my surgeon this Monday and I am hoping that I will get my first fill at that time. My question is, when I have received the appropriate amount of fill, will this feeling of wanting to eat constantly go away? And when I do eat, will I feel full? Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

I am almost 8 weeks post op and my incision is still very sensitive. I still cannot sleep on my side... It literally hurt for a solid 6 weeks!

Ditto here...I was at an inservice a few days ago and was embarrassed as several people heard my stomach growling across the room! But right after surgery, my goodness the rumbles and such coming from me were remarkable. It does get better...just hang in there!

When the scale doesn't do what I want it to, I put it up and forget it for a few days. I then focus on lotsa water intake and changing up my routine a bit (maybe doing my walking earlier in the day, splitting it up into more than one session or even bumping up the intensity). I know we all get sick of hearing it, but we didn't gain all this weight overnight, so we obviously won't lose it overnight either. ....lots luck to you!

You're doing great...I GAINED 11 pounds the first week after surgery! Don't you know I was freaking!!!:omg::car:

And I couldn't be happier. I just visited my surgeon today and in the last 3 1/2 weeks I have lost 11 pounds putting my grand total to 19 pounds. Since I am maintaining roughly 2.5 pounds loss per week, he opted not to fill me at this time, geez, this makes me nervous. Anyway, I had my first "mushie" meal and I was so surprised at how little I ate. I ate at Luby's and had about 3 ounces of baked whitefish, couple of tablespoons of tartar and ketchup mixed to wet the fish, about 1/2 c of mashed potatoes, 1/4 c of mac and cheese and 1/2 of a dinner roll. I was pleasantly full and stopped, but as I drove home I began to feel guilty as if I had binged on a huge meal. BUT WAIT, I DIDN'T!!!!....hmmm wonder if the rest of me knows this? It just feels so wierd to eat good stuff and still stay on plan. Thanks for listening everybody!

Sounds like it could be a kidney and or bladder infection. You should really call your doc ASAP.

Sam's has a wonderful sf popsicle that comes in a blue box of 40 count. Sorry, but I can't remember the name. They are only 10 calories and come in a variety pack of orange, strawberry, and I believe raspberry, but the best thing is that the ice is very similar to the shaved ice sno cones, very soft and not crunchy...very yummy!

To all of you new bandsters, I am almost 5 weeks out and as I read your posts, I double-checked to make sure it was not me who had written them. YES< YES< YES< I was sooooo bloated and swollen, in pain, and had a lump in my chest as well. So swollen to the tune of an 11 pound gain in Fluid in a matter of 3 days, don't you know I was freaking out!! I also began to question myself and my choice and slumped into a real big pity party for myself. Please try not to do this, because IT WILL GET BETTER! My advice....keep well hydrated (even if this means buying a timer and sipping every 3 minutes), walk (in the beginning I could not walk for longer than 5 minutes, so I walked six times a day for 5 minutes each), take your pain medicine if needed...YOU WILL NOT GET ADDICTED!..., alternate your prescription pain meds with children's liquid ibuprofen every 3 hours...take one and wait 3hours, and then take the other, back and forth..IT WORKS!!!, change positions often to help with the gas, and lastly, DON'T DO HOUSEWORK (trust me on this, I did a few loads of laundry and paid dearly with severe pain around the port the next day) The liquid ibuprofen alternating with the prescription works better because your prescription does NOT deal with all of your swelling and the swelling is what is causing the majority of your pain. The ibuprofen will reduce the inflammation, thus causing less pressure on the nerves, thus a reduction in pain. Within 20 minutes of my first dose, I was in HOG HEAVEN...I could not believe how much better it made me feel...please ladies, try it, you will be glad! HANG IN THERE...YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Another option is Dr. Adam Naaman in Houston. He practices at the Houston Memorial Hospital on I10 and is AWESOME! I cannot tell you how thrilled I am with the experience and his expertise. His office runs like a well-oiled machine, no snags, no guesses, no waiting...here is his link to his web site. You can register for the seminar there and also download any forms you might need. I have Cigna, and had absolutely no problem getting approved. Good luck! Doctor Adam Naaman - Houston Laparoscopic Surgery and General Surgery

Are you drinking enough water? Are you exercising? Maybe you are not getting in enough calories and your body is in "starvation" mode... just thoughts....

I was banded on June 4th and probably wouldn't have been comfortable returning to work until a solid 10 days. I just think it depends on the individual. Good luck!

OMG people...you are really eating whatever you want against the doctor's orders...whatever. I was on clear liquids for 10 days and have now been on nothing but cream soups, smoothies and maltomeal for a total of 3 weeks and 2 days with another 3 weeks to go!!! Believe me, I know how damn hard it is not to chew, but come on people, do what you are supposed to do!