pixistix

I had absolutely ZERO pain. Of course they give you narcotics in the hospital. And I took the prescription pain med for one day. I slept in a recliner for a couple of nights just to be on the safe side. But I never felt one bit of pain. The post-op gas pressure was uncomfortable in my neck and one shoulder. A heating pad helped a lot with that. I did have a fair amount of nausea for a week after surgery. Definitely give yourself at least a week off work to heal and take it easy.

Yes, it can take a few fills to get enough restriction. But I have found that it's kind of good, because it helps me get accustomed to the bandster lifestyle slowly, over time. Small bites, chewing well, getting away from soda and fast food, etc. It's not easy. It takes some getting used to. It's frustrating to wait, but just do the best you can in the mean time. Exercise, make sure you're getting enough Protein, drink lots of Water. Three pounds is still three pounds that you never have to see again. Good luck!

My surgeon actually considered instant mashed potatoes part of the full liquid phase. *shrug* When you start soft foods, just be sure to take small bites and chew everything really well. Does your surgeon recommend waiting between bites? Mine says to wait 5 minutes between bites. That's not easy (and I don't have enough restriction yet that I'm forced to), but waiting a couple of minutes can help make sure you don't overfill your pouch and end up in pain. After the swelling from surgery goes down, that won't be much of an issue until you've had fill(s) and have some restriction. Good luck to you.

Please don't despair. I didn't feel much restriction at all till I had 7 CCs in my 10 CC band. Before that, I could feel a little restriction, but I could eat around it. *facepalm* Now I feel like I actually have a band. Real restriction makes all the difference in the world. Hang in there, be patient with yourself, do the best you can but know that until you have restriction, you're flying solo.... In the mean time, nine pounds lost is nothing to sneeze at. I've "only" lost 20 so far. But I wouldn't have lost anything without the band -- I would have gained!

Are you getting enough Protein? Thinning hair may be a sign that you need more protein in your diet. My doc recommends 60 to 100 grams a day. Protein shakes can help you get it all in. If there's a Trader Joe's in your area, they have a delish Protein shake from Pure Protein and an Adult Chewable Multivitamin that's good. (Pure Protein shakes are also available in health food stores, if you're not in Trader Joe's territory.)

My experience has been that, in spite of bandster hell, the fill process is kind of a blessing because it has eased me into the band lifestyle slowly, over time. After recovering from surgery, I could still eat just about anything. After my first fill, I could eat most things but started to run into a bit of trouble if I ate too much bread or something like that. Now, having just had my second fill, I have pretty good restriction. My band is tight in the morning, a bit less midday, a bit less by dinner time. Over the course of the last three months, I've gotten used to what I can and can't eat. And it's okay. It's definitely worth it. I've lost just over 20 pounds and I'm feeling better and better all the time. And my husband has expressed fears that I'm going to "get thin and leave" him. I just wrap my arms around him, and tell him that I want to be lighter and healthier so we can go hiking and have fun together. (It's an adjustment, but we'll both get used to it!) Hang in there and good luck to you!

I really like Pure Protein shakes, from Trader Joe's or health food stores. I like the chocolate, but it also comes in vanilla and (some places) cookies-n-creme. Good luck to you.

After the swelling of surgery goes down and before you've had any fills, the food basically goes right through. I don't think you're in danger of stretching your pouch with 2 cups of food. Once you have proper restriction, you won't be able to eat that much without throwing up.

Put me down for 20. I get my second fill tomorrow, so I'm hoping that helps. This challenge is perfectly timed for me, because we're going to Yellowstone Sept 9. I'd love to be 20 pounds lighter on those hikes. Thanks, you guys, for being here. You're the best.

I'm new to the process, but here are my two cents. Bear in mind that after surgery, it can take several fills to get proper restriction. It can take months until you REALLY have the band in full effect. What really helps me is making sure to eat healthy Snacks, so I don't get too hungry and make bad choices for meals. For me, fast food is death. Everything else is okay, in moderation. I focus on nutrition, getting enough Protein and Water, etc. I have also joined a gym to build lean muscle, which increases one's metabolism. Good luck to you!

A friend underwent gastric bypass two years ago and lost half her body weight. Talking to her about WLS, she told me to expect my husband to experience fear and insecurity as I began to change. And indeed, he has expressed the fear that I will leave him when I am thin. I think it's healthy to express fears. I tried to reassure him that I wanted to be thinner and healthier so I could do things like go hiking with him, not leave him for someone "better."

I just got my first fill (5 CCs) and the band is starting to work for me as well. YAY! I'm focusing on nutritious food and moderate exercise. By not losing TOO fast, it is better for your skin and for preventing gallstones. Good luck to you. Regardless of the number, the weight you've lost by your birthday will indeed be a gift. :thumbup:

A heating pad really helped me. It will go away soon.

I have a Realize band and my surgeon's office made their own card. Attached is a pic of the front and back. I haven't tried using it yet, but I will. And if they say no? Oh well, it was worth a try.

What helped me was not sitting upright too soon. Reclining in a lounge chair was okay, but sitting straight up made me nauseous, then the dry heaving irritated my already swollen stomach even more. Try to plan on taking it easy for at least a week after surgery.

A similar thing happened to me. I was fine for several days, then I had terrible nausea for a week. It went away as the stomach swelling from surgery went down, but it was rough. Medication didn't help at all. I think I tried to sit upright and go about my usual activities too soon. Take it easy, and stay in touch with your doc if it doesn't go away within a few days.

I get my first fill tomorrow and I'm hoping you guys can help clarify something for me. Is my goal to take a small bite, chew well, and wait for it to go through the band before I take another bite? If not, then why wait so long between bites? I'm willing to do it, I just don't understand why. Thanks!

I was very nauseated for the first 10 days after surgery, so I didn't stress out about Protein until I started mushies. At that point, my Dr. recommended 40g a day until it was time to start solid food, at which time he recommended 100g of protein a day. Good luck to you!

From what I've read, massaging the scars and keeping them moisturized is key. So I just massage lotion onto mine. We'll see how that works!

Yes, I am in therapy and I think it's going to be absolutely invaluable in helping me through this process. I just had surgery last month and I've already noticed a tendency to sabotage myself. One morning when I weighed myself I had lost a pound and a half since the day before. That made 15 pounds total and it kind of freaked me out. And later that day, I had a strong craving for a fast food binge. Change can be scary and stressful, even such a positive change. Without help, I think it would be a whole lot harder. I attend support groups (through my surgeon's office), journal about my feelings, participate in this forum, and see a professional therapist. Good luck to you!

I have people who are supportive, people who are nosy, people who are too wrapped up in themselves to think much about it. My husband is supportive but also scared that I won't follow the rules, and also scared that I'll get so thin that I'll leave him! Ultimately, the person whose thoughts and feelings I need to listen to the most is ME!

My first week I was allowed full liquids, which included: juice instant Breakfast cream soup (strained) instant mashed potatoes (made thin) cream of wheat or rice malt-o-meal milk kefir yogurt pudding Jello popsicles Second week, mushies. Third week, soft foods transitioning to regular foods as tolerated. My first week I was terribly nauseated, but by the second week I was starving too. Hang in there, it gets better. These first days post op feel like forever, but they'll be long gone before you know it.

I asked my doc and he said not to eat for one hour before a fill. I guess every Dr is different....

A heating pad really helped with the gas pain my shoulder. That only lasted a couple of days for me. I had mild nausea until I thought I was okay to go back to work after 3 days. Big mistake. That irritated my already swollen stomach and I had TERRIBLE nausea for another 5 days. And a few days feel like FOREVER when you're that miserable. I am happy to report, however, that I'm fine now and everything is going smoothly.

Dizziness doesn't sound like a good sign. Are you getting enough net calories? Enough Water? Another possibility is if you are on medication (for blood pressure, especially), your dosage may need to be adjusted due to your lower weight. ASK YOUR DOCTOR, 'cause I only play one on TV! Best of luck to you and keep up the great work.