lapband4meNOW

I am in the same position about flying. I am flying a 6 hour flight next week. I was told I can get my fill now, but I am waiting until I get back. The last thing I want it to be too tight while traveling and not having a way to get to my doctor to fix it. I would recommend that you just wait until you get back for the fill. Just be patient. You don't want to be stuck on an airplane with something getting caught or PB'ng all the time on your trip. Also, my doctor wouldn't allow me to fly for minimum 4 weeks because when you are post op you are at high risk for blood clots. On an international flight, if you are going to do it, get up every hour and walk the aisle. My friend got a blood clot from a plane ride (not even post op) and it lodged in her lung and she almost died. So I take that stuff very seriously.

P.S. Go TELL your doctor to unfill it some. Do not take NO for an answer. Say you appreciate what he is saying but this is not acceptable. You are the BOSS!!!

You should not be throwing up like that. You are too tight!

I only had two days of clear liquids, with some magnesium citrate to clean the bowels out. That was it for pre-op diet. Some are much more conservative.

YAHOO!!!! That is awesome. I can't wait to get under the 300 mark too!!!

Hey there. Can Emily be an Honorary Guest? She gets to sit in the front, wear a flower. What would that hurt? You can have as many honarary guests you want in a wedding. That would make Emily feel extra special! Now, I have three daughters. Two close in age at 9 & 7. I too, have experienced the younger child not getting to do certain things. There was a playdate for my older daughter and I dropped her off and my younger one was in tears asking why she couldn't go. I felt bad. However, it is our job to teach our children COPING skills for the real world. It will not always be fair. They have to be taught that they won't always get to do the same things at the same time. What about when one gets a drivers license first, etc...you can't accomodate every difference. I understand in this case there is more of an emotional element. See her through the disappointment. Let her know, REAFFIRM, she is very much LOVED by auntie (if possible, tell Auntie how upset Emily is and ask if she can talk to her to reaffirm how important she is, it would be better coming from her) and it is absolutely not because she is not pretty enough, etc. If the Auntie couldn't even make her an honorary guest, then she is probably asserting her authority over the situation to make a point. If it were me I would have to say I would not let one lose the opportunity because the other one is upset about it. That is LIFE! That is REALITY! This is where you learn COPING skills! Is it unfair? Yes, to a degree. Is it hard to watch? Absolutely. The reality is, life is not fair. You can take this opportunity to encourage Emily to learn to cope with disappointment and then make it a happy event. Tell Emily while her sister is gone, you will do something special with her (something you know she would love). So she has something to be excited about that week. Maybe a slumber party, or take her and a friend to the movies. Get her nails done. I know it hurts to watch the little one's feeling hurt, but don't make the other child lose out on something she wants to do because that is just as wrong. I don't know if I am making any sense. I hope I was clear about my point.

Here is mine - No clear liquids after surgery 1 week - full liquids (protein shakes, creamy soups, etc) 2 week - mushies I graduated to regular foods at the end of two weeks (soft regular foods) Doctor okay'd

I suggest buy a couple different Protein drinks and see which one you like the best. Atkins I like and Isopure. Go to a GNC or health food type store. You can find High Protein (like 40grams in one drink) low carb, low sugar drinks. I was only put on Clear liquids for two days before the surgery and by the end of week one I was on mushies. I had full liquids from day 1 out of hospital. Doctor wanted me on Protein Drinks at minimum because he said it is not healthy to be on clear liquids that long, that I need nutrition. I know each doctor has different rules, but that is what I did. Day one out of hospital, I had campbells creamy tomatoe Soup at hand (love the creamy one, not regular!), chocolate and vanilla Protein shakes (you can add ice to them and use a hand blender to make them frothy and thick, even a banana), chicken and stars campbells soup at hand (the chicken bits and stars are so small they could fit through a straw), popsicles, Jello, broth (I HATE BROTH), and I pureed some foods. Like regular vegetable soup, I pureed down. These are just some ideas. You can get creative. You should be trying to get in at least 65-75 grams of protein a day. That is so you stay strong and your hair stays in place (hehe) and you will be less hungry. You can read my previous posts as to what I have eaten. I also write out my entire hospital experience too.

Hi All! I can use some advice. What do you mean by restriction? I mean I know what restriction is..but is saying 'I have good restriction' mean 'I am not hungry now'? I want to know when you talk about knowing if you have a good restriction if that means you just don't feel hungry or does that mean you have trouble getting things down. I have this fear that if I get 'restricted' from a fill that all that means is it forces you to not eat certain foods and things can get stuck. If a 'good restriction' means that you feel more in control, less hungry, can eat less and get full faster...I feel much better about getting filled. I am just curious what these fills do for us. I don't want to have to be afraid of things getting stuck, etc. I travel for my job and OH that would suck if I was on a plane having problems. I don't want restriction to mean FEAR for me. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I guess I am just curious if getting a fill is right. I think if it does make me less hungry and full faster it would be worth it for me.

Hey guys. I talked with my doctor. I have decided to go ahead and get the fill, especially after what Kat said. I want to have more control. I don't want it to be too tight though. So, I guess it will be a matter of just figuring out what is best for me..for the fill. Now that I really understand what everyone means by restriction....no longer being hungry, getting full on smaller amounts faster, etc...I know I need this. I have been eating more and more each day. I am starting to see my old patterns creep up and it scares the hell out of me. I am able to eat whatever I want with no problems now. I am confident that having the 'right' fill will allow me to continue eating the foods I enjoy (at least most), but get me more of a sense of control. They are willing to fill me now, but I have a business trip for the next couple of weeks and I certainly don't want to be having problems from a too tight band while traveling. So I am going to wait until I get back. You guys are so great to have here. Everyone is awesome! Jessy, I too, struggle with head hunger. I am trying to become aware of when I am really hungry and when it is just a craving. Right now, I am eating more from head hunger and I have to constantly fight myself to not eat this or that. Then if I give in and eat, I feel completely guilty and feel like a failure. I think I won't EVER lose the weight. That the band won't work for me. Now, I am trying to rethink all that. Change my self talk to positive words. I hope after I get the fill I will have that sense of more control.

marys Did you get banded in 2005 or 2006? I am thinking 2006 because it says you have lost 11lbs. Just curious.

Kat THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! This info is so great. I now have a better understanding of what fills are for. I guess reading all about those people who couldn't get even Water down, or had other complications after a fill, they were probably just too tight. Like you said, too tight is not what they want. I will getting my first fill in about 4 weeks as I will be traveling for the next couple of weeks. Until then, I will try to increase exercise and battle my head hunger. I have been logging what I am eating and each day I seem to be eating a little more. That is why I think I need a fill. I find myself getting a sense of hunger quickly after eating, within an hour or two I am seeking food. I am still learning how to know if I am really physically hungry or if I am doing the head hunger thing. I have to say this experience has been such an awakening as to how bad my eating habits were before. I have learned so much about what made me have the weight problem. It feels empowering to have that knowledge that I don't think I would of gotten without having the surgery. THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!

LouiseR That is crazy. I only had one week of FULL liquids...soup, shakes, etc. I graduated really fast to real foods. Have some mashed potatoes or something. That is crazy! You can read my previous posts as I list out what I have eaten thus far. I was banded on 2/8 and I am eating all normal foods now. I was 3 weeks post op on Thursday. Wish ya luck! Audra

I posted this on another string, but thought I would copy and paste it here: Day of surgery - Check in at 5:30am for surgery at 7:30am. I admit, get called into prep room. Bunch of other beds in there with curtains inbetween. The nurses weigh me and ask me to change into gown, put all my personal stuff in a bad they provided. They gave me footies too. Walk back to bed, they verify who I am several times that morning and what procedure I am having. They first numb the area for IV and then insert IV. (folks, dont let them put IV at wrist area, tell them on top of hand...because I got it in the wrist area and made it difficult when I would push myself out of bed) Then they check blood pressure, and oxygenation (finger). They had blood drawn and sent to lab to make sure what I have in my tummy (so dont cheat and eat before, they can tell with the lab work they do they said). Then after the anethesiologist talks to me, asks me questions, they gave me the FEEL GOOD med to make me relax a little while I wait for surgery. Called Versat (may spell it wrong). You can ask for this if they dont offer..say you are feeling anxious and it really does calm ya down. Then I got wheeled into surgery. Oh, my husband was there this whole time and gave me a kiss goodbye. THe last thing I remember is being moved to this narrow table that was a little cold. They put both arms out and strapped them (lightly) down. I am also strapped around the hip area. They put the heart thing on me and then start with oxygen around my mouth and that is the last thing I remember. I woke up hard to breath. It was that damn mask, I dont do good with masks. So if you experience this, tell the nurses and they will put the nasal one on you which is much better. I was short of breath and gasping, moving around a lot because I keep telling them I cant breath, I cant breath. They took that mask off and put the nasal one on and I felt much better. My mouth was so dry. They had to put a air tube down my throat while in surgery. They also put a catheter in while in surgery (when I was out). I knew they were going to do that because they told me. This way after the surgery I dont have to get up right away if I have to go pee. I sit in recovery room for a while and I am not allowed so much as an ice chip on the day of surgery. They allow me to rinse my mouth out later when I got to my room. As I am in recovery they just monitor my blood pressure. The cuff stays on and so does the oxygen reader on my finger. IV is in and I have a button to push for pain if needed. The sucky part was dry mouth. Ask for vaseline, and a wash cloth. Wipe your mouth and put that on, makes it much better. I could not drink because I had to wait until the next day for them to x-ray and watch stuff go down. The reason I had to wait until the next day is my doctor says sometimes swelling can get worse over night and they need to make sure I am not closed up the next morning. First night, I get up for the first time about 6 hours after surgery. I take my IV pole and they hook my catheter puch to it and do a little walking. Tender but able to move around fine. I walked around every 4 hours for a little while. Looked like an old granny walking the halls, but it prevents blood clots. Oh, in surgery they put the warming massager on my calves to prevent clots and that stays on the entire time I am in bed until I check out. I went to x-ray next morning first thing. Oh, they also take your temperature a lot through this whole process too. Went to x-ray and stood in front of x-ray machine. I could see my insides on the screen and see the band. Crazy...and I watched the Fluid go down. They let me see it. I was cleared to start drinking. Got my little ounce of broth, Jello, and juice. (ounce each). YIPPY! LOL First night home, started having depression. Wanted it out of me. Thinking what did I do. I smelled chicken my husband made for the kids and it was at that moment, even though I wasn't hungry, that I knew that I used food for comfort. It was a slap in the face. I always thought I ate badly or too big of portions. Me, an emotional eater?..NO way I would of said. But yes, it is true, I realized food was there to comfort me. You can read my previous posts if you want to read more, because I was crying. It took a couple days and I started to get out of that emotional funk. I feel good today and very happy.

Nice to meet ya!

I would recommend chapstick (mouth gets dry), toothbrush and toothpaste (same reason), flip flops, and something easy to get in and out of. They give you booties for your feet. Don't wear any jewelry or makeup. Oh, and my nurse put the IV in my wrist area, tell them you want it on top of the hand. You use your hands a lot getting in and out of bed and it hurt more being in the wrist and bending.

Just 'weighing' in on this (he-he) I told everybody and couldn't stop talking about the process and don't regret it. I got people who didn't agree with it, but it didn't phase me one bit because I KNOW it is right for me. Think about everything you believe in...would you hide it from loved ones, friends, etc...if you fully believed in it? I respect everyone's decision on this..whether to tell or not it doesn't matter to me personally. Just thought I would share that I didn't hide it to anyone because, for me, the reason I did not hide it is because I accept I need medical help to lose weight. The bottom line is, it is your business and you can choose who to share it with whomever you want. As long as you feel good about whatever you decided, that is the most important!

Hey Paula. So cool to have you join. I am hesitant to get a fill because I am still losing. I know with the fill the head hunger doesn't go away and that is my biggest problem. So I am gonna try and go as long as I can without the fill to avoid the problems that come with the fill I have read on here. I get freaked out at the idea that things can get stuck, etc..

Hey all.. Ya my doctor knows what I am eating. I have two doctors and both of them were fine with it. Today I just had a salad and it didn't take very much and I started feeling very restricted. So I stopped in the middle of it. That was an hour ago and I am not interested in food at all at the moment. I agree some of my food choices aren't the best, but I was still in the stage of trying foods and seeing what works and so I did it. I am still losing so I would say it is working okay thus far. I am thinking of going on Weight Watchers in addition to the band so I can stay more on track of calories in. I don't think I am trying to 'work' the band. I am just doing what feels right for me.

Hey kat. Thanks for the advice. I am going to do what you say. Wait for the fill until I am not losing. My stomach has rarely felt empty or growling. So, if I pay attention to my PHYSICAL hunger, I would say I have not really been hungry very much since banding. Paying attention to if I am really hungry and learning to overcome the head hunger is my personal challenge. I think I can do it. It is wierd that after being banded I am no longer a mindless eater. I am actually thinking about how many calories are in everything, how much I am eating. I just need to learn that I need to STOP when my stomach is NOT HUNGRY anymore. I find that as I am eating, even though I can tell I am not really hungry, I feel the urge to keep eating because I like it. That is what got me into the weight problem. At least I am not pushing the limit and even though I WANT to keep eating, I stop. I believe that is from the band. Usually after about 5 minutes, the urge to keep eating goes away. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!!

Hi there. I got banded 2/8. Not filled yet, on regular foods now. Haven't gained anything back yet. I have to say I am scared to get a fill. I don't want things to get stuck. I do notice I eat half or even less than that of what I used to with just having the band there. Can anyone tell me what did having the fill do for you over not having the fill w/little restriction? I mean, do you really just not feel hungry? For me, I have a lot of head hunger so I wonder if not being hungry matters in my situation. I am just really wondering did any of you have a lot of head hunger and not physical hunger and then after the fill did that head hunger go away?

I am under 3 weeks post op and on regular foods since last Thursday. No problems.

Hey guys. I am just curious. I was banded 2/8 and not ready for a fill. I am HEAD hungry but not physically hungry. I can now eat pretty much anything with no problem. I think I have some restriction though, because I will get that feeling in my throat and I only eat a fraction of the portions I used to eat before the surgery and I am full. I definitely like what Jack said about learning to not NEED to be FULL. I think that is my problem. I am looking for that same FULL feeling I used to seek before being banded. My mind has not adjusted. I am going to pay more attention to what I am doing with that Jack! If I am continuing to lose weight and not hungry, do you guys still recommend a fill? I have to say...I am very afraid of the fill because I read the increased restriction can start to cause things to get stuck or PB'ing. I am soooo scared of that. This last week of losing has been pretty much just 1 lb. I think if I start watching more the content of what I am eating I may increase that. I noticed I ate some high calorie foods, just because I was happy to be on regular foods again and felt..sheesh I will eat whatever. I really will have to rethink all that. I am making some bad choices. I too want to see faster results...but I know that is unrealistic and it is just a want.

Ya, the bread was really soft. It was a sweet roll and I ate small pieces at a time with some lasagna sauce. Didn't have a problem. I am eager to have a salad though. Good luck with everything with your surgery!

For dinner I had 1 cup of Wendy's chili's and about 10 french fries. I chewed really good and now I am feeling guilty. I am supposed to only be on mushies right now and the chili was definitely mushy, but the fries! Then after I was done eating that I had a sugar free, high Fiber ice cream from Harmony health food store. Right after! I can't believe I ate so much much food and didn't even have one problem and that I even risked things eating that food. I feel like a failure right now. :cry I know some have said you can eat whatever until you get your fill. I messed up. I just want to know if anyone else has experienced this food hunger and given into it even knowing it can be a risk! All I can think is...how many calories did I eat. Aside from that I had 1 campbells tomatoe Soup at hand for Breakfast, 100 calories. Then I Protein (30 gram) pudding for snack, 1 cup of Hot & Sour soup for lunch (ate around the bulky part and drank the liquid..not sur on calories) Then I had 3 small slices of cheddar cheese and nibbled at them, prolly 100 calories. 1 popsicle (sugar free, 0 calories). Then I had the Wendy's for dinner. UGH!!!!!!! What am I doing? Why did I eat so much today? I am only 11 days post op. I feel so sad, like I cheated on a diet or something. :speechles