babsy

That's disappointing for you, but be happy that your doctor was smart enough to prevent complications and allow your body to heal before further surgery. It would be so much worse to have a band put in only to cause further damage, and later need removing. Big picture focus, this is only a teeny percent of the rest of your life, which will be longer and healthier after you lose weight. Good luck

They sound s bit deflating, and that's a shame. Mine was the opposite. My first visit was 6 weeks post-op. He was really excited about my weight loss, and called me skinny. Was also thrilled that I no longer need meds for my BP or reflux (had hiatus hernia repair too). He checked my wounds, and gave me a fill of 3.5 ml (4ml put in in surgery). He wanted to know if I liked the dietitian and her advice. He sat and dictated his report to my 2 referring doctors so that I could hear what was said. And gave me the opportunity to ask any questions without feeling rushed. From now on I see another doctor for regular fills, the next one coming up next week. I'm told he's really nice too, so I hope so. He's also available 24hrs/day, 7 days/week for any urgent problems, so it will be worth getting to know him. Hope your next visit is more positive.

This sounds to me like a fad diet, and I had the lap band because I don't want to do them any more. Like all fad diets, it sounds great, you lose weight quickly, and then it all jumps back on.

I too love closet shopping. Today I wore a t-shirt that I hadn't worn for 5 years, and put another 6 shirts from the spare wardrobe into my every day wardrobe. My work clothes that were too tight now fit loosely, and my pants are starting to look a bit clownish, but the smaller size is there waiting, about 1 kg away. I'm also looking forward to buying new clothes, but want them to be small enough to last a while. Plus I'm going to Canada and USA for the first time in 8 weeks, and hope to buy some new clothes there. Though I will need some new ones suitable for living out of a suitcase for 8 weeks - not planning to do any ironing on holidays.

Hi Please don't feel sad, that's a great loss. More than 2lb a week. I'm happy losing 2 lb a week, it's a healthy number, and what groups like weight watchers aim at. It took me 3 weeks to lose 2 lb. I lost 8lb pre-op, but since then I average 2lb a week except for those frustrating 3 weeks when I slowed down. This is a life change, won't happen in 3 months (but don't I wish it would). Keep looking at the big picture, how healthy you'll be in 12 months, and for the rest of your life. And look at the other positives. Mine are I feel lighter when I walk, and don't take BP or reflux meds any more. Plus I've saved money - my work clothes fit again, so I didn't have to buy bigger ones. They were too tight when I got the band, and needed replacing.

Hi all Glad to hear everyone's news. Isn't it a great feeling to be getting slimmer? I'm so happy (most of the time). I had my first fill on April 9th, bringing me to a total of 7.5 in a 10ml band, and felt like I still had no restriction. I could eat anything, including steak and bread, and felt like I was controlling my portions with no help from the band. It took me 3 weeks to lose 1 kilo, when up till now I've been losing a kilo per week. Getting frustrated. My next fill is May 5th, and I tried to get an earlier one but I couldn't. However, after the last couple of days I'm glad I didn't get another fill. I got stuck on Wednesday night, wasn't concentrating on chewing a piece of lamb chop. Ouch, now I've experienced sliming and PBing, and I wanted to never go there. Terrible pain for an hour, then still constantly upchucking for 6 hrs. Then I had a few sips of Water, and that wouldn't even go down so another couple of hours of sliming. YUK. Yesterday, all I could tolerate was sips of clear Fluid, and today I can still only have a few sips at a time. It feels like the first few days post-op, so I guess I'm all swollen. I'll just keep on sipping, then go back on mushies when it feels OK. What an awful way to be reminded to chew and chew. Apart from that, it's all good. I'm still shopping in my own wardrobe, and lots of my clothes are too baggy to wear any more.

I'm hungry too, and if I let myself could eat a huge amount. So frustrating. I had 4ml put in during surgery. I wasn't hungry for 3 1/2 wks, had steady weight loss, and then looked forward to my first check-up and fill at 5wks. He put another 3.5ml in, and I feel no different. My next fill is booked for early May, and today I rang to get an earlier appointment, but couldn't. I didn't lose any weight for 2 wks, and since the fill have lost half a kilo. But I feel that is because I am trying so hard, without any help from the band. I want it to be quicker. I know this is a life time solution, but I have an overseas holiday coming up in 9 wks, and want to buy new but smaller clothes for that. Aaaaghh, I'll just keep trying, and forgive myself for the odd slip up, which does happen sometimes when I'm hungry.

I ate normally before my first fill, which was in the morning. My doctor told me to have fluids for lunch, then thicker fluids for dinner, and start normal food the next morning. I guess if he hasn't told you to change your diet beforehand, you don't need to. While there, he'll tell you what to do next. "Cause we've all been told slightly different, I'd just go with what your doctor tells you.

I worded that badly. It is usually healed fully in 6 weeks, but may not look fully healed for 12 months. It can also feel different, because cut nerves can take 12 months to heal. Mine looks quite 'raw' still, but is healed. No, he didn't numb me at all, and I barely felt the needle go in, just a bit of pressure. It was very quick, and no sensation at all after that bit of pressure. I was surprised when he said he'd finished, and the needle was out. My band is officially a 10ml band, but the doctor said it really holds up to 14 mls. Mine now has 7.5 in it, and I don't feel any restriction, but I'm not hungry between meals any more. I haven't lost any weight for 2 weeks though, so maybe I need a bit more. I'll give it another week, then go and see him again. Good luck with everything

Hi I just had my first fill. My port site has healed well, but is still tender and looks pink. It will take up to 12 months for it to look fully healed. No problem or pain with the fill, which was great. Had 4ml put in during the op, and 3.5 more now. Was hungry for a week, now can still eat everything without problems, but not hungry between meals any more. I'm thrilled with the whole process so far. My fill was also my first check-up and my doctor was as excited as me with my progress. Called me skinny. Such a good feeling.

Hi, I had that too, after sudden movements. It lasted for 4 weeks, and really felt like the stitches were ripping out of the muscle. Especially if I coughed or forgot to be careful before I turned over in bed. I'm now 5 weeks post-op and it's so mild now it doesn't bother me. I didn't really find pain killers very helpful, because it comes and goes so quickly. Everything else is good, so a small price to pay for weight loss, normal blood pressure and no reflux since the op. Hope it goes away soon.

I agree we shouldn't criticise anyone for the type of surgery. Different strokes for different folks. Most of us have to trust the surgeons judgement for what will be best, as well as doing our research, and understanding ourselves and how compliant we are able to be with a new lifestyle. Like with the reasons we are overweight - there are many common stories, but also many differences. On this subject, I had an interesting time last week, with 2 of my patients. One came in to get his 2nd band removed, and have bypass surgery. He had his 1st LAP-BAND®® 5 yrs ago, and successfully lost 90kg (198lb) before the band slipped. He got it replaced with another band, and it was never right. He was constantly vomiting, miserable, and ended putting back on about half of the weight. In surgery they found it was twisted and so was his stomach. The other had bypass surgery 10 yrs ago, and has struggled with severe malnutrition for the last 6yrs, to the extent she was an invalid. She came in to have the bypass reversed, and is very anxious about putting the weight back on. She'd lost about 50kg. I feel that I made the right choice for me, and so does my surgeon. But that doesn't make it right for anyone else.

Hey Spartan, You are disgusted that people called her doctor names, then you call them boneheads? Double standard?

Well done Lisa Sounds like a good outcome. I hope you continue with your successful weight loss. Barb

Hi I've had me band for only 3 weeks and I love it now. I hated it on days 3 and 4 because I felt so crappy, mainly nauseated, but also pain. I wasn't game to take pain med's because of the nausea. Now, I am losing weight without any effort. I'm not hungry, and that gives me time to make healthy choices. Like today, leaving work at 6pm, I walked past the chocolate machine, and thought I'll buy something to eat on the way home. Then the new me kicked in and said you don't need that. Previously, I would have been hungry, easily tempted, and ate chocolate. Today I wasn't hungry, so I stood tall, and felt my loose shirt moving as I walked away (instead of clinging to my belly). Much more satisfying than chocolate.

Hi, I've only been doing this for a short time too, but neither my doctor or nutritionist expect me to count calories. They say make healthy choices, and let the band do its job and limit portion sizes. I'm from Australia too, and there isn't such a focus on protein, it's about balance. They do recommend a multivitamin though. It's working so far.

Savanna, I was banded on the same day, March 4th. I've lost about the same amount of weight, and still have 1 week of mushies to go. I feel ready for real food too, but I'm trying to be good. I feel great, back to normal energy. Just have some port pain occasionally, especially if I turn over suddenly in bed or lean up against something. My first doctors visit is still 2 wks away. Don't know if I'll be getting a fill, got 4ml put in during op, and all is working well. Don't feel hungry, except sometimes before meals, and a small amount fills me up. Not sure if I'm eating so little because of the band, or because I'm scared of getting stuck or PB after reading all these posts. Doesn't matter either way, I'm losing weight. Good to hear from the March bandsters.

My husband tries to be supportive, but he doesn't really understand. He does love me no matter what I look like, and after 32 years he has seen me looking good and bad. Plus, he's as overweight as I am, but sees no need to change. He doesn't have the high blood pressure or cholesterol I have, or the family history of cardiac disease and diabetes I wish to avoid. He had no objections, as he always supports what I do. He also doesn't question medical decisions, because I'm a nurse so he thinks I know more about it than he does (right). Before the surgery, I was given a book on lap-band® surgery by my surgeon. I didn't ask him to read it, just left it lying around, and he read all of it and now has more understanding. I do know that he will feel insecure when I get closer to my goal. Just experience. When we had our first baby, he felt insecure because he didn't feel as important. When I got my masters degree he got "funny" for a while, and eventually admitted he was worried I would leave him for someone smarter. When my sister got divorced he worried I'd divorce him too (no reason). Guess it's a fair swap. He tells me how hot I'm looking (even before I started losing weight). I'll in turn reassure him that I still love him and I'm not going anywhere. I too think that relationships should not make you feel bad about yourself. No abuse should be tolerated, physical, emotional or verbal. This is not just for thin people, but for all of us.

I was banded on the Thursday, with a hiatus hernia repair as well, and returned to work 11 days later on the Monday. My surgeon recommends at least a week, but my job is not sedentary. I'm a nurse, supervising students. I don't have to physically care for patients, but I am on my feet for 8hrs, 5 days a week. I coped well, and have had no problems. If I had gone any earlier, I would have struggled. Before that, even half an hour at the shops made me feel woozy, so I made sure I did as little as possible leading up to going back to work. Luckily I have a stay at home husband, who took care of all chores etc., especially after I went back to work. We're all different, and I think taking more time off will always be better than less if you can afford it (I couldn't, had signed a contract).

You are so close now. Good luck with your surgery if you do go through with it - only your choice. I think most people have doubts. Even though I had made an educated decision to have this procedure, the morning of surgery I looked in the mirror, and thought "I look OK, I don't need surgery", cause I could already see the difference my pre-op diet had made. Then I remembered all the diets I have started before, always determined to succeed. And here I am, my heaviest ever. I have averaged an increase of 1kg/year for 32 years. For me - time to stop. If I could do it myself, I wouldn't be wearing tight size 18 pants. Haha. I can lose weight, but I'm even better at putting it back on (and quicker). Now I'm 2 and a half weeks post-op, losing 2lb a week, 2nd week back at work, no pain, eating mushies, not hungry, and wearing clothes that were too tight a few months ago. So happy. Already walking taller and liking the mirror 'cause I feel proud of myself.

I must still be in post-op euphoria too then. I'm 2 and a half weeks post band, and have lost 8kg since I started the pre-op diet (nearly 4 weeks ago). The best part is that I still haven't felt hungry. I eat at meal times because I should, but because I'm not "starving" I don't go to the fridge and grab whatever's quickest. Instead, I plan what I'll eat, something that is healthy and nutritious, and that's all I will have. I still battle a little in the evening, but that's head hunger because I had the bad habit of snacking at night. So now I prepare by having sugar free lollies, and diet desserts if I really need something more (1 or 2 a week). No idea how long this will last, but I'm enjoying it. I haven't felt full yet, but don't want to eat too much and get pain. I did have a 4ml fill put in in OT, so maybe this is working? I don't know. Don't see the doc for another 2 weeks.

Betsy, that was my immediate question to myself. Barb

Firstly, congratulations on your great loss. What I have read so far raises a couple of questions for me. One thing I haven't picked up from this thread is what has this doctor been like at your previous visits? Is he usually supportive, and this day was just one bad day? In that case, I can see why you might want to persevere with him, and try to understand where he was coming from. However, this is YOUR weight loss journey, not his. Did he ask you if you were happy with 50 lb, or if you felt like you needed help to achieve a greater loss? This site keeps reinforcing that the band is a tool we use, but so is our doctor supposed to be in partnership with us. He is not supposed to be the big boss with a stick to punish us if we are "bad", or a bully who tries to make us feel bad about ourselves if we don't reach the goals he set (not our goals). He should be helping us reach our goals, with good advice, and we should be trusting each other. If you feel that this was a lapse from an otherwise good doctor, it's OK to go back and try again. However, remember you are paying him to help you. If you don't get the service you are paying for, for whatever reason, or you no longer feel comfortable with him, find another doctor, and write a letter to let him know why. This is about you. If you need a doctor who is supportive, get one. Maybe he is a great surgeon, but not good on the follow-up side of things. If so, you've had the surgery, you are successfully losing weight at a healthy rate, and might not need him any more. Personally, I expect more than just someone who can competently perform surgery. If he chose to specialise in bariatric patients, he should be prepared to give them the long-term support and follow-up required. Good luck with your decisions and the rest of your weight loss.