MadysMom

Hello! My name is Megan and I have had my lapband since March 2010. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I was strict about everything from my portions to my food choices. The weight just fell off. I rarely exercised, which is something I really regret. In July 2011 I got pregnant with my son. My doc's protocol was to completely unfill my band. I experienced terrible all day sickness that only seemed better when I kept food in my tummy all day. I quickly gained as I had no restriction. I ate things I never ate with my band and had no control. By the time I had my son and went in for my first fill I had gained 60 pounds. I had my first fill and things were terrible. I had forgotten how to eat with the band. 4 cc's felt like 10 cc's and I started developing terrible acid reflux and sticking issues. Everything I had been "programed" to know with the band was gone. I had completely forgotten how to listen to my body and stop when I was full. I am now struggling to get back into things. I would like another fill, but my band just doesn't seem happy where I am at now and I worry that a fill will only upset things. I know when I had my surgery things had "slimmed down" in there to prepare for surgery and I know that needs to happen. I am pleding with those of you who have been where I am at now. How do I get back to where I started from?

Thank you all for the support! Mis73, yes, I do believe I am a tad too tight. Going in for un-fill today. Thank you so much for those articles. Completely changed my entire outlook on the band. I wish I would have been trained to think that way, it would have made this easier. I need to start relying on myself to make good choices rather than relying on my band to keep me so tight. I feel much more confident and I'm hoping that things are up from here! Maybe next time I will make better choices and won't keep making my band angry. I know that is why I am uncomfortable now. I eat past my full point and just make everything unhappy. Thank you so much for your feedback!!

I'm in need of some help. Last Wednesday, I had my 3rd fill. It brought me to 6.75cc in my 10cc band. I've noticed a HUGE difference in the way my food feels when it goes down. I made 2 scrambled eggs this morning and could not get more that a few spoonfuls down without feeling tight. Is that normal? If it is, should I just drink a protein shake for breakfast? I hate those powdery things!! Yesterday afternoon I was only able to eat about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of my lunch and then dinner was about the same. Lunch and dinner both went down okay. I have had no trouble with vomiting, so that makes me wonder if this is what "restriction" is suppose to feel like. I just don't feel like I ever get full, I just feel a pressure that tells me I'll be sorry if I eat another bite!

Well, I was feeling like I was getting close the last fill I had. Sometimes it's just hard for me to eat. I guess that goes with the program. Morning and afternoon are the hardest for me, once the evening hits it gets better.

Disappointed?? You look GREAT!!! I can tell so much in your face and arms and tummy. If you can't see that you have lost weight- you're crazy!! Good Job!:thumbup:

Well, today was my first fill apt. I think it went very well. Although I was a little nervous about the huge needle, it only stung for a second. Then I could feel a weird movement around my port. Then it was done! Simple! I thought my band was empty at the time of sx, but I actually had 4cc already. So, he put the 4 back in plus another 1.5cc. SO, I have 5.5cc total. I can feel the tightness tonight. I couldn't drink all my protein shake, but got most of it down. Well, I need to get my little girl ready for bed.

Yeah, I don't think I would even need a local. I only felt a little prick. I'm glad it went well. Liquids seem to be going down good. Just getting full and can't finish a protein shake.

Okay, I'm sure that some of you are probably wondering why I never thought to ask my doctor this before, but I really didn't think about this until now. After you get a few fills under your belt and actually begin to feel restriction, how do you manage to eat a healthy amount of calories. I know my doctor told me to try and finish my meal within 20 minutes. So, how do you finish your meal in that amount of time while taking only tiny bites and chewing everything over and over? I just don't see how it will ever be possible to eat a cup of food within 20 minutes without eating too fast and getting sick. So, is this just my thinking or is this really possible?

Thank you for all the comments about my post. According to what you guys are saying, the diet principles that my doctor gave me seem a little off. This is a rough draft of what they say: Drink 64 oz of H2O a day Eat 70 grams of Protein Take Multi-Vitamin Everything in moderation Chew foods to the consistency of applesauce Eat Slow A meal should take at least 20 minutes, no more that 30 min I see my doctor on the 25th and I'm going to ask him about my question. I do not want to get sick, so I am eating slow and chewing very well. I just feel like I'm not getting in all the veggies and fruit that I probably need to. Manda87: I will order that book. Maybe that is just the kind of help I need. I think it will help me if it has helped you!

Okay, I know this is a personal post to throw out, but I need some advise. Before my band (I was banded 3/25/10), I went about 1-2 times a day. Now, I haven't gone since 3/30/10. I do not have any pain or cramping. Nor do I feel bloated. But, can this be healthy for me? Can having a band placed really change it that much!!?? I understand I'm eating way less than before, but still. I thought I would have only gone a few days and then went, but it's been over a week! Anyone have advice or suggestions?

Oh, I hate to do a laxative. But, I know I don't want to be miserable either. I have some in the medicine cabinet. I'll take some before I go to bed. If I don't get relief by tomorrow, I may call my doctor and get his advice. Thanks guys!

My name is Megan and I'm new on here. I just found out today that I'M APPROVED!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited as this was my second time submitting. Oh, but it was sooooo worth the wait!!! I just feel like I'm going to explode with happiness!! I don't think I've been this happy since my daughter was born 2 years ago. Our local support group is tonight at 5:30. I can't wait to go and tell the group that I'll soon be banded like them!!!:smile2::w00t:

I was banded on the 25th as well. Generally, I feel okay today. Port site is sore, as expected. The rest of my insicions do not hurt. As far as eating/drinking, I'm not doing so good. I'm having a hard time with knowing what I am suppose to feel. At times I am hungry and usually drink a protein shake or blended soup. But my main complaint is how nauseated I still am. It hits me in the afternoon and evening. So, with that and some discomfort, it's really been hard reading my stomach. I wish I had someone living with me that could tell me how things are supposed to be going day by day. I feel a little in the dark at this point. I'm just hoping that as the days go by things get easier.

I had my Lap-Band sx yesterday morning. I got discharged from the hospital this afternoon. I am so very nauseated. Is that a normal thing? Of course I am sore, figured that was normal. But, I can't seem to lick the sick feeling. I had pureed foods this morning for breakfast and lunch. I attempted to make the same for dinner, but it was so hard. I feel sick to my stomach and really feel like eating nothing. I just don't understand how I am expected to eat/drink all of my protein. I know my daily for my 2 week pre-op was 70 grams of protein. I need some help, guys. This is starting out rougher than I expected.

Thank you for all of those encouraging words of wisdom. Yes, I did think yesterday..."Why oh why did I do this". But, deep down inside, I know exactly why I did this. I know it will take time to heal and feel better. I was actually hungry today for the first time. I drank some blended lf cream soup and now feel so-so. I think my poor belly needs protein for a bit. Have any of you blended peanut butter into your protein shakes? Is that allowed? How much? I was just thinking that it is a protein source and mixed with the shakes, it would give an extra boost.

Yes, he did go over my diet. He ordered pureed foods for my breakfast and lunch. I think I'm going back to liquids. I don't think my stomach was ready.

And I am soooo ready!! This is the first sx that I am excited to be having! I'm floating on cloud 9 today. Plus, we get to go pick up our new van we bought today after work. SO, I'll be all set for a new me! Then I'll go home and pack my overnight bag and I'll be all set for tomorrow. They told me to be there at 7:30, but I'm sure I'll have to wait a bit for my sx time. YEAHH!!!

This is day 8 of my 10 day protein liquid diet. Sx is Thursday. Pre-op call is tomorrow and pre-op dr visit. I'm getting anxiously excited!! Diet has been tough, but doing okay.

I started my pre-op diet on Monday, the 15th. Today is day 3 and still doing okay. I have had the headaches, but have just taken tylenol or advil. They begin to ease up about 30 minutes later. I do have energy still, but I think my multi-Vitamin helps me alot. My 2 week diet is this: 3-5 Protein shakes (need 70 grams of protein in a day) sugar free Jello Sugar free popsicles Crystal light or Water chicken broth Lettuce Spray dressing I am so thankful for the lettuce, dressing, and chicken broth. Those three have really helped me keep it together. food smells are the worst for me. When all the girls I work with warm their lunch it is hard to just keep eating my lettuce. But, only a week shy and then it will be a thing of the past. Today, my appetite has been pretty dull. I'm not really that hungry for my shakes, but force them down anyway. My daughters 2nd birthday is this Saturday, which I am sure will bring some unexpected challenges. As for the ride home tonight, I'll be eating my lettuce and spray dressing for dinner!!:cursing: