BostonPA

I was banded a little over a month ago, and I'm doing great (despite some heartburn issues). I feel like I have good restriction, although weight loss has slowed down. I have obviously not had any fills yet. Is it possible NOT to need one at all?

I actually wish someone had warned me about bras before the surgery. I was very uncomfortable with my regular underwire bras. I'd recommend getting two or three soft, no wore ones for right after. Good luck!

I am one week post-op, and feeling well today. I went out with my Mom, sister, and some friends, and did quite a bit of walking, and even some shopping! Took the train home, and when DH picked me up at the station, I was a bit tired and sore, but really not bad at all. The worst is behind me! Weight-wise, well, I'm copying from a post I just made: Holy canoli, what a difference a week makes! Even though I was only just banded last Tuesday, check this out!!! The first pic is from last Monday (1 day pre-op), the second set are from today. This gives me renewed energy to keep on with the liquid diet!!!

That's hilarious! The mental image of carrying Snookie around cracks me up! Way to go, you look great!!

Um, wow. Sorry if I offended, I was just trying to help. Just like I'd be happy if a board member educated me about, say, my car's engine, I thought that my knowledge of anatomy and physiology might help you. Guess not. Why post if you're going to take offense at replies? And for the record, I do have the letters MD (as well as PA-C) after my name.

Your colon is not a rigid tube that gets backed up closer and closer to the stomach if not emptied. It is a flexible structure, so it gets distended when stool is not evacuated. So, it gets wider and the stool doesn't back up. Except in cases of severe obstruction (which would cause pain, vomiting, and nothing coming out from below, not even gas). So no, I'm pretty sure your bowel movement had nothing to do with getting unstuck.

I'm 4 weeks post-op, and overall, I love my band! I have lost 30 pounds between pre-op diet and life with the band! The only thing is that lately, I wake up every morning with this awful cramping in my stomach. I think there is a large gas bubble there, because once I start burping (I know, gross!) I feel better. Will have to experiment staying off soda, even if it's flat. So far, there are no foods I can't tolerate, as long as I take small bites and chew thoroughly. I have not vomited, slimed, or PB'd once! Hope I don't jinx myself... I'm supposed to get my first fill in 2 weeks. But for now, I feel some restriction, and no discomfort other than the morning gas. Yay!

I made some chicken thighs in the crockpot with apricots and curry. Served over brown rice. Yummy!

I had my first post-op today, 2 weeks post-op, and my staples came out. I'm doing great! And...wait for it...have lost 25 pounds since my first visit!!! Next appointment is in 2 weeks and they'll move me to solids. Then 2 weeks after that, first fill. I'm doing well, feeling well, and have advanced my diet without difficulty. Here's hoping for the goodness to continue!

The breathing tube is plastic, so unlikely. It does have a thin metal rod in it that is removed once the tube is in place, but no sharp edges. But the laryngoscope (the tool used to open the mouth and visualize the vocal chords during intubation) is metal. However, the "blade" curves downwards towards your tongue, so I'm having a hard time picturing it scraping the roof of your mouth. Anything is possible, though. White doesn't necessarily mean infected. Are you sure it's nit canker sores? Either way, I'd call your surgeon. You can try swishing warm Water with baking soda in your mouth and see if it helps.

I advanced my own diet today, and it's going very well! I'm supposed to start mushies on Monday, but being a PA I feel comfortable having started today. I did some chicken, some cheese, and some decried Beans all purred together and warmed up till the cheese melted. Yum! I even added a small teaspoon of fat-free sour cream. It tasted like a burrito! I ate slowly, small bites, and chewed each bite to death. No problem! I had a small amount of it and it kept me full for a long time! We'll see what my surgeon says when I see him Monday.

I was intolerant before the band, but since the band it seems to have gotten worse. Maybe it's because I've been on liquids for 3 weeks and all my protein comes from dairy? I don't know, but I have to take Lactaid pills with any dairy now.

Although overall happy with my decision, I am having a bit of an emotional "funk". Today, I realized that my "funk" is probably because I currently cannot do the 3 things I get the most enjoyment from in life: 1) spend time with my husband (he is also a grad student and super busy), 2) eat (still on liquids), and 3) shop (looking for a job, money is tight). So yes, I'm feeling deprived, and the weather around here doesn't help, either! So, now that I've identified that, I think it will get better.

Hi, everyone! I was banded 10/5, and feeling better every day. I have some soreness and bruising around the largest incisions, and the port site is still tender. Also, if I hiccup, I get some discomfort. And there is still some pain between my shoulderblades. But it is all improving! Day 3 was the absolute worst pain-wise, which I found surprising. Today I was really hungry so I cheated on my liquids and did a couple of mushies. I was so scared, but It went really well. Nothing stuck, no pain, no nausea, and good restriction. Yesterday, my bandages came off in the shower so now I can see my four tiny incisions in all their stapled glory. :smile: First post-op appointment is next Monday the 18th. Nice to see you all on this side!

Holy canoli, what a difference a week makes! Even though I was only just banded last Tuesday, check this out!!! The first pic is from last Monday (1 day pre-op), the second set are from today. This gives me renewed energy to keep on with the liquid diet!!!

My liquids include yogurt, ricotta, and cottage cheese. Today, my family ordered Chinese and I ate the filling of two crab rangoons, which I rationalized because it's the same texture as ricotta. :smile: I also had hot and sour soup, but only the broth, so that's not cheating!

Thanks so much, everyone! As far as "secrets", well, the only secret was my liquid diet. It kinda sucks, but not as much as it did pre-op! I'm on liquids until next Monday, when I start mushies. I expect things to change once I start eating, and until I get to the proper fill. But in the meantime, this is really fun! Day 3 post-op was the worst in terms of pain and swelling, after that the recovery seemed to pick right up. Good luck to all of you who are about to be banded, and congrats to all of you who already have. Thanks again for your kind words!!

Wow, you look great! Keep up the good work!!

With a knee injury, you should still be able to use a recumbent stationary bike, using your "good" leg. You can also do upper body and core weight training, as muscle burns a lot more calories at rest than fat. Can you see a personal trainer at a gym, at least once? They should be able to guide you on how to work out without further injuring your knee.

Btrieger, we'll have to agree to disagree. That's the beauty of these boards! Stateofzen, I think that's a very good theory!

Hi all! I'm 1 week post-op and feeling very well today!! And I look so different already! In fact, I posted some photos on the Post-Op board because I am just so thrilled, I wanted to share! Good luck to all on the upcoming surgeries, and speedy recoveries to the new bandsters!

Well, the thing is, REAL struggles aren't always worded in a positive or optimistic way because that's just not how you feel when you struggle. I stand by my position, which is that I am infinitely wiser and endlessly grateful for those who chose to share each and every struggle and bare each and every feeling. Sanitizing things just does not work for me. Besides, I find it pretty controlling when someone "approves" or "disapproves" of the way a post on a public message board is worded. Have you thought that maybe it helped the person posting "negativity" to share it or get it off their chest? If you don't like it, guess what? Don't read it!

Yay!!! I'm on the same boat. Surgery 10/5 and today I went out with friends and walked and shopped (new Victoria's Secret undies, woo hoo!) and although I got a bit tired, pain and gas were very manageable. Here's to us for being on the mend!!

Well, I was banded October 5th, and have been slowly recuperating. Today, I was quite hungry but sick and tired of liquids, so I tried to advance my diet on my own and had some mashed potatoes. Boy, was that a mistake! I had about 4 bites, then it hit me. Like a horse kick to the base of my sternum. The pain was excruciating, lasting for about 20 minutes. Fortunately, I didn't get nauseous or vomit. Is this what getting stuck feels like? Did I do any damage to my precious new pouch? I feel so dumb!!!

Thanks, everyone! I definitely learned my lesson!!