GreenBean2012

It's great to finally have a home for the July bandsters. I suppose we need a name - I'll leave that to the creative folk in the group! It's great too to find out that others are struggling with some of the things that I am (not that I wish it on you but nice not to feel crazy). I find it hard to believe that after spending all this money and going through the recovery from surgery that I still have the urge to overeat / binge. This was depressing from a physical standpoint (why wasn't the band stopping me?) but also from an emotional / mental standpoint (what is it going to take to get me to change my brain and make me not so dependent upon food?) But now to the reason for my post... Ouch! I had had some port pain (when lying on my side, rolling over, twisting) at 8 weeks post-op. The doctor seemed to dismiss it as normal although thought it was odd that it seemed to increase with eating. I had my first fill 10 days ago (1.5 cc) and now I have a big bruise and a more intense pain at the port site that is more constant in nature. I'm a bit of a hypocondriac and so am certain that something is terribly wrong..... any thoughts?

Hi Pollywogg - this is what I read about hair loss / Protein. I'm not putting you in any of the judgemental categories they identify ... but given that it's harder to eat Proteins now ... maybe the cause? ++++++++++++++++++++ Inadequate protein in diet. Some vegetarians, people who go on diets that exclude protein, and those with severely abnormal eating habits, may develop protein malnutrition. When this happens, a person's body will help to save protein by shifting growing hairs into the resting phase. Massive hair shedding can occur two to three months later. Hair can then be pulled out by the roots. This condition can be reversed by eating the proper amount of protein

I do tend to bruise quite easily (and had terrible bruising after surgery). Heat sounds wonderfully healing. I'll try that. Thanks pollywogg.

Thanks Leah - you too! Things are improving on the eating front. However, I think I still have lots to learn about size of bites and speed of eating. My band hurts so I think I'm eating too much too fast. Am terrified that I'm going to "break it"!

12 days out now. PAIN: I'm almost completely pain free now. The one point of pain I have now is (I think) where my port is. It's a sharp burning pain (hot fire poker or knife!) :scared2:that happens mainly when I get out of bed or roll over. Sitting down too long also makes the whole area feel tight and sore - so I try and make sure that I don't sit too long. EATING: I probably started eating full liquids too early as I should have stuck with clear liquids until day 8 or 9. I was trying to eat pudding, yogurt, protein shakes from day two and 1/2 cup of yogourt (eaten over 4 hours) would make my stomach hurt so much that I wouldn't eat or drink anything else for hours.:scared2: After talking to the dietician, I decided about day 8 to refocus on clearer liquids (juice, chicken broth, beef consomme, jell-O) and have found that this really helped. She said that some people's swelling goes down right away whereas my stomach was perhaps still swollen and making it difficult for me to pass the food / liquid through. I think the swelling is gone now because I'm starving all the time now and now able to eat the pudding without feeling like my stomach is going to explode. Yippee! :smile: I go to have my sutures removed on Tuesday. I'm hoping to start on mushies that day too.... what I would do for some chicken right now.... Congrats to all us newbies! By the way - how do we get ourselves a place under the Monthly Lap-band support groups?

I honestly don't think it can be done. I'm one week out and am just now trying to focus on healing my stomach... it hurts and is swollen so hopefully I'm doing the right thing. I find everything so filling (even liquids). Let me know how it's working out for you now.

I hope all goes well for you today! My surgery is at 2 this afternoon... I'm freaking out!

Absolutely KS_sxychoc! Keep me posted on your progress. I'm starting day 4 of pre-op and finally told my family this week.... thankfully that all went well and they are super supportive. Who knew?! In response to Pollywogg --- is there anyone who ISN'T feeling crappy on the pre-op?! I can't stop peeing!

Hey Anjamarty - thanks for the well wishes. Pollywogg - nope I'm in Wpg. Met with the dietician today. I'm kinda' freaking out now... She talked a lot about vomit - don't think she was head cheerleader in school... because she certainly wasn't very encouraging or inspiring! Good luck everyone!

In response to Hal's comment about keeping things secret.... This is one of my biggest fears right now - who will I tell? how will they respond? what if they criticize my choices? what will I say then? My co-workers are all tiny little people who talk non-stop about fat grams and "being bad" when they eat .... so I don't feel safe talking to them about any of this. Any ideas? I'm being banded July 6th. Starting on Meditrim on June 22nd.

May 16: Going to see my GP on Tuesday to get clearance to have the surgery. Do I really want this surgery? Yes. Do I? NO! Yes. I am so tired of gaining weight. Tired of feeling like the fat girl. Tired of being ashamed about the way I look, the food I eat. Tired. I don't think there is any other way out for me....:smile:

May 7th, 2010: 11 days until I meet with Carol to get my paperwork completed and start the approval process. Scared and excited. Scared that I'll fail. Scared that I'll not be able to eat. Scared that I will. :cursing: Excited that perhaps this will help me pay attention and be mindful of what I'm eating. Excited that I'll be able to feel better about how I look. Excited that I'll be able to buy pretty clothes.:cursing:

May 7th, 2010: 11 days until I meet with Carol to get my paperwork completed and start the approval process. Scared and excited. Scared that I'll fail. Scared that I'll not be able to eat. Scared that I will. :cursing: Excited that perhaps this will help me pay attention and be mindful of what I'm eating. Excited that I'll be able to feel better about how I look. Excited that I'll be able to buy pretty clothes.:smile: