Nicole74

Man, I loved your post and pics...I so needed that right now. Im in my 3rd week since surgery and think of the long process I have ahead of myself and sometimes it gets overwelming. Im struggling a little right now because Im in between the feeling healed and 1st fill stage. My fill is scheduled for Sept. 7th. You look awesome and are just beautiful! Congrats on your weight goal. Id like to know how you did it and your struggles...especially the first few months, if you could share. dont know if your on FB but I am under nicole wagner colbert. Thanks again for posting!!!

I am self pay but didn't have a hernia repaired however I do plan on submitting all of my billings to the insurance company anyway...at least I hope that i am able. I just had surgery 2 weeks ago and waiting for the final billing breakdown. I figure its worth a shot just in case they will cover any part of the bill, not getting my hopes up though. I paid $15grand and I do plan to claim what I can on my taxes and at least recoup a little back:)

It will be worth it...be very happy your parents are helping you..I borrowed from my 401k and pay it bi weekly for the next 5 years. My total was 15grand and I did stay overnight and glad I did..had no complications but I felt like I needed to stay there I was ready to go though by the next morning! my doctor makes his patience stay overnight but I got released by 10am the next morning. its hard because you think of all you can do with that money but I wouldnt change a thing. Im only 3 weeks out and had a rough first week but never regretted it!

Thats exactly how I was...was banded on JUly 30th and I lost 16lbs in the first week than dead stop for a week than a pound here or there this past week once I started pushing exercise and water...its hard while on soft foods, im in bandster hell and everyone on here says it happens and you will start losing again and I trust in what they say...I know exactly how you feel and Im there too...hang in there!! as fast as the past week was for you will be how fast the next week and the next week goes and you will start losing again.

Right there with you too! I just started week 3 and on soft foods. I lost 18lbs within the 1st week and half but the scale hasnt moved in a week every since mushies started! Im trying really hard to follow the doctors orders as far as 1/2 cup of soft foods, drinking my water and walking but Im still very hungry and like you guys feel like I went through all this, paid 15grand and after a week Im simply hardcore dieting:( I get my 1st fill Sept 7th so I have about 3 more weeks to go I am just trying to follow the plan, everyone on here says it gets better and its normal and they have been right about everything else that I asked about so Im trusting they will be about bandster hell too:) HANG IN THERE!

I had my first child at 32 and I am 35 now. I had the easiest and no issue pregnancy and birth and I just got banded 2 weeks ago and plan to have another child in 2 years. so I will be 37. I am a little concerned but figured I will be much healthier now than I was when I had my first. My doctor told me I should wait about a year after surgery to get pregnant so Im giving it a full year than I will start trying! 30 is sooooo not too old Its really the norm now! good luck to you!!

My stomach was growling a few days after surgery but I really started getting hungry about 9-10 days out...but I really only had about 4-5 days of fighting hunger than I could start mushies and that helps alot..not near as hungry now that I can eat some stuff...but now Im hungry all the time and feel like I can eat anything..and it sucks!

Right there with you all!! I am 2 weeks out and the past week been hungry all the time..I finally got to start mushies this past Friday. I havnt been pureing everything but just chewing really well..made some soup, made som potroast today and just eating very little bites and chewing until its all mushed up. I find that after I eat about a full cup or a little more Im full...Iv been tempted to "test" the band because I really feel like I could eat anything or as much right now with some things..I spent $ 300 on food this weekend buying all kinds of healthy stuff that I can "mush" I thought getting this band would save me $. even though I feel like I could eat whatever im just treating like a diet...I dont have a fill until Sept 7th and I dont want to gain back the 17lbs I lost the first 2 weeks. I read that bandster hell could happen but I was hoping it wouldnt happen to me. I am just going to try to eat as healthy as I can, try to stick to the 3 meals a day with a half to a full cup of food and a protein shake, chew well and eat slow.I guess I still just done trust myself with food!! I am wondering how everything else got through this!!

I am starting mushie stage tomorrow and my first fill is Sept 7th too!

So excited to start "mushies" in 2 days!! Iv done really well on the full liquids but started a couple days ago with some runny mashed potatoes and yesterday had so me refried beans..both went down fine with no issues. The beans fill me up though quick. I found though since Sunday I have not lost any weight...I last 16lbs in the 1st week so I should of known it wasnt going to last!! I am scared that once I start eating more im going to gain. i did start walking tonight and need to keep that up to help me! my first fill is sept. 7th

Gas-x, walk, take time for you dont rush it and if you have to stay overnight in the hospital have someone stay with you...oh yea lots of pillows both in the hospital & at home AND finally stay on this website!!! It was my survival guide the first week.

I am in week 2 post op and I started blending everything until it was all soupy. Iv blended potato soup and chili as well. I bought a $200 emulsifier but took it back and got the $50 magic bullet and I use it all the time for shakes and my soups. I think its the easiest and quickest thing and the best, at least for full liquid and mushy stage.

Ok, so I had surgery on jUly 30th had a rough first week and had a hard time even getting water down but went to the dr. and found out they accidentley left 2cc's in the band and with that and on top of being very swollen made me miserable. after getting it removed I felt much better and now am freakin starving. I am on full liquids for another full week (till saturday) and I just have a few questions; Even though I feel like I could eat more and feel "normal" in my stomach do I still just eat the full liquids a half cup at a time and shouldnt have anymore? Can I eat more as long as its what is on my approved list? what about water after eating some broth or cream soup? does the no drinking for 30 minutes after rule apply in this stage? My first fill is scheduled on Sept. 7th and even though I can have mushies in a week I am not sure how I am really suppose to do this for a month with no real food...how did you all handle it and what did you do that helped you get through it?

Yes! Dallas and Cinc, right? my husband is a huge Dallas fan! we will be watching. things will get better just got to get us through the next couple weeks or so.

Hey Amber. Yes, Iv been going through this too. I had my surgery a week ago and after a really tough 1st 5 days of pain and discomfort I found out I had 2ccs's in my band that they left in there by "accident' while testing it. So once I got that drained last thursday within a day I felt like I barly had a band...I felt better pain and discomfort wise but starting getting hungry and Now im starving. I had a small breakdown yesterday while watching my husband and son chow down on wendy's chicken sandwiches and fries!! the funny thing is my husband hardly ever eats fast food so I was like WTF? I was so friggin hungry and I have been having a pity party too and crying a little. I just want to eat something really good and eat till Im full. Im tired of liquids and I still have a week to go until I can eat soft foods like mashed potatoes. I am really tempted though to start a little earlier. I start back to work tomorrow too so I am hoping that helps and keeps me busy and my mind off my sad no food story. I love food and miss it it actually scares me that I may not be able to eat what I want again and as much but I guess its a good thing:) hang in there!! you are so not alone....

Hi Christie!! Welcome!We were banded the same day! your so lucky to have all that time off...I took a week of vacation and go back monday and even though I am physically ready I dont want to go back. I agree with you we bust our butts at work and if you can take it definitly do!! I had to take vacation because if I did disability they make me take all my time before the benefits kick in and I didnt want to lose all my time yet.

Iv been lucky to have no port pain at all at least yet...I am just happy I feel like me again finally!! but man I am starving today..first day of truly feeling hungry!! I am thinking how I am going to live with this hunger for another week on liquids!!!

Ok, so Im scheduled for surgery next Friday the 30th and a know a couple people who have had the surgery and they have had a good experience with surgery and Iv been trying to stay positive but today I spoke to an aquaintance who had the surgery 2 weeks ago and she had a horrible experience with ALOT of pain...she said that she woke up out of anthestia and could barly breath and she was in recovery for 6 hours being put on pain meds every 30 minutes..and she had EXTREME pain and ended up off work for 2 weeks (i am only off for 5 days). She said she had so much gas pain that it even hurt to walk..she had blood coming from her incisions and that she was even vomiting from the pain...she had to go back to the hospital because of the pain and bleeding. So this of course freaked me out and Im so scared Im going to have a bad experience like this..I know there will be pain but is this rare occurance?? and are a majority not this way?? Please help calm me down!!!

Your doing the best thing, walking and gas x..but heating pad helps too...

I had surgery on Friday July 30th and took the whole following week off. I got back to work Monday. I am pretty much ready to go back but a little weak and tired. I had a coworker who had it done and came back in 3 days so it depends on how you do too. I would plan for at least a week and play it by ear.

Hey sprinkles...I had the same thing happen to me..was banded on July 30th and felt so bad and in so much discomfort and pain for days than finally on day 5 after not being able to take a few sips of water without cramps I went to the doctor who withdrew 2cc's of fluid that I should of never had in there..told me it was left in there while they tested it for leaks!! once he took it out I felt better the next day and today feeling very hungry....:redface: but oh well better than being in such pain!! Good luck to you!!

Hey, I was exactly where you were a few days ago. Im one week post op now and feeling better...hungry but better...I would reccomend staying with your mom at least for a couple more days. If you are in a good bit of pain still you really need all the help you can get. in a few more days you will start feeling better and your emotions may still be crazy but you probably can tolerate your mom better. I was alone most of the day until my husband got home from work and I didnt like being alone everyday all day feeling like crap and than thinking about food. Like everyone said it does get better sometimes it takes a few more days than expected!! It can be tough but we have all been through it too!

yes thats normal, I had surgery last friday the 30th and Im selfpay as well (which killed me write those checks) and I did the same thing. I actually wrote in my blog about being scared about dieing but all went well. I think a few days before I just go the point because I was freakin out that I just accepted that Im doing this and there was no turning back and I will deal with whatever comes from this...and I am..one day at a time....I remember during the who prep before surgery fighting back tears and thinking OMG its really here Im about to have this foreign thing in my body for the rest of my life and thinking maybe I should bolt out the door in my hospital gown..but I just kept my mind off of it as best as i could....I had a really rough week after surgery with pain and discomfort but never once did I say I wish I wouldnt of done it..and finally today I feel better ....good luck girl!!!

lol...glad you are feeling better today. I had another rough night last night after drinking friggin water so I went to the dr. this morning and found out I had 2cc's in my band that was not suppose to be there. it was left in after they tested it for leaks before putting it in me. so he withdrew that and now Im finally feeling better but I di notice im already more hungry than Iv been. its like i had my first fill already but now its gone..i am sure I will regret in a couple days but at least for now Im feeling better. I havnt ate or drank much today so hopefully Im not getting ahead of myself. glad you feel better though!!