sloanjd

I live at sea level and am currently on vacation at over 7000 feet in the mountains and my band is DEFINITELY tighter. Altitude obviously tightens the band for some reason but I don't know the science behind it.

Thanks Brad, it feels good to be back in the gym! Everyone was right, my port site soreness subsided by the next day (I was in the gym pool doing laps by night- felt good!!) My weight loss had come to an absolute stand-still so I figured I better start hitting the gym- have to fit into a size 14 bridesmaid dress in 2 weeks (I can zip it up now but I'm afraid the zipper my completely BUST! 10 more pounds it will fit like a glove)!! Goals are good! :cool:

OT- I just really, truly worked out (hardcore on the Elliptical machine) at my gym for the first time tonight since the sugery- I'm about 5 1/2 weeks post-op. My port site is now fairly sore (I'm about 40 minutes post workout). Is that normal because I just moved my muscle where it is attached quite a bit for the first time and so it is just letting me know to take it a little easier, or did I possibly tear or flip the port? Thoughts appreciated... Thanks!

Thanks for all the feedback regarding morning tightness of the band. FYI- I've made it a point not to skip meals (thanks to advice I previously read on here) and have lost more weight even though my calorie intake probably increased somewhat (guess my body wasn't responding well to starvation mode). I can't update my ticker.... suggestions appreciated.

Okay, this is really good to know!! I don't know where I got this 'four bite' thing, but I'm glad to know that is not typical b/c I can eat significantly more than that. I was under the impression that, once banded, we could or should only be able to eat a few bites of food at any one sitting. My education classes kept stressing that our new stomach is the size of our thumb and should only get as large as an egg and we shouldn't eat more than a 1/2 cup to a cup of food- that's not much food! I was worried I might stretch my new stomach. Glad to know that it seems I'm not eating too much! Does anyone's band seem tighter in the morning? My first couple bites of breakfast have been causing me to 'slime', get that knot in my throat, and feel like I might vomit (but i haven't pb'ed). After that, I can finish my breakfast and I'm fine the rest of the day. Anyone know why this would happen?

Beedo- you're so right! I had my first fill on Friday and am disappointed regarding how much I can still comfortably eat. Is this normal this soon after a fill? I want to be full after maybe four bites of food but can easily eat at least ten bites... I'm starting to realize even the band isn't a magic fix, it's still going to take a lot of hard work... Missy MS- you were right- I cut my salt and drank more water and those four pounds I gained just slipped back off- thanks.

I loathe journaling (once you get a fill, do you really need to journal b/c you can't eat much, right?). Trieger, you're right, complete restaurant avoidance is unrealistic- I like your guidelines- going to impliment them if I do eat out.

Thanks Leila- I am not journaling. Restruants are killers- even if I plan to be good, I'm usually not- I think avoidance for now is a wise recommendation. If it's not accesible, I can't eat it!! Any suggestions to get rid of water retention?

I usually like a good drama but even I'm getting sick of this topic now (however, I like all the players on both sides of the debate so I don't want the thread to go away- we're like our own little dysfunctional family due to this thread!) OT (off topic (for Savvy Cat)) - I've entered bandster hell.... In the last two days, I've gained 4 pounds... I'm sickened by this. Starting Monday, I went to Tai food and ate too much- Think I got something stuck b/c I felt sick for the next 12 hours (but no vomitting). Tuesday morning, put meat tenderizer in water and the problem resolved. Then ate the rest of my Tai leftovers . Amazingly and luckily it went down this time w/o a problem. It's now Wed. I weighed myself today and am up four pounds since Sunday. As if this weren't bad enough, slipping into my all or nothing past bad habits, I ate a good helping of tator tots this morning. I'm getting my first fill on Friday- I unjustifiably justified my behavior by telling myself this was my last chance before my fill- even know I know this is the kind of bull____ thinking that helped me pack on the weight. I'm really concerned b/c at my two week post-op appt. I had only lost 8 pounds. By Friday, two weeks later, I may be down only another three pounds or so instead of the 8 pounds down I was aiming for. I wanted to be 220 by Friday and am 225 today. I was so close Sunday- 221. I'm thinking about doing all liquids until Friday. I feel like my Dr. will be disappointed, and although I know this is my journey, the thought of him being disappointed in my progress still bothers me. This sounds like a lot of pathetic venting and feeling sorry for myself but I have to get it out so I don't self sabatoge any more. Does anyone have any suggestions or stories about dealing with or beating banderster hell?

Yes, my Dr. showed me how to feel the port (do a half sit-up and press down on the left side about 2 inches to the side of belly button). I can feel it there when I do this. My port incision site is about 2 1/2 or 3 inches above the actual port location.

Thank you Btrieger! The link to the ticker tutorial is awesome! I had missed a step.

Since this thread has the lapbandtalk world's attention, I have two questions: 1. I added my weight tracker ticker under my signature but it is not appearing when I post, anyone know why? 2. I was banded 6/2/10 and under my port incision site is a firm lump about the size of a golf ball (or a little smaller). It is not the actual port (which is placed lower than the incision). It isn't visible to the naked eye but can easily be felt by touch. Does anyone know what this is? Did anyone have this and did it resolve? My doctor said it was probably scar tissue but I think it is more likely a seroma or hematoma. Any thoughts?

I agree, this site has provided me with a wealth of information. While, I don't agree with all the postings on this particular thread, the passions involved are a reminder of what a life-changing and important journey we have all embarked upon. I'm very thankful I found this site.

So glad to hear the stretch helped you Mary! Good news, I'm at week 3 post-op, and my left shoulder pain is completely gone!! There is light at the end of the tunnel!! I've also lost 14 pounds since surgery (and eleven pounds 2 weeks pre-op for a total of 25 pounds!) So, look forward to better days!! Hang in there... :bored:

I disagree that Savvy Cat is 'trolling' or posting under different names. I think her explanation that her husband used her screen name to write that comment/post was a reasonable explanation. If you look at her 'husband's' post, (writing, spelling, language, 'tone') I do not believe it matches any previous postings on this thread under a 'different screen name'. I unfortunately see a lot of deception in my line of work, and Savvy Cat's posts DO NOT strike me as being such. I believe her explanation that her husband wrote that post (which she then probably tried to delete when she realized he did so).

Wow everyone... 1. This post/thread should NOT be deleted. 2. I find Savvy Cat to be interesting, brave, and HONEST. She should not change her screen name and start again- Savvy Cat, you have a lot of supporters on here, and I hope you stay on the site (with your name and continue to post on this and other threads). 3. This thread has demonstrated an unproductive mob mentality from some. By profession, I'm a trial attorney and would think twice about posting questions for fear of being attacked! And I'm not scared easily!! This site is designed to be supportive. Many comments could have simply been said without the judgements included. Some things shouldn't have been said at all. Other posts were helpful and insightful (especially posts by Jachut which I always enjoy reading). 4. Constructive disagreement and respectful debate are good. Personal attacks and accusations are not. 5. I honestly feel that, being new to all this, I could have easily asked a similiar question, and I would have been HORRIFIED if I received some of the responses which have been posted here. How did this get so ugly? Why?

STRETCH TO HELP LEFT SHOULDER PAIN I was banded 6/2/10 and have had left shoulder pain everyday. Drinking water too quickly and eating too much initiate almost immediate pain. The more of each, the more intense the pain. Sometimes I have the shoulder pain for no identifiable reason (but it is usually not severe when it's for an unidentifiable reason). My doctor said it is gas that affects the nerves in the diaphram which share nerves with the left shoulder (it's reflective pain). When you have laproscoptic surgery, your stomach is inflated with CO2 so that the abdomen is expanded so that the cameras can get a clear veiw of your insides as your Dr. performs surgery. It takes a few weeks to get all of the gas out. If it persists for longer, what or how you are eating could be causing additional gas (too much, to fast, or foods our new stomach cannot tolerate well). I think chewable gas-x helps. My brother in law is a physical therapist and showed me a stretch that immediately relieves the pain everytime- this saved me from misery: SHOULDER STRETCH 1. Take your left hand and put it straight up in the air like you are raising your hand 2. Twist your left hand so your palm is facing you (arm still straight up in the air) 3. Bend your left arm at the elbow and run your left hand down the left side of your back (run the hand downward on your back from shoulder towards mid back (on left side) 4. By now, your left hand is running down the left side of your back AND YOUR LEFT ELBOW IS POINTING STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR 5. Now take your RIGHT hand, place it over your head, grabbing your left elbow and with your right hand pull the left elbow BACK as far and hard as you can. It is actually a common stretch, and works out my pain. It stretches and moves the shoulder muscles and thus helps alleviate the nerve pain. THIS DOES WORK EVERYTIME TO RELEIVE MY LEFT SHOULDER PAIN. Hope this helps others!

I'm not offended in the least. The 'sheep' comment was after, what I felt were, some extremely judgmental comments by other users. This should be a forum where we can ask honest questions and get non-judgmental responses. You know the old adage- those who throw stones shouldn't live in glass houses (be it this issue, or any other issue in your life)

Can't argue with you BamBam- the proof is in the pudding (no pun intended), you look awesome! Everything you said is also accurate about building muscle mass to burn fat vs. burning off Water and muscle when you don't eat right or excercise. :eek:

Oh my gosh... Well I'm not perfect, and Doctor's aren't Gods- so I try to listen to my body! I switched to mushies without my Dr's approval b/c I knew it was the right thing to do for MY body- I continue to lose weight successfully! This is YOUR tool to use with YOUR body- everyone is different! That being said, medically, soda is not recommended b/c of the carbination which can expand the pouch AND because it is very acidic and your risks of developing ulcers after banding is increased b/c acidic foods (which can cause ulcers) have a smaller pouch area to penetrate and concentrate in (same with coffee and alcohol). Further, the number 1 cause of band slippage is vomitting. Thus, if you are tolerating the foods you are eating, you should be fine- regardless of the seemingly baseless comment made by another user. You asked for facts, so, I hope this was CONSTRUCTIVE feedback.... p.s. I'm not a baaaaaaa either!

I woke up after surgery starving as well, and still really hungry the next day. For some reason the hunger subsided for several days but is starting to come back now. It seems so long to the first fill!! Does anyone have a golf ball sized hard knot under their port incision site (I'm 8 days post-op) which is not visible to the eye but can be felt by the hand?

that seems really extreme. I was getting shaky, and dizzy about 6 days after my surgery and made the executive decision to switch myself to mushies- slowly and carefully and it solved the problem. I would talk to your Doc though.

Hi Kimba, thanks for sharing that your port site is sore as well. Hopefully that means it is normal. Can you feel your port site under your skin when you touch the area with your hand? I can easily feel mine, it is very close to the surface of my skin (I currently weigh 228 pounds). I'm afraid that when all the swelling goes down, the port will be visible. My port site is least sore when I'm laying down and most sore when sitting. Interstingly, as someone else noted on this blog, I am most comfortable when sleeping on my side that the port is located on. My surgery was on 6/2- I'm not taking any pain medicines but am very tired and sometimes feel light-headed and/or sick to my stomach, does/did anyone else have similiar symptoms 6 days or so post-op?