southernb116

You're so lucky it only took you a day or so to have a bm! it took me 8 days post op. The first couple weeks sucked, just being honest but after you get past week 2 it's so much better! I'm on week 5 and doing great. No fluid in my band yet, I get that on 8/24 and can't wait to feel restriction. Pudding and applesauce got me through the day three and on. I also did a lot of condensed tomato soup with milk instead of water when I was in week 2. Be proud of that walk! I should have walked more in the beginning.

Quick question folks: a couple days this past week i was having the most intense pains in the center of my chest. Now when I was banded 3 weeks ago, an EGD was done and apparently I had a hiatal hernia which was repaired at the same time. I had never had symptoms of a hiatal hernia such as acid reflux but it was suggested when i called my surgeon's office that acid reflux was the cause of my pain. I am still on mushy foods and will be able to eat normally as of wednesday. On another note, I don't have my first fill until August 24th, but I've been eating a lot less/been a lot less hungry the last few days or even close to a week...the combination of the two just makes me nervous like something's going on in there that i don't know about. The doctor prescribed something for the chest pain which has helped a lot but annoying b/c i have to take it 4 times a day for a month. On a much happier note, finally seeing the numbers drop on the scale! 11lbs as of today.

Alright everyone, so the last time I posted something on here I was having a really hard time but I'm happy to report it's finally getting better!!! I'm now able to have a little more since i'm in the 3rd week post op. I'm still not eating that much but being able to have more of a variety has really helped. The only frustration I currently have is I don't think I've lost more than 5 pounds and that includes the pre op diet i was on for 2 weeks. They tell me once I have my first fill and actually have some restriction I will start loosing the weight but I'm still in the pre surgery mindset that if i'm on a diet i should be loosing weight and i'm just not! I'm sticking to the post op diet to a T and especially watching portions and i just don't get it. i'm taking in so much less than i had been but no weight loss? I've been reading posts on here where some people have been loosing like 5 lbs a week or more and had the surgery about the same time as me...? any thoughts?

I do feel better in my clothes. I feel like I've lost inches, I guess I'm still hung up on the numbers on the scale though. I'm trying to stay positive but when people notice and ask "how many pounds have you lost", i'm just like, uh, I'm not sure...lol. i guess i just want to tell them a number to have the gratification of "oh wow that's so good". I guess i'm just venting; i know deep down that as long as i feel better and look better it doesn't matter what the scale says!

scratch my first message. i see that your surgery was at the end of may.. what do the "fills" feel like?

obviously i'm no expert as i was banded the same day as you, but here's how it was explained to me by my surgeon: he said that when they do the procedure, they put the band in completely emptly and don't add any fluid after "placement". i didn't eat anything the day of surgery, the day after, and then finally on that friday i had some popsicles. I was literally not hungry until then and I have always had a very "healthy" (rather unhealthy) appetite. I couldn't believe that I wasn't hungry; for days, with nothing in the band...The doctor said that the swelling was the reason for this and that's why they wait 4-6 weeks after surgery to add the fluid. I guess my point is that based on how it was explained to me, your fill will not make you feel how you felt before because the swelling wouldn't be an issue anymore, you would just simply have the fluid in the band as restriction. I hope that eases your nerves a little bit and may be something you want to talk to your doctor to confirm and he/she may also explain in more detail.

I was banded on July 7th and I am miserable. I don't know what to do. I have the support from my family and friends for whatever I need, but they don't understand or know what to say. Especially on days like today where I get to the point that I'm so upset I can't stop crying. I guess my main issue is the fact that I'm so hungry all the time. If anyone knows anything about the "twilight" series, i feel like the Cullens; living on tofu to keep me strong but never satisfied. I've been reading a lot of blogs on here and am confused because my surgeon told me that there is nothing in my band right now; that my first fill is 4 weeks after surgery. I'm confused, because it seems like everyone else has fluid in their band right after surgery. I have my old appetite but am forced to stay on a post op diet which consists of applesauce, protein shakes, yogurt, and broth. This is "BANDING HELL" as one person posted. I know it will get better and I'm trying to stay active but when everyone is eating actual food and I can't, it's making me nuts. Not to mention that I'm not having carbs or sugar or fat for that matter, my body hates me. You would think with a diet like this I would have lost some weight already. NOPE! Please please please, any advice or stories on post op hell and how it will get better would be much appreciated!

thanks to everyone for the supportive comments. today was much better than yesterday and i'm sure tomorrow will be better than today. gotta keep my eyes on the prize and countdown to when i can have the mashed potatoes and cottage cheese, lol. and then "real food" and fills! now that i'm actually working on seeing the glass half full instead of half empty (of protein shake of course, lol), i'm looking forward to the future instead of dwelling on the crap we all have to go through to get there! anyway, thanks everyone! really needed to hear every word!

I am crying like a baby reading your inspirational blog. I was banded on July 7th and having a really hard time with it. I'm hungry. A lot. And staying on track and not cheating on pre and post op diet has been the hardest thing for me to do. I can't wait for the day when I can walk in the department store and not head for the plus size section. Anyway, thanks for the inspirational words.

I was banded July 7th and am having a really hard time as well. not with the gas anymore due to the gas x mint strips also being my best friend but i'm hungry. all the time. besides the soreness i still have, the post op diet of the shakes and liquids just doesn't satisfy at all. pre op diet for 2 weeks before and post op for almost 2 weeks after so far. am i the only one that is hungry? and i'm kind of confused. do you guys already have fluid in your bands? my doc said they put the band in and my first fill would be 4 weeks later..?