grigg4

I think it could depend on if your surgeon put any saline in at surgery - mine did and I didn't even know it. He put in almost 4cc and 9 weeks later added 1.5 to it. I go back in this Friday and hope for a little tweak!! I also need to remember to ask how big my band it - as if that means anything, really?!?! [ I was banded on November 15th and am scheduled for my first band fill on December 9th. I was thinking I would not have my first fill until later, maybe January. I am not getting hungry between meals yet. I'm wondering if I should cancel the fill and wait a little longer. I don't want to wait "too long" and take the chance of gaining weight. When are you having your first fill?

It had to be hard to go to the reunion and not stick something in your mouth!! I learned a lesson once like that and can still feel the pain if I think about it. I would be we all have had to learn that less on the hard way!! Good luck and no worries!!

Congratulations!! It is funny to get excited over mashed potatoes but that was the first thing I ate and it made me so happy!!

Hi Kelly! I was banded 7/27 and after I worked back to food I am happy to say I haven't found any food that disagrees with me. I chew very well and eat slowly. One time in a meeting I ate faster than I should have and paid for it with stomach pain from lunch til the next morning... lesson learned. I do eat toast and have been able to eat untoasted bread but don't push it too much with any bread that is thick. Chew extra well and eat slowly and hopefully you won't find any issues!

Hi Jane!! Yay for 1 week out! I think you may be too soon to feel your port due to swelling. Mine is in the vacinity of that large incision, almost directly underneath it actually. Yours may be off to either side a bit. Another weird thing I had was something was hitting me in the ribs on my right side when I bent over to get something off the floor from my desk chair!! Not painful but very odd!! Take care!! Mary Sorry about the diet - mine was less restrictive in number of days spent at each stage but it is worth it!!

So happy to hear you are back home!! Walk a bunch, you will be glad you did! Can't wait to hear how your recovery goes. Congrats!!!

Don't dwell on the feeling you let yourself down. You did what you had to do during a very hard time in your life and that is now in the past. Let this be another start for yourself!! Good Luck!

Hooray!! You really took control and you are making awesome progress!!

Thanks for the post!!

I have had a crampy feeling on my left side, a little higher than my bellybutton. It isn't the port site. I had a fill on Friday but the feeling didn't start until Monday after lunch (salad). I have had no other problems and was banded 7/27. It isn't out and out painful, just almost like a stitch if I had run.... Any thoughts?

Thanks!! It sure does feel like that !!

I got to stay overnight too and was more than happy to! Can you say - pain meds in my vein! Congrats and I hope your transition at home is smooth. Remember to walk around the house and you will feel better, faster. I look forward to hearing how you are doing!

I feel just like you described! I didn't even do the liquids but ate very small bites and slowly and didn't have any issues - mostly due to having family over the same night as my fill. I did notice I could eat a little more than I had been but was continuing to lose. I have a weird feeling since yesterday on my left side and am going to post that to see if anyone has any ideas... not pain, just a cramp feeling. You look fabulous! But I can't see your green shirt pics - any idea what I am doing wrong?

Yesterday was my first fill and thanks to everyone here, I wasn't that nervous! I was surprised when my surgeon came in and did it instead of his assistant. Wow, he is really cute and extremely personable! Back to topic, he had me on the table and told me the port was under my incision so it would not hur and he was right. I asked him how much he put in during surgery and he said there was 4cc in there now. He ended up putting in 1.5 cc. It was weird when he had the needle in the port, he had me do a small abdominal crunch and then a little wiggling / slight pressure and we were done! I have lost 30 lbs since my July banding and am so happy to have been able to do this for myself! Have a great weekend everyone!

I am not sure what size band I have but of course thought I should ask AFTER I left on Friday. I do feel more restriction but not bad and am able to eat even though I should have been on liquids for 2 days and then back to mushy - We had company and so I ate a little regular food and chewed extra well. Thanks so much you all for the support and good wishes!

Sounds like you are doing fabulously -congratulations!

hooray!! good for you!

I am so happy for you! It is a huge thing to catch yourself from emotional eating. I can't wait to hear how you are doing - the new you is right around the corner!

I too was nervous - my boss kept asking if I was excited and I said, no - not excited!! Just ready to get on with my life and need to calm down and know that I did my research. My only wish was that I was 2 months down the road instead of right at the turning point. It only took me about a month and it is 2nd nature now. I do love the control it has given me and I remember when I finally felt excited, it was after I had healed some and I said - NOW I know I did this for MYSELF !!

I think I could cry for you guys that have such critics around you. It really does make me sad that you have to feel this conflict. This is something you did for yourself for goodness sake! I thought about it over 2 years, probably longer. My process started in late April and I had surgery on 7/27. I was able to take 2 weeks off work and loved every minute of it. I told a handful of people at work and everyone was excited and still cheer me on. My family knows and is very supportive... Basically I declared 2010 the Year of Me - it has turned out pretty good. BUT After coming back from work (Wall Street brokerage firm) I figure out that my boss (use the term loosely since he is a wonderful man that I am close to for 15 years) has told just about all our best clients where I was and what I did!! AND they are mostly retired doctors!! When they call in they ALWAYS ask me how I am feeling and are happy when I tell them that I am doing great. YIKES! No Pressure! I hope that everyone out there can remember that the decision is theirs and they are doing it to improve their quality of life - whether it be medically, emotionally or for vanity's sake. Let this be a time to focus on YOU.

Thanks for the post! You are one of the most encouraging people ever!

Good luck!!

I second that thanks! I was given a pass on the first fill so I am looking at it being on the 30th. I was very nervous at what to expect but it helps so much when people post their experiences - thanks!