conniesueb

Hey Jess--good luck with everything. I hope they can remove the gallbladder and that is it. Wow, I can't even imagine having problems like that, but just know that we all support you and wish you the best. Please let us know how you are doing.

As far as pain after surgery goes, you will be sore for about a week. My biggest problems were getting in and out of a chair, and sleeping on my left side(that is where my port is). Also, you will have gas pains from the anesthesia. Walking will help move it along, and Gas-X is good. As far as food: The first week or so you have to stick to clear liquids--broth, juice, jello, etc. The next phase is full liquids--protein drinks, cream soups, smoothies, etc. Then you will move on to mushies--cottage cheese, yogurt, more soups, mashed potatoes, things like that. Basically anything you can mush up in a blender. Then you slowly add solid foods--and that is just trial and error. You just have to try things to see how well you tolerate them. I never had a problem moving from phase to phase, but some people do. You should be able to eat normal foods, and if you can't, there is something wrong. You should not be vomitting, unless you are too tight, and if you are, you should get unfilled a little. Too much vommitting can cause your band to slip, and that is bad. You may have trouble with constipation, because it is hard to get enough fiber in. I take a prescription called Glycolax--it is an odorless, colorless powder that you mix in water or any liquid. Take it once a day, and it keeps you very regular--no diarrhea, just regular. I hope I was able to help, and good luck.

Cascadian, I love your sense of humor! My stomach sends me messages like that, too. However, sometimes I do ignore them, and I am definately sorry. I got some food stuck(steak, I think) a couple weeks ago, and am still paying for it. My esophegus got very inflamed, and like a dummy, I didn't go to liquids for a couple days, like I should have. So, now, for the last two weeks, everything I eat gives me heartburn. But, I feel like I can eat way more than I should be, so I am going in for a fill tomorrow. I am just worried that it will make this burning feeling in my chest worse. But I ate a ginormous bucket of popcorn last night, which tells me I need a fill. GO figure!

The general idea of the band is that you can still eat normally, just in much smaller portions. Everyone is different, but most people can't eat bread. Toast is okay, but soft bread is usually a no-go for most people. Some people have trouble with rice and pasta, some with meat. It's really just a trial and error process. I can eat almost anything(except bread), but I choose to eat lean protein, salads, vegies and fruit, and whole grain carbs. I also choose to exercise at least 6 times a week. This speeds the losing process for me. But, for the most part, if you are filled properly, not too tight, then you should be able to eat "normally".

It does sound like you are too tight. The idea of the band is that you are able to eat real food, just not much of it. If you are only able to eat mushies, or liquids, then something is wrong. I would definately get a slight un-fill if it were me. And don't beat yourself up about having a pity party and a chocolate shake--we all do that from time to time!

You may be a little too tight. But sometimes it takes a few days to adjust itself. You should be able to eat real food without feeling like something is stuck, so if it doesn't go away after a few days, you might ask him to take a little out. And, yes, that is a little weird that he didn't mention your weight loss at all. I think 33 pounds in 6 weeks is awesome! Keep up the good work.!

Hey Coco--welcome and congratulations! I am just curious how that translates to American pounds? You will really enjoy this site--I have met some wonderful people here, and gotten so much support and good advice!

I would do it again in a heartbeat! It has been a life-changing experience for me. I am not at my goal yet, but I am well on my way, and I feel so much better. I have been taken off my daibetes meds, and high blood pressure meds, and am more active than I have been in years, despite my severe arthritis. I don't have one negative thing to say about my experience.

HI eyespy--I think I did have to pay a small consultation fee, but not as much as yours. And, the visit to the nutritionist and psychologist were seperate. I had to see the psychologist twice, actually--it was $100.00 for each visit, and then I had to pay $125 for her report to be sent to the doctor! I don't recall how much the nutritionist was--that went through my insurance. I agree that is a lot of money to shell out if you are not really sure you want to do this. I was sure after the seminar, and researching on the internet, that I wanted to do this. And, yes, you can cheat the band--it's not a miracle fix, it's just a tool, but if you are willing to follow the guidlines, it can be a wonderful solution. I am so happy I made this decsion, and would do it again in a heartbeat. It has truly changed my life. Good luck with your decision.

I know exactly what you are talking about! I experienced the same thing early on, and after I had a little snack, it helped. Just recently, I felt like I had stretched my pouch(by overeating), so I was trying to stay on liquids the next day, to allow it to go back to normal. I did okay for the first part of the day, but by about 4:00 I had that exact pain. It was horrible! I couldn't stand it, so I had a small Wendy's chili, and it went away. I would try having a small snack and see if that helps.

I am lucky, I guess, because I love water, and don't have a problem drinking that much water. But yes, you do have to wait at least an hour after eating to drink anything. That was really hard for me, because I was so used to drinking a big glass of tea or water with my meals. The thing is, if you drink during a meal, or too soon after, it will wash the food through your pouch, and not allow it to sit there and digest slowly, keeping you full, like it should. Good luck.

The only thing I can think of is that you will probably have to go off your coumadin for a few days before and after your surgery. But as far as after being banded, I can't imagine why it would affect anything. Just check with your doctor and see what he recommends.

Steinquilts--it should be fine as long as you are over your bug. And don't worry--fills are no big deal. I have one on Monday--my 5th, and can't wait. I have been hungry for 3 weeks, so I am anxious to get it done. Michelle--sounds like you are doing great! Keep us posted. So, girls how about that get together in Denver next weekend?

Not well enough to put up with that! It was the worst thing I had ever experienced. I had an "episode" once while I was in the car, waiting for me son at karate lessons--how embarassing, and totally disgusting! Definately not worth it!

Hey Stephie--congratulations on getting your date! I hope this will be a life-changing experience for you like it has been for me. You are young and should have no problems. What kind of pre-op diet does he have you on? Some people have to do liquids only for a few weeks before surgery, but I just had to do low carb, high protein--thank goodness! That is actually how I still eat--it seems to work for me. Good luck on your journey!

Hey Tom--I think everyone should milk a goat at least once in their lives. If I lived closer, I'd put in an application! A few years ago, I had my daughter and her friend at this big arts and crafts fair, and they had a petting zoo. Well, they had these adorable little goats, and when the girls went in to pet them, the goats started, well, getting friendly. The girls kept saying--"What are they doing?", and I was laughing so hard, I couldn't even answer them. That was my last experience with goats!

HI tina--and welcome! In answer to your question--you are not supposed to lift over 5 or 10 pounds for a few weeks after surgery, so that might be a problem. Good luck with everything, though.

I have a hard time taking compliments--especially from my husband. But he doesn't just give a normal compliment--he acts like a dog in heat! But I've gotten lots and lots of compliments from patients at the dental office I work at. Most of them only see me every 6 months, so it's a big difference. What I don't like though, is when people follow the compliment with--"How are you doing it?" I'm not always comfortable telling people I've had lap band surgery. Some people I'll tell, but others, I just say--eating less and exercising more--which is true. I guess I'd like it better if they just said "you look great" and left it at that.I know--picky, picky!

Tweety--I hope everything works out for you. When was your last fill? If it's been a while, you may not still have all that left in there. I guess the best thing would be to have a fluoroscope done to make sure evrything is okay. I know how hard it is to try and stay on liquids--I've tried to do it for a couple days because I thought I might have streatched my pouch, and I was absolutely starving! I have been able to eat more than i should be lately, but I am getting a fill on Monday, so hopefully that will help. Tom--Glad your hand is feeling beter. NOw, if they could just figure out the rest of it, huh? I also have to have another sleep study done--I did the overnite pulse-ox thing, and she said my O2 levels are still dropping below 90% too much. She wants to see if I am really obstructing, or if maybe I just need a little oxygen at night. My husband says i don't snore anymore, so I don't know. I can't get in til August for mine, and I still don't wear my CPAP--it drives me absolutely crazy. Have you found your goat bitch yet?

My doctor gave me a prescription for Glycolax, which is a powder that you mix in water, or any liquid. I take it once a day, and it really keeps me regular--no diarrhea, just nice and regular. and, with my prescription insurance, it is way cheaper than the over the counter products like Benefiber or Fibersure. I can get a big bottle for only $7.00. You might ask your doctor about that.

I think I would stick to fluids for the rest of the day. You probably inflamed your esophegus when the bread got stuck. I've done that before--gotten something stuck, and then my chest aches for a while, and I get a little heartburn. Staying on liquids should give it time to reduce that inflamation. I never can eat soft bread--toast is fine, but not soft bread. Rice and pasta give me trouble too, so be careful with those, too.

Trish--70 pounds is a great start, and i am sure that a good fill will kick-start your weight loss again. Be sure and let me know when you are coming. Now, to all my other CO buddies--it looks like I will be making another trip to Denver next weekend--the 15-16-17th, so maybe we could get together then? How does that work for all of you?

It may just be that you need another fill. But lots of people have said that after their pouch had stretched, they went on liquids for a few days and it fixed the problem, so I guess it's worth a try. If that doesn't help, I'd try getting another small fill.

I actually did try it once. I have a friend that is a nurse that does them. She measured me before and after, and I did lose some inches--I actually could tell in the way my pants firt when I left, but I'm not sure it was a permanent thing or not. She said you get the most benefit after 2 or 3 wraps, and I haven't been back yet. It is a weird feeling--like being wrapped up like a mummy, and them they put this thermal suit on you. Pretty wild. I'm not sure it gives long-lasting results, though. She only charges $30.00 though, so I figured I'd give it a try.

Well, the best advice I can give is: 1. Make sure you are getting enough protein--protein first, then veggies, then carbs. 2. Make sure you are drinking enough water--except right before and right after meals. 3. Exercise! On a regular basis, if possible. 4. Watch the liquid calories--are you drinking shakes, or eating ice cream alot. How about fruitjuices or pop? All of that is just wasted calories that don't stay in your pouch. 5. Snacking isn't necessarily a bad thing, if the snacks are good choices--granola is very high carb. I like to have a piece of low-fat string cheese, or a South Beach Diet 100 calorie bar, if I really get hungry in between meals. 6. Use the fills to your advantage--don't be afraid to ask for another fill if you really feel like you need one. Good luck and let us know how you are doing after your next fill.