Lap Band Surgery Week of May 23rd - 27th, 2011

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

Glad to hear it is going ok sweetpea... can't wait to hear how your first day back at work goes. I am a photographer and am flying to Denver to shoot a wedding next Friday so hopefully all is good by then..

Princess sorry to hear it is not going as smoothly for you.. as my Mom always says.. This too shall pass. Hang in there and keep us up to date with how you are doing..

Another very wise Mom. My Mom used to say the very same thing all the time. And it always came true!

[Papillon Princess 13]

I'm doing great! It's been 6 weeks tomorrow and I feel wonderful, I'm 19 lbs down since surgery, had my first fill 2 weeks ago. I had read that the weight loss can plateau right after surgery due to changes and just having the body kind of thrown off.

If you're hungry a few hours later...what are you eating? What is a typical day of food for you? Are you drinking plenty of fluids in between meals? I can't say whether it's a fill that you need or possibly what you're eating.

My dr does fills every 4-6 weeks...

Hi May Bandsters -

Okay, so now it's July and we've all been banded for either a month or a month and a half, depending on your date. How is everyone doing? I've only lost 17 lbs since the surgery and most of that was in the first week. I had my first fill on 6/23 and lost 3 lbs immediately after that, but I think that was most due to being on liquids and mushies for two days afterward, and the fact that I had just started my period and I always lose a few pounds after I finally start. I haven't lost anything since that and I feel like I barely eat anything! So....I can't decide whether my band is too full, or not full enough. On one hand I can eat very little at one time, but on the other, I get VERY hungry after only two hours. What do you guys think? My doctor recommends getting a fill every 2 weeks for the first 3 fills, but I'm reading here that most people get fills only once a month in the beginning.

I know this was a lot of questions, but I'd love to have everyone's input and opinions!

Thanks!

[lee_nyc 0]

Thanks for the update! Yeah, I'm a little over a month since being banded. I've lost 28lbs, but that includes my pre-op diet. I'm pretty happy with where I'm at. I go for my first fill next Wed, although I guess in all honesty, I've been losing consistently and have a hard time imagining eating less than I do and still seeming like a normal person, so I'm wondering if I even need a fill? I'll talk to my dr. more next week and see what she says.

Hmm, definitely interesting you are hungry after only 2 hrs...that happens to me sometimes, but not usually. I guess it depends on what I eat...i try and get as much Protein as possible. But really my dr. has recommended at least 4 mini meals a day, not going more than 4 hrs without eating. Not sure what yours recommended? Also, mine only does the fill once a month, so it's interesting yours recommends every 2 wks. I guess you have to figure out what is best for you?

Hi May Bandsters -

Okay, so now it's July and we've all been banded for either a month or a month and a half, depending on your date. How is everyone doing? I've only lost 17 lbs since the surgery and most of that was in the first week. I had my first fill on 6/23 and lost 3 lbs immediately after that, but I think that was most due to being on liquids and mushies for two days afterward, and the fact that I had just started my period and I always lose a few pounds after I finally start. I haven't lost anything since that and I feel like I barely eat anything! So....I can't decide whether my band is too full, or not full enough. On one hand I can eat very little at one time, but on the other, I get VERY hungry after only two hours. What do you guys think? My doctor recommends getting a fill every 2 weeks for the first 3 fills, but I'm reading here that most people get fills only once a month in the beginning.

I know this was a lot of questions, but I'd love to have everyone's input and opinions!

Thanks!

[Carnegl 0]

I was banded on May 23rd. Everything went according to the book Two week pro-op diet...first week a killer, second week a breeze. In and out of the hospital the same day. Post-op drugs a life-saver. Back to work in 2 weeks feeling great.

I had my first fill this week (Tuesday). I debated on getting a fill since I was already losing (25 pre-op, 20 post-op). I decided to get the fill because I was feeling hungry with little restriction. Also, due to vacations, I will not have the option of getting a fill in August. (The appointments are scheduled monthly.)

After the fill, I definitely felt a new tightness. Since I have been on liquids and mushies this week, I don't know yet how real food will feel going down. It will be interesting to test. I have been weighing on Mondays for my 'official' weight but I had to take a peek this morning and it is still going down. I have decided I love this band!

[project lisa 1]

Hello lap band buddies - tomorrow I am going back to surgery and have my port and tubing taken out due to an infection. I was banded May 26th and have lost 46 pounds since May 12th my pre op diet date.

I've had a lot of setbacks, starting with pharyngitis ( very sore throat) 3 days post op to issues with my knees hurting so bad I had to have injections in both of them and a round of oral steroids, then one of my incision sites swelled up and I had sever pain then another site broke open at 2 1/2 weeks and began draining.

I've been going to a wound clinic for since mid June and it's been being packed and dressed but still continues to drain.

Today I was supposed to have my first fill and instead my doctor feels it's not safe to leave the port or tubing in due to the infection at the incision sites. He will remove them tomorrow but says it's not safe to observe the band tomorrow because it may spread the infection.

He will go back in next month and observe the band and if there is no infection then replace the port and tubing -- if the band it infected at that time It will have to be removed.

I was not expecting this today it's quite a shock to have this set back.

Keep posting of your progress - I enjoy reading them and I will update you on how my journey progresses.

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

Hello lap band buddies - tomorrow I am going back to surgery and have my port and tubing taken out due to an infection. I was banded May 26th and have lost 46 pounds since May 12th my pre op diet date.

I've had a lot of setbacks, starting with pharyngitis ( very sore throat) 3 days post op to issues with my knees hurting so bad I had to have injections in both of them and a round of oral steroids, then one of my incision sites swelled up and I had sever pain then another site broke open at 2 1/2 weeks and began draining.

I've been going to a wound clinic for since mid June and it's been being packed and dressed but still continues to drain.

Today I was supposed to have my first fill and instead my doctor feels it's not safe to leave the port or tubing in due to the infection at the incision sites. He will remove them tomorrow but says it's not safe to observe the band tomorrow because it may spread the infection.

He will go back in next month and observe the band and if there is no infection then replace the port and tubing -- if the band it infected at that time It will have to be removed.

I was not expecting this today it's quite a shock to have this set back.

Keep posting of your progress - I enjoy reading them and I will update you on how my journey progresses.

OMG, I am sooo sorry you have gone through sooo much! But still, you were able to lose an impressive amount of weight. That speaks so highly to your commitment to this. I wish you the best of luck in your recovery. Please keep us posted.

[professormom 0]

Project Lisa - I am so sorry about your setback. Hang in there! You have lost a TON of weight in the last month or so. YOu can get this worked out and get right back on the program. I am sure of it.

I am doing OK. I was banded on May 31st (exactly 6 weeks ago). I have lost 25 lbs so far. I had no real pre-op diet, so I went in at my highest weight. I was hoping to have lost more than this by now, but at least the scale is going in the right direction. I have had one fill - 1 cc. I go for another fill on Friday. My doc allows fills as needed. I am hoping a little more fill will help me lose more quickly.

I have also been tracking EVERYTHING i consume. I use fitnesspal app for iphone. I am finding that really helpful. There have definitely been several days that I have eaten too much - not really in one sitting, but we have been to several parties where Snacks have been abundant. So, I have picked my way up to 1800 or 1900 calories. I don't have the picking problem on a regular day - but parties with trays of food out make it so hard not to pick.

Has anyone else been faced with these challenges? I feel like we have had so many social activities in the past 2-3 weeks, that I am self-sabotaging a bit.

I have also not been consistent about exercise. I am working on it though.

Its great to read about everyone's journeys!! Keep the posts coming!

peace, nora

[LVGirl 4]

I am doing great! I haven't had a fill yet, went in last week and decided it wasn't necessary. I am down 22 since surgery (lost 10 the week before) and have no troubles at the gym or anything.

I think the biggest difference is with my clothes. They are all baggy and hang. It looks like I have lost way more than 32 lbs. I have lost several inches in my mid section, which is weird because it is usually the slowest thing to go on me...but I am NOT complaining!

[project lisa 1]

Just an update - the port and tubing are now out and the band is still intact. I'm on antibiotics and waiting for the abdominal infection to resolve. The plan right now is to return to surgery in a month to replace the tubing and port. The procedure was done with local anesthesia and just a little uncomfortable.

[project lisa 1]

Finally my original incision sites are healing and not draining!!!! This is a wonderful milestone - after 8 weeks of packing and dressing a wound it's so nice to not worry about that. I am still on antibiotics and waiting for August 9th to arrive so I can get the tubing and port replaced. Feeling much better and weight loss continues although not very fast.

[oldiebutgoodie2 11]

I am doing great! I haven't had a fill yet, went in last week and decided it wasn't necessary. I am down 22 since surgery (lost 10 the week before) and have no troubles at the gym or anything.

I think the biggest difference is with my clothes. They are all baggy and hang. It looks like I have lost way more than 32 lbs. I have lost several inches in my mid section, which is weird because it is usually the slowest thing to go on me...but I am NOT complaining!

Super congrats! But I suggest you buy at least one new thing that shows off your loss! I got rid of all my big clothes, went into my "too small" closet of various sizes, and got into almost all of them! Instant new wardrobe! But I also bought a couple new capris and tops, cause they are new and a different style, and really reinforced my high about losing this last, best, final, forever time! Keep up the good work!