Question for July Bandsters

[Kari 0]

Hi All,

I was banded on July 26th and have only lost 35 lbs. to date. My question is I notice that there are stages to the recovery period; at first I horrible spasms, then a week or so later; I experienced almost a contraction-like pain a couple of times; then the never-ending burps came; all this has passed now. Most recently, I'm having a tough time swallowing anything that isn't chewed well - it has to be almost pureed textured to get and stay down. I had a meatball for dinner last night and it came back up after swallowing. bread is out of the question and if I forget to chew really well, I get the hiccups and a pressure-like feeling for a couple of minutes and then it passes. I haven't had any fills yet and was wondering if anyone else was experiencing something similiar to this restriction feeling? I have a doctors appointment this week and I'm curious what he'll say. BTW, can any of you sleep on your port-side yet? I'm still not comfortable laying on my belly or port-side. Thanks in advance for replying.

[seppi 0]

I was banded in July, I have lost a little more than 35 pounds (like 36) I had some pain swallowing right after a fill, The problem seems to have retified itself, chewing seemd to save all.I also had to change my habits and not drink with meals, that was really hard! I have started exercising and that seems to help. As far as the port goes, I can sleep on my stomach. Sometimes it's a little sore. Some times I still have a little irritation at the port site. But overall it is bearable. Things are going really well, I think that most of the problems I am having are behavior modification that I will continue to work at. I get the hiccups, that is uslully my sign that I am full, they don't hurt, I use them as a signal.

["with the band" 1]

I was banded on July 25th and have lost 38 lbs. to date. Problem is most of those I lost before a month ago and for the past month I have really stalled.

I am sore on my port side and have trouble sitting - feel like i am ramming something into my rib and I need to sit up straight (which I could use - but it's a bother to feel this) and I cannot sleep on my stomach.

I really need to exercise as this is the one thing I should be doing but I am not.

Seems all my loss has been stalled and I feel a little freaked out cause I have a whole room full of size 12 clothes waiting for me to wear on my Hawaii cruise April 9th for 2 weeks. I will be so bummed if I don't reach my goal by then. I really need to get on the exercise routine.

The one problem I have had is with swallowing - it feels as if something is in my throat and I get pressure also that feels like pain in my esophagus. They have been treating me for reflux but they really don't think I have that - They just don't know and I have been bothered and frustrated continually since about 3 weeks after surgery. It's a pain and keeps me from normal life. I don't know what it is but it is driving me crazy.

I have hiccups sometimes, I have never thrown up and I seem to have very little restriction - but I don't feel like overeating. Mentally I want this to work and my resolve has been really good.

Good luck you guys - I hope all goes well for all of us. God Bless us brave pioneers....

[Daisybelle 0]

I was banded July 27 and haven't had a fill yet either. I don't have as much restriction as I did the first couple of months, but I still try hard to chew thoroughly and eat slowly. I hate to throw up! So I'll do anything to avoid it. I do find that if I don't eat slowly enough though I feel uncomfortable and have the hiccups for a while afterward. Other than that I really don't have many problems.

But, I do have trouble sleeping on my port side - the left - which is my best sleeping side and on my stomach - which I really don't care to do anyway.

Oh, and I've lost 49 pounds so far... yay! But I have slowed down to a solid 2 pounds a week from the major amounts I was loosing at first.

[Joyce in VA 0]

I was banded on July 6th and have no problem sleeping on my port side. I usually don't know it's there unless I feel for it. I have lost about 27 lbs. I, too, get the hiccups ocassionally. I have had to learn to eat really slow since I got my fill. I hurt sometimes if I eat certain things or do not chew slowly enough. bread is out unless it is toast. It sounds like you have enough restriction without a fill at this time and your weight loss is awesome. Sometimes I have the pain in my chest but it is usually because I am too hungry and eat too fast. Especially if I don't take a bite and wait a minute before I take another one. The need to chew well sounds like good restriction and make sure you tell your doc how much you can eat and what it feels like.

[PinkMary 3]

i don't have problem sleeping on my port side..and 35 pounds is GREAT LOSS!

i have only to remember to chew very well and to eat slowly!

i paid it hard with 2 new super duper PBs..

[Anwyn 0]

Well, it definitely doesn't sound like you need a fill! As far as chewing everything to puree, I think that's par for the course.

You seem disappointed that you've only lost 35 lbs! I think that's great! That's about 3.5 lbs a week, and way above the 1 to 2 lb average. I'm down 43 total, but only about 27 since my actual surgery.

I've had one fill, and I think I could use some taken out. I have to stand up and walk around after I take a few bites so that I can burp, and I've read that this is a sign of too much restriction. But, I'm not PB'ing so I'm going to keep this fill level for a while. I'm not having any problems with my port, and I can sleep on my port side with no problem.

My biggest hurtle is getting the exercise in. I'm only getting on the treadmill once or twice a week, and I know I need to make it a priority.

Here's to continued success for everyone!