Joleen

I have been experiencing some problems recently and I am not sure whats going on. I was banded 3/28/11 and I have never felt restriction until just recently after my second fill 2 weeks ago! He put 2 cc's in my band for a total of 3 cc's (this was my 2nd fill). I felt fine the first week but this week has been a horrible stressful week at home and at work. I have heard on this forum that the band can tighten with stress. I have not had much of an appetite and last Thursday actually got stuck after chewing very well and finishing my dinner. I felt like I had food caught in my throat and just took a tiny sip of water to help it go down and it felt like everything was going to project out!!! I ran to the bathroom and a little came up but nothing I did made it move. After about 20 minutes of coughing burping and pain, I felt better. I am also getting over a cold and have a cough so I am wondering if this cough and sore throat could be related to that???? It does seem to be related more to eating then my cold though!!! I have to drive over an hour a way and hate to get the fluid removed if it's related to stress or this cold!!! Plus my doctor is sick and they have to squeeze me in tomorrow so I am sure he is going to be busy!!! I haven't had any nausea. I can eat salad and chew fine without a stuck feeling. My throat just feels really rough like there is sand in it, I also feels like there is just something there!!! I have lost 9 lbs in 2 wks. because I have to remind myself to eat, but that could be related to the amazing stress level too. Thanks!

I am also tri care prime and barely made the requirements!!! You can request a "special hearing" I think that's what it was called! I was almost denied, and became hysterical at 5pm the friday before my surgery, my MD office called to tell me the insurance company called them to tell them there where problems and they wanted more information!!!! Thank goodness they had super office people and the job got done and I got my surgery Monday morning!!!! Tricare is never is to deal with that is why they aren't accepted in many doctors offices!!! Good luck!!

I also use my fitnesspal.com I have used it for the android phone and iPhone! I loved it for the android you could scan items in, the iPhone you can't! It's a great app!!! It has a super forum also, lots of great people over there that are post op WLS! Good Luck!

I am almost 7 weeks post op and remember thinking these same questions!!!! Just to put your mind at ease. I was a driver of a roll over accident 4 weeks post op and my port and band are fine!!! I was OK too and very lucky to have survived without injury!!! My NP and MD said the reason why we are so sore post op and sometime 2 months post op around the port area is because the port is sewn into the muscle (some with a mesh, some without), when we move and bend. our muscles move one way and the port does or doesn't depending on the movement, which causes pain. Eventually scar tissue builds up and the pain goes away. We do have to make sure infection doesn't occur just watch out for increase redness or swelling around the port incision!

I just got my first fill and had no restriction in my band prior to my fill! Ask yourself these questions. Are you just getting satisfied instead of full? You have to train your body and especially your brain to feel comfortable instead of full (that is the toughest part with this band for most to understand). My dietician and psychologist at Temple did a great job of explaining it to me prior to surgery! Aim for a NEW feeling of stopping with satisfied! Are you following the 1/2 hr. Water before and wait 45 min. after you eat for water!!!!! At first I didn't do this and THIS makes all the difference in the world!!! EAT Protein first!!!! and stay away from complex carbs!!! If you choose to eat them know eat them in moderation! I am also working on my stress level (stress produces cortisol which has been linked to weight gain), and it burns out your Thyroid!!! There are a lot more tips, a fill can take up to 3 weeks to work, and you might need several fills before feeling satisfied! I wouldn't give up on the band just be really aware of what you are eating and use this website, I also use myfitnesspal.com and track all that goes in my mouth! Good luck, Joleen

It is so inspiring to hear ppl getting off their medications!!! I can't wait to get off my bp meds!!! I know it won't be long!!! Here is another!! Went in to the store yesterday to try on pants size 12 and 14 fit!!!! I am no longer a size 18!!!! Going down!!! I also had my first fill and I still fill pretty satisfied with a small amount of food after 2 weeks!!! I LOVE MY BAND!!!! These are inspiring post!!!

Cool!!! It is such a good feeling!!! I am waiting to buy new clothes also!

Oh everyone is AWESOME, I am never ever disappointed by the positivity when I need it!!! I can't wait to shop for itty bitty Victoria Secret panties!!! My want list might be long!!! I want a pair of nice jeans! I picked up my 2 year old grand daughter and she is 32 lbs and I thought, Wow that's a lot of weight to carry around!!! I can also bend over easier!!! My bra's are getting fastened on the tighter fastener's now!!! Can't wait to see more NSV!!!

I am really starting to see NSV (Non scale victories) and was wondering some of the others greatest and what I have to look forward too!!! My first and the one I am most thankful for, I was banded on 3/28/11 and on 4/49/11 I was the driver of a roll over accident and I survived and my band is FINE!!!! I was wearing my seatbelt which can save your life as we all know but can also cause the band to slip but thank God, I am alive and the band is great I had my first fill on 4/12/11. At 35 pounds off so far, my size 18 pants are falling off my shoes are loose I can get my rings back on scrubs used to be 1x now LARGE trouser socks used to be tight around my calf now they feel fine can fit into booths without stuffing!!!! my hubby can hug me, normally (sniff, sniff) I know there are more and there will be more I cannot wait I love this journey and I am so glad I did it!!!! For those that are getting discouraged, I hope this board offers you support!!! Peace, Joleen

i would question the best practice of filling under a barium swallow??? I am by no means a professional, but I am a nurse and I know you can get lots of "shadowing" from a swallow, that are called artifacts, that do not mean anything!!! The barium glows, and that is why if someone has an inconclusive GI swallow (for a regular test, not a lap band) GI doctors f/u with a cat scan! I know that swallows are good for checking placement!!! The best way for MD's to monitor a fill is to do it under fluoroscopy, not all physicians opt for this for several reasons! They are listed in the threads here!

You can find them under "abdominal binders" Good luck!!!

Melody, I am going to buy that book NOW!! I always hone in on what you say!!! I appreciate all your helpful comments!!!! Thanks so much! Joleen

I was banded 3/28/11, I am still in the healing process and have no restriction and I no saline in my band, I am getting my first fill 4/12/11. I notice at times I cough, it feels like I have a tickle in my throat that doesn't go away quickly. It doesn't surround eating/drinking. I have never had acid reflux but these episodes don't have any reflux symptoms. The coughing has happened at night! I am afraid I have coughed so hard I have hurt my band (I am still in pain). Just want to see if this is normal. Thanks, Joleen

I was banded on 3/28 so I am a little ahead of you! I am going in for my first fill 4/12 and I am going to BEG for a nice fill!!! I eat 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups at a time it last about 2 hrs. I am hungry! I have not lost weight since I introduced soft foods. I am slowly introducing more foods also! I find I can eat pretty much anything as long as I chew really well and take my time! I am a nurse also, so everyone is interested in my incisions, but no one has felt my band/port yet!!!! Good luck with going back to work, I feel ok I am still having port pain but it is normal!! Joleen

I am 3 weeks post op and have posted ALOT about my post op pain, It can hurt for along time!!! I hurt a lot, a lot of the time, I use a heating pad! Feel better! Joleen

I am also STARVING!!! I eat 1/2 to 3/4 cups at a time but it only last 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. and I eat protein I drink water when I am suppose to and I have been walking when I can! I know it can take a while before I will feel truly satisfied but this is horrible. I have never been consumed by food before and know I feel like it's all I think about! I hate this!!!

I got banded at Temple by Dr. Dempsey on 3/28 Do you know if they do fills under fluoroscopy? Thanks, Joleen

I have been banded almost 3 weeks and I only eat 1/2 to 3/4 cups at a time and my pain is rough. From what I have read and what people have told me when I posted the pain we are experiencing is normal! The port is attached by sutures in to the muscle and it can take up to 6 months to fully heal! I am using my heating pad a lot which helps. Good luck

I am newly banded but have read lots and lots of post on slippage and all of them say you experience horrible nausea and vomiting! Good Luck

Wow, that's good to know! I'm not taking anymore Motrin and I will ask them about it when I go!

Thanks for the reply! My doctor said Motrin was ok, why did your doctor say no on NSAID's

I had my surgery on 3/28 and I am still experiencing quite a lot of pain!!! Primarily on my left side. I think it's my port???? It seems to hurt all the time, not only after I eat! I try to take Motrin, and use a heating pad when I am at home, but nothing really helps. I am eating soft foods and drinking shakes, but I wonder if I should go back to shakes. The area isn't swollen or red, well it's a little puffy, but nothing huge!! I have gone back to work this week and I have to do lots of bending (I am a wound care nurse and I have to dress patients leg wounds and bend over beds etc). I am just tired of being hungry all the time (weight loss slowing down) and on top of it being in PAIN!!! PLEASE someone tell me this hell is going to end soon! I am going to get my first fill May 12th do you think I should wait till I see the NP? Thanks, Joleen

HI!!! I am going to be 3 wks. post op this Monday and I am starting to feel like my old self too!!! I am also on the mushie stage and that helps but I feel hungry more often also!!! I go in for my fill May 12th so I think we just have to deal with the hunger until we get enough Fluid in our bands. From what I have read on here it can take a few fills to reach that level I am not losing weight as quick as I was either. I hope when I can do more then walk for exercise the weight will come off quicker! I was losing 2-3 lbs. a week on the liquid now it's slowed to a lb. a week!!! Good Luck! Joleen

Stay focused and remember no matter how hard it gets you have a goal at the end to be HEALTHY AND THIN a whole NEW YOU!!! This is a tool!!! Choose to tell your friends and close family and lean on them for support, you will need them!!! Use this board and other weight loss boards for support also!!! Use a food tracker and monitor everything that goes in your mouth when you eat regular food!!! Hope your doctor makes you follow a liquid diet at least two weeks prior to your surgery and stick to it!!! It is soooo worth it!!!! Make sure you follow post op diet your doctor gives you, if you need help with ideas this site is a great resource! I am new at this but have used this site for lots of help all ready!!! It can be done!!

I am confused about what to eat as I progress to the soft stage AKA mushie. I have tried crab meat, and chicken cut up real small. Can you eat lettuce if it's cut up really small, at this stage? My book isn't really clear and the dietician said to "introduce soft foods cut up small (eraser size), slowly and see how I feel. I have not felt bad or nausea yet! I would not try to eat bread or hard foods like crackers, nuts, or Cookies but what are hard foods you should avoid???? Is it more important just to stick to 1/2 cup and cut up your food and chew well and eat slowly! Also make sure you experience no nausea after a meal? Should you look for anything else beside nausea, like increase pain or gas? Thanks for your help!!! Joleen