Syrah

I've only had one fill but it was done by a nurse practitioner. The same guy assisted in my surgery. The fill was done at the same hospital where I had my surgery. I am guessing, in your case, that you'd go to the same place for a fill.

A worry of mine, as well! I meant to ask about this at my last appt. I have three kids and a couple of times each year, we all get the barfies. For some reason, I am always hit hard with it, but my husband manages to escape. Ugh.

Someone here mentioned that 8 lbs per month is "what you should lose." I was told that 5-8 per month is the norm, by my surgeon. Just one more perspective.

I was back after 4 days. My doctor wants people off of work for one week, though. I had surgery on a Thursday and went back to work Monday (desk job). I was tired but it was really OK. I am 43 so am no spring chicken, but I survived. Plan on doing nothing in the evenings for that first week, if possible. However, my doctor said I was a great patient because everything went perfectly and I was up and out of bed quickly / recovering fast. In other words, I was lucky. Everyone is different.

That's a good point. I am sure alcohol plays a role in that. I think eating fried and fatty foods is even a bigger problem (unless you are drinking booze every day). I think you are fine though, as long as you don't partake again before the surgery.

I'm gonna say "no," but someone else may disagree. I think I had a glass of wine or two, a week before my surgery. I think the 2-week thing is probably intended for people who are fairly heavy drinkers, to sort of cleanse their systems and get them away from feeling like they need a drink every day.

I've traveled and not set off a security alarm. Here's a question: Who would want to order off the kids' menu, anyway? LOL! I mean come on - the choices are usually something like chicken fingers, cheese pizza or mac n cheese. I'd much rather order some nice Soup or a slab of salmon that I can take home and finish the next day.

Unless you have really large pills, and assuming you can sip Water, there should not be a problem. I took advil in tablet form. True, you have some swelling post-op, but you still have a passage / opening that is about the size of a 50-cent piece. You can also cut pills in half if you are worried about them. I use the Flintstones chewable Vitamins because the initial vitamins I bought were gi-normous.

Thankfully, my surgeon had me on cream of wheat and applesauce before I ever left the hospital. For whatever reason, he does not believe in the liquid diet for weeks afterwards. I was immediately on protein shakes and soups, etc., then eating soft food about 2 weeks later. I'm not saying you should go this route though - follow your doctor's advice! I have noticed that people who do the liquid diet seem to lose faster than me. I am 7 weeks out and 14 lbs lighter. Frankly I am happy to have slower weight loss if it means I don't have to eat broth and jello for a month.

Stacy, I got my first fill yesterday too (3 ccs). I don't feel much TOO much different. Maybe a little. After surgery, I had little appetite until about 2 weeks ago when I was starting to get really hungry again. I am not as hungry but I really don't feel much restriction. I was told to call in one month if I'm not losing weight and if I have a lot of hunger. Otherwise, I go for another fill in 2 months. Give it some time, and then see if you can get a fill earlier than scheduled.

I had surgery on Thursday and returned to work on Monday. I have a desk job though. April, I used vacation time since I didn't tell my coworkers what I was up to.

Randaree, be sure not to drive if you are on pain meds. If something happens (even if it's not your fault), you can be found liable. I hope your pain improves soon.

On a related note, there is a poll for VG bandsters on this thread, asking how many ccs were needed for restriction: 23 percent said 4+ ccs 27 percent said 6+ ccs 37 percent said 8+ ccs 18 percent said 9+ ccs

Hmmm. I have read around here a bit and many first-time fills for VG bands are 4 to 4.6 ccs. Even then, people are saying they haven’t felt much restriction. Either I am confused, or you guys are. LOL! The Vanguard band holds a max fill of 10 cc. Of that, I have 3 cc. The VG holds a max of about 10 cc of saline. The 9.75 and 10 cm bands can hold a maximum of about 4cc of saline. The 4cc band is the 10cm band. The larger, VG band, holds 10cc's I believe the VG used to be used for high BMI patients, but my surgeon told me he uses them routinely now. I can’t remember why but he prefers the VG band. Someone correct me if I’m wrong!

Lynn: Like Cedar Falls, Grinnell would also be about 2 hours for you (maybe just a bit longer). It's exactly 1 hour from Iowa City. I used to work in the QCs, right out of college.

Hello Lynn and others: I live in Iowa City. I was banded in Grinnell on 3/29/07. I had my first fill yesterday (May 9) and so far I've lost 14 lbs. Nice to meet you all!

Para-Kate, I was banded in Grinnell. Surgical Associates of Grinnell Wasabubblebutt, I am not a student at the moment but graduated from this university and worked there until recently, when I started working for myself.

My doctor must be conservative because I only had a 3 cc fill today (first one) and my band holds up to 10 ccs. I can't imagine that many doctors would think over-filling is a good thing. The down side to lap band is that it involves a fair amount of tinkering over time.

My only concern would be that continuing to lose weight without a fill can mean the band is too tight. That's what my doc says about situations where bands are not filled and people are losing weight, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's true in every case.

Berry, I had a fill today and so far I have eaten tomato soup and a piece of very soft Laughing Cow swiss cheese. I am supposed to be on liquids / mushies for the next few days. I had 3 cc injected today and I don't feel any different. I hope I feel some restriction tomorrow.

I was banded on 3/29 and really just started getting hungry again these past two weeks. I just had my first fill today -- 3 cc. I am worried that this won't give much restriction now that I see these other posts! I've lost 14 lbs so far.

I use a scoop of chocolate Unjury and mix it with skim milk and 1/2 scoop of Slim Fast. That gives you about 30 g of protein for about 240 calories. I didn't care for the vanilla Unjury. I drink one of these protein shakes daily, for breakfast.

I tried to search this topic because I'm sure it's a common question. I have my first fill tommorrow (May 9) and am a bit nervous. I don't know much about fills, and I suppose I should have asked more.... But I've been so busy lately with work, travel, etc. I don't even know where my port is. How will they find it? Does it hurt? Do they jam the needle into your abdomen, or do they numb you up first? I assume there are no drugs involved and that I can drive myself home? I know they use fluoroscopy, but I don't even know how that works. Will I feel like I did right after surgery? I mean, I know I won't have the pain of five incisions. But eating-wise, I assume I will need to take it slow and sort of start all over again with liquids, etc. (??) Thanks for any info you might have!

Interesting discussion! I vaguely remember waking up with a tube going down the side of my face and I remember them pulling the tube out of my throat (just barely -- like it was a dream or something, but I remember it feeling like sandpaper). I agree with whoever said that it's not a sign of incompetence on the surgical staff's part. It's part of the possible risks you face when you agree to this (or any) surgery. I specifically asked if I would be awake when the tube came out, about 3 times. Every time, I was given the same answer (which skirts the issue): "You won't remember a thing." Huh!

I would be sure to ask your surgeon if this is OK. I have been told that flying is not recommended right after surgery, due to the chance of forming a blood clot. I was told not to fly until 6 weeks after surgery (but my surgeon, who is also a pilot, has given me the OK to fly after 5 weeks - I have a trip in 2 weeks). I know a lot of people fly back from Mexico post-surgery. I wonder if their physicians administer some sort of anti-clot medication before they are released. I would hope so! At the very least, take an aspirin the day of the flight and walk around as much as possible, while in the air.