MaryanneT

I want to join everyone else's wish for a speedy recovery for your Mom, jpt. Your entire family is in my prayers. Maryanne

My first fill is scheduled for April 4th. I seem to have some restriction even now. I do get hungry (sometimes REALLY hungry) but I do seem to get full on 1/2 to 2/3 of a cup of food. My doctor has me on soft foods - I have tried some slightly more substantial things (diced chicken, pasta) but they gave me that "stuck" feeling and came back up. So I'm sticking to cottage cheese and refried beans and tuna salad...boring but safe. The weight is still coming off slowly, so I guess the band is doing its job. Just wish the food wasn't so dull! And I'd love a glass of wine...

My husband will be ecstatic to hear about this possibility! @mom2 - maybe you just need some time to adjust to a new body image? Give yourself time and big congrats on the great weight loss!

Reading over the entire article you cited - I think this is the key passage as to why the band works... "Think of it another way -- the hypothalamus does not have eyes -- it doesn't know how much you ate, it doesn't know if there is a lot of food around and you are not eating it, or if there is a band on your stomach. The hypothalamus reacts very simply to the stimulation provided by the upper part of your stomach. Stretch that thermostat, it thinks you are eating a lot -- do that consistently over time, and it behaves as if you are eating a lot all the time and will allow your body to release fat stores and not cause your body to go into a metabolic slow-down. Conversely -- if you go on a diet, without the band --and that part of the stomach is not stretched, your hypothalamus thinks you are in a famine -- it doesn't know that there is a lot of food around you." We've all had that experience - the stopping/slowing down of weight loss even when you are being so, so good on a diet. And it happens because our cursed hypothalmus has decided there is a famine and hangs on to those fat stores! Then we get discouraged and give up on our diets because "they don't work." It also explains why I keep losing on the extreme calorie restriction that the early post-op period forces on us. When I normally do this extreme a "crash" diet I stop losing after about a week and I haven't seen that slow down yet - and maybe I won't according to this information. Interesting article!

I guess it's semantics - he is saying it is about suppressing the appetite - which is how I was told it works, too. It fills up the "pouch" with a small amount of food - but since the receptors for the feeling of being full are in the top of the stomach, the fullness above the band convinces your brain that your whole stomach is full. The food also passes out very slowly (if you are well adjusted), making you feel full longer. I think the doctor's reluctance to use the word restriction comes from the fact you can eat 1200 calories worth of liquid in a sitting without any issue (that's a pint of Haggen Daz, in case you were wondering) which will not let you lose weight. So I think your confusion comes from different people using the same language to mean different things... Either way, stepping back from the computer until you talk with a respected surgeon is still a good idea!

Wow. I cannot imagine fighting both the weight and the mental issues simultaneously. You must be an amazingly strong woman! My older sister has been battling weight issues and depression since she was about 12 and has suffered through the same extreme weight fluctuations you have. I'd be happy to be here for you for both encouragement and any minimal help I could offer. Feel free to e-mail me (thibideau@aol.com) or you can join the small blog group I have on blogspot. Maryanne

I just need to step away from the Internet and chill out. This is exactly what you need to do. You actually quoted someone's post about what they claimed their doctor told them (the food only stays in one minute). That is absolutely false. They probably misheard their doc or only partially heard (maybe that liquid only stayed in one minute?). You need to focus on reliable sources. Just because someone wrote it on the internet does not make it so. The medical studies show that this works primarily by keeping food in the upper portion of the stomach (where the nerves that tell you that you are full are located) for a longer period of time. It isn't a miracle, it does require willpower but it gives you that extra help when most of us who are fat are weak. I know people who have had the procedure who have done really well, some who have done OK and one for whom it completely failed. Like anything, you get what you put into it. I assure you, if pixie dust was involved, my insurance company would have refused to pay for it!

I had surgery a week ago today. I had my first recheck today and my next visit isn't until April 4th. And even then I only go if I'm not losing weight. He seems really casual about rechecks unless there are issues. We'll see!

I used senna leaf extract and DSS - both come as liquids but are very unpleasant tasting. I used 2 teaspoons twice a day until it had the desired effect. (that only was one day - it worked in about 12 hours), then used 1 teaspoon of each twice a day as long as I took the Lortab. I'm off all the meds now and still going strong, if you know what I mean!

I'm amazed as I read through all the posts how differently each doctor works! My first recheck is Monday (1 week post op) and he is talking about a fill four weeks post-op. I was told the elliptical and walking were fine as soon as I feel up to it. I am on a liquid diet but pureed, strained soups are fine! So many differences! I want to congratulate you on the goal of going back to tennis lessons - I need to think of a similar one. I do plan to work with a personal trainer once I have 50# off - until then I don't think I'll be healed enough but we'll see. Good luck!

Constipation was driving me nuts! You could check out my blog for today but I'll jut copy it here. I'd check with your doc if you can try the meds I used - both were liquid and did the trick in about 12 hours... It has been five days since surgery and I finally pooped! I realize that's a little gross, but it is such a relief (literally)! I had started to get concerned Wednesday night and yesterday afternoon I was wise enough to express my concerns to my nurse husband. Next thing I know he has talked to a pharmacy and run out to the same and came back with two innocent looking amber bottles. The first one, liquid Senna Leaf Syrup, is stimulant type of laxative. It has a super thick, sweet almost licorice-like flavor. After the bitterness of the Lortab, this is almost tasty. Then he gives me 2 teaspoons of DSS liquid, a stool softener. This stuff is completely nasty! It tastes like cherry flavored soap. And the soap tastes grabs your mouth and hangs on - lasted for over an hour! Luckily it worked, or I don't think I could have taken another dose of that stuff this morning! Now he suggests I take 1 teaspoon of each twice a day unless I develop diarrhea. I did have some cramping this morning so he suggested I decrease the dose of the Senna. On the positive side, my weight this morning (after the blessed poop!) was 245.2 - hooray!! Hopefully the cramping from the Senna Leaf will decrease with this smaller dose. Here's to only three more days of liquid diet!

I am post-op day 4. My doctor allows any liquids the first week (not just clear liquids). The day of surgery I just did tea because my stomach was upset from the anesthesia and I did NOT want to vomit. Since surgery I have done slim-fast smoothies with a tablespoon of pumpkin (for the extra fiber and vitamin A) for breakfast, and soups for lunch and dinner. I also had a scoop of sorbet for a treat last night. I am still staying well under a 1,000 calories a day - I have no idea how I could do more calories without drinking olive oil! Hunger has mostly not been an issue (although yesterday morning the leftover pizza in the fridge and brownies in the cookie jar were calling me! I ignored them...), and I have not had any issues with vomiting or regurgitation.My husband made me potato soup, pumpkin soup and tomato soup to have on hand so I have easy stuff on hand. I have lost another 4# since surgery, so I am really pleased. My first recheck is on Monday. I can hardly wait!

Thought I'd add my date, too. 1/28/11-SMOKEY2112 2/2/11 - Shawnypoo 2/7/11-ruthiesmg 2/7/11-soon2besexynslim 2/09/11-Mrs.Mustang 2/09/11-Bunnykins 2/09/11-Loozer2B 2/10/11 - JMH80 (Jackie) 2/10/11-Elle23 2/11/11-Justplaintired 2/11/11-KeeKee99 2/14/11-Alikitty 2/16/11-TexasMama 2/21/11 - MaryanneT 2/28/11-~Post Modern Retro Pretty~ 2/10/11__Trns4md

I was really glad to find this thread - I wanted to share my very positive experience with others heading down the same road. My surgery was at OSF Saint Anthony in Rockford, IL and my surgeon was Dr. Shayani. I got up yesterday at the usual time and took a shower, being very careful to clean by belly button (my husband is a former OR nurse and I've heard horror stories of the stuff they find during scrubbing!) and folds. Got dressed in loose-fitting, comfortable clothes and slip on shoes with warm socks. Luckily, I had six months of dieting before the surgery and had lost almost 30# so I had plenty of loose clothes available. We left for the hospital about 8:30 for an 11 am surgery. Check in was unremarkable then we were sent to surgery waiting for about 15-20 minutes before being brought back to the pre-op room. Once there, I changed into the blue gown (open in the back), the calf "massagers" and the treaded blue slippers before I got onto the gurney. The gown was then hooked to warm air blower - how great is that?!?! They covered my feel with a warmed blanket and reviewed my surgery with me. There was a TV in the room and my husband was with me. Very comfortable (aside from the fact I was starving and thirsty). A different nurse then came in and started an IV. She numbed the area first so I never even felt it. She also gave me an injection of heparin in my stomach (that did sting a lot but it passed after 15 minutes or so) and two pills (famotidine and metronidazole) with a teeny cup of ice water. That little bit of water tasted sooo good! The anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself and asked a few questions as did the nurse anesthetist. I was ready to go! We were then informed by the charge nurse that there would be about an hour delay due to some complications with the prior surgery. I dozed a while and used the bathroom while waiting. I admit, hearing that there was some trouble with the surgery before mine gave me a little bit of trepidation but not so much that I needed the Versed they offered. About 12:15 the OR nurse came and wheeled me off to the surgery room. I scooted from my gurney onto the surgery table and they gave me a nice support for my head and hooked up the EKG. They gave me an injection and put the oxygen mask over my face and I then was out until I woke in recovery. When I woke up, I had a really dry mouth and a little abdominal soreness but it was really not bad. The nurses kept checking on me because I would drift in and out (I was so nice and warm and cozy, it was hard not to just sleep!). I looked at the clock when I first woke up and it was about two. They transferred me back to my original pre-op room about 2:45. There I was given a sip of water (heaven!) and allowed to sit up. I asked to walk around and visit the bathroom. I did have some shoulder pain by now and the incisions were a little sore but walking seemed to help. I walked 15-20 laps around the nurses station and they decided I could go home. It was about 3:45. Stopped to pick up the liquid pain meds and I was home by 4:30. Only attempted water and a little sugar free jello and was in bed by 9 pm. The whole process was smooth and I am thrilled with how easy it all was. Looking forward to getting off the liquid diet next week, though!

Thanks for all the advice - I'm off to the hospital!