bzbrown

I had the band put in 3/24/11. I've had two fills since. I've been successful in my weightloss. I moved to a new town after I got my band, and for the two fills drove 4 hours one way and dealt with serious traffic which was very uncomfortable driving my manual shift car in. For some reason I feel a lot of pain in my port area. The 2nd fill, the DR was an hour late, and rushed through the fill so quickly he didn't get that I was really in pain when I told him, and well there is more and I'm just not cool about driving 4 hours to this guy again. I called my insurance. I can self refer to another clinic. I called the clinic and will have to pay a consultation fee out of pocket. My insurance will cover the adjustments after I pay the consultation fee. This office is less than an hour away. Anyone switch docs/clinics after having the band in, and a couple fills? It's not just the insane drive in southern california traffic, I just no longer "feel" this clinic. For those of you who made the switch, regardless of you're reasons, how did it go?

I had my first fill a few hours ago. Laid down, area was clean and swabbed. He used a needle to inject what I believe was Lidocane to numb the area, that stung for a moment. He used a bigger needle to put in the port. This meant he had to feel around the area to make sure he had the right spot. I did not feel the needle, but the pressure was not comfortable. He helped me stand up, with the longer needle still in. Injected, had me drink Water, asked my response, continued until he was happy with my response. I began to feel dizzy about this point, and then my vision blurred, face went pale, and he was finished. I puked. I do believe the puking was in response to the mental response to standing and having a needle sticking out of me lol. I am on a liquid diet for 2 days, then 2 days soft, and have had no issue as of today. But the port site hurts real bad. All in all I found it to be very uncomfortable.

My hubs married me at my highest weight, and we've never had issues in that departmento The idea of things getting even better after weightloss.... woohoo!

Heating pad did wonders for me!

Today is my 2 week also. I kept to the liquids up until a couple days ago, and added soft foods because I was beginning to feel weak and disoriented. For me the "cravings" were just habit. I just wanted to chew lol. Each time I wanted to chew I just had 2 oz of Protein shake and that fills me right up and the fullness overrides the desire to eat. I'm not hungry, just bored I guess. I found that coming here, and reading the success stories of others and my desire not to "mess this up" has helped. Today is mush day. The 22nd is my first fill. I'm past the crazy "I gotta chew something or I'm gonna flip out on someone stage". I be sure to drink plenty of Water, especially when I'm cooking for my kids so I have that nice fullness going for me, and no desire to consume a bit of whatever I made them.... I think the hardest part for me was giving up my nightly glass (or 3) of wine I'd grown used to having. But I haven't had even a sip since pre-op!!

I tell everyone! It's a very exciting journey. Only my husband and my sister get the "details" though, they know all, everything from pain to constipation.

Today is my 2 week post op. I'm going to take one today!

I am so happy. Today I woke up able to breath without that horrible sharp pain under my rib cage. My incision area had been hurting something awful the last couple days, but not today. As of the day I was banded (March 24) I've officially lost 23 lbs! I was supposed to be on full liquids for 2 weeks, tomorrow is my two weeks. I added a bit of soft stuff a few days ago because I was feeling so weak and disoriented, I needed something more to keep me moving. The pain was so bad I'd actually been regretting being banded. Well today is a better day. I made my first fill appointment for the 22nd, a day before my beloved husband returns from Japan for good! Any tips for the first fill? I asked the nurse on the line and she said don't eat prior, and said I'd be able to drive myself home. I'll still be on soft foods then, but can easily go back to liquids if need be.

Just started this morning. Feels similar to the side cramps ya get sometimes exercising and low on Water, but located slightly high, although definatly on the side of my abs below ribs (left side). Hurts when I inhale, lay down, and randomly when standing. I'm 10 days post, on liquids for another 4 days. Barely taking in calories, because 1oz of anything leaves me feeling full. I've lost 21 lbs since being banded 10 days ago. I sip water all day. I did move this weekend but left the lifting to the kids, and mover. Anyone experience this? It's like a cramp but, not constant, and only slightly dulled by heating pad or vicodine. Any clues?

I'll take some gas-x as a precautionary lol.

I googled this just now, seems common but did not get an answer. Hopefully someone has some insight, but I am calling my surgeon tomorrow if it's still there.

I've only been banded a week yesterday. I use the Benifiber chewables. I crush them, although I'm sure I could just chew them to powder and swallow. But I take 3 a day. All seems to be working well now lol.

I see a lot of variation here in. People who lose or who don't lose prior to fills, I also see a variation of the prescribed diets, and exercise as well. Guess it just depends on the individual and their body response to the band, surgery and diet in general. I'd hope after all we have gone through to get approval, the surgery itself, the pre and post diets, and education along the way that no one would specifically focus on weight loss over healing. I'm 6 days post and down 15 lbs from the morning of surgery. Believe me I've not been at the gym or doing anything crazy I've walked to the park with my kids one time since surgery. My main focus has been to remain hydrated, after that Protein, per my surgeons instructions. I also am on a very strict limiting liquid diet that I hate more than anything, but am following for one more week. Some I've noticed got to eat mush after a week, some ate mush at the hospital. It's all so different, it's no wonder there are such a variation of results.

As far as the pain, I was much better on day 3 than on day 1. Is it like that for you, you're feeling better than the first day? I'm on day 6, I've lost 15 lbs, have been completely fatigued by night time, but I'm doing much better. I actually walked my kids to a playground the other day, very slow walk, but a walk I didn't feel like I could have done a day prior. I'm not dealing with hunger issues so much as that mental desire to chew something, especially when I'm fixing Breakfast and dinner for my kids lol. So yes it has gotten better. My pain level right now, on the 1-10 scale is about a 1.

I wish I only had a week of Protein shakes! I'm at day 5 post-op. I started liquids 2 days prior to surgery. broth, Protein shakes, Water and juice. Since my surgery day my scale has dropped 13 lbs. I'm getting enough water for sure, followed by protein, then whatever is in the juice and broth. My hunger issues hit in the evening when my kids and family start eating (with me mostly preparing the meals). I have not cheated though. Too afraid of the consequances lol. In all I'm to follow this diet for 2 weeks before I can go to mush.... I'm not so sure how much of a benefit it is for me to follow this water, broth, juice, protein (2 oz each over an hour and repeat), but mentally it's draining. My thoughts are all over, my skin is super dry, and I'm really moody and exhausted. Im afraid at this rate I'll have a heart attack or something.. I'm following the orders of my doc to the T. One week + 2 days to go and I can try the next step.

I am right there with you. I had a pot per morning habit that I stopped cold turkey. I didn't load it with sugar or anything fun, just a splash of fat free milk, but I'd take 2 oz of it black right now if it was on my post op instructions list!!

I'll try something cold then tomorrow. I was told 2 days of only warm liquids for post (hence the warm protien shake, because why else would I do that lol ick). Two days ends tonight yay! Thanks for your help. I'm just so curious about all this, and want to make sure I'm doing everything right as possible. ~nobia

Feels like something is having a hard time passing through something else lol. Like the way it'd feel if I had a really sore throat and tried to swallow a large bite of food (but not this isn't happening in my throat)... It's about the level of my breast bone, and the sensation seems worse and stronger after I've drank my 2 oz of liquid (I space out my intake) but not immediatly during this process, a few minutes after lasting up to an hour after that 2 oz of liquid has been consumed. Is this just the way the band feels? Or is too tight? Or something else all together, more gas lol? I'm only taking in liquids right now. It's incrediably uncomfortable (makes me stop walking and talking mid process), but I'm not worried something is scary wrong, just wondering what this new sensation is..

Eeeks, what is too fast? Right now it takes me about 30 minutes to consume 2 oz of liquid, this is not because I can't go faster physically, I'm sure I could... but I'm scared to drink faster or find out if I can lol.... I've only had broth, warm Protein shake, juice, and melted warm suger free ice pop since I was banded. Am I going to fast? I've tried standing while I drank, I don't know why, just thought it was something to try for a comfort issue, that and now that ya'll got me up and moving, I'm more comfy standing

Yes like a lump down lower, and it "passes" but comes back again. I don't know. It's uncomfortable, and has got me curious. I've not strayed from my liquid diet at all since pre-op so it's not food... Maybe like a clogged drain, draining slowly is another way to describe it, if that's indeed what's happening? LOL.

I was banded less than 24 hours ago. For most of the day and into the evening I had extreme shoulder pain. I am taking Gas X and using a heating pad for that. I also have vicodin. The shoulder and back pain is mostly dull now. But I also have a very tight pain in the middle of my breast bone? Is this gas as well? I've not been able to drink more than 2 oz broth and 2 oz protien shake. But I was told most important was to stay hydrated, and I've been slowly sipping warm Water to avoid dehydration. What the heck is this pain? It dulls with heating pad, but not all the way. I've gotten up and walked the hall a couple times, but I'm so weak that this is really difficult, so I've stayed comfy on a recliner. I'm sure this is all normal. But I've had little sleep, it's 4:30 am and I'm practically in tears over this, maybe I just need to talk it out.....

Thank you everyone! I think I was just at a very weak point this morning, frustrated with inability to be comfy, and rest. But I've taken the advice and kept moving. I put more time in between when I give in to pain meds, walked the hallway, even painted my nails lol. I bet by tomorrow I'll be much better. Thank you all for being so supportive. It is nice to have folks who have already been through this give me a bit of guidence along the way!

My day finally came for my procedure. I'll write a surgery day story when I'm in less discomfort LOL. If I can recall all. I'm in extreme discomfort because of all the air. My incision area though does not hurt one bit... did ya'll know vicodin comes in a liquid too! My husband is in Japan, but made sure to have a fresh bouquet of flowers waiting for me. I'm sure tomorrow will be better.... Thank you all who have posted your stories and experiences. I knew just what to expect because of this forum, and was not as stressed as I thought I'd be this morning...

Yuppers, I'm planning on grabbing a walk outdoors, first thing after someone wakes up to walk with me.

If I hadn't looked I wouldn't have believed I had incisions LOL. Once I saw them, they gave off little twings of pain, but nothing like this gas. I just feel like crying, or screaming! Thanks for the response, I kind of figured this was to be expected. I always though I had a high tolerance for pain, lol.... Now I realize I've never experienced real pain until now!