dmom

Hi TC. My name is Donna. I had the sleeve done on 2/18/13. I am still recovering a bit, but I also had a bit more complicated surgery. You see, I had the lap band initially on 3/21/11. I had irritation and swelling from the band making it difficult to eat, so I decided to switch to the sleeve. It has been an adjustment for me, but I have to tell you that most importantly you need to remember to follow the doctors orders, eat slowly, and make sure you get lots of fluids in. This site can offer a lot of support because the people here are doing the same thing you are. Good luck with your journey!

You are right... you are not the only one that is struggling. I was banded on 3/21/11. I have lost 50 lbs and have about 50 lbs still left to lose. I am going through a lot of stress right now and problems with my children that I never expected when I started this journey and I feel like focusing on my weight loss in the last thing I want to do. I find myself eating things that I shouldn't but controlling how much I eat because I don't want to gain back what I have lost. I have managed to maintain my weight loss over the last 6 months but have not lost anything. I know that I need a fill, but mentally do not feel ready for one yet. Also, I had to have disc replacement surgery the end of February that set me back in the exercise department and so I am fighting to get back into a routine again. Don't worry though. We all go through this, some more than others. There is light again and the weight will come off again. Just try changing up your routines, or diet and make it exciting again. I am trying to challenge myself again seeing that my husband lost 50 lbs on his own when I lost my first 50 and we have other family members trying to lose without help of weight loss surgery. Be patient with your band. One thing I did learn about my band in recent months was that if you are going to have a surgery after you have the band, you need to have some fluid taken out before surgery if you are going to be intubated (sp?). It caused me lots of grief for a few months with eating but I have made it back from that. Hang in there!

Congrats on your success!

I had surgery on March 21 this year and I can tell you that I stuggle daily trying to eat the right food and right amount. This last week I had my first group meeting and my 6 week post op visit. My weight loss had stalled and I was frustrated. Through my dr visit and group session, I found out that I am eating WAY too much. My insurance is Kaiser and they run the group meeting with a dietician and I also saw a dietician at my 6 week check up. They both told me that I should only be eating a cup of food per meal and only 3 meals a day. I know that this is SO hard, but they also reminded me of my long term goals, to to lose the weight. I have trouble with snacking and cheating, but I want to get back on track. It has been horrible since the middle of April for me with food. In the last few days, I have really worked hard to try to eat the right portions and right food and I am starting to see the scale moving downward again. Be patient with yourself. I have seen the scale move down a few pounds and then up a pound or two and sit there. Then, it will go down again. Know that you are not in this alone!

I had surgery with Dr Metz on March 21, 2011. My husband went with me to pre-op visits and agreed that he was a good doc that we were comfortable with. He was awesome about answering my husbands questions and concerns about the surgery. Also, he helped me choose what surgery to have by informing me of all of the pros and cons about weight loss surgery. His office staff is great! They are always friendly and courteous. I would recommend him to anyone looking to have weight loss surgery.

I had restrictions with driving. As long as I was on pain medications, there was to be no driving. I agree with everyone else. Day two is definitely NOT for camping. I have children and explained what I was having done because they range in age from 5-17 and i wanted them to understand why I could not lift them or do some of the housework that I normally do. This is major surgery and you will need your rest. Also, a lot of people get gas pain after surgery and if you are one of those people, you will appreciate taking medication, walking as much as you can to help the gas pain, and just resting. As of today, I am 5 weeks post op and still have some problems with sitting for long periods of time due to being uncomfortable around my port incision. Hope that all of this information helps!

I was told that you might not feel any change with your first fill. It generally takes about 3 fills to get to your "sweet spot" according to my doctor. Hope this helps. I just had my first fill on Thurs and did not feel much change either.

I bruised as well from my first fill on Thurs. They had trouble getting to my port because of the scar tissue that I have ( I scar really bad and bruise easily). They had to dig around in the scar tissue and push a little hard to get to the port, which hurt. My bruising is very dark purple and looks bad! While I am eager to get fills and get to my sweet spot, I do not look forward to the actual needle going in. I know that my scar tissue will still be there.

I had my first fill on Thurs. The nurse said that I may not notice any changes with the first fill and that it could take a few fills before noticing that I am where I want to be. I got 4 cc's on Thurs. I have not really noticed anything either. Hope that this helps.

If you are having trouble eating during the day, what about having a Protein drink to help you out during the day. I know that people tend to feel more satisfied when they eat, but this may help you get more in without making you tired. Just a suggestion!

I have been having pain around my port area too with some swelling. It usually gets better with resting. I asked the dr about it, but he said not to be concerned that there was a lot of pulling in the area of the port and that he sewed it in there so there is healing to do. He did also tell me that I can start exercising more to get my pulse up, but overall I have done pretty well with the surgery. Hope this helps!

Through my insurance they gave us a list of foods that work for soft moist meats. On that list is sliced deli meats, canned chicken and turkey in Water, egg substitutes and egg whites, canned turkey chili, canned Beans (mashed), bean soup, baked fish, and smooth Peanut Butter. I hope that this list helps you to have some variety. I know that the limits are very trying!

I had a full liquid diet for about the first 10 days and then the doc said that I could go to soft foods. I have done that for almost a week. In the last week the scale has not moved for me at all. I know that healing is most important. I am getting my first fill on April 14th and look forward to maybe seeing some changes on the scale then. The doc did tell me to up my exercise and heart rate. I am trying to, but still find myself tired in the afternoons. I started the Vitamins again last week and that has helped my energy though. I understand your frustrations though!

I heard to move, move, move to help the gas. I had previously had shoulder surgery and the gas pain in my left shoulder reminded me of that. I had severe pain for the first couple of days. To help, I moved as much as I felt that I could and also found that laying on a heating pad helped me. I still have some of the gas, but the pain is almost completely gone.

My port is located there also. I have had some swelling in that area and it is a little tender, but other than that, it seems fine.

I agree not to worry about gaining right after surgery. I was banded 3/21/11 and I was up 4 lbs or so after surgery. I started walking as much as I could to get rid of the gas pain and as of today I am down 6 lbs from surgery. Just follow the drs orders and relax. It will all be ok. I have read that if you do lose weight within the first few weeks, it is just a bonus. As everyone else is saying, focus on letting your body heal.

Mine is and I can't wait!! Good luck!

Hi everyone! I have a March 21st surgery date. I have a pre-op 3 day clear liquid fast before surgery with no solid food at all. I am kind of nervous about that part but very excited for the surgery that is quickly approaching! Good luck to all of those that are getting banded very soon!