Rachel412

It sounds completely normal! You'll soon learn to bend in a different way when you get up... it's hard to remember in the beginning but it'll become second nature to angle your body a different way so you don't pull on your port.

Well... it may not be much help to you, but my port area is always sore, and quite often feels bruised and achy. The PA at my WL practice thinks it's because my port is so close to my rib cage that I'm constantly bumping and irritating it. Sometimes I'll bend the wrong way and pull it and holy moly, that is BAD pain. It'll get worse for a couple of days, then go back to that almost constant ache.

I too would say it's not likely band related. Your stomach is really high up, pretty much under your rib cage. Perhaps some sort of digestive issue? I hope it clears up or you get answers soon!

I think right around 10 days after surgery was the worst part for me. I was hungry, and I was healing, but I was in a HORRIBLE mood and was depressed and mad at the world. Please be kind to yourself, it WILL get better! I second that you should call your doctor and ask if you can be moved to the next food stage early, but DO NOT do it on your own. When you get through all of this you will be so proud of yourself for being able to follow the post-op diet. (BTW I still think your particular diet is too strict. I think you need more Protein.)

Clear liquids 1 week (including 3 Protein shakes a day made with water), full liquids 1 week (shakes made with milk), mushy foods 1 week, soft-ish foods 1 week, then proceed as tolerated. I think only 6 oz. a day of a Protein Drink is ridiculous. That's the only nutrition you're getting, you should be able to have more than that! (for the other person who asked... yes I was tempted to cheat during my post-op time. no, I didn't cheat. If you cheat, all you're doing is hurting yourself.)

It's normal. It's likely due to swelling that persists for a few weeks past surgery. Enjoy it while you've got it

well... what are your options?

Swelling right after a fill is totally normal. I'd back off to liquids only for another day and then slowly try eating again.

It's not dumping syndrome, it's your body trying to get used to being back on solid foods again. Sounds like you also might be having anxiety about it which may cause IBS-like symptoms. How many days has this been happening?

Sounds like your BMI was under 40 when you walked in the door on the first day. There's no way they should have wasted your time, I'm so sorry.

I saw you complaining that you're not getting enough replies. I think most people don't really read the introductions board, so if you have a question you might be better off trying to post it in post-surgery questions. That being said, I'm really concerned that you had been given no information whatsoever about your post-op/banded "diet" before you had the surgery. You were never told what kinds and amounts of food you'd be expected to stick to once you were banded? If so, I wonder what else they didn't tell you. Yes, most banded people are told to stick to a high Protein, low-carb diet. It's probably similar to Atkins, but not the same. Personally, I try to stick to 80 or more g of protein a day, and under 100g of carbs a day. As for post-op I had 1 week Clear liquids, then 1 week "full" liquids. So that was pretty much anything I could drink, no lumps. Nothing that could be chewed. I'd put whatever soup I wanted in the blender and mix it up, then drink it down.

The band probably isn't going to stop you from eating- it'll make it so that you're satisfied with a smaller meal, and you stay satisfied for 4-5 hours. Read the link in my signature. Can you tell us a typical day worth of food for you? And are you exercising?

I set it. The doctor said it was about what size I wanted to be, not any charts. So my goal weight is a lot higher than what a chart would probably say.

I picked up protein bars when I was getting groceries for the family today. I have a shaker and can make my protein drinks with water, so that'll be OK. I was focusing on buying shelf-stable food so man, I bought more carbs today than I've purchased in years!

You're doing just fine. You're one of the lucky ones who has results from the band, even without any fills. Enjoy it, and congrats!

I lost my 7 year old

I can tell you what always leads me down a bad path- carbs. If I have carbs for breakfast, it starts a cycle and by the end of the day I'm ready to binge. Generally my best eating days are a protein drink for breakfast, a low-carb turkey wrap and almonds for lunch, and just protein and a veg for dinner, no bread or rice or anything. But if I don't start off my day well, I can never get back on track for the rest of the day.

You need to take a deep breath, and take every day as it comes. In the beginning post-surgery you have swelling that helps you to feel restriction without having any fill in the band. Will you NEED a fill at some point? Maybe, maybe not. But it's really not worth worrying over it now! You're only what, 10 days past surgery? You have a long time before you have to think about needing a fill!

That's horrible, I would be mad too. Did you know about the pricing when you started at that office?

I think it's different for everyone. Some people do hit their goal weight and enter maintenance, and they don't need further tweaking.

You BOTH sound too tight to me.

I feel like I pay more attention to other obese people now, but instead of always thinking "I wonder if I look like her/him" I think "I'm glad I don't look like that anymore". I know that sounds horrible and every time I think it, I feel guilty.

I wouldn't think that was normal, no. I'd be wary.

Keep us updated, ok?

I've noticed similar changes. I feel like women especially treat me differently. I guess I never thought I was being dismissed because of my weight in the past, but now I'm noticing women are more likely to smile at me, or ask me questions, or start a conversation with me. It's WEIRD!