enchilada72

Good for you! Glad to hear you are feeling a little more restriction. I was banded 6.1 , then had a 5cc fill 6 weeks later. I am having my second fill 9.6 and I am hoping to get 3cc more. At 5cc I only felt restriction for about 2 days. Then poof- nothing.... I am so looking forward to finding that "green zone" or whatever, because I haven't lost much weight since the last fill. My clothes is much looser from my exercise, but I want to see it on the scale... And like you said, I spent $15 K and I want my results. But something is working because I have dropped 4 sizes since I started this process. Best of luck to you and take care!

In my opinion, I think this is the right place for someone to be able to discuss what is on their mind regarding banding. Whether or not you agree, we should all be open minded and let the original poster state her feelings. I can remember the feeling of desperation when I knew I needed to do something to change my weight/health/life. I made the decision for the band and have not regretted it at all. But there have been moments of frustration knowing I need a fill but can't for another 4 weeks. I thought "This is a waste of 4 banded weeks that I could be losing weight". I don't wish that feeling of desperation and frustration on anyone. People should feel free to say whatever they want on this post without be judged. If you have to say something, just don't be mean. There really is no reason for it. State your thoughts or concerns, but we are all here for the same general reason - Support. Basically this is a grown adult doing something they feel they need to do. All I can say is I wish the very best for you on your journey. I thought the idea of finding an RN that will do fills for cheaper is wonderful. Keep researching and doing what you feel you need to do. I am not trying to preach to anyone, but I have lived my life around a lot of mean people. People that insulted me to make themselves feel better. This took a toll on my confidence and esteem. Just be nice... because life is too short, and no one gets out alive. Take care all!

I am not a spoiled brat, but I have a hard time wearing someone else's clothes. Maybe because I grew up forced to wear my sister's hand-me-downs. I highly recommend Old Navy. They just had jeans for $10 and it tons of different fits and styles. ALso Macy's has great deals right now with 40% off their clearance. I bought a pair of Calvin Klein cargo capris for $22. They were originally $60. Look for sales racks or clearance sections on line.

Definitely call your physician. You could have a post op ileus which is very common from anesthesia. It is like an air pocket in your intestine. But the anesthesia slows every thing down. So it feels like it is just sitting there. Hope you feel better soon.

I had my first fill today of 5 ccs. I feel good and full after having a protein shake. I like that feeling and I am happy to be back there. Good luck to all!

Thank you all for your help and advice. I am not comparing my weight loss to my husband's. He has always been able to lose much faster than I have. That was a given... I was only comparing our restriction. It just seems his band is working like it should, where mine seems not tight enough. That is OK... I was just venting. I find now I am craving different foods (bad foods), and not having restriction makes the devil in me think it is OK to eat. I just have to let the process work and in time things will work out. Again, thank you all for listening and letting me vent.... Best of luck to you all!

I was banded June 1st. Been doing really well very quickly. My first fill appointment isn't until 7/22. But, I want it now! I have no restriction. I can eat basically anything! I am making healthy choices, but I don't feel full at all, ever. I haven't had any PBing or reflux. I did drink a sip of diet Coke and burped like crazy, so I know the band is in there. I just hate going through the procedure, totally changing my eating habits and felling like nothing has changed. My husband had the procedure on the same day and he is feeling restriction. He can't eat too much without taking a break and slowing down. I am losing weight very slowly (as to be expected). But I want my fill!!! I am so afraid of stretching my pouch before my fill. How long did you guys have to wait before having your first? I am thinking of rescheduling my appointment for something sooner. I have this tool and I want to use it to it's full potential. Thanks for listening everyone and let me know what you did. I appreciate any help and advice!

I am 5 weeks post op. I was in the facility @ noon and home by 7 pm that night. No overnight stay for me and no problems.

I am 5 weeks post op and I still get the shoulder pain. Odd thing is it didn't start until 2 weeks post op. Now I get it if I eat one bite too many or something that makes me gassy. Nothing gets rid of it...nothing. Not Gas X, not walking, heating pad... nothing. I just have to wait it out for it to disappear. I am slowly getting used to what to eat and what not to eat. It is learning how to read the signs my body gives. I wish you all the best in your journeys!

I am 5 weeks post op and finally feeling that area again. It was numb and tingling and burning since surgery. I was told it's because it is where they have to retract the abdominal wall to attach the port. As the nerves heal, the feeling comes back and the burning stops. I can only tell I had surgery at this point when I twist in a odd way. It all gets better. I have lost quite a bit without being hungry. Feeling good!

I agree. Rest your digestive system for a few days with clear and light full liquids. This should help everything settle. If it doesn't settle, worry about it then and see your Doc. Could be just the flu and bad timing. Hope you are feeling better quick!

I am 1 month post op yesterday. I have trouble with vitamins keeping me up at night. Even if I take them at 5 in the morning. My surgeon recommended Isotonix vitamins. They are powder and you mix a capful with 2 ounces of water. They taste like Tang and go down fast. Plus, they are absorbed better than chewables. I liked them so much, I bought the calcium powder. Again, this tastes like Tang. The taste is citrusy and bright and they go down like a shot. The best thing is they don't keep me up at night. They aren't very expensive either. Plus I don't have any issues with liquids, so around fill time I can still take my daily vitamin. I can't recommend these enough. Some people say they taste too tart, but for me, I will take this over having caulky vitamin leftovers in my teeth, or the texture of a gummy bear that seems forever to chew and chew and chew. You can Google "Isotonix" and their website will come up. These are my favorite.

Pancreatitis can be diagnosed by a lab test: Amylase/Lipase level. If it is elevated, you have pancreatitis. If it is a long time elevation, it could be chronic pancreatitis.

Could be just a spasm. But if it were me, i would ring the physician just so they know what symptoms you are having. ANd maybe they have some advice or will want to see you. I am 10 days post op and I am feeling things I have never felt before, but feeling good. Hope you are feeling better soon.

My hubs and I are both scheduled June 1st. We start our journey the day after tomorrow. For the past 2 weeks, we have been eating 2 protein shakes and a dinner of protein and veggies. Wish all you June bandsters the best of luck. Hope to see all of your success stories on this page along with my hubs and mine. Take care all.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. I had a cup of hot tea with a little lemon and with in minutes- poof...the headache was gone. You all are so right. I made my dinner and a few minutes after that my energy returned. I am not used to listening to what my body is telling me. I am learning the signs and will get to know what I need as I become healthier. Thank you all for talking me off "the ledge". I appreciate it! Feeling much-o better-o this morning!

The EAS Carb advantage is pretty good. Also the EAS Myoplex lite.

I am on Day 7 of the pre op diet with surgery on 6/1. I am going through sugar withdrawal, coca-cola withdrawal, you-name-it withdrawal and I am having second thoughts. I thought this would be no problem, but it is tough. I will get through it, but I am having a tough day. I have no energy, I have a chronic dull headache and I just want to sleep. Will this pass? Please help... Has this happened to you? Did you get through it? I need to just suck it up and deal.

congrats! I hope the Brooks take care of your pain, My hubby loves his. Good luck to you!

$15,800 is my number... surgery date 6/1/11. This includes pre-op protein diet, surgeon, psych consult, up to 3 nights stay at the hospital and 1 years of fills. I am happy with this because I love the surgeon. I live in the Tampa - S. Pete area (FL).

Above and beyond just how wonderful you look. I bet you have tons of energy. That is what I am looking forward to... not tiring out so quickly. Thank you for your story and tips.

I meant to also mention that Saucony is a very good women's brand.... It is pronounced "sock - o - knee).

I get awful shin splits whenever I wear Nikes. My first pair was pretty old so I bought $150 Nike Shox and still had severe shin splints; even when just walking. I switched to Asics Kinsei and poof... shin splints are gone. Totally gone! Even when jogging. Anyone that has had severe shin splints knows they are so painful, it is even difficult to press the clutch in my car. My calves would swell so bad and I would have to ice them down. But anyway... It really also depends on what activity you are doing and what kind of support you need. It took me quite a bit of cash before I found the perfect pair. Funny things is, the same thing happened with my husband. Nikes would tear up his feet and knees. He finally bought a pair of Brooks - Beast (they are specifically for men with flatter type arches) and again, poof- like night and day. Long walks and jogs were not a problem any longer. If you are afraid it may be the neuropathy, best bet would be to see a Neurologist and go through an EMG (electromyography- a skeletal muscle and nerve stimulation test)... it is a test that can tell if you nerves are performing correctly. Then if it is neuropathy, it can be treated and your sneakers weren't the culprit.You could find out the root cause of the problem. Best of luck to you....

My hubs and I are have been thinking about the Adjustable Gastric Banding for a while. I have been thinking about it a lot longer than him. We finally made the decision to do it together. We both have a date of June 1st. We are self pays so our surgeon was quick to get us on the schedule. I am looking forward to having some control over what we eat and working together to be a healthier couple. We both have quite a bit to lose, but hubs is in better shape than me. I can't wait to be able to walk faster to keep up with him. I have read a bit of negative blogs, but I am focused on the good. The band is only a tool and it can only work as well as I make it work. I am open to any advice and words of encouragement. I love reading all the success stories. I am very lucky that my hubs is doing this with me. I have read some not so supportive stories. Thanks for listening and I am hoping to have some success stories of my own. But first, there are quite a few steps before the big date. Hope to get to know a lot of you and thanks for listening!

Dr. Jessee is banding my hubs and me on June 1st. Just starting the process, so I hope to hear more from everyone. Can never have enough support, right!?!