jayres14

Got two more cc's and I can feel the Water and Protein Shakes now. Excited about the coming weeks!!

When my band was placed (10cc band), it did not have any saline in it. At my two week check up, my Dr put 2cc in it. I did not feel much restriction at all. I could eat the same day, I have only lost two pounds the past two weeks since the fill. I am going in for another fill tomorrow and I am hoping he will put a lot more saline in there. I have read that it normally takes about 5 to 7 cc to get to the green zone so I am going to ask him to at least put three more in there. I know this is a process and that I should be patient but I paid 12 grand for this and I want my "tool" to start helping me! I have gotten out of the practice of chewing vigorously b/c it hasn't been needed. Hopefully things will work out and I will reach this blissful green zone I've been reading about and not be so hungry anymore. Wish me luck!!

Oh no! That is awful for you! I had to sleep on my back for the first three weeks after the surgery because of port pain. Every time I tried to roll to one side, I could feel the stitches pulling. I still can feel them to this day and sometimes have to push the port back into its resting place when I roll back over (it is right below my sternum). I wish I had some good news for you. Good Luck and I hope it flips back on its own.

That's some really great stuff!! I like the cool whip idea. It seems the Protein Shakes are a little thick so I am all about a thinner shake. I am trying to stay away from most meats for fear of careless swallowing. I had Wendy's chili last night and finally got that full feeling. The chili was pretty good, which surprised me! Thanks for the GREAT advice!!

I have to agree with the other posters here. 5 days post-op to regular foods seems AWFULLY quick, even if it's what your nutritionist told you. My post-op diet won't let me back on regular foods for 30 days. I guess every doctor has a different plan, but yours has the fastest recovery period I've read about.

I would recommend taking it easy on the regular foods, so your body can heal. Good luck with your Lap-Band journey

You are not the only one to be surprised that I started solids, I seem to be getting that a lot. The whole practice has that rule. Even the psychologist you have to see before they will do the band has that post op plan. I will ask them again when I go Wednesday about the rush to solids, but seriously, I have not had any major problems. It may make a difference that they do not put ANY restriction in the band when it is out in. IDK. I know that the past two days, eating the solids, I have had around 1100 calories, which is less than I am allowed, so I know if I keep it up, I will lose the 1 to 2 pounds per week as recommended. My whole purpose of the original post was to make a small joke about having to chew the food til it's liquid. Kinda changes the taste of the food, it seems. Anyways, I hope we all do well with the lap band, it is definitely much more harder than any regular diet and we deserve it!

What do I know? Hmmm...look at my ticker. I know how to make a lapband work! When I read your post, you struck me as someone who is already trying to figure out how to "eat around" the band. Eating faster = eating more. Eating slowly is essential to success. I really wasn't trying to be negative. I was trying to make a point. I apologize for that last statement. It really was uncalled for. I honestly think, though, that your facility is doing its patients a great disservice by putting them back on solids so quickly.

Look, I am just following my surgeons orders, that's all I know to do. I haven't vomited, I haven't had slimes or whatever those others are talking about. I have had two small occasions where I didn't chew enough and swallowed a big piece that felt stuck. The feeling lasted about 15 seconds and then it was over. You are right though, you are doing well with the band. I can read the ticker, and that was why I was so surprised to read the put downs. If you are so successful and you are skimming the post op posts, I would think it would be to build up the newbies, offer advice for what HAS worked for you, how you got through some of the hard spots. "Eating around the band"?? What the crap is that?!?! I didn't get insurance to cover this band. I paid the twelve grand myself so I doubt I am going to be trying to cheat my own pockets on this band. I guess that would require knowing more about a person's personal story before making swift judgments. Whatever...

Okay, geez, Cindy, you don't have to jump up on a soap box! You can feel free to call the Baptist Metabolic Center in Nashville and voice your concerns over their lack of expertise if it bothers you so bad but keep the negativity off my posts. What do they know anyways, it's not like they had to be certified to administer these bands.... oh wait..... yes they do!! Besides, I was making light conversation referring to the minor annoyance of having to chew so much (27 times), not that I am savagely hungry and just can't get it in fast enough. If the only thing you have to offer me is your cynical elbow throwing (enjoy your pureed cheeseburger), don't waste your precious time posting on my things. I can find SUPPORT (the reason we are all here) from more caring people!!

I don't get stuck when I eat all the time. That happened on two different occasions when I wasn't paying attention and swallowed before I had chewed enough. It was a horrible feeling, like my chest was going to explode! I never want to feel that again, though I know it's bound to happen eventually.

Well, actually, it's the metabolic surgery center's policy of the post op food plan. The nutritionist told me there was actually no reason to stay on liquids for so long b/c the band does not restrict liquids which negates it's purpose, and that the stomach only needs a few days for the swelling to go down after surgery. She also said that scar tissue does not form over the part that is known to slip so those that argue that the stomach needs to be still so the tissue can grow over the band to prevent slippage are false. Who knows? I just know that I have been able to eat regular food since day 4 post op. I drink a Protein Shake every morning already. I just wish there was a way to eat faster without getting "stuck". Those 27 chews are going to give me lock jaw! Maybe I just need to blend all my food and drink it from now on! Anyone ever had a pureed cheeseburger?? HAHA!!

My post op plan was day 1 and 2- liquid/ day 3 and 4- mushies/ day 5 and on-regular food. I have not had any issues transitioning to each level. I do not have any saline in my band, my surgeon does not fill any before he puts in. My first fill is next wednesday.

So I am one week post op and I can pretty much eat anything (as long as I chew really well). I do not feel any restriction in my band and am not getting a "full" feeling when I eat. The problem is, it takes so long to eat a meal that I pretty much give up and quit. I have had two "stuck" issues and they were so awful that I am totally afraid to go through that again. I make sure to chew so much that I can't feel the food slide down my throat. I am pretty much hungry all the time but it seems to me that i'd rather feel the hunger pains and keep going through my day than stop and focus on a meal for FOREVER...... I am not even getting in the 1200 calories a day I should be getting. I guess I need to add a Protein Shake daily but then again, it takes so long to drink it that I don't even care to. Anyone have suggestions to get this train moving along?? I guess as long as I am getting my Multi-Vitamin in, I should be okay.

Side note: myfitnesspal.com is a great app for keeping a food and exercise journal. And it's free!!

Oh geez, I hope not!! I am only 6 days out and I am ready to be healed!!

This is all really good stuff!! I am going to have to write it all down. I will look into the fitness pal site. I bet I can keep up with it all on my phone.

Before my doctor's office called back, I was able to eat some chicken salad (Mrs. Grissom's). It did not fill me up but it curbed the hunger pains. My doctor said to go back to liquid for a few days until more of the swelling goes down. Hopefully that is all it is, swelling from the surgery, and I will soon be normal like all the others I read about on this site.

Thanks for all of y'all's advice. It really helps to know I am not alone!!

WOW!! That's crazy b/c I had hernia repair surgery last month!! I was still hurting from it when I got banded. I didn't feel the hernia pain until today, when the feeling started to return to my insides.

I think I need to eat a bunch of soft foods and not even try to do solids just yet. What are some things you eat that do not have that effect??

That's kinda what I thought but I get that pressure feeling even if I am drinking a Protein Shake or sipping Water. It seems like every time i put anything in my system, I get that awkward feeling. It seems I am hungry all the time but I am scared to eat anything. I guess I need to call my doctor but it's only been six days since I had the band put in and I am scheduled for my first fill next week.

I am having trouble finding that "full" feeling. I may have never had it to begin with. When I eat a small meal, I eat until I feel that pressure in my chest. It scares me from eating any more b/c I don't want to vomit but I am in no way "full" feeling. It feels like a huge burp that I can't get up. I still feel real hungry but can't eat anymore for fear of overdoing it. Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I had my band put in six days ago and I am STILL having gas pains in my shoulder and tummy. Walking is the only thing that has helped me (gas-x doesn't work). I walked my driveway fifteen times and finally passed gas (raunchy but wonderful)!! You have to get up and move ASAP.

Okay, I am completely confused! I had my band put in Thursday (6 days ago). The metabolic surgery center gave me a post op food plan that included day 1 and 2- liquid diet, day 3 and 4- mushie foods, day 5 and on- regular food. I started eating regular food on day 5. Although it feels fine, and I have not had any vomiting, the posts I read on this site say you should have a liquid diet for at least two weeks post op so the stomach can heal and form scar tissue. I can see the sense in that but my surgeon's office did not give me that restriction. Now I am scared to eat regular food for fear of slippage in the future. I am self pay and I definitely don't want a huge bill for having to redo the surgery.

Also, how soon can I exercise. I feel like I am losing all my muscle but none of the fat. I know I can walk but I have an elliptical that I'd like to start riding. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you all.

I got banded July 21st and I am having some post op pain. I am extremely sore from all the gas in my cavity and I feel like I have to burp every time I eat or drink. I do not burp which makes it more uncomfortable. I am pretty sure all is still okay from the procedure b/c I have not vomited and can keep some solids down. Anyone have any tips on getting rid of the gas? Walking helps some and gas-x does not help at all. From what i've read, time is the only thing that will help. Also, i hiccup every now and then and it is very uncomfortable. Is that normal?