need2lose2

Port pain? I have been banded for three weeks. My surgery went perfect, perfect recovery and feeling great! The only question I have is why when I bend over does it feel like there is a rock in my gut. By that I mean it is somewhat painful and feels like my port is getting in my way. Can anyone else feel their port? Mine is located on my left side higher than I expected between my breast and belly button. Will this feeling go away or will I always feel pressure when I bend over? Also, what is the general consensus about sleeping on your sides and resuming regular sex??

I look forward to hearing back! I love reading all of your posts.... Keeps me sane!

Thank you!

Hi! I was banded on the 19th and i know the feeling you're talking about when bending down and feeling the 'rock' in the gut. My PA says it's scar tissue that i'm feeling and once the area is completely healed, it will go away. I was also surprised at the placement of the port. I honestly thought it would be more towards my side as opposed to straight above my belly button. Now i've got fat to cover it but i'm wondering what will happen when i tone that area up......will it stick out.....will it show through my shirt........hoping the docs all know what they're doing...lol.

I'm a stomach sleeper and havent been able to get onto my stomach just yet. Sleeping on either side is fine for me now but am wanting to get onto my stomach.

Not sure about resuming sex.......hubby's been asking a lot lately.....lol. I forgot to ask at my postop appt last week. Anyone know?

i'm chasar9 at mfp!! Friend me too!!

My Breakfast is also usually a Protein Shake cuz i'm really not that hungry in the morning and also don't have much time to prepare anything.

For lunch i'll have oatmeal made with milk, or scrambled eggs with cheese, or cottage cheese with marinara and melted cheese, or steamed broccoli with melted cheese, or yogurt.

For dinner, most nights i'll have chicken, and/or Soup with veggies, or chili, or eggs if i didn't have that for lunch

If i'm hungry in between meals, i'll eat a few spoonfuls of cottage cheese, or have a smoothie, or sf pudding, or even a yogurt.

Greetings fellow Sept 11 bandsters!!!

I'm now 4 weeks post op (28 days to be exact). I'm down 16.6 since surgery and almost 32 lbs since my high point. My weight loss has slowed down but I'm really okay with that. As long as the trend is down, I'm happy. Remember, it took many years to add the weight, and the slower it comes off, the more I'm convinced it will be permanent.

I want to add a plea to everyone on this thread: be kind to yourself!! Especially psychologically. Don't focus on the day to day struggles (weight up a pound, didn't do my walking, I feel really guilty for.....) Remember, you don't do nice things for people you disparage, including yourself! We need to find a better relationship to food. Learn to eat less and be satisfied, eat healthier food (at least most of the time) and move forward. Just a thought, but do you see skinny people berating themselves for a small food indiscretion. No! They realize they are human and not perfect. Let's all act like skinny people and hopefully we'll all get there in our OWN time.

An example: I've lost 1 pound AND MY BMI is under 35 for the first time in MANY MOONS!

Just my 2 cents from an absolutely beautiful day in NYC.

Lisa in NYC

My psychologist told me it is important to set intermediate goals, so my next goal: loose 5 pounds in the next four weeks. Do you think I can make it? I'll update everyone in my weekly status.

What a beautiful message! One that i needed to hear today because i was not so good yesterday and kept feeling guilty for the rest of the day. It's so true. You are so right and from today on i will try not to be so hard on myself.

It is a beautiful day!! Enjoy

Don't be nervous about the fill. It felt weird but didn't hurt. The worst thing about it is going back to liquids again. I go back for my 2nd fill this Wed. I need more restriction. The whole house is eating better since I was banded on 9-1 and my husband has lost more than me and I could just kill him for that. Good luck with your fill. Friend me and let me know how your fill goes.

Thank you! Yeah, i am NOT looking forward to being on liquids again. I mean i was really hungry on liquids!!!! It's only for a few days after the fills, right?

Been out a few days. Reading the posts from different people I can concur the same experiences. I stalled 10 days ago haven't lost another pound. Not sure what's going on, I'm more than following the food plan to a T. Banded on Sept 13 I am on Stage 3 pureed foods but I stick with cream Soups mainly. I take 1 large Protein Drink all morning with 48grams of Protein. I am rarely hungry. The only thing I haven't increased is my walking.

Got sick this last week with wheezing in my bronchial tubes. I coughed so hard I pulled some rib muscles near my port area and by Friday when i would cough I had a HORRIBLE stabbing pain next to the large incision. So if you think you are starting to get sick, go to the doctor quickly to get a handle on it. I got the coughing and wheezing under control by yesterday but I still hurt so much - don't wish this on anyone.

Yesterday was my granddaughter's 3rd birthday. They had chips, dips, fruit tray, veggie tray, cold drinks, cake and ice cream. Oh Yeah = PIZZA! I took a couple of spoonfuls of guacamole since it was mashed. Took 1 small cube of cantalope, honeydew, watermelon and 1 strawberry and 2 grapes- I peeled the grapes, cut the seeds off the strawberry, cut the melons in tiny tiny pieces and chewed them good. I figure that was ok since I have had some more lumpy soups and soft egg. I had no problems with being tempted with the pizza, cake or ice cream - I visualized a cheering section cheering me on as I said NO Thank you. I also visualized myself doubled over in gas pains when I heard the word PIZZA - boy, that works!!

I got extremely stressful news on Friday - devastatingly depressive news. I was so down, my first thought would be forget this all - go eat something - then I thought about WHY I did the lap band and why I am going thru this - to get healthier for ME to have a better life. In the past when I have gotten bad news, I have gone into this hole and eat myself silly but this time, I am saying NO to my old self and thoughts that would cause this - proud to say I haven't gone off the wagon. Guess What? The bad news never changed when I would eat thru the stress - this time I feel better about myself for doing this for me knowing it won't change the bad news. I crossed over a past stumbling block with victory and I can be happy with that.

Good for you for curbing the temptations and not allowing bad news to throw you into food.

I was banded on 9/21 and am only having pain around my port area too. it is still swollen and hard (about 6 in x 6 in area). Feels like a brick is in there. The incision is healing fine and there is no sign of infection. I had the surgeon's nurse check it on 10/3 and she says it is normal. The area is shrinking and getting softer but it hurt so badly last night I almost went back on the Lortabs. I did go back to work Tuesday and worked some long days. I think I may have overdone it. I'm taking it easy this weekend,

Mine feels the same.......feels very hard behind the stitches. The PA said that it was just scar tissue and part of the healing process.

I was banded on 9/21 and am frustrated. I lost about a lb. a day after the surgery and was excited. The last few days I gained 2 lbs and I can't get it to budge. I am adhering to my diet. I'm not experiencing head hunger. I haven't cheated. I'm doing my walking. I don't feel like I'm being starved. I just can't lose another ounce. Any suggestions?

I have decided to weigh myself once a week only for that very reason. I'd be down 2 and then up 1 and then up again and then down...........i couldn't stand it. Especially now that i'm eating more.

Sounds like you're doing everything right. I think our stomachs and bodies need to adjust to each eating stage. Good luck!

Amazing how many different posts I just read and can relate too ! One thing I noticed though is that it seems most have lost quite a bit of weight. I have only lost 13 since my surgery ( 9/14 ) Could you let me know if the big Sept. losers had a pre-op diet? I had none and am hoping that is why my loss is much lower than the 20 - 30 lbs some are having.

I also am chewing gum against my Drs. orders some things are hard to break. Giving up the caffeine and diet soda I thought would kill me. I need at least to hold on to one bad habit.

Not drinking with food has been very hard to stop because I drank Water through my meals constantly it's who I am. I am still drinking a little with my meals because since I haven't had a fill everything is going straight thru anyway so I figure whats a little water gonna do. I will stop that when I get my fill on Nov. 8th.

Just got back from a weeks vacation and lost 3 lbs which is unusual because vacations always meant YEAH food, food and more food !! I did have some (several glasses) wine and with a total of only 400-500 calories in my stomach it can be some trip.

Good luck to all Sept Bandsters

I did not have a preop diet like most others here. A week before surgery, i needed to have 2 Protein Shakes for 2 of the meals and then have a sensible high Protein and low carbs for the 3rd meal. 3 days before i was on full liquids and 1 day before was just Clear Liquids.

I agree about most things going down well. I'm trying to be real careful with food choices but i've gotta tell ya, after having to be on the liquid diet, i'm really happy to be sampling foods i thought i could never eat. Of course, while i'm eating, i'm paying very very close attention to my band. When i feel the slightest tightness in my chest i stop completely. My first fill is Nov 7 and am really nervous about it.

Browsed all posts and-

pugsx3

need2loose2

Ladies, you both say exactly what I feel.

Same story- banded 9/19, can eat anything, everything and anyone. The only restriction - I feel ashamed, so portions are small, and total calorie count is less than advised by nut.

As I did not feel any restriction or pain, I freaked out and didn't follow any of the diets strictly. Every now and then I would eat food from the step ahead. Feel like a sinner. First sin- 3 days after surgery ate spoon of Peanut Butter, then tuna salad, then 9 days after surgery instead of the shakes, I ate 16 oz cup of Soup with soft veggies, and nothing happened, except guilty complex.

Funniest thing is that I have lost 29,5 lbs ( since Sept.6).

And I noticed loosing more when I eat for e.g. broth, or creamy soup and 6-7 oz of soft-soft chicken and cup of soft veggies. On some occasions it would be 2 lbs a day vs miserable 0,5 lbs with starvation and suffering.

Though last 2 days I am not loosing an ounce.

It is not right, but it has already happened.

I was thinking of starting pre-op-like diet again, as if I am only planning to do through the surgery. And at least once in my life make it clearly to the end.

Or wait till the first fill ( another 2 weeks) and make it more severe after the fill, like 3-4 days on liquid and 3-4 on mushy instead of 2 days.

I hear you!! I'm finding in the past few days that i can get many foods down with no problem, as well as larger amounts. Just yesterday we went to friends for dinner and i sampled some of the breaded chicken cutlets (they were pretty soft), 2 green Beans, and some Pasta and found it all went down easily. While i definately felt i could eat more, i stopped there because i didn't want to sabotage all the hard work i put in during my liquid stage when i lost weight.

At my 2 wk checkup on monday, the pa told me that since there is no fill in the band, more food will be able to get through so i should be really careful with my food quantities. She said it should take me 1/2 hour to get through a meal of a 1/2 cup..........NOT! I'm totally done in like minutes and want more! Regardless, i've got another 2 wks till my fill so i have to watch myself real carefully.

Hi Everyone,

3 weeks post op and I am feeling pretty good.

I am addicted to chewing gum - my doctor told me to avoid it because 1) it causes gas and 2) swallowing gum is bad and can get stuck. Well, at 49 I know better! I stopped swallowing gum as a child or so I thought! Yup, I swallowed a gum yesterday - so far, besides feeling stupid - I feel fine. I guess since I don't have a fill the gum must have just slipped through. Just thought I'd share!

Happy Friday everyone.

I, too, am a chronic gum chewer. What i do now is just eat a 1/2 a piece instead of a whole one. That way if it's accidentally swallowed, there's a better chance it'll go through. I also take it out when i'm talking on the phone and having long conversations cuz that's when there's a danger of swallowing. I actually did swallow a small piece of gum while i was drinking (forgot it was there).........DUH! Was really nervous for a bit but things were fine so i assume it just went down.

I purchased something called Flatout Flat bread Light and the Flatbread crisps yesterday at Publix. I plan to use it with hummas. Yay!

need2lose, I am eating closer to a cup at meals and am struggling to get in my calories each day. My weight loss continues right along so I am happy with it. Not having hunger between meals, just that dreaded head hunger in the late afternoon.

MMM, that sounds good!!!

Ok, so i'm not alone here. I'm also eating around a cup and then i just stop myself because i know i can probably eat more but i'm not hungry anymore. I have to start this practice now before i get my first fill in order to avoid any problems. I get the head hunger mostly in the evenings when i'm watching tv. It's tough!!

What i'm struggling a bit with is getting all 60g of Protein i need in one day.

My nut says i should have 1/2 cup at each meal but i'm finding that i can get down much more than that cuz i'm just not full! Anyone else feeling this? Don't get my first fill for another 3 weeks.

I told my surgeon what my trainer wanted me to do and he gave me the green light to do it after two weeks. I seem to be fine.

Good for you!! Always good to double check. Good luck to you!

I graduated from the full liquid stage. It was tough at times but now that it is behind me it really wasn't that bad.

I've enjoyed a baked potato, chicken salad on toast, and navy bean Soup. (not all in one day of course). I get hungry just before it is time for my next meal so I'm not suffering. I'm stuck at 300.0 lbs. I can't budge one more ounce so that I can drop into the two hundreds. I am still swollen around the portal site and I haven't had a fill yet, It will come in time. I'm being faithful to my exercise and working back up to where I was pre-op. I even braved 10 sit ups today and no severe pain from the incisions.

My daughter says she can already tell I've lost weight. No one at work has mentioned it though. Since I started working out and eating healthy July 1st, I've lost 20 lbs.

I read all of your posts and they are so informative and encouraging. It is such a help going through this experience.

Keep it up gang.

MMM, baked potato sounds good! Please be careful with the sit-ups. My doc says no crunches or sit-ups until at least a month to 6 weeks postop.......every other exercise is fine.

I know i can have hummus as well but i've always liked it with crackers.....I can't stomach eating it straight up though.

Yeah, that doesn't leave much, lol. There is no way I will puree meat either. The thought of drinking meat is not appealing at all! My dr told me I could have lunchmeat since it is soft so that is the way I eat meat and the canned chicken too. I don't really care for fish but it is so high in Protein I am going to try to like it, lol. I figure maybe I could find some recipes that may be good. We will see. My hubby doesn't really care for fish either but I told him we are going to try. We lived in Maine for 3 years and that was the only time we like fish becuase it was so fresh it wasn't 'fishy' at all. This weekend was opening of lobster season so my hubby went and he caught 13 lobsters. He only brought 2 home and we cooked them but the house stunk so bad I remembered why I don't care for fish. I am going to try though......

Will try and have lots of chicken, cottage cheese, eggs on hand. I'm not finding myself getting full when i should be. The nutritionist said to eat 1/2 cup of food at a time but i'm totally filling up my plate.......trying to leave some over though.

I got a new toy which I hope will help me do 2 things - 1) Get my food choices and quantities on track, & 2) Start and then increase my activity level. For any of you tech geeks (I freely admit I'm one), it's pretty cool. It's a Fitbit activity tracker, and the best description I've heard of it is a pedometer on sterioids. It somehow knows the difference between stairs and steps, and tells you your activity in steps, miles, and floors up. The cool thing is you can log your food intake into it, and it keeps track of your calorie consumption vs. expeditures, & it recommends calorie levels to eat. It also tracks your weight, heart rate, sleep patterns, blood pressure, and blood glucose too, and it can really pinpoint what works best for you. It also links to the LoseIt or MyFitnessPal App for smart phones (Iphone or Android), so you can manage it from your phone. It's a bit pricey at $99, but that includes the web interface which gives you all kinds of cool statistics on all of this. You do have to log into the web to track food and other statistics, but your activity is automatically uploaded every time you get within 15 ft of the base unit.

This has helped me refocus my attention on what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. It's got me back on track with my eating, and I hope seeing the statistics laid out in front of me will keep me honest to myself. I'd recommend this to anyone that likes "toys" and "gadgets" to help keep you focused.

I heard about it before and it sounds amazing. $99 is quite an expense but from what you described, it seems to be worth it. I'll put it on my wish list. Thanks.

For Breakfast I am liking plain cream of wheat with milk and a little sugar free vanilla caramel coffee creamer in it, lunch I usually eat 2oz lunchmeat and either a yogurt or cottage cheese, and dinner I like chicken salad and mashed sweet potatoes. Today I had for lunch I had a Gorton's grilled tilapia piece and it was only 80 cal, 3 gr fat and 14 gr of protein!!! I was surprised it had that much. Anyways, a few of the things I have been eating lately. Oh yeah, I snack on the mini babybel light cheese's. What are some of your favorites?

I like eggs, cheese, cooked veggies, chicken (poached), oatmeal. I still have to have Protein shake for one meal but the other 2 are mushies. Today was my first day and i have to admit, i went a little crazy.........overate. I had scrambled eggs for lunch with cheese and soft broccoli on the side. Then for dinner, i put cottage cheese in a bowl, poured marinara on top and sprinkied mozzarella cheese on top of that.......warmed it up and it was like a Pasta dish without the pasta!

I don't like deli meat much nor can i stand the thought of pureed meat. Don't eat fish at all. Doesn't leave much for me to eat, does it?

What're you all eating for your meals???

Had my 2 wk post op appt. All is healing well. I am now on mushies officially.

Just had a fluffy scrambled eggs with cheese. The PA said it should take me a half hour to eat my meals but i totally went through 3/4 of it before feeling full!! Anyone have this as well?

Any meal ideas for this stage? What are you all eating?

I agree. I got very frustrated when i was weighing myself every day and decided to weigh myself once a week from then on. It's much more gratifying when you do it that way.

How much longer do you have to be on liquids, wannabe? I was banded on the 19th and today i go to mushies.

Man am i hungry today!!! Maybe it's the anticipation of going to mushies tomorrow???????? Gonna grab some more soup.........

Drinking helps with the sore throat as well.

Hey guys! Glad to hear everyone is doing well. I was banded on the 19th and am feeling pretty good.....no more gas pains and little incision pain.

The liquid diet is really getting to me and frankly, i am hungry more often. The nut said i can have applesauce 2x a day but it's still not helping. Stomach is constantly growling. She says it's normal to be hungry with liquids cuz they go right through the band and that once i get on real foods, the band will do its job.

I have my first 2 week postop appt with the PA on monday. Am hoping i get the green light to go to the next stage cuz this liquid stage is killing me.