lisa0522

Can anyone tell me what are the signs of a stretched pouch? I'm assuming you CAN stretch it without having any PB'ing or sliming? I've had one fill of 3cc's last month, banded may '07. I've never had anything stuck or pb'd, but I am finding myself returning to old eating habits and eating carbs till I'm a little uncomfortable. I now feel bloated even when I wake up in the a.m.

Hi, I just had my first fill today. He gave me 3 cc's under flouro. I felt nothing, and was able to drink Water right away. But on the way home, I started feeling a little bloated and some tightness in my chest. I also have some pain when I burp (or try to) up in my chest area. Is this normal? Maybe just a reaction to an irritated stomach for the fill? I'd appreciate any info! Thanks!!

Hi AnnaMC, Did the thought of bread make you sick ever since your surgery, or just since your fill? Did you get "tighter" after the fill? Thanks, Lisa

Hi Sunshinesonya! Congratulations on your upcoming surgery! After I was banded, I was on full liquids for 2 wks, then pureed for 2 wks, then soft for 2 wks before going to a regular diet. Yogurt and pudding counts as a full liquid. I enjoyed lots of juices with Protein powder (Any Whey), and also added Protein Powder to Jello and pudding. You can add protein powder to broth and Soup (strained) but it's best to add the powder AFTER heating the liquid, it mixes better. I was SO happy to get to pureed stage, feeling really hungry for food by then! Spaghetti w/meat sauce, chicken pureed w/milk, salt & pepper, pureed sloppy joe, even roast beef w/broth was delicious! I didn't have a lot of room for anything but the protein, it was helpful to drink milk in between meals to keep your protein count up. By the time I got to the soft diet, I was eating anything (without hard/crispy pieces) but very slowly until I knew what I could tolerate. (which has been anything!) I'm doing great with exercise, but my breakfast/lunch this morning was 2 scrambled eggs and 2 pcs toast. This is WAY more than you should be able to eat with the band, and I worry a little bit that I could be stretching out my pouch. But I have NO discomfort after eating, I will just have to cut way back and eat much more slowly after the fill. The nurse and the dietitian told me that eggs can be a problem for people with the band, I guess because they just get mushed down and not really chewed to pieces? So far I haven't had any trouble, but this could change after the fill. Also, they said to watch out for grapes because of the skins, and of course breads. The one item that I did notice feeling some fullness with was chicken breast or beef. So when you do eat, just take small bites, maybe even with a baby spoon/fork, and chew, chew, chew. Your meals should last no less than 20 minutes. Also, after your surgery your stomach/pouch will be swollen so you need to take it easy with liquids, too. I was told 1/2 cup liquids should take me a half hour to drink. In the beginning, I was lucky to get a 1/4 in 15 minutes. For healing and to keep blood sugars stable, be sure you're mixing protein in with your juices/broths. Do you have a protein source and lots of soups/liquids stocked up? Good luck on Monday! Let me know how you're doing! Take care, Lisa

Hi Jackie! How are things going for you and your husband? I am due to have my first fill Monday 7/16. I'm a little nervous because I've read stories about people getting tighter after they leave the doc's office . . . I definitely need the fill, though, because I'm able to eat anything and too much without any discomfort. I'm doing well exercising but my food choices are slipping back to the old way. I am happy that I've lost around 30 lbs. now, but since my appetite & food volume have gone up I am at a standstill. Take care, Lisa

Hi Hoosierpoms, How did your first fill go? I'm scheduled for my first on Monday 7/16, and I'm a little nervous. Right now I can eat anything & too much without any discomfort. But I've heard stories about not being able to even drink after a fill, that some people get tighter after they leave the dr. office. Thanks for any info!

Hi, I was banded 5/14/07. I have DEFINITELY noticed myself burping a lot more than before the band. Even when I was following the rules very carefully.

Hi, I was banded 5/14/07. I have lost about 30 lbs. so far, but I now can eat anything and too much of it! So I am going in for my first fill Monday (7/16) and I'm a little scared about what it will be like afterwards. How do you know if you are over-filled? Thanks, Lisa

Hi, I was banded 5/14/07. I have not had any fills. I have lost about 30 lbs. and I'm feeling great and exercising. Until last week, I had been doing well staying under 1200 calories. BUT, I have been often eating too quickly, and even if I eat slowly, I really can't tell if I'm full. During this past holiday week, I have been definitely overeating (beyond 1.5 cups) and at times drinking with meals. I never get anything stuck nor do I have any discomfort. Today I'm feeling bloated and some pressure, although my portions have been very small today. Any advice/info would be appreciated!! Thanks, Lisa

Hi, Congrats on your weight loss! It sounds like you are doing GREAT with your protein, and eating only good quality foods. I agree with GayleTX that the stuff she suggested are poor quality carbs! I was banded 5/14/07, and the dietitian I saw told me to do just as you are doing- eating the protein first, then veggies, then fruit/carbs. She said if you don't have enough room for anything but protein, that's NO PROBLEM!! Also, I asked about including snacks, and she felt as long as it was a quality food choice (protein or fruit/veg), then it's OK if you're really hungry. I worried a little bit myself that I'm not getting a balanced diet, but I do have carbs (oatmeal w/protein) for breakfast and drink milk a couple times a day. So far, the scale has been a positive experience!! Keep up the great work! -Lisa

Hi Jackie! I'm glad you're home and banded! I think the worst of your gas pain should be over, if you're like me. After the third day it was better. Today is day 3, right? I hope since your husband is feeling good he's able to take good care of you. I wonder if that has anything to do with men typically being larger than us, and having more space for that gas to move around?? I could still feel some mild discomfort into the 2nd week. I'm sorry I didn't reply right away, but again I didn't get the notice from e-mail that you had posted . . . I was just thinking about you so I decided to check the website and found your post. I really think the worst is behind you!! This is my 4th week, and I started doing abdomen crunches last week, with no pain at all! You'll be amazed at how quickly the pain goes away. I did feel a little extra tired during those 1st few weeks. Hang in there!! -Lisa

Hi Jackie! It's 10:30 pm Sunday, you're probably in bed already dreaming about your big day tomorrow. I'm sorry you had the problematic dreams . . . I did alot of dreaming prior to my surgery too. Most of them were about being late, going to the wrong place, and having to be rescheduled or refused. Nothing like that happened to me (in real life)! I'm sure it is just our anxiety/ fear of unknown coming through in our dreams. Everything has to be OK for both of you. I've heard of so very FEW complications with this surgery. I recently talked to a dr. in Fremont who has a patient of D&O who had the lap band a few years ago. The woman has lost between 100 and 200 pounds and has been very happy with the surgery. She was one of the early patients and had to have some type of correction with a blockage, but she still is extremely happy with her experience, it sounds like. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as you're feeling up to e-mailing again! Best wishes, Lisa

Hi again Jackie! I just noticed that you have lost almost 16 lbs. That's WONDERFUL!!!! I'm kind of stuck at 20-22 lbs, but I'm hoping that has to do with the exercise and muscle vs. fat thing. I know I'm doing ok with calories and Protein. Oh, I found that Ambien helped me after the first couple of nights so I could get a full 8 hrs sleep, this was hard for me because I'm used to rolling around all night. You won't be able to do that for a little while. I think the Ambien also overrides the gas discomfort while sleeping. OK, I'm really done this time! Hope you're "enjoying" your liquids . . . don't forget ice cream is a liquid, too!