Aunt Stacey

I was banded in April 2011. A few days after surgery I had to have fluid removed because stomach so swollen I couldn't get liquids down. Ended up in ER and had to have fluids. I have had two fills since that time and the last one in July put me at baseline, which is the amount of fluid in the band at the time of surgery, and I could not tolerate it. I could not eat any solid food as it would come back up after the second or third bite. Took some fluid out and at times solid food really bothers me after a couple of bites and it comes back up. I have been following diet, exercise, etc. and losing at a very slow rate. Was told I am just sensitive to band. Has anyone else had this problem?

I was banded on April 8th in Knoxville, TN. Did well until 3 days later when I started the dry heaves and ended up in dr. office. He removed some Fluid but kept getting the dry heaves. Ended up in ER that night getting IV fluids because I was severely dehydrated. After that I did better and was able to start soft foods a few days earlier and did much better. Still have some problems now as I am not even at baseline level (amount of fluid in the band at the time of surgery) and still throw up at times when eating solid foods.

I came down two bra sizes and a cup size after surgery. I just bought a couple at a time and once I reach my weight goal I am going to be fitted for a bra and will buy more.

I was told by my dr's nutritionist that they believed it was due to the anestisia and that things that tasted tart before would be sweeter after surgery.

My dr/clinic had several requirements before surgery. The first was the surgical evaluation/education meeting, the psychological evaluation, attend 1 meeting with the dietician/nutritionist, attend 1 support group meeting, and once my surgery had been scheduled I had to attend an all day education class where everything was reiterated and we met with the surgeon, a psychologist, an exercise trainer and the nutritionist. All were very informative and I am thankful they made me go through that because I knew exactly what was going to happen, what things to look for if I had a problem and exactly what I needed to do after surgery to be successful.

I can eat celery and tortillas but cannot any bread or anything that is breaded. I can eat pizza as long as it is thin crusted.

The pre-op diet is tough. I did well the first couple of days too but after about the third or fourth day I was over it. I stuck with it though and everytime I felt tempted to eat something solid or I couldn't have, I would go to a clothing store and look at clothes that were smaller in size as a way to talk myself out of it.