crzytchr

WTG Hollie! If he is supportive in your journey, y'all quit smoking together, then he's a keeper. The family, however, well.....I'll just not make any comments. It is hard when our family isn't supportive. Good Luck!

Ok... I eat more than the size of an egg. During week 2 and 3 I ate between 1/2 -3/4 cup, and now I eat about a cup of food at each meal. I heard that is about right. I went to the PA for my first fill and she said I was doing amazingly well. I had lost 26 lbs in less than 6 weeks. I don't think that less than a cup of food can be enough nutrition for your body. If you are losing weight and not eating past being satisfied, you are probably doing well. Try to stay at a cup of food, not more, or you may stretch your pouch. See what others tell you. Maybe I am wrong.

Good Luck! This was the best decision I ever made. Everything happens quickly. You will be "realized" before you know it!

I think some places do. My PA didn't. The needle is small and I guess I was expecting the worst. I had my hands above my head and was looking at the ceiling. She poked around the port area to find it and I didn't even feel the needle go in. During the fill and immediately after it just feels a little "weird". I can't think of any other way to describe it. Believe it or not, the only thing that hurt was when she pulled the band aid off before doing the unfill!:cursing: Neither one of the needle sticks hurt me at all. It was painless.:biggrin: Some people don't have pleasant fill experiences, but neither my friend (same surgeon) nor myself had any pain at all. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions. Cindy

That's definitely not a stupid question. If I am incorrect in my explanation, someone please correct me. I think they refer to it as a "productive burp", but essentially it seems like vomiting, but without the stomach acid. The food comes back up almost as it went down but with extra saliva (slime). I think the extra saliva is from your body trying to help the food go down the pouch.

There is hope for you! I have not been sick at all. I chew my food very carefully and take small bites. Also, I went for my first fill and told the PA to put less than they normally do, because I hadn't been sick yet and I didn't want to start now. I have an 11 cc band. They normally put 4, so she put 2cc in. I drank Water and it took too long to go down, so she stuck me again and took 1 cc out, leaving me with 1 cc in. I could have gotten tighter, but then I would be risking the PB/vomiting. I would rather lose slower and have this be a pleasant experience than to lose it faster but be too tight and miserable. Choose your foods carefully and chew slowly. You should be fine.:biggrin:

Many people lost some of the weight during their preop diets. I didn't have one, but most people do. The PA (she does the fills) at my surgeon's office said the majority of people don't see any significant weight loss until they begin to get fills/restriction. She was amazed I had lost my weight before my first fill. The reason I did, was because I actually had some restriction from just having the surgery. I ate the 1/2 cup of food I was told, then stopped. Luckily, that amount was keeping me full for 3-4 hours. I was fortunate. Please do not get discouraged. Everyone is different. Also, you have 75 lbs to lose; I have more than a hundred. Keep it in perspective. You are doing a good job. Keep up the good work and don't be so hard on yourself. Follow your doctor's instructions and go for your fill as soon as they let you. This will help. :biggrin:BTW...my first fill was virtually painless!

Southern, I was exactly where you are now 6 weeks ago. I was terrified, even though I knew what I was doing was right. I had never had surgery before and I was terrified. I came through it fine, survived the liquid diet after, and with the help of loritab (awesome) made it through with minimal pain. You will be fine. Follow all of the guidelines from your surgeon and log on and ask your lap band buddies if you have any other questions. Austex, honestly, most people do lose hair around the third month after major weight loss begins. I'm not sure why. When I did Atkins 3 years ago, it happened and others went through the same thing. The hair grows back. If it didn't, there would be people on here screaming for us to not get banded! MSV, how exciting for you to get your surgery moved up. Congratulations! You are one step closer to a new beginning. I'm very excited for all of you! Good Luck!

Ariel, I think it depends on the person. It seems that some foods give certain people problems all of the time if they have some restriction. My friend can eat almost anything. I have problems with bread (kinda sticks) but not whole wheat Pasta. I think the starches and some meats are the most likely culprits, but each person is different. I accepted the fact that I may not ever be able to eat certain foods before I ever had surgery, so if I can, it is a bonus. If I can't, I will live (probably).:biggrin:

Congratulations to you both and I hope y'all continue to do well!:tt2:

They don't like you to have it. Some people can't tolerate the starches, and nutritionally, they want you to consumer your Protein first, then veggies, then carbs. SO...by the time you get to the carbs, theoretically you should already be full.:thumbup: I have had whole wheat pastalaya. My hubby makes it and it is incredibly good. I tolerated it well and I have pretty good restriction. Everyone is different. If you try it, you may want to try the whole wheat, since it isn't as "sticky".

Most surgeons prescribe a preop diet, but mine did not. It may depend on how much a person weighs and how the fat is distributed. I ate anything and everything that I wanted. I didn't eat too much, but I didn't diet. If I wanted it, I ate it. I can eat most foods now, but some just aren't the same when you have to chew it to pieces (movie theater popcorn). I was more than apprehensive before surgery, I was terrified. I had never had surgery at all, and the thought of the general anesthesia frightened me. Well, the surgery was a breeze and I am loving my band now. I have no regrets. Good luck with your surgery!

No preop diet. Liquids only after 10am the day before surgery.

:thumbup:Congratulations! That is awesome!

I had diarrhea for a week. I attributed it to the fact that I was only consuming liquids. I didn't take anything for it. Call the dr and see what they say. Try to drink as much as you are allowed to replenish the fluids.

I need a pacifier too. The doctor's office told me I could have surgery and return to work really quickly. Let's just say I was glad I had 3 weeks between surgery and the start of school. I felt like total crap for the first week! I feel fine now, except if I bend over for too long. I know, because I was helping my students last week and had to bend over alot and I was sore for 2 days(at the port site)! Everyone is different. My friend was banded 2 weeks before me and was up and running errands in 3 days! I, on the otherhand, was stooped over like an old woman for a week! Try to take it as easy as possible and definitely rest up on the weekends.

Believe it or not, my surgeon's office never weighed me prior to surgery. The dietitian did at my pre-op appt. after I told her. I didn't have a preop diet at all; just liquids the day before surgery. I probably gained 5 days in the 11 days between preop and surgery (but I'm not sure). My "LAST" meal was the buffet at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi MS. It was fantabulous!

I'm not sure, but COBRA should cover anything previously approved, the premiums just cost more, because an employer doesn't pay any of it. Just make sure you pay the premium. Hand deliver it if necessary. You can't have them claiming they didn't receive the payment. Rescheduling your surgery for earlier would be optimal. It is disgraceful that they aren't returning your calls. I am so sorry you are going through this. Definitely double-check the COBRA coverage and GOOD LUCK!

What is the meds? I would like to check into it. Thanks and congrats on the weight loss!:thumbup:

I started with headaches Friday. I was outside with my students doing an activity. I can't drink a lot of Water at once, so I don't think I got enough in me to counter the heat. I do feel my headache started from slight dehydration. I don't know how I am going to up my water intake, but I have got to try. I still have the headache now. Geez. Are you consuming enough water? If so, how do you get it all in?

Congratulations! I am almost 6 weeks post op and I feel good also. I have lost weight and have gone down two sizes in my jeans! This is probably the best thing I have ever done for myself. I finally realized that I AM WORTH IT!!!!:biggrin2:

Targa, some people get restriction just from having the band in. I did. I lost all of my weight in the 5 weeks after surgery, because I did not have a preop diet. I think it is because of the swelling from surgery. There is someone I have seen on here who has never had a fill and has lost. I just got my first fill on the 20th and it was only 1cc. The only reason that I got it was because I was getting hungry sooner after eating (3hrs instead of 4) . Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones. Good luck with your surgery and be sure to keep everyone posted. You will be fine.

I know everyone keeps saying meds don't help, but I was discharged with a prescription of prevacid, and I didn't experience much gas pain at all. It's worth a call to the dr to see. I am really sorry to hear about your pain. I have experienced terrible gas pains prior to surgery that woke me up from a deep sleep and required my hubby to "burp" me like a baby.:wink2: I feel for you and I hope it gets better.

Welcome! This site is a lifesaver. I found it right before my surgery as well. I was terrified before surgery, because I had never had any type of surgery before. It was easy enough. I went home 4 hours after surgery. You will do fine. I am enjoying my band now and had my first fill yesterday. **TIP***For your post op FULL liquids, cream of chicken Soup with garlic powder, sage and a little pepper is YUMMY! Also mix it with skim milk instead of Water.

Everyone is different. My friend was banded 2 weeks before me and she was fine. It was two weeks before I could even sleep on my side. I STILL haven't attempted sleeping on my stomach. My port incision is still tender and has a small bump (scar tissue developing). This being said, I still am happy about my surgery and would do it again tomorrow if needed. But, definitely check with the dr again if the pain concerns you. I called mine when one of my incisions drained. It is no big deal to them, of course, but they know we don't go through this everyday. I am sure your dr will understand.