crzytchr

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.

I know that everything you stated is true, but when I was on Atkins my cholesterol was 111 and 51 of it was the good cholesterol. I haven't been on Atkins for over a year and a half and now my cholesterol is 221. My good cholesterol is, luckily, still high enough that my ratio isn't bad. Go figure, huh?!:confused2:

I have heard horror stories too, but everyone is different. I had my first fill yesterday. My friend was banded 2 weeks before me and she said the fill didn't hurt at all. I thought she was just trying to make me feel better. I went in there expecting some pain. I was wrong. I didn't even feel the stick from the needle and she (PA) had to do it twice. It just felt weird. She put 2 ccs in and water stuck after I swallowed, so she stuck me again to take 1 cc out. The band-aid, however, hurt when she pulled it off.:cursing:

Dionna, many of us have lost more, but also, many of us have a LOT more to lose. All of my weight that I have lost is since surgery. I didn't have a preop diet. I just got my first fill yesterday. BUT, I started off almost a hundred pounds heavier than you. That is why I am losing faster. Stop beating yourself up! You are doing great! Oh, and an update on my fill. I could only eat about a half a cup of campbells alphabet Soup today. Pretty restricted. I am really going to have to watch what I put in my mouth for a while. I do NOT want to get sick.

I don't pay for my fills, and neither does my friend who has the same doctor. I think they are covered for a year after the surgery. (16K, insurance paid). For that, I guess it should be covered!

Do you know if it is the same foods/types of foods that are making you sick? Try to keep a food log and notice if it is the same foods or maybe if you are rushing trying to eat that meal. I don't really think that you are too tight or you would probably throw up more than that. Maybe you are just restricted and there are certain foods you should avoid. Keep me updated. Fortunately I haven't been sick yet. I had my first fill today. The PA put in 2ccs and had to unfill 1cc, because I was too restricted drinking Water. Hopefully, I will do well tomorrow.

I went for my first fill today and I will be lucky to get water in me at all. I only drank about 50 oz prior to the fill and 12 since. :/ Hopefully tomorrow I can get more in.

Congratulations!!!! I am now dreaming of the day that I too will enter the beloved "onederland". I have an 11cc band. I just had my first fill today, and I surprised the PA that does them. I started by telling her I didn't want the 3-4ccs they normally do, because I haven't been sick at all since my banding and I didn't want to start now. She put in 2ccs and I was restricted on water, so she pulled 1 out and left me with 1 cc in. It still feels pretty restricted, so she told me to come back tomorrow if more needs to come out. I was surprised. It didn't hurt at all.:thumbup: I was prepared for pain, so I didn't feel the "stick" at all! It hurt worse when she pulled the bandaid off from to fill so she could do the unfill.

You are truly amazing. I too, was surprised that you are only 18. It is always easier to believe the negative things we hear, but please realize that most of the time the people closest to us don't realize that the things they say to us are hurtful. Know that you are worthy of love and continue to let your boyfriend know how you feel about him. My husband and I have been together for almost 18 years and he still feels slightly insecure when I lose weight. He used to try to "fatten me back up". Now, he realizes that my health is at stake, so he is supportive. Remember, they loved us at our fattest and they want to keep us all to themselves!

I am going to try this... I am a teacher, so being able to go to the bathroom is a challenge, but I will give it a shot. I NEED to get my water in!

I too had port pain. I felt like the biggest baby, bc most ppl were saying they felt fine. I felt like crap! It lasted a little less than two weeks. I couldn't get out of bed unassisted for 4-6 days. I felt awful, but it does pass. Now, I feel great. Fortunately, I didn't have tooooo much gas pain. I hear that the gas pain is horrible. Each person is different.

I didn't have a preop diet. I was banded on July 14th and I have lost 24 lbs. I am due to have my first fill on Wed. I am not sure if I am going to have it or not. I am satisfied eating around a cup or less of food and I stay satisfied for 3-4 hours. I am really scared of getting too tight. I haven't pbd or been sick at all and I don't want to start now. BUT... the PA that does the fills is going on a 2 week vacation and if I don't go on and get it, I have to wait two more weeks. What are y'all's thoughts on that?

I go for my first fill on the 20th. I haven't been stuck or PBd either, and don't want to now. The PA at the dr's gave my friend 3 ccs on her first fill. I don't think I want that much. I am full eating less than a cup of food, but I do get hungry around 3 hours later. I am just very afraid to start getting sick from it. So.... I hope just a small fill will help. Oh, and I have tried eating whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread. It doesn't stick, but I also didn't actually eat a lot of it. Not sure how it would have been if I had eaten a normal amount.

Cindy here. I too miss Orea. I don't post that often, but I enjoy her positive support she offers to everyone. I am sure we will hear from her today.

My stomach growled so loudly the first week after surgery it could be heard across the room! Try not to vomit that is not good for your band. Try to thin the soup up before eating it. It may go down easier this way.

When were you banded? I had pains like that and couldn't get out of bed unassisted for quite a few days because of it. I would definitely call your dr if it is really bad.

I don't think it will stretch the band itself, but the pouch can be stretched out, I think. Ask when you go to your fill appt and see what they say to make sure.

Count me in! I plan on going at least 5 days a week. Hopefully this will keep me on track!

I too partake in the wonderment that is refried beans with cheese and sour cream. It is soooooo yummy:tongue2: I also make chicken salad (put chicken through the food processor after being boiled with garlic, salt and pepper) then I add the new Kraft low fat mayo made with olive oil, a small amount of mustard (I like it like this) and the no sugar added sweet pickle relish, then salt, garlic powder and pepper to taste. It is simple, yet yummy. I also make tuna salad about the same way.

I eat around 1/2 c at a time, BUT I try to eat every 3 hours. I find that I am not hungry and I am still losing.

I think most people follow a pre op diet and the weight loss is normally from pre op until now. I wasn't required to follow a preop diet, so mine is weight loss since my surgery only...I ate anything and everything that didn't eat me first between the 11 days from pre op until surgery!:biggrin:

You should be ok, but I suggest sitting/sleeping in a recliner. I could not get out of bed unassisted for quite a few days (4, I think). Most people do fine, but you don't want to be in bed, need to get up and realize you can't. Also keep your pain meds and water near you! Good Luck!

Please try to get your protein intake up. They say it may help with the hair loss that usually occurs 3 months after starting to lose weight. Having a protein shake for breakfast is fine. It is preferable to have food, but a shake is better than nothing. I make up a big bowl of tuna or chicken salad and then I am put it in the small(4oz) containers. For lunch, I just get one out of the refrigerator. I save my more innovative meals for dinner when I have more time to cook and then eat.

I do get full on mushies. Just make sure you eat slow. I also "chew" although chewing isn't necessary. If you feel like you want more, just wait about 10 min and you will realize it is probably enough food to satisfy you. I just finished my 1/2 cup of chicken salad and i am really full.