bluetigereyes

Cathy, rarely does the first fill get you to your 'sweet spot', just make sure you call your doctor, make the appointment for your next fill, and dont get discouraged

So, I'm now 1 week post "port revision" and feeling wonderful. The incision site had a bruise the size of my hand, which concerned me quite a bit, but after the bruising reached its max, it quickly started turning to yellow. Now it just itches like crazy! I had to take off the steri strips at 1 week because they were itching and irritating my skin, but the incision looks good. I stepped on the scale this morning and was shocked to see that the 5lbs that I had gained, were GONE! YAY!!!! My first fill gave me 6.5 cc in my band (holds 14cc) and I do feel a slight restriction, especially if I dont chew well enough or if its something starchy. In the mornings the band is tighter and I have been sticking to a protein shake for breakfast. By lunch time, I'm STARVING!!! Last night was my neighbors birthday and he invited me to go to dinner with them. So, I ordered a 6oz steak, baked sweet potato, and applesauce. I ate about 2/3 of the sweet potato, most of the applesauce (it was about 1/4 cup), and 1/2 of my steak. This was the first time having steak since I got my band so I was very cautious. I cut the steak into small pieces and chewed really well. I did not have any issues with it getting stuck. I know I ate more than the standard with the band, but I have only had 1 fill so far. I go in on March 5th for my next fill and I hope to have more restriction at that point. I feel great, seeing those 5lbs gone is a great motivator for me. Tonight I am going to my first ever Zumba class with a co-worker. I have NO rythem, so this should be interesting, but Ive heard its so much fun, I cant wait to get out there and shake my bootay, even if I do look like a fool while doing it. haha

I really wish my best friend could have come on this journey with me. Unfortunately her insurance would not approve her to have the surgery. She has an H.M.O. and they keep sending her to all sorts of strange doctors instead of approving her, then her insurance changed and they do not have that as a benefit of her policy. She really needs to have it done, but its apparently not her time. She is VERY supportive of me which I totally appreciate!

Ask if you can go to the office and pick it up to hand deliver it to your surgeon. I did that with my Orthopedic Surgeon because they were so slow in getting the letter to my surgeon. It helps and you KNOW it gets there. Take a deep breath, this is NOT a fast process (trust me, i am very inpatient so it killed me to have to wait!!)

I had surgery Dec 22nd, including pre-op, I have lost 24 lbs. I had some complications and was not able to get my first fill until last week. During the time from surgery to my first fill, I acutally gained 5lbs, but as of this morning (1 week after first fill) that 5lbs is gone and I am back on track. I go in for my second fill in 2 weeks (although I'm going to try to move that appointment up to next week if I can) and I cant wait to feel a little more restriction and see the weight fall off. My goal is to be under 200 by June....50 lbs....I really hope I can do it! Zumba class tonight.....my new start to a new me!

I also have a 14cc band, I currently have 6.5cc in it, but only feel slight restriction. In the morning, my band is tighter and I have found that I do best just having a protein shake. But, by about 10 am, my stomach starts growling and I could eat a side of beef. I am scheduled to go back in on March 5th for another fill, but thinking I might want to move that appointment a week sooner to get the next fill. On a more positive note, since I got my fill (first one) last week, I have lost 4 lbs, so I know once I get better restriction the weight will start falling off. Tonight is my first Zumba class, I cant wait to try something new!

You should have a fill under flouro to make sure there is no leak in your band. Sounds like there could be.

AMAZING, what a true inspiration! I was banded on Dec 22nd, and I have had my share of trials. My port flipped, so I was not able to get my first fill until last week when I had my port repositioned. I have lost 3 lbs since last week, but I have to limit my exercise (again) because I have the incision to deal with. I know this is just a small speed bump, but its sure slowing me down quite a bit. I cant wait to be able to get to the gym and work out like my head wants to (not sure what my body will think of that idea haha). I am actually going to try a Zumba class tomorrow, I am excited but hope I dont re-open my incision doing the exercises

My doctor told me NEVER give up, If I need to go in every week for fills, he would rather have that then not feel restriction. I have 6.5cc in a 14cc band right now, I only feel very slight restriction. I go back in on March 5th for another fill. You owe it to yourself to get back in there, get the fill (and if needed, have the dr do it under flouro to make sure everything is ok with your band) and feel the restriction.

Seeing that I had a flipped port and just had it fixed on Monday I can tell you, to fix t, they open you back up and suture it back in again, my dr did in his office it didn't really hurt but I had the uses bruise ever. It's still very black and blue

Instead of the hiatal hernia route, which you would have symptoms that could be obvious, you can say you are having a diagnostic laparoscopy. It's less invasive than hernia repair and you can say you've been having 'female' problems you were not comfortable discussing. It would also explain the incisions and no one will know the difference

You MUST have an iPhone...because its really making me laugh with the auto correct. When I read this on my phone, my tea almost came out my nose I laughed so hard "Regular spew taste weird to me though." lmbo

I have to say that I LOVE my insurance, they cover my fills with just my $20 co-pay.

I was just teasin Sam....I knew you didnt mean calories...but, hey...what a concept HAHA

OK...I have to just make a correction to this....letting the soda sit for 15 mins does NOT get the calories out (although that would be a fantastic concept...just let your food sit for 15 mins and its calorie free...oh wouldnt that be wonderful!!!)

I have only been banded for 2 months and before my first fill, I had no problems drinking soda at all. Since my fill, what I do is pour the soda over ice, that seems to take some of the carbonation out and as long as I drink it slowly I have no problems. Although, I have cut down from drinking almost a 12 pack of diet coke a day, to MAYBE one a day, which for me is a huge improvement. I drink alot of iced green tea and its just as satisfying for me

cls, everyone loses at a different rate. I am almost 2 months post op, had a delay in getting my first fill due to my port flipping, and I honestly didnt lose anything after surgery. In fact, when I went in to get my port repaired, I had gained 5lbs. Its not the end of the world. I have lost 3 lbs since I had my fill /port repaired on Monday. Until you have your first fill, you may not see any changes. This is not a sprint to lose weight...more like a marathon.

The things you ate were high in carbs, fat, and sodium. I would not doubt if it was a combination of both the diet and salt. Today is a new day....dont look back and get stuck on what went wrong, look forward and make the changes that can affect your future. You cant change the past, but you have full control over your future

I had my surgery on Dec 22nd, That was a Thursday. I took Friday off (and we got Monday off for the Christmas holiday) and I was back to work on Tuesday. If you have the surgery on a Thursday, you can take Thurs and Friday off and be back to work without problems. I work for the hospital where I had mine done, I chose not to tell anyone at work as well. There was 1 person that found out (due to looking in my medical record) and confronted me. I went to my boss and told him that she violated HIPPA and that was the end of that. Its totally your choice to tell people or not. I, personally, felt it was better not to tell everyone, i would rather let the results speak for themselves. They see me in the lunchroom eating healthy, so as far as they know I'm just doing all the right things.

I have been banded since 12/22, and I burp like theres no tomorrow! I also get the loudest growling in my stomach...its pretty funny. I gained 5lbs from the time of my surgery to my first fill....my doctor says that is totally normal. although since I got my first fill this past monday, i have lost 2lbs and feeling great. My prot flipped, so I had to get my port repositioned before my fill, but I feel so good now. I am having some pain at the new port site (my poor stomach has SO many scars on it now, but I know that these are good scars in the long run), but I'm only a few days out from having that incision. Go ahead, let those burps out....remember, theres more room outside than there is inside!

I can so totally relate! I burp SO MUCH since surgery. I am 2 months post op, just had my first fill 4 days ago, and I have noticed that I have burped way more than every before. Also, my stomach growls so loud, I wonder if other people in my office hear it! Its not growling because I'm hungry, its just noisy!

I was banded on 12/22, I was not hungry for 2-3 days after surgery, then I was satisfied with just some chicken broth (warm was so soothing!) for about another 2 days. Then after that, my hunger started returning but I was satisfied with having a protein shake. My real hunger didnt fully return until about week 2, then it was HOLY COW, I needed food! haha. Dont be upset if you gain a couple of pounds before your first fill, this is totally normal. I gained 5 lbs before my first fill, but since I had my fill on Monday, I have already lost 2 lbs. Just make sure to get up and walk alot, that helps both the pain and the gas

Dont focus on the scale too much right now. You may lose while on the liquid diet, but as soon as you go on mushies/soft foods, you will plateau. In fact, I gained 5lbs before my first fill. I was worried about it and talked to my dr, he said its normal and not to stress over it. I just had my first fill on Monday and so far have lost 2lbs since my fill. Dont let yourself get discouraged, its normal. Remember, you are still swollen inside, you are retaining alot of water and typically the liquid diet is high in sodium. then when you get on mushies, you will have alot of carbs (because lets face it, mushy foods are not very high in protein/low in carbs). You may lose a little, you may gain a little before your fill. Right now there is nothing in your band, so by week 4, your appetite will be back with a screaming vengance...thats when it gets hard (as I sit heere with my stomach growling ever so loudly haha)

I had my surgery on Dec 22nd, and still not in that elusive 'green zone'. I have had my own version of 'bandster hell' due to my port flipping. I just got that fixed this past Monday and was able to get my first fill. I do feel a little restriction, but I'm hungry every couple of hours and my stomach starts growling so loud I think my whole office can hear it! I know it does take a while to find that sweet spot, dont get discouraged, just keep going in for your fills and tell the doctor exactly how much you can eat and how often you are hungry. That will help him/her to determine how much to add to your band each fill.

I go back in on March 5th for my second fill. The doctor said 2-3 weeks, and when I scheduled my appointment they set it out for 3 weeks. I stepped on the scale today, and i'm down 2lbs since Monday. I'm so relieved! I had gained 5lbs over the past 3 weeks, so its good to have 2 of those off....its so great to see and feel results!