stuigi

What is a good time frame after surgery to begin strength training. I want to start firming up. Of course I will start off slowly. I am just looking for what others were told by their doctors.

You are right Jen. I want many more answers and also have many more questions.

Twi, the air got there because the band eroded through my stomach wall creating a hole.

Questions I have asked and were just not answered or waved off were,

is my stomach wall that weak that the band could create a hole in in in such a short time. Or

Was the band defective and caused the erosion.

The answers I was given was that I am a part of the 1 percent that have failures.. to me it is way too short of a time for a band to erode my stomach wall unless something was done wrong during the surgery. I'm having a hard time dealing with this .

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the well wishes and support. On Friday morning I was taken Into surgey and spent the whole day trying to get info on what happened in the or. All I was told was the band was removed. No other conversations took place. On Saturday my surgeon rushed through my room and said that I was a part of the 1 percent that the band doesn't work on. What does that exactly mean? Were my stomach walls too soft or was the band defetivce upon placement. I can only presume from the run around I am getting is that the one percent they speak of are surgeons screw ups.

Yes it is a bummer. According to the surgeon, the body cavity is a sealed unit and no air should be there unless some organ is leaking. The air was near my stomach so first thought was it must be the band or the port. They will go in with a camera and see what they find. If it is the band it will be removed and the docs assistant said she doubts they would ever use another band. If that is the case, I don't know what I will do at this time.

sorry for the double post. the mobile app was slow and I resent it. then puff the 2 were there.

I was banded on January 30th. I have lost close to 40 lbs and was feeling great ... Until Monday. I started feeling very bloated and hadn't had a bm since last Saturday. Monday night I got the chills and muscle aches and thought I caught the flu. Long story short, the pains increased and I was sweating profusely. I called my surgeon and met with him this morning. He ordered an emergency cat scan and they found air bubbles in my chest cavity. Do not pass go, do not collect 200.00. Go directly to hospital room. Here I am in my hospital bed awaiting surgery for tomorrow morning where according to my surgeon the band will most likely be removed. Needless to say, I am bummed. I will post follow ups tomorrow.

I was banded on January 30th. I have lost close to 40 lbs and was feeling great ... Until Monday. I started feeling very bloated and hadn't had a bm since last Saturday. Monday night I got the chills and muscle aches and thought I caught the flu. Long story short, the pains increased and I was sweating profusely. I called my surgeon and met with him this morning. He ordered an emergency cat scan and they found air bubbles in my chest cavity. Do not pass go, do not collect 200.00. Go directly to hospital room. Here I am in my hospital bed awaiting surgery for tomorrow morning where according to my surgeon the band will most likely be removed. Needless to say, I am bummed. I will post follow ups tomorrow.

My feeling is that after a year when he sees the new beautiful you, he will not give the money spent a second thought. You may even have to hold him back from showering you with gifts. Good luck on your journey. Enjoy it.

13 days ago I had my first fill of 4 cc in an 11cc band. I didn't fee all that much restriction until 2 days ago. All of a sudden I can only eat 1/2 cup of something where I use to be able to eat at least a cup or more. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there anything to be concerned about? Is it possible that my pouch has shrunken down to its rightful size? BTW, I do not feel physically hungry during the day, Its only when my head gets in the way.

Thanks,

Stu

Congrats. I can now relate. This morning I met a friend for Breakfast and we were shown to a booth. I almost used my gut response to as for a table but decided to try the booth. I too had about 4 inches of room and was beaming. What a great feeling

PS. I forgot to add that I am limiting myself to a 1200 calorie diet? I wonder if my body feels as though I am starving though I don't feel that way.

I have read in a lot of posts that you should hide the scale. I am beginning to understand why. I was banded on Jan 30th, 2012. To date I have lost only 26 pounds. I am eating very healthy food, getting at least 80 grams of Protein from my food. I don't drink sodas, eat candy, cake or breads. I rarely even drink Protein Drinks. The kicker is that I have lost 8 inches on my waist. I went from a 52 inch waist to a 44. Anyone else here losing the inches but not the weight. BTW, I have joined a gym, I go at least 3 times a week and have a recumbent bicycle in my home which I use on my off gym days. I have heard that muscle weighs more than fat but come on. I sure would feel happier if the weight was shedding too. This probably sounds like a whine and I guess it is. I probably should put the scale away. Am i being unreasonable? Are my expectations too high?

did you lose 72lbs in one month??? If you did or not congrats!! amazing... I'm glad you asked this question also it makes me want to stay away from Pasta and rice. I just made Pasta and meat sauce for the family and I can't stop going over and smelling it...

No, That would be way too much to lose in a month. Since the surgery on Jan 30th I lost 23 pounds. I had been yoyoing for decades, always creeping up in the pounds. I started dieting at my highest weight which was at 320 lbs last spring. I plateaued at 271 lbs for 3 months and was starting to creep up. That is when I finally decided to have this tool placed into my body.

I am 1 1/2 weeks post op and I love spicy foods. A bottle of Franks sits on my dining table. No problems eating it at all

I am 1 1/2 months post op and have 4cc of fill in my 11 cc band. I eat on the average of 1 1/2 cups per meal but do it very slowly with small well chewed bites. I was on the Protein Shake thing for a couple of weeks but realized after tracking my Protein intake, that I was getting just as much by eating the proper foods instead of drinking them. I get 80 - 90 grams daily. The 'chant' that I have heard is, 'don't drink your meals, eat them'. Works for me. I am steadily losing weight and feel great. I lost 23 pounds in 6 weeks. I am into the slow and steady mindset. It took me years to put the weight on and it will take time to get it off.

I am 1 1/2 months post op and have had my first fill of 4cc on an 11 cc band. I gave up most of the snack foods, but I do eat Pasta and rice. So far no problems. Small bitefulls and breaks between bites works for me.

Thanks for the candor and the inspiration. Great job!

Wow, you definately look great. Enjoy the new you.

I am 1 1/2 months post op and i have no problen eating bananas.

great job. You go girl!

I thank all for the wisdom, encouragement and good will. I am determined to succeed this time. I have been on a roller coaster most of my adult life with my weight and I am just tired of it. Last April, I had both of my knees replaced and the surgeon said that with each pound of excess weight I lost, I would gain extra years of usage out of them. That was one hell of a painful ordeal and one I do not want to repeat.

I am happy to hear the comments about the Protein Shakes because my pre-op classes nutritionist swore by them. Personally I dislike them. Seems like empty calories and I cannot stand the artificial sweeteners in them.

I was 320 pounds and pre-diabetic before my knee replacement surgery and it was then that I decided to do something about my weight. I sought out a nutritionist and with their guidance and my own willpower I lost 40 pounds. I was stuck at 380 pounds fora few months and was getting frustrated, dis-illusioned and depressed. My big body mind was not letting me forget my old lousy eating habits and my weight was starting to creep upwards That is when I made the decision to be banded. I finally releazide that will power was not enough. I needed another tool and now I have it. I just recently hit 250 pounds, I am in the gym at least 3 times a week and I am liking the new me.

With my new tool, sheer will power, dedication and discipline, I plan on being a lap band success story. The support on this forum is awesome and it really helps me get through the rough Patches. The seeds that I plant in my mind from here will definately help me reap success.

Thanks all

Stu

Well, hope you haven't caused a slip. I followed EVERY rule exactly and I had one from vomiting after almost 6 months out. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones and do everything wrong and not have problems but why push the limit? My friend pushed it for 2 years and they had to take his band out totally and how he's regained probably 80% of the 200 plus pounds he lost. Is it really worth it?

his brings up a good point. How do you know if your band slipped? My first fill today was done without an xray and by a doctors assistant. I was told that on my next visit in 5 weeks I would be seeing the surgeon.

I don't find it harsh at all. I am not trying to get away with anything either. I am taking this very seriously though you may feel I am not. Its just that after reading the posts here, it seems as though the doctors rules are very broad. I have been taking bits and pieces that feel right to me. I know from previous injuries and surgerys that for the most part doctors can be very conservative due to malpractice lawsuits. As I said in my post, I have gotten stuck twice and that was an eye opener. I guess time and my body will tell me what is right.

I was banded on January 30th. After 5 days I started eating some mushy food for sbout 3 days and then started eating solids. I know it is against the rules, but thats me. I am now 36 days post op and have lost 21 pounds. I had my first fill today (4cc in an 11 cc band) and was told to have only liquids for today and then mushies for the next 2 days. As I said earlier, I break the rules and tonight I made a lean cuisine swedish meatball entre and ate it all. I was tired after the gym and did not feel like cooking. I feel as though I can probably eat more, but I am using pure will power not to. On the most part all that I eat is home made and pretty healthy stuff. I have never barfed or had heart burn, though twice I have gotten stuck. That was not pleasant.

I guess I was hoping that I would feel more full after a meal. My next doctors appt is scheduled for 5 weeks away. Am I on track with 21 lbs in 36 days? Is it normal not to feel full?

PS, my doc said to stop drinking Protein Shakes. She said I will get enough Protein by eating the foods I already eat without the added calories of the drink. I am beginning to feel as though my path is very differnt than most here. Anyone else feeling this way?

I am 20 days out of surgery and I noticed a bulge on my port area too. The doctors assistant said it most likely is swelling and that it SHOULD go down. I have my first port fill appointment in two weeks and I am looking for more than a should