dhales

I agree walk, walk, walk. Take your pain meds...don't try to be wonder woman Get a heating pad if you don't already have one...oh and sugar free popsicles were wonderful when I was parched.

Poor thing....what a long miserable process. I too love it when someone on the other side of the phone gives orders and doesn't really seem to care with no concept of reality or what consequences their oversight has on others. Hopefully this is the last time to submit....crossing my fingers for you!

ditto...I have my first fill on May 7th and I have been a little nervous.

I had the the hiatal hernia repair with the lap band. I felt miserable the first two days... I had the surgery on a Tuesday and felt my worst on Thursday. I woke up Saturday feeling much better and Sunday feeling like a new woman. I sometimes still have left shoulder pain but no complications. I went back to work on Monday with no issues. I could have gone back on Friday...but I felt weak and tired do to the low calories more than anything else.

Woohoo!!!

My first fill is on May 7th. I know he put some in during surgery to "prime it" but I don't know how much...I forgot to ask. One lady that had the surgery the same day said that he put 3CC in her band. I am not hungry...so I think he put some in mine too. Well at least I am not physically hungry...head hunger varies on the days. I made the kids sugar free chocolate chip Cookies with Splenda....it was all I could do not to eat one! I did lick the spoon...so disgusted with myself. However if it would have been pre-band I would have licked the spoon, bowl and had about 1/2 of dozen of the cookies...not to mention I wouldn't have made them sugar free. So all in all...I feel like I came out ahead on that battle...now onward and upward to win the war!!!

That's my problem to. I work full time - go to school full time (almost done thank goodness) and a family of two kids and a hubby that can't seem to function without me. There is an OA group in my are on Sundays at 7pm and every time I plan to go something seems to come up. So hard. There is an OA group online that I thought to check out. This forum is great for support and questions...I visit it everyday and when I start to get unmotivated I look at the before and after pics on the main forum for inspiration. It's not easy...we are all here for a reason and if we could do it on our own we would have already. The more support you put in your corner via surgeon, family, friends, forums and therapists....the better your chances will be. I am a newbie...and I am still learning this as I go

What do they normally charge for fitting you...etc. Sounds expensive and I am on a tight budget...especially since my first Band payment is due in 3 weeks One of the ladies here at work and my daughters signed up for a 5K to run. I work better under pressure...lol

Good job....reading stories like this are empowering!

I am also on my third week. My doc is a little more aggressive with the food progression and I can have some solids (e.g. tuna, cheese...etc) However one thing they were adamant about in this stage is to only have 2 ounces or 1/4 cup at a time. Your pouch is designed to hold 4 ounces (1/2 cup) However since that flap of tummy was stitched over the band the hold it in place...they don't want me to fill my pouch for the first month as it could tear the sutures which in turn would tear my tummy....ouch! Not to mention they don't want the push to expand...defeating the purpose of the surgery to begin with. Please be ultra careful of your investment and health. The band is designed to help you with physical hunger...head hunger and bad habits may be too strong in which case I would recommend a therapist for behavior modification or possibly support groups. I don't have any support groups in my area...but I am thinking to join an OA group for this reason. Good Luck!

I can only have 1/4 cup of food 3x daily while I heal..but then only 1/2 cup 3x daily...not sure how in the world I will ever get up to 1200 calories.

Hmmm...maybe two weeks is too soon then. Now I am worried. I will call the doc's office I guess I knew I should have taken better notes...lol

Okay - so I am going to start the Couch to 5K. I have everything ready...but my only concern is that as of tomorrow I will be two weeks out. I can't remember if my doctor said it was okay to run a little at this time or just walk. I know he said no treadmill, tennis...etc for a month because of the pulling potion on your tummy....does that apply to running as well? Anyone know? Thanks!

I agree with the others...don't go overboard buying lots of food stuff. I spent money that I really didn't need to. Small pillow and a heating pad. The heating pad saved me several nights. sugar free popsicles were the only thing that I could get down at one point as I would always feel thirsty. Buy Milk of Magnesia because you are likely to be constipated after surgery. Make sure you have measuring cups and a food scale and I think smmrsue is right...don't get frustrated with the scale. As long as you are doing everything right you will loose. Good luck!

I did have this problem. I noticed that the sugar free popsicles helped quite a bit.

Oh my - you must be careful at this early stage. I just went to a nutrition class last week and I was told to be ultra careful until my first fill. They explained that my baby pouch can hold 4oz. at a time...but until I am healed they only recommend 2oz (1/4 cup) at a time. The biggest concern is the the flap of your tummy that is folded over the band and stitched. If you overeat and fill the pouch then you put stress on those sutures...which could result in pulling on the sutures and causing a tear in your stomach. Please be ultra careful and follow the rules...they scared the crap out of me. I only have 1/4 cup at a time. My doc is pretty aggressive and I am off liquids...but still limited on the typed of solids that I can have. After my first fill then I will be on the "regular" lap band diet....but until then I am limited.

I was told that our pouch is only 4oz (1/2 cup) big and that I can have 3 meals a day that equals that. No snacks....etc. Im not restricted right now...but I feel restricted. I read the Lap Band book from Allergen that they gave me and it also said the same.

B52 - do you only have 1/2 cup of your smoothie in the AM? and 1/2 cup of chili? I am just curious to your portion sizes. Thanks!

Good job!!!! You are such an inspiration....

Whew - I was afraid I was messing up. Is that 30-45 minutes before and after?

So I just realized today that I am drinking Water much better...but now I am worried to over do it. Did your surgeons suggest how much to sip and a period of time? Does it go right through the band or do we have to worry about stretching it? I am only 10 days out. Thanks!

Woohoo!!!! Can't wait til I can say that.

Makes me feel much better...I would assume since what is going in is reduced that it would make total sense that what is coming out is reduced to...lol I am not on pain meds...found out I was allergic to the pain meds after surgery and just didn't go back to get more. I really didn't need it after the second day anyway. I will give MOM more time (I assumed it would be pretty quick)...I took the lowest recommended dose of 2 tbsp. If nothing by tonight I will take 2 more...

Okay...so today I am 9 days post-op. I was on liquids 48 hours before my surgery and I am still on liquids. I am not really getting in a whole lot in terms of calories...but I feel like I am sipping all day. I have been taking my vitamins....now comes the gross part. I have noticed two issues and wondered if anyone else has this as well. I have noticed a rash under my chest and tummy. I have been taking anti-fungal for this assuming its a yeast rash since I had antibiotics during surgery and I am sure with low calories my immune system may be suppressed....but it seems to go away in one spot and reappear. Anyone else with this issue? Also - probably the grossest TMI - remember I warned you...so you can stop reading at anytime. Well - since you are still reading I guess you will be okay with it. I just realized this AM that I haven't had a #2 since before my surgery...when I started the liquids. I took MOM this morning with nothing. Funny thing is I don't feel bad or bloated or constipated. I just don't feel anything...is this normal since I have been on liquids.... Geez that is like 11 days....that has to be strange.

True Results in Houston was $9000 with a year of follow care and fills. My insurance also had an exclusion...however True Results was able to go in and find a loop hole that allowed me to have a hernia repair (which insurance covered part of) and the lap band at the same time. It ended up being only $5500 out of pocket.