ClaudiaG

So, I am going for my 3rd fill tommorow and I am feeling confused and frustrated. I haven't lost any more weight since I started solids, but I haven't gained any either. So, that is good! What I'm confused about is the restriciton, I'm not exactly sure what it is supposed to feel like. Does it feel like something is stuck, or is it just the feeling of getting full faster? Please help! When I eat, the food hurts going down, but it could be the first bite or it can be the last. I have tried different kinds of food, eating slower, etc. I can't find a constant, it is always different. I would love for someone who is in the green zone to try and explain to me what it feels like and how you know you are there. I want to get more restriction, because I am not losing weight, but I am afraid of it hurting even more if I am too tight. I hope this makes sense to somebody that can help me.

Thank you. I'm not sure what it was, but it went away as suddenly as it came on.

So all of a sudden I feel this tightening and pain in my upper stomach (middle, under my breasts) and it goes all the way to the back. It got so bad I can't even sit or lay down. I don't know what is wrong, I haven't eaten anything, but the last time I ate (yesterday) I did get stuck pretty bad. This happened before, on a weekend too. I had to deal with it all weekend until I got in to see Dr on Monday morning they did an unfill, and everything was fine after that. The pain was terrible and I wasn't able to eat anything all weekend long. I have since had a small fill I just called my clininc, but they are closed till Monday. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I don't want to go through this again. The only good thing about it before was that I lost 9 lbs that weekend, but so not worth it. HELP!!

I have noticed recently that I am losing a lot more hair than I used to. I have heard that could happen due to weight loss, so I was kind of expecting it, but now that it is happening I want to know what I can do about it. I am taking my Vitamins, but I guess that is not enough. If anybody has any suggestions on how to prevent this or at least minimize, please let me know. Thanks,

Well, I have had 5 fills and am now at 7cc in a 10cc band. I eat 3 very small meals a day and am not hungry between meals. I think I have hit my green zone finally. I eat slowly and chew my food very well and that is definately helping me to avoid getting stuck. When I do get that feeling of being stuck now, it's because I know I am full and can't take another bite. I have an apt in 2 weeks and I don't think they will add anymore to my band. We will see....

Thanks KFlower, I really hope this is the last fill for me. It doesn't bother me to get them, but I am so ready to start losing weight at a constant pace.

Hey there, I had my surgery the day before you did (4/26). I have had 3 fills, and am up to 6cc. I don't think I am at the green zone yet, but I definatiely do feel some restriction. I have an apt this week for my 4th fill and am hoping will have full restriction after that. I definately can't eat like I used to. I have to eat slow and less or the food will get stuck and that hurts. Most of the weight I have lost was due to the pre op and post op diet. But, I must confess, I do not measure my food. I eat until I am full, but eat whatever I want just less. I just think that if I wanted to be on a diet, I wouldn't have paid all that money and put myself through surgery. I know that I probably won't loose as much as if I did follow their diet rules, but I'm ok with that. If I could follow a diet I wouldn't have had surgery. I know that doesn't sound right, but that's how I feel. Good luck and keep in touch!

I know exactly how you feel. I was banded on 4/26 and the left shoulder pain was the worst. The Gas X strips that everyone recommended did not work and the walking aroung either. It was worse right after I drank anything. Mine lasted a couple of weeks, and then suddenly it just went away. I hope your pain doesn't last that long. All I can tell you is it will go away, and it is normal. Good luck!

Good luck tomorrow!

So my doctor said not to drink anything during meals, not to even place a drink on the table. Does anyone else have to do that? And how long do you have to wait after a meal to drink something? I'm struggling with this... Thanks

I was scared it would hurt also, but after the first fill I was like "that's it?" . I was worried for nothing, it really isn't painful, and it's over before you know it. SO RELIEVED!

Congrats on your weight loss! I think that my problem is the chewing also, I just had lunch and made sure I chewed enouth before swallowing and VOILA, no chest pain. Thanks so much for your info, and good luck on your weight loss journey.

Thanks, and good luck to you too! I have a 10cc band filled 5.5cc, I am going for 3rd fill tomorrow. I hope I get to the greenzone after that. Keep in touch

I just got my second fill, I really hope I start to feel restriction. I havent' lost any weight since my first fill. Once I started on solid food, I stopped losing. How long before y'all felt any restriction??

I get to start on solid food tomorrow, and I am so scared. I have been on liquid and soft foods since my surgery 3 weeks ago, and on Atkins diet for 2 weeks pre-op and want to eat real food, but I am nervous about what it's going to be like. I just got my first fill yesterday, and they made me drink some Water at the clinic before I left to make sure it would stay down, and it felt weird, kind of hurt in the chest area for the first few drinks. After that, I have been drinking liquids with no problem. Today, I'm on soft foods and tomorrow I start solids. Let me know how you do on your fist day of solids. Good luck

I am 37, I got banded last week on 4/26. My bmi is 50. My start weight was 303, before my preop Atkins diet. I now weigh 286, I am so glad I decided to get banded. I would love to be your buddy, and go through this together.

I was banded last week on 4/26, and still have a lot of pain in my left shoulder. Anything I can do to get rid of it?

Thanks, How are you doing with your lap band?

I just got banded last thursday 4/26, and I returned to work yesterday. I feel fine, except for some pain in my left shoulder, which I hear is pretty common. Good Luck! Marci