roxa

So i had my fourth fill on tuesday. I now have 9cc in my 14 ccs band. Im soo frustrated because after the fill i stayed at my drs for 30 min drank 4 cups of Water and everything was fine. Went home and about 4 hrs after the fill tried some chicken broth. It went down with some pain! Ahhh! So the rest of the day i stayed on Water only and that hurt too. Wed morning had about 2 spoons of yogurt and that went down ok. For lunch tried some Soup and that was ok. And than for dinner some Jello and got stuck and threw it all up. The reason I'm frustrated is because the same thing happened last month and i ended up getting an unfill. I just don't understand why I'm able to have the water at the dr and than i go home and have trouble. I don't know whether to go and get an unfill again (which i really don't want) or just stay on liquids over the weekend and see how i feel next week. My question is does this happen to anybody else? you're ok at the office but than have trouble at home? I just don't understand it and its making me so frustrated :-(

Ps: i was banded aug/2012 and have lost 39 pounds.

I just saw this on another board. Maybe it explains why you threw the Jello up

"My discharge nurse told me to avoid jello at first. She said it can expand in the esophagus or stomach and not feel so good."

Maybe that is what happened to you?

Ok,

For those of you that have the band already, is it really true that you can eat NO bread rice or Pasta at all? That's what my nutritionist said. What are the effects you have actually experienced if you do?

I've had pasta no problem, only had rice once no problem (not dry white rice though. ONe of htose Unlce Ben mix things)I've had a few bites of corn bread but anything dry bothers me. I did have a half of piece of toasted garlic bread one night with no problems. Everyone is different. My doctor told me yesterday that once I get into the green zone I will want to avoid white sticky gooey types of bread, stringy stuff like celery, really dry meat. Thats about it.

He also told me once I can have anything I want its just that I won't eat as much of it as I use to. I like his attitude.

t

Thanx cause I'm getting a bit down n out ... Thought I'd be in my merry way by now ....

its true. I just came through "bandster hell" and had my first fill today. I didn't stress about it though. I read on here what to expect. I would eat and then get hungry 3 or 4 hours later but I'd go have a snack. I still lost a few pounds, didn't gain any, and knew it was short term.

Hang in there!

My band was empty until now. . .she put in 2.5cc's. Did you have any saline put in at time of surgery?

he said he put in 2 or 3 cc's, didn't seem like he was real sure! I could tell I had some restriction though even after the swelling went down. In the last week I was able to eat more and got hungry about every 3 or 4 hours but certainly couldn't eat anywhere near what I use to.

I was surprised today when he said he only put in 1.5cc's from what I have read here. I guess I will see how it goes.

I had my first fill today and it's been about 4 hours since I last had something in my tummy. I'm on liquids so all I've had is Water, crystal light, chicken broth and a mocha (bad I know). . . I have gas that is moving around and making noises, lol! Is this normal?

Thanks for the warning! I had my first fill today but so far nothing. I've had some water and am having hot cocoa right now. I am hungry though. They said you wouldn't be after a fill but I am. How many cc's did you get? He put in 1.5 cc's in me. Did you have any in there from your surgery?

I'm searching for the best Protein drinks. Any suggestions? Taste is a factor of course (chocolate is my fave) but quality is more important.

Thanks!!

I love love love the Atkins Advantage shakes. They have two flavors of chocolate, the dark chocolate is my favorite. I also like the french vanilla and the mocha and one with carmel in it. I still have them for Breakfast even though I am on a regular diet now. Oh the strawberry banana wasn't bad either! You can buy them in a four pack at Target or Walmart and then you won't be out much if you don't like them but I think you will

I am choosing not to tell anyone! I just didnt want to deal with all the comments. Friends of ours had it done a husband and wife and although they don't stay on program, people are their food police at parties BBQ etc., I told my hubby just me and you are in this. Funny thing is because I'm taking off work for two weeks my boss wants a doctors note. The office said I'll write whatever you want us to write. Hope it doesn't leak out. Good luck!!

I agree. I told my husband and then finally told my daughter and that was it. It is my personal business. I just told others I had a hiatal hernia and needed surgery and that was it.

Mine does!! Pretty sure it's normal. I'm just using the heating pad.

mine too! thank you for saying that, I thought it was just me!!!

thank you all for yhe info. I have my first fill Dec 3rd.

How do I start a new topic?

Most people who aren't successful or have problems don't follow the rules of the Band. It's a tool, not a cure all. I have done my research and am completely ready for my surgery Nov. 13th. I have told people but I have thick skin and am comfortable with my decision. To hell with the nay Sayers... Time to do something for myself and take my life back! Good luck!

Good luck tomorrow!!!!

I had to get phazyme I think how you spell it ) for gas it's stronger than gas. X and gas x did nothing for me

day 9 and the gas pains are finally starting to ease up. I've never had anything quite like it! Hang in there. I found sitting helped more than standing so I have a vibrating heating pad I sit on that beats my back, then a heating pad on my stomach and then just grin and bear it.

Good luck. It will get better!! (and today is the first day I could say that and mean it!!)

Congrats and welcome to all of you October bandsters! Follow your doctor's post op diet, they are all different! Drink slow, but often and stay hydrated! Rest a lot and walk a lot. You may be tired for up to six weeks. Don't do strenuous exercise until your doctor clears you. Welcome to the losers club!

Thanks for the encouragement SueBee. I sleep a lot and get tired very easy. Glad to hear it is normal. I am getting better each day. It has been 9 days and what an improvement just in the last 3 days! Gas pains almost gone. Thank God for that!

It does help, I am surprised but so thankful.

I have found that a cup of Swanson's vegetable broth really helps a lot! Especially at bed time when I am hungry. I have a cup of that and it helps me sleep. Who would ever believe that I would think vegetable broth is good! LOL

If Im not mistaken you shouldnt be drinking Ensure for ur Protein.< /p>

Example..if ur Protein Drink has 20gm of protein then ur calories shouldnt be more than 200.. The calories shouldnt be more than 10x ur protein.

I think so too. Ensure can be fattening for people trying to lose weight. That is what they gave my mom to sustain her when she could no longer eat. They use it a lot in nursing homes too. Atkins shakes are good. Maybe you should switch to them

I don't know if these answers will fully tell you what you want, but this is what I understand. On the mushies gaining weight thing - no you will not gain weight so long as you are continuing to stay under your calorie limit for the day. A female human burns about 1700-1800 calories per day just to be alive (for heavier people this is higher) - that's sitting there, doing nothing, just continuing on - so even if you go from say 500 calories per day on broth and Jello to 900 calories per day on mushies you will still be well under this requirement and your body will have to use its fat stores just to keep going and make up that difference. You obviously wont be losing as much as you might if you are only doing liquids and jello, but that kind of diet is not sustainable or healthy for long periods of time. You should also focus on Protein and veggies rather than carb heavy foods like potatoes, etc. This will also help your body burn more of its fat stores.

on the GB vs band thing - I dont know exactly why they loose so much faster, but my understanding is that over a 5 year period, weightloss with both is virtually the exact same. In an incidental conversation where with my weightloss counsellor at my doctor's office about how I didnt understand why you would want to re-route your intestines he said that they would only recommend a bypass if a person literally had like 6 months to live unless they lost weight. It can lead to many issues with nutrient loss and something called dumping syndrome where the person's blood sugars go out of control because the stomach is what is supposed to absorb the sugars.

the band may take longer, but there are far less complications, and by losing the weight slower you reduce both heath problems and some things like extra, sagging skin, etc.

hope this helps!

Thank you! great information!!!

My surgery was yesterday and it went well. The doc repaired a hiatal hernia while he was there. I think that is accounting for some of my pain. I was released from the hospital around 11 this morning and was able to vote! So far clear liquids are going well, no nausea, but lots of gas. I plan on taking it very easy until my check up next Wednesday. I will get my walking in, but not much else. I'm terrified that I'm going to eat (drink) too much so I'm being very careful. I'm on my way! Thanks for your support!

Karan

Glad to hear your surgery went well. I know I was scared too that i would over eat or drink - still am. I am so tired of liquids though! This is my 4th week. But I just have a few more days and then I will slowly start introducing the mushys - I can't wait.

Hang in there!

I don't have my first fill for four more weeks. I am not really hungry, just really miss food lol. After only eating broth and Jello for three weeks, it makes you wonder when you go to mushies and eat more calories, will you not but on weight? I'm not complaining, just confused on how this works when our calorie intake has been extremely reduced. One more question, why is banders weight loss so much slower than gastric bypass? How much less can we possibly eat?

I don't know the answer to your questions but they are good ones and I am hoping someone will answer! I want to know too!

Me too. I have my first fill on December 11. I plan to be down 15 pounds from the weight I was at my post op follow up appointment.

I think my doc siad 6wks also. I sure wouldn't be ready for one already!

Roxa - I was just thinking about you earlier today and wondering how your surgery went. How are you feeling?

Karan - I had my surgery at Des Peres by Dr. Minkin. He is so awesome in my opinion. I would definitely recommend him for when Dr. Follwell leaves. I have not been to the support group there, but I know I should. Let me know what you think of it when you go.

HI Alli

My surgery went well. This is day 7. I am still struggling with the gas pains but everything else is good. My incisions are healing. I think by tonight I will be ready to try sleeping in the bed. I have been in the recliner all week but don't sleep as well. The first 4 days all I did was sleep! I thought it was the pain meds but now I think it was just my body's way of healing. I am tired today though. I did a lot the last two days, compared to what I had been doing, and I am tired today. But all in all - doing pretty good!

How about you?

My surgery was done on Halloween at Jefferson Regional Surgery Center

I had Dr Ginsberg and the surgery was at Twin Cities Surgery Center in Festus. There by Home Depot

Congrats 18 lbs )

glad you are ok!!

I am only a day and half from my banding date! Friday late morning is my time.......and has not had a diet coke for like 10 days now....I wonder how it will be sleeping on my left side? I am a side sleeper and it is left mostly. But plan on doing the recliner sleep time for a few days if needed.

I have been in the recliner all week. I can only lay flat in bed, can't do my side, and it is miserable. Of course I carry 95% of my weight in my stomach (like an apple) so that is probably why I can't lay on it!

Good luck today!

Headaches are a sign of dehydration.

ok, I'll drink more. Hope I don't float away!

Congrats!!!! You ate going to love it and learn so much as you begin to eat different, such a gift!!!!

inspriational words Skyvic. I was just banded on Monday. I sure hope I can live up to that!

I was banded on the 30th & my only complain is HEADACHES. & I know its not from Caffine withdraws because I havent drank soda or tea in a very long time

me too. I've been having really bad headaches which is unusual for me. I was starting to blame it on my pain meds. I've been taking extra strenght tylenol and it helps but as soon as they wear off the headache is back. Its not caffine withdrawal either. I've never had that problem so I dont' know why it would start now.