La_madam

Hope all goes smoothly for you tomorrow proclndoll Let us all know how is went when you are home and feel up to it!

Paula, this comes right from the Inamed handbook I recieved after surgery Q- How much weight will I lose ? A- The ammount of weight you may lose depends on several things: the band placement, your new lifestyle and new eating habits. In the U.S. clinical trial, 2% of patients gained some weight; 5% neither gained weight or lost weight. 61% of the patients lost atleast 25% of their excess weight; 52% of the patients lost at least 33% of their excess weight; 22% of the patients lost 50% of their excess weight; and 10% lost at least 75% of their excess weight. The goal is to lose weight gradually. Losing weight too fast creates a health risk and can lead to a number of problems. Nausea and vomiting are the most minor examples. A weight loss of 2-3 pounds a wek in the first year is possible, but one pound a week is more likely. Tweleve to eighteen months after the operation weekly weight loss is usually less. Remember that your main goal is to have wieght loss that prevents, improves or resolves health problems connectedwith sever obesity. Here is my stats the day of surgery on April 6th 2004 5'5 265 lbs size 20 -22 Now May 6th 2004 13 months later 5'5 174 lbs size 10 - 91 lbs I hope this information is helpful to you

I waited about 4 weeks. I was scared to and did not want to mess anything up, plus my husband was a little nervouse too not wanting to mess anything up.

Do not let anyone sabatoge your sucesss, you got this band for you and for you to have a healthier happier life. No 17yr old is worth sabatoging it, and I do have a 17yr old myself so I know what you are going through. Not to mention you need to heal, there is a post op diet for a reason, eating solids too soon after surgery can risk slippage of your band when your tummy has to digest that meat and fries. Your band needs to set into place and those stitches around your port area on the inside need to heal you do not want them to tear and have your port flip. Digestion is a very ruff process on your tummy with lots of tunrning and churning. You know what to do , now just do it, do not let anyone jeapordize your succes with this band..time to be accountable. Get back to the post op diet your doctor gave you put this past you and move forward You can do this!!!!

Hey Tuff With a name like that , it doesnt seem like you will have any problems taking care of yourself after surgery. Honestly you will be amazed at how little pain you will have and how you will be able to get around fairly easy. I know everyone is different but I was out shopping around town the very next day after surgery. You will be fine, just make sure you have enough liquids , Gas X and maybe some liquid tylenol on hand and you should do OK. Good luck

Kathy, my port is located a little below my port incision too.

I was going ot say the same thing, I usually get that feeling when I eat too fast between bites and do not chew properly and Iam 13 months out. Also somedays my fill level is tighter then other days which I know affects this.

I wish I would of known I would have gas everyday for the last year

Paula, children are resilent and yours are still young. They will make friends and adjust better then you think. My personal opinion is that if you have to move or want to move ..it is better to do it when the chilldren are younger, it would be much harder on them if they were teenagers in middle school or high school. You have to do what is best for your family at this time, they may not understand now but in the long run they will.

I fart more then ever before in my life now that I am banded.

I could not feel mine in the very beginning but as I lost weight I was able to feel it more & more.

Average Iwas told was 1-3 lbs a week. I am 13 months post op and have lost 91 lbs, I am 5'5 and started at 265 size 22 I am now 174 and a size 10. Some weeks I would lose and other I would not lose, some weeks I would lose 1 lb and others I would lose 3 lbs, some weeks I would even gain 1/2 to 1 lb ..the band works and the best thing for me personally is I do not feel like I have had to diet in the last year, I'm losing weight and still enjoying food. We all have our own pace but we all are successful in this journey and that is what is great about the band.

As hard as it is , try and not let the scale dictate to you your success. Focus on the other possitive things that have happened since banded life has started 10 weeks ago. Inches are just as great to lose as pounds. I went from a size 16 to a 12 with minimal pounds lost, it was mainly inches and from a size 12 to a 10 with a 3 lb loss.. It is frustrating not seeing the scale move, I would get on the scale everyday in the beginning but since June of 2004, 3 months after my surgery I made a promise to myself to only weigh myself once a week ( mondays) It works for me, I see a loss some weeks and other weeks I dont but I do not get discouraged becasue I know Iam doing the right things. Think possitive , it will happen

This could be your problem. Add more calories, I know it sounds carzy but it is true. Ever here of your body going itno starvation mode? It is when the body holds on to every calorie ittakes in , in fear that no more food is coming. 600 calories is not enough. OR, it could be the change from Clear Liquids to ful lliquids, body may be in a bit of confusion. I know in my own experience when I went from clear to full liquids, I saw a stall in my weight loss and when I went from full liquids to mushy foods I saw a 1-2 lb gain, and the same from mushy to solids, it took my body about 3-4 days during each phase to adjust. You know you are not overeating or drinking, so try not to fret, main thing right now is healing, you are only 8 days post op. My doctor told me to not be concerned with weight loss during the 6 weeks post op, any weight loss is a bonus, the band is designed to be filled to work its best and to lose the wieght. Once you get your fills, the wieght will come off. Hang in there. I know it is frustrating but you have a lifetime with this band

Kathy, you look very young, thats a good thing! Nice to finally put a face finally with your words How are you feeling today?

Happy Bandiversary Lisa, With all that you have endured in the last year, you have done a phenomonal job. You have every reason to feel proud.

Both are OK but I was told that chewing gum can cause more gas then pre band, since now us bandsters swallow more air due to how we have to chew our food so well. Seems to be truen in my case, I get more gas when I chew gum.

Boxer luv, I did not have a pre op diet but YES I did eat my l;ast meal. I had my surgery done in TJ and I went to the best carnitas restraunt and ate beans, rice, totrillas and carnitias all the way up until 10;;00pm the night before surgery. I had no problems with doins so either after surgery. I had a nice bowel movement the day aftersurgery. I'm sure my doctor knew but he did not tell me I couldnt eat so I did!

Kathy I had no reflux when I had esophagitis either, which is why I was so suprised I had it. You seem to be on top of things and are keeping a close eye on it all. Best of luck to you. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you , I suffered with it for 3 weeks.

Most doctors require you to wait 6 weeks post op before your first fill but I have heard of other docotrs that do it sooner then that.

Kathy here is some helpful info on Esophagitis, I experienced it and believe me it was not pleasant at all. I was on the prilosec in the beginning for my esophagitis but I was switched to Prevacid and it worked much better in treating my esophagitis, but it is more expensive and a prescription is needed for it , but well worth it Symptoms of Esophagitis * Difficulty when swallowing * Pain when swallowing * Burning sensation in the esophagus * Acid reflux (heartburn) * Oral lesions (herpes) Esophagitis is an inflammation and swelling of the esophagus. It is most often caused by acid-containing stomach contents refluxing back up into the esophagus. The most significant cause of acid reflux is gastroesophageal reflux disease. Other causes of reflux are hernias, vomiting, medications and surgery. Esophagitis can be caused by other conditions also. These include an infection that can develop in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as caused by HIV or certain medications such as corticosteroids. The infection can be caused by viruses, including herpes and cytomegalovirus, and fungi or yeast, especially Candida infections. Whether the condition is caused by the irritation from reflux of stomach contents or by infection, in either case the tissues of the esophagus become inflamed. If left untreated, this condition can become very uncomfortable, and can lead to difficulty when swallowing, ulcers in the esophagus, or scarring of the esophagus. In rare instances, a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus may develop which is a risk factor for cancer of the esophagus. How Esophagitis is Treated * Medications to reduce acid if gastroesophageal reflux disease is the cause * Antibiotics if an infection is the cause Prognosis For Those Who Have Esophagitis Whether the esophagitis is caused by reflux disease or an infection, both usually respond well to treatment. Complications of Esophagitis If esophagitis is not treated, it can cause: * Severe discomfort * Malnutrition or dehydration because of swallowing difficulties * Scarring of the esophagus, which can lead to a stricture of the esophagus. * In rare cases, Barrett's esophagus, which can lead to cancer of the esophagus. I hope this info helps you and I hope you feel better soon, Esophagitis is something I wouldnt ever wish on my worst enemy, it was horrible.

Rice fro mthe sushi was one of my worst PB's, so I can relate to exactly what you went through, glad it passed

I do not know how much protein to eat to keep your hair from falling out but I do know the reccomended ammount for us bandsters is 60 grams a day. Most protein drinks are loaded with protein, the ones I drank had 20 grams in each can. 3 of those in a day and I was in good shape getting in 60 grams.

Thank God after reading your post Blue Bell has not reached California yet but I can relate to the 10 for 10 thing and the self check-out lane. I indulge in both of those everytime I grocery shop!

Iam an Ortiz patient, Going alone is no big deal, once you get there they take good care you & you are never alone , you will meet the others there getting their surgery. I go alone for my fills. I did not go alone for my surgery. Mrs. Ortiz and Junior take good care of you. You have no worries I promise. I know that is easy for me to say but it is the truth.