Stephleupagus

You ought to give your doctor a call. I suppose it's possible that there's still gas moving around in there. Irritation of organs/tissues in the vicinity of the upper GI tract tend to not be felt at the site of the irritation, so the pain (or whatever response) gets "referred" to somewhere else. That's why the gas introduced into the body during surgery can cause left shoulder pain.
Have you had any eating problems or other issues that might be related to your band? Where is this pain in relation to your port? Does a change in body position ever trigger the pain?
Did you by any chance have a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time as your band surgery? I ask because I have one (that my original surgeon was supposed to fix but didn't) that occasionally causes me pain in the same location. It doesn't bother me often since I've lost weight, and I don't know why it comes and goes. Sometimes it comes out of nowhere and other times it shows up, or worsens, when I bend at the waist.
Edited to add: It's possible to develop a hiatal hernia even after bariatric surgery (I've heard several tales of that), so I suppose it's also possible for a repaired hernia to give way again. If that's the case, it's extremely unlikely to endanger your band.

Kris... i look at your before and after and think that you have done an amazing job. I'm go to tell you what i saw in your photo gallery.... Older pictures of you, you looked sad and underlay miserable. I can now see why this A$$ hole latched on too you. In the Healthier pictures... you look so happy and confident... stay this way...
Sojourne has given you great advice. Sounds to me like you are feeling some guilt about losing weight. Guilt about the ex-cheating-bastard.... So what if he like big girls. He probably can't handle the new, beautiful, healthy, confident and strong woman you have become. He likes big girls because we have low self esteem and self worth and are easily controlled. This is why he moved on from you, you were in control you. But now You are letting him control you even though you are not with him anymore by sabotaging your weight loss...
STOPPPP letting this happen...
Please go see someone and don't give up and don't let others determine your self worth. You will find someone that will love the person you are and not care about your size.. big or small.

Don't drop your exercise! It's so good for you. I'd look into upping your calories every other day for a week and see what happens. Add a Protein Shake.< /p>

I was required to do six months of appts before I could have surgery. Six nutrition appts, a psych eval and a preop. My insurance required this. For me I was glad I did this; I gave myself the time to try to lose on my own, and as usual, I could not. Lost 30 lbs and then stalled and gained 15 back. It really helped me resize I needed the help.

You do have to make the decision to make the time. Time is an excuse, not a reason. You can make time to workout. I'm sure there are 30 to 60 minutes a day you can find to be active. Once you start you will love the way it makes you feel. I'm a gym addict, love exercise and I started running at 292 pounds. You can do it

I am just like you, and am 6 weeks out. I did not get a fill yet.

Hi Leigh!! I'm so glad you started a little group for all the December bandsters. It will be great hearing how others are doing along their journeys.
I was banded on the 18th. Am doing ok, still feel pretty swollen and tight around my sternum. Some air pressure, but not tons. Am off my pain meds, just using ibuprofen now. I'm having more of a mental issue now then anything, wondering if I did the right thing, scared of never feeling "normal" again, etc. I'm sure that many people go through that once they get banded. I hope as I start to feel better those feelings will go away.

Hi Leigh!! I'm so glad you started a little group for all the December bandsters. It will be great hearing how others are doing along their journeys.
I was banded on the 18th. Am doing ok, still feel pretty swollen and tight around my sternum. Some air pressure, but not tons. Am off my pain meds, just using ibuprofen now. I'm having more of a mental issue now then anything, wondering if I did the right thing, scared of never feeling "normal" again, etc. I'm sure that many people go through that once they get banded. I hope as I start to feel better those feelings will go away.

Brag some more!! You look fantastic!!!!!!!!!

If you aren't able to eat you MUST talk to your doctor and get an unfill. You should absolutely be able to eat the things you listed, and if you can't your band is too tight. You won't succeed if you are not 100% talking with your doctor.

If you aren't able to eat you MUST talk to your doctor and get an unfill. You should absolutely be able to eat the things you listed, and if you can't your band is too tight. You won't succeed if you are not 100% talking with your doctor.

If you aren't able to eat you MUST talk to your doctor and get an unfill. You should absolutely be able to eat the things you listed, and if you can't your band is too tight. You won't succeed if you are not 100% talking with your doctor.

So I had my band put on three weeks ago (my it seems like much longer ago!). For the first two weeks I felt lots of restriction, but now that I'm into the third week, I've lost most of the restriction feeling. I am guessing it's because the swelling has subsided and I'm healing?
Now I feel like I did before I had the band, I can eat, not much if any restriction. Is that just what happens after surgery and for your first fill? I was PERFECT right at the two week mark. I could eat but in small portions. I am suspecting that means I will need that first fill?

I can't wait til I'm a size 16!! Congratulations!

Congratulations!!!!!! I too have enjoyed your posts so it's great to see what you've been able to accomplish.

Oh, the bellybutton thing would have freaked me out! You are so calm, cool, and collected. But it does look fantastic!

Honestly who cares about a scar? No one sees your belly unless you show them, but your fat is visible to all. The scar was the least of my concerns.

Honestly who cares about a scar? No one sees your belly unless you show them, but your fat is visible to all. The scar was the least of my concerns.

Thanks again everyone. It was a new day today and I feel tons better

Wow congratulations!! That's a ton of weight in two weeks!

No real advice except to try the crystal light pure. It has no artificial anything, no chemicals, it's sweetened with flavor and not crap. It might help because there's no aspartame or other stuff in it. It comes in singles packets only, but you will find it next to the other crystal lite.

I was told clear liquids the first 24 hours, and after that anything you can get through a straw. I was put on mushies after a week of liquids, however, I feel like i am better off with mostly liquid and some added mush. Like, I added some crackers to my Tomato Soup, that kind of thing.
I was also told that rice, especially white rice, is an absolute NO NO NO with a band - it swells as it retains Water, and will absolutely puff you up and make you feel miserable. So it might have been that you chose the wrong mushies. No rice!

Get some gas x (chewables) and a heating pad. Use them both every night for a few hours! I slept with my heating pad on my belly last night.

It is a cycle, isn't it? Things are stressful, busy, hard, you feel exhausted... and that cycle continues until you do something to pull yourself out of it. When I feel like you do, I know that it's my depression talking and that I need to go back on my meds (which I take during the wintertime, because I have SADD).
The cycle is hard to break out of! For sure. It is something that takes great effort. However, once you make a small step you will feel tons better!
As far as the exercise, it is something you just have to DO. Tell yourself that you will make time for yourself and do it. It sounds counterproductive, but I promise, you will actually get MORE energy by starting to exercise than you do when you don't. You will be tired initially, but soon your body will start releasing wonderful endorphins that will make you feel all kinds of good after you exercise! When I'm exercising every day, my emotional side feels better, my body itself feels better, I have more energy, and I'm just happier. It really works wonder on the brain and the body

Thanks everyone. That is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to increase my meds while I go through the beginning of this stage. I seem to be having minor freak outs and panic attacks every time something doesn't seem right.