mrsto

I had the band and plication done on 3/25. My doctor has done many of these procedures, and also told me that the long term data on it isn't available yet. But the results are promising, and as stated above, it reduces some of the inherent complications of the band alone. He factored the procedure into the bill, in a way where I didn't have to come out of pocket for it. He also repaired a hernia, and removed my gallbladder at the same time. After much thought and research, I decided to go with the plication, not only because of the reduction of potential band issues, but I wanted a secondary procedure in place, in case the band did not work for me. At least with the plication, my stomach capacity is now dramatically less than before, which is another added way to limit what I can take in. FYI - this is probably just a matter of semantics, but the plication is currently referred to as "investigational", not experimental. I don't know if that puts a little different spin on it for you? There is a lot of data you can find online, but none of it is conclusive. All very promising, but not yet approved by the FDA. My understanding is, they're about 2-3 years out from having what they consider "long term data", which would then provide what the FDA requires to either approve.....or not. So far, it's all looking pretty good :-)

My surgeon said never again......for the reasons already stated above. Advil has always been my drug of choice for pain, but I haven't had any since two weeks before the surgery. And I won't take it anymore. Not worth the risk, and though extra strength Tylenol doesn't work to the degree that Advil does, it's what I now take for a headache, etc. Not the greatest, but better than nothing.

You have a really good attitude, and I'm in the same boat. I'm (only) 15 pounds down since my surgery 5 weeks ago, which includes the two weeks pre-op. Although, I have to admit that I wasn't exactly diligent with the pre-op 1200 cal/day; more like 1400. But I did drop a few pounds, and there weren't any issues with the surgery. I'm sticking to 1000 calories, and the weight is coming off slowly. Like you, I've made peace with the fact that at 57 years old, everything is slower. I'm not going to drop 6 pounds the first week I decide to diet, as I did when I was 30. I fight to keep my head on straight every day; some days better than others. But my attitude is, as long as the number on the scale is going in the OTHER direction, I'm good. There have been many days since doing this, where I knew if I didn't have the band, I would have blown whatever the diet du jour. Which I ALSO have to remind myself, is exactly why I got banded. In these last few weeks I would most likely have put on another 2-3 pounds, instead of dropping 15. That is the ball I work to keep my eye on.

Fabulous! You look amazing :-)

You do not look overweight whatsoever. GREAT job!!

There is a free app called My Fitness Pal. You can download on your smartphone, and also login on your computer. Once you fill in your specifics, and track your food daily, the program will give you the information you need. Ask your nutritionist how many calories per day you are supposed to have, along with the grams of Protein. As you track your food, the program will tell you how many grams of protein you've had at each meal, each day, etc. It gives a lot of other information as well, but calories and protein are the most important for us. My doctor has a computerized scale that calculates just about everything in your body; weight, baseline resting calories, Water level, fat to muscle ratios, etc. I was sad to see that in order for me to simply maintain my weight, is 1400 calories. I'm sure if I start gaining some muscle mass by exercising, that number might change a bit. But given my age and my 5'2" frame, I need to cut down to somewhere between 800-1000 calories a day to lose. Even so, it's going pretty slow (I think). And even with restriction, it's a struggle.

I did the same thing. I drank 1/2 of a Protein shake between Breakfast and lunch, and the other half between lunch and dinner. It was tough, but it got me through.

I just had my first fill on Thursday, and that was a little over 4 weeks post-op. Initially, I had some restriction, but apparently the swelling from surgery went down, and I was getting hungry 2-2.5 hours after eating. I think that's probably what's going on with you. I'm much better after the fill, and I'm back to being satiated for up to 4 hours. Don't be nervous; it's really no big deal. Just a little pinch. Believe me when I tell you, you went through a LOT more with the surgery

I get the same thing.... From all the posts, it sounds like a band-ism. Thank goodness I read Jean's article on soft & hard stops, because as soon as I hiccurp (Missy - love that), I know that I better put the fork down SOON It's difficult, though, because sometimes it happens after only a few bites. I've pushed the envelope & kept going...slowly, but my total shutoff happens within the next three bites.

Cheznoel is right.....Rome was not built in a day. Don't under estimate the assault this surgery has on your body. I was very much out of sorts for a good 2.5 weeks, and didn't really feel "good" until 4 weeks. During the first three weeks I had weepy moments, and felt very frustrated at times. Even yesterday, I was so out of sorts, and all I wanted to do was eat......but I couldn't. I wanted to take a sleeping pill to escape, but I had to just sit with the feelings & wait for it to pass. Give yourself a break.... If you feel sad or out of sorts, allow yourself to feel it; don't fight it. Just rest, go for a walk, read a book, etc. The days will pass soon enough, and you will come through this.

I absolutely LOVE popcorn, and most always get it when we go to the movies. My husband doesn't necessarily love it, but he eats it along with me. NOW - low & behold, we've been to the movies about 2-3 times since my surgery on 3/25, and every time he gets fricken popcorn! As he sits down with the bag and a diet coke, he asks if it will bother me. I just said, no. I figure, just because I'm on lock down, doesn't mean that he can't enjoy popcorn at the movies. Some day (I guess), I'll be able to have a little bit again. But I was just surprised when he sat down with it the first time, because he doesn't necessarily like it. Whatever! He's been VERY supportive through this entire venture, so I can't really say that he's testing me

As far as laxatives go, MiraLax is the best. Non-stimulant, no cramps, mixes with Water - tasteless. Typically, it takes a couple of days for it to work, but it's something you drink every night for a period of time. It's not like other laxatives that you take at bedtime, and need to be seconds away from a toidy all the next morning Another one that works GREAT is Milk of Magnesia tablets. But the tablets are kind of big, and may be too difficult to swallow. But the liquid (as gross as it is) works great, too, and it's gentle.....no cramps. I think the best thing is to find a permanent solution. As Barb5227 mentions....probiotics work fantastic. When I take them on a regular basis, I have no difficulty. And they're excellent for gut health.

Part of the reason that you're so exhausted, is from the surgery; anesthesia, etc. It's an assault to your body, and it takes time to get your energy back. It's true that all the doctors differ a bit in their protocol. On mine, full liquids was the Protein shakes, and any liquid that goes "naturally" through a straw. Creamed soups were fine, as long as any solids were strained out. pudding wasn't acceptable until I advanced to soft/mushy foods. On full liquids I could have frozen yogurt, but not regular/greek yogurt. It's probably best to clarify what's acceptable with your doctor's office. There are so many variations, and it's most important that you stick to your doctor's progression. Good luck!

I use MFP, and under nutrients it shows me in grams. Which screen are you looking at?

I find that I'm not thirsty, either. And I know I'm not getting the 64oz/day of Water that the doctor wants us to have. I think that the reason we drank so much prior to surgery, is because we were eating anything and everything we wanted; much of which causes thirst. Our bodies also craved the fluids to push through all that food! Now, with the very scant portions, drinking doesn't interest me. I do it because I have to, but getting as much as they prescribe, is a stretch.

Ask your doctor to call in a prescription for Lortab. It's liquid Vicodin with acetaminophen. That's what I took after surgery; so did many others. It goes down easily, and was a gift from the Gods for pain :-) Good luck.....

PS: Writing is a great tool. Keep doing it until the "action" becomes a normal part of the way you eat. Not easy, but changing old habits never is......

You too.... It's 8:20pm here on the west coast, and I feel like I'll be sound asleep by 9 :-)

I did get one of the laminated cards from my doctor. If yours mentioned it, ask for one. But be be totally honest, I don't think I would ever use it. I'd rather order something small, or have food to take home, rather than advertise that I'm a bariatric patient. But that's just me :-)

I'm right behind you at 22 days. I did so much research on the bypass and the band; close to a year before I actually pulled the trigger. I read many online forums; heard all the ups & downs, complications, read studies ad nauseam, etc. Though my doctor favors the bypass, I didn't want to rewire my plumbing. I knew that I had to do something, but didn't want anything so.....permanent. These online forums can be very helpful, but there is also a downside. I was forewarned to be careful what I read online. I try & take what I need & leave the rest, and know for a fact the the percentage of people without major issues, is far greater than those with the types of problems we've been reading, lately. As terrible as some of the issues are for those who are experiencing them, it doesn't mean "the sky is falling". I hope you feel better soon, too. It's a lot to take on, and we can only hope that we get to where we wanted to be when we set out on this journey.

No difference.....it's the same. It can progress to GERD. Here is a link with some info. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heartburn-gerd/AN00998

Aversion therapy......brilliant! Wish it would work that easily with Cookies, cake and candy!!!

Thank goodness for that!!!

I've had it happen from reflux. Sometimes my larynx would swell up from the acid, and I'd have to jump up to catch my breath. I've taken Prilosec on and off, and I'm now back on it. It's a total acid blocker, unlike things like Pepcid that don't totally shut down the production. Makes a HUGE difference, but I have to beef up the B complex Vitamins, because it tends to block some of the absorption.

SO true! I was told that my band, plication, gallbladder removal and hiatial hernia repair would be outpatient. Well....I stayed one night. I was also told that this would be a piece of cake compared to my total hysterectomy. WRONG! I'm a little over three weeks out, and just starting to feel back to my normal self. I still have abdominal pain where the port is, which seems to carry down to (what used to be) an ovary. I have my fingers crossed that all of this resolves in the next 3-4 weeks. Regarding the issues in your post; they concern me a great deal. I'm going to demand screenings once a year as a proactive measure. I don't want any of this silent sh-it going on, only to bite me in the ass down the road. I'm happy that I'm losing weight, and that I did the procedure. But I can't honestly say that I'm skipping through the garden without a care in the world. I have concerns (and fear) that something might backfire. I'll just take it a day at a time, but I WILL make sure that I'm screened for these things you mentioned, at LEAST every 12 months. Thanks so much for the info.