bandster12345

Anyone else have terrible hair thinning? I'm so self conscious about it and am I'm tears every day. I'm terrified that my students are going to start noticing. I've always had such thick curly hair that it's really noticeable. I'm nearly 4 months post-op right now. I already have been taking my vitamins and biotin supplements since I came home from the hospital. Anything else I can do? This is causing me so much stress, which I know is not helping my situation.

I had my regular bi-weekly appointment today and was surprised to get a fill. I had my first fill (4 ccs) two weeks ago today. Another 2.5 ccs were put in today. I'm hoping to have less hunger now. I was told that I should see a difference this time because I didn't feel any change when I had the first fill. Back on to liquids for the rest of the day means I don't have to cook dinner! There is a bright side

My nutritionist told me towards the beginning of the process that she wanted me to get to a point where I eat 3 meals a day and have no Snacks. I'm hungry so much right now. My stomach growls very loudly in between meals. I'm definitely not being satiated for the 3-4 hours that I should be, so I think that I may need a fill. I haven't had one in about 6 weeks now. Coincidentally, the scale hasn't moved in that long either. On the other side of things, I've gotten stuck a couple of times a week for the last few weeks. I know that there have been a few times where I've taken a bite that was too big, or taken bites too close together, but there have been times when I've tried something new and learned the hard way not to eat that again. Because of the hunger, I think I may need another fill. I'm just worried that I'd get stuck more. I'm still navigating this whole thing and could use some advice. I have my next monthly check-up next week.

Thanks, Missy. I have read many of your posts since being here and know that you eat 1 c of food at a time. I'm definitely eating more than that and am still very hungry. I'll plan on talking to my doctor about a fill at my appointment next week.

I flew for the first time this weekend since having the surgery in July. Wow! What a difference. I used to be able to put the seatbelt on, but it would be snug and stretched out to the max length. When I put it on this time around, I pulled a good 6-10 inches of seatbelt to make it fit properly. The scale hasn't moved in a month or more, but things like this are keeping me going!

ground chicken with buffalo sauce and a little blue cheese (either crumbles or the dressing) It's still a "comfort" food for me now. It made me feel like I was eating real food with real flavor.

Yay! I'm just behind you and that's my next goal, too

Those are all things that I would've craved before surgery. I honestly don't want any of them now. I've had a couple of stuck episodes and those scared me. The thought of eating a doughy/chewy bagel is enough to send me running! We don't often have food at work like that because I'm a teacher. When we do, I'm able to just take a drink and be on my way.

I went out with a bang. My 2-week pre-op liquid diet began the day after I came home from a big family wedding in Vegas! I had my fill of beer and other bubbly drinks while there, along with some foods that I knew would be difficult later. Funny thing is that I no longer even crave those things that were so important to me that week.

I check the menu ahead of time, if possible. I haven't been out to eat much since my surgery, but I'll order a lean protein that looks good and ask to substitute sides (roasted/grilled veggies for starches). I avoid the bread basket altogether. Before, that would've killed me. Now, it doesn't even phase me. Who am I?! LOL

The weight on my license was such an arbitrary number to begin with. I was embarrassed to admit my actual weight at the time, so I rounded down to a nice even number. I just realized that I'm now below that weight! My license doesn't expire for another year and I'll be proud to put my real weight on it at that time!

The only baby food I had was this the mango puree from Gerber. I wanted something that I could travel with that didn't need to be refrigerated. It was thin and smoother than apple sauce. I still keep a couple in my desk at work, just in case.

How often do you see your doctor for follow-up once you're out of the post-op recovery phase? I've got 1 more appointment before my 3 month post-op coverage ends. My insurance has covered my bi-weekly appointments 100% since surgery in July. I'll now start paying my typical co-pays for each visit. How often is "good" or "normal"? Do you have a regular schedule, or just go when the need arises? Thanks for your information!

I've had some ups and downs for the last 6 weeks (I get weighed every other week) - up .5, down 2, up .5, down 2.5. It's frustrating in those weeks when the scale goes in the wrong direction, but they're small amounts and could be something simple like too much sodium the day before or TOM. My surgeon pairs us up with a mentor during the process so that we have someone to talk to who has been through it all. My mentor was like my twin - same starting weight, same surgery date (3 years apart), same health issues. She told me that she teetered back and forth until she got to the green zone and then the weight just starting coming off. I'm hoping that will be true for me, too

Thanks, everyone. It's funny how surgeons are so different with their approaches to the band. I had my first fill on 9/4 (4 ccs), then another on 9/18 (2.5 ccs), and my most recent on 10/2 (1 cc). My doctor didn't want to wait longer in between the fills because I've been so hungry. I'm hoping that this fill on Wednesday got me closer to where I need to be. Today is my first day back on solids after the fill. I hope to be satiated longer now. I have another appointment in 2 weeks, which will be the last appointment covered under my global surgery coverage. All appointments since my surgery in July have been covered 100%. I'll have to start paying my co-pay for the visits going forward. After the initial 3 months post-op, how often do you see your surgeon?

Is there a minimum amount of time that typically lapses between fills? I had my first fill on 9/4 (4 cc's). I don't feel restriction when I eat and I'm hungry within 2-3 hours of eating. I know that it takes time and trial/error to get to the green zone. I have checkup appointments every 2 weeks for the first 3 months, so I'm set to see my doctor next week. Would another fill be done at that point, at the appointment 2 weeks after that, further out? I really don't know what to expect. Thanks for any insight!

As a teacher, I get one every year! I still got the flu last year though . . . sometimes it's hard to escape the germs from all of the students.

I got my first fill this week (4 ccs) and haven't had any issues. I've played it pretty safe though. The "wildest" thing I tried was pizza. I toasted it before eating it and it went down fine. I couldn't even finish a slice, where before surgery I'd eat 3 or 4. No crust though.

My BCBS plan will pay up to $150 a year for gym memberships. It works out to cover everything for my Planet Fitness membership ($10/month + $29 yearly fee = $149 a year).

My staples were taken out at my 2-week checkup.

I had my first fill today - 4 ccs. The actual fill wasn't painful, but finding my port was pretty bad. She really pushed and prodded for a good 5 minutes. She had me reposition myself a few times over the roll pillow, do belly laughs, push my stomach out, and lift my head off of the table to try and push the port closer to the surface. I started to get really worried that something bad happened. She said it was ok, but the port was deeper than she expected. At least I know what to expect next time. I'm now down 30 lbs since my pre-op diet (started mid-July). WOW!! So proud of myself

I had a stuck episode when I was on mushies (no fill). I think I just had 2 bites too close together. I got a tightness in my chest and experienced sliming. Then in an instant, it went through and I felt normal again. It was very uncomfortable and a bit of an eye opener for me. I don't want to experience that again! Chew a lot and eat slowly.

My surgeon said absolutely NO pregnancy within the first year.

Yay! Going out to eat is hard! We went out last night for a birthday celebration and I was proud of myself for what I ordered and the quantity I ate. The other foods just didn't look so great to me anymore. That was a shocker!

I felt the same way. I didn't start feeling like myself until day #9 post-op. All I can say is that it will pass and be patient. It's hard to hear, but it's true. I wasn't a martyr . . . I took ALL of my pain meds until they were gone. It helped me sleep. Also, lots of pillows. I think I slept with 4 propping me up and keeping me from rolling over.