dohair2013

I was banded April 19th 2013! I lost 23lbs from the pre-op diet and the first weeks after surgery. I ended up with stomach flu 3 days after surgery and had to have the 2cc put in my 10cc band during surgery removed. I went back 2 weeks later and had it put back in. I had my first official fill the end of October and my weight was the same at that appt. Since then I have been stuffing my face with chocolate, and cakes and sweets which I normally didn't crave. I always liked the salty foods, chips, breads, French fries etc.... I am struggling big time and I am extremely nervous about the upcoming Holidays. The head hunger is horrible and I am now having a hard time knowing if it is head hunger or real hunger.... I go in for a fill tomorrow. I have a lot of health issues and am on a lot of meds so that doesn't help. I HATE exercise except walking and it is now winter in my rural town. I am so scared this isn't going to work for me!!! It is almost like I have a mental block to succeed. So I feel ya big time!!!!! Support groups are over two hours away and I do feel that I need one!!!! Good luck to you and please know you are not alone!!!!!

You are doing much better than I have been especially this last month!! I was banded Sept. 19th and with that and the pre-op diet I have lost about 25lbs. I ended up with the stomach flu 3 days after surgery and the 2cc I had in my 10cc band had to be taken out because I got so dehydrated. I had that 2'cc replaced a week later and have had one more fill of 1cc so a total of 3cc's. I am constantly hungry and have a hard time sticking to the amounts we are supposed to eat. I have seen a nutritionist and was told to try to get 60grams of Protein in a day. I find this so hard unless I use shakes and those to hold very long and I want to eat something instead of just having liquids. I have not exercised at all yet. I am so discouraged. I weighed myself this am and I have actually gained 2lbs and have just wanted to eat sweets which is usually not what I crave at all. Tomorrow is a new day and I plan to call and get in for a fill before Thanks Giving!! I live over an hour away from the clinic and from a support group.

I have lost 22lbs since my pre-op diet started Sept 5th! Had surgery the 19th!! It feels great doesn't it!! Congrats to you!! Onward and downward with the weight loss journey!!!

I felt a lot of pent up emotions and still am!! I had surgery the 19th and ended up with stomach flu the 23rd! I was sooooo sick I had to see my surgeon and he had to take out the 2cc's of saline he put in during surgery so I could get as much liquid in as possible!! I went yesterday and he put it back in!! I was so afraid because I do not ever want to vomit like I did again!! My port has felt like it is protruding more than I thought normal and I was worried I did something wrong!! My surgeon and nurse told me to remember I am only 2wks post op and I still have swelling and need to heal most likely a month or more before I won't feel the band weight (like you stated) and the port feeling funny!! Give yourself at least another week and see if your weird sensations change! If not definitely call your surgeon!! Sorry about the loss of your Grandfather that isn't helping either!! We are all here for you!!!!

I am two weeks post op and had this happen too!! Saw my surgeon today and was told it most likely from scar tissue piling away a bit! Nothing to worry about unless pain continues steady for more than a couple of days!!

I have had c-pap for ten years and wow has it made a difference in so many aspects of my life!! sleep deprivation can lead to so many other problems!! Getting adequate sleep will also help you on your weight loss journey because you will have more energy to move!! I love my nasal pillows!! I like to watch a little TV in bed and this allows me to still see! Good luck!!! Soon you will know what it us like to feel more rested!!

So sorry to hear your husband isn't supportive!! Is he overweight too? Maybe he is afraid you won't be the same after losing weight! He needs to conquer his own issues it seems! Hope you have other family and friends to support you!! If not we are all here for you!!!! You will rock this and soon his lack of support won't bother you because you will be feeling and looking great with more confidence!! It is ABOUT YOU AND NO ONE ELSE!!!!

I have never seen the V-8 Soups before! I will have to look for them!! I made homemade lentil Soup using fat free low sodium veg broth and added carrots for added flavor! I blended it and it tasted so good! I think I am going to try making butternut squash soup next!! The warm soups are so satisfying!!

We all have different stories about how we got here and one thing in common!! We all want to live a longer healthier life with those we love!! Congrats! My journey started the 5th of Sept when I started my pre-op diet!! Surgery was 19th!! So nice to have these support forums to share our experiences!!!

Oh how I love these forums with humor!! It shows we are all human!! Not looking forward to having saggy sistas!!

What symptoms did you have or how did you find out something was wrong with your port? Just curious! Mine sits right below my left rib cage! I had surgery the 19th and ended up with stomach flu the 23rd which caused me to have to get all saline taken out of band. My port now feels like it is sitting vertical instead of flat!!

I had lap band surgery Thursday September 19th and everything went awesome. I had very little pain after leaving the hospital and used very little pain meds. My surgeon put 2cc of saline in my 10cc band during the surgery. I didn't feel hungry at all! Monday the 23rd I felt extremely tired and just wanted to sleep. I thought well everyone says the 3rd and 4th days after surgery can be hard. At 6:45pm I started to vomit. This went on every half hour like clockwork so I thought I had better call my surgeon to be advised as to what to do. He was not helpful and asked me what I wanted him to do from there!!! I was floored as I never saw this side of him in all of my previous meetings or following surgery. I am an hour away from where he is as I live in a small rural town. I decided after at 5am the next morning after vomiting/retching for such a long time I needed help so I went to the local ER and so glad that I did. It took a great nurse and PA to get 2 1/2 bags of fluids and a serious amount of nausea meds in me to get me to stop. They told me the stomach flu had been going around. The PA called my surgeon that morning and said I needed him to see me later that day to make sure my band was okay. I went to his office and I was so weak and tired. He took all of the saline out of my band to allow me to get more fluids down and said that everything looked good otherwise ( blood work, incision sites etc) I went home and slept for an entire day and then started feeling better. I am now Hungry all the time. I can tell nothing is in my band. I am calling tomorrow to see if I can get a fill right away although I have to tell you I am so nervous about it after being that sick. Has this happened to anyone else? Am I going to have to do liquids after my fill and for how long..... I am ready for food!!!!!!

How horrible to lose a friend and confidant. All of us on this forum are your friends and will be here for you when you need us!!! May God Bless you as you grieve.

I hear ya with the struggles. I have been on pre-op diet for nearly 2wks and yes I have cheated. Nothing drastic but a taste here and there the first week. Now the second week I have been doing pretty good. Drinking lots of Water each time I feel hungry. I am using Unjury brand Protein that was a suggestion from the dietician. It is pretty good. I also have sf Jello, and am able to have a little fruit and veggies (off a list they gave me with amounts) I am fighting comfort and stress eating. I have surgery this Thursday the 19th and I am very nervous. I want to be successful and am a bit worried about such a huge life change. I need to do this for me and no one else!!! You can do this too!!! Good luck to you!

I was wondering if there were any Bandsters from the great State of Montana?

I never realized just how much I have let my HEAD HUNGER contribute to my weight issues until exploring having the lap band surgery and now being on the 2wk pre-op diet. I crave the salty Snacks that have been kind of a comfort for me when I have been stressed out. You so are not alone! I have been a huge Water drinker and that does seem to help but you are right it is a habit just like smoking.... wanting to chew on something for the taste!! I use Altoid minis cinnamon flavor just for a little something different than gum. They are low in cal and no carbs....

It is most likely because your body is going into ketosis. It is when you are eating less carbs and consuming more Protein. It can cause bad breath. It will go away!! Your body is now burning fat for energy!

I am on day 6 of pre-op diet and today I am STARving!! The shakes aren't lasting as long for me either! I gave in and had four bites of steak tonight!! Hungry for meat I guess!! I know the big picture will be worth it!! I never realized how much of a stress eater I am until now!!!

I want to be healthier again! I want to go hiking, ride a bike, take long walks, no more c-pap, and enjoy life! I have Lupus, RA and other health issues and I need to do what I can to alleviate the pain!!

Prayers for a speedy recovery!! Good luck!! I have mine on the 19th!!

That is real living and exactly why I want to lose weight!! I want to be able to do things with my son and husband that I am currently unable to do with my weight!! Bless you!!

I thought about telling no one except my husband my son and my MIL but ended up telling my sisters and a few more. I haven't even been banded yet and I feel this is my journey and I shouldn't be ashamed of myself at all. People are overweight for so many different reasons and everyone has a different story except the fact we all obviously want to LIVE A LONGER HEALTHIER LIFE!! No one should be embarrassed or ashamed of that!!! Be proud of yourself for making this huge decision that not only will affect yourself but those around us that we love. I think I will share my journey so that others that are in my shoes will get the confidence to do something like this for themselves if they feel they need to. I know this will be a long journey and that it won't always be easy and there will most certainly be ups and downs but the downs will get me to a healthier me!!! God Bless all of you that share my journey!!!

It's amazing to me how different everyone's pre-op diet is determined by different doctors!! I am to use 4 Protein carb controlled shakes ( they gave me a list of types) and 6 Snacks a day that consist of my choice out of 1/2 c oatmeal, 1 cup Tomato or v-8 juice, 1 cup raw veggies ( a list was given to choose from), a list and amounts of different fruits to choose from, sugar free pudding or Jello, and light yogurts. I am on day 4 and am HUNGRY for some reason today!! I am a little overwhelmed with the thought of how my life will change after having the surgery but am exited all the same.

What does everyone mean when they say getting back to green? I am having surgery on the 19th and am looking at all info I can get!!

That is awesome news! Way to go! I would love it if I do at least that well!!