mandi78

Voon and Sunshine-I'm having the same problem you are having. I've had my first fill and feel no restriction. I can eat anything and most of the time, I can eat almost as much as before the band. It's very frustrating. I haven't lost a pound in over a month. I haven't gained though so I am glad for that. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one and looking forward to my 2nd fill next week. I'm gonna ask for a BIG one! LOL

Those who have had your second fills, are you noticing any difference? I have my second one next week and I'm really hoping for a big change. I can eat as much as I could before the band most of the time. What makes me mad is that when I eat junk food (chips and such) these things fill me up quickly but when I eat the stuff that is good for me and that I am supposed to be eating such as oatmeal, protein, etc, I rarely feel full. What's up with that? Well, I was just wondering if your second fill helped more than the first for any of you. Thanks.

My doc told me right after surgery that if I was not hungry, I did not have to eat. I would just be sure to do a couple of protein shakes per day and plenty of water. If you get shaky feeling like low blood sugar, drink some fruit juice.

Take refried beans and thin them out with veggie broth or chicken broth. Add some low fat cheese and ff sour cream. Its very yummy and filling. Plus has fiber and protein.

Hi McQty. I had my surgery with Dr. Benavides, he is Dr Felts' partner. They are really great at the surgery center in Richardson and for aftercare as well. Good luck. It will be here before you know it!

My dietary coordinator said butternut squash mashed with a little butter was good during mushies. She also said cooked spinach would be okay. I would try very soft cooked veggies....I would not recommend any raw fruits or veggies at this time. Maybe try some canned fruit if that is allowed on your mushies phase (it was on mine). Applesauce is good too.

If so, how long was it? I am about 5 weeks out and had my first fill this week but I can't really tell a difference. I can eat anything (I have eaten pizza and quesadillas). I am so discouraged. I was hoping the would help me not be able to eat these things. I know everyone says you have to use willpower and I do eat a lot less than I normally would have which was due to willpower more than actually being full....sometimes anyway. But, if I had enough willpower, I would not have needed the band. It's weird. Yesterday I had 1/2 baked potato with a little ham and cheese on top for lunch and was stuffed but tonight I was able to eat 2 whole slices of stuffed crust pizza and now I am hungry again.....and it's not just head hunger, I really am hungry (about 5 hours later) I'm trying to stick to the stop when you no longer feel hungry rule but it's hard when you don't feel the fullness/pressure, etc that I have heard about. I know it should get better as I get more fills but we are going on vacation tomorrow and I was hoping to be more restricted than this and lose or at least not gain..... I haven't lost anything in over 3 weeks and have actually gained a few pounds (this was before my fill). How many fills did it take you before you felt restriction? I have the AP band and was told the first fill would be the biggest. I believe I already have 5 or 6 cc's in mine. I don't know what the max amount is for this band. Is the fullness/pressure, etc that the band causes a subtle thing or is it quite obvious when you have enough restriction?

I had my first fill on Tuesday and I feel no restriction at all. I can eat anything (I have eaten pizza and quesadillas). I am so discouraged. I was counting on this to help me with not being able to eat these things. Of course, I did eat a lot less than I normally would have but that was more due to willpower than actually being full. I'm trying to stick to the stop when you no longer feel hungry rule but it's hard when you don't feel the fullness/pressure, etc that I have heard about. I know it should get better as I get more fills but we are going on vacation tomorrow and I was hoping to be more restricted than this and lose or at least not gain..... I haven't lost anything in over 3 weeks and have actually gained a few pounds (this was before my fill).

I had my first fill this week too and was VERY tired all week. I fell asleep on the couch watching tv every night by 9:30 (some nights by 8:00) and had to just get up and go to bed. I didn't know what was causing it but I did forget to take my flinstones a few days and thought that might be it.

Are you actually throwing up or you just feel like you need to? Call your surgeon and ask what you can take for nausea.

Usually when people don't say anything, its because they already know. If they don't know, they will make a comment or ask a question but I think they probably assume that since you did not tell them, you don't want them to know. I don't think they are being rude, I think they are probably trying to not be rude by prying and possibly making you uncomfortable because they think you don't want to talk about it. Just my opinion.

I told my grandma after the fact (through email) and the first time she saw me (a week after surgery and down 20 pounds total) looked me up and down as if to see if I had lost and then said "so, you think this is gonna work?" Would I have paid $15,000 if I didn't think so? Obviously it already has. When was the las time you lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks? Part of this was from the pre-op diet of course, which I would not have done were I not getting the band. DUH I'm still cracking up about Laura's grandma pushing her port to "inflate" the band. If only we could tighten our bands with the simple push of a button. LOL

I'm very surprised they did the surgery on someone who is breastfeeding. I'm not trying to judge you but did they not tell you beforehand that you would be on liquids for awhile and you would not be able to take in the nutrients required by nursing mothers?

4leaf-I didn't even think to ask how much was in mine. I was really hoping this would help the hunger I've been having but I feel like I could still eat anything....I won't try though. What did they do at your visit w/ the dr? Anything important?

Glad to know I'm not the only one who is hungry on the day of my fill. They did not tell me clear liquids, only liquids. They told me not to eat 4 hours before mine and it was first thing this morning so I had not had anything since dinner last night when I got my fill. I have had some soup and 1 cup of a very nasty soy protein drink but none of that has helped the hunger much at all.

and I'm soooo hungry. What's up with that? They said liquids for 2 days and soft foods for 2 days. Do you think it would be okay for me to have refried beans for dinner if I blend them up in the magic bullet with some veggie broth to a thin consistency? That's one thing that filled me up good when I was on mushies.

If you want a fill, wear a sweater or sweatshirt w/ big pockets and put a few rolls of quarters in your pockets. Or wear heavy shoes like doc martens or something. Figure out a way to make yourself heavier. I don't understand these doctors that take your $ for the surgery and then refuse to give you a fill. I would throw a fit and demand one. You've paid for it. I think that's BS. You had this surgery so you wouldn't have to be miserable and starving all the time in order to be able to lose weight.

Maryrose-Are there any colleges or universities in your area? I take water aerobics through the continuing education department of my local university.

I did not have a catheter. If you are really worried about it, you could call your doc's office and ask. I'm sure if you do have to have one that you could request it be put in while you are asleep but I doubt you have to have one because the surgery is over in less than an hour and you are up walking probably within an hour of waking up. Plus, you have had nothing to drink for like 12 hours or so. You are intubated after they put you out and they take that tube out before you wake up. Your throat may be a dry, sore or scratchy for a few days but it's no big deal. No worries. Congrats and good luck.

Yes, it was definitely down all day yesterday. I have been on a few times today and it seems ok.

I had it highlighted too but it looks dark in this picture. Well, here it is.....

April-I don't know how much this costs or if you could afford it but if there is nobody else to take you, there are companies that hire out companions for older people and a lot of times, they will hire out people to stay with you after an operation. Just a thought.

Well, I did it.....I love it!!!! It looks awesome. Its a few inches longer than the picture I posted but still WAAAAAY shorter than it was. Thanks for the encouragement. It actually looks a lot better now than before. I lost another pound too (after 3 weeks of nothing)!!!! You don't think it was all hair do you?

I guess I should post a pic of myself too!

You look great Ragdoll.....love your hair!!!!