Tinkerbell77

Hi all, I am 33 weeks 5 days pregnant. I was banded July 18, 2007. In December of 07 I had emergency knee surgery and had to have a complete unfill in case as breathing tube was required during surgery. Then I started getting fills again and as soon as I hit restriction, I found out I was pregnant and was suffering from major morning sickness so my dr had me do a complete unfill again. Once past the first trimester I got a small fill but was told to get a complete unfill about a month before delivery in case of any complciations and needing a breathing tube. I am really worried about the unfill as the port is harder to get to because my uterus is pushing on it. I mean you can feel it, just not as well as before. They talked about doing the unfill under fluro but that is making me nervous too. Anyone experience the same thing? Oh and I have only gained 6 pounds. Anyone have an unfill this far alone?

Hi all I am so glad that I found this thread. I am 5 months pregnant and have not gained a pound. I actually go upa nd down two pounds depending on how much Water I drink, retain and swell. I had my surgery last July and was doing great. Then in Decemeber I had to have emergency knee surgery so I had to do a complete unfill because if they have to put a chest tube in they can't with the band. Well after that they don't just fill you right up it is gradual like in the begining. So after finally 8 weeks of fills to be at my perfect restricion I found out that I was pregnant. It was a total shock as we were not trying, but a very pleaseant surprise. I did fine for the first couple weeks but then the morning sickness really took over and between that and the tightness of my band I was keeping absolutley nothing down. Even water came back up at times so they had me get a complete unfill untill seeing both my lapband dr and obgyn. So my lapband doctor will only let me get a fill of half of my restriction which was 6.8 in a 10 cc band so I am allowed 3.4. I got my first fill and have no restriction and I go for my second fill next week, but that is all they will allow me to get. If I have any problems I am supposed to get it unfilled and then one month before I am due they say I have to get it completely drained in case for any reason I have to be put under or need a chest tube. Then I will have to start all over again. This is our first pregnancy so I am doing everything I am told. I am a little freaked out by everything, but trying to stay calm. Has anyone else expereinced little pains around their port site since becoming pregnant? Nothing major just twinges every now and then? My guess is it is just because everything is moving and just adjusting in there cusing pressure the port. What do you think?

Wow everyone is doing so well. Things have been a bit crazy so I hadn't been on here to put my challenge up this month so here it is! Name...................... Starting....Loss....Current.....Goal......To Go Rainer.........................283.........-11...... ...273......265..........7 Insubordination.............296.5......-8.5...... 288.......288..........0 RidinMyHDDream (Carol)..264.........-5.........259.........259..........5 LilMissBand-Aid..............287.......-10.2.......276.8...... 277.........0 LosingJusme..................272.........-3........ ..269........268..........1 Tinkerbell77..................312.2......-9.8.......302.4.......299.........3.4

Wow these posts are so amazing and inspirational. I am not near my goal or the 100 pound loss yet, but this gives me motivation and hope! I have lost 40.2 pounds and started my journey July 2007. Good luck and congrats to everyone!

September Challenge Name...................... Starting....Loss....Current.....Goal......To Go losingjusme.(Christine).. 273..........-4...........269.........252........17 faithmd...................... 302.........-4.6.........297.4.......290.......7.4 ridinmyhddream (Carol)...262..........+1..........263. .......250........13 insubordination..............300........-2.2.........297.8.......292........5.8 Kimmie.........................314........-19. ........295..........290........5 Tinkerbell77..................317........-4.8..... ..312.2.........299......12.2 Rainer (Lorraine)............298.........-12...........286..........278.......8 Chiefsfankatie...............305..........-8..........297..........290.......7 jbtullis ........................300..........-2..........298..........285........13 Elisabethsew.................278...........6...... ....272..........269........3

Wow, I just read all the posts and you guys are doing amazing! Before surgery I was doing water aerobics 3 times a week. My doctor told me I would be able to go back to it at about 2-3 weeks post op. Well when that time arrived so did my TOM and an old friend came to visit my husband and myself. So needless to say I didn't get back to that. Just as TOM left, I noticed a blister on my largest incision and it popped leaving a hole the size of a pea and was one inch deep. So after going to the doctor he said I popped one of the deep stitches (shame on me, I thought I was ok and helped hubby move a piece of furniture too soon after surgery) so he had to cut it open a bit more to get out the stitch that I popped. Whew did that hurt. All this happened on August 18th, so by this time I was a month out. Now I was not allowed to go back to water aerobics and was totally bummed. The hole was really painful as the bare nerves were exposed. It hurt all the time and especially when I bent over or if anything touched it. So then I also had slipped at a restaurant (water outside the bathroom and no sign for a wet floor) and wrenched my knee and can't do too much walking as it is really painful. Right now I am still dealing with that, but this past Wednesday I got the ok to go back to water aerobics and swimming laps this weekend. WOO HOO, I am soooo excited. I have always been a fish out of water my whole life and have been itching to get back to the gym. I have lost 36.4 pounds since my pre-op the begining of June and I know I will lose weight more rapidly once I get back to the gym. You are all such an inspiration! Good luck to everyone and keep up the good work! :cheer2:

I was actually able to eat Mexican food soon after I went back on to "normal" food. I jsut had to be carefula s to waht I ate. I did have a burrito at a mexican restaurant and can have tacos as the shell is like a chip and crunches up really small and goes down fine. I was able to eat lettuce until my second fill that is when it became a no no for me. I couldn't live without mexican food. It is my absolute favorite, it is just about making differnet choices. Now I can't sit there and eat tortillas, but I can have a few chips and salsa. It is really about trying a little bite of something waiting a few minutes and seeing how it goes down. It is a whole learning process. Good luck!

Wow everyone is doing sooooo great. It took me a little bit to catch up as it has been a few days since I have been on here. You guys are so great and supportive of one another it is so awesome! September Challenge Name...................... Starting......Loss.....Current......Goal......To Go losingjusme.(Christine).. 273..........-4...........269.........252........17 faithmd...................... 302.........-1.7.........300.3.......290.......10.3 ridinmyhddream (Carol)...262..........+1..........263. .......250........13 insubordination..............300........-2.2.........297.8.......292........5.8 Kimmie.........................314........-12. ........302..........290........12 Tinkerbell77..................317..........2.6..... ...314.4.......299.......14.4 Rainer (Lorraine)............298.........-8...........290..........275.......15 Chiefsfankatie...............305...........0...... .....305..........290.......15 jbtullis ........................300..........-2..........298..........285........13 Elisabethsew.................278..........0....... ....278..........269........9

Well I have a hard time eating tortillas but if they are soft and mushy covered in a sauce I can get it down with small bites and lots of chewing. I can eat the fajitas in chicken if it is moist. I can get chips down like nachos, but not the best choice with all the cheese and sour cream. A lot of mexican places have other grilled chicken dishes besides fajitas, try to stick with those. I will be having my third fill in a week and a half and I am hoping to start feeling some restricition! I am getting fuller quicker, just not to my "sweet spot" yet. Good luck.

Hey everyone I am so glad I found this group. So I had my surgery on July 18th and have lost a total of 33 pounds to date. I am trying to lose another 18 pounds to be under 300 by October. My birthday is in November and I'd like to be down to 275 by then. I don't know if that is an unreasonable goal, but I sure hope it isn't and I am going to do every thing I can to get there. I have had a set back with exercising as I over did my activity too soon after surgery and popped a deep stitch that worked its way to the surface and now I have a hole in my stomach about an inch deep. I have been to the doctor and he is monitoring it and says it is healing nicely. It was about the size of a nickel but now about down to a pea. I have to be carefully not to rip it any larger. It was pretty painful as the bare nerves were exposed, but it is getting better as it shrinks. So all I can really do for now is walk. I was doing Water aerobics and I can't wait to get back to that. Well I can't wait to get to know all of you and share this journey. Good luck to everyone and I will be joining you in the September challenge. September Challenge Name..............................Starting........ Loss.......Current.....Goal......ToGo losingjusme..(Christine)........273............. 0.............273........252........21 faithmd.............................302...... .......0.............302........290........12 ridinmyhddream (Carol)........262..............0.............262. ......250........12 insubordination...................300.............0........... .300........292........8 Kimmie..............................314.............0. ...........314........290........24 Tinkerbell77. . . . . . . . . . . .317 . . . . . . .0 . . . . . . .317 . . . .299 . . . .18

I was so freaking out when I had my first fill done. I had read where some people felt nothing and others had tons of pain. Well this didn't do me any good as I have a HUGE fear of needles. Tell me I am getting a shot and I will start crying before the doctor is in the room to give me the shot. Yup total baby, but I have had some bad experiences with needles so I think I am justified. Anyway, I went in for my first fill and it was so NOT a big deal. The firstt hing I said when I walked into the room was can someone please hold my hand and of course they agreed. They had me lay down on the table and cleaned the site with an alcohol swab. Then they found the port site. One woman held my hand while the other proceeded to do the fill. She talked me through the hole thing. She told me when she was going to put the needle in and I hardly felt anything. A tiny little pinch. I didn't believe the needle was in. Then they had me drink something and then lay back down and she said she was going to pull the needle out. That was a weird sensation. I felt some pulling and a little pinch again. It was like my port was being tugged on but it didn't hurt at all. Then it was over and I was like wow that was so not a big deal!

:update:Hello everyone! So today was my 2 week post-op with my doctor and he answered tons of questions. I am very excited as he confirmed with their scale that I have lost 29 pounds since I started this journey a month and a half ago. :cheer2:I can't believe the changes I am already seeing! First it is completely normal that at times I can eat more than a half a cup or even one cup of mushies and taht at other times a quarter cup fills me up. He says that on average people lose 10 pounds their frist month after banding and he was happy that I have lost 13 in my first two weeks. He originally said my first fill would be in 6 weeks from surgery but has now moved it to two weeks from yesterday, so just one day shy of a month after surgery is my first fill. The first fill will be done under fluro so I am happy about that. I was told no swimming yet until my incisions are no longer scabbed and completely healed. :help:I was told that tastes would change. Actually I asked about it because some things that tasted good a week or two ago are now gross to me. I was told it is normal but is anyone else experiencing that??? Chim~Have you tried like Campbells soup in hand? The classic tomatoe is good and filling. That is one thing I lived on during my liquids. It went down easy and filled me up. A lot of the soup in hand are good as they are good and thin so you can drink them out of the container but are more filling to us then just broth! Anyway, I had a very busy day with a lot of activity and I am pooped! Hope everyone is doing well. Have a good night!

Well I am off to relax before bed, so I will check with ya'll tomorrow. Night everyone!

Evening everyone, haven't posted in a couple of days. Wow did I miss a lot. It has taken me forever to read all the pages of posts and I am still not caught up. Haven't been on as I have been a little down the past couple of days and don't know quite why. I think maybe it is just settling from all the excitment and stuff of the past two weeks with surgery and everything. Just kinda coming back down to earth maybe. Anyone else having these feelings? The weight loss as kind of tapered off and right now I am at a plateau. IT actually started when I began to eat mashed potatoes, so I am not too surprised. Today I was allowed to eat strawberries (YUM) and also eggs (Scrambled or hard boiled) baked potatoe, and canned fruit in lite or sugar free syrup. So far I had strawberries, boy was that a treat and for dinner I made egg salad with the hard boiled eggs, fat free mayo that is low carb and a drop of mustard. YUMMMMM!!!! I didn't think I'd ever be so happy to eat eggs. So I go to the doctor tomorrow for my two week post op and he will decided when my first fill will be. He will also hopefully take off the steri-strips as they are peeling and driving me nuts. I am curious as to where my port actually is. Anyway, I'll check in tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well! July bandsters, we did it! Woo hoo!!! :whoo: Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/27/07 321

nancyide~ Relax, it is normal! I was banded 11 days ago so I am not quite as far along as you yet, BUT, my husbands manager was banded several months ago. She and I were talked and she told me that 5 days after she was banded she could eat ANYTHING she wanted. She could get anything down without a problem. She ate pizza, Pasta, cake, you name it she ate it. She did lose a bunch of weight and is keeping it off now. Once she got her first fill everything changed. It changed more with her second fill and then she was on a roll. She has lost like 70-80 pounds and is tiny now. I have a lot more to lose to be her size, but we will all get to where we want to be! Just keep your chin up and if you have concerns call your doctors office! Good luck! Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/27/07 321

Dmtjetand Chim~ The pressure was happening on and off even when I hadn’t eaten in a while so I think it was just gas pressure, that is what the admin at the doctors office said. It is getting a lot better now and not happening as often. Chim~ So glad you are home and doing so well. I am so proud of you that you have been so active, just be careful not to over do it, don’t want you hurting too much tomorrow! Sunshine6855~ I totally get full off of liquids. It is so weird!!!! My DH just looks at me like I am nuts when I tell him I am full after only drinking some broth or something. Frustrated~ So sorry they had to stick you so many times to get your IV. Poor thing! Glad your husband is being so good to you. I wouldn’t let mine come near my stomach so I still have some of the sticky gunk on my stomach as the surgeons office said to leave it alone for now. Yuck!!! Dmtjet~ yum that carnation breakfast with the banana and peanut butter with the protein powder sounds yummy. As soon as I am allowed to have bananas I am going to try that!!! Kathybad~ Sorry about your headache, I had a couple of really intense ones after surgery. As for your neck, try a heating pad. It was my best friend after surgery. Cazulay~ I am so glad to hear that your husband came through for you and is being so attentive and loving. Glad to hear your best friend called as well. Sometimes when we are nervous or imaginations get the best of us and we think things we shouldn’t. I know before surgery I was that way! My doctor did the same as Ms Yackie. At my pre-op appointment he wrote up my prescription for my liquid pain meds and for suppositories (yuck) for nausea and vomiting. New CC~ Sorry to hear you still aren’t feeling so well. Hopefully after a good nights rest you will feel better. Have you called your doctor about the nausea? Glad to hear your husband is being more supportive! Whew! Sorry that was so long. That is what happens when I am not on here for even a couple of hours. Well glad everyone is doing well. DH is on his way home from work so I am off to spend some time with him before bed. Good luck to tomorrows bandsters! Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/27/07 321

:help:So I have a question for those of you that already have your bands. I have been banded for 9 days now. I keep getting this feeling of pressure in my chest ans sometime when I burp right between my breasts it hurts. Anyone else having this? I am guessing it is still gas that is being released since I didn't burp a lot before surgery. I dont have any acid or indigestion or anything. Anyone else experiencing this? Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/27/07 321

cate54 have you tried using a heating pad on your back or shoulders (or wherever your gas pains are if they are on your back)? That is what I did and it sure helped.

Well I am off for the night. The DH just got back from renting a movie for us to watch. Good luck to all of tomorrows bandsters!!! Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/25/07 322.8

Wrangler I am so jealous!!! I want tuna. I have to wait another week til I see my doctor to get the ok. I am still just on liquids and can start on oatmeal or cream of wheat. YUCK!!! Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/25/07 322.8

Bostonchi~ So I had my surgery 8 days ago and I am still a little swollen. They say it can actually last a couple of weeks, but it does go down significantly after about a week. You can still tell my left side is puffier then my right, but not so bad. Kathybad~ You go girl! Awesome you are in no pain. I would take some meds before bed so you don’t wake up hurting. :cheer2: Cazulay~ You can put on deodorant, but no lotion, creams or perfume. They told me to go all natural, but I did wear deodorant. No makeup either! That is just what I was told though. Oh my doc also said to make sure to wash the belly button good. That kinda wierded me out I hate belly buttons and glad I didn't know what they do to it before the surgery! Brandy~ Total bummer, what a let down. I can’t wait til I get to eat mushies. I am still on thin soups, which aren’t that bad, I just want to chew something!!! Chim~ Yay!!! So glad you are back. Was getting worried, not having heard anything from you til tonight. So glad you are doing well! Sleep good. Good luck to all of tomorrows bandsters!!! :gluck: Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/25/07 322.8

NewCC~ I am so sorry your husband isn't being more supportive. Like you said he has little emotion and honestly a lot of men don't show as much emotion as we would like. I know for a week before my surgery my husband seemed to be acting weird to me. If you feel you need to, call your very best friend and talk to them and tell then what is going on. Maybe that will help you feel better and a bit more supported. As for your parents, you have to do what feels best for you. The last thing you need is for them to be unsupportive or against this so if you feel that is the response you'll get, then as hard as it might be, I'd wait to tell them. Easier said than done, but try not have any fears of not waking up. You will be fine! I know it seems so scary going into it, but really it isn't. You'll go in, they'll give you the IV and put some anasthesia in it and the next thing you know, you'll be waking up. That is all I remember. I don't even remember being wheeled away. Just relax and remember you are doing this for you. This will be your new birthday. You have a whole family here on Lapbandtalk who are here to support you! :car: YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! [/url] Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/25/07 322.8

IndioGirl55~I totally agree that tuna is healthier. I don’t understand why they say it is a no no still. Total bummer. I mean I guess they have their reasons. I am one of those paranoid ones, that follows what I am told to do cuz I really don’t want to get sick. I am also a total product of Murphy’s Law, if it can go wrong it will. So I am sad to say that I am going to be safe and hold off on the tuna until I see my Dr. next Wednesday and hopefully then get the ok for tuna! Thanks for your input, it is much appreciated! Dmtjet~ Thanks I’ll have to try the Vanilla custard one. I am sure your new nephew will greatly appreciate your leftovers! I don’t know about the prunes, but I’ll try the Hawaiian Delight. Kathybad~ Good luck, you’ll do great!<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/girl_hug.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Girl Hug" smilieid="152" class="inlineimg" /> Cazulay~ Glad to see you and your friend patched things up before your surgery! OnMyWay07~ Glad everything went ok. I know I cheated a little bit and it didn’t hurt anything. My doctor said that everything was perfect, but I was so nervous going in that there would be a problem. I think they figure we all cheat a little bit! Chim~ Can't wait to hear how you are doing! I've been thinking about you! Good luck to all of Thursday's bandsters! Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/25/07 322.8

So I am kinda bummed today. :car: I called the dr's office cuz tomorrow I get to start trying baby food, oatmeal, cream of wheat and I thought that I could take foods and just puree them into a baby food consistency. NOPE! Totally bummed. If it isn't on my list I can't eat it yet no matter what the consistency. Totally sucks! I am so craving tuna YUM!!! So I have to wait until next wednesday when I go for my two week post op appointment and hopefully that is when I can start eating tuna. I would think so. I mean on that same day I am allowed to start eating scrambled eggs and baked potatoe. I want my tuna!!!! I hope the baby food isn't totally gross. I am allowed to have stages 1 and 2. Any suggestions as to what is good or not??? :help: Banded July 18, 2007 Dr. Louis Fox, Richardson, TX 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/24/07 325.6

yummiT you will do great. The decision to do this was probably one of the biggest ones you have ever made and probably the best one as well. It is scary, but just know that you are doing good. Drink plenty of fluids to clean out your system. They want you to drink the ensure as it will give you Protein and Vitamins and stuff that your body needs. You will be fine. Just remember there are always people on here to help and support you! Trust me I was a bundle of nerves and had tons of questions. I second guessed everything, but I am doing great and just 6 days post-op. Good luck and try to relax! Banded July 18, 2007 6/1/07 350 6/27/07 339 7/18/07 331 7/24/07 325.6