bandedrn

As a banded patient as well as a Bariatric Nurse Coordinator. It sounds like you are ready, you are going to do great. Yes it is a tool, but it is the BEST tool that I can imagine. I was 250 lbs in june of 2006 and used my TOOL to the fullest, listened to my body and made WISE choices and lost 112 lbs in 8 months. The band is used to help hold the food in the upper stomach longer resulting in feeling full longer, it also help you get full faster resulting in less food intake. But, if you fill it with icees, snowballs, icecream etc. the band is not going to stop you at all. The important thing is PROTEIN first and good quality foods. I am sure you are going to do great, best of luck.

There is a certain diet that you should be following post-op not necessarily a "weightloss" diet but to focus more on consistency. After the band is placed there is inflammation that occurs the diet should advance you through stages of consistency eventually to a regular diet. This tells the surgeon how the inflammaton is and also can help him determine when you are ready for your first fill. Be careful, choose good quality foods and listen to your body. I think the back pain is gas or if it associated with meals it may be related to over eating, try a "gasx" thin strip it dissolves on your tongue, if this does not help cut down on portions

What you are experiencing to TOTALLY normal. The reason that clear liquids are filling you is because when the band is placed around the stomach there is an inflamatory response from the restriction. This will subside over the next few days and you will soon realize that you are tolerating more liquids at a time. Don't push it, take advantage of the full feeling this will aid in weight loss. Also remember vomiting at this early stage can contribute to band slippage. You are doing fine!!! The good thing is that you are listening to your body.