CallMeJim

Ouch! So are you ok now? What happens next?

I just got fill #4 today. 1 more cc to bring me to 10.2 in my 14cc band. I feel like I have excellent restriction now. Will need to be extra careful with bite size and chewing! We have grad. paries next week so that should be an interesting challenge. Hang in there everyone!

I want to see the answer to this too. The main point my doc makes over and over is to limit my meals to <4 oz. in order to avoid overfilling my pouch and possibly causing a slip. He said to eat more frequently if need be, but be careful to limit the quantity. They spot potential slips under fluro and have to completely remove the fill for a period of time when that happens in order to avoid a serious problem. The cause, he said, is almost always overeating. Sure got my attention. He said one symptom of a possible problem in this area is the presence of heartburn/reflux when you lie down.

ChrisAnn-- that is seriously cool. You've made it to the Promised Land! Way to go! Hope to join you there soon!

Good idea-- I'll check it out. Thanks!

Cool. I hope to get to that type of restriction soon!

I have had three fills and go for #4 on 5-7. I eat less, but get hungry more quickly than I would like. My fills cost $175 so I would like to get to a place of long lasting satiety as soon as I can! My doc has emphasized solid protein and no liquid calories and I can sure see the wisdom in that. When I follow the rules, the tool works! I seem to get more hungry late in the day. Do you? How do you handle it?

I guess I'm doing ok. Much better than gaining! I can eat most everything, but get into trouble when I don't pay attention and eat too fast-- bites too big or not enough chewing. I am going for fill #4 on 5-7. Lookin' for the sweet spot! Hang in there everyone.

Thanks Chrisann- I'm out here. Just lurking mostly. Buried in work these days! Looks like you are doing great. Keep it up!

My doc said they are ok short term. I'm taking Celebrex right now for gout but will stop as soon as I can. My understanding is that the main concern is getting it through the stoma quickly so that it doesn't sit in the pouch for long periods. Is that right? Doc (PCP) suggested I break open the Celebrex capsule and sprinkle it on food. I haven't done that yet as the capsule seems to go down fine. I do split most pills before taking them though.... and take them with lots of water.

I've had three fills. 9.2 cc in 14 cc APL band. Third fill really made a difference. Things I was able to eat easily before no longer go down so easily.

I've heard some great things about Fage yogurt. Hoping to get some next time I am at the health food store in KC.

I last drank coffee on Jan 6-- the day before my surgery. I LOVE coffee and was a bona fide addict-- probably 1/2+ gallon/day fully "leaded." Never thought I could do it, but I just didn't want all that caffeine. Now I'm drinking hot tea--mostly decaf. It has only been hard when I feel drowsy at work and feel like I could use a little boost, but so far I'm hanging in there. Like Forrest Gump--guess I'll just keep going. The post above about decreased carbs reducing our need for caffeine is very interesting-- had never thought of that before. Cool.

Greetings All-- Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I ran into some serious problems a few days after surgery and was very sick for a couple of weeks. I'm pleased to say that all seems to be well now. I am into mushies and scheduled for my first fill 2-15. The problem is one I have had several times in the past. It is not related to the band, but it did affect my digestive system and I have really been through some "stuff." The worst part was some serious heaving/vomiting (my worst fear) just a few days after surgery. My docs were great and really helped me through. They checked out the band and said it looks great-- quite a relief. I get hungry, but also get full faster and am working on stopping at the first sign of satiety. That's foreign to me as I am used to blowing right through that stop sign and stuffing myself. Mushies have been quite a treat, especially since I barely even had Clear liquids during the time I was ill. Anybody have any recipes they particularly like? Hope everyone is doing well-- you're all knockouts! Jim

Hi Chrisann-- any better today? I hope so. My doc had me take the bandages off a couple days after surgery. So far so good.... Jim

Hi Diane-- Let's see. You are having surgery Tuesday and going back Friday. That would be like me going back today. Your job is more physically demanding than mine though (yes-- I'm a "desk potato"). I guess I'd say I think I could do it, but I'm glad I don't have to. I am off the narcotic pain meds as of yesterday, but still taking Tylenol. Gas pains were a real problem for me yesterday. Better today. Getting out of bed and out of my recliner were quite difficult at first but much easier today. I am getting ready to take a little walk too. I understand moving around is important and speeds recovery. If you have a choice about Friday, I'd try to get it off. If not, you will probably be fine, especially since it isn't a full day. Hope that helps a bit. Jim

Dang-- that's a normal night for me! I don't remember the last time I slept through....

Hi Suzanne-- I think everyone is different and you shouldn't compare yourself to others. You had major surgery six days ago. Of course you still feel it! I just ask myself if I feel better today than yesterday. If the answer is yes, I'm encouraged, and so far it has been yes. I bought some of the unflavored unjury Protein and put that in my soup last night. Didn't seem to affect the taste AND I got my protein. You might try it. Nuke-- wow--you are awesome! Hang in there. Be sure to keep the protein up-- that will help you feel somewhat full. Sorry you're having to go through this.

Hi Steve-- yes, I'm 50. Can hardly bring myself to say that. It sounds so old and came so fast. I swear, since I turned 50 in September, I've really began to fall apart-- arthritis, more frequent heartburn, easily depressed, yada, yada, yada. Plus I have had high blood pressure for years. It's not a good recipe for longevity. Perhaps a good thing though, because I think that's what finally pushed me over the edge to have WLS. That, plus the realization that I would never be able to take the weight off AND keep it off without some help. My prayer is that my new band will provide that extra help. So here I am, and yes, I would agree that I don't bounce back as quickly as I used to, but I'm pretty much on the timetable my doc said to expect. Good luck to you. Do you have a pre-op diet to do? Jim

Greetings Mama, Free and Ginger-- We're all getting better and making progress. That's cool, isn't it? So glad to hear from everyone. Have a good day! Jim

Woke up early again today and got up to check my e-mail, etc. Started feeling hungry so I had a packet of powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury strawberry along with my well-chewed Vitamins. Actually made me FULL. This is really odd. Think i could get to like it. Wonder how long it will last? Pain much better today (so far). Just some soreness when I get out of bed or the chair. Also--removed the clear bandages that were covering my incisions. Will try to take a little longer walk later. Hope everyone has a good day! Can't wait to hear from the baby bandsters of yesterday and today.

It's going to be good! If you're feeling nervous at all, don't be afraid to tell your doc. They are used to that and will fix you right up.

Welcome to both of you. Come on over to the monthly support forums. They are excellent for talking to folks who are at a similar point on their journey. In addition, you can go back to previous months and sort of get a glimpse of the way things will be in your future. Good luck!

My surgery was on the 7th as well. Weird, but the gas pains started YESTERDAY and they are exactly as you describe. I hadn't had any gas at all but when I switched from my liquid vicodin to regular tylenol they showed up. Very painful in the shoulder and even in my neck. Couldn't even take a deep breath. I flapped my arms like a chicken (saw that advice in sereral places on this board). I asked my nurse and she said to hold a pillow to my stomach and roll around on the floor. I'm also trying to do a lot of walking. This morning I feel much better! It's early yet, so we'll see how things go the rest of the day. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Congrats-- sounds like my experience. Any pain in your neck or left shoulder? Get your rest!