Cat225

Hey Jennifer!! I just wanted to let you know that I am experiencing the same things!! I was supposed to go back to work today, but I just couldn't take the pain of the gas... I have been swallowing gasX strips like they are vicodin.. which I have also been swallowing a bunch of.
Sadly, I have no advice for you... But, just know that, you are not alone. : ) We were banded together, we will be in pain together. lol

I had terrible, intense pain from the gas inside my stomach after my surgery. It was very bad for the first few days, and did not completely go away for almost two weeks. My left shoulder feel like I was being stabbed. I remember how bad my stomach felt, but the only thing that helped me was time. I ate Gas X and walked around, but they didn't help much. Even the painkillers I was prescribed did nothing to help. I even called my doctor's after hours line thinking there was something wrong with band. I'm sorry, I know this isn't what you want to hear. I was also surprised at the severity of the pain post op. Hang in there! Call your doctor just in case it's something else!

Is anyone else having food nightmares? I dreamt that my niece who is a chef made prime rib and gave me a plate and I ate half of it before I realized OMG I can't eat this I just had surgery and now I really messed things up... I can get a blockage, tear... Then wait till I woke myself up from worrying to relief it was only a dream... To face my dream I cooked steak dinner for my Family then I was ok.

the best advice is to do exactly what the doctor tells you...word for word...every doctor is different on their after a fill plan..You may notice a difference for a day or two due to swelling and then it go away and its back to bandster hell until you get to where you need to be..Just keep up with your Protein, your Water, and don't over eat *portion size* and keep your head up even if you don't notice any difference. It took me 2 fills before I noted a change..and it didn't last long..but just like every doctor's aftercare is different..fills work differently for everyone. Welcome to the other side..You got this!

You may or may not feel any difference but most of us were told to be on Clear Liquids for the first 24 hours because swelling does occur.

When I get a fill I am on liquids for 3 days, mushy 3 days and then back to my regular foods. Sometimes it takes a few weeks for the fill to kick in. I have 2.2 or 2.4 total I have had 3-4 fills over 1 1/2 years. Every doctor is different. Good luck. Maybe have 6 small meals instead of 3 a day. Are you getting in enough Protein? I have 80-100 gm a day.

I found SWLC and Dr Coburn in Mississauga to be top notch

Glad I never called Slimband and went right to Smart Shape in Mississauga.

I called and talked to the people at Slimband. They talk a good sales pitch. They talked of quick weight loss, and were very sympathetic to my weight struggles. There was very little talk about after care. I did some research and found the after care is almost more important than the surgery itself.
I decided to call SWLC in Mississauga. The people there answered my initial questions and sent me info via email and requested that I talk to Dr Cobourn before I make my final decision. Dr. Cobourn told it like it is...no instant weight loss, no miracle cure. He told me about the risks, how things can go wrong if the patient doesn't follow instructions etc. He quizzed me on my health condition and why I wanted the surgery.
I had my surgery there in January. The clinic offers many webinars on the band, nutrition, support groups, etc. The team answers emails and phone calls quickly. They are eager to get their patients on the right track. If you are confused, they will set you straight. Understandably, they cannot give medical advise over the phone unless it is directly related to the band, found that out this past week. (thank lawyers for that one).
Do your research before any surgery. Medical Tourism can be dangerous. Include your family physician before you go ahead with the surgery-you will need their support too.

Congratulations!

I was banded 3 weeks ago, and I'm so glad that I did not go with Slimband. I was really considering them, but then I spoke to a few people and did my research. I had an uneasy feeling about them, especially Dr. Yau. It was honestly hard to find any positive comments about him online. What happened to the lady in the National Post article was frightening. I went with SWLC in Mississauga. Everything I had read about Dr. Cobourn was very positive, and when I met him I liked him immediately. I feel sorry for the patients of Slimband, and the way they are being treated.

I was banded on Tuesday of this week and I had a hernia repair as well. I've struggled off and on with GERD my entire life and I actually did notice that it's a little worse post-op! I get that dull ache you described as well as a churning feeling. It goes back and forth. I've been taking liquid Rolaids for it right now. I have an appointment with my surgeon on Monday and I'm going to ask him if he thinks I need a long term treatment like prilosec or nexium.

This is a loaded question LOL. There is a lot of argument over this on here!! Doctors have different opinions. I guess the best advice is to follow your doctors orders, then if something goes wrong you won't be to blame.
Personally, my doctor says once the tiny bite of food you are supposed to be taking has passed the band (approx 45 seconds) it is ok to take a sip because the food has already triggered the nerves it needs to trigger by passing on through.

Congratulations to you!

Great post! Choosing ourselves first and our healthy futures -- what a powerful thing that is. Thanks for the reminder of how lucky I feel to have made this decision, to have had everything line up the way it did and now to be on my way. I can feel my life changing in so many ways. Not just the weight loss but doors opening -- lots of energy and creativity. Have a great day!

Eight months and a day ago, I woke up with diabetes, sleep apnea, crazy blood pressure fluctuations, tired, unmotivated and with low self-esteem...even though I didn't know it.
Eight months and a day ago, I followed through with a surgery that most people frown upon and have misconceptions about. They told me not to do it: "consider the risks" they said.
Eight months and a day ago, I told myself "this is the right thing to do, the decisions that make you think hard about are usually the ones that will impact your life the most but they are often for the best."
Eight months and a day ago, I put my life in strangers hands and trusted that in the end I would come out better than I was went I went in.
Eight months and a day ago, I thought it would be hard living the banded life: "what about all the foods I'll miss...what if I slip...what if I am one of the ones the band doesn't work for...what if...what if...what if... shhhhhh! I had to quiet my mind. The greatest fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. I was tired and lonely - I just didn't know it.
Eight months and a day ago, I arrived on the other side; floating on the awesome knock-out punch, unaware of the gut-wrenching pain soon to follow. It was worth it.
Eight months and a day ago, I was me - just not at my best.
Eight months and a day ago, my life changed dramatically. It's strange how it has all unfolded, I've enjoyed the victories both large and small. I've enjoyed getting to know and communicate with people who share this lifestyle with me; congratulating many, consoling others - while feeling the need to put some in check at times, but always enjoying the sense of community nonetheless.
Eight months and a day ago, I didn't think I would be a pound away from the lowest weight I've been since before I was a teen.
Ain't the band grand?

Thanks for painting such a delicious picture LOL
Been there, done that. The silver lining is, your band is working! YAY!

I am not proud of this. It sucked, big time! I was not thinking. I finished an exhausting 12 hour shift at the hospital, hadn't eaten since 1100am. It was 730pm and I stopped and got me and the hub some Chinese food. Went home, sat on the couch and proceeded to shovel 5 or 6 bites of food into my pie hole without even chewing well. And then I felt it. That oh no feeling. And without thinking, again, I picked up my Water and took a drink thinking it would help it go down. Oh no. Uh oh. This isn't good! I've had plenty of stuck episodes that I was able to work through, but I immediately knew there was no working through this one. I jumped up, ran in the kitchen, leaned over the sink, and...bye, bye, Chinese food. Even after that out took me a good 10 minutes to get back to normal. I took some super small sips of hot tea. Eventually I was able to eat again, but you bet your a$$, I was chewin the life out of that food.
Ever since my first fill, I've been tighter in the morning, but by dinner I can eat almost like I used to. That, combined with being tired and starving....
Thank you Brunhilde (my band's name) for reminding me you are there. Lesson learned. You can only take so much. I love you and promise to treat you better in the future.

Had my surgery done by Dr.Cobourn October 2012. Their aftercare is awesome. They have monthly webinars for those like myself who live far away and they also have a monthly support group meeting.
I have also had phone calls from the office checking to make sure everything is going ok.
I am going to their March 20 support group meeting because I will be in the area that day.
You made a good decision to go with him.
Lynn in Ontario

One of the reasons I haven't told anyone except my husband is because I know some people wouldn't be supportive. I also started dieting early, 7 years old. My mom and I were always "diet buddles." We went on a bunch of crazy diets together, and I ended up like this. Obviously, what I was doing wasn't working. I grew up always being told, "You have such a pretty face. If you would only lose 30 pounds...." My weight was always fair game for our entire family. Even into my late twenties, my 90 year old grandfather was still pestering me about losing weight. I think in relationships, people who are insecure define thmeselves through other people. What I mean is maybe your boss doesn't want you to lose weight, because then she will have to look at herself and make changes she isn't comfortable with. i know that once I start losing enough where I wearing normal size clothes again, my sister is going to feel threatened. She has always been the "thin one", and I've always been the "fat one". My mom might feel a bit threatened, too. I don't care. Stop discussing your personal life at work. These people aren't your friends. You are going to lose weight and be successful. That's the best thing you can do!

I had my surgery 2 days ago, and the only one who knows is my husband. I haven't decided if and when I'll tell anyone else. It's been hard pretending everything is fine with my family, but I don't need my mom worrying and giving me her opinion.

Yes, I've been putting coffee in my shakes to offset the taste of them.
You've done really well! I'm around the same weight you were when you started.

I had to drink a brand of shakes that I was not fond of, at all. Some days I only managed to have 2 instead of the required 3. They were really gross. The first 3 days were the hardest for me.
Some suggestions that helped me were to add flavourings to them. I added sugar free Carmel Torani Syrup to the vanilla ones, as well as different flavors of Dasani Drops and Crystal Light. With the chocolate ones, I added some Decaf instant coffee and also used a packet of Truvia to sweeten it. I also blended them with A TON of ice cubes, sometimes 9 or 10. Then I would take my time drinking as much as I could.
Now that I'm post-op, I discovered something else I could have done with the chocolate ones, adding pure cocoa powder. You could also add sugar free hot chocolate. It makes it taste more chocolatey and less gross. I sometimes have this for Breakfast now. I'm also blending them in the blender with skim milk instead of Water. It makes a big difference. They still aren't the best, but definitely drinkable!
Good Luck!

One of the reasons I haven't told anyone except my husband is because I know some people wouldn't be supportive. I also started dieting early, 7 years old. My mom and I were always "diet buddles." We went on a bunch of crazy diets together, and I ended up like this. Obviously, what I was doing wasn't working. I grew up always being told, "You have such a pretty face. If you would only lose 30 pounds...." My weight was always fair game for our entire family. Even into my late twenties, my 90 year old grandfather was still pestering me about losing weight. I think in relationships, people who are insecure define thmeselves through other people. What I mean is maybe your boss doesn't want you to lose weight, because then she will have to look at herself and make changes she isn't comfortable with. i know that once I start losing enough where I wearing normal size clothes again, my sister is going to feel threatened. She has always been the "thin one", and I've always been the "fat one". My mom might feel a bit threatened, too. I don't care. Stop discussing your personal life at work. These people aren't your friends. You are going to lose weight and be successful. That's the best thing you can do!

It's been two weeks since I got my band! I went in today for my two week folllow up appointment, and had my incisions checked. My port is right in the middle above my belly button. I don't know why I thought it was originally on my left side. I found out that my band was inflated 3 or 4 ccs during the surgery. That expains a lot. I thought it was deflated, because I feel nothing when I eat, like there is nothing inside of me. Ocassionally, if I gulp something by mistake or swallow something a little too big, I've been feeling it take a little longer to get down. I've got to take my time and really watch how I eat. I'm on soft foods now. it's weird, because I find that I sometimes feel hungry and want to eat, but at the same time I have no appetite. The nurse gave me suggestions of Proteins I could eat now, but it was all unappealing to me. She said I should be able to go 4 or 5 hours inbetween meals, and my weight loss plateau, before I need a fill. Has anyone been at 3 or 4ccs and been in the green zone?