marieze

I'm doing the same thing! I'm two years out and for the last 8 months or so it's either I'm too restricted and keep barfing, or they take out the absolute smallest amount and I could eat a horse. I just came back about 2 hours ago from another fill. We'll see what happens. One things I have been very bad about is doing the liquids/purees after my fills. I just eat. I'm hoping that has been my problem so I came home and had some tomato soup. this sucks.

Hi Everyone- Just wondering. My boobs are now in a completely different hemispere than they should be and my panni covers my pubic area; as a result, my lower back and upper back are always killing me and I can't stand for very long. When I do, I get pain in my pannus area. Have any of you had a breast reduction at the same time you had the pannilectomy (sp)? I just can't imagine the recuperation period or the pain, but would love to get everything done at the same time...your thoughts.... Marieze

I was banded 18 months ago and have lost about 80 pounds or so. I can't remember how much is in my band and haven't had a fill for quite awhile. I have had a problem with pb'ing in that I either eat too fast or take too big of bites. Today I noticed that right at my breastbone where I think my band is, it's VERY sensitive to touch and I can feel something (that I am assuming is the band). The feeling is as if I am very bruised or something. I plan on calling my doctor first thing in the morning but wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience and if you might have an idea what happened? Thinking I need an upper GI. Marieze:unsure:

O.K. People- I seldom every post anymore but am now having a problem. I have lost around 80 pounds in the last 18 months (too much ice cream), get stuck fairly often even though I am not too filled (still some old habits, too big of a bite or eating too fast) and for some reason, I noticed that I am VERY tender between my breasts (which are down to my ankles btw)! But right where the band is it is so flippin' tender. Has this ever happened to any of you and if so, what was it? Marieze:scared2:

Hi There! I don't post very often but really thought it was great you came through this so well! Let me ask you this...coming from over 315 pounds, how does it feel moving around with so much skin being removed from your tummy? Had you experienced back problems? If so, are they gone? What feels different and what do you notice is different? Marieze

I have been banded since 2/08. Losing slowly but I'm o.k. with that. Often times when I'm eating I think I'm stuck so I stop eating. I then sit for awhile and realize that it's trapped gas. Once I am able to get out a little burp I can eat again. This happens frequently! Unfortunately, I'm one of those who can't make themselves burp and this is very uncomfortable. My son says I get a weird look on my face like I'm going to hurl! Any suggestions? Marieze

I was so happy that I had bought a ton of really cheap pillows/pillow cases. I could prop myself into any position comfortably and sleep. For me, this was a lifesaver! Also, there are Isopure flavored Protein waters that were good. But the pillows: a must have! Marie

Just curious! I used to post a daily thread on the Atkins board and it was always interesting to see what people had planned, (when they did plan) to eat that day. B- 4 pieces bacon S- 1 low-fat yoghurt L- salad with turkey and blue cheese dressing S- a handful of pecans D- leftover prime rib and brussel sprouts Have a great day! Marie

Thank you to all of you who responded. I feel like such a dork. This is a real learning curve for me. I've been eating with my bad habits for 53 years and it's tough. This is definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be. I really do want to be successful and pickup something new off the board everyday. Your feedback is very valuable to me. And Wheetsin, I am so sorry about the double post. I could hear your frustration in your post. Again, sorry about that. I really value what you have to say, so hang in there with me, please! I'm just confused about what I'm feeling physically and want to do the right thing. Getting used to all the new signals is difficulut considering I have tuned them out more years than some of the posters have been alive!!!! Marie

That post was the most ridiculous thing I've read here:rolleyes2:

thank you for your response! You are right about everything. Here's where I'm confused. I remember the nutritionist and surgeon telling me, "we don't want you just eating mushy foods because they go down so easily". You need to focus on solids. I did. Also, they said that the band only works with "solids", so I am really trying to see how much restriction I have after my fill to see if I'm at a good spot. It would be easy for me to just have a shake or mushies but that's contrary to what they said. Now, at 53 I no longer have periods; do we still just have some days that are tighter? I really want to go make some breakfast as I'm starving from not eating anything yesterday but am very reluctant. I could make Soup, but again, how will my band get the chance to work? I'm confused:confused: but to my original question; do you think I'm too tight? Because yes, I did eat pancakes, sausages etc. the day before.

O.k., here's the deal. I was banded on 2/13. Could eat a horse right after surgery. Had 1st fill....3cc's in a 10cc band. Could still eat a horse. Second fill comes and I get another 3cc's and couldn't swallow Water. The doc takes one cc out. Now at 5CC's. Have been TRYING to eat slow and take small bites. This has been VERY hard for me. A real work in progress. On Saturday I went to Breakfast and was able to eat 2 eggs, 2 pancakes and 4 link sausages. This clearly does not look like restriction to me. However, yesterday, any time I tried to eat ANYTHING I pb'd. I mean anything! For instance: breakfast sausage-Yak....scrambled egg...yak..shrimp..yak...prime rib..yak!!! I was however, able to eat some guacamole with tiny pieces of tortilla chip. So, am I too tight? If so, how did I eat the stuff the day before? I don't know what to do. I'm flustered as to whether it's my habits or too full of fill. What do you think? Marie

O.k., here's the deal. I was banded on 2/13. Could eat a horse right after surgery. Had 1st fill....3cc's in a 10cc band. Could still eat a horse. Second fill comes and I get another 3cc's and couldn't swallow Water. The doc takes one cc out. Now at 5CC's. Have been TRYING to eat slow and take small bites. This has been VERY hard for me. A real work in progress. On Saturday I went to Breakfast and was able to eat 2 eggs, 2 pancakes and 4 link sausages. This clearly does not look like restriction to me. However, yesterday, any time I tried to eat ANYTHING I pb'd. I mean anything! For instance: breakfast sausage-Yak....scrambled egg...yak..shrimp..yak...prime rib..yak!!! I was however, able to eat some guacamole with tiny pieces of tortilla chip. So, am I too tight? If so, how did I eat the stuff the day before? I don't know what to do. I'm flustered as to whether it's my habits or too full of fill. What do you think? Marie

I'm no expert having been banded on 2/13, but it stands for productive burp. It's not barfing as one would imagine; but with me, I keep eating too fast or taking too big of a bite and them WHAM, as I mentioned earlier I'm told I get that "deer in headlights" look then try to find a bag or something fast. Then, I just cough and "BAM" into the bag goes the piece of food my band says "NO" to covered in think slimy saliva and them I'm good to go!!! Marie AKA a Yaak Attack!!

I was banded on 2/13. What I thought was restriction after the surgery was just swelling. After that went down in about one week, I could eat to the same proportions as before banding. I went to the doc at 3 weeks and they said they would give me my first fill. I could still eat a car if I wanted to!! Well, today they had me go for an upper gi then come to their office. They said that everything looked great. That first fill was 3cc's in my 10cc band. My doc is pretty agressive so she gave me another 3cc's for my second fill. I couldn't get the Water down so she took out 1cc leaving me with a total of 5cc. She said to have just liquids/mushies today and tomorrow then I can go back to solid food. Well, for dinner I had broccoli/cheese Soup to go from Applebees and was still starving (only had a yoghurt today since I couldn't eat for the upper gi) so I then had some cottage cheese, then I mashed up an avocado and ate that. To me, that STILL seems more than I should be able to eat after a fill. I keep hearing about how we're supposed to eat about 1/2 cup food per meal and I ate more than that after my fill. I'm thinking maybe 1/2 cc more. Anyway, so my first fill was at 3 weeks, and this, my second, was at 5 weeks. They said I can come back when I want for another fill if I'm not restricted. I originally had lost 13 pounds afer surgery and now that loss is only at 5 pounds so I seem to be gaining! Yikes! If I could have done this w/out the band I would have, but I need restriction. And no, it's not head hunger. I'm certain of that. I really tune in and see where I'm at. Should I get another fill? Marie

I was banded on 2/13. What I thought was restriction after the surgery was just swelling. After that went down in about one week, I could eat to the same proportions as before banding. I went to the doc at 3 weeks and they said they would give me my first fill. I could still eat a car if I wanted to!! Well, today they had me go for an upper gi then come to their office. They said that everything looked great. That first fill was 3cc's in my 10cc band. My doc is pretty agressive so she gave me another 3cc's for my second fill. I couldn't get the Water down so she took out 1cc leaving me with a total of 5cc. She said to have just liquids/mushies today and tomorrow then I can go back to solid food. Well, for dinner I had broccoli/cheese Soup to go from Applebees and was still starving (only had a yoghurt today since I couldn't eat for the upper gi) so I then had some cottage cheese, then I mashed up an avocado and ate that. To me, that STILL seems more than I should be able to eat after a fill. I keep hearing about how we're supposed to eat about 1/2 cup food per meal and I ate more than that after my fill. I'm thinking maybe 1/2 cc more. Anyway, so my first fill was at 3 weeks, and this, my second, was at 5 weeks. Marie

I had my new boss in the car the other day and we went through a drive thru for breakfast and I was starving. I took one bite of my egg sandwich and knew what was going to happen! I sat there like a deer in headlights for a few minutes, then without saying a word grabbed all the napkins I could find and YAAK, there it was: my bite of food covered in slime! I leaned over to my new boss and said, "Wow, you must really be impressed with me now!!! We were hysterical...BTW...I told her I had recently been banded! Marie

I forgot to add this: Pillows: These saved my life!! I was able to get comfortable in bed because I had gone to Target and bought 4 really cheap pillows with cheap pillow cases. I was able to sleep from the first night. I didn't want to sleep in a recliner like a lot of folks do. I highly suggest this. Also, my surgeon used glue for my incisions which didn't hold them closed totally so I was happy to have had "steri'strips" on hand.

I, too, am single and was banded on 2/13. I also wanted to have everything at home and I did. First and foremost, I called the doctors office and told them that I wanted to have any after surgery medicine filled and at home prior to surgery. They called my pharmacy and I picked up the prescription and put them next to my bed. Here is my list: liquid tylenol (adult, rapid blast...I could only find on amazon.com) A case of bottled Water and sliced lemon for flavoring Gas X Strips Lots of soups..I bought Campbells Select Gold in the box and they were great Instant Mashed Potatoes...I bought idahoian 2% milk...to add to Protein drinks and soups for xtra protein A good Protein powder...I bought Isopure which can be purchased at GNC Cottage cheese to puree I also bought a heating pad to put around my shoulder in case of gas There is also a list somewhere on another thread which is pre-post op. You should look there as well. But the above things are what got me through. Best of Luck!!!! Marie

I stopped caffeine one week prior to my 2/13 surgery. I was drinking abut 2 cups coffee per day, but about 2 gallons of iced tea!!! For one week I had a throbbing headache, was lethargic and wanted to barf! Now that I'm out of the woods, can't imagine going back....It's Water, water and more water for me. Another upside is now my 11 yr. old son is drinking a ton of water with me! Marie

I was banded on 2/13. Just had my first fill this morning. Water went down fine but felt burpy and gurgly. Came home and had 2 cups of Soup with no problem. I am anxious to lose weight and want restriction. My doc said my band was the small AP band that holds up to 10 cc's. He put in 3 cc's for my first fill when I told him I could eat a cadillac on a bun! What is your experience? Marie

It's happened twice. Haven't had any fills yet. I eat something that seems to have difficulty going down. I have made the mistake twice of taking a sip of Water. I feel the food either sticking or moving very slowly down my pipe. I then feel the need to cough and when I do, the bit of water with the food comes out. then I'm good to go! Is that a pb? Marie

Well, thank God that you are o.k. and had the good sense to go to the hospital! The fact that the doctor never returned your calls and you had such a serious problem would want me to file some sort of complaint. I'm not punitive by nature, but this is some serious stuff. You might be doing the next person a favor. Seriously, I would think about filing a complaint. Marie

I can only share my experience. I was banded on Wed/came home from the hospital on Thursday and drove on Sunday. I could have driven sooner, but didn't. I was not taking pain meds, not even Tylenol except for the first day and I only took 2 doses. But everyone is different. Just tell the preschool he might/might not be there and then see how you feel. Frankly, I don't think you'll have a problem. But if you are on pain meds, I would definitely not take the kids, period! Marie

I'm waiting for my first fill and I could eat anything too! How long ago were you banded just out of curiosity? Marie