marieze

About 2 weeks post op and I can eat anything in any quantity. Like you, surgery was a piece of cake (so to speak). No pain, no gas, no nothing! But I also don't feel like I'm banded or have had anything done. I am eating my usual portions and trying to make good choices. Not always done though. I, too, need a fill....quick! Marie

Well, actually, first; how are you feeling? I have had absolutely no issues and feel great! How bout' you? What are you eating? I am able to eat anything but am trying to be good with my eating. But I have no restriction and can't wait to get my first fill. I don't even feel like I ever had surgery. At first I lost 13 pounds then I think I gained back a few of those since my doc told me I could actually eat purees/mushies. What's going on with you? Marie

I've actually lost 13 pounds since last Wednesday. It's just that when I woke up yesterday I woke up STARVING and every 4-6 hours was STARVING again. I'm waiting until 8:30 a.m. her in Oregon to call the office to see if they can look at my incision that's not doing too well and talk about the food thing as well. I'll keep you guys posted. Marie BTW~Someone said, "Be honest" and I had to laugh. I know you don't know me, but to even write down and tell you guys what I ate yesterday was incredibly honest and putting it out there for me!!! :tongue2:

you guys are absolutely right. I guess I got carried away....ya think? For some reason, on my mushies list it does say fish and ground beef! So, I guess I went kinda wild. And, I can't believe I went to McDonalds. And I always forget about the stitches INSIDE. That said, I really am an intelligent woman!! One wouldn't know that by my behavior I guess. Thank God for this board. I really needed to hear your responses. I think the one things for sure I need to do is not get so hungry in the first place, make better food choices and keep my heard on straight. I hope to God that I haven't done any damage. Is there anyway to tell? Marieze

O.K., here's the deal. Was banded one week ago. No gas pain, no pain at all, healing great, no meds, a walk in the park compared to my c-section. I went to the doc for a follow-up visit on Monday (2 days ago). I told my doctor that I had been doing my liquids etc. and that I was starving. He went on to explain (which I already knew) about how until I have a fill I am not going to be restricted and will be hungry. He told me I could "upgrade" to puree/mushies. Well, I have taken that to the limit. This morning at 9A after dropping my son off at school I was STARVING and went to Taco Bell and ate refried Beans. The portion was not like when I was a teenager and it was a full 1/2 to 3/4 cup. This was more like 1/4 cup. Well 1/2 hour later I had a carton of 2% milk. 1/2 hour later I was still hungry and went back and had ANOTHER refried beans! Then, you won't believe this (I feel like i'm at the confessional) at 1:30 p.m. I went to McDonalds and ordered the new double filet of fish sandwich without the bun. Well, like with the beans, I took very small bites, chewed about 1,00 times and loved everything second of it. I took about 25 minutes to eat it. After about 45 minutes I had 2 bottles of Water. But don't stop there. At 6:45 tonight I was again STARVING and my son and I were running errands and stopped at Applebees. Let the party begin. I ordered this new "chopped" beef steak that came with two sides. macaroni and cheese and garlic mashed potatoes were my two choices. I ate 1/2 the chopped steak, the mac/cheese which was about 1/2 c. and I was done. O.k. so here's my questions and thoughts. I know this period is referred to as "bandster hell" because we are hungry and not restricted yet. If I am still following the "band rules" i.e. small bites, chewing thoroughly and stopping when I am satisfied, am I going to stretch or "dilate" my pouch? I obviously don't want to undo anything but am o.k. eating like this until I get my fill. What do you guys think? Marie

I had surgery last Wednesday 2/13. No gas pain, no meds, no nothing and started driving yesterday. I feel great. I have one incision that I told the doc was oozing a bit and they wanted to see me today. So I went, they said it was o.k, I told them 2 things. That since I can't take my effexor 150 cap and now have to crush one tab 2 x daily I know I'm not getting all of it and it tastes awful if I get any of it. They told me I could try to take my regular capsule. I couldn't believe it. AND, I told them that I'm sick to death of the Protein shake etc. and asked if I could upgrade to puree/mushies and they said "be careful", but YES. Well, I came home and for dinner ate the tips of my son's asparagus and made tuna/egg salad. I had about 5 tbls. and I was full. I couldn't believe it. Since I was recently banded I know I don't have "restriction" as we know it, so I'm either still a little swollen or have restriction from the band I have. I'm stoked. I will say that I chewed, chewed and chewed again so my food was almost liquid. But to stop and walk away~wow! Marie:thumbup:

Wow Donna; I feel awful for you. I know how exciting being banded is and how we so look forward to this being the last time we have to deal with all the food issues. I agree with another poster that your physician who banded you should be made aware of your frustration. That would be my first place to go. Surgery is tough and expensive and you deserve to have the benefit of success with this. I would press the issue until I felt I had answers!! Best of Luck! Marie

Goodspeed!!! Marie

I was banded here in Portland Oregon on 2/13. I was so concerned about the gas and for some reason I had NONE! I couldn't believe it. My nutritionist told me to mix my Soups etc. with 2% milk for a little extra fat the first few weeks. Makes it a little heartier. I had some tomato soup with 2% and mixed in a couple tbls. of grated parmeson cheese and it was fantastic! Glad to hear you are doing well fellow bander!! Marie

12 days before surgery I stopped cold. Was driking 3-4 cups a day and at least 48 oz. strong iced tea each day. I knew that one week prior to surgery I couldn't take anymore advil which is the only thing that works for me for headache. So, I quit, had a throbbing headache for one week and felt like barfing, took the advil and one week out from surgery I was good to go. I will not go back as I never want to go through that again. Just not worth it. Even decaf withdrawls are bad for me. marieze

When I was banded last Wednesday my surgeon told me that she repaired a small hiatel hernia I had. I read a little about the hiatel hernia, don't really understand too much about it and wondered this: does that mean some of the reflux, heartburn etc. I had from certain foods/overeating will be gone now? What will I now see in the way of benefit from having that repaired? Marie

I feel better after reading the responses...thanks folks!!! marie

for all your responses. I'm not constipated but just feel sometimes that I need to go....nothing but gas...but will pickup some milk of magnesia today just to be sure I don't get backed up. It's just that my incisions still hurt and if I try to push at all feel like I will rip them open.....this too shall pass! marie

When I came out of the operating room on Wednesday one of my girlfriends who was there told me that my surgeon told her I got the small band. It's by Inamed. What criteria goes into which band is selected. I'm such a big woman I was surprised. I'm 5:10 and weigh 360. Do you think this is a good/bad thing? Marie

I was and just thought it would be nice to see if anyone else was and compare notes! Marie

this was a cinch compared to childbirth! I was banded Wednesday and came home yesterday. I have 5 incisions, one kinda opened and I think I looked in and saw my kidneys! just kidding; but, even with that, I have taken no more than just extra strength tylenol liquid. So many people have been banded in Mexico and have had fabuous results. you will too. I do wish your wife was onboard with the truth though. She might not be able to relate what you go through, but I'm sure she loves you and will need to be taught how to support you. I wish you all the best. Marie

I mentioned in another post that I actually had them stop the morphine in the hospital and switch to plain tylenol. It's all I really needed. As others have said, a bit of discomfort when turning left or right for me, not necessarily up/down. Came home from the hospital yesterday and have had tylenol once today. That's it. marieze

I actually expected to feel a lot worse and I'm surprised. Now granted, everyone is different. I'm 53 years old and my 11 year old son is helping me. I had no problem getting upstairs when I got home (3 story townhouse). I didn't feel week at all. My incisions are a bit sore, but NOTHING like when I had a c-section. I can do everything on my own really. Up/down toilet, bed. etc. Personally, I don't like being doped up on pain meds, so I had that stopped after a few hours and went over to regular liquid tylenol. Frankly, I don't even think I need that. The hardest part is the coordination of all the liquids. Between all the Water, Protein shakes, Soup etc. they want you to have it's hard (believe it or not) to get it all in. When one is just sipping, it takes a really long time. Anyway, I sure hope this helps. It's always tough when we don't know what to expect. Marieze

Between the pre-op liquids and now nothing but liquids (banded 2/13) I don't seem to have to go..normal? marieze

Best of luck to you. Everything is going to go great! Read what I just posted under Just got home from the hospital! Godspeed! Marieze

Went into the hospital yesterday and got my lapband. I was banded here in Portland by Dr. Emma Patterson at Good Samaritan Hospital. It was a great experience. They found a small hiatel hernia which was also repaired. I had a little bit of nausea but no pain or anything else. At about midnight last night I told them to stop giving me morphine as I wanted to see where I really was on the pain scale. Well, I just took Tylenol after that and haven't needed anything more! Today I've had Protein shake (Isopure), tomato Soup, Water and some yogurt in the hospital. Not even a weird feeling. I'm probably overdoing it a bit as a couple of my incisions are oozing. Anyway, I'm getting up/down fairly well and it's good to be home. :thumbup: Marieze P.S. Guess It's time to figure out how to get a ticker!

Trying to remain calm:unsure: Just showered and packed my overnight bag. My surgeon is Dr. Emma Patterson here in Portland Oregon and she has a great reputation. Went to the orientation last August and here I am leaving for the hospital at 5A. I have to check-in at 5:30 and they said I am the first surgery on the roster. I will be staying overnight at the hospital so I'll be in good hands (she keeps telling herself:biggrin:The liquid diet today was no problem and the fact that I only had to do it for one day was great. BTW I tried the Isopure Protein powder today (dutch chocolate) and mixed it with 2% milk and it was fabulous! About 80g. of protein!!! Anyway, just wanted to say that I'll see y'all on the other side!! Marieze:thumbup:

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I see what you mean by drama from another posters comments to me about a "private club". Don't exactly know where that came from; but I do see what you mean! marieze

I'm being banded this Wed. and while I understand the head hunger thing, I'm still conflicted about one thing; If you are properly restricted and can only eat so much, why am I hearing things like, the one cookie I had to have etc. If you are full from a very small portion of food which therefore limits calories how can you not lose weight? I still can't wrap my brain around it. And, going to WW; I was hoping for myself that those days would be over. Help me understand this please. Marieze

Just curuious...why did you start a new group? And, did this one not meet your needs? And, isn't it a little ackward (sp.) advertising it on another lapband board? Seems a little weird to me. This one is so comprehensive I can't help but wonder why you are doing this? Marieze:confused: