want2beme

At the time of my surgery I was a server in a restaurant and had a lot of physical duties. I was back to work in 3 weeks.

I am going through the same thing. Glad to hear about the 1 year post op, I'm almost there... next week!

Seems as if erosion is the most common complication. What are the syptoms of this?

You just need MORE, that's all. No biggie. It's frustrating finding that perfect fill though. I've a year out and I am still not perfect. They say it takes about 1 year (whether its 2 fills or 20) ~ Good Luck!

I promised! I am taking the baby for a walk tomorrow morning. Thank you to the single hard working mom! I have no excuse, really. I don't work until 11am tomorrow, so we'll be up at 7:30... plenty of time, right??? I'm doing it!

If you were able to drink Water at your apt., then maybe the doctor thinks after your swelling goes down, you'll be able to drink water and more... My doctor always said 3-5 days clear liquid after a fill because of the swelling. This is what can fit through and also the least irritating to the esophogus. If you can drink water (and Isopure Protein drinks which are clear from GNC), then you should wait... 3-5 days. then incorporate full liquids, then mushies and so on. See where you can get to in 10 days... if you are still too tight, then go in for an adjustment.

I also heard the same thing! 5' = 100#, add 5#s for every inch! I went yesterday and got an unfill. I had .5ccs taken out. I hope it wasn't too much. I can eat now though. I am only eating Beans right now because I have a mouth infection from the lack of Protein. It hurts really bad... I think I am happy at 156. I don't think I want to lose any more weight actually. I just need to excercise now.

Julie, My best friend just had her bypass done with Dr. McKeen. She's having a hell of a time. Her surgery was on June 11th. She still hasn't eaten more than a teaspoon of cheese. He extended her work leave until August 11th now. I am wondering what he told her her goal weight should be. She's 5'6".

Every time I want to start a program, something comes up! I'm totally serious! Either my son is sick or I'm sick. This time, I'M SICK! I know I promised to walk the baby 3 times this week, but if I do, it's going to be sat, sun, mon. Wish me luck!

I know a lot of people on here have my same doctor, Dr. Lopez in TJ. I'll be there tomorrow... wondering if anybody here will be there tomorrow???

Ya know what, I don't know what my BMI should be. I'm 5'8". I think I'm supposed to weigh about 150. That's what my goal always was at weight watchers anyway! Maybe my goal should be lower? A girl at work said she could see me at 140... hmmm... Maybe I should re-set my goal. I think because my restriction was so tight after this last fill, I haven't eaten much. I am actually going to get an unfill tomorrow. I hope I will be able to eat more and I really don't care if I stop losing weight!!!!

Well, I don't! But, I need to. I'm almost at goal and haven't done more than a lap around the block with the baby stroller. I'm not trying to make excuses, but I am a single mom and have no family/friends or baby-daddy close by to help. I work 50 hours per week, and can barely get my laundry done. However, I know its time to do something. So, I'd like other bansters to join me. If you haven't started excercising yet, let's do it now. Tell us what your exercise goal is. Then, visit us once per week and tell us if you've accomplished the goal, and set a new one for yourself. Here, I'll start: My goal for this week is to walk the baby 3 times for 45 minutes in the neighborhood. 07-20-08

When I was told I'd plateau 4 times during my weight loss, I was fine with it, prepared if you will. But what about the complete opposite? My goal weight is 150. 3 weeks ago I was at 174, today I'm at 156. It's coming off WAY TOO FAST. I thought it took longer to take the weight off when approaching your goal weight? I'm uneasy about losing so fast. I'd like to put the brakes on. Anybody experience this? And how did you put the brakes on?

Thank you all SO MUCH for your responses. Today is Sunday, so it's my last day on clear liquids. I have no energy. I called my boss today at work and told her I couldn't come in b/c I have no energy. (I am a manager in training, and have been working like this for the past 3 days. The last thing I want is the employees to think I am a waste of space, not understanding that I am just trying to keep myself upright at this point!) So, I am going to work outside of business hours today, which is great! I have another issue that has arose from this situation as well. The roof of my mouth has been sore for the past two days. Last night, it started hurting really bad. It almost feels like I burnt myself with hot cheese/pizza (but we know that's not the case LOL). I did some research and found that this is common in people who are dehydrated. I found that several marathon runners, who were dehydrated and actually finished the race, with their mouths open, had this horrible pain in the roof of their mouths. Some say it lasted a week, some say up to one month. I thought it was 'thrush' at first, but the symptoms are slightly off. So, I also found there is nothing a doctor can do for you. The pain was so bad last night that I couldn't sleep. At 8:00 am, I crushed 1/2 vicodin with my prilosec in hot tea. I was able to sleep for an hour. The pain is similar to a wisdom tooth-removal-ache, but not anywhere by your teeth... just the entire roof of your mouth. Like you have 20 teeth pulled. Ouch. I am in pain right now. Took another 1/2 V to releave the pain, but it's only taking the edge off at this point. I just wanted to share this just in case somebody else had this happen to them. OH YEAH! I've been rinsing with salt water too, just to eliminate any chance of infection. The roof of my mouth feels like little blisters. Updated weight info... last wednesday when I ate last, I was 163. Today is Sunday and I'm 156. Not exactly how I wanted to lose the weight and its a bit scary actually. I'm hoping I can eat soon and I'll get back up to 160 and then lose 1 pound per week after than. I'll keep you all updated... and thank you again for all of the great comments and suggestions. They really help a lot. I guess I just have to wait till tomorrow and try to eat some soup or something and see what happens. PS - PBing is something I've only had 2 or 3 times. It's when you eat something too big or not chewed enough to pass through the stoma. It then comes back up with some mucas on it (I guess to help it come up easier). It's like a baby throw up. One time it happened to me so fast I didn't see it coming. So be careful when you're out to dinner on a date. It could lead to... no second date. LOL !!!!!!!!!

I too thought I'd have food anxiety. But actually, it was quite opposite. My DIET anxiety is now gone. I have no anxiety about cheating, eating too much, quiting, etc. It's very nice. Of course you sometimes want to eat a big ball of rice, but that thought enters your mind one second and is literally gone the next second. At least for me it is. Like others say on here, you WILL be able to eat the foods you love (unless its rice LOL), so don't worry about it. You'll be fine.

I am so glad you feel great! I am hoping to feel great too soon. I think I am too tight. I was too tight once before and couldn't get ANY liquid down for 3 days... I really thought I was going to die. Right now I can get down liquid for 75% of the day, so I'm happy about that... no ER visits, right? But, I want to be where you are at. I want so bad to eat a piece of chicken and just 1/8 cup salad!!!!! Please lord! Give me the perfect restriction!

:confused:I am just miserable right now. I am 9 pounds from goal. My last fill was 5 weeks ago. Restriction was very good after last fill. HOWEVER, I've been feeling tighter and tighter over the past week. I ate last on Wednesday (3 days ago). I woke up Thursday morning and couldn't drink water. I paniced. The doctor says I probably ate something I shouldn't have. But, I don't recall eating anything out of my diet guidlines. Right now I am on strict clear liquids until Sunday (yeah, 5 days without eating), then call the doc on monday to tell her how I feel. It's Saturday night and I FEEL LIKE CRAP! This morning, I could not keep 2 oz of cranberry juice down. Later in the morning I was able to open up a bit and get down some hot tea (with the prilosec I was told to take, crushed) and then my 20 oz protein 'clear' drink. (ISOPURE FROM GNC) ~ I am trying to eat a popsicle and I can tell its too cold and tightens me up again. This sucks! My questions: Can your lap band tighten by itself, even if you're losing weight? How many days should I live like this until I decide to book a flight and get an unfill? If I get a slight unfill now, lose 10 pounds, am I going to losen up and have to get a fill again? Thanks!

And I'm back... OK, no food since Wednesday. Doc said clear liquids till Monday. I think I'm going to die. I work 10 hours per day, physically, am a single mom of a 22 month old and I have no help. I think I am going to die. I feel so bad, I can't believe I am typing right now. I pasified my son with some celery and chicken nuggets. He probably thinks I am a bad mom, ignorring him. But I just don't have the energy. I don't even have a day off till Wednesday of next week... probably going to use that day to go to Mexico to have my lap band adjusted. THIS TOTALLY SUCKS BUTT!!!!!!!! Today: 20 oz protein drink with 40 grams of protein. 16 oz iced tea, 3 oz hot tea, 8 oz chicken broth. Yum... I am so light headed and tired. On top of that, I have ignorant people telling me, "I don't think that thing is working. What you need is 24 hour fitness" - Please just leave me alone.........

Klimb.... YES! I have the same problem. I have a couple of questions for you. I am trying to self-diagnose and see if what I am experiencing is 'normal'. My last fill was 5 weeks ago. I was at 175. Since then, I'm down to 159. I haven't been able to eat at all in the morning, but eating just about 1/2 cup for 2 meals per day. The thing is, my restriction has gotten tighter over the past week. So much that my doctor put me on Clear Liquids just in case I may have eaten something that got stuck. I am dying! The last thing I ate was turkey on Wednesday. I was told I have to be on clear liquids till Monday. Did your restriction get tighter? My doctor is in Mexico, so I'll have to book a flight on Monday if my restriction doesn't return to normal. She thinks I am too tight. In addition, I am wondering if I lose 10 more pounds, will my band losen? See my dilema??? ... get an unfill now, just to lose 10 pounds and have it filled back up to the same point again... Dana

I have thought about the anti-anxiety meds... just haven't had insurance to get this ball rolling... but thanks. As soon as my insurance kicks in I just may do that. Dana

wow, am I the only person who says, have the snack? if you are hungry, you should eat. It's not like you'll be eating a gallon of ice cream right? Maybe a healthy snack... absolutely.

It all depends on your restriction. For the 1st year of bandsterhood, you'll see that your restriction will change on a daily basis. I don't know if this is what others did, but this is what I did: LOW/NO RESTRICTION: Tried to stay on a 'south beach' sort of diet. Very low carb, but still able to eat potatoes, rice, etc. Also, tried to maximize/volumize my food with lots of vegetables so I felt full. When my restriction SUCKED I could eat just like pre-surgery, so I had to go on a 'diet'. MEDIUM RESTRICTION: 1 egg and 1 sausage for Breakfast, chicken breast for lunch w/ a couple of wheat crackers, dinner was a shrimp cocktail with a salad. I added a Protein Shake in there to get up to 50 grams of Protein per day. PERFECT RESTRICTION: High protein all the way. coffee in the morning to open up the stoma. 11:00: Breakfast is oatmeal with a tbsp of Peanut Butter melted into it. Lunch is 4 oz of ahi with soy and wasabi. Dinner is 4 oz of chicken with peanut sauce. As my restriction changes, so does my diet. This YO YO goes on for about a year. Or, when you are closer to goal and your fills/restriction have leveled out. Until then, its a game to figure out where your restriction is and what you need from your doctor. Remember, as you lose fat on your body, your stomach and other organs lose fat too. The band around your stomach losens, just like your pants. Therefore, a fill is in order. When you're closer to goal, these types of drastic loses are fewer and you won't need as many adjustments...

The shoulder pain, as you know, is from the gas they pump into your stomach during surgery. My doctor told me some people don't get it, and some people have it for months. He told me to get out of bed and walk as much as possible right after surgery. I did. I did not have any gas. I know other people who walked and did have gas. It depends on the individual. The good news is, it won't last forever. By walking, you can release the gas through your skin. The gasX only helps a little bit. What are you eating? That may have something to do with it as well. Stick to high Protein...

I haven't, but my friend's doctor said he has done a ton of them. He's Dr. McKeen from San Jose, CA.

I AM going through the same thing. I feel like crap right now. My doctor put me on liquids for 3 days. I am drinking chicken broth right now with a lot of pain at the band site. Just trying to get the liquid down. I have to admit, it was all my fault. I was not being careful about what I was eating. Slowly, I irritated my stoma and here I am. Miserable. I feel like there's so much pressure at my band site. I am hoping this will pass over the next few days, but I am in a lot of pain. One more thing, I understand the kid thing too. I am a single mom of a 2 year old and every time he kicks me in the stomach, I feel like I get tighter. Or pick him up and place him on my hip... his knee digs into my stomach. It's hard. If I don't get better by Monday, I'm booking a flight to Mexico to get a little taken out of my band. D~