JulyBandster

Best ofluck to you in your new, and thinner body! Have a great birthday, Christina ~ you have been a real help to me in my band journey. I appreciate all your advice. Happy Birthday! AmyK

I am 4 months out, and am down about 30-32 pounds. I have the VG band, and have not needed any large fills - received a .7 fill - a baby fill - in August, and nothing since. I lost just fine....loved my band cause it just made me not-so-hungry. However, I began eating more and more, and not losing...time for a fill, right? Well, I got a 2 cc fill one week ago, and instead of feeling full/some restriction, I am hungrier - I mean an empty stomach, gurgling kind of uncomfortable stomach...I never had this feeling prefill....why post? I realize I may not find full restriction for a few fills yet - that's fine. I guess my question is why am I able to feel such severe hunger, with all the gurgling so quickly? I am eating Protein based meals - small amounts, but have tracked calories in Fitday, and am staying under 1800 cals per day...What is this weird gurgling/intense hunger? I read somewhere that it might be needing water...but I drink my minimum 64 oz of Water a day, so it shouldn't be that! Anyone have any thoughts? I had lunch at 11:30 today, and then parent conferences all afternoon - (I'm a fifth grade teacher) - anyway, my stomach began gurgling during the last hour of conferences (around 2:30ish) ...was terribly embarassing! Thanks-- AmyK

I experience left shoulder pain after eating just one-too-many bites. I really pay the price when I eat too quickly too - the pain will be in my left shoulder and my left rib cage area....I also take Gas-X to help relieve it, but honestly, only time lets it go.......or not eating too much, in my opinion. It goes away in about 20 minutes or so. At least that is what I experience...do you notice the pain more after eating?

I didn't have to go off the pill-as a matter of fact, my dr. reminded to be sure to bring them in just in case I had to spend the night! Which I did, so I was glad I had brought them. Every dr. is different - they all have their reasons for doing what they did... AmyK

I have the VG Band too - I had surgery July 12, and only have .7cc in my band....so far that is all I need. I'm down about 30-32 pounds....depends what time of the month it is...haha. I'm losing slowly, but can eat anything and everything....I'm happy so far. Guessing a larger fill is on the horizon in the next month or so.... AmyK

I asked my doctor about this, and he said taking ibuprofen a couple times a month is not a danger. Take one at a time, see if it works, take a second if necessary were his instructions. (must be size of a tack or smaller too) - obviously ask your own doctor...........but I use it once a month, for 2-3 days.

Well, I suffer from these problems, but I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and have been on metformin before surgery to try to control my cycles.....I went off as my surgeon said I wouldn't need it anymore, but I started bleeding about 3 weeks after my surgery and didn't stop......I don't know your history, but if you suffer from irregular periods (either too much or not at all), excess facial hair or body hair, acne, difficulty conceiving, and a host of other symptoms perhaps you could find out more about it.........soulcysters.com is a great learning place! Or you might do great on the birth control pills! I have heard that Yasmin Birth Control is especially good for women with breakthrough bleeding problems...and it helps you NOT gain weight! Woo hoo...gotta love that!

I had surgery July 12, and am down about 29 pounds! I'm thrilled to death. I had to have my gallbladder out September 2, so I've had 2 surgeries this summer! UGH! I have a .7 cc fill in my huge VanGuard Band - so not much of a fill at all. I am losing about 3 pounds a week, although a week will go by when I lose nothing; other weeks where I lose lots. Doctor says I am doing ok without a fill so far, so I will continue this way! I haven't been exercising due to all the surgeries - just recovered from one, and BOOM - another...tonight is my first spin class since July 2, and I can't wait! Weird to say that, but true. I have changed my eating habits only a little - I eat what everyone else is eating, just less....I get wicked pains in my left side/ribcage area....they are incentive enough for me not to eat too much as I hate that feeling.

Try lactaid - it comes in a pill form or a chewable - Pretty simple to use, and it works! It allows you to enjoy all dairy products again....I pop a chewable on the first or second swallow of my dairy product..........and no grumbling/no diarrhea. If you want, you can take 2 of the chewables....one at the beginning, and another at the end. These things are great! Lactaid supposedly also comes in a liquid form - you can put a few drops into the food you are about to eat - but I can't find it that way here. Chewables or tablets work fine too....(My doctor said swallowing the pills is fine - his advice to me is anything the size of a tack or smaller is fine to swallow. Obviously, follow your dr's advice....)

Yes, I did! Just mildly so. I noticed it when I was home from surgery and began the shakes - many of which were milk based. I always enjoyed milk in my coffee and in my tea - for Breakfast with Cereal - so I certainly drank milk-just not glassfuls! Anyway, I would drink my proteinshake during days 5 - 10 and suffered with terrible gurgling and indigestion. But it was hard to decipher the difference between this and what I figured was gas. I began chewing the Lactaid pills with my shakes and the gurgling went away....for the most part. Fast forward a couple months - and I am not as bothered. I can actually drink a glass of milk and have mild gurgling that is short acting....not a big deal. I wonder if it is going away, or my perception is off? Anyway, to answer your question, YES, I experienced lactose intolerance post op.

I started spinning 3 years ago and never looked back! You either love it or hate it - different for everyone. I love it cause my health club does it in a mostly darkened room (with purple lights - cool!) and uses really loud music....instructor's choice - we recently had an 80's rock night ~ Van Halen and Def Leppard - brought me back a bit! Another instructor did a female rock star night - another did a long haired rocker night - I did it with a friend. I got on my bike, and my bottom was burning and raw within minutes. I had tears in my eyes! I was so mad that I had promised the beginners instructor I would give it 5 classes before deciding to give it up....I wanted nothing more than to get off that bike and go home. But i lasted 40 minutes - my butt and nether regions were numb.....I tried not to cry......my lungs were on fire..........and I came back the next week and did it again. Didn't hurt quite so much this time! Came back a few days later this time - was able to actually do some of the 'out of seat' work in the class - (you don't just ride sitting down - you stand and run - you stand and jog - you can do jumps out to the horn, or handlebars - all this takes stamina and thigh strength.) Anyway, about 8 weeks later I was driving in my car, sitting at a light, wearing shorts, and had my hand on top of my thigh........I could not believe how hard my thighs were! I couldn't pinch an inch of skin on top of my thighs........lost a good couple of inches there too - pants were looser in the buttocks area. My husband, who isn't easily impressed, decided to take a class with me - next thing you know, we were going 3 times a week to the advanced classes! It is such a stress reducer. The nights we spin, we are in bed early and sleep the sleep of the dead! If you think you'd like to try it, most clubs have a beginners class. You can usually borrow a bike seat - a gel seat - which many women will appreciate. Can you tell I love it - just a little???

What do you think I could substitute for the cream of mushroom Soup? I hate, hate, hate mushrooms - could I do 4 cans of cream of chicken instead of 2? Would love your advice! Amy

I won an appeal with Anthem Blue Cross/shield of CT by using Steve Kalman, from bandedlawyer.com........yep, he's got a band too! He didn't commit to taking on my case until he knew a little more.........he charged me less than $400 which I thought was really fair.....(email me for more details).....and was ready right away ---- he had my approval in about 3 weeks! I was thrilled. I had a choice of lawyers - wondered about using the other guys - had heard that some of the 'big' companies keep you waiting - I will so happy with Steve Kalman cause he emailed me back a response immediately - and was never more than an hour or two away from an email response, which I greatly appreciated. I highly recommend him! Feel free to ask me anything else you want to know. AmyK

These are excellent recipes! I love getting new ones to try! Thanks a bunch.

My BMI was around 40 when I was banded on July 12. My doctor used the Vanguard on me - he says he is using this band more and more because he likes the chambers and the ability to have more flexibility with tightness....so he doesn't seem to use the "larger bmi/larger stomach" equation...

I'm down about 23 pounds! Had one teeny fill but I'm guessing it's not doing anything for me....I'm feeling relatively good - but have to have my gallbladder out tomorrow..........NOT looking forward to that! But maybe that'll help me lose another pound or two?!?!? Haha.

Thanks for your comments, Dr. Hekier - I'm anxious to have this done with...I'm eating a bland diet and hoping for no attacks between now and then. Thanks again! AmyK

I have been having what I believe are gall bladder attacks - these awful middle-of-the-night pains....I'm calling my surgeon as soon as they are in the office this morning...anyway, I am wondering about the post surgery.....I teach 5th grade, and next Wednesday is my first day of school with kids...:0 I would hate to have to miss that, but I've had 3 episodes in the past week - guess I can't ignore it any longer. If you have a band, did your band surgeon do the surgery? Was it an easier surgery than the band, or more difficult? I know I did not bounce back like many of you after the band, and I wonder if that'll be me again.......UGH....Anyone who can tell me about their gallbladder surgery would be most appreciated! Amy

Help me here -- I've got a couple different flavors, including vanilla and caramel. What do I add them to? Could I add the caramel one to my chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast and milk morning drink? Would that be weird? I am not a risk taker with food, so please give me some ideas of how to use these! Amy

Well, I am the original poster, and found out I will be having my gall bladder out on Friday - if I make it that long. (No fever or signs of infection) I am about 7 weeks post op from my band surgery.....I am nervous about all. Seems I have a large stone in the neck of my gall bladder, but the gb itself is not infected; hence, no need for immediate surgery. Wednesday is my first day of school with my new group of 5th graders....I'll be with them 2 days before being out for a week....at least that is what I think...Why couldn't this have happened in December, when I need a break?!?!? HaHa How long was everyone out of work? I am on my feet, so not a desk job.

Someone on another site posted this picture that really shows the difference between the Vanguard Band and the others........check it out! http://www.core.monash.org/placement.html AmyK

I was banded on July 12, 2005 - about 35 days ago but who's counting I was 249 the morning of surgery Today I am 231.6 - yes, I include that tenth! I am 5 foot, 5.5 inches So I've lost 17.4 pounds...including an inch off my neck!? I was wearing 22/24 sizes in general Haven't gone shopping yet since it hasn't been much time....maybe today?

I am one month post op today! I see the doctor on Monday, perhaps for a fill, but I have a question for you all in the meantime.... The 2-3 times that I overate - just a few too many bites - I got an incredible pain in my left underarm/rib cage! Now this wasn't a golfball pain in the esophagus or sternum you all have described - I'm guessing I can't 'pb' cause I don't have anything in my band...so what is this odd pain? It feels like I can't take a breath in, and the pain in the underarm/left breast area is awful. But it only has lasted about 15-30 minutes tops. I am wondering if this is a precursor to a pb? Your thoughts are appreciated! AmyK

Obviously you need to check with your own doctor as to what he/she requires, but I asked this very question on my 2 week check up a couple weeks ago. I get terrible cramps and need advil (generic) for 2 days a month....he said to go ahead with it, that it was no big deal. I was surprised - but he said he just doesn't want you to use them ALL month long. This was my doc's advice......

Congrats, Christina! What a wonderful feeling that must be ~ can't wait to follow your lead. Did you get the same grumpy nurse to bring you to the room?! :-) Haha! I go see Dr. Haag on Monday, 5 weeks post op - not sure what this appt was for - I'm guessing it is not for a fill yet? Well, we'll see. Congrats, Congrats! AmyK