jlynndh

I had my first fill exactly 3 weeks after surgery, but my first working fill wasn't until 3 1/2 months later!

Thank you for all the support and love on this post Knowing there are so many behind me is a wonderful feeling

I was banded on June 4th, 2014. I started at 265, dropped weight before the surgery, and dropped over ten pounds the two weeks post op. I was so happy, so excited to see such a change so immediately. No one, not even my doctor, warned me about the months that follow surgery. I went in to the surgery with the idea that it would work from the get-go, and that my restriction combined with the will from pre-surgery would create an unstoppable momentum.

I was grossly misinformed.

I was allowed to eat more than creams and liquids around the end of June/beginning of July. With the lack of a fill, I was able to eat and drink any and everything. It was disheartening. I thought over and over again that I was one of the % of people who wouldn't see success with the LB. The emotional toll that it took was the hardest.

I had fill in June, July, and August. I was at 7 cc's and wasn't seeing any difference at all. My lifestyle, while I had been hopeful, had become even more sedentary and unhealthy the longer I went without seeing any change. I felt that the surgery was for naught. The TR ladies were helpful, but with gaining one to two pounds with every check-in, I went from 265, to 247, to 253 by September 26th.

I had my last fill the 26th, up to 7.5 cc's. I had liquids the first 24 hours, then went to regular foods. Immediately I felt a difference.I had gotten too used to eating too fast, too much, too quickly. Within minutes I was full--and could see that 7.5 cc's was the absolute perfect setting for me at the moment.

I'm down to 244 and at my lowest weight in two years. Bandster hell is real. It's hard. It's depressing. It's also something I wish friends and doctors would have told me about to prepare for. Here's to making it through the toughest 4 months, and being confident that things are going to work out

J

I believe (and not everyone will agree with me) that you have to change the way you eat. Just because you can eat like you did before, doesn't mean you should. This is the time that you should be practicing eating slower, taking smaller bites, chewing longer. Start recognizing the difference between hungry, not hungry, satiety, and full. Stop eating when you're no longer "hungry." Using an app like MyFitnessPal and honestly recording everything you eat can really help you recognize what foods are nutritious and what foods are high in calories. Some foods while "healthy" can still pack in lots of calories. The idea of the band is to help you eat less, which means less calories but if you still eat lots of high calorie foods, your weight loss may be slower and/or eventually plateau before you reach your goal. It sounds like you're doing excellent with your exercise and I congratulate you! Exercise is a struggle for a lot of people. I truly believe that in the end no matter what, it's calories in vs. calories out. Best wishes in your continued success! Don't discount all the hard work you've put in so far.

Hi there,

Was banded last Novemeber. I had no restriction in my band. I went for my first fill in December and I lost a good amount of weight. Can't remember how much, but he did't give me a fill and said let's what til next month and see what it brings. When I had tht fill I still felt like I had know restriction. I weighed and measured everything. No breads, Pasta or rice. Just dense Protein and veggie & a carb if I could get it in. I think the term is bandster hell.

My suggestion would be buy a ditigial kitchen scale and weigh everything out so you can see what protions sizes look like. Cut out the breads, rice and Pasta. You've got the tool but you have to do the work until the band is filled to proper restriction.

I work out 4 to 6 times a week. You got this, be patient follow your doc and nuts advice to a tee. It will work. Keep your chin up and come talk to us whenever you need to.

Bulawookie - That makes me feel so much better, thank you. There is always that anxiety of something going awry/not working as I had hoped! I will definitely keep coming back for guidance and support

Just posting to actively join the month of Juners

Recent lap band, downtown Houston

I have my first fill set up for exactly three weeks after my surgery per dr's request.

It's possible!

Thanks for the support! I've set up the chair in my living room and have been catching a few hours of sleep which is nice. I am also trying to walk and move around every two hours or so to feel a little bit of normalcy.

I'm hoping that day three is the best so far

JB

Posting mainly for support as I'm having a rough go of sleeping at the moment

First time poster and new to the forum. I was banded yesterday morning and, after about six hours and an immediate loosening of my band, I was sent home. I've followed all procedures as expectations and, as a whole, feel extremely positive about my choice.

However, it's currently 4 a.m. and I am still living on the 'pain and nausea cocktail' every for hours. At what point did your stomach pain and nausea begin to subside?

Any good tips or tricks for sleeping (and staying sleep) while I heal?

I lost ten pounds in the two week pre-op appointment and I'm excited to see what the next free days, weeks, and months hold for me.

JL