christinabryan89

I just thought I would share some of my story for those of you who are struggling with getting to the green zone as I am. I was banded in July. I lost 15 lbs in 14 days on the pre op diet. My first fill was 2 CC and I was primed with 1CC during my procedure. I had 5 fills in between then and now. I only lost another 15 and gained 5 back even though I felt like I was eating way less. I realized i had been misleading my Dr., unintentionally. I had been telling them what I was eating. Not what I was capable of eating. When I was discouraged, my portions became larger as I started to give up and not watch what I was putting in my mouth. Had I been more forthcoming with what I was able to eat, he most likely would have been giving me larger fills. I was also discouraged right after a fill. The first week I would be tight and feeling like I was in the green zone and by week 2 I could eat almost anything again. I was embarrassed that I had gained those 5 lbs back and finally worked up the courage to make another fill appointment and get back on track. I went to my fill appointment and waited until my dr came in, fully expecting to be scolded or frowned upon for my weight gain. I explained to him everything that I was experiencing and he gave me a larger fill of .75 CC. I believe my band has just over 5CC now. He also wrote me a prescription for a new drug called contrave. At first I was resistant to try it. I just had weight loss surgery and now it's back to the pills that have never worked for me in the past? He told me it was only temporary and it was a way to jump start my weight loss as the scale was moving in the wrong direction. I agreed. Filled the prescription and waited two days before I started taking it. I read some reviews online and found very few positive ones. I decided to give it a shot anyway despite the negative side effects I read about online. Turns out, it is working for me. I have lost 9 lbs in a very short period of time and the scale is moving in the right direction again. I have my motivation back, however I am experiencing some side effects but very mild and they have lessoned as time went on. So the moral of this story is.. Communicate with your surgeon and be extremely honest. And DON'T give up

My surgeon says the rest of the day liquids. The next day purée. Then 1 day of mushie, then regular food.

My dr told me to expect swelling so until I did some research I didnt think twice. I will call on Monday. Thank you guys for your help

I actually did much better at dinner but i just had puréed. I feel like I can't eat anything cold if that makes any sense? It may just be in my head lol and I have to sip my water as well so I think that is apart of my issue. I really focus when I eat and take small bites and chew really well, but I don't have that focus when I drink and if I take a gulp it's not a good feeling to say the least.

I get stuck on soup as well. I can just take several bites before hand. Sorry I should have clarified.

I got my first fill on Thursday. They used the fluoroscopy . My band was primed at 2cc and then he added 2 cc. I have been eating soup and protein shakes since then and have been unable to eat any solid food. After my second bite I get an instant pain in my chest and either throw it up or wait till it passes. Am I too tight or is it too early to tell?

I've been on mushies. I don't eat a lot of variety. Just things on my list such as crab and cottage cheese. I start solids Monday. That will be my 30 days.

Could I have messed up my band if I've been sliming? I definitely chew well but I can't seem to get away from the habit of drinking while I eat. My mouth feels gross if that makes sense

I've searched the forum and read a lot of posts about sliming. Most descriptions sound like an extreme amount of mucus. I just get thick saliva I guess after I eat solid food. Is this sliming? I haven't had my first fill yet and I have no idea if my doctor primed my band.

I'm in the same situation. I was supposed to have 1 and actually ended up with 5 because of the hiatal hernia repair. The PA took off two of my sterile strips on my check up date and the incisions were opened before I even made it to my car. They told me not to put neosporin or peroxide on it because it kills the good bacteria that will help it heal. I just gently wash it in the shower with soap and water and they seem to be doing better and have scabbed up again.

I think a lot of it depends on your situation. Some people go back to work after 3 or 4 days. I had a hiatal hernia repair at the same time and a lot of gas pain in my sternum. I went back to work after a week and a half and by two weeks I felt normal again with no problems. But by the 4th day most of the pain had subsided. Ice packs and heating pads were wonderful

I've been eating tuna and canned chicken. Also some imitation crab. I just make sure i take small bites and chew it super good. Those were all on my approved list of foods I could eat, along with hot cereal and cottage cheese

Thanks for all the responses. And I have not been tested for insulin resistance but dark armpits and a dark neck are tell tale signs of it. I was tested for diabetes a few years ago but my weight has been up and down since then. Since my pre op diet and surgery I have lost 17 lbs and stuck to a low carb diet and the coloring is improving.

Anyone ever used a fitbit? My surgeons office sends emails and they sync to it to map your progress. I have done some research but I'm not sure if its worth the investment.

I like the premier the best. There's also shakeology that tastes super good but it's expensive.

I felt terrible the first week on my diet. I was on the medifast soups. The reason you feel bad is the sudden drop in carbs and calories. It's sort of like your going through withdraw. I actually substituted one of my soups for a premier protein shake. It has 30 grams protein. 5grams of carbs, and 1 gram of sugar. And they taste pretty good. Those kept me from feeling so nauseous. Maybe email your nutritionist and ask if that is ok or if there's some other substitution you can make. I lost 15 pounds in 14 days on my diet. It does get easier. Just take Tylenol and stay away from food commercials lol

Did anyone else's dr put them on puréed 24 hours after surgery? From what I'm reading most people are on liquids for two weeks. I didnt think twice about it till I started reading some recent posts about dilation and slipping. Should I go ahead and just stick with liquids?

Has anyone tried compression garments? Or is that a bad idea?

Ahh my surgery was Monday as well and when I got home I felt pretty good. Yesterday was terrible! My pains are in my chest and I can't figure out how to burp anymore. Very weird. Someone on here had posted about rotating hot and cold. The cold did the best for me. I'm having a hard time getting up off the couch without help because the pain is so bad. I don't know if the chest pain if from the hiatal hernia repair or what. I hope it gets better for you guys!

I just had my surgery today. With an unexpected hiatal hernia repair. I was hoping I would only have one incision since my dr said I had such a short torso it was possible. Until he found the hernia. So I was a little upset when I woke up. They managed my pain well and didnt let me leave until my pain was below a 4 on a 1-10 scale. I stayed about an hour after I woke up and I was walking around and ready to go home. I do have quite a bit of chest pain( guessing gas pain). Idk how bad the scarring will be but I think it's a small price to pay to be healthy and add years to my life. If there was one thing I would have done before surgery it would have been to ask more questions. I didnt even know I had some questions until reading posts on here. I didnt ask my surgeon which type of band he was going to use or even what the difference was. Now I'm concerned about the profile of the port and how noticeable it will be once I hit my goal weight. I told 2 close friends and my parents. I didnt tell anyone at work, just started my diet early and went on vacation this week. So I'm trying to keep it private for now

I am on the second week of my pre op. I also felt terrible. Headaches that wouldn't go away, muscle aches. I think the sugar free stuff had a lot to do with it. The aspertame in it causes problems like this. I cut back on it and felt much better. I work at a pretty high paced job. I substituted a premeir protein shake as one of my meals. I feel 1000 times better now.

Hernia repair?

I think you will be ok. I have been researching VLC diets that shrink the liver. Most people are allowed to have 2 shakes and one meal with high protein and veggies. So I think that you are fine.

I am also a July 14th bander And on day 3 of my pre op diet. Really struggling with getting 5-6 medifast soups in a day. Only got 2.5 down yesterday. I hope you are having better luck than me!

Thanks for the information everyone! I read these forums for a couple of hours everyday and I have learned so much from all of you. All of your success stories and honesty helped make my decision to have the lap band. You are a wonderful group of people!