::tracy::

i get chest pain when i am hungry. I am now 9 months post op ... it seems to be something that somedays doesn't bother me too much and others it is terrible pain. food fixes it though. It is kind of weird experiencing all these new niggles and sensations ...

Hey, great story. i love hearing peoples successes ... all too often we can get caught up in what is not going right. However i do have to say ... you men ... you make me so jealous at the rate you lose weight!!! Haha ... good on you!! i have to stay i am so pleaed with my own journey so far. i am over half way to goal in 7 months ... can not complain at that. i just invested in a punch bag, pink boxing gloves, dumbbells and resistance bands ... this is to add to my already full on cardio work outs ... lean muscle burns fat!! i love the new me!!

i had quite a while off as i was banded just before xmas and had holidays in there. However i could have gone back after 10 days i guess. i had planned on going back after 6 but it didn't work out as i still had the little staples in my tummy and they were uncomfy ... once they were out though, i felt alot more comfortable. Just see what happens, take it easy. The other thing that can prevent an early return is of course ... liquids in ... liquids out. i haven't read all the posts to see if anyone has mentioned it ... but i know it was a problem for me. I never went too far from the bathroom!!

i think you are doing great too. i cheated a little, i had a salad on my birthday which was a few days before my surgery. try not to stress, the stress will be more harmful than the noodles!! all the best with your surgery, let us know how you get on. it is a tough road to travel, but totally worth it!! i would do it all again if i had to. i feel amazing!! *hugs*

i don't get shoulder pain however i know that that pain is referred from pressure, Fluid, air ... whatever on the diaphragm. Makes sense ... especially the eating too much

There is not alot of nutrition in those. i am much the same, i tend to go to what is easy after a fill and feel pretty rotten, but i try to get in some Optifast or even some kind of fruit smoothies ... something like that. Of course you have to do what your surgeon says, however looking at that list i would guess the sickness is coming from lack of nutrition during that time. Our ketones increase ... which is an awesome sign of fat burning ... however elevated ketones can make us feel sick!!

what kind of fluids are you drinking? perhaps it is low blood sugar that is making you feel unwell? Thats my immediate thought given you feel better once you eat.

i gave up before my pre-op diet ... sadly i have started again ... 6 months later .... i will give up again ... but disappointing. As far as surgery, yeah, you really have to think about if you want to be in the best shape for it and for the recovery.

Well i am over half way now. I am so pleased with my results so far. Certainly lots of hard work, but totally worth it. Sorry to blow my own trumpet ... but i am sooooooo happy!! i must to some before and after pics

i confess ... i am a gum swallower!! i have been all my life! If it goes in my mouth and i chew it, i swallow it. i don't even think about it ... i just do it. This is the reason i have not chewed gum since i have been banded ... actually no ... once i did but then i remembered i have a band and i spat it out before it was even fully chewed. i envy those who can chew with no problem and without fear of swallowing ... i do like gum. i am very much a mints girl now ...

i planned on going back after 5 days but my surgeon said no i had to wait a week and then it was only going to be a couple of days until my xmas break ... so i had a good month or so off. YES ... liquids in ... liquids out. My experiences were numerous in those first few weeks post op. Buy some sanitary liners and go to the bathroom often! All the best!

i noticed no difference after my first fill either, it wasn't until my second did i get any restriction. And for some it is the third or forth. As for stretching it out ... this is my thought ... when i eat too much now ... i feel it, i feel the food hasn't gone through and it hurts! I would say if you are getting no pain/discomfort the food is moving through and if you are not "pigging out" then i would say there is little risk of stretching the pouch. i totally understand your frustrations ... you have spent all this money and you now want it to start working now. Don't be too rushed though ... it can take time to find your "sweet spot". Time and time again i read in these forums people worried that this might happen or that might happen ... in reality there are a minimal amount that this happens too. Of course none of us want to be that minority however I don't think it is worthy of too much concern or worry. If you follow the instructions of your surgeon, you treat your band nicely, listen to niggles and pains ... then there is little more we can do. We are all so individual with the band, put the same band in a 100 people and you get 100 different experiences. Use others experiences as a guide, not an absolute on how it should work for you. All the best for your fill on the 9th! hugs

yes agreed ... it is a blessing in disguse!! IT used to be the time of the month i put weight on ... now ... it is when i lose the most ... just to the fact eating is so ... challenging!! i do think i am at my sweet spot though ... i am losing about 1kg (2.2pounds) per week ... perhaps a touch more ... it is all sweet otherwise!

no, it is not too tight. i see my surgeon regularly and he is quite happy where it is at. you were quite correct in your assumption, i as making reference to tightness/restriction ... not food choices. My food choices are quite limited now as i can not tolerate meat for the most part, bread ... all the usuals. Again the food types that came with no surprise to the surgeon or myself for that matter. i have only had two fills, i am at about 4.5 or 5 ... something like that ... not sure to be honest. i am certainly not looking for another fill, i have been at this since feb ... so if i think i was too tight it would have become evident before now. i will discuss it with my surgeon today anyways ... thanks

walk walk walk my worst pain after was back pain from how i was positioned for my surgery ... i had some hyperextension of my lower back. That lasted for weeks. It all comes right though.