shortgal

I had my first fill on the 20th, too. My surgery was 11/27. The office told me NOT to expect restriction from the first fill and I don't have any. My next fill is 1/3/8. If I get any restriction from that, I think it will be short-lived. If you go to the main page of the forum, at the very top is a thread from Wendell and it explains "fills" very well. My doctor told me that I have the same size band they would have put in a man that weighs 300, so I think the size of your "inner" stomach and how much fat pad you have around it, and how mcuh of the fat pad you lose between fills etc, determines the amount of fills you'll need to get to your own special "sweet spot" and that's why everyone's is different. So the other replies are right, we have to depend on "Will Power" for a while. "Will" was at my house for about a month, but he left the other day. I'm waiting for him to come back! As far as "average" weight loss. If we were average, we wouldn't be here. Metabolism, age, level of activity, number of calories, and types of food ( Protein vs carbs) we are taking in all factor in! As long as the numbers on the scale go DOWN, I'm down with that!

I had acid reflux for years, and took Achiphex for it and tried to control it with what I ate. (Certain foods really triggered it, tomato sauce, orange juice, overeating in general). I knew I had a hiatal hernia before the surgery and the surgeon fixed it at the time of the band placement. I didn't really believe him when he told me I wouldn't have the problem anymore, but so far I don't. Haven't taken a pill for it since a week before the surgery. Fingers crossed that I am cured!

You know I wondered about this, too. I was always a 6.5 medium and over the years, it went up to a seven (sometimes needing a wide). I wondered if it was weight or age. so I guess I'll find out which later. It doesn't really matter to me which I end up at, but I'd hate to be in the "middle" of two sizes. Because then Slip on style shoes, as opposed to lace up sneakers etc. would either flop off as you walk or be tight. Yeah, I know the size is already small and I guess I should be happy about that, but I'm short so smalll feet on me makes sense, right/

Not that's she a senior citizen yet, but I've read that Sharon Osbourne had her band removed. I suspect it might have been because of the colon cancer she was being treated for. But that's one of the things I like about the band, the option is there to remove it if necessary because of some other medical condition down the road. Unfortunately, like the others have said, the band has just not been around long enough for us to know. I'm sure they ( the docs and manufacturers) will keep making mprovements to the bands based on OUR experiences with it. Godd Luck to you.

I would have had to have an ultrasound to check my gallbladder before surgery, but I had already had mine removed in 1989. I have also heard rapid weigh loss can cause gallbladder problems.

I think baths are out for a few weeks. I was advised it was ok to shower but to avoid "soaking" the incisions with Water and aim my back at the shower head for most of the shower until there was more healing. I would wait until your next appt to ask or when you get a chance to call the office.

Each person might count their weight loss from a different starting place. Some Dr's require a two week opitfast/medifaast type diet and some don't. I weighed 216 at my preop phsical appt ( 2 weeks before sx). I was on a liquid diet for a few days before surgery. Day of surgery I weighed 212. I know some of that was Water weight, so it's kind of hard to know where to start) The important thing is you ( and I) went DOWN! I also lost some on the post-op diet, but was probably dehydrated and had no salt on my clear liquid diet. When I first ate soup with salt, I went up 2 pounds and since then have lost that. It's a process. Believe me, I understand that we expect the weight to just drop off and for some it will and for others, it will just be slower. LOL, Am I trying to convince YOU or ME that it will take time!

I started the process last Feb. but had a difficult time with the insurance company. After going back and forth with them for months, I decided to self pay. After making that decision, I was banded within about a month.

You're lucky to have this option at your age. When I was 30 these options didn't exist. Other good news, the less you have to lose, the less loose skin you'll have after. Please get as informed as you can and know that this is not a quick fix. You will be able to eat after you get your band until you get "fills" to become properly restricted and many people still struggle with food issues after achieving proper restriction. Read as many old and new posts as you can to get a feel for the "average" experience banders are having. Sorry, if I sound a little pessimistic right now as I am in "bandster hell" stage. Almost a month post op, no restriction yet and hungry as all get out. First three weeks willpower was helping me, but I don;t know where "will" went! Over all, (so far) it's been a positive experience for me, as short as my experience is.

I was banded 11/27, so I can;t answer your questions from my perspective on the long term questions you have. But about the scars, the incisions are very small except for the port one, that is longer. The small ones are already nicely healed and I don't expect them to be very noticeable later. If I feel around I can feel the port under my skin, but cannot 'see" it. Pain: I was in pain from the gas for the first four days. My incisions never hurt. I could only drink small sips of Clear liquids for several days and then gradually increased my Fluid intake. It is a big decision and you should get as much info as possible as to the possible effects it will have on your eating habits and foods you might not be able to tolerate after as you will live with your decision a long time. I think anyone that is young with a low BMI should be sure they have TRULY given all other diet options a REAL try before having surgery. This is my personal opinion, but I would completely understand their decision to have the surgery. My BMI was just over 40, but I am 56 and trust me I tried so many other things first before deciding to have this. Good Luck.

I was banded 11/27. My incisions were never sore ( they were stiched and then glued, not stapled) BUT the gas pains the first four days were bad. Felt like an elephant sitting on my chest and the pain radiated to my left shoulder. I was on Clear Liquids the first week and the first few days I could not get in all the Protein drink I was supposed to drink. Each day got better and each day I was able to drink more. After the weeks, I switched to "full" liquids for another weeks, then the following week onto soft, mushie food. Everyone is diffeent tho'. Hope the info helps and hope you feel better soon.

Hi Twiggy! Thanks for the words of encouragement. I realize I have entered into the "bandster hell' time period. We don;t have restriction yet and realize we can eat, not suffer from it with PB's or getting stuck. My willpower was getting me through until now but most of my willpower walked out the door last night. I have still eaten reasonably well today. Some leftovers from yesterday. One meatball, three pieces of ziti and one bowl of Soup with a few small noodles and veggies in it. You're right tho' BEFORE the band and with this much leftover food in the house for the holidays, I would have gone out of control. We gave a lot of the leftovers to my son before he left to go home. I just wasn;t thinking of food every minute before and now I feel so hungry I can't think of anything else. :faint: I plan to wait until about 3:30 or 4 ( or honestly as long as I can) and have an Atkins Protein shake. First I will have a Special K protein Water. I also cannot wait until my next fill! I need help! :help: Have a nice holiday!

I totally relate. I was banded 11/27 an up until yesterday ( we had family over for the holiday) I have been using total willpower and convincing myself that i might get sick if I ate something not on the "approved" post op diet. We also have not had much food in the house, so sticking to the post op list has been easier. But yesterday, I caved and tried a few new things. I did not eat a lot by any stretch of the imagination. Had one piece of shrimp, one meatball and about five pieces of ziti. I had three small bites of cheesecake. I could have eaten much more, but didn;t. the problem now is that now I know I can eat those things and not get sick or stuck or pb or anything, so I'm afraid I'll stray even more. Next fill is 1/3/08 and I hope I get some restriction soon b/c the willpower that has been getting me through until now is fading fast! I have 1.5 pounds to go to get under 200 and I really want to get there by Jan 1. I'm 56, short, not very active and therefore a slow loser. I don't want to screw this up. Anyone else feel like this? :faint:

Ha! The foods that "move" me are: Nuts (oops can't have them) Whole Wheat Bread (oops can't have that) popcorn (oops can't have that). Well you get the point! For Zippyz: Go to tickerfactory.com for the weigh loss tracker.

Maybe they are using the 10cc band ( which I have also) b/c I've reads a few threads where people had 4cc bands and were completely filled and didn't have good restriction. So maybe the 10cc bands are better b/c they can fill them more and therefore tighten them more if needed???? I had 2cc last thurs at first fill. No restriction. But they told me not to expect any. Next fill is 1/3/08. I was told I would get 1.5. So we'll see what happens! Struggling to keep my calories low, so I can continue to lose. Hard to do with no restriction. Determined to get 2 more pounds off by Dec 31. I want to be in "onederland".

Took me four full days, by day five I was much better. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest and the pain went to my left shoulder. Gets better every day. until your appetite comes back and then it's just hunger on your mind. Routine now, get a fill, wait, feel hunger again, get another fill, wait etc. until we get to the right restriction! Just gotta let the process work. Just read through the posts to see people 6 months out and how much they've lost. That will cheer you up!

If you did a pre-op liquid and have been on liquids since surgery, then you just don;t have much in there to come out as stool. Since my surgery, just over three weeks, I have had about 4 bowel movements, but they have not been hard like being constipated. Are you confusing not going often with being constipated? Constipation is not just not going often, but rather hard to pass stool as well. We are not getting our usual Fiber so that will affect everything as well. But keep the liquids flowing as soon as you are able and that will help. Our body processes Protein so well, that there will be less stool on a higher protein diet. But my Dr's office did suggest a stool softener, if I think I need one. Good Luck. Don't worry about your nourishment yet, the body can withstand a few days without proper nutrition and you'll be drinking more protein soon.

Agree with some of that, but we don't have to break laws to get food, it's readily available ( legal) and some of it is very inexpensive. Most alcoholics don;t have to break laws to get their fix either for the same reason. But yeah, they can break the law if they drink and drive. Drug addicts break the law b/c the drugs they use or the way they get them is illegal. No withdrawal symptoms? Lots of posts about people with migraines/headaches on the pre-op diet. And that same great full feeling food addicts get after a great dessert or a big meal, I think is like the high a druggie gets. I think we could also say they are obsessed or compulsed to do the drugs/cigarettes/alcohol. I see that as similiar, but fatties will never be hauled off to jail for eating while driving! LOL

I did not tell people BEFORE the surgery except my husband. Now that I've had the surgery, I am telling people as I see them. I definitely didn;t want to be Star Jones either, but I totally relate to the being judged by the food police thing. Most people I know do not understand the Lap Band. They know GBS people and I know they will wonder why the weight doesn't come off faster. It was a struggle to decide, but now that ship has sailed, since I've told several people. If I see someone later that I haven't seen in years and they tell me I look good, I'll probably just say thanks and not go into the whole story. But with people I see more often. They KNOW me, they know I couldn't lose the weight before, so they will know something is up. Just like the whole world knew Star Jones did something! This is the hardest past of WLS! We have been judged our whole life and then we do this and we will still be judged.... for not losing fast enough, or losing too much, or eating too much, or not eating enough! Whatever Dude, as the kids say. As long as I am happy with me, that's all I care about now. Be happy for me or don't. I don't care!

I'm curious what methods you've tried before to lose weight. I mean really tried. You didn;t mention any. If you haven't, then I would suggest you get yourself to weight watchers or Overeaters anonymous or some support type group. They will give you the tools for you to understand about portions, better choices etc. I'm NOT saying don't consider WLS, but while women are expert dieters, men are not always as informed about food choices, portions etc. And men typically lose weight much faster than women. Cut out as many of the carbs, (breads, potatoes, rice, Pasta and sweets and beer) and concentrate on meat and veggies. Even if you lose slowly, you'll feel better and have more energy and then you'll be in a better position to make a WLS decision. Good Luck. You'll get lots of support here if WLS is your choice.

I have a different view of our addiction to food. No one would tell an alcoholic to have three small drinks a day, no one would tell a drug addict to have three small "hits' a day and no one would tell a cigarette smoker to have three small "drags" a day. They dont tell them that b/c they know it's impossible. One drink, one hit, one drag and they're back hooked. Well you cannot give up food and you try to have three small meals a day, but then you eat one extra bite of something you shouldn't, ice cream, chips, bread, whatever triggers you and bam it's all over and your out of control again. That is why people who have WLS are successful when they could never be before. They now have a tool! A new "thermostat" that says you've reached the right temperature, shut down the furnace. Will we still have to work at it? sure. But basically we're already experts at working at it. Most of us have been on diets most of our life. I think we just had broken thermostats that needed help. Cheers to our bands! And wishing us all a smooth ride with few complications! LOVED READING THE LAST STRAW STORIES! Thanks for sharing!

I have not seen a lapbander yet that looks like their wasting away. I have seen some gastric bypass patients that in the first few months looked almost GRAY in coloring from malabsorbtion. It resolved after they began eating more normally. I bet most of us can NOT imagine ourselves ever looking like we're wasting away. LOL

Azall boys! I say enjoy the weight loss. I'm three and 1/2 weeks post op and have lost 12 pounds. the minute I ate something with salt, I went up two pounds and it took me another two weeks to lose that two pounds. Your age, your level of activity and how musch you weigh to start are all factors. Enjoy the ride!

Gamboagirl, Have you seen a nutritionist? Journal your food intake including measurements/weights of your intake and journal your exercise, both for 2 weeks and bring it with you.