notateechanow

Ok, Rochelle, I'm impressed! I had the same surgery date as you, but I certainly haven't lost as much weight. I had my first fill a week ago and have yet to find much that stays down...Everything seems to get stuck! I'm thinking I eat too fast, don't chew enough, but I'm not starving to death, so I'm not complaining to my dr. just yet. I'm only down about 25 pounds despite working out over an hour a day. I'm moving down very slowly since my fill and notice daily differences now...so maybe it's just a matter of time. Did anyone else have a really tough time swallowing and keeping food down after the first fill? Liquids are no problem, just solids....

Ok...I haven't checked in for a few weeks--or since I went to Aruba, but I got my first fill on Monday. (I have a 10cc band and received 4 cc) I thought the whole thing was pretty cool--from a science perspective. I had no restrictions after surgery. I had no issues with eating ANYTHING and everything I've tried...and I can't believe THIS is what restriction feels like. NOW I finally understand why I've been fat my whole life!!! I can honestly say that I have never had this feeling before. This is great---ok, it has drawbacks, like when I made the mistake of drinking a mouthful of my water to wash down my bread tonight and it all came back up....but seriously...I get it now!! So, for those of you who haven't had your restriction yet, keep your chins up! My stomach finally feels full! I've only lost 22 pounds since I've started my journey and am working out at least 45 minutes a day on the treadmill, but I've lost 2 sizes. I am so excited. Now I know exactly why I've had surgery. I just hope that this restriction enables me to finally control what I put in my mouth---but I'm keeping an open heart and my hopes are high. How are the rest of you after your first fill??

Cerrin, I'm glad to hear that about not dieting too hard...I've been just busting my a$$ on the treadmill and having those stupid Protein shakes 3 times a day with only one small meal to try to keep my weight down...and it's just not working. I started doing 45 minutes at 3.7-3.8 miles per hour TWICE a day and it still didn't help. I've tried everything. I have yet to have issues with any particular food, though I don't recommend onion Soup or chili! (And you thought the gas pain post op was bad...) So I'm relieved to hear that your dr. told you not to do anything too out of the ordinary to lose weight. Mine barely talks to me. Thank goodness for his physician assistant. She's the one who seems to care and know what's really going on. Good luck. When are you scheduled for your first fill? I was banded on Dec. 12th and my first fill is Jan. 28th. That's nearly 7 weeks....I'm just counting the days!

It must be a teacher thing....because I felt exactly the same way. My doctor didn't even seem interested in seeing me or asking how I was. I just have to remind myself he's a surgeon, not a social worker. I didn't pay him to be my cheerleader. I had my surgery on Dec. 12th and am scheduled for my first fill on Jan. 28th... I was told by his Physican's Assistant, who, by the way, is far more engaging, that your body needs time to heal before they fill. So, it's at least 6 weeks to be sure the lap band stays in place accurately and that the fat pad has time to rebuild around the hardware they've installed. I know it stinks to wait, but you've waited this long..what's a few more weeks?! Kathy, I was told 3 weeks out to move to mushy foods, and let's be honest...I've tried just about everything under the sun already. I know I'm not supposed to, but seriously, I love eating. I'm now back on track with high Protein and working on following my dr's plan at least for three quarters of my day. Hope you're all healing and feeling well. :eek:

You know they have particular birth control pills that allow you to have your period only once every few months, right? Once you're at a healthy weight and no longer at risk for blood clots...assuming your religion permits, ask your doctor about Seasonale. Issue solved. :confused:

I can't say as I remember much. When I woke up in recovery, there was someone moaning in the area next to me...I waited for what seemed an hour or so, but no clock, so I haven't any idea...then I remember requesting the cute young guy to transport me to my room, thinking he had a great rear end. Next thing I knew I was in my room with someone checking on my O2 levels and my pulse. I was cranky with her--because she hadn't said anything before just grabbing my hand, but other than that, was just annoyed by the tube my dr. put in my nose to my stomach. Not all dr.'s do this, though... All things considered, I didn't have much pain. (AND they give you meds for that, if you're interest in taking them...)

Ok..I'm definitely lost now. I am very new to these forum things, but when I clicked on December, it brought me HERE. It also shows December above...is it possible BooBoo Kitty, though an old pro, may be mistaken? Sorry, but I'm entirely confused now....

I'm just back from my first Post-op visit....apparently I'm still not supposed to be doing any "heavy lifting"...but those who work with or have children know THAT won't be avoided. I'm now allowed to officially have soft foods. I guess I can start realy working out again in 3 more weeks and I'll have my first fill in 4 weeks. So..with all of that said...like you, Kennergirl, I didn't use any of those prescriptions I had to fill. I worried I might have to make use of those "silver bullets", but quite frankly, putting it where it goes would have been worse than how I felt! I'm not hungry, but boy, do I miss eating!! I'm headed out for New Year's dinner and expect it'll be a relatively low key meal. Fortunately, I'm not big on champagne so I won't miss it. I hope you all have a great New Year's. Looking forward to having less of me in 2008. :scared:

Sarah, I'm sorry to hear you're starting to feel that way. I was exactly the opposite, which truly scared my boyfriend. I didn't worry about that possibility because I was so desperate to lose weight. I didn't even tell my family about my surgery because I figured it would worry them unnecessarily. I can tell you that I had surgery on December 12th, 2007, and while not everything was perfect, the staff at the hospital was amazing. They are typically trained specifically for this, assuming you're working with a dr. and hospital that has a good sized program. I was on a floor with other bariatric surgical patients and the nursing staff was amazing. Even my OR nurse sat and spent time chatting with me prior to surgery to be sure I was ok. (I sent my boyfriend back to work for the day--ya think I was in denial?!) I think my only nervousness was when I was lying by myself in recovery as I didn't know I'd have a tube down my throat, so I assumed something must have gone wrong. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. While I realize none of what I've said may have helped, try to focus on the positives that have brought you to this point. It has taken months, if not years, to allow you to have this surgery. Your doctor wouldn't risk his/her career by operating on you if you weren't a good, strong candidate. Their families depend on that income!! If your insurance company is paying, they, too, have closely examined your records and had to agree that you should have the surgery. I wish you the best of luck. Sometimes using logic helps me at least quell the feelings of regret as I go along in life, and I hope that will help you, too. Know that you're not only improving your life, but truly extending your life by having this surgery. May your surgery be event free.

Hey there, Geri. I was banded on 12/12/07....so new I haven't had my first visit post-op yet. I'm pretty nervous because I haven't followed the rules and I've only lost about 12-14 pouns since surgery....my own fault and willing to accept that responsibility. How are you doing? When was your surgery? Good luck, and be well. :eek:

Steph, Thanks for the help. I expect that since I've excluded so many in my life from sharing this experience with me...you'll all become more important to me every day. It's nice to know you're all here and can help me with what to expect. Happy New Year...finally, one without a resolution to make a change. :eek:

I went to Dr. Robinson at Brigham and Women's Hospital. I had the option of going to Faulkner, too, as he's part of a larger group. I have Harvard Pilgrim and was able to go from my first info session through to surgery from Oct. 15th to Dec. 12th. Dr. Robinson is a good dr. and I looked him up before surgery; however, he lacks personality. With that said, I'm not looking for a friend, I'm looking for a competent doctor. I love his secretary, Jennifer, and the Physican's Assistants I've come in contact with. I strongly suggest attending an information session at the hospitals you're considering and going from there. You'll have a chance to meet the doctors that way. Just know that Brigham and Women's is the same group as the Faulkner, so you won't waste time hitting both sessions! Good luck! :eek:

Ok..so I'm new to all of this, and I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of the online thing, so you'll have to excuse my ignorance. I had surgery on the 12th of December and it feels lightyears ago. My surgery went without any major surprises, except the next day--when I was released from the hospital, we had a major snowstorm here, in Boston. I never took any of the IV pain medication and my only pain (other than soreness around incisions and some tightness) was from the horrible tube in my throat. I know that it isn't a common practice among all dr.'s, so lucky me. It was the reason I couldn't sleep. I felt as though I had a lump in my throat constantly and had difficulty even swallowing my own saliva. I had to sit with my head in just the right position to avoid pain. Oh, and I guess my allergic reaction was a surprise, too, but nothing a few shots of benadryl couldn't cure. So....because of the snow, my boyfriend took nearly 7 hours to come get me. (Dedicated guy, huh?!) We ended up staying at the Hojo's right down the street and I think the hospital bed may have been more comfortable. But it all worked out and I was in meetings for work on Friday. I guess I should mention that I didn't tell anyone about my surgery. I know I probably should have...but quite frankly, I'm not sure why I haven't. I guess that it's shame. As a scholarship athlete in college, I never imagined that I'd go this route...but it must have been necessary, because my very first appointment was in the end of October and I had surgery less than 6 weeks later. I realize I'm now rambling, but you'll have to just bear with me. I'm in a food coma. Let's be honest..I'm an eater. I wouldn't be in this situation if I wasn't! I have my first post-op appointment tomorrow and I'm a little worried about not losing much weight. I've been walking for 45 minutes a day on my new treadmill and even jogging for 30 second intervals. I'm only down about 10 pounds from my surgery date, but what a difference it makes! Will my dr. do anything during my first post op surgery to check on the band? In other words....I'm not going to have that barium thing again, am I?? I would expect that I would have been told not to eat prior to the surgery if that was the case, but I wasn't. I'm also a little worried after reading other posts on here. I thought the only danger from eating again was stuff getting stuck, but apparently not. I've been eating since about 7 days out. Bad, I know...but I will get back on track today. I didn't realize the other dangers. And, of course, not having told anyone about my surgery (except my boyfriend) I guess it was easier to eat than to try to explain this away... What can I expect from tomorrow's appointment? I'm going away in January, so I'm kind of hoping not to have a fill until after I get back. I'd hate to be in Aruba and not be able to have access to medical care should something go wrong and not be able to enjoy some food while I'm there. Thanks for reading this far. I know I've babbled, but I feel like I'm at an initial consult for a new psychologist and trying to just catch you up to where I am today! I'm also still trying to figure out what the numbers mean at the end of your posts. I realize they're weights, but other than the first and last, I'm lost... Thanks for any support, answers, and help you can provide. :thumbs_up:

As a former college athlete who works out nearly 6 times a week now, I have to fight the urge to give it up every day. I don't enjoy it for a variety of reasons. First, I weighed over 300 pounds at my highest. Even at 5'10" and muscular, that's a lot to carry. I just wasn't ever comfortable working out at that weight. Secondly, and probably more importantly for me, I'm embarassed to workout in public. As someone who was once in far better shape and well known in my community, I would hate to run into people while working out at a gym. I bought myself a treadmill and I now workout in my basement--no excuses. I love being able to wear whatever and even jog without worrying about what I look like. I've been good about working out off and on throughout my life, but staying with it long term hasn't been my strong suit. I intend to make it more of a part of my daily routine now that I've had surgery because I worry about sagging skin. I don't want to go through painful plastic surgery to fix it, but I also want to avoid having anything hanging where it doesn't belong. I've made a commitment to myself with the surgery, and I'm not willing to give up on that.