Apples2

Just had my first fill yesterday. No instructions from doc. He has me eating solids b/4 and after fill. I can tell I had the fill and I am thrilled. Hoping this does it for me for awhile.

I usually don't look forward to surgery but this time I am anxious for it. My doc did not want to put the band in when he opened me up and saw my mega hernia. But, he knew how hard I had worked b/4 surgery to get weight off and decided to do it. I have a great chance of slippage because of where the band sits so close to the repaired hernia. Anyway, he can go in and look to see how the band has situated itself and how the repaired hernia looks. I am anxious to know. I have had no troubles and would like to keep it that way. Yep, going to Florida. Not our favorite state but our son lives down there. Heading to Destin, FL. On the beach. By then I should be in a bathing suit. Our son lives a ways away from there but he is a commercial pilot and can fly to see us whenever. Our first winter down south. I am 52 and husband is 54. We farm and have a business one the side. I do the books and keep the jobs organized. Winters in MN are LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG and BOOOOOOOOOOORING. We want out of here for a few months. Was in FL a couple of weeks ago and really wasn't any different than out MN summers. It was about 90 and humid. That's about what we have. Try to relax and not think about your surgery. (Easier said than done). It will be good to get it behind you. Take care and good luck:thumbup:

I was on solids a week after surgery. My dr. has patients eat solids also the day of fills. No change in diet. I wish I knew how much he filled at the time of surgery. I just forgot to ask him today so I really don't know what I have at this time in my band.

Not sure how much doc put in during surgery but know he did do some.

I know every dr. is different and fills vary in how many cc's the doc puts in. I had my first fill today. I have a large band (10cc) and my dr. put in a 5cc fill. I am not sure if I feel restriction yet or not. When I ate dinner a couple of hours after my fill, I did feel like I could once again tell when it was my last bite. I was really surprised by the amount of the fill. Thought for sure he would try about 2cc's to begin with. Anyone else have that amount with the first fill?

Hey Cathy...sorry to hear of your troubles. I have been passing kidney stones since 1994. I get them on an average of every 2-3 months. They are Calcium based. I just tough it out at home while they are passing. The only time I need to go in is when they won't pass. I have a double ureter on my right side and they have to up with the basket to get them. I hope you will not have trouble with them in the future...no fun! Had my first fill today. My doc put 5cc's in. He had put a couple cc's at the time of banding. It might all be in my head but I think the fill helped. Try to stay away from the scale for awhile. You WILL lose. The body is funny that way. I can go for two weeks without losing and all of a sudden I see that I've lost 4lbs or so. I can always tell when my clothes start fitting looser. It's frustrating but just try to be patient. Yep, been spending six days of the week at the lake. I work out of the home (if you can call it work) and am so lucky to shift things around so I can be up there. Take care and good luck with your tests. Long- I know you are probably frustrated with the fact that you need to have surgery again. Will be good to just put it behind you..you will feel so much better. I, too, have to have surgery in another month. When the doc was in doing my band he found a number of hernias and a mess of adhesions. Going to get them repaired and on with things. Will mean I have to be careful not to lift for awhile but anxious to get it done and recovered b/4 we go south for the winter. Hang in there and good luck to you!

I am down 79lbs. I lost 50lbs on my six month pre-op. I am not losing a fast as I did when I first started this. This is to be expected and I stay away from the scale for two weeks at a time. I get my first fill this afternoon. I could care less if I eat in the morning but make myself eat. By afternoon I am hungry so know I should get a fill. I am not expecting the fill to do anything...don't want to be disappointed. My doc says that it can take up to three or four fills to do the job. Will just see how it goes. Looks like everyone is doing pretty good. It's a difficult road to take but well worth it. I feel so much better and don't mind fitting into jeans again.

Kizzie...I am sure you are so relieved that you did not have a slip or a second flip. Sending good vibes your way for quick healing. What you have been through is hopefully behind you and you can start living a "normal" band life. All the best to you!

I have been told to eat no more than 1/2 cup 3x daily. Protein first and veggies and fruit if I can fit it into tht 1/2 cup meal. No Snacks. I am six weeks out from surgery and the hunger hit last week. I get a fill next Tuesday. I am going to talk to my surgeon about the portion size. I am now not getting anywhere close to feeling satisfied at this point. I was for five weeks so this has been difficult the last week. I find that I eat too fast when I am hungry. I had asked the surgeon's nurse during my last visit if the portions get larger as we go along. Her answer was no. But, most of the people in my support group talk about their 1 cup servings per meal with not snacks. (They have the same surgeon as me). I actually have had a lot of energy and feel great. I often worry that my body will go into starvation mode at some point and my motabolism will be even more screwed up than it was b/4 I started this journey.

Don't give up. There has to be other options out there. As Mac said, find another surgeon who does not require weight loss prior to surgery. Give it another try!

There are people in life that are just plain asses. Good move on making your next appt. with your dr. that has consideration for his patients. Good luck with your recovery and hope you have an easy transition into life with the band.

I think you named it...it's all on how you are built. I have skinny legs and larger through my torso (built like an apple). I have noticed that I am only down 2 sizes on the top after losing the weight I have. But, on the bottom I am down at least 4 sizes. Try to be patient. When you reach goal, you will figure out what styles work best for you.

Congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding, Brandy. I love your idea of posting monthly photos to share with us. Keep up your good work and you will most likely have to take your dress in at the seams by the time of your wedding. Good luck with all of your plans and your future with your man!

Sounds like you have fit right into the band life, Brandy. Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have stayed away from any uncooked veggies just for that reason. We all make mistakes along the way. We find out what we can tolerate. I have had eaten most proteins except pork and steak. I am sure I will be paranoid for a bit when planning my meals. I am feeling much better in the last 2 hours. Think things have passed and my stomach does not hurt as much. I don't feel as if I have a lump stuck in my chest. Everything going good for you, Brandy?

Hi Brandy..I'm only home one day a week (this week 2) all summer so miss out on a lot of the conversation on here. Since this is my first sticking experience, I don't know what to think. Had a yogart at noon. It hurt to eat at first and just took it really slow. I feel hungry so think that everything has passes through. Were you really sore after getting stuck?

Previous response spells it out.:thumbup:

Hey LapBandFan...thanks for your response. I have been sooooooooooo careful since being banded to chew till almost a liquid. I was in a setting yesterday and was nervous while I was eating. I was sure I chewed well but must have not paid as much attention to my chewing as I usually do. Anyway, will baby my digestive system the next few days (or as long as it takes) to see what happens and what I can tolerate. I have my first fill next Tuesday and do not want to have to cancel it. Thanks for the advice.:thumbup:

I took off over 50lbs during my six month medically supervised diet. I started the middle of November. My BP was extremely high and knew that I did not want to wait for my band to get some of the weight off. I believe that sticking to this diet helped me in the long run with living with the band. My surgeon gave me rules for eating like a lap band person at the beginning of this process and I decided that if I were to be a success, it was best to start all on my own. As far as concerns go, I have really had none. My weight loss the seven months b/4 being banded was not extreme; just steady. I feel like a new woman with lots of energy and I am once again an active person. I can honestly say that the band is one of the best choices I have made in life. Good luck to you on your journey:thumbup:

Thanks for the quick response, Jack. I think that at this time I am just really irritated. The "stuck" feeling lasted about a couple of hours and then subsided. I could feel things trying to get through the stoma and that is what was most painful. I will take your advice and try a couple days of mushies. I don't think I will be eating deli meat any time soon. I feel fortunate that I have tolerated so many things. I'll just chalk this experience up to trial and error.

Was banded 6/17/08. Things have gone very well up until yesterday noon. I was nervous while eating some deli turkey and immediately knew I was going to have problems being stuck. Pretty sure that I chewed well but thinking that it's something I just do not tolerate. I am getting some Water down but nothing else. Just so I don't drive myself silly worrying that I did damage to my band, can someone just explain to me what it feels like to be stuck and how long b/4 this might pass? I appreciate it. (BTW, I already talked with my dr.'s office).

Cat is allowed in my diet so you should be OK. As far as the Wiskers goes; that is not allowed in MY diet so CALL YOUR DOC IMMEDIATELY but first, cough up that hair ball so you do not choke when you are calling your doc.:eek:

Just had to say congrats and good luck. Wish you all the best!!!!!!!!!:biggrin2:

After having my band just a short three weeks, I am already attached to it and would do whatever it took to keep it. I think I would check with my dr. to see if he could put in a new and revised band if I were you. Hope your revision journey is a short and painless one. Wishing you all the best.:tt1:

Thanks for sharing the story of your complication, Shortgal. I have been following Sades story and wish you both well. Sorry you have to go through another surgery but try to look at it positively. You will soon be on the road to having your band function as it should. I admire you for continue to lose and maintain during this time. Good luck to you and let us know how things go. God Bless