Niecey

I just want to say I give all of you who haven't had fills yet and are starving, a lot of credit for doing so well. I have had a fill and I still get hungry and when I'm hungry I cheat. :thumbup: Way to go for all of you who are sticking to it!!! :rolleyes2::thumbup::thumbdown: Nayray - hope everything went well for your surgery. Denise

Hi, I got 4ccs. Yes there is the heavy feeling but also with that you start to salivate like thick mucus, sorry to be gross but thats what it is and the heavy feeling starts to like a brick in your chest. I have felt this twice. The first time freaked me out. The next time I think it was just too early in the morning and I was too tight or I didn't chew the food up enough. What type of stuff food are you eating? Is everyone eating normal foods? I have found I cannot eat bread, which is great because that's all carbs anyway. One of my girls this morning had pancakes and had one left. I popped a piece in my mouth without thinking. Yeah no pancakes for me. It didn't get stuck but I could definitely tell it would if I ate them. d

Thanx Janine. That's what I need to do is just have a protein shake in the morning. Yesterday I had some oatmeal which was no problem but no protein. Then I tried to have ham and cheese rolled up in lettuce. After 2 bites I had to PB that up. I hate that. I had egg salad which was fine. For dinner I was finally able to eat some meat for protein. I just need to except the fact that I cannot eat in the early part of the day and see how that works. denise

Well no wonder why you don't have your head and heart in it...you've been pulled emotionally so many different ways, who wouldn't? I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I know where you've been. I lost our first one, about 14 years ago, and I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant. Just forget about not doing so well and start over. It'll be time before you know it. Debbie - you mean you LIED to the doctor.....:crying::eek: Denise

Ruby, Is this the website Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City ? My doc, Dr. Morton out of Nashville, actually had a little class with me and 2 other people going in for surgery. It was great because he explained in detail what he was doing and he had a little model of the stomach with a band around it. He showed us what happens with the fills and how the band works. I have to say I don't know what type of band I have but I know what it looks like. I have tried to google bands to see if I could find it but no luck and I forget to ask the doc. It's funny you mention forgetting the questions because my doc asked us if we had any questions and some people had a lot but he said keep a little notebook and if you think of any questions jot them down so you don't forget. The next time I saw him I had all my questions right here. I think that is the same book my doc is selling in his office. I need to get one next time I go there. What are your dinners? When I was on the pre-op all I could have was a lean cuisine meal or healthy choice. I lost about 15 pounds before surgery which I was surprised since I hadn't lost any weight in a year before that. You will do good. You have a week to go. Write down your questions because asking on your surgery date is not too late to ask. And just be very strict this last week. I had 2 Protein shakes, 1 for Breakfast, 1 for lunch and a frozen meal. Denise

Hi everyone, I finally caught up on everyone's story. I didn't realize this thread was going. I went for my first fill this past Tuesday. Thank goodness because I hadn't lost weight in the past week because I was able to eat. So the doc numbed me at my port area. Then he put a syringe in the port put some Fluid in and had me sit up. He told me to take 2 good size gulps of Water. After the first one I felt the rock feeling in my chest. Then he slowly pulled fluid out and said to tell him when the feeling went away. After that I took a few small sips and I could feel it slowly go down and that was it. I was on clear fluids for 48 hours and now I am slowly starting to eat again. I have to tell you about lunch at work today. I had a meeting that ran late and so everyone decided to go to lunch. I was so scared because what if something got stuck. I wasn't used to eating yet but at the same time didn't want anyone at the meeting knowing I had a lap band. So luckily I got some chili (no Soup on the menu) and just ate it very slowly with small bites. I talked a lot too so no one noticed how little I ate. I was glad when it was over but it went fine. One thing I've noticed though, I definitely eat a LOT less like 1/2 cup of food, and I'm not hungry when I'm done but my brain says you should still be hungry because you haven't ate anything. I guess it's all a learning process and you have to get used to your new way of eating. But it's working because I am back to losing weight. D

My sister-in-law had her surgery done by Dr. Ponce and she was very happy with him. My mother-in-law will be going to him soon too. Niecey

Teri - I hope you feel better. Good luck with the surgeries. I'm still feeling a little hungry so I hope tomorrow when I can eat it feels better. And my stomach feels so bloated with gas. I don't understand that, because I haven't eaten anything. I hope it goes away soon. Denise

I had my first fill today and I'm on liquids for 48 hours. First I got a shot at the port area to numb my skin, that burned. Then the doc put the syringe in my port and put some saline in. I sat up and he had me take 2 good size gulps of water. It felt like a rock in my chest. He starting taking fluid out and I told him when the feeling went away. Then I took a few more slow sips and could feel the lump but each time a sec later it went down. When I got to that point he took the needle out and that was it. He put in 4 CCs. I go back in 3 weeks. He said before I came in in 3 weeks I was to fill 1 cup of solids foods and measure how much I can eat out of the cup. That is to determine the next fill and what is needed. I'm so happy to have restriction again and lose some weight. I've had a protein shake this evening and I'm good. Denise

I might have to get that gazalle. I've been trying to get a Wii Fit but I hear after a while it's not that great. We actually have a treadmill which I do everyday and a bowflex which I never do because it is a pain to be always changing the weights and cords everytime you do a new exercise. We also have dance dance revolution and that is a lot of fun to do with the kids and you definitely break a sweat. I go to the doc this Tuesday, I pray he gives me a little fill. I can pretty much eat a normal meal which is probably why I haven't really lost much weight in the past week. Niecey

Ruby, Congratulations! I'm happy to hear you were approved. Oct 20th will be here in no time. Are you ready? Denise

Yes Teri you definitely need to check especially since you were having fevers last week. I get my first fill next Tuesday, or at least I hope that is what he's doing. I haven't seen him since the surgery. I gained a pound this morning, GREAT! Maybe I'm going to get my period. I didn't think I was eating enough to gain weight. I check my weight everyday. It's just habit. Maybe I'll go to every other day. CHA CHA lucky you not feeling so hungry. I had that stuck feeling just that one time, scared the you-know-what out of me. Well off to work. Everyone have a great day. Denise

So does anyone have no problem at all with foods? I can eat everything as long as I take small bites and chew really well. I haven't lost weight in 3 days because I have been eating more. I should probably go back to the pre-op diet so I can start losing weight again but I'm hungry. I don't go to the doctor until a week from today. I'm really looking forward to some restriction. I can't eat as much as I used to but I can definitely eat more since this last weekend. Denise

K-Indy - I'm glad everything went good at the doc today. I went back to work today. I have a desk job. It was so sweet the people I work with got me a card and a gift card to Fashion Bug because they said they knew I would need some new "threads" soon. The card said: "A change like this takes such courage. We are proud of you, proud to know you and proud to help you in any way we can." Wasn't that sweet? d

Well I had my first PB experience. That was awful and scary. I felt like I was having a heart attack or like a brick was in my chest. I had a 1/2 c of oatmeal for breakfast and it was ok but I think it was too thick. So for lunch I was going to have a piece of fish. I don't know if I didn't chew enough or what the problem was but I took my 2nd bite and my chest got so tight. I had to go to the bathroom and I was afraid to throw up so I gagged a little and got the "slime" and then that must have moved stuff enough that I burped and the feeling went away. Oh I don't want to feel that again. I was asking myself "what the hell have I gotten myself into?" I had a protein shake tonight because I'm too afraid to have anything else. I know it's probably a learning process. Becareful and take your time guys. Denise

Congrats Ruby124, I am happy for you. After all that and getting approved you can finally concentrate on you and the steps you will take to become a healthier YOU. I had to go on a 2 week pre-op diet. While I thought I would never make it, I did and it mentally prepared me. After the surgery, the "not being able to eat", comes naturally. I am 5 days after surgery and I am starting to feel a little hunger. But I know I made it on the preop so if I get too hungry before my doc visit in 2 weeks for an adjustment I know I made it on that. Everyone is different. Just go day by day and it is a good thing. Good luck and let me know how it goes. niecey

I thought I had gotten rid of most of the gas. Wrong!!! I went out tonight for about an hour and put on a pair of jeans, not tight but held me in. By the time I got home the bottom half of my stomach felt like a brick. That was painful. I'll be keeping the sweats on for a few more days. d

Yeah I'm surprised too by how different the diets are. I actually got a booklet spelling out what was allowed. Days 4-7 Soft foods 1/2 c meals: Low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, oatmeal, sf pudding, soups, soft scrambled or boiled eggs, beans, chicken salad, tuna salad, pimento cheese, cooked veggies, low fat casseroles, grd meats w/ gravy or broth and flaky fish. Then it says: a soft food is any food that can easily be mashed with a fork. Small bites, chew 27 times and stop eating when you feel full. Fill with healthy, nutritious, high protein foods. I was down to 249 on my home scale before the surgery. I got back down to that today. I have had the opposite problem with BMs. Maybe it's the antibiotic (Cipro) that is causing that, liquid form is nasty. It almost tastes like cake batter but then the after taste...not so much. Denise

Janine - I am glad your rebanding went well. Terri - I have to tell my PCP I decided to stop taking my Metformin (diabetes) and I haven't yet. When I started the preop I was feeling shakey and sweaty. After I stopped taking my meds I was fine. Hopefully he doesn't yell at me. Brenna's Mama - day 1-3 I was on clear liquids; starting today, day 4-7 I will be on soft solids (1/4-1/2 c portions); day 7-14 just introducing more Proteins. My doc says the goal is to eat proteins first and eat at least 60 g per day. No drinking 20 min before meal and 1 hr after. Also Protein keeps your hair from falling out. Ok so this morning I make myself a scrambled egg with a little cheese in it. lunch I just finished 1/2c chicken salad. I don't feel like I'm starving but I don't feel any restriction either. There probably would be if I pushed it I guess but tell me what it feels like because maybe I am feeling it but just don't know it. Denise

I personally would not tell them. You need support right now not someone telling you things that make you doubt yourself and your decision. Tell them later on if you want but not now. You do not need to be stressed out about that. You have enough fears and doubts on your own. Niecey

My gas is moving too and I feel much better today than yesterday. I finally had a BM too, I know, TMI, but that means my body is getting back to normal. Can anyone feel their port? It feels like it's protruding a little. My DH just thinks it's that way since everything inside is swollen. We'll see. Teri - I had a little panic moment on the way to surgery. But looked at my life right now and I'm not happy with myself and how I look or feel so this is a good thing. Plus both of my sister-in-laws have had this done and they can eat the same things I eat but they just stop much sooner so it is not like I will miss out on all the flavors I used to love. My band will just make me more conscious of the food choices I make. I hope that helps. Denise

Being over 40 BMI and having other problems like high blood pressure help. I finally got approved when I was put on the diabetes meds. I takes persistence but I got banded yesterday so it was worth the long wait. Denise

Bless your heart debbieperez55. I would be so frustrated too. Don't worry it WILL happen!! I'll be thinking of you. Niecey

Surgery went well. I got there at 0630, surgery started about 0915. I stayed in recovery a little longer than usual because my heart rate keeping falling in the 30s or 40s. After it stabilized I went to xray so they could watch me drink some of that chaulky stuff. The biggest pain was I had to pee before they released me and I couldn't. It took 3 hours and lots of fluids. So of course once I did, I was going all night long. They gave me a breathing appartus and stockings to wear for a few days for blood clots. Dr. Morton in Nashville was my doc. He really stressed that the Lap Band really works best on solid food. He says have at least 60 grams of Protein per day. And when eating, eat protein (meat) first then veggies and then fruit. The thought is to get full on the protein first. All things that melt in your mouth (chips, Cookies, ice cream) will only slow the weight loss down because they will slip right through the band like a liquid. I have a little soreness. I still have pain in my shoulders and neck from the gas but I have my gasx strips. It wasn't as bad as the 2 C-sections I've had. I have today and tomorrow on Clear liquids and then soft food starts for a week and then solids. I don't feel hungry yet. So how did everyone else do? I lost 17 pounds on the pre-op diet too. Denise

Good luck to everyone!!! I thought I would never make it through the pre-op diet. I actually surprised myself on how I managed and I didn't even starve to death . I'm so glad I made it because it will help me after surgery doing the clear liquid thing. I have to be there at 0630 so I have someone picking the kids up and taking them to school. I don't want to worry about whether or not they made the bus. I need to get my prescriptions filled, I forgot about that. I better get my act together ITs TIME!!! Niecey