gdf18

Hi Everyone, Went for first fill today. Down 32.5 and the doctor was thrilled. Fill was done at the hospital imaging center so first thing I got to see my band and tube and port- all well, which ended my concerns with the little aches and pulling I feel sometimes. He works with the fluroscope and barium system. No pain at all with the filling. However, when he put in 4ccs (his usual) nothing moved and boy, was that an immediate pain and burning sensation! Reflux at it's worst. He drew it out instantly and instant relief. I think I was more surprised than anything. He told me everyone is different and he cannot tell how tight someone is naturally until he puts in some saline. 3cc caused no real discomfort, but it was still almost no movement, so we went to 2cc and that seemed slow but okay. So, I have 2cc's. He wants to see me in 4 weeks but no fill appointment- he doens't think I'll need another fill than and possibly for a long time. Interesting. He also fixed that incision I keep complaining about on the boards so that's good too. LOVE MY SURGEON. He was "with me" every moment today and stayed to chat with me about life in general for a few minutes at the end. Good guy. Dr. Khalili at Cedars Sinai in LA. Really recommend him highly. So, now I can just get down a little Fluid in small sips. Can't imaging eating again, but I think I felt that way a couple of days after surgery as well. I've heard that the band relaxes in the first few days after a fill and that's why it's liquid for 2 days then mushies for two days. OY VEY, how do you get down 6-8 cups a Water a day like this?????? LOL.

I went for my first fill today and I told the doctor that I wasn't eating very much at all. But when he looked on the floroscope, I was completely open. So, he started off with 4 ccs (his usual first fill) but when I drank the barium nothing went through and boy did my chest hurt from the reflux. So, he first took our 1cc, then another. So, I got 2 total. And boy, do I feel the restriction. I can barely get down my Protein drink. Supposedly, it will loosen just a bit in a couple of days......that's why liquids for 2 days and then mushies for two days after the fill. He told me to make an appointment to see him in 4 weeks, but no fill appointment as he thinks I may not need another at this point. He was thrilled with my weight loss, and I have to fix my siggy to show another lost pound +.

4-6 he said. Frankly, I have felt very sore around the port so I haven't been "in the mood", but I'm getting there. The glue tag feels like a hard cuticle when you accidentally hit it so it pulls the wrong way. I have a small bandaid on it but it need to be cut or something. I had hoped it would dry and drop off, but not my luck. I just don't want to touch it myself. I'm sure it's simple enough for the surgeon to just clip it and then I'm sure the rest will grow into the scar.

Banded 4/30 so I'm getting my first fill tomorrow. A little scary but I'll be fine. I'm also coming to the appointment with a list of questions and issues. One of my incisions has that hard bit of glue at the end, and it catches on everything and it's gonna pull and bleed. I want that fixed. And I want to know when I can have good old-fashioned sex again. I was originally told 6-8 weeks. I stil feel sore around the port so I'm nervous they'll say another few weeks. Give a girl a break!!! I told the Dr's office that I'm not leaving until I get all my questions answered. WISH ME LUCK!

globally.....what do you mean by sugar free syrup? Do you mean flavorings like DeVinci or Torani flavors?

Now I'm going to make you laugh. You've GOT to go over to the funniest thread Under the Main Lap Band Forum to to "General Lap Band Surgery Discussion". The thread is called "You know you're a bandster when" and there's hilarious answers. I made some up! It will make you smile. Tomorrow is my first fill! Looking forward to asking a bunch of questions including.....when I can I have sex again?

when there's new meaning for the old phrase (from everyone's mother) "Don't eat that now...it will spoil your appetite for dinner"

when you sit at home with your guest not eating, because tasting to see how you're cooking was doing filled you completely.

<P>I'm afriaid to ask but</P> <P> </P> <P>What the heck are toilet tongs?</P> <P> </P> <P>I'm cringing but I have to know!</P> <P> </P> <P> </P>

Hey look, if this old broad over here (I'm 56) can go through this, you're a shoo-in for success! I'm so excited for you. You're going to be so happy. Listen I am not fully back to myself but that's age and the fact that I have a dicey stomach at best. But I wouldn't change it for the world. This board has been the best - I come here with every ache, pain and burp and someone answers and I find out others have the same. It's great. I'm down 31.5 today! Now I'm afraid they won't give me the first fill because I still can't eat alot at a time. I'll know when I go tomorrow. I have a list of questions and issues I'm taking along and I warned the office that I'm not leaving until all my issues are resolved. They laughed. Just remember, every question you have and every feeling, needs to be addressed. This is your time, baby- take it to be good to yourself. Khalili is the best- so use that. I'm sooooooo excited for you. And my offer still holds. If you need the support, let me know. Gwenn

But seriously, isn't it when you start noticing that the people around you all eat to fast and take too much on their fork at a time!

ROFLMAO- or 750 (BMW) or 450SL

Unfortunately....when you have mulitple PBs rather than mulitple orgasms.

when your spouse loses weight because it's easier to take your 3 oz of food off his portion rather than cook another piece.

when you start taping American Idol so that you can be on the boards.

when you own several blenders and food processors so you don't have to wash them all day long.

When PB no longer means Peanut Butter

Good On You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great News About The 6 Pounds!

WOW- that's a quick first fill. Where were you banded. Usually it's about 6 weeks. I'm not filled yet. I go this week. I find that with what I've invested in the emotionally and phyically, I learning to leave food on the plate. That's all you need to do right now. Once you get another fill or so, you simply will have to eat less. Good choices? Just keep moving on past the things that hurt the band like high calorie liquids. Hungry late at night. Buy some 25 diet hot chocolate. It satifies the sweet tooth and the hot liquid is filling. Good luck!

You always have good suggestions....that's why I ask you questions. The gas is high up.....you know, the stabbing under the breastbone kind. Takes a long time to make it's way down and out. I keep thinking something is wrong but but it's gas pain for the very most part. I am lactose intolerant, but use organic lactaid milk and even take a lactaid tablet before eating yogurt. Cottage cheese isn't a problem. I just don't know what I can do to stop it and when is it gonna stop????? It's on my list for the doctor on Wed. My bad knee started to hurt so I'm not exercising for a few days- maybe that's the reason for the gas build-up.....what do you think? What I am happy about is going out for dinner as I did tonight. I ordered Orange Roughy with mashed potatoes and spinach. The spinach was too bitter, but I ate 1/2 the fish (small piece overall) and about 1/2 the mashed pot. I was SOOOOOOOO full. I left 1/2 the pot on the plate. And this is the real comfort food I loved. I don't push to finish. I remind myself hat it's a potato, and I can make another potato tomorrow if I wish. I don't have to finish that one. And all this without having had a fill yet! Just knowing others feel their ports after months and have gas later, helps me push the potatoes away. Some people seem to sail through with no issues, and then there are the rest of us, who feel this and have that, but we make it through all the same. Thanks for listening.

where do you get sugar free sno cones?

Hi Salsa etal, I'm glad someone brought this up because I've been fine regarding pain and suddenly at almost 6 weeks, I'm having some discomfort, not pain, around the port area. I thought I twisted wrong when I went to pick up the laundry basket (and it could also be gas pain because I'm having plenty of gas as well). I was nervous all day that I "broke" something. Port, tub, band. I guess everyone thinks this the first few times it is suddenly uncomfortable. Today, I started to slowly use my recumbent bike again. The nurse didn't want me to use it after the surgery so I walked, but I walked too hard too long and now my knee hurts so I need the bike. I guess at 6 weeks it should be okay. So, this is all normal, eh?

I'm with everyone else. The emphasis for the first couple of months is healing. So, if you walk on the treadmill, go slow. I know it's sometimes different for men, but for me, I am on for a 1/2 hour at 1.5 mph. You think you're not doing anything, but you are. The walking at the beginning is to help circulation, to help healing, and to remove gas. I have a recumbent bike was not allowed to use it at first- I guess it's too much stomach involvement or something. Today was first time and I felt it. I could have gone on and on but I stopped after 12 minutes. There's no need to push. Still used up 91 calories, and since I'm eating 800 -900, that's fine. Be careful!

I never even looked here! HAH. I'm going to take a look, but so far, I really like the site I found. If they're similar enough though......................

Wow, I hit on a website today that I have joined and I'm passing it on. myfooddiary.com I'm not good at writing it all down so I was just looking for a way to report in. This site requires some attention and work up front (I've been playing with it all day) but what you get is exactly how much Protein, calories and everything else including Water in a daily report. They give you the number of calories to maintain and to lose what you wish to lose each week. It's the best one I've seen. The rub is that it's not free. It's $9 per week, but you have 5 days to withdraw and then it's weekly.....not a long-term committment. If you put everything in, you'll get a true snapshot. It has over 50,00 food items in the database or you add your own. So I could look up the brand of crackers I'm allowed (Ah-Mak) and all I do is click it and it automatically puts in the nutritional data for me. You don't need the protein counter or anything. When I go back to work, I'll either do it at the office, or send myself an email with what I've eaten. Also adds in exercise into the mix. Even housework. This is also good for the dietician to see how much protein, carbs, calories in an acurate format. Anyway, I'm enjoying it - didn't know if people knew about it. Gwenn