katie78

Hey I'm up for it! And I"m right in Lindenhurst Sarah, you are in Grayslake? We should meet up, do you have kiddos?

I too was banded 4-23, and just had 2cc's put in my band last week. I feel more restriction a week later, weird huh? But I guess we are all at about the same weight loss so far, 20lbs. for me, I thought I was lagging behind but it seems I'm doing ok after reading your posts. It's frustrating I know! I'm like OK, when is this going to happen???? I think people at work look at me like, "why isn't she losing more?" And i have to keep reminding myself that this is diff. than bypass and it's not going to fall off. Hang in there, we can do this!

Sometimes I can eat a lot other times I cannot. Just had my 1st fill last thursday, so it s almost been a week. And After a few bites of something, I'm done, I feel satified. But throughout the whole day, a few bites doesn't keep my calories up, it's like nothing. So I feel like sometimes I'm keeping by body in starvation mode, what can I do? I mean COOL, I can only eat a few bites, but sometimes I want more and I can't, OR I"m really paying attention and feelinglike I'm done, HOWEVER, I am a bit hungry a few hours later and this is where I'm confused on how this is supposed to work. Any help?

That is my ONE regret of the surgery, telling people! There are some heavier girls at work that were looking into it too b/c I was, and we were all going to do it together. Well, I'm the only one who went through with it, the other two chickened out. So it got around, and man oh man do i regret how it went down. Oh well, cat's out of the bag now, now it's just time to set everyone straight, b/c they are really dumb and insensitive !

OK What would you do. SO we are out for my bday last week and we are at a local bar with some friends from work, my brother, hubby and brothers GF. Had a cocktail, getting hungry and ask if anyone wants to split something. So Nikki and I order these killer french fries, which I knew I would only have a few but that was cool with me, it was my bday right? Well, this girl we all work with knows how much i love these fries, and everytime I went for a bite, she's yelling across the bar, "Stop don't do it! It's b/c i love you!" HA HA HA! Mind you we all were drinking and you know how that can get, but seriosly I wanted to slap the shit out of her! What would you all have done? There's alcohol involved, I work closley with her and I was just in shock! I kinda laughed it off, and was like stop it, stop it...... How embarrassing! I wanted to die! How would she like it if everytime she lit up a cigarette I ripped it from her mouth and said, "It's cuz I love you!" I swear if this shit happens again, don't know what I'll do! How can I handle this stupidity??????:confused_smile: It would be different if I didn't work with her, but I don't want things to be weird, KWIM?

OK I was so nervous! i didn't know what to expect, so of course I'm sweating as i start to lay down, I can't see the needle probably better that way! I asked her if they numb the area and she said no, we usually dont have a problem. I"m thinking WTF? Now I'm really freakin! Anyway, needle goes in no problem, just a pin prick. BUt then the feeling around and pushing, ouch! Finally got it, felt a POP, and thats what she wanted. So I got 2cc's but in my band, and I'm doing liquids for two days and then adding soft back in slowly, no problems though so far, it was the anticipation that killed me the most, now I know what to expect it wont be so bad next time! I only lost about 4lbs. since May 8th, they said yep thats good, it's down and not up and thats what we care about! SO I have to look at that as a positive!

So most people in my fam. are fine, but I NEVER should have told people at work. I work at a sslon, and so I work with some younger very fasionable women, it actually keeps me feeling good and wanting to eat right around them.....but if one more skinny little b**** asks me, "SO, how much have you lost this week? You look great!" OK Yea, thats nice, but who asks that?!!!!!!!!!!!! AND one girls came in at the end of me eating a subway turkey sand. and didn't see that 3/4 of the bread I had just rooled up to throw away, asks me, "did you just eat all that????? UH...........no, jesus christ I was so peeved! I never should have told anyone there, they all watch me in the breakroom, and if there are treats, which normally there are, b/c it's always someones bday, I walk in and some will say, oh katie the cake was terrible and they'll move it away from where I'm sitting! I just now hate that they know! How can I fix this???

I'm 6 weeks post op, and not due for my fill until the 19th, I was chewing REALLY well in the weeks post op, but as things got looser and food went down fine, I know I don't chew as much as I should and my bites are big....is the chewing for when you have a fill and so things don't get stuck?

Thanks guys, I feel a bit better, I feel like I'm just eating a lot more than i did two weeks ago, hopefully my fill will help, and i'm going to get in that protein! I just don't wanna fall back into old habits KWIM? You all are the best thanks!

I have yet to have my 1st fill, not until June 19, and can pretty much eat anything, and I feel like I'm getting lazy with my chewing, is this bad? I kow I should be in the habit now, b/c once a fill happens, I know I'll need to be chewing better and more. But I also feel like I'm eating too much, I"m still dropping weight slowly, but I know I'm eating too fast and then I get that OH CRAP! I'm too full, and wondered if it's bad b/c my pouch could stretch??? I don't wanna do any damage this early in the game, banded almost 5 weeks. I feel like a failure b/c I was doing so well, and my portions feel like they are out of control, but it's good food, not bad or fried. Is this just the bandster hell before my fill? I just don't wanna stretch my pouch.....is it over time, or overeating a few times can it stretch?

OK I"m freaking out that my band has slipped. I don't even know if it's possible to have a slip this early and w/out a fill. Everything has been FINE up til now. Since yesterday, I feel very AWARE of my stomach. It came on all of a sudden. I'm getting full really quickly, feel very bloated after I eat, almost painful bloating. I know I'm not eating too much, and if I was eating too fast, I would think I might be in some discomfort but it wouldn't last this long????? And I feel like something is squeezing down on my stomach and it's creating a lump in my throat, I can drink water and liquids fine, but as it goes down, it makes me really bloated after only a few sips. I can't tell if this is like indigestion, or reflux, my reflux feels like a heart attack. I don't know whether or not to call, I don't feel like it's an emergency, just really feels weird and kinda uncomfortable. I didn't have anything yesterday that would warrant a slip, the only thing I can think of is that I haven't been chewing as weel as I know I should be. But I don't have a fill, and have become a little lazy, can anyone please help?? Just freaking out here a bit....

So everything is looking good he said, started me on mushie food, basically anything I can puree in my mouth is OK, Just nothing raw yet. Here's some things he said that I'm confused about, I also had my 10mo. old with me, so I felt preoccupied.... 1. He said he wanted me to wean out the Protein drink the next couple of weeks???? Is it b/c extra calories? With a cup of milk, it's only 200cal. OR I know the band isn't designed to constantly have liquids, and he wants me to start getting my protein from solid food? 2. I told him that i get pretty full fast, about 3/4c. But I get hungry after about 2-3hrs. He said i need to eat more protein in my meals. So I asked him, will I get my fill next time? He just said if you need it we'll give you some, if not, we won't. HELLO? I need to feel full longer!!! So I think I'll request a fill next time. 3. He said to add unflavored Protein powder to my food, is that different than drinking a Protein shake? It'll still fill me up more? 4. I feel so lost, I didn't get 270lbs. by eating small portions and healthy food. Right now, I feel like crying b/c I don't know how to eat healthy! I mean I feel like I look in my cabinets and know what I would fix preband, but now, I feel stuck. I know there's more healthy foods out there and recipes, but where do I start? I feel so overwhelmed...

Thats two weeks, did you mean the 17th? I think I can do either, I seriously need some support and help with my eating, i feel lost....

Hey Flower! YES! Dr. Denhan is the best, just had my two week post op today, went well. I have Tricare Standard, hubby is military. Where do you live? A couple of bandsters who live locally get together often, Round Lake Lake Villa area. We'd love to have you join us! We all met at a monthly LapBand support group meeting at Vista Health Center In Lindenhurst. If you are interested, I can give you the info....do you have a surgery date yet?

LOL, seven days post op I went back to work in the public, and MAN I was a gassing mess! But it's GOOD! Better out than in! It's totally normal, just have to let it run it's course!

Pearly~ We were banded the same day and I totally agree! A smashed to all hell boiled egg with a tad of light mayo and salt and pepper was the best thing I ever had. I feel almost 100% except for port pain. I feel for these new guys b/c I was right there a week or so ago, I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, and thought oh shit what did I just do????

I'm new to banding and just started mushies. I am really watching portion size, but for those of you that KNOW how much you are taking in a day, do you really have to take the time to read everything, count the calories to make sure you are within range? I'm sure stuff you eat over and over you would know, but I'm talking about eating out...etc. OR do you just eat pretty much whatever and cut the portion size way down? If this is what I have to do, whats the best way to count the calories, should I get a scale too? Obviously I NEVER did any of this or else I wouldn't be in this fat boat, so honestly I have no idea what I'm doing....can anyone help?

I've seen post like this before , I wish i remembered this answer. I had lost almost 20lbs. since surgery, 4-23, and now in the last few days, after adding in cottage cheese, refried beans, lasagna w/out pasta, I've gained about 2 lbs. I know that weightloss between now and 1st fill is a bonus, but what gives??? I know there was an explanation to this b/c I've heard a couple other bandsters have the same problem. PLUS, I get full really fast, and am also scared to eat too much, so i know my portion size is small, but maybe too small? Maybe my body is still in starvation mode? What do you think?

I had no feeling to drink coffee untial about a week post op, my doc said go for it, but it really should be decaf, b/c caffeine dehydrates you, and we all know how hard it is to get in that 64oz, without somethiing else draining it. I'm only a ccup a day drinker, so it really hasn't been much of an adjustment. I just like the taste in the AM.

It's prob. the gas, like a feeling of a big belch that feels like it's making it's way up, and then won't come out? I was banded 4-23, and JUST now have begun to burp like a truck driver, and I LOVE IT! It feels so much better! The gas below the band just can't get past the swollen stoma, but within a few days, the swelling goes down, and you will begin to burp, and PRAISE THE LORD! This was the most painful part for me, I was like OH S*** what did I just do to myself, panicking this would not go away, but it did, I'm just super impatient! Gas-X chewables worked ok, but like they say getting up and moving is the best part! Good luck!

I'm newly banded, and have yet to be filled. (I'm guessing this understanding comes with time) What i don't understand is once at good restriction, how do you get in all your calories, in 3 meals? And sometimes, if you are well restricted, maybe you couldn't eat a cup? Sometimes that could be too much? Didn't most of you that lose/lost well, eat about 1,200 calories a day? How do you get that all in just 3 meals? Also, how long after you eat can you drink? Is it 30min. or 1hour?

dear Dad~ YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I'm day 5 post op, and just now has that feeling started to subside a little. Does it feel like a burp building, and you can feel it trying to squeeze out, and the pressure builds and then nothing HAPPENS????????????? OMG! It is painful, i can feel my heartbeating with it the whole time, and it takes my breath away. Another bandster said that if air it trapped below the band, and our tummys are swollen right now, it's hard for the air to push past the swollen. I have just today started to burp a bit today, but it has still happened. It mostly happens when I'm laying down and go to sit up, it ALWAYS happens right now, just like a burp would do if you were laying down and got up. I'm pretty sure this is what I have, I'm thinking it's what you might be experiencing too. Time, time and time my friend, and lots of getting up. I did try the chewable gas-X tabs and they seemed to help a bit. Hope this helps you, I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!! It will (hopefully) get better!:biggrin:

I've just been banded so I have no idea, but does it hurt? Will it come up right away? I thought I"ve read that someone said it took like two hours of feeling like crap for it to pass or come up? What if this happens at work or something? Can some of you give me your experiences?

5 days post op here, and i can relate. it's like my rib cage got smaller. I was kinda of protecting my breathing b/c it hurt so bad to take in a nice cleansing breath, but yesterday i started to force myself to do so all day, and by the end of the day it seemed to loosen up a bit, I'm still having an issue with gas though, i want that out NOW! Good luck 2 you!

I might be calling the doctor later if things don't improve. I KNOW I"m not gettiing in the recomm. amount of fluids or protein, I'm lucky to get in 2 bottles of water, and maybe 20g of protein. It's not like I know i shouldn't, I CAN"T. I get too full, and it still feels like theres an air pocket in my stomach, so it's like trying to eat a meal, when you feel like the biggest belch needs to come up and won't. Last night I felt feverish and my temp in my ear was 100.1? Now no fever, my incisions have started to bleed a little yesterday under the sterie strips, i might have done too much? I don't feel like the docs office is that concerned with aftercare, and i feel like I'll just be bothering them once again. I feel so weak today, it's har to take in a deep breath, it hurts in my whole back so bad, I can't stop crying b/c I just wanna feel normal and I'm so weak and tired, I don't know how to get the calories/protein I need. WHat do i do? I called the dietician once already and she was so not helpful it wasn't even funny, so she's no help...someone please help me...