olgi330

Easter morning feast was the first day I felt only a little restriction, I ate mostly stuff that had gone into a food processor at one point and a nice smooth calorie laden dessert. Its been down hill since then. I can eat rice, cold cuts, burger patties, pork (the moist fatty cuts) and many other things even pizza! Within the span of 3-4 days I went from "not even hungry" to "Sure, I'll eat that horse, thank you". I will even drink to get more in without "damaging the band" as my stupid reasoning tells me. I've lost over 21 lbs since the Feb 28 surgery, the band must need the adjustment and in my defense, the after-band binges are smaller than my pre-band snacks so I know its at least an improvement :huh2: I get adjusted in 5 days. I need to get back on track. Too much was invested for me to screw this up.

I've been good w/the calorie intake...not good enough w/the Protein intake. I've been way under and I need to help the healing process & curb this voracios hunger that peeks its ugly head once in a while. What powders does anyone recommend and why? ...there are SOOOOO many in the market. I just dont want to buy this tub of protein and have it go to waste because it makes me gag....please help me w/some suggestions.

I've been good w/the calorie intake...not good enough w/the Protein intake. I've been way under and I need to help the healing process & curb this voracios hunger that peeks its ugly head once in a while. What powders does anyone recommend and why? ...there are SOOOOO many in the market. I just dont want to buy this tub of protein and have it go to waste because it makes me gag....please help me w/some suggestions.

thanks for the encouragement. I REALLY need it right now...

I spoke to a nurse who does her own fills & since I'm a nurse she suggested I do the same (she would walk me through the whole thing). As an Infusion Nurse I'm VERY comfortable with needles & ports. But its my body & especially for the first time...I'm going to a certified place to get the fill with the flouro. After that I'll see how I feel about it... I'm getting banded in two days in Mexico (Dr Rumbout), Self pay... which is why my fills are not going to be covered. Anybody here do their own fills?

I was felling ok until about a week ago when I went to a pulmonologist appt b/c of a cough I've had for 2 months. Part of the exam involved him pressing down on my belly (not near the port) to see if the cough was reflux-related, and it didn't hurt then, but the next day and even now 3 days later I get really stinging pain where the port is, like the stiches inside are burning. The pain is progressively less frequent and much less intense but I'm pissed off that it wasn't there b4 and I have to deal w/it now. I want to start to exercise since the weight loss is VERY slow and I'm alwys hungry, I even had a blue moment:sad: where I turned to a soft brownie w/fudge for comfort. At least that is my first bad slip up since I got banded. I'm still under 1000 calories daily. Its the protein minimun I cant seem to usually meet. Once the discomfort goes away I'll put in the exercise. I just dont want to hurt myself right now. I'm fine walking so I'll stick to that for now. At least my cough is cured... __________________

I was felling ok until about a week ago when I went to a pulmonologist appt b/c of a cough I've had for 2 months. Part of the exam involved him pressing down on my belly (not near the port) to see if the cough was reflux-related, and it didn't hurt then, but the next day and even now 3 days later I get really stinging pain where the port is, like the stiches inside are burning. The pain is progressively less frequent and much less intense but I'm pissed off that it wasn't there b4 and I have to deal w/it now. I want to start to exercise since the weight loss is VERY slow and I'm alwys hungry, I even had a blue moment:sad: where I turned to a soft brownie w/fudge for comfort. At least that is my first bad slip up since I got banded. I'm still under 1000 calories daily. Its the protein minimun I cant seem to usually meet. Once the discomfort goes away I'll put in the exercise. I just dont want to hurt myself right now. I'm fine walking so I'll stick to that for now.

Hello I was banded Feb 28th. I took motrin 400 mg today and that was it, I needed pain meds a 3-4 times a day until 2 days ago, now its once. Over the counter stuff, nothing too strong was all I needed. There was some shoulder pain that bothered me post-op 2-4 days from a nerve that extends from the stomach to the shoulder. Its called "reffered pain" because the pain hurts in a place where it does not originate. That pain wasn't too bad, easy to manage, I still went about walking and was fine sleeping. It went away as the stomach swelling healed. I drink just about anything that is not acidic, carbonated or caffeinated. Lots of Water, on a slow day I drink a liter, but I aim for a liter and a half. Usually in the form of Crystal light beverages. My surgeon gave us yogurt drinks the morning after our surgery and I drink those and low fat/low cal creamy Soups if I need something with a little more substance. Jello is often in my menu as well. And now that I'm back to work as of yesterday (the place where I commited a huge portion of my binge eating for many many years) I bring with me a slim fast optima shake. It keeps cravings/hunger at bay. All of the above have to be consumed slowly over time. My slimfast shake will sit next to me for 3o-40 minutes while I work and THAT is my meal. You just cant gulp without embarassing and/or painful consequences. Productive burps, stomach spasms, even more gas...Oh yes, I still take rolaids for occasional gas I showered the morning after my surgery, I was told to wait several weeks before submerging in a pool. It's really cold in jersey now so thats ok Sleeping was not really brought up, I sleep in the position most comfortable for me and that has changed several times since the surgery.

I've lost 11 lbs in just one week since my surgery. I loved the fact that I'd feel the restriction, be full after a few sips of milk or a little jello. I must be a fast healer because my physical hunger is creeping back in and I'm just starting week two tomorow :crying: I stocked up on creamy lowfat/low cal soups but my toddler and husband have to eat real food in front of me that I cooked (although the hubby has been nice enough to eat away from me recently) I thought I would have that no-desire-to-really-eat feeling a little longer and keep this beautiful fast weight-loss going for a while. I just feel good after dropping those first 11 lbs, have to keep that in mind and white knuckle it through the cravings and old habits until I get my first fill first week of April. my sister's bridal shower is a few days before my fill. My extended family has no idea about the band, I hope they dont ask any questions.

I just found a surgeon's office to do my fills. But I did get the "Whe have a policy of not providing fills for anyone who got their band out of the country" TWICE. It really is a punishment, not fair...

I was very happy w/the experience. My mom who is also a nurse was also pleasantly surprised at how well-organized everything was. every person involved was informative & willing to listen, the nutritionist took her time explaining everything clearly. PLEASE Take the nasty-tasing pain medecine they give you. I put it off and regretted it later. For the flight back carry your liquid antibiotic in your ziploc baggie and the script you get in the surgeon's office so as airport personel are rummaging through your carry-on luggage they don't force you to leave it behind because of these liquid restrictions we have now. The guy who checked my bag even let me carry in my yogurt drink that was 6 ounces and not in a baggie when I told him I had surgery w/strict dietary restrictions and could not consume any of the Snacks given to me in the flight. I've been told I was very lucky with that one. Enjoy, sight see but not too much, like I did, you'll pay for it later.

Ok, its been two days since my surgery and i think I did a little too much mexican sightseeing. I should have kept my butt in bed resting. the gas pains are no fun, really sharp on the shoulder (not a heart attack), and coughing really hurts, but the worst is that the pain meds that need to be chewed or dropped under my tongue taste so bad that i`d rather deal with the pain than taste that filth. at least the long plane ride will force me to stay put. not looking forward to work in three days. at least i feel full most of the time.

Ok, its been two days since my surgery and i think I did a little too much mexican sightseeing. I should have kept my butt in bed resting. the gas pains are no fun, and coughing really hurts, but the worst is that the pain meds that need to be chewed or dropped under my tongue taste so bad that i`d rather deal with the pain than taste that filth. at least the long plane ride will force me to stay put. not looking forward to work in three days.

got the band and I feel good. my c-section was so much worse, i feel like i did a whole bunch of crunches...the time has indeed come for my life change:smile:

no self-fills for me. got banded yesterday....I feel great, compared to my emergency c-section this was a papercut. i was shown the lap band port & i dont want to risk damaging it. the plastic on around the port can be easily mistaken for the port itself. the whole port itself is small and for once i need to stop thinking like a nurse & be a good little patient. Plus, the husband & I spent way too much money to screw up the bandover me being frugal. just not worth it.

Good idea to keep them away from your band. What is your SIL's rationale for filling/unfilling so frequently? Sounds nutty to me...are they even losing any weight?

don't think it can happen. I'm going to mexico because I cant get banded in the USA. my bmi is 34 the lowest my surgeon would band is 33 BMI.

you're soo right...lol, u sure know how to put things in to proper perspective. Would u like to raise my stubborn daughter?

My surgeon knows that I'm considering possibly doing some fills in the future. Therefore the port is going to be placed in an area that will be easier for me to access it if I should ever decide to do that, The port will be placed substernally (bellow the middle of the ribcage/ just below the sternum) you need to be open with your surgeoun about your situation. Your niece also needs to be comfortable with the technique and you need access to the supplies you need (needles, saline, disinfectants). I couldn't count the amount of port devices I've accessed w/needles & I still plan to pay good money & have someone else do it for me the first time before I decide to continue myself. You also have to be VERY careful with overfilling, your band can erode your stomach. VERY BAD. Look in to a fill center, not necessarily run by a doc. Also, call bariatric centers and ask for direction in finding a place for band fills. Don't take the decision lightly. Just go to the " Lap band Complications" Thread & read about all that can go wrong.

A flight from New Jersey to Monterrey, Mexico for each fill? the plane ticket would cost more than the fill not to mention the hotel. I'm going to go to a bariatric center 20 minutes from my home. $300 a fill w/flouro.

Your right, even though proper technique would make my risk of infection the same as going to a fill doc. The thought of losing all that money is very upsetting. I'm pretty sure I'll decide against it in the end.

hello, just got the confirmation that I'll be getting banded one week from today. I'm a nurse & i'm not telling anyone at work that I'm having it done. I'm a bit nervous about the pulling/pushing involved with the work. I think I'm just going to lie & say I pulled my back muscles & need to hold off on the heavy work for now.

I'm a lower BMI patient (33-34), maybe that's why I wasn't put on any restriction. I was told not to overeat, "eat light low fat meals) a wek b4 banding and full liquids the day before

I was seeing a therapist for the compulsive overeating, she was good & I learned much about myself, but the scale didn't budge, I stopped seeing her when I decided on the band. My husband talked me in to seeing her again before I get banded in two weeks. When I saw her again, I realized how important therapy will be once I'm banded. I can't turn to food anymore to fill whatever need went unmet, or numb the stress for the moment. It's a multifaceted approach to weight loss...it's not just the miracle band doing all the work.

My bmi is 33, I'm getting banded in less than two weeks in Monterrey Mexico w/ dr Rumbaut, a VERY very highly recommended surgeon. No one in the US would band me unless I "gained" another 15-20 lbs...pretty bad idea, I've been heavy all my life, I have had periods of weight loss but they didn't last too long. I'm just tired of going at it alone & I really think the band would be my strongest ally. My problem is that I overeat...that is where the band would come in. I'm going to do all I need to FINALLY lose the weight. Good luck convincing your doc to band you. If he wont, you do have other options if your willing and able to self pay...