Bea1128

I had my first fill today as well. It was easy. My surgeon's office has a fluoro machine and I layed back the whole time. I feel a lot of restriction right now. It's taking me a while to get down a protein shake, but I think that's just the way I am. I've felt some restriction since surgery. The liquids are really gurgling, but everything is going down. I'm excited to have had a fill. I'm ready to start dropping the pounds!! :biggrin2:

I know when I've eaten too much because my left shoulder hurts. I'm assuming my stomach presses on the nerves that run through there or it presses on the port which then presses on nerves. I had really bad gas after surgery and that's where it hurt too. I have my first fill today and I'm wondering if I will have L shoulder pain again since hearing it from you. I'll let you know. I posted a thread called "gas pain or something else?", I think. I don't know how to send it to you, but you might look for it. I can't remember right off if I did it in the April section or the post-op section. There were several people who had the L shoulder pain too. I hope you feel better soon. Let us know how long after your fill that you experienced L shoulder pain, I would be very interested.

Thanks kbinaz! I'll have to try that. I've heard Greek yogurt is delicious, but have never gotten any mostly because it's so pricey. I'll get some though especially for that much protein. It's a bargain! I always get my protein quota for the day. I make it a priority. I eat veggies too, but just can't get much down most of the time. I'm full so fast and I haven't had a fill yet. I can eat almost anything, but just not very much. I think I'll try the two bites, one bite thing. Thanks again!!

Helen, Anytime you post at all you will get e-mails every time there is activity on that thread unless you change it in your profile options.

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions and advice. This is still new to me and I'm sure I'll eventually figure out what works for me. I try to have a small thing of applesauce with other fruit added like blueberries, mango, etc. I'm just tired of it already and want to branch out. I'll try some of the things you all have suggested. It's just going to take some time to get used to this and I now know I have to make an effort to get a variety of foods. Thanks again!

I like to play sports. My doc told me I could do whatever I wanted (excepted crunches and treadmill until 4 weeks post-op) when I felt ready. I walk, but I've also been playing tennis. I start softball next week. I play basketball in the driveway with my kids. Going to the gym (unless to play a game) bores me to death. However, I do plan to get a few personal training sessions at some point. I have a treadmill, but would rather be outside. I garden almost every day. I'll swim quite a bit with my kids this summer as well. It feels good to move again and have the energy to do it!

I started walking almost immediately to reduce the gas pain and pressure. I steadily increased it everyday. Last Sunday (11 days after surgery) I was jogging small stretches while walking. Today, 2 1/2 weeks post-op, I played tennis. (Well, actually it's been so long, I spent most of the time chasing the balls ) My point is that it depends on how you feel and how quickly you have recovered. I just know that I have so much more energy now and I want to be up and moving. I also work in my garden almost everyday. I start softball in a few weeks. I love to play sports and would rather do that than go to the gym or aerobics classes. That's what's fun to me. If I have to, I'll do the treadmill, but would much rather play something.

I was just wondering when everyone had the time, or room, for fruit. I know I need to eat more fruits and veggies, but after eating Protein and a few bites of veggies, I'm full. I'm going for my first fill next Wednesday and if I'm getting full now... I'm just concerned I'm not getting enough Fiber as I'm having a small issue in the BM area. I'm not supposed to have lettuce until after my first fill so salads are out right now. What does everyone else do?

Personally, I do believe that food can be an addiction. It took me years to realize it. I eat for the same reasons alcoholics drink or drug addicts get high. It's no different. I'm medicating myself instead of dealing with my "issues". I don't believe I'm powerless over food, but there are moments of weakness. It's a struggle every day for me as well. Once I'm off of my "trigger" foods (so to speak), I don't really want them. If I ever start back up again, it's hell trying to get back off. There are some foods that cause an actual physiological reaction that I have a hard time controlling. Now that I'm banded, I'm having to deal with my issues in a different way. I've been very stressed the last few days and I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I was irritable, felt exhausted, and just basically wanted to climb the walls. In the days following my surgery I had felt great. I finally realized my problem was that I couldn't eat away my stress. I couldn't turn to food in the way I used to. I really haven't been that hungry yet, but I want something. I've basically been "white knuckling" it through my stress. As I get stronger and fully healed, I plan to use exercise as my stress reliever. I love to play sports and have already signed up for a summer softball league at church. I want to run again. Staying active is the only thing that keeps me from binging some days. I love what someone said about the doc can add a band to your stomach, but you have to add it to your head. That is so true! Thanks for all of your posts. It's reassuring to know there are others who have the same struggles. Some of the posts were very personal and that took guts. Just know that you are helping others when you share. Good luck to all on this amazing journey!

I agree. I never once felt weak. I felt tired if I would move around a lot right after surgery, but never weak. And that tired feeling passed within a few days. As a matter of fact, I've never had more energy than I do right now. I made sure I was getting in all of my protein from shakes, protein water (Isopure), and broth. In the days following surgery I wasn't hungry, but I still had my protein. And of course my vitamins. If you're feeling that bad, call your doctor.

Thanks so much for your responses. Gas-X doesn't help me much, walking and moving around does. I'm glad to know that I'm not crazy and that it will get better. I was also interested to see someone else say that being hungry or not eating made their's worse. Mine too. I finally realized that was happening and it seems to be the precursor to actually feeling hunger pains. Weird! Of course if I eat too fast or too much, it hurts as well. It does seem to be getting better, of course I'm also getting better at listening to my body and the band. Sitting up really straight, like when driving, can also bother my shoulder. I also go to school and sitting for 1 1/2 hours in a desk kills me. So, maybe it's the port hitting a nerve in that position or maybe it's just because I'm still healing. I sure hope so, I have a lot more time to sit in a desk over the next couple of years. Anyway, thanks again!

My favorite crockpot chicken recipe is to take frozen chicken breasts right from the bag, drop them in the crockpot and cover with a can of green chili enchilada sauce. Turn on low for 6-8 hours. I like to shred the chicken and serve them in burritos with a little f/f sour cream or on top of a salad. Very good!

I need some advice. I had surgery last Wednesday, so I'm a week and one day post-op. I had a really hard time with the gas. It caused more pain than anything. Now I have one spot just under my collar bone and shoulder that hurts so bad. That's where the gas settled, my shoulders and chest. I'm a little concerned because it still hurts so bad. Taking a deep breath puts pressure and makes it hurt until I exhale. It doesn't hurt at night. I still have gas and burp a lot, but nothing seems to help this pain. If it's just gas I know it will go away, but I guess my main concern is a blood clot. Coughing doesn't cause any pain, only inhaling. I had my post-op appointment yesterday, but only got to see the nurse. She said it's probably gas. Did anyone else have gas pain like this and for this long?

Congrats on all the NSVs!! I'm one week post-op today and yesterday I wore a pair of pants I couldn't get on the weekend before surgery! I see my doc today and am anxious to see what I've lost! I don't really care that much because my clothes are fitting again. What a relief!!!

Good luck everyone!

I've been using my body pillow to sort of prop me up while recovering. It makes me feel like I'm on my belly, but it doesn't put so much pressure on my port. I can sleep very well on my other side with no pain at all, but when I lay on the port side, I can feel the port pushing against my ribs. Doesn't really hurt, just puts pressure and feels weird. I hope that goes away because that's my favorite side to sleep on. I can't sleep on my back at all, so the pillow is great. I've slept well since my first night post-op.

Hey Luluc! Your husband doesn't have any probs getting the bread part down? That's encouraging. Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm sorry Rain! I know that's disappointing. But WOW! What a difference between your pictures. You look gorgeous! And 40 inches off your body. That's a major accomplishment. It gives those of us who are just starting hope. You may not know it, but you are an inspiration to the rest of us! Keep up the good work! You'll get there.

Hey Jamie. I don't know how much help I can be, but I can tell you that my experience has been similar. I've had gas so bad that I can hardly move on some days. It causes pain when I burp (which is often) and when I "eat". Mine is slowly getting better. I dry heaved several times on the day I had my surgery. That was horrible. The nurses said it was from the gas pushing against my stomach and band. I even went back to Clear liquids after trying full liquids. It just hurt too bad. I've had almost constant pain in my chest and left shoulder. It makes it difficult to do anything and it's very frustrating. So, if nothing else I know how you feel. I just want to get on with life and eat something. I'm hungry too, but mostly I just WANT something. I know what you mean about the commercials. I can hardly watch T.V. The only thing that has helped is walking (actually riding in the car is the best) and using my heating pad. Also don't be afraid to take your pain meds if you need to. I've found that Motrin helps me almost as much, so that's what I've been doing. It at least takes the edge off without knocking me out. Hang in there. I know this will get better and we'll be so glad that we did this when the weight starts coming off. Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

I found that not cheating got easier with time on my pre-op diet. I did 3 weeks. The middle week for me was the hardest. I wanted everything. One night while my family was watching a movie, I snuck into the pantry and closed the door. I felt I had to have something or I was going to go crazy. I stood in the pantry and ate a finger of peanut butter, a plain piece of bread, and two handful of Doritos. I was ashamed that I had done it, but I got right back on track and didn't cheat again. It was just a moment of "have to" that I couldn't control. Now that I think back, I'm wondering why I didn't just put the PB on the bread! I was just blindly grabbing stuff and eating it. It doesn't mean you're a failure, it means you are human and liquid diets suck! I was banded four days ago and I am very ready to follow my diet as my surgeon recommends because this has been too hard just to mess it up. Will I also feel that way? Probably not, but all I can do is take it one day at a time. Good luck and don't beat yourself up about the fritos.

I hate the "easy way out" comment as well. It's ridiculous. If this is easy I'd hate to see hard. One of my very best friends is a man who has a beautiful daughter who is a little pudgy, but she's only 5. Anyway, he says to me one day, not long ago, that he's afraid she'll have a weight problem but that's okay because she's going to be one those "beautiful, fat girls who everyone loves". He then goes on to tell me that he adores those types of girls who have been some of his best friends. He didn't mean it in a bad way, but it felt like he ripped my heart out. I never realized that's what he thought of me...the fat girl everyone loves. Well I decided I wasn't going to be that girl anymore. I want to be the "healthy, fun, outgoing girl" I know I can be. Some people do not realize how their comments can affect others. And some of those friends can never understand until they've walked a mile in our shoes.

I have horrible gas too. It comes and it goes. The 2nd day post-op I thought I was dying from the gas pain. Then it got better and then today it's in my shoulder and chest. It's killing me. If it wasn't for that my pain would be minimal. Motrin helps with the pain in my shoulder and makes it tolerable. I thought that it would all be gone by now, but not so. Walking is the only thing that helps me feel better. Also riding in the car bounced some to the surface so to speak! :thumbup: My lower abdomen is also sore from pulling myself into a sitting position from bed, etc. My surgical site is a lot less sore today except for my port site which is still quite tender. Good luck to you and hang in there. It has to get better soon!

Hey 80's! I agree with all that people have said especially the part about breaking it up. My strategy is not to look at the pounds coming off, but what size I can get into. I have two closets full of clothes in about 10 different sizes (I'm kind of a pack rat and refuse to get rid of clothes!). Before surgery I went into my closet and arranged things by size. When my current clothes are too big, out they go, and then I'll move on to the next section. When I feel like "shopping" I'll go in there and try stuff on. If I'm getting into smaller sizes then the pounds must be coming off. Of course, I'll be weighing myself from time to time as well, but no more than once a week. That's just not that important to me. I have tons of sexy sandals that I can't wait to put on. I used to be really into clothes and I can't wait to be again. Also, I love to play sports. I've already signed up for our church's summer adult softball team. Being able to run farther and faster will also be a measure of how well I'm doing. So, instead of looking at 116 pounds, is there something you want to do or accomplish that will gage your success? I think it takes the pressure off a little. You can absolutely do this! Good luck!!

From what I read it's normal to go through a period of regret and mourning. Of course you are in a different situation with the death of a loved one, etc. I can tell you that it finally hit me yesterday what it means to be banded. We took my girls to get ice cream for dessert and they also have hamburgers, fries, etc. I had a couple of tastes of ice cream and it didn't taste good at all. It was so sweet. However, I found myself staring at the family sitting across from us. They had giant hamburgers and fries. It smelled so good and it finally hit me that I might never be able to eat a burger again. I realized that going to our favorite steak place would be a waste of money because it's a buffet type thing and you can't bring home a doggy bag. It made me sad. Logically I know that this is best for me because I can't control what I eat which is why I'm in this position in the first place, but I feel so deprived right now. I'm really not hungry, I just "want" something. I want to chew. I know that in a month I'll be glad. I know I'm on my way to being healthy and looking great. It's just a hard time right now. So, my point is that you are not alone and I think what you are feeling is totally normal. I hope you find peace soon. Good luck!

Hello all! It's nice to meet you all. I was banded this past Wednesday. I'm feeling pretty good, soreness is better. The thing that is bothering me is the gas. It comes and goes. It gets better during the day because I'm up walking around and then at night settles again in my shoulders and chest. I really thought it would be gone by now. I haven't had any pain meds since Thursday or Friday. Motrin has been handling any pain I have. If I could just get rid of this gas, I'd feel great! Good luck to you guys coming up this week. Hey 80's - We're neighbors! I'm in Fort Worth. Take care all and keep in touch!