To be free

Thank you to all who have posted! I feel so much better, to know that it is common and not that serious, although if it gets worse I will call my doctor. I am giving my stomach a break none the less and going to stick with liquids and mushy and softer stuff today in case I irritated something. I already noticed that I can't tolerate ice cream and milk as good as I used to...I guess it is all trial and error...... Liquid and mushy isn't bad when it is a choice not a requirement......LOL Thanks again!!

It was general for me, no options. I wouldn't want to be able to hear or see what was going on and you would with a spinal.......

I know that this has been an ongoing issue due to your past posts, but most of us are here because we have a problem with emotional eating or food so you are in the right place. My doctor according to his plan has us on regular food on week 4 so I don't think that the wrap you had yesterday would be too bad unless you didn't chew right or ate too much. I think you are worried because of the past slip ups. You are going to the doctor and are aware of what you need to do and sound determined to pick yourself up and start again....and you can do it, we all battle the head hunger and many of us are in bandster hell so we are behind you and wish you the best. Please, Please do not try to throw up.....the food I understand but trying to throw up? Please remember to tell the doctor about that and good luck!!!

I stayed overnight and was released at 2pm the following day, this was an insurance requirement. However I was nauseas after surgery (probably from the demoral because they gave me meds for anesthesia) and I was glad I did, gave me piece of mind also because I live two hours away.

I was very nervous before getting my surgery also, but everyone on this forum, the confidence in my surgeon and my Mom were all I needed to get me through it. I don't really miss or mourn food, I am not restricted yet but can eat everything I used to just in alot smaller amounts (although I have not tried steak or salad yet, will try it on Tuesday). I remember how miserable I was after a binge or eating too much and like this feeling more. Some banders eat what they want in smaller amounts and others still follow a diet....I do track my food on the food diary but eat what I want..I will track at least until I am restricted and hope I can continue like I am now. You will find what works best for you. I can't feel the band on my stomach, right after surgery I felt like a slight burning sensation but after a few hours it was gone. I would never know it is there if not for having surgery. I know that my port is there because I still have some swelling. I look to it as my freedom band and port.....the other day I actually rubbed my belly in gratitude LOL My doctor makes the determination of whether to fill or not, he bases it on how much I can eat and for how long we can stay full, he doesn't put any in during surgery and won't consider it for at least 6 weeks. The waitress the other day asked me if there was anything wrong with my food, I just said no and asked for a take out box. I would always feel self contious eating being so large always thinking that others were thinking "why and how can she eat all that" so them seeing me eat less doesn't bother me....I feel like my skinny friends.....in fact since the surgery my self estem has increased for I now know I have a chance at being thin (well not too thin it's not in the genes) some I am telling I had surgery and others hopefully will never know......I am proud that I took the step to better health and are proud to say it. You are lucky! I wish I would have had the option of being banded at 19 and had help for my emotional eating. I think a little fear is good, it kept me on track with my pre and post op diet. We are all here for you and will help you along. Just listen and trust in your surgeon and follow his rules above all, you don't want to ruin this great "gift" you've been given. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

I don't think it is your computer, I am having the same problem. I will click on the post op section to read a post, and it kicks me back to the home page...I have to do it two times in order for me to get there..it seems like everything goes back to the home page. I used to be able to hit the back button after reading a post and it would take me back to the post op section now it goes to the home page. I am glad to know that I am not the only one having problems........

I use Zicam at the first sign of a cold or if I feel I am getting one this greatly reduces the time and severity of a cold. I would check with your doctor before using anything first but it just goes in the nose. You have to start using it as soon as possible, Good luck and keep us posted

Had nausea after surgery but hope to never vomit......Doctor gave me three nausea medications to keep on hand. He stressed to avoid vomiting at all costs....... I do get motion sickness and have to fly the day after my first fill and I am nervous about that..........have you ever flown after having a fill? I heard that you can get tighter flying......

I had pain to the touch from the top of my hand, to wrist and even the lower part of my arm to almost my elbow. I couldn't wear my watch...it took about 2 1/2 weeks to go away completely. She had a hard time getting the IV in and I banged it around a little so that may be why, at the time I thought the heparin shot hurt worse than the IV, the brusing lasted about a week and 1/2. My husband said maybe it hit the muscle, but it seemed to follow the vein. Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your loss :thumbup: I have a terrier mix who is 14 and has early kidney failure at least I have time to make my goodbyes. I don't know what I would do if it was sudden. She has been with me through a divorce, a remarriage, adopting two special needs children, 4 military moves, allowing two other cast away dogs into our home, and me gaining and losing 100lbs. 3 times just to name a few. She has been with me in sad, bad, happy times and everything in between and has never complained or asked for anything (exept the occaisional treat) I don't know of many humans that would be there through all that and not complain, and not ask for anything in return. We all mourn with you and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.....

Just think about what you said A CUPCAKE..JUST ONE!! Thats great!!! How many would you have had before the band? I don't know about you but if I could stop at one cupcake I wouldn't need to be banded LOL Everything in moderation has always been the rule, it's just before the band I couldn't follow it.... You are doing great, no beating yourself up.....

I'd find another Doctor, I have never waited more than 10 min. and the office staff and nurses are the best. I think it is most important for a surgeon to have a great support staff, in my office I've seen them more than the surgeon. Good Luck!

Wow, I hope nothing is wrong with your band. My surgeon said nothing but walking for two months. He is not a fan of doing ab crunches at anytime. Good luck, keep us posted.

I know what you mean about the dreams! During my pre op and post op diet I constantly watched the food Channel also did anyone else? Maybe that is why I had the dreams LOL

So sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers and thoughts. I am sure and hoping that she will change her mind, I am sure she is grieving and she may just not want to let go.....she should respect his and his family's wishes.

I noticed that I burp alot more now than before the band, I am almost 3 weeks so I don't think it is the gas. It is worse when I eat a popsicle I burp after every bite....... my stomach growls real loud now also... I agree new plumbing. Good luck!

Hey everyone, I have a question. I will be banded three weeks on Tuesday, I have tried to feel my port now that it is not that painful but can't feel it. Does this mean that something happened to it? Shouldn't I be able to feel it? I am still swollen, but if I can't feel it how will they when I go for my first fill? My first fill is not till July 29th. Thanks!

Wow, I never thought it could be because of the surgery. I too have been very emotional, mostly very inpatient and just a down right B---h. The other night at dinner I was yelling at everyone because I thought they were eating too fast... too fast as opposed to what? The slow way I have been eating? Then they all wait around like vultures for the food they know I am no longer going to be able to finish. Even my dogs know now that Mom is going to have leftovers (they never got any from me before) I have not been eating for my emotions and I guess that has something to do with it also, I just never thought that there may be something physical going on also. Nice to know we are not alone!

That is the coolest thing I'd ever seen!! Were did you get it done and did insurance cover it (my guess is no). I would have liked to do that, I didn't take measurments and will be sorry one day that I didn't...... Awesome! Good luck!

No, would have been too uncomfortable for me what with the incisions and the gas (too bloated) I couldn't even stand regular or elastic pants for a while....wore them way low on my stomach.

I am also an emotional eater, although I used to go on binges and only stopped when I could eat anymore. I never purged though so for years I never thought of it as being a eating disorder....... I haven't been banded for long and are still in the mushy stage but from what I heard not only will it be impossible to over eat to the extent that I used to, it would be damaging to the band and my new stomach pouch....... and I am already attatched to my band.... weird huh. So I am going to try a on-line program for eating disorders that I heard about and that is supposed to be very effective it is on www.shrinkyourself.com It is 120.00 for a 12 week program but they have a free tryout... I will keep you posted on how it goes, I now think it is important for me to have some sort of program or counseling for the emotional part.......I have been eating for emotions since around age 6..... and I want to eat to live not live to eat...... Good luck!

Great question, thanks to all that answered! I was banded on the 10th and are on the everything I can mash with a fork stage. Well the last two days I can eat about 1 cup of food at each meal granted much less than prior but still was hoping for more restriction. I don't go back till July 30, he waits a good 6 weeks for the first fill (if even then) so I envy everyone getting filled sooner than 6 weeks. Thanks again YoungNY for asking the question.

The gas from surgery has left, but wow do I have gas by the time evening comes.... I have never had gas like this before, I started on mushies this week and do believe that I am now also lactose intoloerant as well. Never had much of a problem with it before the band.... Not complaining about the lactose thing though, it will keep me from eating ice cream and other bad things. I also have alot of bloating, maybe it is from getting used to eating food again instead of liquid stuff.... At least I know now that I am not the only one......

You are right the Upper GI was not pleasant, what was worse for me however was the esophageal manometry. They make you snort some kind of numbing jelly up your nose then put a tube covered wire probe up your nose into your stomach and make you take sips of Water so they can measure how your esophagus works. All of the tests after they were done gave me piece of mind that things were working like they should hopefully leading the way to a successful band life.........

My doctor made the decision, Lap Band! He is the best and I trust him..... never gave it a thought. I did hear something about J & J just changing the box on a old band style....... didn't follow too close though...... since the band is a tool it is really up to the individual.....I think that there are like 5 bands out there now and more coming out..... I did hear that the Realize band has a great support website.......but I have this forum and you all plus the opinions here are unbiased!