Long2BFree

I too started losing hair at 3 weeks post op. I'm trying not to stress too much over because it has happened before but I still don't like it. I take vitamins, calcium, B12 and biotin along with using Nioxin hair products.

I did not know I had one until after I had surgery. My doctor/hospital did have me sign an authorization form stating if I had one when my band was being placed that it would get fixed. I can tell you that I was nauseated every single day and now no longer experience that. I'm thinking the hiatal hernia was the cause of it.

Tomorrow I will be 6 weeks post-op and went for my first fill this afternoon. Before seeing the surgeon I saw my nutritionist who said to ask the doctor to go conservative on the fill. When I told him what she said and why he said 'Ah, we are going for it' and placed 2 c.c. in my band. I was surprised that I didn't feel a thing. He placed a small pillow on the table so that when I layed back that it would elevated my stomach. He told me to cross my arms over my chest and then act like I was going to do a sit up and hold that position. He then poked my belly area to find my port (which was directly under my port incision) and did the fill. I didn't feel a needle poke, pinch or nothing. I had to ask if he was able to do the fill. Yep, I was done. I then drank a bottle of Water to make sure everything went down. Now I'm on Clear liquids for the next 24 hours. I get to go back in 6 weeks but somehow I don't think I'll need it since I wasn't experiencing hunger everyday right now.

Melisa, I'm actually in Santa Maria too. I'll send you a PM later today when I get home from work.

I didn't think 2 c.c. were too conservative... at least not what I was thinking compared to some fills I've read about. Anyway, the nutritionist thought because I don't experience a lot of hunger thoughout the day that I should get a lighter fill.

Since you are hungry I would suggest contacting your doctor to find out what you should/shouldn't be having. You can do a lot of damage to your stomach if you are eating the wrong foods too soon. Even though it goes down okay isn't always what's best. Your stomach is supposed to be healing so you don' t have problems later on.

I'm 5 1/2 weeks post op and starting having headaches about 5 days ago which is unusual for me. I was thinking I was dehydrated but I'm getting enough fluid in. Has anyone else experienced headaches post op that didn't normally get them? It's probably nothing but just I'd ask.

I had my eyes checked 3 months ago. The headache is pretty much all over. I took Tylenol a few hours ago and it's still there.

I haven't taken pain meds since the first week of surgery so I don't think it's because I'm not taking them anymore. I stopped eating a lot of carbs and sugar in March when I went on the pre-op diet and haven't had caffeine since then so I don't think it's related. Maybe it's just a something unrelated to the band altogether.

My friend had GBP last year and her doctor gave her a card to order off of the kids menu. She said she always forgets to ask about the discount but normally eats off of her husband's place or gets something al la carte. I don't know if my surgeon passes one out because I've never asked but I probably wouldn't order from the kid's menu anyway. The foods they offer aren't normally something I would eat anyway.

There are several options out there and it comes down to which one you think tastes best. What one likes, another won't like. My advise is whichever one you pick make sure it's high in protein because you won't be getting a lot of calories in the beginning but you want to make sure you are getting in your protein requirements.

I think it all comes down to cost. The employers aren't willing to pay the higher cost and I bet many employees wouldn't pay it either. I think they are trying to make insurance an affordable option.

You might get a sample of the Unjury (or any other protein drinks)before purchasing a large amount. I don't like the Unjury. GNC also has unflavored protein powder.

I was able to drink 5-low carb shakes per day with one low calorie meal, Crystal Light, water, SF Jell-O and SF Popscicles. I didn't care for the Atkins shakes but liked the Low Carb Slimfast chocolate and vanilla shakes best. I dropped 20 lbs pre-op doing this.

The weight gain is perfectly normal and will take about a week or two to lose. Stay off the scale until you have your pre-op appointment so you don't get discouraged.

I'm beyond the point of starving but remember the days all to well, mostly pre-op. Try drinking clear beef broth, eating SF popscicles and SF Jell-O. I found they really helped a lot. Hang in there, you have two more days.

Enjoy the gum now because once you are banded you can't have it. You should check with your doctor to see if SF Popscicles, Jell-o and Crystal Light are okay. If you get really hungry try blending your shake with crushed ice. It helps a little bit when really hungry.

I never hurt like I did thefirst time I had to have a BM post op. Now that I'm 4.5 weeks post op things are improving since I'm having food. I do try to get in extra water and have started eating prunes to help the situation out.

I would think that sugar free gum would be okay.

The nutritionist who works with my doctor told me up front that I had to lose 5% of my weight and gave me a low carb diet to follow. I also had to sign a contract with the doctor stating that I had to lose that amount pre-op or the surgery would be cancelled. The doctor wanted to make sure that you shrink your liver before surgery because it is safer for you. In fact, I started a clear liquid diet a couple of days before hand because I wanted to be extra sure that I had shrunk it. Call your doctor and see what he says.

I haven't eaten steak yet but did eat part of a pork chop the other day which has the same kind of consistency. I ate it in very small bites and chewed, chewed, chewed. It went down okay except when I inhaled a couple of pieces too quickly and then it hurt. As long as it's moist you should be okay.

Congrats on doing so well! I'm 4 weeks post op and someone at work mentioned that I was so happy and was wondering why. I just shrugged my shoulders bu think it's a combo between feeling good about myself and not feeling nauseated for the first time years which I contribute to having my hiatal hernia fixed.

I sometimes get a gag reflex when brushing my tongue but it hasn't affected my band and nothing comes up. As far as gum goes, you should not be chewing once banded. If you accidentally swallow it you would probably have to go in for surgery to get it removed because it can block the band. I've read a few stories on these message boards about people swallowing it. Too much of a risk for me. I forgot and drank some premade Protein shakes that had a small straw with them and had terrible tummy aches and didn't realized why until it dawned on me that I was using a straw. I've had no desire to use one since so I don't know if I'd have the same problem.

The info I have read is that people who do a lot of physical labor should take 3 weeks to recover. At my two week post op appointment my doctor said there was no restriction on how much I could lift. On the third week I was lifting printers and computers with no problem, and like normal don't lift anything more than one person can handle. But, I'm not doing it all day long like you would be.