gardengrl

I can't wait!!! :biggrin2: It's almost like counting down to when I had my c-section for my twins! I knew a whole new life was coming and I was so excited. And like my kids, I know this is going to be worth anything I have to deal with for it. I am going to start crossing the days off on the calendar! Anyone else with a June 9th date? How are you feeling? Are you having to do anything before hand? Is there a special date section where we're able to keep each other motivated?

I've been wondering if I stretched my stomach pouch as well - did you have pain? I do and will be seeing my dr. this week.

I have been banded for 6 months but prior to being banded I had severe reflux (Upper GI's, testing, etc.) so I can't blame it on the band. My surgeon is surprised when I tell him it hasn't diminished at all and even to this day, I still have it daily. I'm on Nexium (have been for YEARS!) and that helps drastically and I also eat Tums everyday. That has been helping, esp. before bedtime. I personally have had it since I was a healthy weight so I don't think it's going to disappear due to any more weight loss. :thumbup:

I'm having something similar. I'm able to keep food down but have pain in my stomach and esp. near my port site. It's hard to lie on my side and feels like it's pulling a lot. I am meeting with my surgeon this week so I am praying for positive answers. I wish I had a better answer for you.

Thanks! I did both of your suggestions and they did help some. I ended up getting .6 cc's removed yesterday and feel worlds better! Not sure what happened but I'm able to eat solids again and still have good restriction. Still love this band!!!

Ok, so at my last checkup I was at 3.5cc's and actually was experiencing the PB's so based on my qty. amounts (to eat), etc. my doctor decided not to put any more it. So over the past month, I've had more and more PB's to the point now where almost anything solid I eat (this includes oatmeal & grits!) feels stuck and I end up coughing it all up. I'm going in on Thurs as an "emergency" visit since I am only able to tolerate liquids (even ice cream gave me trouble and that was a "last resort" food). I've never had this much restriction before and although I mentally like the idea of not being able to eat, I know I still need to be able to. I don't want to get used to only being on a liquid diet this far out (Banded June 9th). Anyone else going through this? I get freaked out that something has happened to my band. :biggrin:

Wow! I am SO Sorry your first fill had to be so traumatic! My surgeon does the fills himself and I do the "sit up thing" but it takes no time at all. I don't have the realize band but I was surprised to hear all that. Keep an eye on the restriction. They should be able to tell you cc's. Next time, if they don't know, they need to extract all the saline out, measure it and then put new saline in. That's what my surgeon does to make sure there isn't any leakage, either. Good luck! I hope you're doing well otherwise! Oh - LOVE LOVE LOVE the avatar! I'm a total DD fan (gosh, going on 25 years now). It's awesome to see.

Dr. Daly in Atlanta was $14,500 including surgery/outpatient surgery center (it would have been about $3k more for hospital), and I get a year of follow up/fills included. I was VERY happy I had it close to home although I considered going to Mexico. But with 2 small children at home, I wanted to be as close as possible. I also had a great surgery.

Yes, having a BM after surgery is not typical, at least not in my case - you're consuming all liquids so there's nothing to really come through solidly (so to speak). It's ok. You may even get some diarrhea (ugh) as your system starts to work itself back into groove. I heard that was normal also. Don't fret. So far everything you're going through mentally and physically sounds normal. Better days lay ahead!

You are TOTALLY normal. Everyone has their "What was I thinking" moments. I know I did (I was self pay, too). But once the pain starts to subside, you really will feel a lot better. I am 3 months out and don't regret a thing about doing it, in fact, I'm kicking myself for not doing it a year earlier!!! Once you start getting in smaller clothes and feeling more energy, your brain will start to go into happy mode! Congrats!!!!

Hey Everyone - I feel so bad since I hardly come on the site these days to cheer you all on. :tt2: I am finally starting to "Get a life" outside the house with friends, activities, etc. that I'm sure you understand!!! I just had my 3 month follow up today and I'm starting to not mind sitting in the waiting room chairs so much! Helps to have a smaller behind to fit in things. Anyway, I've lost a total of 40 lbs. since surgery and I didn't not get another fill. I'm at 3.5cc and def. do not need anymore restriction. I get so much "stuck" these days it's annoying but a GOOD annoying! I've found that Wendy's Chili doesn't give my any grief so that's been my real food these days. It's darn tasty, too. Dr. said it was a good source of protein and fiber so no objections means I'm now a chili fan. I did say I was still tired all the time but he said losing weight makes you tired. Anyone else feel like this? He said since the body was so used to depending on calories for energy and I'm depriving it (ha ha:lol:) that it gets tired burning the fat. All I know is I have twin 2 year olds and while I'm able to do a lot more physically with them, I'm beat by 10 am. Ugh! Well, enough about me since I've been so bad about checking up on you all. Hope you're doing well, losing weight and feeling better about yourselves. Have a great weekend!

Ok, it took a few days (weird) after my fill but I am def. having restriction. Not sure if it's too much but hey, I'm not eating much so yeah! I have finally experienced the PB's (and when it's over it feels great). I was almost happy to actually get them so that I really felt like this band was doing something. My meals have def. gotten smaller, I can't eat things without chewing A LOT (I wasn't having that much of a problem before the 2nd fill) and I have to take time. There are now things I def. have problems eating - bread mostly which is good since it was my downfall pre-band. I'm hoping I'll start losing more. Anyone else get a sense of satisfaction from the PB's??

I hear your pain!! I just had my 2nd fill today. He added another 1.5cc to make it a total of 3.5 cc's. I have definitely felt a lot of hunger the past couple weeks and was/am scared it's just me doing my old thing of eating when I'm bored. I'm trying to keep up with just eating cheese sticks, etc. but my kid's animal crackers sure look good sometimes (and they really aren't!). I'm praying for some more limitation. He said he usually averages 5cc's so hopefully that will be my spot. I haven't lost much weight in the past few weeks, either so don't be discouraged. I stopped doing my food log and I need to start that again. I haven't even posted in so long since I was feeling discouraged at my own actions. But, I am happy that pants that I couldn't even button pre-surgery are now falling off me. There is a light at the end of my tunnel!!!

The Lap Band was SOOOOOO much easier than my c-section (and I really didn't have a hard time with that!). You'll be sore for at least a few days, but it's nothing like the pain you get with the c-section. You're still able to walk up and down stairs, get up and down (although if you let the pain meds wear off, it's much harder) and generally not get that searing pain just from turning. There def. is pain with the LB, but it gets better each day. If you've had 3 C-sections, this should be easy for you!! The worst pain is just from the gas and turning as your port incision is healing. Good luck!!!!

I think it's really important to look at what you are eating. Make sure you are looking at calories AND carbohydrate amounts. Just because something in low fat, there could be a lot of sugars or higher carbs. Start with measuring 1/2 cup-1 cup, not a "small plate" amount. I literally put my food into a small Pampered Chef glass bowl that's used for measuring. I know it mentally looks small, but it's plenty once I'm eating. Have you had other tests done for hyperthyroidism or PCOS? I have PCOS so I expect to have a slower time, but I've been lucky so far and only 1 fill. Talk to your doctor. It seems pretty important. I also was surprised to hear 3 months between fills. I'm 3 weeks until my next one. Keep us posted.

I keep a food log of everything I eat each day - qty./calories/carbs/protein amts. I find it really really helps! I just made it up on my computer with Excel. I do realize that every time I go to "snack" it's really just my old habits of eating because I was bored. I'll open the fridge without thinking. I catch myself everyday and then I'm happy that I know I am changing that pattern so I don't snack. Don't get me wrong, I do grab something if my stomach is growling and the hunger is legitimate. My dr. says to eat 5-6 small meals a day. I'll eat a piece of cheese or deli meat or grab a protein shake/protein bullet. But that's why this is such a great tool. It helps your brain to make the right choices. It's up to you to decide what you're putting in your mouth. If you know you haven't had enough to drink and you're reaching for that snack - grab a drink!!! When your body needs liquids, it can really feel like hunger. Drink first and see if you're still hungry. If it's real hunger, grab something with protein - that will really take the hunger away. I'll even just eat a sugar free pudding cup if I'm craving sweets. Remember, it's a tool. You have to make the decision on how you succeed. I'm not trying to make you feel worse, but you know that the snacking isn't good if it's because of stress. I'm sure you'll figure this out.:party:

Yeah! Got my first 2cc's in today. It was almost PAINLESS!!!! He doesn't even numb you first since honestly, the needle for numbing hurts more. It was a tiny tiny prick, he put the saline in, I drank a cup of water and I was done! So psyched! I've lost 7 more pounds since my last visit 3 weeks ago. I'm very careful with my food choices (lots of salmon which is super high in protein and no carbs) so I am pretty proud of myself. The only bad days are when I eat 2 pudding cups (at different times). I just have to have liquids today and then more normal food tomorrow. I decided after the surgery that I will only weigh myself at his office and not home. No sense beating myself up everyday over a #. This means 25 pounds since my pre-op appt. Yeah!!!

I am so sorry! I have 2 dogs and 2 cats and truly believe and treat them like my children. I have lost pets and know the absolute pain you're feeling. A lot of folks don't understand that you have this connection and that this little creature loves you unconditionally as do you them. The Rainbow Bridge poem gave me so much comfort and hopefully you will give yourself the time to grieve the loss of your family member. Many prayers for you and Pedro.

I hope you are feeling a bit better by now. I got my band on the same day as you and def. can tell when I've over done it with my abdominal muscles (and it's just lifting my kids when absolutely necessary). I feel a super tightness and a little pain, but not nauseated. I worried I pulled something, too, but the pain eases a bit. Hopefully it is just a bit of a stomach bug. If it keeps hurting, I would def. make an appt. to see your surgeon and have it looked at on xrays or ultrasound. Good luck!

I def. burp a lot more. I have to say, it feels great when I do. It's usually when I've eaten and I can feel that "full" feeling. Then I burp and ahhhhh..... All is well. I know not to eat anymore but I def. feel a sense of peace (for lack of a better phrase). It was very hard to burp right after the surgery and I try not to make myself for fear of putting too much air in me. Great question!

My next follow up is July 10th and I am pretty sure I'm getting my first fill. I would hope so considering I am def. hungry a lot more and think I can eat more than I should (between 3/4c and 1+c) per meal. I'm def. ready to crank this puppy up a bit!

It's totally normal to feel full after a sip of water. Just keep sipping. Tiny sips are just fine. Every time you think of it, just take a small sip. I dehydrated the 2nd day and threw up (nothing, of course was in me) and it was because I felt sick and didn't want to drink anything incase which just made it totally worse. Once I started drinking again, I felt so much better. You're going to feel like you have a lot of pressure on your chest for a few days (at least I did) so that's why you probably feel so full. It will go away and you'll be able to drink a lot more. If you can get someone to go to GNC and buy the New Whey Protein Bullets (as mentioned up above) they are 42 grams of protein and I just pour them over crushed ice, add some water to dilute them a bit and sip on those. Grape was really good once it wasn't so strong tasting. Good luck! You will feel better in a few days!!!:blushing:

That's a good idea! I know that we're doing another thread where we're showing our progress, but I like daily check-ins. Is anyone else having a problem taking an hour to eat their 2 oz? I can usually eat about 3/4 c. and it takes me SO less time to eat it than I'm supposed to be. I chew and chew, put my fork down between bites, small bites, etc. but dang, I'm done in 20 min. Anyone else???:Angel_anim:

I just got banded and have only noticed discomfort when bending certain ways, walking (the port site is still so new, it's weird when I walk) and twisting in bed at night. Otherwise, the discomfort from the surgery is pretty much gone. I have not had any problems with any foods yet. I am able to eat chicken and shredded beef. I do avoid soft breads, soda, fibrous foods and just nibble on a cracker if I need some type of carb. I have had Cereal, tiny amounts of Pasta, fruit, and the typical post surgery foods. I do feel a difference with some things and just make sure I take very small bites and chew carefully. I have found that I like soy nuts when I want something crunchy so I just limit it to 1/4 c. but since they are so small, it takes a while to munch on them and it's like eating chips. It's also VERY filling so sometimes a 1/4 c. seems like a lot! I really do believe that I'll be able to eat almost anything but also know that it's up to me to make the right choices. I now check the carb and calorie counts on top of the Protein amounts. When I get really hungry, I eat a slice of low fat cheese instead of a FF pudding since I know the nutritional value is better. I'm going to enjoy our Thanksgiving, too, but also not beat myself up for having a bite of pumpkin pie since I know I'm not eating 3 slices as would be normal! Just like Babs0101, I'll eat my Proteins, then veggies, and then tiny amounts of the other stuff. It def. is about the choices you make and not the just eating what's able to go down. It's like underage drinking - if you know you can't have it, you want it. If it's ok to have, then it's not a big deal if you do or don't. That's my logic and I'm sticking to it!

300!!!! Holy Cow!!! That's incredible. I remember when we were in the 50's. Boy, did the Lap Band factory have a good month here! Ha ha! Good luck all you soon to be bandsters!!! It's ok to be a little nervous, but 2 weeks out and I feel like I almost didn't even have surgery (minus the major but much improved difference in eating!).