ChicagoCoco

Thanks for your responses. While it's upsetting, it's nice to know I'm not alone in wondering. Does anyone know *why* this happens? C

Hi, All. I had a second fill about three weeks ago and was in pain, was pb'ing, couldn't eat until way late in the day and then only one or two bites, was afraid to eat becuase of how often I was throwing up, etc. So, I went into the Dr's office where he took out .25 of a cc (the fill was 1cc). But, now, five days later I can eat lots, more than I could *before* the second fill. Does this sound familiar to anyone? What has happened? I'm confused and more than a bit worried that he might have punctured the band. I *am* restricted, but, again, not as much as I was before getting the second fill. Ostensibly I've got .75cc more in the band than I had then... Thanks in advance for your help and clarity. Coco

Hi. I didn't have the band when I took this medicine. But, I took it for smoking cessation some years ago and remember that one of the side effects tht was often reported was decreased appetite. It's powerful stuff. Doesn't surprise me that it's affecting her band. I had to stop taking it because I started having heart palpatations. Eek. She should talk to both her PCP and Band surgeon straight away, I'd think. Luck! CCoco

I just got back from having my first fill. And, I can say that I almost passed out on the Fluro table--a couple of times! My surgeon and his intern were there and assured me that it is a common phenomenon. Evidently, there is a nerve that runs down the abdomen that is more sensitive in some people than in others. The needles, both for numbing and for filling, somehow impact that nerve. They were completely non-plussed about it, said it happens a lot, they flattened me out on the table a couple of times, gave me some Water and I felt better, though not completely better until I was out in the fresh air. All of that is to say: It might happen to you again and I wouldn't worry about it. Again, my surgeon seemed completly fine with it and they had a routine down to deal with it which tells me it happens enough for them to know what to do. Coco

I always like to give Harry and David fruit. Depending on how much you want to spend you could give a something like a box of rainier cherries (these are just in as I got mine today). Or, you could be more extravagant and give a couple of months of fruit. They have all sorts of options. The Figs are just in too and are breathtaking. The other thing you might do is give a gift on behalf of the surgeon's office to some charity that does good, medically-based work around the world (or, down in LA). That might be meaningful and would be put to really good use. Luck! Coco

Oops! I forgot to say: You guys are great!! not just great great. But, Tony the Tiger GREEEEAT! Thanks again. Coco

All, Thanks so much for the wonderful tips!! I had ice cream in the house and am promptly throwing it away (not that there is much left. sigh). And, I've been using smaller plates already, but asking for them in restuarants is a great idea. Also, I'm super intrigued by the notion of fills. I can't tolerate that much food right now. I'm not sure if that's because of the swelling or if I already have som sort of restriction. In any event, more restriction is a little scary. If other folks have additional tricks I'd love to hear them. I'm compiling a list. Maybe I should post it? Thanks again, guys. And, have a great holiday! Coco

Hi. I gave up Diet Coke, which was my absolute favorite thing to drink, about a month before being banded. I'm amazed that I don't miss it. But, I did go through a week of headache and caffeine withdrawl, which proved to me that it was probably not the best for me, at least in the quantities I was taking in. So, I now drink lots of Crystal Light. I also have been making up tea drinks: hibiscus tea with apple juice and lemonade. Yum!! Sometimes, if I'm really jonesing for something sweet, I do sweetened iced tea. Also, I'll treat myself to Starbucks' Blended strawberry Lemonade. This isn't a drink on their signage, but they will make it and it is sooooooo good. Whew! Luck with the DC trip. It does get better after your body detoxes. Yep. Coco

Hi, All. I was just banded on June 19th and already find myself asking questions like "how do I get my head around not eating another huge plate of food," which I know sounds silly. But, it feels like a sort of grief (and at the same time a really great relief, as odd as that sounds). So, I guess I'm wondering if those of you who have been banded for awhile can share your tricks of the trade, the things you've done and still do to help move you past old behaviors. Thanks and Happy 4th! Coco

Thanks, Poodles. Why do you think crackers are included in your doctor's list of "soft foods"? Coco

Hi Everybody! Holy Smokes am I confused by "soft food." I'm entering the Soft Food stage of my diet. But, I'm a little confused as to what, exactly, this means and since the holidays are upon us and my surgeon is gone, I thought I'd ask folks who are in the know (at least more in the know than I am). According to my dr's guidelines my Soft Diet is supposed to be composed of "Soft foods that can be cut with a fork." (that's all they list. humph.) Does that include, in your opinion, Fish Fruit (fresh, ripe) Spinach Scrambled eggs and so forth? I find the provided guidelines very ambigious. I could probably cook some short ribs of beef so that they are tender enough to cut with a fork (I won't! but, I could, no?). Anyway, thanks for your help. I'm open to all suggestions. I haven't been able to find a list that explicitly for this stage... Happy Holidays, Bandsters! Coco

Hi. Thanks for the advice. I'll call my doctor today. Yesterday, out of frustration, I took some over-the-counter laxatives thinking, "it can't hurt." That seems to have worked a bit. Even though I wasn't officially constipated, I probably wasn't as normal as I should have been. The nerve thing sounds scary! I hope it's all gone now. Funny what gardening can do. I read somewhere that gardening burns a whole bunch of calories! Anyway, thanks again, guys. Your ideas were helpful. If I talk to my MD and find out it was something besides intestinal blockage/cramp, I'll let you know.

Linda, what do Papaya Enzymes *do* that make PBing better? I've never heard of them and they sound like something very cool! Coco

Thanks, Amus. Have your pains gone away?

Hi, Folks. I was banded on June 19th and everything has been going well (I think!). But, I have a sharp pain in my lower abdomen, about four inches to the right of my belly button (and about five inches below my port incision). It feels like a cramp, but I don't have gas issues and I while I haven't been as regular as I'd like, I'm not totally backed up. Sometimes it moves slightly lower, as if it's hovering around the ovary area, but then moves back up. Any ideas? I've gotten myself a bit worried. The pain isn't the sort of thing that I normally have and so I'm convinced it's related to the surgery. Likewise, I'm not sure it's drastic enough, although it is uncomfortable when I do things like stand or walk the dog, to alert my physician. I hate to be a screaming Mimi. I guess I'm really just hoping this sounds familiar to someone and for some sage advice. Anyone? Thanks for your help!!! Best, Coco