barbara9460

Call your surgeons office and ask if they put any fill in your band during surgery. Some do, though many don't. If he did put some in, then you can go and get some taken out. It sounds like you have extra swelling. Stick to the clear liquids (broth, sugarfree Jello and sugarfree popcicles). When those are comfortable going down, then start on the "full" liquids - cream soups, puddings, etc. I stayed on clears for 10 days and full liquids for three weeks. You may be trying too soon also. But, this all sounds like a call to the office is needed. Best of luck! Barbara

Chris, I would say that it's time to see someone regarding your wife's feeling too big still. Sounds like a little counseling is in order. It's very possible to become anerexic. Don't let it get too much out of hand. And then again, it may be that your wife just isn't yet satisfied with how her new body looks. There's so much that we can't know about your situation. I would definitely see someone for an evaluation... maybe it's something very simple. I wish you both the best of luck and say congratulations to both of you. One thing another poster said is that they didn't have the same luck... well, luck has nothing to do with it. This takes hard, very dedicated work. Peace, Barbara

You're putting yourself in jeopardy by eating already. The reason for the liquid diet and slow progression to food is to make the stomach heal. Band slippage is a huge problem when you eat too soon. You do not want your stomach to "grind" up food and possibly cause the stitches to tear. The general practice is to have clear liquids for two weeks, then full for two to three weeks and the mushies. Best of luck.

:cool2:Hi! I'm looking for a Band Mentor or Buddy in the Clearwater Florida area or at least via this site. I was banded on 5/9/08 and to date have lost 37 lbs on the pre-op liquids and the post-op liquids. I don't get mushie foods until next week, so I'm STARVING! I am looking for someone to help me keep on track and whom I can also provide support for. Please PM me if you are interested in this! Thanks!!!!!

I had my surgery on 5/9/08 and I've eaten most of the basic foods I ate before - only making better choices - baked, not fried, etc. Each person is different and each doctor is different. My doc had me do a 2 week liquid diet (Optifast, sugar-free Jello, sugar-free popcicles and broth); then surgery and afterwards 10 days of Clear liquids (that means not even optifast!); then three weeks of full liquids (cream Soups added to the list); then mushies - grind everything up. Now I'm eating normally. I lost nearly 20 lbs before surgery and am up to about 50 now. The idea is that you learn how to eat all over again. The head hunger is killer, but can be overcome with support. Yes, if you followed the diets we're following and eating in the right quantity then you'll lose weight - BUT ... if you're like most of us, you will be hungry all the time - miserable and ready to kill. And that's not much exageration! I eat sweet potatos, broccoli, salad and other things that are generally not tolerated by many bandsters. Each person must try different foods and decide what works for them. I can eat shrimp one night but not the next - it's different every day. You have to decide - diets with constant hunger or eating properly with no hunger... hmmmm easy choice for me. Do the research and read the things that are posted on this site and others. You'll figure it out. Best of luck, Barbara

Hi Anna. I've not been anyplace since I got my band, but I lots of friends that travel and they all say that the band gets tighter at higher altitudes. I would try to find a fill center in the area you're traveling to just in case the band gets too tight. Best and have a wonderful time! Barbara

This sounds like gas pain to me. It's typically not as bad as what you're describing, but I have heard of it being this bad. Is she taking gas-x or something similar to help move the gas? Was she on a liquid diet prior to surgery? That would explain the lack of BM's. I went for about 10 days with nothing, and then I had the worst case of diarreaha - liquids in, liquids out. Also, is your girlfriend taking the Tramadol in pill form or is she crushing it first? She's not eating yet is she? That could also cause lots of pain because she should be on liquids only at this stage. Use a heating pad on the shoulder and tummy and walk as much as possible. If she doesn't have some relief after the gas-x and heating pad and walking, then you really do need to see the doctor. Preferably the doc that did the surgery, because he's going to know more about it than and ER doc. Let us know how she's doing. You'll both be in our prayers. Barbara

What you're suffering right now is something ALL of us have gone through at one point or another. It's still a matter of will power for some of us - no, make it ALL of us. It's our will to choose to eat ice cream vs. sugar-free pudding with protein; it'w our will to choose to eat Protein first then veggies and to lay off the carbs. You're in the healing stage and it can be very hard. Just follow all the rules. You've already lost some weight and you will continue to lose. It's designed so that we lose very slowly. The ideal is 1, maybe 2 lbs per week. Also, you have to keep calories around 800-1000 in the beginning while you re-learn how to eat. If you're exercising, then you get more calories - The body goes into starvation mode if you don't have net calories of at least 800. So if you burn 500, you didn't make your goal of 800. Please keep coming back. And be aware that sometimes people share only the bad stuff, but those are not the norm. You are going to be okay. I promise! As far as being a picky eater - what exactly does that mean? Does it mean you don't eat protein at all? Does it mean that you're a vegan? We can't help unless we know what it means. Also, get to a support meeting as soon as you can. They can really help. I can't miss them or I get depressed too! If you want to pm me with the answers to these questions I'll be more than happy to try to help. I'm only about 10 weeks out of surgery myself, but I'm the queen of support!! LOL! Take it one day at a time - or one meal at a time. We'll help you! Hugs, Barbara

I can tell you exactly why your weight loss is so slow. You body is in starvation mode. You need at least 800 calories a day. Then you have to factor in how many calories you're burning - if you eat 800, but burn 500, then your body only has 300 left and it's refusing to let anything go because you're starving. Balance the calories and be sure to drink lots of Water (or other non-caffeine drinks). Experts now say that 8 glasses isn't enough. If you take your weight and divide by 2 you'll get the number of ounces you should have every day. Don't worry, things will turn around. I'm in the same place as you... very slow loss, but that's what it's supposed to be! Only 1 or 2 lbs per week. Best of luck! Barbara

Hi Barbie - from another Barbie! I've been banded for two months. I've had a couple of episodes like you're describing. They suck in the worst way! Somebody offered a suggestion and it worked for me: the minute you feel that pressure in your chest, stop eating. If it keeps building run to the freezer and get a popcicle. I couldn't believe that would work, but when I tried it, it really did work. Sometimes I have to have two popcicles, but I think it's the cold that works. When food gets stuck the tissues start swelling right away - the cold shrinks them. Good luck! Hopefully it will be the last time either of us have that! Barbara

Hey Tx! I was banded on 5/9/08. I researched this for nearly 5 years. I also researched EVERY alternative. I did some serious soul searching and I asked my family and best friend to play "devil's advocate" and I came to the conclusion that if I didn't get the band I would die. Simple as that. No matter what I did, I was hungry every minute of every day. In retrospect, some of that was emotional hunger and what we call head hunger. Yes, I've had the "stuck hotdog" feeling before. It happens if you eat too big a bite, don't chew enough or eat too fast. It's awful, but it TEACHES too! Every bandster goes through it. I have friends who have been banded for 5 years who still occasionally PB. I told everybody about my getting the band. Most people were supportive. The only girl that wasn't very supportive was an RNY patient who'd gained back most of her weight. Basically, TX, you have to ask youself if you were not hungry, could you make the dietary changes necessary to succeed. Are you willing to give up beer and soda (bubbly drinks). Are you able to eat three meals a day only (or add two Snacks if that's what your doc prescribes for you)? Will you go to the support group meetings and learn from others? It's important to go to local meetings because many of the people in the meeting will have been banded by the same doc as you have and will be able to give excellent insight. And YES, you will feel full. For me the hardest part was the two week pre-op liquid diet and the time after surgery when I had a 10 day clear liquid, three week full liquid diet. These allow for pouch healing and for the stitches to "cement" themselves into place. But let's face it, if you're fat, you've likely been on hundreds of diets, so you can do this too. In the end, you will have some foods that won't work for you. There are a few things that you'll not have again, like beer and soda. You'll have to eat Protein first and then veggies, but isn't becoming healthy why you're doing this? If that isn't your reason for wanting to lose the weight, then you need to take a look at it again. If you're doing this for anybody but yourself, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions that I can answer. This is a valuable site, but you must remember that each person will have a completely different experience. Barbara :tt1:

Good post! I agree completely! I know several people at work, and several celebrities who had RNY and have since gained back much of the lost weight. Someone told me recently that Al Roker got a band over his RNY because he'd gained so much back!!! Why must everyone think it's some kind of competition? We should all be congratulated for doing something to make ourselves healthy again - for some it's Weight Watchers, others the Band and still others choose radical surgery. Who cares? It does make me want to rant when people (RNYers) treat me as if I'm something less than they are because I chose the band. Hell with 'em! I know what I did is right, right, right for ME and that's all that matters!

Well, I finally got my first fill yesterday. Last minute dash to Zhills from Tampa because Dr. Krish had an emergency in the afternoon. It was sure a strange feeling when he put the saline in the band - felt like my stomach was doing a backflip! When I sat up and drank the water it got stuck immediately. Boy did that hurt. After a bit we settled on 3cc's. The whole procedure was essentially pain free - love that freezing cold numbing spray. It was such a strange sound when he was trying to hit the right spot on the port. That was pretty freaky - the human body wasn't supposed to make noises like that! I thought that after the band, stomach B would shut-up and leave me alone, but it's making so much noise! I am so darn hungry right now - so I'll go drink some broth or eat some jello. I feel like the band is wide open right this minute, but I'm sure after the broth I'll feel more full. Have a happy 4th everybody! Hugs to all! Barbara

Gena, if you didn't just have a fill, I'd call the doc so they can check it out. All the PB'ing to get the chicken through could have caused a problem. Best of luck and let us know what happens. But, definitely - Call the doc. Anytime you wonder if you should call the doctor, then you should call the doc. Barbara

I had similar problems with food getting stuck, though it was from eating too fast and not chewing enough. Someone told me - and it really did work - eat popcicles. The cold shrinks the swelling you get from the food getting stuck and in a short time it will slide right through. It's a horrible, painful thing. You need to tell the surgeon that you've been vomiting and have them check your band under floroscopy. That is a trip to a center or hospital but if all is okay back home in a couple of hours. Vomiting causes slippage. If you get past the pizza and start to have problems with mushie again, then definitely call them and demand help. Remember too, that you are still swollen from the surgery and any food you've eaten that caused pain. If I were you, I'd go back to full liquids for a while (2 or 3 days up to a week) and start very slowly. You should get full on about 1/4 cup of anything - cottage cheese, pudding, etc. CHEW, CHEW, CHEW. Best of luck! Please don't get too discouraged. Once you get past this time, you'll be glad you got the band. It's a learning experience - and all of us, sooner or later, have slime and pb (that's what you had happen.) Oh, if you do feel stuck again, DO NOT DRINK - And don't swallow if you can help it (unless you're eating popcicles) because all that slime is your own saliva. Good luck! I hope you feel better really quickly! Barbara

I read your post and have to tell you the truth... it can be very, very hard in the beginning. I have great difficulty sometimes - mostly at night as I'm a night eater. You will need to stick to your docs rules. If you haven't really stayed on your pre-op diet, did you know that they could open you up for surgery and then close you right back up again? The purpose of the pre-op diet is to shrink your fatty liver and other organs to give the doc room to work. More people than you realize have not followed the pre-op and then woke up in recovery without a band. Bottom line - if you love food more than you love yourself you won't be doing yourself any favors with this. You MUST do as instructed from your docs and nutritionist. If you don't you could cause slippage (especially if you eat solids soon after surgery) or you could stretch your new stomach pouch. And believe me when I say that you will know if you eat too much or too fast or without chewing well enough. It hurts like nothing I've ever felt... thought I was having a heart attack! And it lasts until the food passes - that could take a couple of hours. Look, it's a learning process, but all of us go through it. If you can follow the rules you'll do fine. But if you already KNOW that you CAN'T change your eating habits, DON'T do this - it could really be bad for your health to do this and then hurt yourself by not following the rules. Everybody is different, but the only person who can decide for sure is YOU. If you're not 100% sure, then postpone the surgery and get in to see someone - maybe the psychologist or the surgeons nurse or someone who has had the same concerns that you have. Your life is too valuable to chance this without being certain that you can change your habits. I wish you the very best luck possible. Barbara

Call your doc right away!!! You could very well be dehydrated - which does cause heart stuff! Try to drink a bit every few minutes, all day long. Let us know how you're doing! Best! Barbara

Check with your doctor and online with the drug company. Many meds come in liquid form. Also, capsules don't pose the same problems that pills do. I haven't had a fill yet, but I take capsules now. I have the meds in liquid, but they taste HORRIBLE! Always check with your doc for these things though, because what works for one may not work for another. Best of luck! Barbara

Believe it or not, it happens LOTS! Depends in part on what your preop diet was and if you are sensitive to the anesthesia. I had this issue at home, luckily!, but not until three or four days post op. It lasted for days - and no warning either! Thank goodness my son is tolerant and helped me clean up the chair I'd been sitting in! By the way, that was a funny,runny post! Barbara :biggrin:

Leslie, I had the same problem that you're having - every day. But luckily my problems were in the evening after I got home. It is truly "liquids in - liquids out" for us. The only thing I can tell you is that I went to the bathroom more frequently at work and tried to be sure that all my business was finished. I went to the potty even when I didn't think I had to, because it will sneak up on you. Call your doctors office and ask if they can prescribe something that you are able to take - Pepto is out because it has an asprin type of substance, but maybe you can have some kaopectate or something similar. If you feel up to working, then you should work. If not, and if your job will allow it, don't. You have to start paying attention to what your body is telling you now. Congrats on being banded now, and try not to worry. Barbara

Don't worry, you're doing fine. Froggi is right, you may gain weight during this phase. Unfortunately, this is the time we call "bandster hell!" First you think you'll never make the 10 days of Clear liquids, then you think you'll never make it through the time of full liquids (mine was three weeks) and then mushies - you might feel like you don't know what to eat, but you'll figure it out. Keep coming here for support and go to any local support groups that you can. If your surgeon specializes in lap-band, call the office and talk to the staff. Just remember - it's perfectly normal to not lose during this time - and many gain weight. Keep your calories between 800 and 1000. If you're exercising (later - after you're healed), you'll also need to figure out how many cals you're burning and factor them in: for example, you've burned 200 calories, and eaten 800 - you're still short calories - you'll need to eat 200 more calories to make the 800 total. Anything less and you're body goes into starvation mode and you won't lose at all! Best of luck. I promise that you won't regret your decision! Barbara

Hi Butterfly! I am in the same group that you are - FOSA. They have meetings in a few different places, but usually once a month for each place. I log on to their site to find out when they have them - I know that we're having one on the subject of Protein this coming Saturday. This one is on June 21st at the Zephyrhills office at 10:00. They have one on the third Saturday of every month. Then there's a meeting on Monday evenings - once a month - at the TNC location - Dr. DiCicco's office. We've already had that one for this month because it had to be changed to earlier in the month. Some of the staff who run the meetings went to Washington D.C. to march in the Walk from Obesity event. Where in Tampa do you live? If it's fairly close maybe we can arrange to carpool to the meeting. I live in Clearwater, but the easiest and shortest path to the office is for me to drive over to 301 and head north. I hope you can make it Saturday. Also, there's supposed to be a meeting/gathering at one of the long-timers homes over in Largo on Sunday. Check the yahoo boards for this info - florida bandsters on the west coast is the group name. There's also a fosa board, but not much action on these boards sometimes. If you want to call me to see about carpooling to the Zhills meeting, please feel free to do so. 727-712-0562. Hugs! Barbara

This is completely normal. You lose and gain sometimes based on how much or little fluids you've had, or whether or not you're retaining Water, or if you ate carbs or any of a hundred other reasons. I've actually weighed in the morning and then again the same evening and lost/gained as much as 5 or 6 lbs. Don't let it freak you out. Do a little bit of exercise, drink plenty of water and forget about it. Also, weighing every day will screw with your brain! Only once a week - pick the same day, same time and you'll get better results. Also, you should try a new scale if this one is older or analog. Digital is best. Best, Barbara

I was banded on 5/9 and have just started mushies this week. I will say this: Weight loss is only acheived if you eat at least 800 calories. Then you have to figure the calories burned by exercise and compensate. The body goes into starvation mode if you get less than 800 cals. I'm living proof of that. My own doc says to stay between 800 and 1000 to lose while I'm waiting on a fill (7/1!!!!). Hope this helps! Barbara