mom22

I finally know what "restriction" is - I just had my 3rd fill. I was banded 11/5/08 and lost quite a bit of weight right after the surgery. After my 1st fill - I felt like I didn't have any restriction. After my 2nd fill - I had some restriction but could still eat quite a bit. Just had my 3rd fill on Wednesday and I am definitely restricted. From past experience, the band will loosen up - but I now eat three bites of scrambled eggs and I'm full - its great!!! I'm down 64 pounds since the surgery - good luck to you!

I was banded 11/08 and had my first "stuck" situation last night. I ate beef cubes made in the crock pot with beef broth - very soft and I even mushed it with my fork. This was the first time I ate beef since being banded. Now I know what "getting stuck" really means!! I was in such pain for over 2-1/2 hours - Not to get gross, but there was sliming involved and then finally it all came up - what a relief. Did I do any damage? I definitely "threw up" (sorry for the bluntness) - I thought you couldn't do this with the band??? Do you think I need to call my doc? Thanks. Kay

I was banded 11/08, got my 1st fill in 12/08, second fill 2/09 - now up to 5.5cc - I'm definitely NOT at my sweet spot yet! Just like you - I do feel a tightening sensation when I eat too fast or too much - but I'm looking for that "full" feeling between meals that I had right after surgery. I was one of the lucky ones that felt alot of restriction right after surgery - and that's where I lost the majority of my weight. I go for another fill in 3 weeks and my doc will go slowly with the fills to avoid an "overfill." I do feel like I "graze" too much - not getting full with my meals. I hope this changes soon - I look forward to not thinking so much about food!! Good luck to you! Kay (starting weight 258 - today 203!!)

Hi Julie - I also got banded on 11/5/08 - congrats on your great weight loss! I've lost 48 pounds - but have been stuck at this weight for almost 2 weeks. Your post could have been my post - word for word! I too have a hard time determining if I'm eating too much - I'd like to think the band will help me with this decision. I only had one fill (early Dec) - my next fill isn't until 2/17. I feel like I can eat way too much - I remember my doc saying that right after my 1st fill I should feel restriction comparable to right after my surgery - I was looking forward to it! Unfortunately, I didn't feel any different after the fill. I believe I have a total of 4cc's (my band holds 8cc's) I tried to get in earlier for a fill-but because I've been losing so well, my doc said no - I was very disappointed. I made an appt with the nutritionist and she told me I was eating too much "soft" food (ff pudding, breakfast drinks) - I'm trying to eat more fish, chicken, etc to fill me up. It would be great to keep in contact since we have the same surgery date - lots in common! Good luck to you. KS

It was great to read about your "fill" experience. It sounds like you have reached that "sweet spot" I hear so much about! I was banded 11/5/08 and had my 1st fill last week. Doc took 2cc's out ( I was surprised there was that much from operation) and put back a total of 4cc's (have an 8cc band). I think I had as much restriction before this fill?? I am feeling hungry between meals and just don't feel that much restriction at all. Doc said I should feel like did right after surgery - definitely don't feel that kind of restriction. My next fill isn't scheduled until mid Feb 09 - seems like a long time away - how long did you need to wait until 2nd fill? Good luck to you! I'm down 41 pounds since two weeks prior to surgery - would really like to keep this losing streak going!!

I was banded on 11/5/08 and feel GREAT! I have lost 41 pounds (this includes the Atkins Diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery). I can actually go up a flight (or two) of stairs without even thinking about it! I had my first fill 5 days ago - doc said there was 2 cc's in my band already - he added 2 more (I have an 8cc band). I'm very surprised that I don't feel any additional restriction with the fill??? Has anyone else had this reaction? I'm not scheduled to go back to doc until mid Feb 09 - should I just hang in there or call and see about getting an additional fill sooner? Thanks for the help! K

:blush:The GREAT news is that I've lost 32 pounds since being banded on 11/5/08. I have my first fill scheduled for next Tuesday. My doc said to be eating a "normal" diet for one week prior to fill - what exactly is a "NORMAL" diet?? I've been eating tuna salad, eggs, turkey burgers, soft veggies - what I don't know is what SHOULDN'T I eat - how about a salad? I feel like I need to expand my choices, but I'm afraid to eat something full of carbs or something that will get stuck??? HELP!!!

Congrats on your upcoming surgery - you will do great! I am 2-1/2 weeks post op and feeling great! My advice to you is to give yourself 2 full weeks to recover. I really took it easy and eased into any type of activities - and when I hit the 2-week mark - it felt great. I've met other people who went back to full activities after one week and paid the price - tired, achey, just not healing well. Listen to your own body - you're young - you'll probaby heal faster than this 49 year old body!! I just received a great book from Amazon - Eating after weight loss surgery - I think it will be helpful to you too. Good Luck!

Hi everyone - I was banded on 11/5/08 - about 2-1/2 weeks ago and I'm doing great. I was on clear liquids for 5 days, then full liquids, now on pureed/mushie foods. When I go back to doc for 1st fill (in 3 weeks) he wants me to be on normal diet for one week. I am having trouble determining what to eat - it's a grey area between pureed and mushies. I've lost a total (since pre-surgery diet) of 25 pounds - but it's wierd - I don't really see a difference in the way I look-clothing is a bit loose-but I thought I'd be in the next size down by now. I can start to exercise in one week-hopefully this will help. I am back to about 90%-still have to take a little power nap in afternoon-but I'm feeling really good. Bought "Oh Yeah" ready-to-drink protein drinks from bariatric.com -they're really good-especially the vanilla flavored. Found out at my doc appt that he repaired a hiatal hernia - haven't had a bit of reflux or heartburn since surgery! Good luck to everyone out there!

Congrats on getting the band - I'm about a week ahead of you - got my band on 11/5. I, too, had a HORRIBLE headache on day 4 and 5 - I called my surgeon (even called me back on a Sunday) and he told me to move from clear liquid to full liquid - headache gone!!! I really think it was just not getting any nutrition in. I had strained cream soups (chicken, V-8 squash soup, etc), and sugar free carnation instant breakfast drinks. I'm a 11 days out and feeling great - luckily I never had any shoulder or chest pains from gas. I was one of the lucky ones who never needed any pain meds once I was home from hospital. I did alot of short walks - maybe it helped? I just started pureed stage and I feel really good - just hard to get enough fluids in. Good luck to you!

I ordered a sample bag of protein drinks from www.bariatriceating.com - my favorite is the ready-to-drink "Oh Yeah" in vanilla cream - even my teenage daughters love it! Good Luck!

I was just banded on 11/5 - I highly suggest a pair of shorts (stretch waist) or pj bottoms - when you're up walking the halls, you'll really appreciate them! I didn't bring mine - ended up using another hospital gown and putting it on backwards. My suggestion for what to bring (I was in for two days):your own pillow (best thing I brought!), chapstick, cell phone (make sure they allow you to use it with all their equipment-I couldn't call my home or my husband's cell phone with the hospital phone). Good luck - I'm on day 4 and I'm walking, doing light housechores, and drove yesterday.

Looks like we were banded on the same day - 11/5/08. I don't have any appetite and am having a hard time just getting clear liquids in. I sip on water all day - I'm trying very hard to avoid getting dehydrated. It's amazing how different each doctor's post-surgery diet is - I'm on a full clear liquid until next Friday (that will be 9 days post op); then on to liquids for about a week, then on to mushies. I have a headache today-wonder if it's from not eating!! Took some liquid tylenol (yuch!)-hope to feel better from the headache-otherwise I'm doing great! Up and walking, doing small house chores, just drove my daughter to a class. Good luck to you - it would be great to keep in touch!