mom22

I've just signed on with Dr. Boorse in Allentown PA - has anyone used this group? They seem to have a great center with lots of before and after care. I'm starting the required 6-month pre-program with monthly meetings and doctor visits. While I know it's to my advantage to have this 6-month information period - I'm also disappointed that I can't have the surgery until at least October - I'm ready NOW!!!:coolgleamA: ps - I'm still confused on which surgery to choose - lapband or gastric - I don't need to make my decision right away - how did you make this choice?

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!

Thought I'd report on my experience being banded just two days ago (11/5/08) - I know I enjoyed reading about everyone else's experience - now it's my time. Luckily I was first on my docs schedule -was at hospital by 5am-operated on by 7am - if you can request to be first on his schedule - do yourself a favor and take the first slot! Was in my room by 1pm - pain in my stomach, but feeling pretty good. I did take the morphine for the first 24 hours - helped to relax me and I got a little sleep. Suggestions for what to take to hospital - stretch shorts or pj bottoms!! This is the only thing I did not have that I really missed. I was up walking the same evening - but hated my back end open - I did ask for another gown and put it on like a robe - this helps but is warm when you sleep. Heparin shots in the stomach are not pleasant (burning after the shot is over), but not too bad. IV was in until I was discharged. Hardest thing about being in hospital was not resting - lots of noise and constant checking doesn't allow for sleep - it's good to get home. Another girl was operated on same morning as me - she had to stay second night due to diarhea. I do have diarhea when I go to bathroom -but I guess this is normal since I'm only having liquids. I have followup appt with doc next Friday - clear liquids till then. When I read about fellow bandsters getting released from hospital same day - I worry about you! I was in for nearly two days - and it made me feel they were really taking all precautions. Barium swallow morning after surgery-gross thick stuff to drink- but painless. If anyone is interested in any specifics - give me a shout - glad to help! :thumbs_up:

I could really use some help - my wedding rings are too tight to remove. Just had my pre-admission testing for my surgery next week - they told me the surgery will be canceled if I cannot get my rings off! Any suggestions on how to get my wedding rings off without cutting them!! THANKS!!

I too am dealing with the fear and skepticism that my family is displaying. For the 1st time in my life - I just put my foot down, told everyone how excited I was to have the surgery, explained that I am informed and so ready for it - I think my positive outlook really helped them to accept my decision. My surgery is in 4 days - inside I am nervous but I am very excited too. My husband feels I should give diet and excercise one more shot - he just doesn't get it that I've given it "one more shot" dozens of times. I need this for myself - I'm doing it-and that's my decision. I am lucky that my insurance is paying 100% and my doctor and hospital are 15 minutes away. I just told my parents and my kids this week-didn't want them to worry for weeks before the surgery. I've lost about 9 pounds on the Atkins Diet-I can't believe how much better I feel just losing those few pounds-I just came upstairs and didn't have to stop at the top and catch my breath! I'm so ready to feel better, look better, be healthier! Do what you feel in your heart is the right decision for you - and stick to your guns and be positive, positive, positive - your family and friends will help you because they love you! Good luck... kls

Wow - eight days since surgery and you're playing golf! My surgery is next week - I'd love to hear about your experience right after the surgery. Good luck to you!

I know just how you feel - my surgery is next Wed - 6 days away. I'm getting nervous and questionning myself. But - I know I need this for myself - I need help losing this weight and deep down I feel it's the right thing for me! Most people I've talked to that have had the surgery (my doctor has monthly support group meetings - couple hundred people attend each month) say it's not bad at all! I hope you can resolve your feelings one way or another - remember it's what is good for YOU, not anyone else! Good Luck

Hi Moreen - my surgery is scheduled for 11/5 and I'm on the South Beach Diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery. I'm finding it hard to stay on this diet - but full liquid sounds even harder!! I am sick of eggs for breakfast - I'm finding that it hard to figure out what to eat, so I am not eating very much at all. I've actually been very dizzy the last two days - not sure if it's due to the reduction in calories - or if blood pressure is an issue. I am currently on blood pressure meds - could losing 10 pounds cause a reduction in blood pressure already? Maybe I need to modify my meds? Oh well - good luck to you and hope you lose the required pounds to go ahead with your surgery!

You've just described my "dream." I am scheduled for the band on 11/5-I often think about how it would be to not live to eat. I can only hope I have the same success as you! Good luck and congratulations!

:thumbup:Just received the call that I'm approved and my date has been confirmed as two weeks from today (11/5)!! I'm so excited to finally see this happening. I started with my first seminar in 2/08, followed by a 6-month program, and now will have surgery in 2 weeks. Today I have started the South Beach Diet - which I'm to stay on till the day before surgery. I'm already feeling scared that I will have a hard time on this diet - even though I know it's just setting me up for good habits after surgery. I've tried a number of protein drinks - I would love to hear from other bandsters as to which drinks they like - there are so many out there and they do not all taste very good. I hate to buy a whole container only to find out it's not very tasty. My biggest concern is getting a migraine after surgery - the last time I had surgery, I woke up in the recovery room with the worst headache ever - the surgery was a breeze but getting rid of the headache was awful! Anyone else scheduled for 11/5?

Well, good luck - let me know how you make out!

I hope so too!! Did you need to go thru a 6-month educational program at your hospital? I checked with my insurance company (Cap Blue Cross) one week ago and they didn't even have my paperwork yet - I got the call exactly one week later that I was approved - so hopefully it will go quickly for you too!

:smile:Well it looks like I will be joing the NOTORIOUS NOVEMBERS - my surgery is schedule for Nov 5th at Lehigh Valley Hospital - the last appointment I have prior to surgery is next week for a cardiac clearance. I have not lost any weight since starting the 6-month presurgery program. I just can't get into the habit of eating better - anyone else struggling with this? It does worry me for what I will encounter after being banded - my head is so ready for this - but I still worry about my compliance.