tnag86

Luluc, you have done so well, I'm curious! I have had three fills for a total of 6.1 cc. I just don't know what I'm supposed to feel like when I have a good fill. Should I feel full after a few bites? I eat small portions, but never really have a "full" feeling. Right now, I'm getting hungry in three hrs. or less so I think I need another fill. I'd love to have your advice since you've been so successful. Nancy B.

Babs44, who is your surgeon gonna be? I live in Short Pump as well and was banded in July by Dr. Brengman. Doing well - I've one fill so far and need another, but gonna wait until after a vacation in a couple weeks. I don't want any swallowing issues while I'm in Napa Valley. Sounds like you've done great already losing 19 lbs! Don't discount that - thats great work!!!! You must feel and look better in general! People may not notice the actual weight loss yet, but probably notice you look better and feel more energy! Hang in there!! Nancy B.

Lisa, I was banded on 7/17 by Dr. Brengman at St. Mary's in Richmond. He and Dr. Schroder are in the same group and both come highly recommended. Their group is wonderful: great support, lots of info, great surgeons. The St. Mary's surgical staff was also wonderful. My surgery went great and I am looking forward to my second fill. Good luck!! Nancy

Go to weight loss diet ticker to create your ticker. You'll have to paste it into your profile here. It took me a little while but I finally figured it out. There is probably a thread on this website if you search, that will give you better instructions. Nancy:)

Hey Angela, there are several types of support groups at St. Mary's, but there is a really good general one that meets tomorrow in the big classroom (meets on 2nd Mondays of month) from 7-8:30. Shirley, I work in labor and delivery at the hospital:)

Hi Ciconetti, I had my pre-op appt this past Tuesday and all is well. I saw Erin, the Nurse Practitioner. She scheduled me for my first fill in 3 weeks, which I need, as I notice I am starting to get hungry sooner than I did right after surgery. I love the group and have no complaints. Have you been to any of the support meetings? There is one this Monday that I am going to at St. Mary's. If you haven't gone, you should try it. It is also a great way to get info from other patients that may help you. Nancy

Orea, good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I will keep you in my prayers! Nancy

Hi Virginia girls, I was banded by Dr. Brengman (of Elliott and Schroder's) group on 7/17. I am a nurse at St. Mary's and also chose to have my surgery there. I cannot tell you how great everything went! I have nothing but great things to say about all the surgical and post-op staff who cared for me. Hope you guys have just as great an experience! Nancy B.

Mackie, I will keep you and your husband in my prayers as well!!!!

:thumbup:DonnaT820, I was banded a couple days after you and had the same problem for a couple days. Definitely more liquids should help and my nutritionist suggested trying to get more sodium in the diet. Initially we are getting way less sodium than our bodies our used to and that can make you feel dizzy or weak. She suggested drinking broth 1-2x daily. Good luck!

Three sixty six, sorry about your mouth. That sounds very painful!!! I have been feeling like I have really bad breath for several days, but after listening to you guys, I think may it is ketosis. I'm definitely getting 70 or so grams of Protein a day, so that isn't the culprit. Glad to hear someone else with these problems, and hope they disappear before I have to return to work!

I am 6 days post-op and can honestly say that today is the first day my tummy isn't so sore and distended!!! Yeah!! It really is miserable having all that trapped gas in there! Hang in there guys!!

I am 6 days post-op and start mushies tomorrow. I am very excited! Just today, I started feeling major hunger pains. I have been having protein shakes 3x daily for several days. If you guys are eating soup for a meal, you should try to add some protein to it - it should definitely hold you longer then. I bought the Unjury unflavored and plan to add it to all soups, etc. I know the protein is very emphasized by my doctor to stick with you longer.

AliNSanDiego, clear liquids for 2 weeks?! I don't know how you'll have enough energy to do anything. Plus, my doctor has us start on protein shakes 2 days post-op b/c you need protein for your body to heal. I would definitely question your doctor about this. Keep us posted.

Choopie, I am glad to hear about someone else with gas pains. I am four days out and expected to feel much better today, but still feel pretty weak and am dealing with not soreness, but pains which must be gas. I will pray that the two week mark will leave us both feeling like new women!

Debbles, I also have had a bloated type feeling many times during the day. I was just banded 7/17 and am still trying to decipher surgery pain from possibly gas pain. Today, I started thinking I may want to decrease the lactose in my diet and make my protein shakes with Boost, or I may have to get lactaid tomorrow. I'm thinking I still shouldn't feel so bloated from surgery, so it is starting to look like gas is the culprit.

Hey guys, I was banded 7/17 and have experienced pain under the chest area as well. I have found that lying flat makes it worse! I think it is still swelling in the surgical area pushing up on the diaphragm and when you lie flat all the fluid gravitates up. I even felt a little short of breath this morning until I had been up awhile. I have tried to sleep somewhat elevated each night, but sometimes wake up in a flat position. I don't think this problem should last more than a few days!

Hate to be gross, but did anyone have complete watery diarrhea post surgery? I did and was worried about getting dehydrated. Had it until last night(2 days post Op) and called by surgeon. He said it was okay to take immodium, and so far I think the problem is solved. Anyone else have this issue!:thumbup:

Are you still on liquids DonnaT280? I was banded the day after you and I am on full liquids until next Thursday. I was told to concentrate on drinking three Protein shakes a daily with 20 grams of protein each. I was also told to take a sip or two every 3-5 min., so it takes about 30 min. to drink each one. I also sip Water or crystal lite the rest of the day. There is no way you could stretch your pouch by doing this! I really can't even look at food yet. But, I'm sure that will change soon! Hang in there!

Hi txdresser, I was banded the day before you. Sounds like you are doing incredibly well! Are you still having to take any pain meds? I was banded the day before you and my only issues have been a dry cough which hurts my stomach(from breathing tube in surgery) and a lot of watery diarrhea ( which left me feeling pretty weak). Today is the first day I feel like I could go do something other than walk around the house! You are my role model! Good for you! How soon are you going back to work!?

Maleliz 777, I was banded yesterday at 8 A.M. and came home about 1:30. I am self-pay and they do our surgeries first thing in the a.m. so we have plenty of time to recover and go home safely. I was so glad to be at home. In the hospital I would have still been hooked up to a bunch of wires (IV,etc.) I took pain meds before I went to bed and woke up in middle of night and took them again. I did not wait until pain was greater than 4 or 5 on a scale of 1-10. Pain is not terrible, just feel really sore in my abdomen, like I did 10,000 sit-ups. My throat is kind of raw and scratchy from the breathing tube during surgery. I ended up sleeping sort of upright in my recliner. I felt a little too sore to sleep on either side, plus it was much easier to take a sip every time I woke up. You must stay hydrated! I felt this much easier to do at home instead of having a nurse wake me every few hours. I was on my own schedule and comfy at home! Good luck to you!:thumbdown: Nancy B.

Hey cutiew/booty: I just got banded yesterday and am feeling pretty decent. I was really scared at the beginning of my liquid diet b/c I know the light headed feeling you are describing. I usually have them at the beginning of any diet. I didn't experience that this time. I just had trouble with feeling like a limp noodle and really tired at times. Make sure you are getting plenty of Protein with each of your three Meal times. Also, my doctor's office had said that if we did get really light-headed we could drink 4-6 oz. of juice (like apple or orange) or have a spoon full of P:cool2:olaner all fruit jelly. I kept those handy just in case, but never needed them thankfully. Best of luck to you -- you are so close to being in bandland!! Nancy B.

Suzanne, I was banded yesterday and am feeling pretty good, just sore and swollen tummy. No gas pains thank goodness! I am sipping and moving around a good bit. Question, did you get the realize band and if so, did they give you a card with a number on it so you can join the website? I did not get one and forgot to ask! Thx, Nancy B.

115lbslapband, you sound like you lost about the same amt of weight that I would like, too. Do you mind me asking if you have any issues with loose skin. That really scares me. You sound really happy. Is there any advice you can give me as I am getting banded tomorrow? Or is there anything you would do differently? Thanks, Nancy in Richmon

Hi all, I live in Glen Allen, VA and am being banded this Thurs.(the 17th). I am getting very excited! I am self-pay b/c my BMI is 35 and it would be a cold day in you know where before insurance would pay. I have a question, if anyone is willing to answer, how much cheaper is it actually to get banded in Mexico? I've seen that many people take that route! thx, Nancy B.