cherko12

I have no idea how they did it, but I couldn't even tell they did. I have compared my recovery to 3 others and we were all the same. No reflux, it is great. I remember how I had difficult breathing when laying flat and how uncomfortable being full was. I have none of that now. It is really great that they could fix while they were in there.

Well for me, I hadn't had a feeling of food in my pouch since day 1 of the surgery. I know that my food went straight through because I didn't experience any restriction. My surgery was 6/23/08 and I was beginning to get frustrated. I had gotten myself into eating fast again and not noticing my bite sizes mainly because it didn't effect me. After the 3rd fill, I have a feeling (more in my throat and down) that would be similar to prebanding days of when I might have something not going down smoothly (a pill or dry food). You have this instant feeling that you shouldn't take another bite because the previous one is still there. I am still experimenting on when I shouldn't take another bite. I'm just saying when you get restriction, you will know. Now, I can't take a bite until I know that the previous one is where it needs to be. The feeling for me is pressure in my throat and a few inches below. Soups go down easily, but meat feels different than other things.

I have 7cc in a 10cc band. I didn't have any restriction till I got this 3rd fill. I notice I have to eat slower which I hadn't done prior to now. It is hard to tell when you are considered full. This is really the first time that I am experiencing the pouch filling...so am trying to get used to it. It just takes a little more experience to understand it fully.

Thanks for your post...but I have a question for you, Wendell. I have had 2 fills. Lost 24 lbs before & after surgery...during the liquid time. I have never had PB's, stuck food, or experienced any type of restriction yet. I am 3 months out. I have a 10cc band and was told 1st fill was 4 cc and 2nd 2-3 cc. I am discouraged and find myself eating more than I should. My challenge has been to not gain back any of the weight I first lost...which I have been successful at doing. I'm just ready to start losing again. My question is...is food just going through the stoma when I eat? I haven't felt the feeling of being full above the stoma. What is that feeling like? How will I know when it is working?

I had problems sleeping too. It took me 2 weeks before I slept good. It was the discomfort...I just felt like I didn't need sleep. It drove me nuts. I wondered if it wasn't a reaction to the anathesia.

Get focused and I am sure that you don't have the right fill. I asked my dr. yesterday why it takes so many fills to get where you need to be. He replied that the stomach can't handle 1 big fill. It would rebel and cause some issues. He said they do it in increments so that the side effects are minimal. Start your fills again and you will get there. The band works only if your fills are where they need to be. Don't be discouraged...it's a great time to start again (after a baby). Get pumped to start this process again. You can do it.

I chose not to tell. It takes patience with the lap band. I had surgery June 23 and I lost all of my 24 lbs. during the liquid/mushy diet portion of recovery. I had my 2nd fill yesterday and am hoping to start losing weight again. What people don't understand is that this surgery requires patience. I don't want to be judged by those thinking this is like gastric bypass and weight loss is quick and furious. It will not be for lap band surgery. I was unable to follow the 1 cup rule after surgery. I didn't gorge myself but I was hungry. I ate the right things -- just too much. I haven't gained any of my weight back (which many people do during the time they are waiting for their correct fill). I didn't want to be judged by those watching me eat or wondering why I haven't lost more weight. I have several friends who had lap band surgery and I have heard my friends talk about what they are eating and why they haven't lost more weight. It can take a year to lose your weight or more and it just takes lots of patience...confirmed by my Dr. yesterday. My theorgy is that when I lose all my weight, then at that time I may share with them how I did it--but not till then. I just don't want to be judged...and you will be!

I know what you mean....I was getting worried when I was going through it and I didn't seem to find many people who shared the same problem. All I can tell you is that I was able to walk 1/4 mile within the 4 days after surgery. And, I couldn't have done more...I just didn't feel well enough to do so. Then, at 1 week and 3 days, I walked my 3 miles which is what I did before surgery. So, just listen to your body...the gas, for me, was the worst part. I'm still burping with a little shoulder pain but not nearly like it was... At least, now I feel normal. My inscisions are losing their scabs too and it was exactly 2 weeks ago that I had surgery. Each day gets better and just take those short walks till you feel like doing more. Good luck.

Hi Kimberley....This exact thing happenned to me. The gas didn't come for a couple of days, I thought my stomach was going to pop. I looked like I was 6 months pregnant. Then it starts coming out (the other end) and the burping begins. I am now 2 weeks past and I really started feeling better after 1 week of surgery. Give it a few more days and take your GasX. Walking seemed to help but it was uncomfortable... Keeping drinking your liquids and proteins..My personal feeling is that the stomach is troubled and starts creating gas from anything that comes in it. As it heals, that all gets better. I really didn't feel great till after 1 week and a few days.

I'm glad to know others are burping...Mine is getting better now but still have a little. Went to the Dr. this week for my 1st checkup since surgery on 6/23 and he said it was because I was drinking my fluid to fast...that I needed to sip rather than gulp. That doesn't seem to help. I think, its just in the healing part of the stomach...because it is getting better. I have no fills yet so maybe I am drinking too fast also.

Thank you Liz...that was extremely helpful. I know what the Dr. says but I am one of those types that need to understand why he is saying that....because if I understand, then I'm less likely to stray from what I should do. I will keep this as a reminder. Thank you...

I was banded June 23. I start my soft foods in 7 days. My question is...in the time between my surgery and 1st fill, will I have any restrictions with my new band? Will my hunger be any different than before the surgery? What should I expect till my 1st fill? Will I need to chew things differently as if I had a fill?