MissBS

Hi Pearson. I felt not so great for about 3 days. I felt pretty good after a week and good 10 days out. The trapped gas stayed with me for awhile. I couldn't take the pain meds he gave me because they gave me BAD headaches, so I was just on meds for 2 days. I was up and walking the day after my surgery. I was staying in a hotel and I walked up and down the hall... over and over... day and night. I'm sure people thought I was nuts, but it helped. Have you started your pre-op diet yet?? Let me know how you are doing and keep asking questions and reading!! Take care!! Becky

Hi Pearson. When I said it has been work, most of that IS the careful eating and exercise. The pre and post op diets, were for me, not easy. Getting used to living without my buddy, my tranquilizer, my fix all..... food, was not easy. Having to use willpower alone, without having restriction for 3 months after surgery, was not easy. Living with restriction and learing what foods my band can tolerate and which ones it cannot, has not been easy. Getting rid of old bad habits and working to form new good ones, has not been easy. Exercising regularly, for me, has not been easy. Now..... having said that..... it has been so worth it!!! The band is not a quick easy fix - it does take work - but the rewards are unbelievable. I am excited for you and looking forward to hearing your success story soon. Take good care of yourself. Becky **LBT is a great place to come. It will help warm up those chilly feet There are many nice people here who will answer your questions, address your concerns, share their stories, and listen when you just need to vent. Keep coming here, reading, and asking your questions. I've made some very good friends here.

Hi pearson. I had my surgery on September 19, 2008. I lost 16 pounds on the pre-op diet and 50 pounds since my surgery - 66 pounds total and I feel GREAT!!! My blood pressure meds were recently cut in half and my doctor thinks I will be off of them soon. I have so much more energy and am wearing clothes that I have not worn in a long time!! I haven't had any problems and I am soooooo glad that I had the surgery. I only wish I had done it sooner. I will say it has been work..... but the work is working Good luck to you!!! Becky

Congratulations on getting your surgery date. I think it is wonderful that you and your husband are doing this together. I had my surgery done in Houston too - who is doing yours?? Good luck to you both!!! Becky

I had 2 cc's put into my 10 cc band at the time of my surgery. At my first fill, they took out the fluid and there was 1.8 cc's (not sure where the other .2 went, but was told that is not uncommon). They added 1.3 cc's which put me up to 3.1 cc's. My second fill was was 1.5 cc's - total 4.6 cc's. I had no restriction after my surgery, none after my first fill, and none after my second fill. My third fill was 1.3 cc's - total 5.9 cc's and boy did that one give me restriction - LOTS of restriction. We are all different and our doctors are too - but your 3 cc's after first fill does not seem crazy or out of the norm to me. Some people feel restriction with that much and some don't. Hang in there - wait and see how that works for you. Good luck to you!!! Becky

I've had trouble with milk since my surgery also. I can tolerate small amounts, but drinking a glass or having cereal is out for me, for now. Have the same reaction you do. I was never a great milk lover, so not too sad about it, but I did think it was a bit strange. Thanks for the post - always nice to know you are not alone. Take care. Becky

I'm a little nutty, so thank goodness I didn't have to have one. Just kidding - I really didn't have to have one, but wanted to wish you good luck on yours!! Becky

I had no restriction after surgery, none after first fill, and none after second fill. Third fill - OH BOY, do I have restriction. I have 5.9 cc's in my 10 cc band. I know it is hard to keep making good choices when you don't have restriction, but hang in there and try to keep focused on why you did this. I will be sending you positive hang in there thoughts!!!! Good luck to you! Becky

I am surprised that you got 2 fills just one week apart and that you are able to eat solids the night of your fill - hey - good for you. When I get that burning feeling in my chest, I know that I have either taken too big of a bite, not chewed well enough, or not waited long enough between bites. If I don't slow down when I get that feeling, I will PB. I do agree, if you can eat pork chops and veggies, then you are probably not too tight. But, sometimes the restriction you feel from a fill doesn't happen right away - it can be days, or even weeks later. Good luck to you and take care!! Becky

Hello and welcome!!! Congratulations on getting your surgery date. Your day will be here before you know it. My advice would be to keep coming here, keep reading, and ask any question that comes into your head. There are so many friendly people here that will answer your questions. Reading posts will provide you with lots of information. I spent a lot of time here before my surgery and by the time I was wheeled into the operating room, I wasn't even nervous. I kinda knew what to expect. You always need to follow your doctor's instructions, but this is a great place to come for general information. Good luck to you!!! Becky March 25th is my birthday.... and your new one too :w00t:

When was your last fill?? Why wouldn't he try an unfill - or have you already tried that?? I have heard of people who have a delayed reaction to a fill. When you say you saw your doctor... was that your band surgeon? I am so sorry that you are having problems and hope that you will be able to keep your band - but being healthy comes first. Good luck to you!!! You will be in my thoughts. Becky

I weigh once a week - Friday morning before hot tea or anything else. I used to weigh more often, but it really was driving me crazy. Good luck!! Becky

I sure would like to join in on that talk with her husband... but.... I might need bail money if I did. I told all of my family and friends. They are so very supportive and don't question me or watch me - they know I know what I am doing and know that they have vices of their own. They also know I look forward to their words of encouragement and don't really want to hear anything negative - so they keep that to themselves. Guess I'm lucky!! Good luck to you all!!! Becky

Hi Jim. Well.... not that this helps, but I am in the same exact boat that you are. I had my third fill on December 18th and before that I had no restriction. Now I am learning to live one day at a time. Just when I think I have it figured out, my band changes and everything is different. I too am wondering - is this normal?? what is normal?? I do have to take very tiny bites, chew lots, and wait a minute or two between bites. BUT.... some days, even doing that doesn't help. Yesterday I couldn't eat anything. Tried some salmon at lunch - about 2 tiny bites and I could tell that I better not take a third one. Dinner was the same. Now day before yesterday, everything was fine - had a good day and 3 good meals. I can always keep liquids down, so when I have a meal, or a day, when my band is REALLY tight, I have shakes or soup. If it was every day, I would know that I need an unfill... but it's not. I'm not losing super fast, or feeling bad...... so........ If this post sounds crazy confused, that's because it was written by a crazy confused woman. Good luck to you and if you contact your doctor, would you please let me know what he says. One more thing - I do love my band and I'm glad that I finally have restriction. Becky

Hi denverbear and welcome!!! Getting your band on Monday - that is so exciting! This is a great place and you will find many nice people here who will answer your questions, share their stories with you, and just listen when you need to vent. I have found some very good friends here. You are so right ..... it is nice to be able to come here and talk with people who know what you are going through. There are a lot of foods that you won't have to miss - you will still be able to eat them, just not as much of them. I hope you enjoy that t-bone tonight! Good luck with your surgery and I'll be looking to see how you come out. Take care!!! Becky

I wish my pre-op diet had been 3 days. It was supposed to be 3 weeks, but I ended up doing it for 4 weeks because of the hurricane :sneaky: I had to have a protein shake for breakfast and lunch and lean meat and vegetables for dinner. It was not easy, but I did not cheat. I lost 16 pounds on my pre-op diet. Every doctor is different and each one seems to have their own pre-op diet and post-op diet. Be sure to follow the one that your surgeon wants you to be on. I read about many on here that I wanted to adopt..... but.... I did what he wanted me to do so that I would be ready for my surgery. Good luck to you!!! Becky

I too was scared straight by RestlessMonkey's story and I really thank her for sharing it with all of us. Any time I felt like cheating on my pre-op diet, I thought about her waking up in the recovery room with no band because she hadn't followed her doctor's pre-op diet instructions. Not worth it to take that chance. As Restless said - it won't be that long until you can have a cheeseburger again (I've had one... no bun... but still delicious). Hang in there and stay focused on why you are having the surgery. Now is a good time to begin making good choices. Good luck to you!!! Becky

Not sure about all doctors, but mine told me what he was going to put in me. I think he uses a particular brand that he likes, or has had success with. I trust his judgement and so far everything is working well. Good luck to you!!!! Becky

My band is named Ike. I flew to Houston for my surgery and my 4 day trip turned into a 14 day trip because Hurricane Ike hit Houston. We had quite a journey and I did not want to leave without my band. It only made sense to me to name my band Ike. I get along with my band most of the time, but there are times when we don't see eye to band - that's when I say my band is a male. Ike it is, and I do love him!! Good luck to you in your hoop jumping and hope you get Gizmo soon! Becky

Hi Becky!!! My last fill put me to 5.9 cc's in my 10 cc band. Are you able to keep liquids down?? Any food down?? I was too tight when I first got my fill - but - it was the holidays, I could not get to Houston, and I was able to drink and get soft foods down. If I had not been able to get anything down, I would have found a way to get an unfill. My band got looser (still good restriction), so now I'm glad I did not get any taken out. It is a whole new world of eating/drinking once you get restriction. If you keep experiencing pain when you swallow, I would call and see what they say. It seems to be a very fine line between no restriction and too much restriction. Keep me posted and I will write you soon. Good luck and take good care of yourself!! Becky

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!! March 5th is just around the corner - the beginning to your new life. You are very lucky to have a supportive wife!! This site is a great place to learn and find the answers to questions that you might have. Lots of nice people here. Good luck to you!!! Becky

The paperwork that I received from my surgeon says, "A dilated pouch can occur by consuming carbonated beverages. This can potentially cause a slippage, which is normally corrected through an additional surgery." I read that and I know I won't be drinking any carbonated beverages. Just not willing to take that chance. Becky

As with any surgery, there can be complications. I kinda looked at the complications section on this site before my surgery, but since I had already made my decision, I didn't spend too much time there. I knew the risks, but tried to stay positive and focused on the success stories and asked the questions that I had so that I was well informed by the time I had my surgery. I have not had my band long but I've had no complications so far and I plan on keeping my band forever.... I love it!!! Good luck to you. Becky

Linda. So sorry to hear that you are having rough times. I was a bit weepy after my surgery too. I think the feeling in your throat is normal. Not sure when you had your surgery, but you are probably still swollen and healing. Once you get past the liquids and mushies, you should feel better and be able to eat again. Some people do have restriction before their first fill (I call them lucky). Try to keep busy and remember why you had this surgery and how good you are going to feel soon. I know that sounds easy and IT IS NOT!!! One day at a time. Good luck to you. Take care. Becky

Hi Karen. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!!The pain is not too bad - well, it wasn't for me. I had trouble with the pain meds - gave me headaches, so I quit taking them on the third day. I was driving by day 5 because I wasn't on meds - if you are taking them, I agree, someone else should drive you. Sitting in a theater seat shouldn't be bad... kinda like sitting at home only you will have something to take your mind off of your pain. I felt good by day 7 and really good by day 10.... but.... remember.... everyone is different. Good luck to you!!! Take care. Becky