Elisabethsew

Gas CAN last for days. Increase your water intake and take some walks. If you spike a temperature, diverticulitis could be the cause so keep an eye on your symptoms.

Fantasia Leather Jugs! Oh my....

Fair, Fat, Fertile, Female and Forty. Traditionally, those are the common "5F's" that predispose a person to gallbladder problems. Diagnosis is either via an abdominal/pelvic sonogram or a DISIDA (HIDA) scan. For me, the "attacks" were weeks apart and then became more frequent. I work in a hospital as an RN and the last attack felt like I was having a heart attack. THE PAIN WAS SEVERE AND UNRELENTING. I couldn't make the pain go away no matter what position I put myself in and the pain was worst under the right breast area with radiation to the left chest and right upper back. I went to the ER and a sonogram showed stones that resembled a fresh water pearl necklace. The DISIDA scan failed to visualize the gallbladder which confirmed I had total obstruction of the common bile duct and surgery was scheduled for the next day. Your symptoms could either mean gallbladder stones or sludge in the gallbladder. Sometimes, the drug URSO works to clear the sludge and dissolve small gall stones or crystals. If you find your medical internest not responsive to your concerns, I would suggest seeing a GI specialist. I hope you feel better.

I'm glad is was no big deal. I go for my "first" on 5/25 and am nervous.

I think the honeymoon phase begins when you start to feel restriction. Unlike many of the surgeons people discuss here, mine will not give a first fill until 8 weeks post-op. That's a very long time when you've NEVER felt restriction and the only way that you even know you have the band is by the scars. I have another week to go before I get a first fill and appreciate ALL the posts that people take the time to write. I'm maintaining my weight loss by sticking to my diet and through the support I get from this forum. The pros far outweigh the cons and I am looking forward to the start of my honeymoon phase and hope it lasts a LONG time.

I can tell you that I haven't felt the food go down and I started solids a little over 3 weeks ago. I think more people feel it when they get their fills.

I'm unfilled and can eat ANYTHING. Sigh! I am hoping that changes next Thursday when I FINALLY get my first fill.

Hi Jen, I was banded 8 days after you and have a first fill scheduled for 5/25. You said that you were filled today and, from what I have read, feeling restricted is what fuels the weight loss. Have you noticed that you feel full with less food intake yet? Hang in there, sooner or later you'll hit the right level of fill and lose more consistently. I can't wait to feel even a little restriction.

Congratulations!!!

I have another full week to go before I get my first fill and can't wait. Did you all experience any pain getting a fill?

My surgeon won't do fills until 8 weeks post-op and I'm scheduled for the first one on 5/25. I have zero restriction and see no point in waiting longer than the 8 weeks. Even if I only feel a LITTLE restriction I feel that's what I need to stay motivated.

Have you brought your husband to any of the informational meetings? Have you showed him the thread of people showing their scars? Have you showed him the thread of the before and after pictures? Most importantly, have you sat down and been 100% honest with your husband about how your weight affect you... physically and emotionally? Ultimately, the decision is yours. Don't take ANY action until you've gotten all your questions answered.

You know how men are when it comes to asking directions? LOL. I have a friend (male) who had lapband surgery in July of last year and is nearly at his goal weight having lost 125+ pounds. He TELLS everyone how he did it but would never go to a chat room or info board.

Congratulations, you look wonderful!

The information I received was for lapband patients only and is as follows: 1. No fast food, fried foods or processed foods (cakes, Cookies, etc.) 2. 1200 calories... 3 meals and 2 Snacks of 100 calories each. 3. For every portion of Protein (6 -8 oz), eat half a portion of veggies (3-4 oz) and half a portion of a starch (3-4 oz) such as Pasta, potato, crackers, etc. 4. Suggestions for snacks include a tablespoon of Peanut Butter, FF and sugar free pudding, 4 oz yogurt, fruit, etc.

I'm glad to hear your home and doing well. Make sure you get plenty of rest and get in at least 60 grams of protein a day to promote healing. Force yourself to get out of bed and walk around... it helps with the gas as well as keeps the circulation optimal in the legs. You're already drinking adequately so it sounds like you're on the road to recovery. Take the pain analgesics as needed.

My surgeon advises not lifting more than 25 pounds for the 1st 6 weeks and no abdominal exercising for that period of time. Anything else is fine. It sounds like you did not over do it.

For $600 that MD should have reviewed your chart BEFORE you came into the exam room and, if you're not losing weight and have no restriction, HE should be questioning what's wrong and investigating further. I would advise first going to a GI specialist and having an esophagram to determine the state of the band now and then, if all is OK, report the surgeon to the insurance company and ask them for another MD in the area who does fills.

While I am hoping to FINALLY feel SOME kind of restriction when I go for my first fill, I am hoping NOT to have an experience like yours. I hope you're feeling better.

Mine is about 6" above the naval and 2" to my left... no problems.

WOW! You really do have a NSV and should be very proud of what you've accomplished. Law school is tough. Take lots of pictures and CELEBRATE!

Once you get through the first 5 days things steadily improve. Force yourself to walk, bend at the waste, and SIP fluids constantly. I hope you're feeling better.

I'm going for my first fill on 5/25 so I too appreciate all the feedback offered in this post.

Go and see a GI specialist and they'll write you a Rx. You can also buy OTC acid blockers.

Try some lite ricotta cheese and some soft fish like flounder.