Elisabethsew

Nellie, From what you posted, you are DEFINITELY NOT ready to have the surgery. Quite frankly, I am VERY surprised your insurance approved you since you've never tried LA Weight Loss, Weight Watches, etc., as well as the fact that you only need to lose 60 (now 50) pounds. It sounds like you focused on the complications of the surgery but the fact is, most banded people can go out to dinner and eat more than an appetizer. In fact, it's more logical to skip that and the bread and focus on eating the meal. I think you made a wise decision and yes, you absolutely should try a weight loss program to lose weight before having the surgery. Additionally, eating every meal out with your husband will not be an option after surgery so you'll need to think long and hard on how willing you and he are to making life style changes.

Congratulations on the surgery and you're doing the best thing you can... getting up and moving to move the gas out. Each day gets a little better so make sure you get plenty of rest and keep yourself hydrated.

I was told to not drink any water for an hour or so after I had eaten. I was following that rule pretty well until I drank with an after my meal and found that I got full and stayed full longer than if I didn't drink. I experimented with this "phenomenon" several times and sure enough, it works everytime. I am an the only one or do others find that drinking fluids with their meals actually aids in a lower intake of food and a longer period of feeling full?

Karel, I live near that hospital and had my surgery there. I work as an RN for the same healthcare system. Is Dr. Geiss doing the procedure? I hope all goes well for you and that you soon are pain-free.

I was told than scars hyper-pigment so that it's not a good idea to tan that area of the body.

Try and control your eating now and train yourself to distinguish between emotional and true physical hunger. I had my first fill 2.5 weeks ago and have no restriction. If you read through the posts, you'll see many people don't experience restriction until the 2nd or 3rd fill.

Thank you for sharing your experience and I'm happy to hear that you're on the road to recovery. Don't push yourself too much and congratulations on your success.

Congratulations! You're doing great!

It's perfectly normal to feel that way you do. You DON'T have any restriction and you won't until you get a fill or two. I go for my second the same day as you go for your first. It sounds like you're on a full liquid diet. I was hungry and called the dietician because I HATE yogurt and she let me have 4 oz of lite ricotta cheese. THAT was filling and has protein. I also found that tomato soup filled me up a lot more than other types. If the hunger is too great, call your surgeon. They usually allow you to advance to a soft diet. Hang in there, better days are coming.

I had the surgery so I could eat healthier and get to a normal weight via diet and exercise. Research studies show no positive weight loss effects from hoodia and it can cause constipation... something you might want to consult your surgeon about before spending the $ on this product.

I'm sure you wowed them in the interview and I'll be waiting to hear your announcement that you DID get the job. Now... relax and have a great weekend.

Hi Rett, You are experiencing the normal post operative course. The stomach grumbling and increased movement is due to the liquid diet as well as the CO2 that they pump into your abdominal cavity during the surgery and the back pain is the gas that results from the CO2 that remains post surgery. Get up and walk. Try bending down while supporting your abdomen and drink plenty of water. All of this will move the gas out. Pain medications (especially Morphine and other narcotics) slow the digestive process and can increase gas pains. Excedrine contains caffeine so it might be best to stick with extra strength Tylenol. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Miper, You and I seem to be on the same schedule. I had my first fill on 6/25 and have the second one scheduled for 7/6 as well. Unlike you, I did not get restriction from the first fill but I am working to get my eating under control and have been doing better the last two weeks. At this point, I am losing weight and have decided to not move the second fill time up. I was told it could take 1-2 weeks before a fill "kicked in" and it appears that may have happened with you. As long as you're doing OK and eating well and losing weight, I would not rush into a second fill.

Welcome. There is a forum here on complications that you might want to read through that will help answer your questions. As for the chicken and pasta, I have no problem with either of them. In fact, there are no foods that I have found to cause me any difficulty.

I would dump this guy STAT. He seems to have a laundry list of demands that must be met before he will even CONSIDER taking the relationship to the next level. He does not want to jeopardize his own financial situation yet he has no problem suggesting a single Mom take out student loans, etc. RUN!!!

I'm glad to hear that you saw an MD, had a diagnostic test, and that you're on the road to discovery. Take it easy for the next day or so.

Thank you for the research study. My surgeon distinguishes between volume eaters and high empty carb eaters when making a recommendation as to which WLS is best for an individual. Included with sweets, are a diet rich in processed food, poor in fresh fruits and veggies, etc. Because I eat healthy but too much (volume eater), the lapband was recommended for me. Perhaps future studies should look not so much to foods high in sugar, but nutritional value of the pre-op diet.

You've only been banded for less than 2 months so why not wait until you get restriction and see how that effects your weight loss before making the decision to jump into another surgery? I too am fighting for every pound lost and I was only banded 18 days before you. I got one fill (first) 2 weeks ago and it didn't do a thing. The second is not scheduled for 4 more weeks so I'm basically dieting as if I never got the band. Am I discouraged sometimes? Am I upset that it's been so long and I have no restriction? Do I wish I were losing more? YES, YES, YES. However, I went into this surgery knowing that it was not a quick fix so I'm working the plan and early awaiting that feeling of restriction. Hang in there. Better days are coming.

You don't mention how long you've been banded. I occasionally experienced what you decribed at about 6-7 weeks post-op. My surgeon told me it was the tightening of the sutures on the abdominal wall where the port is secured and not to be concerned. If you're concerned, give your MD a call.

Nan, You give me hope that restriction is possible. LOL. I had my first fill 2 weeks ago today and it didn't do a thing. I am scheduled for the second one on July 6 and am trying not to move the date up. I figure if I can lose with no restriction and get myself psyched into eating right, when I DO get restriction, I'll be a real player.

Welcome and good luck with your planned surgery.

I'm glad to hear that you're doing OK and that the problem was resolved. Take the time you need to heal.

Welcome to the board.

If your stomach is growling it's either gas or hunger. Are you eating enough during the day? I like to have dessert a few hours after dinner so I purposely save calories to allow for that. Edys makes 100 cal frozen yogurt and sorbet swirls that are delicious and the 4 oz jello pudding cups at 60 cals are also satisfying.

Congratulations on losing and MAINTAINING that great loss. I hope all goes well with the unfill.