soxaholic

When I was struggling during the liquids phase, my nutritionist said I could move to cream of wheat (not oatmeal for whatever reason)... FYI - cream of wheat comes in a variety of flavors now, and while the original is blech, the maple and cinnamon are delish!

Yeah, that disappears around the two-week mark. My glass of wine is someone else's cookie, that's all!:smile2:

You're not alone! I'm a decent drinker (a couple glasses of wine at night; maybe a few more cocktails on the weekends), and I was terrified that my liver might be larger than the norm. My doctor calmed my fears at my pre-op session when I asked him about it -- A, he said moderate to slightly above moderate alcohol consumption should not cause fatty liver and B, he wouldn't not operate because of one (unless it was enormous). My doctor's fellow told me when I woke up I kept asking if I had the band, and if my liver was small. Ha. It was fine, and I'm sure you will be too.

Not that it would have changed my mind, but I wish I knew how noticeable the port was to the touch -- because I probably would have asked my surgeon to place it deeper. You can feel my port with the slightest touch to my stomach...and as someone who is not open about the surgery, this could potentially be a problem! It is very, very obvious that there is something foreign there. Makes it easier for the fill nurse, but not me... A boyfriend pillow saved my life! And take plenty of time off!

I had a pretty tough recovery and wasn't able to work until the two week mark. I probably could have at ten days post-op (and I have a desk job), but no earlier. No way! I am so jealous of the people who were back in action in days! But, the bottom is that everyone reacts differently, and you never know which camp you'll be in, so have a plan in case you need more time!!

Four months for me. Insurance approved me right away and I didn't have to do any supervised diet programs, nor did my doctor require me to lose weight first. My doctor just didn't have a surigical opening for four months; others can get you in a week or two later. SO many factors go into how long it will take!

Because fills, large or small, cause stomach swelling. You're lucky that your doctor only requires 24 hours! Mine recommends two days of liquids and two days of mushies before returning to solid foods. It is painfullllll....

I could not have done a presentation four days post-op if my life depended on it (in fact, I don't think I could have left the house, let alone present compelling, cohesive thoughts); others are on their feet in a day or two. Since you have no idea how you'll react to the pain, I would err on the side of caution and re-schedule the presentation. Good luck with your decision and upcoming surgery!

I'm glad you started this thread, because I've been thinking about starting one for a while now! I've been filling very conservatively, and that's the way it's going to stay. I'm almost three months out and I have 1cc -- .5 at the two month mark and .5 just added today! I have decent restriction (eat about 1/2 to 2/3 of what I used to, can't eat too fast or pieces too large) but I also don't really have no no foods. If I'm careful enough, I can tolerate some breads, steak, Pasta and other typical problematic foods. I've never been stuck to the point where I've had to force it back up, but I definitely get the golf ball warning sign if I don't behave...enough to keep me in check! I'm obviously losing slower than those who really fill 'er up, but that's okay with me, because I'm still losing steadily. I'm looking for a balanced diet -- not a super restricted diet. I have no interest in stressing about what I can eat in public situations or vomiting up my food. I will not trade that for a quick weight loss. The band forces me to make better choices, choosing Protein over carbs (well, most of the time), salads over sandwiches, and stopping when I'm full. It was really the mental lift that I needed. My hope is that a lot of optimism and willpower meets a bit of physical restriction. I envision a Weight Watchers/South Beach-esque diet that I don't fall off of every time there's a birthday or a vacation. It's a permanent reminder, every day, how unhappy I was...and that keeps me in line. With all that said, I realize that this does not work for everyone, and I don't mean to imply that it does. Some certainly need more physical assistance than others. We're all different, but at the end of the day, whatever works and whatever makes you happy...and you're exactly right, Colorado, if this stops working, we can always fill up -- the beauty of the adjustable band. I would love to hear more success stories from conservative fillers who are at, or near, goal!

Ugh, I had it too (go figure)! I told the nurse when I went down to pre-op and they eventually made me remove my tampon for a 1940s-style pad (although diaper would be more appropriate). They also gave me some big, stretchy "underwear." It definitely was uncomfortable, as I haven't worn a pad since I was 12...but not the end of the world. I was super light, fortunately, so I didn't even think about it until the middle of the night when I went to the bathroom (and discarded the diaper for a lovely Tampax Pearl :thumbup: It certainly isn't ideal, but you'll be absolutely fine! Heck, once the surgery is over, bleeding will be the last thing on your mind. Hello, Dilaudid drip!

I had the lower left side pain and it was not near my port, which isn't very common so it was scary...but it got better each day and went away entirely around week two. It's also normal to feel something when you drink too fast or a bit too much. To reiterate what everyone is saying - call your doctor and demand pain medication. I had a tough recovery, and I needed every bit of my roxicet (hydrocodone and acetaminophen). You had surgery - you're supposed to be given pain meds. Heck, they give it out for minor oral surgeries. Good luck...you're on your way towards feeling better soon!

Glad to see everyone is doing well! Wow, I can't believe a couple of you got such large first fills! Are you getting stuck like crazy? I was doing pretty well at first, but ever since I hit soft solids, the scale came to a hault. I've lost a pound in the last two weeks. I'm super frustrated because I feel like I do have restriction. I log my food every day, and I'm staying within 900-1300 calories and watching my breakdown of carbs/fat/protein. I cannot eat anything close to what I was eating before. As for my first fill, my doctor waits until six weeks, so i have two more weeks to go. He also knows that I want conservative fills (no desire to get stuck or have no no foods), so at my last appointment, he said he wouldn't even fill me if I continued to lose steadily...which I'm not, so I'm thinking maybe between .5 and 1cc? Although I'm confused as to what good a fill will do if I'm eating my caloric goal currently. I know it's common to not lose during this "bandster hell" period, but I'm not really experiencing that. Anyone else have decent restriction but not losing?

Same here! How are the two of you doing?

Hi Jodi, All of your thoughts and concerns are totally normal. I'm sure we've all been there - afraid it won't work, not understanding why it would be different than other diets, feeling ashamed that it actually got this bad and needing to resort to WLS (big ones for me anyway). While my PCP was very supportive, my surgeon's office made me think really hard about my desire for success, willingness to make changes, and the risks associated with surgery (including the fact that it simply doesn't work for everyone). Now, keep in mind, there are a lot of factors associated with people who don't lose with the band, including non-compliance (eating slider foods, no fills and follow-up with dieticians and physician) and lack of exercise and other healthy habits. Yes, there are a small group of people who, unfortunately, have severe band complications or simply never feel restriction... How I dealt with that mentally was knowing that I'm willing to exercise. I know I'm willing to work my band properly, or I simply wouldn't go to such lengths to lose weight if I was going to sabotage myself. Non-compliance is not going to happen to me, so that eliminated a lot of the "numbers." I'm in control. If I happen to be one of the unlucky few, well, what do I have to lose? Sure, it's surgery...but you heal relatively quickly. Insurance is paying, so the $550 program is all that I'm responsible for out-of-pocket (which I spend in a year on WW, pills, memberships, videos, etc.). Worst case scenario (aside from serious complications) is that I won't lose weight...the same result as all the other diets and plans I've been on over the last six years. On the other hand, the likelihood of success with the band versus diet and exercise alone is much greater. Again - what did I have to lose? Just weight. I'm new to this, but I've already lost as much weight in three weeks as I did in four months the last time I did Weight Watchers. Good luck with your decision...you'll make the right one for yourself! And although your PCP asked you to think hard, at least she didn't seem totally opposed...that's a good thing!

I can totally empathize. My membership is $64/month, and with this economy, I feel it's too much of a luxury (although can you really put a price on health?). I know a few people who absolutely swear by Turbo Jam. I have been looking into it for a while, and I'm finally going to buy it. The reviews are phenomenal if you don't have knee problems. It's a combination of dancing and kick boxing; really high-energy and upbeat, hip-hop music. It goes for about $80 for all the DVDs and weight gloves, but you can find it a bit cheaper on E-Bay. Slightly expensive, but over the long run, much cheaper than the gym! I can't wait for my exercise ban to be lifted...3 weeks to go!