Carol Conley

I was told to have only liguids for 2 days after my fill. I had my protein drinks. I had the same experience you are having. I called the Dr. they told me to stay on liquids. Still salia and PB. History: I had 2 fills, 1.5cc, and 1cc. I have a 4cc lapband. I would slime everytime I tried to eat anything solid. I kept thinking it was my fault. I wasn't chewing long enough, etc. I really didn't want to have any of my "fill" removed because I thought I would quit losing weight. I waited 2 months eating only sugarfree icecream (for some reason I can always eat icecream: not a good idea) and protein drinks. Finally I had .25cc removed and it was wonderful. That is such a tiny amount of fluid. I was amazed even the next day I could eat REAL food again but not too much. You burn more calories digesting REAL FOOD than liquid (or icecream). I still feel restiction and have times when I PB or slime but it is ususally because I have eaten too fast or I have eaten too much. I was amazed at how having such a small amount removed could make so much difference! By the way, even sugar-free icecream is SATAN'S FOOD for me.

I was told before I was Banded NOT to tell anyone but my family and very close friends. They are the only people I told and I am so glad. I have heard friends of mine talking about others who have had Gastric Bypass and have gained some weight back and how much money was wasted that they should have lost it the "real" way. No way I will tell any of them and have them judging my highs and lows. It takes work even with a tool like a lapband. Some people say they want you to do well but they are just waiting for you to fail. If you don't want people asking you "how it's going" and watching every bite you eat, don't tell. I went out to eat with my aunt, who is like a sister to me, about 4 0r 5 weeks post-op and when everyone was ordering she told the waitress I couldn't order anything because I had had "stomach surgery". Well, I went ahead and told the waitress that my aunt was right I had surgery but I could eat and I ordered. My aunts intensions were good but still I can speak for myself! I haven't even told my mother inlaw, I go to her house at least once a week and take her to the store, etc. Of course she never knew my husband and I had separated for 2 years about 12 years ago either:)! She thinks I had surgery to remove a hernia and some scar tissue. She hasn't even noticed I've lost almost 40 pounds. I really wanted to share my happiness with having this surgery and how glad I am that I did but I am really glad I decided not to. You will have ups and downs, and it is too bad that not everyone is happy for your success and is not there for you when things are going a little slow!

I am so happy I made the right choice for me, the Lapband. I didn't have to recover from major surgery, my body is able to absorb the nutrients I eat and I losing weight at a reasonable rate (about 38 pounds since 3-28-06). I can really feel when I am full. I have not had to completely change my life style and I can have all of the same foods I had before my surgery, I just don't want as much (not near as much). With my band I can control how much restriction I feel, for ever. I have nothing against any other surgery, I just know that this was the right choice for me. By the way I am 57yrs. old and needed to lose at least 100 pounds. I hope this will help you from a purely personal point of view.

For me is was being able to wear "real" jeans, without stretch for the 1st time in years.

I have troulble getting enough calories. So I try to count calories on "Fitday", or keep a running total in my head. Since my 2nd fill, about a month ago, I am have alot of trouble with solids.

What is the difference between PBing and Sliming. I had my 2nd fill 6/5/06 and have had problems since then. It is not consistant though. It seems like I can tolerate some solid food after it gets cold. But then I will try it again and I don't vomit but "slimmy stuff" just keeps coming up. Is that sliming? It can last up to 45 minutes. I think PB means progressive burping and what I feel isn't a burp it is more like heaving. What is it that causes this to happen and what is it?

It has been a month now since my 2nd fill. I still don't know until I try something if I can eat it or not. I've sure learned not to swallow the bite I am chewing if I get that "feeling in my chest". I can usually drink anything but there is no pattern to when or what I can eat. I am getting very frustrated. I haven't vomited but I'm sure doing something...probably slimming. for some reason I don't want to have any of the saline removed. In a stupid way I am starting to like the restricition, not the slimming and the yukky feeling. I keep thinking I will get used to this thing!

I think it depends on how fast you want to lose. I am not that experienced but it sounds like you are eating more than 1/2 to 1 cup at a time. I was told that was an indicator as to when and if you need a fill. I would wait until you are not hormonal though. I was able to eat about 1 cup after my 1st fill and I just had my 2nd fill and right now I can only eat about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of solid food, with mega chewing! Make sure you are getting enough fluid daily. I became dehydrated last week and I could eat anything solid! It took a couple of days to rehydrate completely.

I had my 2nd fill 2 days ago and wow what a change! My Dr. has done both of my fills and I had no pain or dicomfort except he had me lay with the small of my back over a pillow and now my back hurts but that is the only pain. I sure feel restriction now! The night after my fill I thought I would try solid food, just 1 bite and I knew that was a bad idea! I had major restriction and for the 1st time I started "sliming". I thought it would never stop and the discomfort from the restriciton was really bad. Finally, my bite made it's way through I guess. But today I am sore where I think the band is and my throat is sore. So now I know why you aren't suppose to eat solids for 2-3 day after you are filled and I won't. I called the Dr. office and nurse said to say off of solids a few more days as I had probably caused swelling and inflamation around the band area! Live and learn! But, I am losing weight now, YEAH!

I just got my 2nd fill 3 days ago. I have not had any problems with PBing or Slimming....until the day after I got my fill I was hungry and thought I was smart and went ahead and tried to eat something solid. As soon as I had a bite (I thought I had chewed it well, but still too soon for solids), I started Slimming. I didn't know what it was at first and it just kept on coming, and coming! Who knew, I won't break the rules again. I had followed everything the Dr. and Nutritionist had said until then. Live and learn.

For years my husband never saw me take a bite of food because he would criticize me. We have cleared all that up and he is great now (we've been married 38 yrs now). I am a "night person" and no matter how early I get up I still stay up late. I used to eat after my husband went to bed and I still really want to snack late at night. That is so stupid! I know I'm not hungry but I still crave something to eat usually it is not something good for me. This in not a band thing it is a brain thing. When I was in WW my coach suggested I "replace" the activity of eating with another activity. So I replaced eating with "skin care rituals". My skin looked alright but the cravings were still there and I would usually satify them. That is why I'm here, banded, and still trying to overcome years of loving my late night friend, food! I would like to know if any of you have had this problem and how you deal with it. I can go all day and never feel hungry but then....!:phanvan I have done OK since my surgery but it seems to be getting harder. My Brain doesn't want SF Jello. It wants Cheeto's or something else that I will overeat. If anybody has any suggestions I will try anything!

:phanvan I had 1 fill at 5 weeks post-op and I go back to the Dr. on June 13th. I think I've lost about 24 pounds but my scale is friendlier than the Dr. I have noticed the last couple of weeks that I have felt hungrier and I haven't noticed restriction as much. Then all of a sudden I trouble getting anything down. I noticed I'm not eating as slow as I did at first and I'm not chewing as long, laying down my fork etc. It makes me so mad when I finally remember everything I'm doing wrong. I've been being too adventurous with what I am eating too. Well, I haven't gained any weight back but it sure is slow to come off. Go turtles! I really "enjoy" having my band. I know that sounds odd. It is like a security blanket. __________________

:phanvan I had 1 fill at 5 weeks post-op and I go back to the Dr. on June 13th. I think I've lost about 24 pounds but my scale is friendlier than the Dr. I have noticed the last couple of weeks that I have felt hungrier and I haven't noticed restriction as much. Then all of a sudden I trouble getting anything down. I noticed I'm not eating as slow as I did at first and I'm not chewing as long, laying down my fork etc. It makes me so mad when I finally remember everything I'm doing wrong. I've been being too adventurous with what I am eating too. Well, I haven't gained any weight back but it sure is slow to come off. Go turtles! I really "enjoy" having my band. I know that sounds odd. It is like a security blanket. __________________

Hi March Bandsters! I was banded 3-28-06. I had 1 fill at 5 weeks post-op and I go back to the Dr. on June 13th. I think I've lost about 24 pounds but my scale is friendlier than the Dr. I have noticed the last couple of weeks that I have felt hungrier and I haven't noticed restriction as much. Then all of a sudden I trouble getting anything down. I noticed I'm not eating as slow as I did at first and I'm not chewing as long, laying down my fork etc. It makes me so mad when I finally remember everything I'm doing wrong. I've been being too adventurous with what I am eating too. Well, I haven't gained any weight back but it sure is slow to come off. Go turtles!

March 30, 2006 PRE-OP PATIENTS DO NOT READ THIS! THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL EXPERIENCE, AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. MY OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS WERE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, AND MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT WHAT ANYONE ELSE SHOULD EXPECT!!! Well, I had my Gallbladder out so I thought that this would be "just like" that surgery. I guess I'm a little older now and I have a few more other health problems. My Blood Pressure went very low during and after my surgery, so they told me. In recovery I kept telling the staff that I was in too much pain, and they told me they couldn't give me anymore pain meds until my BP went up. So by the time I got to my room I was in mega discomfort. I had read on one of the boards that it might feel like I had been stabbed and I just kept reminding myself that. Still, the same old thing low BP. At last they filled me with fluid my BP increased and I was allow to PUMP! My husband was there and made sure I pumped every time the machine would let me. Not a good idea! Poor thing, he thought he was helping! I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom and walk around a little, (someone on this board had said to do to get the gas to move around and out). Thank goodness for this board and the things I learned before my surgery. Once again my BP went really low, the nurses stayed in my room all night (no rest for them or me, but I didn't care by then), finally one of the aides said she bet I has had too much Morphine. So, I was cut off of the good stuff, and put on pills. By then the Lortab was enough to take the edge off. I was able to rest for a few hours and felt great when I woke up. I went home within 24 hours of my surgery. I was really impressed by the dedication of the nursing staff and I told the morning staff. They looked through my chart and said "well they should have been, Dr. Floyd sure would have been unhappy if they had let me die!" Wow, who knew! I didn't see the "WHITE LIGHT" of anything:) This was not written to scare anyone. My case was diffenently not normal and I would do it again. __________________

March 30, 2006 PRE-OP PATIENTS DO NOT READ THIS! THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL EXPERIENCE, AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. MY OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS WERE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, AND MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT WHAT ANYONE ELSE SHOULD EXPECT!!! Well, I had my Gallbladder out so I thought that this would be "just like" that surgery. I guess I'm a little older now and I have a few more other health problems. My Blood Pressure went very low during and after my surgery, so they told me. In recovery I kept telling the staff that I was in too much pain, and they told me they couldn't give me anymore pain meds until my BP went up. So by the time I got to my room I was in mega discomfort. I had read on one of the boards that it might feel like I had been stabbed and I just kept reminding myself that. Still, the same old thing low BP. At last they filled me with fluid my BP increased and I was allow to PUMP! My husband was there and made sure I pumped every time the machine would let me. Not a good idea! Poor thing, he thought he was helping! I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom and walk around a little, (someone on this board had said to do to get the gas to move around and out). Thank goodness for this board and the things I learned before my surgery. Once again my BP went really low, the nurses stayed in my room all night (no rest for them or me, but I didn't care by then), finally one of the aides said she bet I has had too much Morphine. So, I was cut off of the good stuff, and put on pills. By then the Lortab was enough to take the edge off. I was able to rest for a few hours and felt great when I woke up. I went home within 24 hours of my surgery. I was really impressed by the dedication of the nursing staff and I told the morning staff. They looked through my chart and said "well they should have been, Dr. Floyd sure would have been unhappy if they had let me die!" Wow, who knew! I didn't see the "WHITE LIGHT" of anything:) This was not written to scare anyone. My case was diffenently not normal and I would do it again. __________________

I think your weight loss is great. I am a member of the the Slow Losers Club(TURTLES). But, the weight is coming off. As for keeping track of you weight loss and food, actities etc., you might want to check out www.fitday.com . It let's you keep track of everything and anything for free. They even have fancy graphes that chart everything. You do not need to buy the product they are selling. I don't see how it could be anymore helpful! Turtle's unite!

PRE-OP PATIENTS DO NOT READ THIS! THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL EXPERIENCE, AND I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE ELSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. MY OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS WERE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, AND MY EXPERIENCE IS NOT WHAT ANYONE ELSE SHOULD EXPECT!!! Well, I had my Gallbladder out so I thought that this would be "just like" that surgery. I guess I'm a little older now and I have a few more other health problems. My Blood Pressure went very low during and after my surgery, so they told me. In recovery I kept telling the staff that I was in too much pain, and they told me they couldn't give me anymore pain meds until my BP went up. So by the time I got to my room I was in mega discomfort. I had read on one of the boards that it might feel like I had been stabbed and I just kept reminding myself that. Still, the same old thing low BP. At last they filled me with fluid my BP increased and I was allow to PUMP! My husband was there and made sure I pumped every time the machine would let me. Not a good idea! Poor thing, he thought he was helping! I was able to get up and walk to the bathroom and walk around a little, (someone on this board had said to do to get the gas to move around and out). Thank goodness for this board and the things I learned before my surgery. Once again my BP went really low, the nurses stayed in my room all night (no rest for them or me, but I didn't care by then), finally one of the aides said she bet I has had too much Morphine. So, I was cut off of the good stuff, and put on pills. By then the Lortab was enough to take the edge off. I was able to rest for a few hours and felt great when I woke up. I went home within 24 hours of my surgery. I was really impressed by the dedication of the nursing staff and I told the morning staff. They looked through my chart and said "well they should have been, Dr. Floyd sure would have been unhappy if they had let me die!" Wow, who knew! I didn't see the "WHITE LIGHT" of anything:) The rest of my recovery has been uneventful and I am loving my band. I would do it all over again even if I knew the same things were going to happen. This was not written to scare anyone. My case was diffenently not normal and like I said I would do it again.

The nutritionist I work with said: 1200-1300 calories/day 50-60 grams of Protein/day 55% carbs 20% protein 25% fat I'm losing very slowly. I haven't made it up to 1200 cal. but a couple times. It is real easy to keep track on www.fitday.com. It is free and really easy to use. The hardest part is entering the foods for the first time you eat it. Good Luck!

I am so glad I ran across the "Turtles" tonight. I was just sitting here thinking what a failure I was and I was wondering if having this surgery was really worth it. My surgery was 3-28-06 and after the first 10 pounds or so I have REALLY slowed down. I am feeling better. I have been able to start increasing my activity level. So, YEAH! I see that I am not the only one who is following all the rules and still the weight is barely coming off. Thanks, consider me one of the elite LBTSL.

I practiced chewing my food at least 25 times/bite and taking tiny bites. I was surprised after my surgery that you can chew such small amounts for that long. I even swished jello around in my mouth a while (sort of chewing). The hardest thing for me was not drinking before during of after meals. My dietician also said to be sure and take 25 to 30 minutes to eat each meal, and lay the fork down after each bite, etc. etc. All of the stuff that I should have been doing all the time. I didn't believe I could take 30 min. to eat a little cup of jello, but yes, it can be done! Good Luck!

Andrew Lessman vitamin's from the from www.hsn.com has Essential Omega-3, they are pretty small. I take them and I haven't had any problems yet. They also have "Healthy Skin and Nails" it is loaded with biotin and really stopped my hair from coming out, (this was before I was banded). I haven't tried them since I was banded. Good Luck! I wonder if you take enough biotin and Omega 3's you can prevent loosing much hair?

Wow, Donna I think you did a wonderful job of explaining the LapBand and how the "fill" works. You should print out flyer's to handout to all of us newbies! I really liked the way you expressed yourself and gave us a visual to think about. Whitezgirl, I would say that everything is fine if you didn't have any trouble getting the food down and you didn't have any vomiting or PBing. But it probably be a good idea to call you Physician, just to make sure what you should be eating and besides the Doc's need to know how much we need them I was banded on 3/28/06 and I got my first fill on the May 2nd. I haven't really felt any restrictions yet, but if I don't chew long enough or if I eat too fast I have trouble getting the food to go on down to my stomach,(maybe I do feel restrictions). I did felt swollen around my port site for a couple days and I was on liquids for 3 days. I have a 10mm band and the Dr. only put 1.5cc in when he did my fill. Good Luck, I'm sure everything is going to be fine! By the way how did your Dr. do your fill? Mine had me lay on my back with a pillow rolled up and placed under my lower back. They said the port just popped up. My back didn't feel so great but the fill didn't hurt! I haven't read how anyone else has been placed for their fills yet.

I "exercised" for the first time in a long, long time. I have other physical problems that has been prohibiting "elective exercise". But, today I road my recumbent bike for 30 minutes and 8 miles. I know that is not much but it is a start and I am so happy that I was able to do it!

My incision is about 5 inches long and it is just below my waistband. It is weird, I thought I had a lot of scar tissue and sometimes that area gets firm and feels swollen. My Dr.'s nurse said part of what I am feeling is the port ( I can really feel that part now that I've my 1st fill) and the firm, swollen part may be part of the large intestines/colon pushing out on the area where my scar is when my large intestine is full.There is a great picture if you want to compare where your incision is, and if it is over something that be pushing up on it: http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/tp10133.asp I have noticed if I'm "full" my incision kind of pushes out and feels like firm like scar tissue. I may be way off base because your incision is probably in a different area. I just thought I would share with you a point of view I wouldn't have figured out on my own.