leopardlady44

Ok, I've been banded going on 3 yrs this December 2011. Just an FYI, because I thought the same thing, that they put the saline in at the time of surgery, but they don't, so you need to be careful eating too much before your first fill because that is when the restriction will happen and not before the first fill. Your band is empty, til your first fill which is why you are hungry. Everytime after that, if you get hungry even 2 weeks after your fill, go get another one because I didn't know this and learned the hard way and ended up gaining weight back, thinking I could eat. Play it smart and wait til you get the fill, then you'll see a difference in your hunger. Hope that helps

Yes, the dreaded sugar problem, I have that too and what I've done is use honey and drizzle that over sugar free vanilla pudding if I need a sweet fix, but also sugar free popsicles and sugar free fudgicles help too. They are only 5 calories. But don't over do them, which can happen. Also, you can make a Protein shake with fruit or add any flavored extract to the Protein Drink for a different flavor. Hope this helps.

Yep, it means you need another fill. Whenever you don't have the restriction, it's time for another fill. Hope that helps

How about adding a little honey to it? That might help. Or some flavored extract?

I eat 3 small meals a day, but I do have 2 snacks in between because I get hungry in between, but the snacks are yogurt or fruit. I do the excersize each day, but I only do 30 -45 minutes. I'm trying to get to an hour. Almost there. On weekends when I'm not working is the hardest. I'm home and my family sometimes goes out and wants me to join them and when I do, I have trouble saying no to a slider, mostly drinks, like wine or pina colada. I probably should not go out. That may be my problem. I avoid white flour and all processed foods. I use Stevia for a sweetener instead of sugar. I don't eat much veges, mostly all the berries, blueberries, strawberries, black berries, raspberries and of course watermelon. I love fruit. The veges make me too gassy. Do you see anything else I could change?

I've had my band done in December 2008 and have still struggled with losing. I have lost, but gained, then lost, then gained and after each fill, I've started to lose, then a few days later, it goes back up again. Not understanding what is going on. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I was able to have sugar free popsicles, sugar free fudgicles, V8 juice small cans for soup and no sugar added soft vanilla ice cream also. I bought 5 oz cups to eat in so that I would have close to the right amount each time. It worked well. I am on solids right now and the only thing I had trouble with because it made me ill was cottage cheese. Everything else I was able to eat okay. My surgery was on 12/5/2008. I'm returning to work on 1/5/2009. I have been doing the elipticle machine and light dancing for excersize and feeling just groovy. My tummy is healing very well and I feel great so far. Good luck to you and I know you will do well. Keep it up. Laurie

Hi Jaynell, The gas hasn't left yet. It takes a while I was told to leave the body. I'm taking the gasX at times to clear it up. Constantly burping and the other, this part is awful. Can't wait til it's gone. I tried a bit of oatmeal this morning and was only able to eat about 4 to 5 bites, then I wasn't hungry. I haven't really been that hungry. I have to make myself eat by reminding myself it's lunch time or dinner time. I can only imagine what I will feel like after the first fill.

Hi Maggies, Hi, I had my surgery on December 5th at 11:45 am and went home the same night at 9:00 pm. They gave me a prescription for Percocet for the pain. Because it was late, we didn't fill it. Around 2 am, I was in extreme pain and was calling from help from God to take away the pain. My mom was with me and woke up to hear me agonizing from the pain. I also had the chills. My husband was sound asleep. My mom went to wake him and he was so sweet to go out at 2 am to get me the prescription filled. After taking the meds, I was able to sleep a bit. I was in a lot of pain for up to the 3rd day, then by the 4th day, I was feeling a bit better. Very gassy! I had adhesions too when they went in and a mesh from previous surgeries I had so the surgeon said it took a little bit longer to get through, but successful. Today, I'm so great and happy that I had it done. I only had trouble with having broth because of the smell, it made me sick. I did very well with the liquids and now am on the mushies :rolleyes2:. I was able to go grocery shopping yesterday with my husband to get my walk in and boy did I get my walk in :cursing:. I was huffing and puffing by the time I got home. I can't wait for the fill til I can see about the restrictions. I have not been feeling hungry, though I get growling in the stomach and I guess that let's me know I should have something because it makes me nauseated and so I do. I used GasX for the gas and it worked. Walking does help too. Keep me posted on your status. Laurie

Hi Jaynell, I had my surgery on December 5th at 11:45 am and went home the same night at 9:00 pm. They gave me a prescription for Percocet for the pain. Because it was late, we didn't fill it. Around 2 am, I was in extreme pain and was calling from help from God to take away the pain. My mom was with me and woke up to hear me agonizing from the pain. I also had the chills. My husband was sound asleep. My mom went to wake him and he was so sweet to go out at 2 am to get me the prescription filled. After taking the meds, I was able to sleep a bit. I was in a lot of pain for up to the 3rd day, then by the 4th day, I was feeling a bit better. Very gassy! I had adhesions too when they went in and a mesh from previous surgeries I had so the surgeon said it took a little bit longer to get through, but successful. Today, I'm so great and happy that I had it done. I only had trouble with having broth because of the smell, it made me sick. I did very well with the liquids and now am on the mushies :rolleyes2:. I was able to go grocery shopping yesterday with my husband to get my walk in and boy did I get my walk in :cursing:. I was huffing and puffing by the time I got home. I can't wait for the fill til I can see about the restrictions. I have not been feeling hungry, though I get growling in the stomach and I guess that let's me know I should have something because it makes me nauseated and so I do. I wish you all the luck, you are on your way!! Laurie

Hi Roxy, Good luck to you! You'll be fine. I had my surgery on December 5th at 11:45 am and went home the same night at 9:00 pm. They gave me a prescription for Percocet for the pain. Because it was late, we didn't fill it. Around 2 am, I was in extreme pain and was calling from help from God to take away the pain. My mom was with me and woke up to hear me agonizing from the pain. I also had the chills. My husband was sound asleep. My mom went to wake him and he was so sweet to go out at 2 am to get me the prescription filled. After taking the meds, I was able to sleep a bit. I was in a lot of pain for up to the 3rd day, then by the 4th day, I was feeling a bit better. Very gassy! I had adhesions too when they went in and a mesh from previous surgeries I had so the surgeon said it took a little bit longer to get through, but successful. Today, I'm so great and happy that I had it done. I only had trouble with having broth because of the smell, it made me sick. I did very well with the liquids and now am on the mushies :rolleyes2:. I was able to go grocery shopping yesterday with my husband to get my walk in and boy did I get my walk in :cursing:. I was huffing and puffing by the time I got home. I can't wait for the fill til I can see about the restrictions. I have not been feeling hungry, though I get growling in the stomach and I guess that let's me know I should have something because it makes me nauseated and so I do.

Hi, I had my surgery on December 5th at 11:45 am and went home the same night at 9:00 pm. They gave me a prescription for Percocet for the pain. Because it was late, we didn't fill it. Around 2 am, I was in extreme pain and was calling from help from God to take away the pain. My mom was with me and woke up to hear me agonizing from the pain. I also had the chills. My husband was sound asleep. My mom went to wake him and he was so sweet to go out at 2 am to get me the prescription filled. After taking the meds, I was able to sleep a bit. I was in a lot of pain for up to the 3rd day, then by the 4th day, I was feeling a bit better. Very gassy! I had adhesions too when they went in and a mesh from previous surgeries I had so the surgeon said it took a little bit longer to get through, but successful. Today, I'm so great and happy that I had it done. I only had trouble with having broth because of the smell, it made me sick. I did very well with the liquids and now am on the mushies :rolleyes2:. I was able to go grocery shopping yesterday with my husband to get my walk in and boy did I get my walk in :cursing:. I was huffing and puffing by the time I got home. I can't wait for the fill til I can see about the restrictions. I have not been feeling hungry, though I get growling in the stomach and I guess that let's me know I should have something because it makes me nauseated and so I do. But otherwise, I feel great! Laurie

My surgery is for Dec. 5th too and my surgeon didn't put me on a pre-op diet. Not sure why not.

My surgery is on December 5th and my surgeon didn't even put me on a pre-op diet. He didn't say I had to do anything strict. I'm wondering why now since most everyone on here has talked about this. Please advise. Thanks, Laurie

I go in for my surgery on December 5th. I'm a bit nervous, but I'm sure I will be fine. Not sure what I'm going to feel.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the preop diet? I've read this is a requirement before the surgery. When will they let me know? My surgery date is Dec. 5th. I see the surgeon on Nov. 26th. Will the surgeon let me know? Any help appreciated. Thanks, Laurie

I took about 2 weeks off and then I have scheduled vacation to use afterward so I'll be out almost all of the month of December and returning to work in January. I'm so excited to get more time off.

Hi Pete, I'm scheduled for surgery on December 5th, 2008 also. Mine is in the morning. I can't wait to start living my new journey. I hope all goes well. I've had surgery in the past so I will know about the feeling of pain. I had a lot of pain with my last surgery, so hopefully this will be less. I meet with the surgeon on 11/26. My preop testing is 11/21. Laurie

I like the names Winter Wisps & Merry Minis. Although Merry Minis is my favorite. Laurie

My surgeon gave me an eating plan booklet here in Massachusetts. It's real helpful. I haven't been banded yet. My surgery date is on December 5th, 2008. I'm planning on doing the liquids for breakfast and lunch and then have a normal meal at supper time for at least a few weeks before I have to go all liquids before the surgery. It will be a challenge, but I'm up for it because I definitely want to lose this weight. I'm 240, 5'4'' tall. I intend to follow the 1000 calorie diet after surgery that they gave me. So if I were in your shoes, I guess I would ask the doctor for a meal plan to follow. It definitely helps to have something to go by. Keep going, I'm sure you will be fine. Laurie

Well, I went to see the surgeon 6/23/2008 and did all my requirements before September. I got called in October and they let me know my surgery date, which is 12/5/2008. So I would say depending on when you can get your appointments all in and all the requirements met for your particular insurance, about 6 to 8 months. Hope that helps. It's a long process.

Thanks Maggies, how are you feeling today? I'm wondering how long the healing process will take. Keep me posted. I hope all goes well for you.