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Mine is about a half inch below the center of the larger incision.

I had the same problem. They told me it was a reaction to the anesthesia. I had the barium x-ray and no problem. It only lasted a few hours. If it keeps up, call your doctor.

My doc uses a small needle to numb the area. I just don't watch the giant needle, it doesn't go in very far, and don't feel a thing. By the time you get there after bandster hell, you'll be thrilled to get that needle stuck in.

Same here. I cleaned some nail clippers with alcohol and clipped it. When I went back, the doctor was able to cut it closer. It stayed for almost 2 months before it finally dissolved It does go away.

So what is the nutritional info on this? Does it meet all the RDA requirements or do you have to take a ton? Like others, I'm doing the chewables. The biggest problem for me is the calcium. All the chewables I've seen are calcium carbonate and my doctor wants me on calcium citrate. If I take the Citracal mini, I have to take like 6. The regular are so huge that, even cut in half, I have a really hard time.

I just noticed this about a week after my first fill. When I drink something really cold, it seems to get stuck and I pb. It is only with the drink is very cold, not necessarily with ice. Anyone else notice this?

No need to go back to liquids or softs. I'm in the "trial" phase too, just got my first fill, and have a lot of things get stuck. The first bite of anything seems to be a problem. For me, just waiting a few minutes is all I need, and to pay more attention to bite size, chewing and the moisture of what I'm eating.

I had mine earlier this week. The PA pushed around and gave me a small shot to numb the area. Was a very slight sting and that was it. I really expected a lot of pain, but there really wasn't any. Even if there had been, after 6 weeks of bandster hell, it's worth it. Make sure they give you some water before you leave. I had too much restriction and nothing would pass. She had a harder time finding the port to take fluid out because of swelling, but there was no pain at all still since the numbing agent hadn't worn off.

I'm recently where you are, just got my first fill last week. I was told nothing to drink 30 minutes before because it makes you too full to eat the necessary proteing. And, nothing for an hour after because (a) it tends to wash the food through the band enabling you to eat more, and (:biggrin: it can stretch the stomach and cause band slippage. I eat a lot of spicy food and it is extremely difficult not to drink. I do take some small sips, but am getting better about not really drinking. I order a drink with no ice to go and don't put a straw in it. It's not cold, so I'm not temped to drink it and wait staff leave me alone. I can also tell you that when you get restriction and someting suddenly gets stuck, if you are drinking, it just makes things way worse, at least for me. I found that if I had a handy drink, I'd try to wash it down. Not pretty. As I was advised, you are in a time for healing, not losing weight. Don't worry about it until your first fill.

It absolutely gets better, when is different for each person. I was just like you, starving almost immediately after eating. I basically went back to the way I had been eating, just less quantity. As a result, I stopped losing weight and even gained several pounds that I lost on the post op diet. But, with advice from folks on this forum, I switched my focus to Protein. I added low fat sausage to my scrambled eggs, and made sure to have some type of meat at every meal. I increased the amount of Water I drank between meals. The hardest thing has been to change the goal at meal time. Rather than eating until full, now I eat until I'm not hungry. I notice when I do that, in about 10 minutes I'm full. I dropped the weight I had put back on. Most say they notice nothing until the second or third fill. I'm lucky. I just had my first fill 2 days ago and it is really different now. I seem to always take too big a bite or not chew well after my first bite, then get the hang of it. I'm still not at the proverbial "sweet spot" based on the quantity I can still eat. It is so much less than before, maybe a cup at a meal now. I get full and stay full for 4 or 5 hours. I've lost 3 pounds since that fill on December 30. So hang in there. There is absolutely light at the end of the tunnel

My doc told me no more shakes except 24 hours after a fill, once progressed to solids. The shakes and blended foods go right through the band and are not that filling. Also, Slim Fast isn't the best option. Fairly high in calories while lower in Protein than most others. As he said, why pay $28,000 for surgery just to be on the Slim Fast Diet.

Today was my first fill. On liquids for 24 hours. It was too much. I felt that same chest pain you mention before the water came back. So sounds like maybe you're forcing too much and too big a bite. The idea of toddler fork and spoon is a good one. My nutritionist suggested it as well because I have difficulty taking the smaller bite.

I was allowed to go to Protein Shakes the next day. But you you can get creative with the Soups. I was told soups with my Protein, so I added a chipotle and lime juice to some chicken broth and ran it through the blender. Did the same with beef. Another time I put italian seasonings, anything you like to spice things up. And on your first question, I still burp. Make sure you drink slowly and aren't getting a bunch of air. That is my biggest problem. I was also advised not to use a straw. Good luck and hang in there.

I've just had my first fill, but can tell you now that I could not lose weight, and keep it off, without this tool (of course I'm assuming this will be successful) I've tried most of the diets, even had short term success with a couple. But in the end, I eat too stinkin' much. The weight came back plus 10 or so with every fad diet I tried. The biggest problem for me is hunger and not knowing when I'm full. I know the hunger part has a significant psychological component. Even without a fill I've noticed a significant decrease in how much I eat. This is not a diet. You can cheat the band, eating stuff that is high calorie and goes through easy. But that sort of thing wasn't my problem. Now that I can only consume limited quantities at a time and still feel full, I know I can succeed.

I just had my first fill earlier today. The doctor numbed the area with a small injection I hardly noticed. Instead of fluoroscope, just drew back to see how much was in there. It had about 1.4 and she added 2.1 to give me 3.5. I couldn't keep water down, so she pulled .5 back so I have 3.0. No problems at all after that. I've had tea and protein drinks. For pre-fill, they ask you not to eat before you come in, and are limited to liquids for 24 hours. We'll see tomorrow how things go, but she said not to expect much, if any, restriction until my next fill.

I use American Sports Nutrition powder from GNC and have no problem. I use a shaker cup they sold me. Thought I was being a sucker at the time, probably was, but it has a little wisk ball that helps make sure everything is mixed well. Have to watch out opening it, heat and steam build up when shaking, but it worked through pre-op and post-op.

Except for fill days, my surgeon doesn't want me using protein drinks (I'm at regular food stage). He believes they are not filling enough. As soon as I was allowed mushies, I had a scrambled egg and it was the best I ever had. I pay close attention to my daily protein intake. On days where it looks like I'm short, I have an egg.

I'm with Sue on the bread, and I haven't had a fill yet (in 3 days). Can't eat sandwiches or kolaches.

I second phx on the premier nutrition protein. 35g protein in 10 oz and tastes pretty good (if kept cold). Most importantly, it is thicker than most of the others I've tried and so more filling. I also used a powder from American Sports Nutrition that I got from GNC. It was thinner, but had a surprisingly good flavor.

Congrats! My freaking out started about a month before surgery and I went out and ate all the stuff I wasn't going to be able too. Ends up, I was wrong about most of the stuff. Sure, no more carbonated drinks, but I'm a carnivore and the focus on protein is great. When I went to solids, I tried to eat some of those things again. Even with only a tiny amount of restriction, I find some things are too tough. After suffering through a couple of bites, I don't want them anymore. Now I look at all the things I can have. After so many diets of being limited to what, being limited to how much is such a relief. Like Sandielaw says, pretty much anything is okay. Just remember very small bites chewed very well.

LIke the others said, enjoy it while it lasts. Once the swelling goes down, most lose restriction. By the time you get on solids and eat the amount they tell you to, you're starving in about an hour. I was banded early November, had 2 weeks of liquids that went pretty well and then 2 weeks of softs. But toward the end of that 4th week and when I started on real food, I have spent most of my time hungry. A HUGE thanks to all on this forum who've helped me understand this is normal and temporary. Just prepare yourself, because I didn't and it was torture. Good luck.

Thanks Miss. It is good to hear a positive fill experience. My first fill is next week. I'm somewhat apprehensive, but am so tired of being hungry. Thanks also for the tip on eating slowly. I remember being told about the small bites and chewing, but don't remember anything about speed. Makes sense when you think about it.

Ditto what everyone else said. I've heard horror stories from folks who had carbonation and ended up in severe pain. Plus, I was told it could cause band slippage by making the upper part of the stomach swell. I was banded on November 6 and I've had alcohol. I had some wine and some tequila, but not a huge quantity because of the calories.

I was told not enough protein would lead to hair loss. Start counting your protein intake and make sure you are getting enough.

I guess it depends on when you were banded. If you're still on liquids or softs, egg drop soup is great. If you're eating regular food, focus on the protein. I skip the rice and get stuff like Mongolian beef or twice-cooked pork.