Shrinkerbell

Long story, but I'm really worried. I've had my band for 3 months and had one fill about a month and a half ago and have had no problems. Today though, something really scary happened. I was sitting at my computer and out of no where I got this crippling pain in my back. I had put strain on it at work so didn't panic, but then I went to lay down and all of a sudden the pain extended to my stomach. All day my stomach has felt like it's being twisted and rinsed out like the way you would with a washcloth whenever I so much as breathe. I've had that same sensation like when you first get out of Lapband surgery and your every move is torture, but even more severe. My lower back too has been so unbelievably sore and the pain seems to shift from one to another in waves. For some reason it settled down for about half an hour so I went to go catch up on some sleep (seeing as thanks to the pain I've been lucky to get only 3 hours). It was ok at first but after about half an hour of laying down it flaired back up and flaired bad! I could hardly catch my breath, I felt like I was going to pass out and I just didn't know where to put myself. Every position was agnoizing! I've been groaning and even crying it was just so painful. I have never experienced pain like this my whole life.It seems to be more on my right side where the port is. Any pressure put on my stomach above my bellybutton is torture. I rang my lapband dr. who said to come over for an un-fill as I may have had something stuck at the top of the band. When I got there, the dr. felt my port and said it's all its normal position, but couldn't get any liquid out after 4 attempts and gave up. She sent me home and told me I'm probably bound up (it's true I hadn't really had a decent um...meeting with the toliet for a few days) so I know this is disgusting, but I went to the pharmacy to get an, oh, we'll call it a , do it yourself shit provoker. Even that didn't seem to help or relieve me in the slightest. The pain was still so incredible I inisisted on going straight to hospital. There they thought I might have a gallbladder problem or a stomach ulcer. They did blood tests and took urine samples but everything was 'normal'. Tommorow I'm going for an ultrasound so I hope it gives me a better understanding. I've been on strong painkillers which have relieved me a fair bit, although not 100%. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be or any similar experiences? Do you think it's nececessarily band related?

I'm 2 and a half weeks post-op and started solids a couple of days ago. I've been eating a lot less than I used to. I have not yet felt uncomfortable with the amount I've eaten. Today I went to see the dietician for the first time and she told me to stop eating when I am no longer hungry. Today I followed her instructions and discovered that technically, it only takes me probably 6 or so small bites to no longer be hungry! I had been eating more than that before I went to see her, but like I said, never to the point of feeling fullness or uncomfortableness. Even though I'm not hungry after 6 or so small bites, I could keep going, without exceeding a fullness sensation. Given that, should I keep going or not The reason I ask is because I'm not sure if such a small amount is enough or even healthy. I don't want to underfeed or deprive my body either. Also, it feels horrible to swallow solids right now. Some of the food feels like its going down a tight gurgler and then all of a sudden I literally feel slip! and down it goes. Is this normal? My surgeon put some Fluid in my band during the surgery. If it keeps up should I be getting an un-fill for my first fill?

Why would you even have a billboard for lapband? For a diet shake or something I get, but for a surgery? :s What's next? "Periods suck! Have a hysterectomy!* Insert photo of frowning bloated woman* Is this kind of advertising normal in America? I can't imagine ever seeing this in Sydney.

Juney Couture Looney Junes

Any recomendations? I don't care how cheesy the songs are so long as they make me want to move my ass!

Thanks guys. Great suggestions Don't Trust Me 3OH!3. I hate that song with a passion. Find it pretty offensive. Could be great for kickboxing inspiration. lol

Hi. It's too late to call my dr's office. I'm hoping one of you can confirm in the meantime, I'm not dying of a ghastly terminal infection or something. I am feeling a hard bump above and to the right of my largest incision. I was banded 4 days ago. Is this the port? Because as far as I know the port is meant to be on your left side and below the incision. Should I be worried? This is the bit that hurts the most other than the crippling shoulder pain of course!

phew! Thanks guys

I am a member but haven't been back for a while. I like the exercise routine. What I can't stand are the women who work there. I know it is their job to be 'motivating' but to me it really puts me off to have someone hovering over me smiling while I'm sweating my fat ass off 'YOU CAN DO IT! 1, 2....3......15! GREEEAT!". It bugs the hell out of me actually and I would go alot better without being zoomed into. I think if I had a personal trainer, I would punch them out.

My mother and I are both being banded together at the end of the month. I still live at home with her so it makes things easier. We have been each others support through this ghastly pre-op diet, gone to all appointments together etc. The problem is that I don't want to tell people about the operation. I think its deeply personal and don't want to deal with judgement, ogling, questions and expectations from people. I can think of nothing worse. But her? She can't help herself! She is telling anyone and everyone about herself even though I've asked her not to because people will obviously realize I would have had it with her once the results are starting to show which will make me look like a liar and make it even MORE awkward for me. She's told people from MY work about her, she's told the entire extended family (This is how she announced it in front of everyone... "This is my last meal before I start my pre-op diet! [looks at me] Can i tell them about you?"... UH I think they figured it out already somehow!) Do you think I'm being unreasonable here to ask her to just NOT tell? Is it going to kill her to zip it!

I'm on day 10 of my 2 week pre-op diet which is a low carb plan. Can't say i had a glowling complection before I started, but now? My skin is really breaking out! I'm doing my best with products to prevent it but the products are not helping a bit. Did this happen to anyone else and is there any reason for it?

Thanks all for your responses. Ok, as much as I love my mother, i've decided you can't keep an Italian woman from talking. I still don't want people to know about me, but I will use her banding to my advantage to say the reason I started eating healthy was to support "her" new life. Muhahaha. :thumbup: Who knows, maybe in future I won't mind people knowing. One week to go which means soon, SOON no more hideous Optifast.

Hey ladies! Just wondering how signficantly your body shape has changed after losing weight with the band? I've been fat pretty much the majority of my life and don't really know what kind of body shape would exist without my weight. I.e pear shape, hourglass etc. At the moment, it seems like I have no shape. Hardly any hips. I carry my weight mostly on my stomach and shoulders but don't really have big boobs or a huge bum. I feel like I'm going to end up looking like a straight brick with man shoulders! Have any of you been surprised to find how different your body turns out without excess weight or does it stay the same shape but just a smaller version (I hope that makes sense):cursing:

I'll be joining you all on April 27th. It feels like its going soooooo slow!!!

I'm on day 2 of my pre-op shakes and right now could possibly eat 3 small children, one baby duck and my left arm.. hell, add my right one too! So I thought I'd better ask before I give Hanibal Lecter a run for his money, will I get used to this eventually? I have to do this for a month :tongue: