Bempowered

Have any of you gotten the Mirena IUD post-surgery and your weight loss stalled out? Luckily I'm only about 20 lbs from goal, but I can't seem to get the scale to budge since I got it several months ago.

I was banded on May 7th and had my first fill on June 16th. Between my surgery date and the fill I could pretty much tolerate any kind of food. I typically eat whatever I want, just smaller portions. Of course fear of getting stuck keeps me away from most "bad" things.

I went back to the doctor last week just a little over two weeks post-fill because I felt like I still had no restriction. Post-fill I've still been able to tolerate whatever I want to eat. Quantity control is mostly mental for me as I am stopping myself from overeating, I don't feel a sensation of full with the band (Or maybe I only know what stuffed feels like and I'm afraid to go there!!).

My doctor said that I was doing well and recommended that I NOT get another fill just yet. She said that I was losing at a steady and slow pace which is just what they like to see. She further indicated that more restriction may cause adverse effects like getting stuck. I've lost 26 pounds so far. I lost 3 lbs between June 16th and July 2nd when I went in seeking more restriction.

My doctor said that if in a few weeks I still felt like I need a fill to come back in and she would give me more. So the question is, should I be happy that I feel no restriction but yet am still losing weight? Happy that I'm NOT pbing? For some reason I didn't think it was going to be this simple. My doctor said that many patients feel as if they should be miserable or in pain or barely eating in order for this to work and that just isn't the case.

So, help me here please. Should I get another fill or not? Or have I already answered my own questions. :thumbup:

I was told to stop drinking 1/2 hour before meals and resume drinking an hour after meals. Before surgery, this wouldn't have bothered me one bit as I wasn't a big drinker. It seems like just because I'm told I can't, I want to desperately!! :sad:

I feel like I need if only a swig of Water to clear my throat after eating. I certainly can't drink a whole glass of water due to restriction, but is a few sips of water so bad?? Any advice you can give, would be helpful.

I'm a complete chocolate whore but the chocolate Protein Shakes make me want to gag. So for a quick treat, I go to Wendy's and have a Jr. Chocolate frosty and have half of it. The Jr. size is super small so I'm feeling no guilt.

Hi all! I had my first fill today. It went pretty well considering I'm a big BABY when it comes to needles. I had the technician laughing so hard at me as I tried to brace myself for the needle. To my surprise, it wasn't very painful at all. A quick prick. (I was standing up with my arms over my head) Apparently I wasn't breathing because the nurse is like uh.. you probably want to start breathing now. Too funny.

They did it under x-ray so I was able to see my band and my little pouch. Also was able to see the barium? pass through as I swallowed it. Afterwards, I was told to sip about 4 oz of apple juice. Needless to say, a sip to me isn't a sip to them. I drank it in paces, but too quick for them. I was fine though! They think I'm nuts. Some days I am. :wink:

I found out TODAY that my doctor had put in 4cc's on surgery day. To be quite honest, I hadn't felt that at all. She took it all out just to be sure and then put in 6cc's. So I actually got 2cc's today. I hadn't eaten since 8:30 am this morning and had to jet from the hospital to train a class, so by this evening I was famished!!! I had about half of a Campbells cup of Soup and viola...I'm satisfied. Just waiting to see how long it lasts. I have to go back in 30 days for an assessment to determine if I need more. Stay tuned...

Good luck to everybody who has their first fill coming up...it's a breeze!!:smile:

You look great! I'm am truly amazed! This has given me the boost I needed. I've been feeling a little "weepy" lately about this whole thing. I am the same height and just about the same weight as you when you started (I was banded on May 7, 2009). Geez, I can hardly see myself that small. Thanks, thanks, thanks for giving me a "vision" of possibility!!!

I was banded just about 5 weeks ago and flew last week. I didn't have any problems. The only special instructions I was given was to move around on the plane to prevent blood clots. I constantly stretched and jiggled my legs.

Hope you have a great trip!!

The same thing happened to me and I was about to go bonkers. Thanks to friends on this site, I kept my cool!!

I called my surgeon's office about it and they referred me to my PCP. Went there and it turns out that I'm highly sensitive to sodium. Which I pretty much already knew. I've always had "puffy" feet and hands and that totally went away the week after surgery. Pretty much because I couldn't eat or drink anything. I probably got 64 oz of Fluid in for the entire week instead of per day.

As soon as I went to mushies, I started to gain a pound per day. Not cute and quite frustrating since I lost 15 the first week! My PCP was floored by that and said it wasn't good. Needless to say, because of this and my fluctuating blood pressure, I was given a diuretic to take as needed. Since I've started that regimen, I've started to lose again.

I say all this to say...it's normal. While yours may not be sodium sensitivy, the minor weight gain is okay. Hold tight until your fill...you'll be fine!! Take care!

Thanks everybody for your comments. I was really getting discouraged.

My two week bandiversary is today and since I've been switched to a regular diet, I have gained several pounds. I could hardly eat the week after surgery and subsequently lost 15 lbs the first week!! I knew I couldn"t keep losing at that rate, but I certainly didn't expect to be gaining. :thumbup:

I really think a lot of it is Fluid. I have always had "puffy" feet and fingers which subsided shortly after surgery. However, this week old Puffalicious is back! I am so discouraged and am having anxiety about going for my three week check next week. They are gonna think I'm eating like a fool which just isn't the case.

Has anyone gained after surgery (pre-fill)?

I drove a few days after too. My instruction said that as long as I hadn't taken any narcotics within 24 hours, it was okay to drive. The turns hurt me on my port side though.

Hey! I had the breathing pain issue too. It's better today. I went for my one week followup yesterday and the dr. said it was normal and would relieve itself as the stomach healed. My shoulder pain comes back every now and again, but not for long periods like at first. Hope today was a good day for you.

Hey! I was banded May 7th as well. Had a rough weekend, but today has been better. I have the shoulder pain as well. Most of the gas in my belly is gone - thanks Gas-X! I am still really sore around my port site. I started with a nagging cough on Saturday and that has made it hurt even worse! Looking for relief in the next couple of days. My surgery book says it will take from one to three weeks to feel "normal". I'm shooting for one!!

Ann,

I've had some pretty weird dreams over the last couple of days too. I just related it to being in mourning from not being able to eat what I want. My surgery book calls it "Putting out the fire." That has been very useful to me. I even got up today and made my family a spaghetti dinner! I felt like I needed to face this thing head on.

I feel a little weiry now and again too and have even shed a tear, but I see it as my process to advance to my new life. Look for the positive in every dream, every conversation and every dissapointment. It will only make you stronger.

And as the others have said, We've got your back!!!

Hi all. My day didn't go as well as I expected, but surgery is done never-the-less. I was told to report to the hospital at 9am for an 11am surgery. My doctor got called to an emergency, so I ended up in pre-op until almost 7pm. I had already been IV'd and everything. I had a bit of a meltdown at around 4pm and started crying and almost said to hell with it, I'm out of here. But I talked (and prayed) myself through it and stayed. I tried to tell myself that the long wait was a sign that I didn't need the surgery and to RUN!

The nurses let my husband come back with me due to the meltdown and he helped a lot too. The doctor finally came in at around 6:30pm and thanked me for staying. Then he said something like, okay, lets do this! I was pumped up from then on.

I was taken to surgery at around 7pm and was out by 8pm. I even got up and went to the bathroom while in recovery! The nurse was quite impressed. My best friend is an RN at the hospital and had told her RN buddies that I was coming. They were totally awesome and took great care of me. I felt pretty good while in the hospital.

I'm not doing as well with pain as what you all have described. My port site is really sore and my gas was pretty bad until I started to take Gas-X. Sorry to be graphic, but let's just say I have the extreme opposite to Constipation. Trying to stay hydrated, but I haven't felt much like drinking. I've had plenty of Water today and just finished some broth. But I couldn't each much of that.

I'm hoping the pain decreases as each day passes. All said, I'm glad I didn't run for the hills and am looking forward to an awesome road ahead. I wish the same for each of you!

Thanks, this is great!

Best wishes mayo Banditos!!!

:thumbup::smile::tt2:

Thanks to both of you.

My pre-op diet consists of two shakes (carnation or slim fast) and a balanced meal. (no Pasta, potatoes, bread, corn, etc.)

I've heard of some pre-op diets only consisting of Clear Liquids, so I'm thankful that mine has variety even as minimal as it is! I've lost 5 pounds already. All I can think of is...dang, I've been eating that much. Geez. I'm so glad to be doing this!!

Hello All! I just wanted to see how you are doing with the pre-op diet (if that's a requirment for you)?

I started mine on Friday and that day went well. I woke up with an excruciating headache on Saturday and was unable to eat or drink anything most of the day. Then when I finally felt better I decided to take a shower and wash my hair. Well I nearly PASSED OUT in the shower. I could feel myself losing strength and got out before things got ugly. It took me a while to get myself together. I plan to call my doctor about this tomorrow. I think I may have had a low blood sugar reaction. :laugh: After I drank some juice, I felt much better.

My concern is, how the h--- am I gonna make it only liquids post surgery? Do you think that since I have to be on this special diet the next two weeks, my body will just adjust? I never want to feel like I did yesterday, it was very scary!

I have an eight year-old son and a three year-old daughter. I haven't said a word to them yet. I've had some difficulty figuring out how...this has really helped! Thanks!

That is too funny! (hiding the mustard)

Hi! My surgery date is May 7th and I have to travel to a conference for work in NY on May 30th! So I know how you feel, hope all goes well for you!

It seemed like my process moved really quickly, hope the same for you!

Thanks! Congrats on your success!

Hello all! I'm fairly new to the site and have gotten lots of inspiration from reading posts and looking at picture journals. My surgery is scheduled for May 7th! I'm getting excited and nervous all at the same time. Congrats to everyone who has started the journey and good luck to those who are just starting like myself. :rolleyes2: