svelt2009

I Try to do what they suggest. Eat Protein first, then veggies and fruits. STOP when you are satisfied, but never feel full. Do not drink 45 minutes before or after. I'm starting to feel not hungry since I got this advice the other day. I was eating Soups first and then didn't feel good when eating...like tightness in the throat.

IT'S ONLY A TOOL AND IT'S UP TO US TO WORK WITH IT.

I definately think you need at least 5cc since you are NOT loosing the weight. Why does it take so long to get in?

thanks for sharing all this info guys! I have a lil over 2 weeks left and am bursting at the seams with excitment!!

These forums are amazing!

Best of luck to all of you!

good luck Vanity. You won't regret it.

I'm twice your age and wish I could have done it sooner.

Just remember it's a TOOL AND USE IT WISELY...

I sleep better not worrying about how I'm going to manage my day of eating...feel better...making wiser choices and just love everyday when I get up!

AMAZING....

I was banded on Friday, June 5. My lung was punctured during surgery, so in addition to the shoulder and abdominal pain, I have a big plastic suringe and tubing sticking out of my chest.

I'm not getting full on the liquid phase foods. Any suggestions?

I'm eating popsicles, apple sauce, yogurt, a little fruit, cream of wheat, and egg beaters.

Thanks!

Sorry to hear that you got a punctured lung. That's pretty rare I would think, but as long as you are mending...all will be o.k.

I ate chicken Soup and tomotoe Soup as well. the Knorrs are great Soups. You shouldn't be hungry unless there is absolutely no fill in the band. Remember it takes time and don't rush it. You have to heal inside first and the fact that you took the step to get banded should make you feel great soon.

Good Luck

i got through the 2nd night post op. If was a much easier night. I had sleepytime tea and prescribed pain meds along with my heating pad right before bed. I slept most of the night. I needed more pain meds by 3:30 am. I was able to sleep on my left side last night. The gas is making its way through my body. I've lost less than 2 pounds in 2 days. I'm not discouraged by that. I know in a mtter of weeks i will see more results.

good luck

your doing great and each day will be better. Soon you will be able to eat purred food and everything tastes great. I had my surgery may 1st and down 21 pound since pre-op april 19 so very happy with that.

You'll feel better each day. Just a little linger pain in the shoulder from the gas. Just go easy and don't push yourself. Drink as much fluids as you can too and rest and walk.

swelling takes awhile to go down, but you are on your way.

Good luck on your last day of teaching for the year. You hae a great summer ahead of you!

Hello Banders,

I was banded this morning and arrived home around 1:30 cst. Since then I have been very uncomfortable. I can sit and move around somewhat which minimizes the discomfort. I am concerned about getting a good night's rest. Did anyone have trouble sleeping? I am using a heating pad and am sipping on broth, cranberry juice and Water. I also took the prescribed liquid pain med without much change. Please tell me I will feel better soon. I do not want to regret having this done.

You will never regret it. I was banded on May 1st and went for my first fill yesterday and they didn't do it as I am loosing weight. Will see if needed in two weeks.

The pain in the shoulder is from the gas and should lesseon each day. sleep on two pillows NOT FLAT. I did not fine the heating pad to help..actually thought it made me feel worse. Walking around will help release the gas. You may have had a hiadus hernia fixed which gives a little more discomfort in the chest. It will also get better. Use GASX strips if you have them.

You'll be fine and on your way to a NEW YOU!

Thanks for the info. I did read Wendells post before. Heard back from the office and they said not to worry and that I will feel the restriction after the first fill. I must be all healed inside and ready to go the next step.

Thanks

Little confused, but will check again tomorrow with the nurse. Following is the feedback from the office last week. Perhaps it depends on each person or maybe things have changed since your surgery.

Hope I'm doing this right. Getting my first fill on the 28th.

"Thank you for your email. I understand your concern regarding restrictionsduring post-op when one considers the restrictive nature of the Lap-Band. It is normal for patients not feel restriction during the few weeks after surgery because you are slowly reintroducing more nutrient dense foods and consistency into your food intake. The key is to gradually introduce “solid foods” into your meal plans, and that’s where one will begin to notice the difference. The Lap-Band should allow for fluids to pass through easily, which allows for healing time. Let’s focus on getting you through the next two weeks, working towards tolerating solid foods, then we can begin to take a look at the specifics areas of healthy eating we need to address. What you have selected to eat is along the lines of “soft foods” and you are tolerating them well – so you’re definitely on track. The nurses can give you more information on band adjustments when you come in on Wednesday. In general, the patient needs to be at least one month post-op (minimum 4 weeks) and has been tolerating solid foods well. Once you’re at that stage, you can call our clinic to schedule an appointment. I hope I was able to answer all your questions. You’re doing great, keep on track!"

"

Thanks for all the info. I've heard some people are on liquids and purreed for a for a month after surgery. I was told I could start eating regular food on the 3rd week after as long as I eat slow and chew well. Someone told me that I may not be letting my band heal and that I may have trouble on my first fill. Anyone have other input to this?

This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band.

The ALLERGAN protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band.

Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any restriction from a Lap-Band. Some patients will NOT lose weight, or may even GAIN weight until they have received an effective fill in their Lap-Band.

Normal weight loss with a properly restricted Lap-Band is between 1 and 2 pounds per week.

The normal cycle of fills, restriction and weight loss is as follows:

1. The patient's Lap-Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.

2. The patient's stomach capacity is lessened as a result of the restriction caused by the Lap-Band.

3. The patient loses weight because they cannot eat as much food.

4. The residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the outside of the patient's stomach reduces in size because of the overall weight loss in the patient.

5. The reduction of the residual fat-pad causes the Lap-Band to become loose again.

6. At that point, the patient needs another fill, because the Lap-Band is loose, and the patient has a loss of restriction, which allows the patient to eat larger amounts of food.

7. The patient receives another fill and the process starts all over again.

Most Lap-Band patients receive several fills to adjust the Lap-Band as their weight loss progresses, and there is less and less residual fat-pad between the inside of the Lap-Band and the exterior of the stomach wall. Once a patient has lost all of their residual fat-pad, fills become less common. As the Lap-Band patient progresses in their weight loss, the effect of very tiny fills (Less than .2ccs) becomes greater and greater.

It is not uncommon for a late-stage Lap-Band patient to experience a significant difference in restriction with as little as .05cc of fill.

Thanks for the needed information. I just sent off an email to the nurses to make sure I'm feeling what most banders feel after two weeks post op. I'm having my first fill on the 28th so that's 4 weeks post of and I'm ready cause I feel like I can eat more, but afraid of any restriction. sounds like there is now so want to get back to loosing some weight.

When you do feel the restrictions, is it tightness in the throat?

Thanks for any info and souunds like you are doing great!ha

Sorry it took a bit....buy my May 1st banding went well. I had some pain but my problems werent until the next day when I started dry heaving and vomiting. My Md told me to come in, I went in they took 2.5cc out of my band and kept me in the hospital for 2 days!! I am back to work now a week later on restriction. I have lost about 10 llbs as of the am. The dry heaving and such has made me pretty sore... I hope nobody has to experience that !!! I now am still on liquids....go back to md on wednesday!! any questions just ask???

Sorry to hear that you had such a probelem. I didn't even know that they put any saline in until the 6th week. I'm on the 2nd week so eating pureed food or just chewing really well. Haven't felt unfortable at all cause I stop eating more because I'm afraid to feel anything or to vomit. Hope I'm eating enought. Will ask the MD tomorrow. All the gas pain in the shoulder is finally gone and I only have soreness the odd time in the port area. I think my lead from the port is twisting, so I get burns the odd time, otherwise I feel great.

Tomorrow I will weight myself and let you know.

Good luck and glad you are feeling better.

I was banded yesterday, and I also had a hiatal hernia repaired. I'm still having issues going from laying down to standing up, it's just the incision on the upper left that is bothering me. And the shoulder pain.... OMG... this better go away soon! I've had heating pads on it all day, my husband massaging it, and nothing seems to help! I hope this goes away soon!!! But congrats! I'm supposed to be on full liquids tomorrow, and then mushies on Saturday. I haven 't even been hungry today, but I drank some broth anyway. I have my liquid hydrocodone, and I've been taking it religiously, but more for the shoulder pain than anything else!

tHE SHOULD PAIN WILL GO AWAY, BUT I FOUND THAT THE HEATING PAD MADE IT WORSE. WALK IS WHAT THE NURSE SAID TO RELIEVE THE PAIN AND TAKE GASX STRIPS OR CRUSH THE TABLETS. THEY WILL HELP TOO. I WAS BANDED FRIDAY AND I STILL GET THE ODD GAS PAIN IN THE SHOULDER, BUT NOT NEARLY AS BAD. ALSO WHEN YOU GO TO sleep.. BE PROPPED UP ON PILLOWS SO YOU ARE NOT LYING DOWN FLAT.

I'M HAVING shakes, Tomato Soup AND juice, APPLE juice AND APPLESAUCE. I PREFER THE BABY APPLESAUCE..NOT AS SWEET AND IT'S CREAMIER.

CONGRATULATIONS...IT'LL GET EASIER.

Had my surgery on Friday, May 1st and wasn't a bit nervous. Was all prepared by reading books (Kahlia Ali's was the best), reading Banster forums and just asking question at my clinic. I never felt so ready for anything in my life and I have to tell you that anyone I know or who I've read about on the net say it's the best thing they ever did!

I was Scheduled at the clinic (not hospital) for 12, but taken at 1:00. Taken in...had an IV...a little oxygen and out like a lite....woke up and only felt the pain in the left shoulder from the gas. I was given a Gasx strip to melt in my mouth. My Husband was waiting and went home at 4:30. Just zipped on Water until the morning when I had pain in the chest (which the doctor warned me) from him fixing my hiatal hernia. There was NO incision pain at all!. Got to walk around to release the gas. 2nd day I had apple juice in samll amounts, water, chicken Soup and watered down Protein Drink to make sure all goes throught the band. I was never one to pamper myself, but forced myself to stay home all weekend and relax. A little discomfort at night cause you have to sleep on propped up pillow and sleep on your back otherwise you feel a little discomfort between your chest. I did take children's tylenol liquid for my chest pain, but never had (thank GOODNES) no nausea.

Went out for dinner with my family and had chicken broth...you really don't care much about the food cause you've already put too much into the journey of the new you. Went home to rest have a shake and tomorrow is another day. Have lost 12 pounds on an 11 day preope and 3 pounds since surgery=15POUNDS....BEST THING I EVER DID! NEVER going to worry about gaining my weight back again.

good luck and don't worry!

You're doing great. I spoke to my doctor yesterday and he said I could have Jello and Tomato Soup, but nothing thicker for now. The Protein Shakes are o.k. just have to Water them down. It's important to get some Protein. Today I'm feeling better. Just a little sore on the inside and gas still in the shoulder sometimes so I know it's still moving around inside. We are on the right track Brother! Hurray for us>

i was banded also on may 1st, guess that make me your brother and i always wanted a sister. I had some gas too, i read on this sight about chewable gas-x and it seemed to help. Have been sore, and it was hard to get comfortable that fist night, so have been using the pain med when i wanted to sleep. Otherwas feeling much better today. A bit of nausa, not sure if it is hunger or what. Alrady tired of chicken broth. Having no troble drinking, i kept reading only a few sips but i seem to have no problem drinking Water. Not really hungry, but at times i feel like i could eat something. I tried some of the cristal light with proteene but think that might have been contributing to the nausa. But feeling much better, never really felt that much pain just more discomfort.

Well good luck to you

ross

welcome brother, but i don't know your age so you could be my little brother. Still having a little shoulder pain now that it's night time and tightness in chest from the hernia repair. My doctor finally called and said the few stitches for the hernia were causing the chest pain.

Drinking watered down proteen shake, apple juice, chichen Soup, Jello, crystal light and Water.< /p>

Good luck!

Rangergirl...can't beleive we have all the same pains. I broke down too and took some liquid tylenol, but don't think that's enough. I also had about 3 oz of watered down Protein Drink, chicken Soup, crystal light and good old Water. Doctor gave me demeral, but it's in a pill form and I have to crush it. Not used to taking pills so holding out with the children's tylenol which taste amazing at this point. LOL

Thanks Baps and see I got the ticker going. Glad you got the call from the nurse. What are you drinking today?

Did any of you get a call from the doctor or nurse to see how you were doing on the weekend?

I'm having either gas in the chest, or drinking to fast, or the pain is from fixing my Hiatal Hernia which was repaired. Either way I'm sore! Drinking chicken Soup, Water, crystal light and tea. Can we have Jello and yogurt yet?

How are my 3 twins doing?

We're triplets! I had mine done 5/1 too. I also had a small hernia and have the chest pain from it but it's not too bad. Went shopping this afternoon and feel pretty good but a little tired.

What a trip we have started on and I know I am excited.

Good luck everyone!

TRIPLETS that's great! Can't believe you went out the 2nd day shopping already. I have an engagement party tomorrow and don't know if I'll make it. Banding was my 60th birthday present which is this month. Good Luck and I got to figure out how to put my stats on here.

Good luck and keep posting if you can. We can learn from eachother as we go along.

Good luck to you! You are so pretty!

Thanks for the compliment, but I didn't post a picture yet.

When did you have your banding?

Are you sore in the upper part of your chest at all? My starting weight at preop ws 241 and lost 12 pounds on Protein Shakes. My BMI was 40 so I would like to loose 80 pounds. We got a long haul ahead of us and lots of learning too.

Do you have good support behind you?

You must be my solar twin but I'm twice your age. I was banded yesterday MAY 1ST too. The pain in the shoulder is almost gone. A little uncomfortable but not a lot of pain. I had a hernia repaired as well so a little tight in the chest which I was warned. Are you drinking a lot of liquids? That's real important so that we don't get dehydrated.

Good Luck