Wisteria75

Hello everyone, I am from Easthampton, Mass. I got banded in October, 2009 and am having a terrible time. I've only lost 28 lbs. I have another fill coming up on 1/31/11, so hopefully that will help. I am wondering if anyone is interested in getting a group together in the Northampton area? I would love to have a "band buddy" in the area. Good luck to all.... Renee

Thank you all so much for responding. I got a 1 cc fill last night. I'm hoping it'll help. I'll be on liquids for another 2 days, then mushies, then soft, then finally solids. The book that was mentioned (about emotional eating) was very helpful; I got a copy of it at the library and will start reading it tonight. Thank you for that. :scared2: Also, blunt is good. :wink: Thanks also for the visualization exercises; I will try that out. As for my boss bringing in goodies (not goodies for me, baddies for me LOL) I will try to walk by. Unfortunately I am in a VERY small room with 5 people in it so it's hard to ignore. They other people seem to enjoy them, and it has been said for him to stop bringing them in, but he won't listen. I will be fine... I know it. Good luck to everyone on your journeys! :wub:

Hi all, I was banded on October 16, 2009. After surgery, I seemed to have done pretty well with what I ate and lost 20 lbs. As far as I know, I have not lost more. :thumbup: Because I have had such a slow weight loss, I "fell off the wagon" and starting in with my old "binge-eating" habits about two months ago. Emotional eating, they say. I get upset, then feel like I deserve to eat a bag of Milk chocolate Mini eggs. Ugh. And not the small bags. :crying: Anyway, I have been struggling with this off and on for a while now and it's even harder when a) I have restriction but not enough because I feel hungry all the time, have an awful sweet tooth, and c) my boss brings in pastries, donuts and/or chocolate EVERY DAY. :huh2: :crying: Seriously, EVERY DAY!!! I cannot take this tempation any more. I have to struggle every day with seeing these foods not even 6 feet from me. In addition to that, I don't have enough restriction. I am getting a fill on Monday hopefully that'll help with feeling hungry. :smile: I need help, though, with the temptation and "beef-up" my willpower. Any suggestions, ideas... share thoughts on what you have done? Thank you in advance. Renee

Hi Oliverdog, I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. So we are banding buddies! I was banded in the U.S. Have you lost anymore weight other than the 19 lbs.? I definitely know that I have lost 20 but not sure if I have lost more. I have been struggling with my eating habits (chocolate, sweets, etc.) I haven't really been as good as I should and I feel I've been "abusing" the band. I had my 3rd fill a month ago; I now have 4.6cc's in a 10cc band according to my doc. Sounds like you are right on track. It is very hard work, and like I said I am struggling, and need to find some support and support groups. I'm so very glad I have it as well because it's been a very long time since I have been able to lose weight (over 10 years) so I love it. I have to be better to myself and the band though. Cutting out all the sweets. I also find myself hungry a lot so I have a fill on 4/26 and hopefully that'll help me. Best of luck to you too. Keep in touch "buddy". Renee

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted in a while. I got banded on October 16, 2009. I have lost only 17 pounds so far. I didn't have much restriction on the band and fell back due to feeling defeated. BUT, I'm back on my feet again, just got another fill, and gone back to eating "right". I have also been exercising too with the Wii Fit. What a Godsend that thing is; if you DO NOT like to exercise, then I highly recommend the Wii Fit. It's awesome; like you're in the game while exercising. Anyhow, sounds like everyone is doing well on their weight loss. Good luck to all! :rolleyes2:

Hi! I am 3 months post op and my port area gets sore while I sit at my desk at work on a daily basis. It is definitely an internal pain. Not sure why... I thought this might be normal; I probably should talk to my surgeon when I get my fill next week. Anyone receive answers yet?

I have a very low-threshold for pain and I have to say that the fill hurt but it pinched just like giving blood. Wasn't so bad.

Hey there, I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure everything will turn out just fine. Keep us posted.

Thank you very much Salbri! Good luck to us on our journeys!

I know isn't it amazing that you cannot even taste it at all? I put it in my coffee, applesauce, crystal light, tea... can't tell it's there. It is by far a great product. Helped with my diarrhea stat.

We were banded on the same date and I am not in that much pain at all. Maybe you should call your doctor if the pain is really bad and you are still taking pain killers. Go to the ER if need be. I wish you luck. Keep us posted on how you are.

I called my doctor and had my appointment today, 11/2. He said the pain was definitely the port because it is "sewn" into a muscle. Makes total sense. After all that, he said, "while you're here, why not get a fill?" OK why not? lol 3cc's.

Hey Jenny, OMG sounds like what happened to me with the IV and the black and blue arms. I have to say my roomie was quite pleasant. She had two knee replacements, God Bless her. She was quite talkative though while I was nodding off; I felt so bad, but I still had the morphine in me. I'm so sorry to hear of your experience at Baystate. Sounds horrible. Well just think; hopefully we don't have to go through it again! I am healing along just fine. Although set-back last night with mashed potatoes; didn't measure and ended up keeled over in pain, vomiting, and crying because the pain was so bad. It only lasted an hour but throughout the whole ordeal I thought the band slipped! I've learned NOT to do that again! Anyway, I got my first fill today; 3cc's. How do you know what size band you have? I have no idea. And how is your progress Jenny? :wub:

Hey Lisa, thanks! I've never had to go to the ER at Bay State but at Cooley Dickinson which isn't so bad. Things are moving along; had my first fill today - 3cc's. We'll see. I'd still like to get together since we live so close!

I too had my 1st fill today; 3cc's. Not sure how big my band is though. As to what kinds of things are best to eat right after a fill? All liquids. broth, decaf tea, Protein shakes first and foremost, sugar-free Jello, crystal light, Water at least for the first two days. Then the two days after that pureed foods like baby food, sugar free pudding, Protein shakes, applesauce, pureed squash. Then two days after that slowly putting in soft foods.

Hello, I was banded on October 16th and today (11/2) I had my first fill! 3cc's. I am unsure if it is good or not. I lost 10 lbs. the first 2.5 weeks since surgery. I would like to know the answer to this question also. All the best, Renee

Thanks a bunch. I added Benefiber to my foods and I am doing much better! :thumbup:

Thanks, I thought about that too. Who knows? I have GasX to see if it will help. Starting mushies on Tuesday! YAY!

Hi Alice, I am only 9 days post-op. The first 2 days I had trouble having a BM at all. After that, when I introduced non-carbonated, non-caffeinated, sugar-free liquids to my diet, I have had diarrhea and stomach upset (gas) every day and sometimes a few times a day. The BM's are normal looking - no blood or anything. However, it is annoying to go through each day this way. Not exactly sure why. Good luck to you. Renee

I think I am having the same thing as you. I am 9 days post-op and I understand that my port area will be sore for a bit. The port is located under my chest a little to the right (almost in the middle). The dull pain however is located in my right side. It has come and gone this past week, but since Friday night (when I lifted some grocery bags) it has been constant. I do see my doc on 11/2. I am wondering if I should make a sooner appointment. The pain is uncomfortable and I am unable to do tasks like dishes, laundry, shopping. Any other ideas on what it could be? Or is this completely normal?

Hey Oliverdog! I was banded on the same day. I just went back to work on Thursday. Not feeling pregnant but feeling pain/soreness in the port area. I keep getting sharp pains up my right side due to the port possibly sitting on a nerve. About the hunger. I was soooooooo hungry Days 1-5; I spoke with my cousin who has been banded since 2005. The advice she gave me is what I'll give to you because it has since worked for me: Sip water in between your "meals" whether your water is just plain old water or something non-caffeinated non-carbonated with no sugar. And continue to sip all day long. Also put in little walks here and there, even if you walk around your house a few times a day. Just keep moving. Don't over analyze exercising like I did. I walk up and down my street once or twice a day and I'm OK with that. It doesn't have to be a lot, just some movement at first. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Try to divert your attention away from the hunger by trying those two things. I recommend also watching a program or movie you haven't seen before, read a good book, do some crafts, etc. I hope this will help you. I am here if you need to talk. Take care and good luck to you! Renee

OK so it sounds related. I feel relieved. Thanks for the advice and the info. ~Renee

Hi all, I was banded on Friday, October 16th, so I am 5 days out. I've had a lot of pain in the incision areas but it has dissipated somewhat. The problem I am experiencing is a sharp pain in my right side (almost like pre-op "normal" gas pain). I am wondering if it is the gas the surgeons used to blow up my stomach during surgery.Would it still be in my body? I called my surgeon and they didn't answer my question however the doctor's assistant called back saying it may be the port and can I come in next week? Unfortunately the only date and time she picked next week, I'll be out of town, so now I have to wait until 11/2. So... is that normal? A sharp pain where the port site is... could it still be gas? could it really be the port? Honestly, with all the bruises and bandages I cannot even tell you where the port site is. Someone told me it is the largest incision and if that is so, then it is smack dab right in the middle of my belly underneath my breasts. So that pain would not make sense to be port pain. Also... has anyone coughed or sneezed before and felt like they pulled a muscle? Yesterday I had a little coughing fit because I choked and now my stomach is more sore than yesterday due to the stomach pull of the cough. Thanks for any and all advice. Good luck to everyone on their journeys... may they be less complicated and see more results!

Hey Kris, Thanks for thinking of me. Surgery was Friday, October 16. All went well. Just adjusting to the post-op diet, exercise and pain management, etc. I go back to work tomorrow. I was getting cabin fever! But I know I needed the rest to heal. Thankfully I have this forum and a few personal friends who have gone through this journey so it's great to talk. So very helpful. One thing I do have to say is my dislike for Baystate! I thought they'd be great, but I find I like Cooley Dickinson way better. It's more personalized there. Baystate of course is a bigger hospital which is why you have to "bunk" with other people, but if it were at Cooley Dickinson, they like, roll out the red carpet for you. *sigh* I got poked with the IV line 4 times before they got it right! The drugs weren't all that great, and way too many people to keep track off. That's my rant. It's over and done with. I hope you are doing well also. Thanks for the well wishes. Renee

I've added myself several times but the list keep getting people dropped. Perhaps its an overlap when posting? Here we are: Happyloser 10/1 bethany329 10/1 Timmers 10/1 Lindac80 10/1 Marfar7 10/1 Salbri 10/1 Ca7696 10/2 Opus03 10/2 RedboneLA 10/3 ihavehope3 10/3 Viking_girl 10/5 leetie 10/7 o-2BTHIN 1O/7 Jtreece 10/8 MommyOf1 10/8 Suz-Q 10/9 Noodles 10/9 SharPei 10/13 Guy 10/13 Cshytle 10/13 MoniqueD 10/14 Jenfromtheburg 10/14 ncarreras 10/14 angela677 10/15 Kme 10/15 Nooshie 10/15 munkee'smommy 10/15 Oliverdog 10/16 danyett 10/16 Wisteria75 10/16 We3601 10/19 Onikenbai 10/19 hope2bthinr 10/19 Mzcancer 10/20 Soexcited 10/21 erenstar983 10/21 pina3940 10/21 marybeth 10/21 HDmama 10/22 Cindylou00 10/23 Crazychica133 10/26 NJLIZ 10/26 Idahlem72 10/27 Daria77 10/27 Jenrobbar951 10/27 Barley 10/28 4girlfamily 10/29 Tina 10/29 jenrobbar951 TBA See my signature. I made an October 2009 Bandit avatar if anyone is interested I can post the code for all of you October Bandits out there! ~Renee