jenrobbar951

I was banded on October 27th and had lost about 30 pounds within three weeks. I have since gained about 5 pounds back because of the lack of restriction. I am working on eating smaller amounts, and work out more because I know that until my first fill, I will have no restriction and that allows me to eat just about the same stuff I was before. THAT IS BAD! Weightloss varies from person to person. Sounds like you are doing a great job! Keep it up! Best of luck.

I went through the SAME thing! I had to sleep in a chair, sitting upright, with my legs on another chair for nearly two weeks. I was in soo much pain, it was unbelievable! It hurt to lay down and hurt to sleep in any other position. The surgeon told me it was the gas. It seems to collect in your shoulders for some reason. Is your pain in one of your shoulders or in the location of the port? Either way, I think it is normal. Hope it goes away soon!!!

There is nothing rude about your comment. Infact, I would be nervous about eating solids that soon too! If the band slips or the pouch expands, then you have to go in for another surgery, which means more cost. Of course, for those who arent paying for any surgery, that isnt a problem, but for those of us who are forking out money, it would be. I wouldnt want to go through that surgery again, therefore I am following the directions......it isnt worth the chance of something happening. I agree with you 1,000%!

Wow! I went five weeks before being able to eat solid foods.....I was banded on October 27th, and have just now been able to really eat food. At this point, because my inflamation has gone down, I am able to eat anything, as long as I chew, chew, chew. Someone told me that four weeks after being banded is the time period that bandsters call, "bandster hell." And that is simply because you are able to eat anything and you start to gain weight. I havent been filled yet. I have my first fill on December 17th, so in the meantime, I need to watch what I eat or else I will gain the lost weight back. I find it amazing that the doctor is letting you eat such foods......you need to be careful. You dont want to stretch the pouch or cause slippage. I would prevent going on to anything more solid than what you have been eating. Give yourself more time to heal properly. Best of luck!

I was banded on October 27th, and as of last week, was approaching 30 pounds of weightloss. Unfortunately, since I have no restriction and have started eating solid foods, I have gained about 6 pounds back. I figure that after this week is over, I will work my butt off to lose those pounds and then some! I have my first fill on December 17th. Hopefully I will have some restriction and slow down my eating!!! Hope everyone had a great holiday and that you are all succeeding in your own ways!

I was banded on October 27th, and I too have gained some weight. It has been between my transition from mushy to solid foods. I have also found myself more hungry than usual. People say it is because the inflamation has gone down and that makes me feel a little hungrier. Soo true. I am hungry every couple of hours. To satisfy myself, I eat even smaller meals more often throughout the day. Or I drink more water. In the meantime, I am going to start exercising more. Get on the treadmill more. Watch what I am eating even more. But I also have to keep in mind, I have no restriction. Hopefully after my fill on December 17th, I will not feel so hungry all the time!!! GOOD LUCK and try not to fret about it too much!

I was banded on October 27th, and I know EXACTLY what you are going through. Within the last week, my appetite has sky rocketed! I try to eat a smaller portion than normal and added an extra meal. No matter what I eat, I find I am hungry a couple hours later. I try to drink water instead of eating, or if I want to eat, it is something VERY small. I have actually gained some weight because I have moved on to more solid foods. Guess it is time to step up the exercise and cut back the foods. Best of luck!! Hang in there!

Wow Amy! That was extremely inspirational, as is your weightloss. You are a prime example of someone who has succeeded with help from the band. Thank you for the uplift and congratulations on your success!!

I think I need to be totally honest with my husband and let him know that not only did I choose to have this done for me, but for us. I want to have a more intimate relationship with my husband and at my current weight, I am extremely self conscious. Guess I should let him know that. But yes, I agree that I need to ask him to be a bit more considerate and understanding. And assure him that leaving him isnt an option in my mind. Thanks everyone!

People say that child birth is the worst pain that any woman will ever feel. I agree that child birth was the most painful thing I have ever experienced, but what I got out of it was three beautiful children (two girls via natural delivery and a boy via c-section). The result of the pain was well worth the pain. Being banded wasnt so bad for me. It was that darn gas that just about paralyzed me with pain. Of course, my c-section was A LOT more painful, but this was up there on the pain scale. But again, the pain is part of the process. I had to keep telling myself that the pain would go away and the end result of being banded would be worth it all. And so far, it is. Of course, I have only been banded for just under a month..... Give yourself some time to get over the procedure you just had to endure. Think about what you really want in terms of your body. If you dont think you can endure the pain one more time, then dont go through with being re-banded. But think back to the first time you were banded. You made it through it once. I am not sure how long ago you were banded or what your weightloss success was, but if you were happy with the progress, then consider being re-banded. You just have to get past the current pain. Hang in there!! Only you can make the decision. Just keep thinking about the OUTCOME of the decision and what would make you happy and healthier. GOOD LUCK!!!

You are very lucky to have a supportive husband!! And it is sooo true that not all men are sensitive. I wish my husband was even the least bit supportive....but he has it in his mind, that I had this done so I can lose the weight and leave him. I laughed at that. Why would I need to lose weight to leave someone? I WOULDNT! HAHA!

I will check my local Walmart. Thanks! And how did you know I have had stuck episodes? LOL. I have, although not lately...thank God! Those are horrible!

Thank you so much!!! I will definitely start taking the vitamins. Where did you find the Biotin? I tried looking for it and couldnt find it.

My surgeon told me that I could have an occasional soda....but it has to be diet and needs to be flat. I figure that flat soda is pointless, so I havent had one since mid-October. It is hard because I was addicted to the caffeine, but the result (my weightloss) is worth giving up the sodas. I am not a coffee drinker, but had an occasional frappucino. Havent had any of those either. Figure that I cant finish even a tall size, so why spend the money. For now, it is mainly water for me.

take the multi-vitamins after surgery? I am almost a month post-op and have no idea if I am supposed to be taking my vitamins......I know I could call the surgeon's office, but they take FOREVER to return phone calls of any sort.

I was banded on October 27th. The second week of liquid diets I went to my parent's house to help them out with some business. When I got home Sunday night, my husband was making cheeseburgers with fries. I walked into the house and immediately got pissed. I had just had surgery a week before and here he was, 7pm at night, cooking dinner. Knowing I was going to be coming home around 7pm. He couldnt have made dinner earlier, so I wouldnt be home to watch them eat. No, he waited until he knew I would be home. And to make things worse, he even offered one to me when I sat down. HELLO?!! I reminded him that I couldnt have it. He laughed and said, "Oh yah..." Then later that night, I was in bed watching TV and my husband walked in with Cookies. Again, he offered one to me. And again, I reminded him that I couldnt eat it. He laughed again and said, "Ooops, I forgot." He orders pizza without my knowledge and has it delivered to the house. Goes to Weinerschnitzel and buys chili dogs and corn dogs. It's okay though......I am losing my weight and sticking to my diet plan!! The outcome is better than any fatty food I could be putting in my mouth right now.

Glad to hear that you are doing well, besides the pain. I was in pain for nearly two weeks. The surgeon's office said it was gas that had traveled up into my shoulder. Said that for some reason, it usually settles in one of the shoulders. Had to sleep in a chair with my feet on another chair to sleep. It hurt too badly to try to lay down. Couldnt drive for numerous days either. It sucked. But at about two weeks, it went away. Now I have an occasional problem with food getting stuck.......I eat less and slower to prevent it from happening. So far, so good. But when it did get stuck, MAN DID IT HURT! Hope your gas goes away soon!!!! :w00t:

I had about 135 pounds that I wanted to lose. I too, chose to not go the invasive Gastric Bypass route. Seeing as there are more complications with Bypass and it is permanent, that definitely made me choose Lap band. But during my process of approval, I went to see the doctor that I use as a primary for my kids (family doctor...not a pediatrician) and he discouraged me from choosing the Lap band. I was furious, but let him give his lecture. In the end he tried to send me to the surgeon that his wife used (the surgeon that wasnt covered by my insurance company) and started to write a referral. I had to stop him and tell him that I had already chosen a surgeon and that I was only seeing him for a mere physical. Not for a reference. He tried again to get me to change my mind, but I stood my ground and stood behind my choice. I made this choice for me. Not for anyone else. I have my reasons and people dont have to agree with them. Unless it is detrimental to my health to NOT have the Lap band done, it was my choice. I walked out of his office annoyed by his pressuring me, but I was still confident in my choice. I had surgery on October 27th, and although I am still in recovery mode and just started on the mushy food stage this past Tuesday. I am happy with my decision. It has been a hard couple weeks, with the gas and food getting stuck. But I still stand behind MY choice. Dont let people tell you what you need to do. If there is no reason behind it, stand behind your choice. To date, I have lost almost 25 pounds. I havent felt good (I think I have a cold) so I havent even stepped on a treadmill or gone for long walks. You gotta do what you gotta do FOR YOU! Best of luck!!

Mine lasts for hours too! I lay down and when I wake up, it usually subsided. Yikes, it is bothersome though!

Best of luck tomorrow morning!!! Let us know how it went when you feel up to it!

I was on a two day pre-op liquid diet. And two week post-op liquid diet. I just started my mushy food stage this past Tuesday and have two weeks of it. Then I am on to solids. I wont be able to have Thanksgiving food ON Thanksgiving, but will be able to have cranberry sauce and broccoli. I agree that there should be a set guideline, but each person will respond to the stages different. Infact, I am having a hard time with my mushy foods getting stuck. I am also having difficulty drinking my Protein drinks. I cant get past the taste and texture. I tried to mix the powder in a shake type consistency (or a smoothie) and that got stuck. I finally had to pull out my lapband book as a reference to serving size. Hang in there and dont get discouraged. The nutritionist told me that if my weight ever got stuck, to increase the exercise. Best of luck!

My surgery was on October 27th, 2009. To be honest, I wasnt nervous at all. I got to the hospital at 6am to finish my registration. I was told I didnt have to have my $500 co-pay and that it would be billed with the cost of surgery. By the time I was done with registration, it was 6:30am and I was told to go to the Ambulatory Unit for pre-op preparation. I sat in a chair, waiting my turn for about fifteen minutes before I was taken to a bed. First I had to have my vitals taken and my nose swabbed. WEIRD! I was given this weird fabric gown to put on and some slippers. Then bloodwork is drawn and an IV started. I sat in that bed for nearly an hour and a half before I was taken to the "holding" room for surgery. I spent another hour in the holding room before I was taken to the OR. I dont remember much in the OR. Just the warm sensation of the anestesia going up my arm. I found it easier to just close my eyes and not try to keep them open. When I woke up I was in immense pain. I couldnt breathe very well and kept repeating, "OW" over and over. It tooks about 50 OWs before a nurse came over to give me some pain medication. Not sure if the pain was the breathing tube having been in my throat or the hernia being repaired. I was only awake for about 10-20mins before I was wheeled to my room. I was jazzed to have my own recovery room! I wasnt jazzed that it was across from the nurses station. A few hours after entering my room I was up and walking, and a couple hours later I was able to get up to use the bathroom on my own. I found this useful because the nurses were EXTREMELY busy and took FOREVER to come and help me. I would walk around the halls, doing 10 minutes intervals. I think that this helped with the gas, because during my night there, I had no pain. I was discharged the next morning around noon. Of course, I had to wait my turn for my upper GI and since my room was almost one of the last, the other two women that had just had surgery following me, had already been discharged. Breathing was not a problem. It was the incisions that caused me pain, and later, at home the gas. The gas was HORRIBLE!!!!!! It kept me up all night and caused me to sleep in a chair with my feet on another chair. I was constipated for two weeks! TWO WEEKS! That sucked. I have just now started to be able to comfortably sleep on my side, flat on my back, and on my stomach. THANK GOD! I am also currently having problems drinking my protein powder. I think I need to get some unflavored powder and blend it into things. This chocolate isnt doing it for me. I am also getting my mushy food "stuck" and that is painful for hours at a time. IT SUCKS!!!!!! Other than that, I am doing well. I drool at the smell of other food and dream of eating the foods I cant have. But with 25 pounds gone, I really have no complaint!

My surgery was on October 27th, 2009. To be honest, I wasnt nervous at all. I got to the hospital at 6am to finish my registration. I was told I didnt have to have my $500 co-pay and that it would be billed with the cost of surgery. By the time I was done with registration, it was 6:30am and I was told to go to the Ambulatory Unit for pre-op preparation. I sat in a chair, waiting my turn for about fifteen minutes before I was taken to a bed. First I had to have my vitals taken and my nose swabbed. WEIRD! I was given this weird fabric gown to put on and some slippers. Then bloodwork is drawn and an IV started. I sat in that bed for nearly an hour and a half before I was taken to the "holding" room for surgery. I spent another hour in the holding room before I was taken to the OR. I dont remember much in the OR. Just the warm sensation of the anestesia going up my arm. I found it easier to just close my eyes and not try to keep them open. When I woke up I was in immense pain. I couldnt breathe very well and kept repeating, "OW" over and over. It tooks about 50 OWs before a nurse came over to give me some pain medication. Not sure if the pain was the breathing tube having been in my throat or the hernia being repaired. I was only awake for about 10-20mins before I was wheeled to my room. I was jazzed to have my own recovery room! I wasnt jazzed that it was across from the nurses station. A few hours after entering my room I was up and walking, and a couple hours later I was able to get up to use the bathroom on my own. I found this useful because the nurses were EXTREMELY busy and took FOREVER to come and help me. I would walk around the halls, doing 10 minutes intervals. I think that this helped with the gas, because during my night there, I had no pain. I was discharged the next morning around noon. Of course, I had to wait my turn for my upper GI and since my room was almost one of the last, the other two women that had just had surgery following me, had already been discharged. Breathing was not a problem. It was the incisions that caused me pain, and later, at home the gas. The gas was HORRIBLE!!!!!! It kept me up all night and caused me to sleep in a chair with my feet on another chair. I was constipated for two weeks! TWO WEEKS! That sucked. I have just now started to be able to comfortably sleep on my side, flat on my back, and on my stomach. THANK GOD! I am also currently having problems drinking my protein powder. I think I need to get some unflavored powder and blend it into things. This chocolate isnt doing it for me. I am also getting my mushy food "stuck" and that is painful for hours at a time. IT SUCKS!!!!!! Other than that, I am doing well. I drool at the smell of other food and dream of eating the foods I cant have. But with 25 pounds gone, I really have no complaint!

Thank you for being the ONLY person to respond. Your response was VERY helpful. I know that the food I just ate is "stuck." I am experiencing the "slimming" as you called it. Thanks again for the response!!! I appreciate it!

Okay, I am two weeks post-op and I have previously read about "dumping......" Could someone explain what this means? I swear, I am not a total idiot, but I am not sure what it is. Also, those of you who have had food get "stuck" if you could describe that feeling as well.....thank you!