Banded081109

Have you asked your Doctor to measure the fill amount already in your band? My clinic has different Doctors that do fills... there was a question of just how much fill I had so my Doctor measured it by using an empty needle to pull everything out into the syringe - getting the proper measurement and then going from there. It strikes me that this would be a good way to ensure you have what you think you do in your fill.

Several months ago I had my 4th fill of 1 cc which brought me to 6.5 cc in a 10 cc band. Like you I was able to swallow the Water at my doctor's office... but then a bit later it was difficult to sallow water without the constant hicuping... This was on a Tuesday and I toughed it out drinking Protein shakes until Friday night when I tried to eat some Soup that got stuck... It was pretty awful and I managed to bring it back up... which made it even tighter. I called my doctor at 8am on the Saturday morning and was in his office by 11am where he took out 2 cc. I was disappointed that he wanted to remove 2 cc's but he insisted and told me to return in a month. I did and they put back 1 cc and then a few weeks ago they put in .5 cc which has me at 6 now and I have great restriction. Your body will tell you... but if you cannot swallow simple liquids within 2 days then you probably need an unfill.

I've tried a bunch of different shakes and find that

I was banded Aug 11. Last night for the very first time while eating dinner I started to feel terrible pain at the bottom of my throat. I stopped eating and hoped it would go away - but this time the pain / tightness felt much different than anything in the past. It got to the point when it was even more painful every time I swallowed saliva. It just kept getting tighter and tighter to the point where I was spitting out my saliva rather than swallow. That did not help because just the air I was swallowing was making it tighter. Finally after a while (10 minutes) I felt like I was going to throw-up and did... but not much other than what looked like sticky saliva came up. I felt much better for about 5 minutes when it started to get tight again. After another few minuted I started to cough at which point I threw up a bit... was not painful and immediately felt better. My question is this... I was chewing everything as I have always in the past. I've never experienced what many here refer to as PB'ing. Was this an issue of being stuck? I know this is a bit gross... but any feedback or others experiences would be most appreciated. I NEVER want this to happen again - it was pretty ugly. Thanks, Ron

This was one of the questions I asked my surgeon PRIOR to surgery. What if??? He advised that should I be throwing up because of the flu or food poisoning... to call immediately and go in for an unfill. I can't imagine... and really hope it never happens. Ron

Self pay... no additional fee for adjustments... ever. Ron

I went out and purchased one of those Magic Bullet mixers. It comes with four individual larger cups that you mix in directly. I pour in 8 oz of non fat milk, 1 scoop of chocolate unjury and then fill it to the top with ice cubes. Screw on the blade base and press it into the power base for about a minute. The result is a smooth thick chocolate milkshake that is delicious and very filling. And the bonus is that you drink it out of the cup you use to make it in. Easy cleanup. Like you I was so tired of the shakes and the taste until I started making them like this. Anyone else try this? Ron

Getting the flu or food poisioning was a pre surgery question of mine. My surgeon advised that should either happen I should make an immediate appointment to have a complete unfill.

It does get better...... I was banded on 8/11 and went through the same things you describe. However, you are probably experiencing more discomfort due to the additional hernia repair. I had a hernia repair 2 years ago and remember that as being the worst pain I've ever experienced. The headaches are probably due to lack of Water. Try taking a few small sips every 15 minutes and if at all possible try walking around as much as you can - it really will help. Hang in there... it will get better and then you'll be thrilled that the worst is behind you.

BRAVO!!! Easch morning I wake up and find that I am feeling better and better. I am carefully selecting what I eat and find that I am winning the battle...

One of my concerns and pre-op questions was what happens if I get food poisioning or the flu and throw up. Just the thought of that is painful. My surgeon advised that should either happen to get in asap and they will do a complete unfill. Once it passed then back to the fill process. NOt a drinker so at least I don't have to worry about that possibility.

I know each of us are different and have different instructions to follow from our surgeon. I was told to do only liquids for 2 weeks, the first 7 days only Clear Liquids and then the next 7 days I could add Protein shakes. The first week was all I could do to drink Water, have a little low sodium chicken broth and sugar free popsicles. By the 8th day I was ready for a bit more and welcomed the protein shakes. I found slim-fast low carb version was pretty good... drank it all over a period of 2 hours... then went online and purchased

I want to express my appreciation to everyone here on this forum for the support I found after joining and reading about everyone else's experiences. It has been very comforting and reassuring. After trying too many different "diets" that would initially work and I would drop the weight I wanted to get rid of... I would gain it all back and then some. The yoyo dieting took its toll on my health and heart. While I knew about the band I thought it was too drastic and that I should be able to just lose the weight like I've been programmed to by all the radio ads and television ads. With many fears I called and made an appointment to meet Dr Powell. I had a list of questions and he put me at ease and helped me decide that lapband surgery was the right direction. I had my surgery exactly 2 weeks after my initial consultation so I had little time to worry... but I did... and kept doubting that I was making the right decision. I wanted to do this on my own without telling family or friends for fear they would talk me out of it. The surgery center even provided a car to pick me up at home, bring me to surgery, and then return me home after the surgery. I am now 18 days past surgery and except for the first night after surgery - all has been wonderful. I followed my doctors instructions to the letter... only Clear liquids for the first 2 weeks and now I'm able to have yogurt, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, no sugar Jello pudding, and soft Soups. I eat a little something when I need to and find that I need very little to get full. On Aug 11 I weighed 244 going into surgery. I just weighed myself and I'm 221. I met with Dr Powell this week and he was impressed with my progress and basically said to call him when I started to feel "starved" and he would do the first fill. As long as I am not feeling starved and continue to lose weight - the restriction is good enough. I just want to thank everyone on here who shares themselves - this has been a great support system and without all of you I would not be experiencing felling as GREAT as I do today. Thank you.... thank you! Ron

When initially meeting with my surgeon - he advised that two foods that would be difficult to eat in the future and to avoid at all costs were breads and rice. The documentation I received when leaving surgery basically said the same thing. Maybe avoiding breads and rice would be a good idea?

I chose to keep this surgery to myself until after it was done to avoid family and friends sharing their various opinions with me. I really was not interested to hear people who have no true experience and education with this procedure tell me their thoughts. Anyway... I advised the clinic that I would he taking a car (limo service) to and from the surgery. They had no issue with that arrangement and actually offered to have their private driver pick me up and bring me back home. They picked me up a couple hours prior to the scheduled surgery and returned me home after I was cleared to leave. I prepped my home with the liquids and meds I'd need for the next couple days and arrived back home to the comfort of my own bed. The clinic called me a couple times, once the day of and then the morning after to make sure I was OK. If you are doing this alone and are not near your home - why not stay a couple days at a local hotel until you are good to travel.