LollyMoe

I didn't have gas until the third day and then it was a doozy. I took Gas-X which helped but walking was better. I still have gas every once in awhile. As for bowels, I was always a 1-2 times a day person and now I'm once a week. This bothers me greatly. I have begun the Fiber, stool softner, Water, with a little MOM and seem to be getting better. At least I hope so. At support group Benefiber and Equate Fiber pills were recommended.

Debbut: I am so sorry to hear about your band problems. That is scary to me. I am so afraid that something is going to go wrong with mine. I am beginning to be paranoid about it. Guess I have to stop reading all the threads on the forum. I'm coming to support group tomorrow. Hope to meet someone there.

To TJR4949: I can't imagine that you have only lost 20 pounds in four years even with having a baby. Has your doctor said anything or offered you any advice about such a poor weight loss? Please post some additional info on what has been happening and if we can help, there is a lot of experienced people that will be more than willing to help.

For me, it is so worth it all. I didn't do this for weight per se, I did it to get my health in better condition. My PCP told me I wouldn't see my 70's if I didn't do it. So far, I've lost 28 pounds and am proud of the lost. Oh yes, I would love for the weight to just fall off but that's not going to happen, so I am planning to work hard and take what I get. I have to admit that I didn't have a huge amount of problems in the beginning. No pain meds or nausea meds. I did have gas pains a couple of days later but Gas-X took care of it plus a lot of walking. My doctor recommended liquid tylenol for pain and phenergan for nausea. I still haven't open either, so I feel very fortunate. Please hang in there and everything will get better. Good luck.

Activa yogurt will help the gas. Also, buttermilk.

I am 67 years old, a retired nurse, and was banded on 8/11. I have been very lucky in that I didn't need any pain meds at all and am doing well on my food requirements. The main problem I had in the beginning was the gas and burping...oh, excuse me...belching like a long shoreman is more like it! If you could schedule your surgery for a Thursday, that would give you four days off from school and by Monday, you should be able to go back. You won't be able to pick up a heavy backpack and it might be tender bending over from the waist but you can work around those problems. Get a rolling luggage rack to carry all those books. Plan ahead for your day in the beginning. Make sure you have plenty of Water, portable Protein shakes (like Muscle Milk or Atkins Advantage shakes from Walmart). Find yourself a good Protein Bar that you can drop in your bag. Get some rest whenever you can during the day even if it's only a moment or two. When you get home, get some rest before tackling your school work. Tell your instructor about the band but be careful about what friends at school you tell. They will become your worse critics about what your are eating even if it's legal. Good luck...you can do it.

Size of a M&M is what my doctor said too. Just take your pills one at the time and don't gulp your Water. You'll be fine. I didn't have a #2 for almost two weeks, even tho I was taking a stool softner. You might have to use some Benefiber in order to get in enough Fiber in the beginning. Right now, you are mostly on liquids aren't you? Well, you know the saying "liquids in, liquids out" and that's what you will be passing mostly. If you have pains in your chest, shoulder and upper back, that's gas. Use some Gas-X and walk as much as possible. It will help. Good luck on your journey.

I can eat eggs okay. I put one in my tuna salad. My nut suggested egg beaters but ugh on them. I'd rather have the real thing. Now, cheese is another thing...can't eat it. Oh, I can get it down but my stomach doesn't like it and I was the biggest cheese eater prior to the band. Haven't tried bread yet. After reading so many negative comments about bread, I'm afraid to try it and I don't miss it much. My nut says to toast all bread real good. I think the main thing in all of this food is to chew, chew, chew. It's hard to remember to do that when you're in a hurry. I also find it hard to NOT drink while eating.

can someone tell me how to post a picture under my name like you guys have?

So sorry to hear about your loss. Hold close to the Lord during this grief time. God Bless you.

I have a close friend that chose the by-pass. She lost over 250 pounds but now she is rapidly putting it back on. She would tell me about the dumping sydrome and how she would have to lay on the floor of a public bathroom next to the commode until it passed. One time she could eat something and the next she would have the dumping problem. She is now considering the band. It's for life and not reversible. You have to take B-12 and B-6 for the rest of your life also. Please re-consider the band. It's slower but so much safer in the long run. Good luck on whatever you decide and please let us know what you decide.

Forgive yourself and go forward. Looking back is a waste of your time except to realize what you did wrong so it can be corrected. NEVER tell yourself that you are a failure. It's the first step towards defeat and a minor step-back isn't going to do that to you unless you let it. The old saying "THINK POSITIVE" is so true. So, lift up your head and strive forward.....you can do it.

As a nurse, I can tell you that with my older patients, I used applesauce. Works well and it's good for you too. Be careful about crushing pills. If they aren't scored or are enteric coated, don't crush them. Time release capsules shouldn't open either. Call you PCP and he might can change them for you.

My doctor says that I don't have any fill at present but each person's anatomy is different and I might feel some tightness at times. I get my first fill on the 23rd.

I was banded on 8/11 around 10:30 a.m. and went home on Wednesday morning about 10:30 a.m. No pain meds in hospital or at home. I have some liquid Lortab but haven't used it. I seem to have a high tolerance for pain. I had more trouble with gas than anything.

b9404: You are not alone. There are two many people here that are willing & able to reach out to help you. Just let us know when you need someone. I'm much older than you but I'm experienced and willing to help. I noticed you mentioned WW. Don't know if it's the same everywhere but generally they are really down on WLS. So keep mum about your surgery! Let us know if you need to talk.

Yippee! I can't wait until I can walk a lot. Between my bad legs and my breathing problems, I can't walk much yet but I'll get there someday. I'm so happy that you had a nice day and they will only get better as the weight comes down.

Have a protein shake. It will keep you from waking in the night and being hungry. Everyone is different. If it persists, call your doctor.

I have the Realize band and my doctor told me that there is no fluid in my band but I might feel some restriction because of my own anatomy. Everyone one is different, he said. Some feel it and some don't. I can tell I have some restriction late at night or early in the morning. A little something warm helps me.

Since I had the band surgery, so many people are watching me and asking "how much have you lost now". They are thinking that the weight is going to just fall off me fast, fast. I get so tired of explaining that this is a band NOT a bypass. It's a tool to help me lose...not a magic wand. I would not have told some of these people that I had the band but my dear 89 yr old mother told everyone b/c she was so worried about me and wanted them to pray for me. I love prayers and believe in them but you don't always have to tell it all...... I feel like a zoo exhibit or something.:tongue2:

Some people are hungry right away and others aren't for several days. Personally, I wasn't until two weeks had passed. I think a lot of it is "head hunger" instead of real hunger. Drink some broth or eat some jello. It helped me.

Can't relate to a flipped port but I am so happy to hear of your weight loss. That is so terrific. Keep it up. You'll be to goal before you know it.

Erin, do everything you can to enjoy your senior year. It's suppose to be the best year of all. You deserve to be a happy fulfilled young lady. Good luck and have fun. Oh, don't tell about your surgery. Just keep losing and keep them wondering.

I have a problem with my legs and my breathing. My PCP has recommended that I do water walking until my weight comes down and my breathing gets better. Hubby and I are planning to join the YMCA which has a pool and a workout room. I can't go but 2-3 times a week due to other responsibilites but that is better than nothing. I am told that lap walking is very good. I sure hope so.

No Motrin! Gives you a ulcer, according to my doctor. He says to take liquid Tylenol. You might have the flu or maybe something is stuck. If it isn't relieved soon, go to the ER. Don't fool around with it.