illuminationlady

So true!!!!

How many fills have you had? If you don't have restriction your band is not working with you. Sometimes it takes 6-7 fills before you reach true restriction. It sounds like you're not there yet. Get in to see your doctor and tell them what you're feeling. So many people get the Lap Band and don't follow up with the needed fills for restriction. I wish you the best!!!

Dr. David Oliak did my surgery. He's in Brea and Orange. I loved him. He has cutting edge (no pun intended) techniques and works directly with Lap Band on teaching THEM procedures so that ports don't flip and bands don't slip. He has a complete and total package with a Nut., 2 PAs and a behavioral psychologist that is an expert on weight loss. He offers support groups 8 times a month. He was even on The View. Check out his website. You can google him. Best wishes!!!

When I woke up from the surgery I felt terrible! I had nausea and pain. The nausea continued into the night and all night long. I tried to refrain from throwing up because I know it's bad for the band. In the morning the PA came in and took all the fluid out of my band. By that afternoon I was better and they sent me home. I had a hernia repaired and that may be why I had so much swelling. At home I took my pain meds for about three days and then stopped. I walked almost right away around my neighborhood with my daughters. This helps with the gas pain and healing. From then on it was smooth sailing. Hope this helps!!! Best wishes!!!

Too funny...lol...I got the book Breaking Dawn and flowers...no candy this year...lol

You say you've only had one fill but feel too tight. Normally, it takes several fills to reach true restriction. Also, I wonder if you are eating slider foods. Slider foods go down easy but are often high in calories. Are you exercising? How many ccs are in your band and just how full are you? How much weight did you need to lose and what is your goal weight? These are all question that need answered in order to give you a full response. Hang in there and you'll figure it out so that you're band will work for you. Best wishes!

Nope, never! Even during the time period when my band was empty and I had no restriction. I kept reading on this forum and getting the support I needed from all these wonderful people and didn't gain any weight. Now that I have some restriction, the band is working for me, and the scale is moving again. I did get stuck once but it was my own fault. I love my band and will only continue to grow (smaller...lol) as a person because of it! Best wishes!

After a "stuck" episode you're supposed to do liquids for 24 hours. Perhaps, as the others said, you should do liquids for a couple of days. Call your doctor anyway. Take care.

You will get different responses from people with this question only because we are all at different stages in our "band lives". I am 2 and half months post op and just now getting some restriction when I eat. This is difficult for me because I'm used to thinking about food all of the time! Someone who has been banded longer may not feel this way. After learning to eat with our bands, and with the passage of time, one may not feel this way. Eating, for me, has become more of a chore. You must eat small bites and chew, chew, chew. I cannot eat like I used to but am glad for it. Know that there is a psychological bond we have with food that must be broken. This all takes time!!! Best wishes.

I, too, can lose weight, just can't keep it off. I don't eat fast food or eat out much. I eat good, wholesome, healthy food...just too much of it! This is where my band will become a tool for me to be successful this time around. Once you reach "restriction" through saline fills the doc gives you it becomes difficult to overeat. My concern for you is that you aren't sure and you haven't educated yourself enough about the band. There are many "band rules" that we must adhere to. Otherwise, you could fail at this also. I took over 6 months of reading books and on forums before I decided. I went to several support group meetings. I had a one hour appointment with my surgeon and a 3 hour appointment with a nutritionist. I read, and read, and read about everything I could concerning living life with the Lap Band. March is very soon and to be undecided and uneducated going into this is scary. Please reconsider moving your date to a later time so that you can go into this with eyes wide open. Also, in your original post you seemed a bit unsure of the surgery center you have chosen. Make sure there is a complete package with your necessary fills afterwards! Best wishes always!!!

I can't believe the number of people on clear liquids and for so long! Two weeks is unbelievable! No wonder you have no energy. Hope you are all feeling better real soon!!! Best wishes!!!

At your next fill appointment ask for an aggressive fill. Comunicate with your doctors and nurses. Tell them you don't have restriction! I started with an empty band and on my first fill I got 3 ccs in a 10 band. NO RESTRICTION!!! So on my next fill I said I wanted an aggressive fill and was granted one. She added 2 more ccs. I don't think I'm at my "sweet spot" but definately am having to watch how I eat everything. I'm much more careful and eat less!!! Next time I want another 1 cc. Call your doctor. Communicate with him/her. Best wishes!!!

Congrats on being able to really start working. The pounds are going to fall of you!!!

The swelling of a fill can last anywhere from 12 hours to about a week. When you first get your fill you usually feel restriction right away and that feeling may go away due to the swelling going down. After several fills you the "restricted" feeling won't go away and you'll be at your sweet spot!

I was walking the neighborhood the day after I got home. Walk, walk, walk. As far as anything else I agree that after two weeks I was ready to do more. After 6 weeks I was completely back to normal.

I can "feel" my port but not move it.

You'll probably meet with the surgeon, a nutritionist, and mabye a psychologist. I had an hour long visit with the surgeon on a different day. Then we went in for a class on Lap Band surgery and what to expect before, during and after, what to eat before and after also. This all took about 3 hours. My bloodwork, EKG were done at my primary care docs office. Yes, they will weigh you too. Best wishes on your new journey!!!

What many of you are feeling is normal. I was banded on 12.16.09 and have had two fills. Before my second fill I had no restriction and relied solely on willpower. I was just thankful I didn't gain any weight. Until you reach true restriction you will be hungry. I agree with some of the previous posts that healthy snacking is okay. Buy some Greek yogart (lots of protein) or low fat string cheese. These kept me going through this period. Many people call this time period Bandster Hell, with good reason!

Generally rice and bread are not friends of the band. Also, how much you eat is very restricted. Your entire outlook on food must change. As others said the band is work. There is a time period where your swelling has gone down and you don't have fills where YOU must control what you eat. Then you must be sure to get your fills. After restriction, you need to be sure you get your protein and veggies before any carbs are consumed. Carbs would be consumed last, if you have room (this is your rice). It's really good that you are researching and asking questions. The band isn't for everyone...Best wishes!!!

I had a lot of soups and shakes right away. After about a week I had some Cream of Wheat and Greek yogart. You should call your doctor and see what he will allow. Best wishes!!!

It's been eight days. That's quite a while. You may need to call your doctor and get that "slight unfill" everyone talks about. Best wishes!!!

Elfie, Your post made me smile. I'm so happy for you!!! Can't wait to be right there with ya!

I had both the Lap Band and the repair to a hernia. I took my pain meds for 3 days. It did help. I also walked the neighborhood with my daughters...slowly of course...but it helps. But allow time inbetween to rest. Be good to yourself. Have some tea!! Best wishes and you'll feel better soon.

Shortly after I was banded I went to the movies with my daughters. I was on liquids then too. The smell of the popcorn almost killed me!!! I swear, movie theaters are the worst. But I did it too! I refrained. I must warn you that once you do start on regular food again, the scale may slow down a bit. I just got my second fill on Monday and the scale is fianlly moving again! If you get really hungry try some applesauce or creamed soups. You should be very proud of yourself for resisting that pizza. You have it in you to do this!!! Best wishes!!!

This is a very difficult time period you are going through. Many of us have "been there, done that". You may get quite hungry. It was everything I could do to not gain weight. I maintained my weight loss what seemed like for weeks. Until you start getting your fills you may experience quite a bit of hunger. Just make good food choices and hope you don't gain anything back. Best wishes!!!