illuminationlady

I remember the Pretty Plus section at Sears. I've been up and down in weight all of my adult life. As a child I was fat. I've done so many diets I can't even begin to start and was fairly successful with many of them at getting to goal. Just couldn't stay there long. Now I'll never have to really worry about putting the weight back on...as long as I continue doing what I'm doing...which I might say is now much easier! Thank God!

I'm so sorry you are going through all of this...I had a hernia repaired at time of banding and I think it made my recovery a bit longer than usual. Hope you're fixed and feelin' fine soon! Best wishes!!!

You will be fine! The only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner! Best wishes on your journey...hugs and prayers your way...

Congrats to all of you! Great work girls!!! Best wishes on maintaining the weight loss!

Remember to drink your water too. Stay hydrated! And welcome officially to Bandland!!!

I walked the neighborhood with my daughters. I, too, used Gas X strips (take more than one at a time) and adult strength liquid Tylenol helped. If it gets too bad take the pain meds your doctor prescribed. I had to take them for 3 days but everybody's different. You may need them longer. It will get better. I promise. Best wishes and welcome to Bandland!

Both me and my daughter were banded. I started with an empty band and went through 4 months of HELL being hungry! She started with 4 ccs and never had the hunger. Be happy that you don't have to go through Bandster Hell. You're ahead of the game already! My daughter only needed one fill. I had to have 5 to get restriction! Best wishes on your journey!!!

I, too, get tired of explaining why you don't lose weight "magically" right after being banded. I think getting banded is very anticlimatic. You get so excited about losing the weight you want it to disappear after getting the band. Instead you are hungry for months (at least I was). But I did educate myself and knew what to expect. I think it's just people venting about the hunger. It is very hard to wait all those months with nothing happening. Best wishes!!!

The swelling has gone down and you are healing. Isn't that wonderful! Being able to drink the shake with no problem is normal. You may even become hungry. I started with an empty band and was hungry almost right away. I didn't get restriction until 4 months out. I had to count calories and actually "diet". It was very discouraging but I hung with it and now am losing. It was sooooo worth it! So hang in there!!! Best wishes!

It's normal. I even gained 4 lbs. the day of surgery. You are swollen and need time to heal. You may become hungry and go through a time period where you need to "diet" again. I didn't have restriction until 4 months out. I measured my food, counted calories and took note of everything that went into my mouth. It was everything I could do to maintain. Best wishes on your journey!

Knowing when to get a fill is some times difficult. If you are able to eat 4 oz. of SOLID protein and stay full for 3-5 hours you are probably at your sweet spot. If you have hunger sooner than you should get a fill. But my doctor says that as you get closer to your sweet spot he usually only gives small fills. Every doctor is different though. I believe the only person who can tell if you are at your sweet spot is you. Best wishes!!!

At first I was constipated from the narcotics. When I stopped taking those I got diarrhea that lasted for a while. It's normal from what I've read here on this forum. Best wishes and a speedy recovery!

I'm 5'5''. Started at 278. I have a 10cc band that is filled to 5.9 and I have restriction. Best wishes on your journey!!!

At first my husband was totally against the band for fear that I'd leave him and also because he said men would "hit" on me. Actually no one in my family wanted me to do it. But my husband was really against it. I did it any way and now he is thrilled with the results. I guess he had to see for himself that I won't leave or go astray. It isn't even discussed any more. Now he compliments me all the time. I'd even go as far to say he's a bit nicer. I do think that the divorce rate is higher for us post banders. Think about a heavy set woman or man trapped in a loveless or abusive relationship. That person drops the weight and the spouse much more easily than if they were to remain heavy. They get their self confidence back and a whole lot more! It will be interesting to read this thread though and hear all the stories! Best wishes!!1

No stretching. I guzzle water all the time and Snapple too. No problems...Best wishes!

As a PP stated you are healing and during this time period you may be hungry. It is important that you measure your food and count calories. It may be many months before you have restriction so just try maintaining at this point. Hang in there! You can do this! Best wishes!

I stick with a high protein, low carb, low calorie diet. I definitely try to eat firm protein. It took me a long time to learn the lesson of eating slowly...still working on it. I got stuck a lot in the beginning. I think we are getting to know our bands that way. Now I don't get stuck very often. When you have a stuck episode you should do liquids for 24 hours because of swelling. You may be swollen and need to take it easy. And then again, you may need a slight unfill as suggested by PP. Take care...

I got my first fill 4 weeks after surgery and then every two weeks until I hit my sweet spot. That's just the way my doctor is...I did start with an empty band due to complications and when I went for my fill I asked for an "aggressive" one because my band was empty. He did give it to me....That may be where you read "aggressive". But keep in mind, I was empty. If you are hungry and it's been 4 weeks I would at least call and see if he will start the fill process. Best wishes!

You'll be back to yourself in no time at all. Just take it easy and baby yourself right now. I stayed on top of the pain and took the medicine every 4 hours for the first 3 days then switched to adult strength liquid Tylenol. Don't let yourself be in pain. That just makes the situation worse. Best wishes on your journey and welcome to Bandland!

No rules about before a fill but liquids for 24 hours after one. But my daughter, who's banded, always eats a regular diet after her fills...same doc too. She tends to break this rule. I am more diligent about the rules than she is. Best wishes!

I would say I am totally at my sweet spot. Not too tight. Not too loose. I eat less than a cup of food at any one sitting. Have learned to chew, chew, chew. Do have problems with eating too fast still...but working on that. Stay full for 3-5 hours, depending on how much protein I take in. The protein really helps with hunger. I used to get "stuck" all of the time but rarely do any more. I learned the hard way, over and over...but did learn...so..for me I'm just right! And sooooo happy about it! Best wishes! Dottie

I remember being very edgy and having lots of anxiety over food pre and post op. Now it doesn't bother me at all. I chewed a lot of gum during that period. I remember even snapping at my DH and that's not like me at all! I was depressed too. Now I don't worry about food any more and those feelings have passed. But it took a while...for me at least. Best wishes!!!

HB-Oh My!!! That's all I'll say about that! Leigha, It often says you're offline to and I know you are there so I just type the message any way. And a dead monkey! I'm with Bobbie; I get creeped out by that one! I put the puzzle away. No one would help me with it. I bought a 1000 piece one at Target today and am washing my table cloth that I work on. This one has tiny photographs all over to make the image of a butterfly. I worked out at the Y today and officially joined. I walked 1 lap .25 miles, rode the stationary bike for 2 miles and then did my water aerobics. The people in my class are elderly and they are a hoot! They make me laugh all through class. Even the instructor is a hoot! I'm having such fun. Some of the people in class have had the knee replacement too so it was reassuring to hear from others who have gone through it. Have a great evening everyone...Lots of love your way, Dottie

Yes, I would do it all over again, but I'm only 6 months out. I just listen patiently to those who "know it all" and do it the way my doctor recommends and it seems to be working. Everyone in my family was against me having this surgery. Now my daughter is banded too and is losing faster than me (she's younger). So, definitely yes, yes, yes!!! Best wishes

Productive Burp...when the food comes back up...not vomiting...just regurgitating the food that becomes lodged. Usually a lot of slime comes with it...I know ...TMI