Astrasmom

Hi Elizabeth. My name is Dawn and I'm also from NJ. I was banded on 10-23-09. Congratulations to you. You are doing great. Where in NJ are you from? And who did your surgery? I'm from South Jersey and Dr. Reich did my surgery. I'm down 62lbs all together with the pre-op diet. 52lbs since surgery.

I have heard that pineapple juice works. It helps to break down the food. Try drinking a tiny amount to see if that helps. If you are still feeling this way in a day or so I would call the doctor.

Thank you both for your information. This was very informative and answered my question.

Try the Wii Active too. It comes with the resistance band and you don't have to use the fitness board if you don't want to. Give you a bit more of a workout than the Wii Fit does.

Thank you. I have looked for what you were talking about and I can't find it. If you could find it for me I would much appreciate it.

Hi Shellie. You have come to the right place. Be sure to ask alot of questions. My name is Dawn and I was banded on Oct 23, 2009. The ONLY regret that I have about this surgery is that I didn't get it along time ago. I have been over weight for much of my adult life. I will be 43 next week (Feb 17). I am wearing size 18 jeans right now. I was a size 26 when I started. Soon I should drop down to a size 16, where I haven't been in a very LONG time. I know what it's like to be in a world where everyone looks at you differently because your the 'fatty'. Where everyone tells you, "You really should start taking care of yourself better." Even though you are trying your best to take care of yourself but the food is controlling every minute of your life. My self esteem was pretty much in the toilet. Between my pre-op diet and the band I have lost 62lbs so far and am feeling much better about myself. My highest weight was 304lbs and I am now 242lbs. My self confidence is coming back again. I have about 95lbs to lose but now it doesn't seem so hard to get there. I know I can do it and I WILL get there. In 2001 I had open heart surgery for an aortic aneurysm and valve replacement. At the time I had a pigs valve put in because I was only 33 and the thought of having to take blood thinner for the rest of my life didn't do much for me. The only draw back is that the pigs valve only lasts for 10 years (No bacon jokes please..lol) anyway so it's nearing the time for another surgery and this time I am getting the mechanical valve and taking the blood thinner. I do not want to have to go through this again when I get even older. So up until last year I wasn't really caring about much until my cardiologist told me that I am risking the chance of dieing on the table during my next surgery or risking the chance of all types of infections. That's when I said, "My life isn't going on the back burner any longer. I need to do something now." That's when I realized that I couldn't keep putting myself last and I had to start thinking about ME for once instead of the needs of everyone else. I would be no good to anyone if I was dead. So I started the research like you did and finally made up my mind that I was going to do it. I went to a seminar and then it took my insurance company 6 months to approve me. I thought the day would NEVER get here but it did and I am SO HAPPY that I went through with it. The wait sucked but the reward was awesome. My suggestion to you is to find a doctor in your area and attend the free seminar. There office should be able to help you with the approval of everything. I wish you luck on your journey and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. :rolleyes2:

I stayed in the hospital over night. My experience wasn't that bad. But as someone else stated, everyone is different. Get yourself some Gas-X strips incase you have the gas pains. Use your pain medication when you need it, and don't wait until your pain is out of control to take the medication because then it takes twice as long to work. Be sure that you walk as much as you can. Get your rest and heal. Don't be to concerned about weightloss at first because you are healing. That's not to say you won't lose the weight too. Follow the plan that the doctors gives to you and you will be successful. Get yourself some sugar free ice pops. I live on them and they help with the swelling also. Congratulations and good luck to everyone that is being banded. Any questions along the way don't hesitate to ask. I was banded on Oct 23, 2009. Although I am not a 'ole time' bander I can answer some questions. This is the best thing that I have ever done for myself and if I had to do it all over again. I would.

You should be eating 2-3 oz at every meal right now. Have you tried eggs? Are you drinking Protein shakes? It should also take you about 20-30 minutes to eat your food. You really shouldn't have to chew at this stage because you are on puree. Therefore it really shouldn't be getting stuck. Did your doctor put Fluid in your band during surgery? You also need to get your fluids in, inbetween when you aren't eating. Try some sugar free ice pops.

It's the the time between when you are first banded to the time of your first fill. Usually the liquid and mushy stage because you feel like you aren't taking enough in and feel like you could eat a horse if given the opportunity. Some go through it but not all of us. I didn't really have 'bandster hell'.

I have been reading a few posts about band erosion and I was wondering what causes band erosion?

That's normal too. Just BURP, of course when no one is around..lol I burp all of the time. As for your shake, just sip in slow. As well as your Fluid. Sip slow.

I think that you might want to call your GYN because you shouldn't have your cycle for a week on birth control pills. They might need to change them. And also when I was taking the pill I gained alot of weight, so you could be gaining weight on them also.

Everyone gets nervous at this point in time because you aren't sure whether the insurance company will approve you or not. And after they do approve you, you get even more nervous thinking about the surgery. Allow me to tell you that if you do make it to the surgery part, you will do great. It's honestly not that bad. Of course all surgeries have risks but to be honest if I had to do it all over again I would. Take a deep breath, relax and get through these stages. Before you know it you will have your approval and be on your way to surgery. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted and if you have any questions along the way don't hesitate to ask. The people here are wonderful for support.

Hi Kira, My names Dawn. Nice to meet you. I think your doctor will say that the surgery is a good idea for you. You definitely meet the criteria. I wish you luck. Please keep us posted on your progress and if you have any questions along the way, don't hesitate to ask. The people here are awesome.

CONGRATS!!! It's almost over and you are about to start a brand new life. Keep us posted on your progress. :thumbup:

Are you drinking any Protein supplements with that? And you can also have Jello with unflavored Protein Powder in it. That's part of the clear liquid phase. Once you move onto puree it gets a little easier. Just make sure that you eat the higher protein foods like chicken and fish. Hang in there. It will be over sooner than you know.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Everything you are feeling is normal. Take your pain meds if your doctor gave them to you. Try and heating pad and if you have a recliner they work also. Make sure you walk a bit now and then to keep the gas flowing. IF the gas is bad get some Gas-X strips. It took me about a week to be pain free and about 2 weeks to be totally back to normal. Get your rest and follow what your doctor told you. You should be on Clear liquids? There is nothing wrong with you. Give yourself time to heal. Try some sugar free ice pops for the swelling.

Try some Gas-X strips.

My goal is to get off of the CPAP machine. Which is what you will do also. Eventually you should be able to get rid of that machine. I have 2 more pounds to go before I call my doctor for another sleep study to see if I am ready.

CONGRATULATIONS! You will be a little sore after the surgery but the outcome is great. I was banded on Oct. 23 and between the pre-op diet and the surgery I have lost 62lbs. I feel like a new person. I'm able to do many things I wasn't able to do before. If I had to do it over again I would. Anyway I had my surgery on a Friday and I was back to work on Tuesday. Keep us all posted and we will save a seat on the Losers bench for yah!! You will be amazed. Trust me.:thumbup:

If it's on your left side, that's port pain. It will get better. Keep in mind you are still healing. I'm 3 months 11 days out and I still get the pain once and awhile. It's normal. It could be gas too. Nothing to worry about really.

First off. So sorry about your mom passing. That had to be a very stressful situation. And the fact that you lost 40lbs through all of that is great. 40lbs is a great loss. I was banded on Oct. 23rd and have lost 52lbs. You are not THAT far behind me. We aren't supposed to drop the weight that fast. 1-2 pounds a week is normal. So please don't knock yourself. You are doing wonderful. Especially with what you have been through and not being filled yet.

Get some Protein powder. It will help with the cravings. I use Elite whey Protein Isolate. Although they can be a little on the expensive side they do help. powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury is Medical Quality Whey Protein Isolate. Best Tasting Whey Protein Powder. Most Trusted Whey Protein Powder Supplement. Check that website out. The chicken Soup flavored mix is awesome. It's another one I use also. Hang in there. The wait is worth it.

Are you on clear liquids or full liquids? You need to get some Protein in your system so you aren't hungry. Make sure you are drinking your protein supplements. Try some sugar free ice pops. I lived on them. Don't advance to soft until you ask your doctor because you could get stuck. Sometimes they will let you advance if you are having problems.

So sorry to hear about your daughter. Hope she gets well soon. I was banded on Oct. 23. I am down 49lbs since surgery, 59lbs with the pre-op diet. I have a 10cc band and I've had 2 fills so far totaling 3.5cc's. I'm doing pretty well at the present time. I'm trying to increase my exercise. My advice to you is get more protein in. That's why you are so hungry all of the time. As you can tell because your hair is falling out. Try some chicken, or fish. Also some Peanut Butter is good. Even some Protein Bars are good if you are busy all of the time and can't eat. I eat the Detour bars. If you aren't using the Protein shakes you might want to start using them. There is nothing wrong with your band. You just have to incorporate more protein into your diet. And always eat the protein first when you eat. I tend to eat white chicken in a can with a little FF mayo, and 2 pieces of string cheese for lunch. My NUT told me if I get hungry inbetween meals to have a teaspoon of peanut butter or a piece of string cheese to hold me over until my meal. Good luck and hope that helps.