75Cowgirl

I've had 2 fills now and still have no restriction. I'm frustrated - to the point that I just eat anything I want, because I CAN. In the beginning, I was really good about tracking calories and nutrients, working out, etc. Now? I feel like I'm just in a holding pattern until I can get to some restriction. Why am I sabotaging myself? I'm stressed with work, not getting enough rest, etc....but is that really an excuse to screw myself over? Ugh. I'm apparently in dire need of some motivation.

Hey JoiaRox! I just wanted you to know that I feel the exact same way. I go for my second fill tomorrow and I sure hope that I will have some restriction. I am very frustrated right now. So pretty much everything you are feeling, I am right there with you. Hang in there, though, it has to get better. By the way, I checked out your blog and I really enjoyed reading about your journey. Keep it up, you are inspiration!

Celia

Hi All -- wanted to share my band update! Had my first fill a few days ago and I can't feel it at all. I get my next fill Feb. 15 -- fortunately for me my doc is willing to do fills every two weeks. The fill experience was kinda out there...first they press on the port really hard and that actually hurt. Then a shot of novacaine which didn't hurt at all. Then the needle in to do the fill. Then they had me sit up with the needle sticking out of me and had me drink three "normal" swallows of Water. Then they took out the needle. The end. Sitting there with this very long needle sticking out of me was kinda surreal.

Hope you all are doing well, always look forward to reading about your journies. We all must be each others cheerleaders, right?

NO PRO-OP DIET

BANDED JAN. 12

WEIGHT AT BANDING: 255

WEIGHT TODAY: 236

LOSS TO DATE: 19 POUNDS

GOAL: 155/81 POUNDS TO GO:thumbup:

Hey Cherielyn,

I had my first fill yesterday and I am glad to know that someone else out there fills like I do about it. I feel no different, other than I had to be on liquids for the rest of yesterday, all is back to normal today. However, my doctor starts of the first fill by you going and having an ultrasound to see exactly where the port is and how deep it is, X marks the spot. Then his nurse sprays this stuff on your skin, and it burns for a second, then they gave me a shot of novacane. After that he comes in and does the fill and you go out and drink a bottle of water and it is over. I did have to do a crunch when he was feeling around for the right spot with the needle, but I could not feel it. I go back on March 4 for my second fill. I am down 22 since I started this in mid-November. So congrats on the weight loss!

Celia

I am 6 days post opp today and I was wandering How you guys did with the incisions? I had tape on top of it and today on the shower one came off (with my help). Should I cleaning it whit alcohol or something or cover it again? how should it look like? I had 2 incisions and this is the small one I don't want to imagine the big one.

I did not have stitches on the outside, I guess I am glued shut, but my doctor said that the strip of tape would fall off in 7 to 14 days and that nothing else had to be done. I think that you will be fine. I hope this helps, however, I know that we are all having different experiences and every doctor is different. Call the doctor if you are not sure! Also, check your discharge papers for any instructions on this.

So what are ya'll finding the hardest lifestyle adjustment is so far?

My most difficult change in habit is the no eating and drinking together. VERY difficult habit to break for me. I'm so accustomed to taking a long drink of something after I'm done eating. It's really driving me bonkers. LOL!

I totally agree! My husband has been trying to do the no drinking with me, which is really sweet, but he can't do it. I hate that it means no spicy-spicy food, but it will all be worth it!

Celia

Congrats Jennifer! I am so glad that your surgery went good. I hope that your day goes good with teaching your class. Take it slow and you will be back to yourself in no time!:thumbup:

Celia

I thought the stitches dissolved on their own? I honestly never heard anything aout stitch removal!

UPDATE ON MOI AND BOFINGER:

It's been 9 days since surgery. My shoulder pains still occur now and then but it's mostly dissipated. I do find that I go through moments of extreme hunger -- true stomach hunger and not head hunger -- and I just power through it or eat a sugar free Jello cup or something. Right now my diet is mainly: sugar free Jello and pudding, fat free yogurt, creamy or clear Soups, applesauce, V8juice, I've ordered unjury Protein powder to get more Protein in because thus far I haven't found a Protein Drink that I can stand. It tastes so awful and medicinal. Anyone have any to recommend?

NO PRE-0P DIET

PRE-OP WEIGHT: 255

BOFINGERED: JAN 12

WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE (JAN 21) 10 LBS

CURRENT WEIGHT: 245

GOAL WEIGHT: 160

I am normally a very slow loser due to being on high doses of prednisone and lack of ability to exercise, and I do realize this has gotta be mostly Water weight. But what the heck, the scale moved down ten lbs and I'm happy. Anyone know if most peeps do gain when they go on "real" food?

Oh my! I never thought about stitches. I guess that I am glued together. Isn't funny how doctors performing the same procedure do things so totally different. Anyway, my places are healing nicely although I do have some skin irritation on one, I guess from the tape, but it is not on the other 4.

As far as Protein drinks, the only thing that I found that I could remotely stand is Isopure. It is okay, but still not wonderful. Someone should really make something that taste good, or atleast less medicinal!

Good morning fellow JanBan'ers! Question for you who have had your surgery: anyone have any shoulder pain that has continued more than a couple of days past surgery?

I had surgery on January 4. My shoulder pain lasted for I know the first week and then I remember a couple of days the second week that my shoulder would hurt only when I laid down. I hope this helps, and I am curious to see what everyone else had!

Celia:rolleyes2:

It's now 10 days after my surgery, and i am on the mushies stage of my diet. My LAP-BAND® doesn't have any fill at all, but I feel some restriction already. The food goes down really slow.

Just curious, do most of you have unfilled lapbands, or did your doctor put an initial fill already?

Congrats on making it to mushies! As far as I know, my Lap-Band is not filled. I do have some restriction, but I am looking forward to my first fill on February 3!

Celia:thumbup:

I had my surgery yesterday morning and it went great! The hospital staff was wonderful and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I was in a lot of pain when I first woke up in the recovery room and wondered what I had gotten myself into, but it got much better once I was in my regular room and got up and walked around. I had surgery at 9:30am and left the hospital by 3:00pm. Last night went pretty well but I did have a hard time sleeping since I had to sleep on my back. Today I'm a lot more sore, but it's mainly gas and feels like I did 1000 sit ups! I can't believe the surgery is done! I am so excited to get started on this new journey! Are most of you on a clear liquid diet for a few days and then full liquids for the next 2 weeks? I'm a little weak today but I'm sure that's due to the very few calories I've had. Good luck to everyone! I love all of the support on this site!! :w00t: Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on my procedure, etc!!!

Congrats on the surgery! I know that you are excited and I am so glad to hear that all went well. The pain gets better, I promise, just move around and take your meds. I had surgery on the 4th and I still can't believe that it is done. It is amazing! Good luck on the rest of your journey, wish I could help on the liquid thing, but my doctor only required it for 5 to 8 days, that time flew by.

Celia:thumbup:

My surgery was 1/8/10 feeling good. little left shoulder pain. still on liquids, one more week. What's every one doing to get their Protein and calories?

Hey Mary! Congrats on the band. I am glad to hear that you are feeling good. I drank Protein shakes for some of my calories and all of my Protein. Fortunately, my doctor only had me on Clear Liquids the day of surgery, then we go to full liquids. Then, depending on how you feel, sometime between days 4-7 you get to do one day of mussies, then move to regular food. I wish you a lot of luck! The shoulder pain will get better in time!

Celia

hi can any one help. i got my band fitted on the 9th jan and all is going well. enjoying having it. dont feel hungry. when i eat Soup i feel full. only prob is my sholders. i know that it is normal but i dont know why. it comes and goes but when i get it it is cripling. thanks

Hi! My shoulders bothered me because of gas. I took gas-x strips and got up and walked as much as possible. But I did hurt for almost a week. Also, I found a heating pad to be very comforting. Hope this helps!

Celia

Having surgery on Jan 26th in Champaign, Illinois. Did this last year almost 1 week to the day and the surgon got in there, found a hernia and said I could never have the band. What a blow emotionally and fiancially! So a year later I found a good surgon who has no problems fixing the hernia so here I go again. Day 2 of the pre-op diet and it is killing me, but then so is my weight so I dont really have room to complane. Just worried I will wake up again and be told sorry-no band. :thumbup:

I really hope that all goes well for you! I had surgery on the 4th and my doctor fixed my hernia. He said that it was very large and put the band on. All is great now, however I think that it make the recovery a little bit more painful. Wishing you all the best!

Celia:thumbup:

Okay - my big day is tomorrow. Don't know what time yet - won't know that until late this afternoon. I'm excited. I'm nervous. But, I know it's all going to be good. The pre-op diet didn't bother me as much as I had dreaded although I wouldn't want to drink those drinks and eat those Meal Replacement bars as my sole diet the rest of my life.

I'm all packed, I think. I have my "lists" that I am constantly checking and rechecking. I just need to go home tonight, clean up the house a little, and then I'll be set.

I won't have computer access Friday but will post as soon as I can.

Lisa,

I am so excited for you! I know that everything will be okay. I was nervous up until the time I was put to sleep, which I think is totally normal. Good luck and I will be thinking of you tomorrow!

Celia

Hey, Claricey! I just wanted you to know that I felt alot of the same feelings and sinsations. I tried a heating pad on the lower part of my abdomen, I was scared to put it over the incisions, but I think that it helped out tremindously. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Celia

Another thing you should think about is do you have a hiatal hernia that will need to be repaired. I did have a large hernia that was fixed and I imagine that is probably where the pain and soreness is coming from, other than the port site. But my doctor did not know how large my hernia would be until he saw it. Good luck!

Oh, my! I had surgery on Monday, January 4. There is no way that I could stand to go to a concert tonight (2days later). I am still uncomfortable and I just don't think I would take the chance in something happening. Good luck on your decision!

Celia

Hey Mandy! Thanks! The only other thing that I can really think of is pillows. Right now I am sleeping with 4. I have always slept with 2, one under my head and one behind it, but now I am sleeping on my right side with one pillow infront of me and one pillow behind me. Sometimes it also helps to hold a pillow on your stomach, for some reason the little bit of pressure makes it feel better. My stomach is still a little swollen, but it does feel a little better today.

Don't forget other stuff like chap stick and lotion. You will be dried out after surgery. Good luck!

Celia:thumbup:

Hi! My name is Celia and I was banded yesterday, 1/4/10. I hope that you do not mind me joining in your group. I have been lurking around for a few weeks and I have decided to speak up.

My surgery was done out patient, although I was there from very early in the morning til almost dark. I had a large hernia that my doctor repaired and I believe that is where most of my pain is coming from. Gas is also another problem, so please make sure that you have some Gas-X strips. They are wonderful.

My doctor put me on a diet 2 weeks prior to surgery that was low carb. No more than 15 grams of carbs per meal. Then 48 hours before surgery, I had to do Clear Liquids. Surgery day was clear liquids and today was full liquids. Around day 4 to 7 I can start on soft foods.

I have pretty much been able to get up and do as I needed to at home with little help, but I have napped a good bit today.

I think that being banded is the greatest way to strat off the new year and I am so looking forward to this time next year to see how far we have all come. Good luck to all!