AprilShowers2010

My dr always makes you drink a small glass of water after a fill. If it feels like the water is in the back of your throat then she takes some out. I had an instance where I thought it would go away and didn't say anything and when I started solids a few days later nothing would go down and they ended up having to take even more out because I was swollen. I would ask why they don't have you drink anything and also take a bottle of water with me to try it before I left the office. Hope all goes well. Good luck.

There are more of us then you might think. I myself am having a motivational problem. I have lost 51 pounds (need to update my ticker) but have been through the ringer with being too tight then an unfill and now I'm too loose and waiting for a fill. I understand that we all tend to go back to our old habits of comfort eating and that's natural. I do the same thing I'm just trying to limit myself as much as a girl with no willpower can. Nobody ever said this would be easy but I'm sure everybody has had a bad time, probably after barfing up a lung, where they say why did I pay for this. Sometimes I wonder myself, but I know in the long run I will overcome my illness of overeating and atleast be healthy enough to watch my kids grow old. I hope that you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I hope your on the track that can get you there. Just do like the AA people do "one day at a time." I wish you all the best.

I had my first puking episode today. I made it 2 months and I think that's pretty good. I have had 2 fills now and everything has been so far so good until today. I get that gassy I have to burp but can't feeling alot but it usually goes away in about 15 mins. Today it was not the case. I ate 2 bites of chicken a bite of pasta salad and a bite of baked beans. (I bbq'd) I was fine then I got that feeling but it didn't go away then I got the hiccups....horrible. Then it happened I puked. Not to be gross but nothing looked unchewed it was all liquid so I don't think anything was stuck. I called the nurse line just in case and she thought it was the hiccups that did me in. It really scared me having it be the first time. She assured me that it happens to everyone at some point and as long as I could take in liquids and mushies tonight I would be fine. I have successfully eaten some mushies so I think I'm ok. It was an awful experience and I hope it doesn't ever happen again but it probably will at some point. Atleast I know what to expect now. Hope everybody is losing.

I had my first puking episode today. I made it 2 months and I think that's pretty good. I have had 2 fills now and everything has been so far so good until today. I get that gassy I have to burp but can't feeling alot but it usually goes away in about 15 mins. Today it was not the case. I ate 2 bites of chicken a bite of pasta salad and a bite of baked beans. (I bbq'd) I was fine then I got that feeling but it didn't go away then I got the hiccups....horrible. Then it happened I puked. Not to be gross but nothing looked unchewed it was all liquid so I don't think anything was stuck. I called the nurse line just in case and she thought it was the hiccups that did me in. It really scared me having it be the first time. She assured me that it happens to everyone at some point and as long as I could take in liquids and mushies tonight I would be fine. I have successfully eaten some mushies so I think I'm ok. It was an awful experience and I hope it doesn't ever happen again but it probably will at some point. Atleast I know what to expect now. Hope everybody is losing.

I got filled on Monday and I was really scared before I went in. It really was all in my head it was no worse then a small prick and a little pressure. I went on liquids the rest of the day then mushies the next day and today I'm working my regular food back in but just a little bit fills me up now so I haven't had a big variety. Just do some deep breathing while your waiting and just think of how awesome it will be when you go in the next time and you have lost a few pounds! Good luck!

Well I had my first fill today. It wasn't bad like I thought it was going to be. He just had me lay down on the table poked around on the right side of my tummy. (by the way my dumbass thought my port was on the left haha) Then he rubbed alcohol on my tummy said your going to feel a small stick then some movement and pressure. I was prepared for the worse and it never came. The stick wasn't worse then a regular shot prick and when he put the fluid in I got kind of a head rush. You can't really explain the feeling. It's not bad just different. I sat up drank a few sips of water and was on my way. Pretty easy considering what I was expecting. I am down 40 pounds now so thats really exciting. I'm on liquids tonight then mushies then I can go back to normal foods. I'm really feeling the band tonight, but he said some people swell and that should go down in a few days. I'm enjoying it while it lasts because I'm not hungry at all and I have been starving for like a month. I go back in 2 weeks to see if I need another fill. Hopefully he will tell me I've lost another 2-4 pounds. I am really excited to have my first fill because it makes it seem just that much more real to me. Hope all is well with everyone.

Well I had my first fill today. It wasn't bad like I thought it was going to be. He just had me lay down on the table poked around on the right side of my tummy. (by the way my dumbass thought my port was on the left haha) Then he rubbed alcohol on my tummy said your going to feel a small stick then some movement and pressure. I was prepared for the worse and it never came. The stick wasn't worse then a regular shot prick and when he put the fluid in I got kind of a head rush. You can't really explain the feeling. It's not bad just different. I sat up drank a few sips of water and was on my way. Pretty easy considering what I was expecting. I am down 40 pounds now so thats really exciting. I'm on liquids tonight then mushies then I can go back to normal foods. I'm really feeling the band tonight, but he said some people swell and that should go down in a few days. I'm enjoying it while it lasts because I'm not hungry at all and I have been starving for like a month. I go back in 2 weeks to see if I need another fill. Hopefully he will tell me I've lost another 2-4 pounds. I am really excited to have my first fill because it makes it seem just that much more real to me. Hope all is well with everyone.

It's been over a month since my surgery and I am definately back to normal. I have been pretty good about my diet and walking 30 mins everyday. I have my slip ups but I'm not too hard on myself. I think I'm waiting for my fills to start so I really get into that losing weight mind set. I have only lost maybe 2 pounds since I went in for my post-op appointment, but its better then gaining so I'm doing something right. I have been reading alot about the first fill and I'm both excited and nervous. I am having 3 fills in March and hopefully after the 3rd I will have pretty good restriction. Well that's just an update. Hope everyone is well.

It's been over a month since my surgery and I am definately back to normal. I have been pretty good about my diet and walking 30 mins everyday. I have my slip ups but I'm not too hard on myself. I think I'm waiting for my fills to start so I really get into that losing weight mind set. I have only lost maybe 2 pounds since I went in for my post-op appointment, but its better then gaining so I'm doing something right. I have been reading alot about the first fill and I'm both excited and nervous. I am having 3 fills in March and hopefully after the 3rd I will have pretty good restriction. Well that's just an update. Hope everyone is well.

Way to Go!!!!

I had that feeling quite a bit the first couple of weeks I was banded and I found that walking helps. Or I went to bed and slept it off. Do you think maybe you ate too much too fast?

I know how frustrating it is to lose so much so quickly in your pre-op diet and then it's like you hit a brick wall. Try to be patient pretty soon you will be in bandster hell where I am now and it sucks. I'm having to work my @ss off just to keep the pounds I've already lost off. Just try to heal and start a walking program as soon as you can. My dr said for the first 2 weeks to just try and walk around the house for like ten minutes at a time 3 times a day. You can do it. Just think in a year you might not even recognize yourself.

Maybe your eating to few calories and your body is going into starvation mode and starting to hoard them? I would maybe see a nutritionist or atleast up your calories to 1000-1100.

I did just that I counted out a serving size and savored every last one. I even licked my fingers heehee. And then I did take them to work and they were gone in like an hour. And I don't feel bad at all. It's not around to trigger my compulsive eating and I shared. Thanks everybody.

I am 1 month out from being banded and I have reached the point that some of you know so well. That point is hardly no restriction. I eat just little bits at a time trying to keep it under a cup of food at a time but I am hungry like an hour later. It's kind of like trying to diet before the band. I am in no way shape or form giving up I just need to vent. I do know that I am still eating less and healthier then before I was banded so thank God for that. Now for the reason this is called battle of the pickle chips. My favorite junk food is Krunchers Potato Chips Kosher Dill flavor. I loved them before and I still love them. My boyfriend God Bless his silly soul apparently thought since I made his favorite apple crisp for Valentines Day he should by me something that was my favorite. So now I'm staring at this beautiful bag of salty pickle flavored chips just waiting to dig right in. I'm serious the mere thought of them makes me drool. I had to pat him on the head and tell him good job baby or else I might never get his sad puppy face out of my head. I know he didn't buy them to sabotage me he honestly wouldn't even think of it, but really chips to a dying of hunger fat girl. Lets just give a lit match to a baby and say don't burn yourself. Anyway I'm gonna take the bag to work and leave it in the break room. Those vultures will eat anything. Well I hope all is going well with everyone and here I will leave you with a quote. "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice." Bill Cosby

I am 1 month out from being banded and I have reached the point that some of you know so well. That point is hardly no restriction. I eat just little bits at a time trying to keep it under a cup of food at a time but I am hungry like an hour later. It's kind of like trying to diet before the band. I am in no way shape or form giving up I just need to vent. I do know that I am still eating less and healthier then before I was banded so thank God for that. Now for the reason this is called battle of the pickle chips. My favorite junk food is Krunchers Potato Chips Kosher Dill flavor. I loved them before and I still love them. My boyfriend God Bless his silly soul apparently thought since I made his favorite apple crisp for Valentines Day he should by me something that was my favorite. So now I'm staring at this beautiful bag of salty pickle flavored chips just waiting to dig right in. I'm serious the mere thought of them makes me drool. I had to pat him on the head and tell him good job baby or else I might never get his sad puppy face out of my head. I know he didn't buy them to sabotage me he honestly wouldn't even think of it, but really chips to a dying of hunger fat girl. Lets just give a lit match to a baby and say don't burn yourself. Anyway I'm gonna take the bag to work and leave it in the break room. Those vultures will eat anything. Well I hope all is going well with everyone and here I will leave you with a quote. "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice." Bill Cosby

As I read your story I thought to myself "April your a dink for not asking where your port is." I never thought to ask so I guess it will be a suprise on March 1st when I go in for my first fill. I'm guessing left side under by breast like your friend. I'm always amazed at how different each experience is for each person. Well I know this wasn't helpful I just needed to put in my 2 cents.

Man I totally feel your pain. I was super regular before my surgery now I'm lucky if I can go every other day. I would say call the doc since you have done about everything else not forbidden by law. I just hope you get to feeling better.

Way to Go!!!!!!!!! How exciting!!!!

I hope you are well. I just wanted to tell you that I had a hernia too. And I had acid reflux with just water just like you. My surgeon fixed it when he banded me and I haven't had heartburn once! I even had spicy chili the other day and nothing! I really hope you get approved my thoughts will be with you.

Im scheduled for my first fill at 7 weeks. I am currently getting full off a little amount of food but it only lasts like maybe an hour. Hoping the first fill will make it last longer.

I totally feel your pain. I thinned down mashed potatoes with skim milk and it was kinda soupy but tasted good. My doctor just said anything you can suck through a straw so I took it to heart and made my bf go get me a small vanilla shake. It was the best thing I had had in forever. It's probably the only time post-op I will be able to get away with drinking a shake but it boosted my calories and made me feel pretty darn good. Hope you are doing well. Keep on trucking.

Well I have had surgery and have recovered but I thought I would post my story so if people are pre-op maybe this will help. Jan 12th was the big day. I didn't even sleep the night before I was so excited. I was waiting for the momentary freakout that I figured I would have but it never came. I headed for the surgery center at 4am because I live about 2 hours away and I was scheduled to be there at 6am. I was first on the day of surgery. When I got there the nurse got me started on all the presurgery stuff. First she gave me a shot of blood thinner in the back of my arm and I have to admit it burned like an army of fire ants. It didn't last too long though. She gave me another shot to deaden where she was going to do my IV. She got the IV in on the first shot and I was really suprised. Then I just waited for the surgeon about 15 mins. Him and the anesthesiologist popped in and asked if I had any questions. I didn't and they wheeled me in about 15 mins before I was even scheduled for surgery. 7:15am to be exact. When I got to the operating room I was suprisingly calm and they gave me some happy drugs and I was off to dreamland. I woke up at 8:30 on the dot back in my room with my nurse Cheryl calling my name. My throat was really dry and all they could give me was the mouth swabs dipped in ice water. They are weird but a life saver. I had her give me some more drugs because I could feel some discomfort and I prefer to be numb. I was wide awake though so I watched two episodes of cash cab before they would let me get up to walk around. Cheryl my nurse was really suprised at how lucid I was. I had to wait for my surgeon to finish all of the surgeries he had that day before I could do my barium swallow and leave for home. So while I was waiting I walked the halls and went potty quite a few times and just hung out and talked to my folks. At about 11:45 I did my barium swallow which was actually nice. The barium was kinda minty flavored and since I was so thirsty went down nicely. The nurse showed me my band and we watched the barium travel down my throat threw my band and into my tummy. Pretty cool. After that I got dressed and headed home. I used a pillow in the car it felt good pressed against my tummy. My Mom and I stopped at the pharmacy for my liquid vicodin and then I went home and got in bed for pretty much the rest of the day and night and some of the next day. I just watched TV and napped. My boyfriend was there and kept warming up socks in the dryer and putting them on my feet. I guess the drugs make me cold. He was a sweetheart. All in all it was an ok day. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. 10 Tips for surgery day. 1: Don't be scared it is very tolerable and this comes from someone who is a big sissy. 2:Take someone with you or atleast your ipod. A distraction is nice when your waiting. 3: Gas X strips are good and they don't taste bad either. 4: Don't forget your pillow. 5: Fill both prescriptions even if its the suppository. You don't want to get the nauseated feeling I got on day 5 and not have them. They work the minute you use them. 6: Make sure the nurse shows you exactly how much you can drink at once. 7: Walk walk walk. It makes you feel better. 8: Make sure you drink your fluids when you get home even if you don't think your thirsty. 9: Love yourself for helping yourself this is the best thing you could be doing for yourself. 10: Don't forget to write a thank you note to your nurse (s) if possible. They don't ever get enough credit and they do most of the grunt work.

Well I have had surgery and have recovered but I thought I would post my story so if people are pre-op maybe this will help. Jan 12th was the big day. I didn't even sleep the night before I was so excited. I was waiting for the momentary freakout that I figured I would have but it never came. I headed for the surgery center at 4am because I live about 2 hours away and I was scheduled to be there at 6am. I was first on the day of surgery. When I got there the nurse got me started on all the presurgery stuff. First she gave me a shot of blood thinner in the back of my arm and I have to admit it burned like an army of fire ants. It didn't last too long though. She gave me another shot to deaden where she was going to do my IV. She got the IV in on the first shot and I was really suprised. Then I just waited for the surgeon about 15 mins. Him and the anesthesiologist popped in and asked if I had any questions. I didn't and they wheeled me in about 15 mins before I was even scheduled for surgery. 7:15am to be exact. When I got to the operating room I was suprisingly calm and they gave me some happy drugs and I was off to dreamland. I woke up at 8:30 on the dot back in my room with my nurse Cheryl calling my name. My throat was really dry and all they could give me was the mouth swabs dipped in ice water. They are weird but a life saver. I had her give me some more drugs because I could feel some discomfort and I prefer to be numb. I was wide awake though so I watched two episodes of cash cab before they would let me get up to walk around. Cheryl my nurse was really suprised at how lucid I was. I had to wait for my surgeon to finish all of the surgeries he had that day before I could do my barium swallow and leave for home. So while I was waiting I walked the halls and went potty quite a few times and just hung out and talked to my folks. At about 11:45 I did my barium swallow which was actually nice. The barium was kinda minty flavored and since I was so thirsty went down nicely. The nurse showed me my band and we watched the barium travel down my throat threw my band and into my tummy. Pretty cool. After that I got dressed and headed home. I used a pillow in the car it felt good pressed against my tummy. My Mom and I stopped at the pharmacy for my liquid vicodin and then I went home and got in bed for pretty much the rest of the day and night and some of the next day. I just watched TV and napped. My boyfriend was there and kept warming up socks in the dryer and putting them on my feet. I guess the drugs make me cold. He was a sweetheart. All in all it was an ok day. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. 10 Tips for surgery day. 1: Don't be scared it is very tolerable and this comes from someone who is a big sissy. 2:Take someone with you or atleast your ipod. A distraction is nice when your waiting. 3: Gas X strips are good and they don't taste bad either. 4: Don't forget your pillow. 5: Fill both prescriptions even if its the suppository. You don't want to get the nauseated feeling I got on day 5 and not have them. They work the minute you use them. 6: Make sure the nurse shows you exactly how much you can drink at once. 7: Walk walk walk. It makes you feel better. 8: Make sure you drink your fluids when you get home even if you don't think your thirsty. 9: Love yourself for helping yourself this is the best thing you could be doing for yourself. 10: Don't forget to write a thank you note to your nurse (s) if possible. They don't ever get enough credit and they do most of the grunt work.

I didn't have to do any testing before surgery except for a tinkle test and blood work. They did show me the radiology room where they will do a barium swallow afterwards and they say people don't complain about it too much. Im getting very excited aren't you!