KIKOman

Had my first adjustment with my LAP-BAND doctor this morning. He did it under the fluoroscope to make things easier. He used some local anesthesia to numb the area a bit, and then pulled out the longest syringe needle i have ever seen! HAHA. He then proceeded with the adjustment, and placed 3cc inside. It wasn't really painful, just similar to a flu shot. The whole procedure lasted 5 minutes! Very quick. I wasn't given any special diet the first few days after adjustment. My doc said I can eat whatever I want, but I would need to follow the usual guidelines. I was then weighed in the clinic, and what do you know, I already lost 34 pounds (since the start of my preop diet last dec. 26) WOOHOO!

MY FIRST DAY OF SOLID FOOD Wow, Day 14.....exactly two weeks after my surgery. And today is the day I am allowed to eat solids. Here's what I prepared for breakfast: 2 egg omelet with strips of ham, onions and tomatoes 2 slices of whole wheat bread I was sooo excited to take that first bite, well, maybe too excited that I forgot to chew my food well! 2-3 seconds after I swallowed my food, I felt this piercing chest pain near the LAP-BAND area. It hurt like crazy for 30 seconds, then dissipated at once. The egg was a bit dry, and of course the whole wheat bread was dry as heck....so that's why I had a hard time swallowing. I skipped the bread, and then tried chewing the omelet VERY WELL on my second bite. I had no problems whatsoever, and was able to swallow with no pain at all. KIKOman's lesson for the day: CHEW YOUR FOOD VERY WELL! MY FIRST ADJUSTMENT Had my first adjustment with my LAP-BAND doctor this morning, 2 hours after breakfast. He did it under the fluoroscope to make things easier. He used some local anesthesia to numb the area a bit, and then pulled out the longest syringe needle i have ever seen! HAHA. He then proceeded with the adjustment, and placed 3cc inside. It wasn't really painful, just similar to a flu shot. The whole procedure lasted 5 minutes! Very quick. I wasn't given any special diet the first few days after adjustment. My doc said I can eat whatever I want, but I would need to follow the usual guidelines. I was then weighed in the clinic, and what do you know, I already lost 34 pounds! WOOHOO! :sad:

MY FIRST DAY OF SOLID FOOD Wow, Day 14.....exactly two weeks after my surgery. And today is the day I am allowed to eat solids. Here's what I prepared for breakfast: 2 egg omelet with strips of ham, onions and tomatoes 2 slices of whole wheat bread I was sooo excited to take that first bite, well, maybe too excited that I forgot to chew my food well! 2-3 seconds after I swallowed my food, I felt this piercing chest pain near the LAP-BAND area. It hurt like crazy for 30 seconds, then dissipated at once. The egg was a bit dry, and of course the whole wheat bread was dry as heck....so that's why I had a hard time swallowing. I skipped the bread, and then tried chewing the omelet VERY WELL on my second bite. I had no problems whatsoever, and was able to swallow with no pain at all. KIKOman's lesson for the day: CHEW YOUR FOOD VERY WELL! MY FIRST ADJUSTMENT Had my first adjustment with my LAP-BAND doctor this morning, 2 hours after breakfast. He did it under the fluoroscope to make things easier. He used some local anesthesia to numb the area a bit, and then pulled out the longest syringe needle i have ever seen! HAHA. He then proceeded with the adjustment, and placed 3cc inside. It wasn't really painful, just similar to a flu shot. The whole procedure lasted 5 minutes! Very quick. I wasn't given any special diet the first few days after adjustment. My doc said I can eat whatever I want, but I would need to follow the usual guidelines. I was then weighed in the clinic, and what do you know, I already lost 34 pounds! WOOHOO! :thumbup:

Hi Gorda123! Thanks for the advice. I love cottage cheese!! I may have to try that soon.

Day 13 since my surgery, and I am starting to feel the hunger pangs. I think this is what everyone is calling BANDSTER HELL. Woke up several times last night because of the hunger, and I can really feel my stomach grumbling. Started to feel this a few days ago, in the middle of my mushies diet. Good thing my doctor is a bit conservative about my diet, and that tomorrow I am already allowed to eat anything. He also scheduled my first adjustment tomorrow, to maximize the weight loss. One more day of BANDSTER HELL. I can do this!!

Day 13 since my surgery, and I am starting to feel the hunger pangs. I think this is what everyone is calling BANDSTER HELL. Woke up several times last night because of the hunger, and I can really feel my stomach grumbling. Started to feel this a few days ago, in the middle of my mushies diet. Good thing my doctor is a bit conservative about my diet, and that tomorrow I am already allowed to eat anything. He also scheduled my first adjustment tomorrow, to maximize the weight loss. One more day of BANDSTER HELL. I can do this!!

Hi VERO! I was on full liquids from day 1-8, and then moved on to mushies/semi solids from day 9 up to today (day 12). I didn't feel hungry on my liquid diet. But I started feeling the hunger pangs yesterday, especially mid morning or mid afternoon. Tried eating sugar free jello, but the hunger comes back after an hour or so. Starting day 14, two weeks after my surgery, I am already allowed to eat anything, but I will get my first fill on that same day. I am excited for my first adjustment.

It's now 10 days after my surgery, and i am on the mushies stage of my diet. My lapband 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?

Hello Claricey, I got banded 1-11-10, and yes I still get tired easily. I went to the mall the other day so I can walk around, but I got tired easily and had to sit down. But I feel I get stronger each day. I also get that rumbling gas feeling at night....but it's more of a hungry feeling. What I do notice now is this - my hyperacidity is gone! Before the operation, one of my problems is really bad hyperacidity. But now, I don't feel it anymore. And I do burp a lot lately.....really big burps! HAHA ---- KIKO

Went to see my doctor last Thursday for my first follow-up after the surgery. It was also my first weigh-in since I started my diet 3 weeks ago. And man, was I shocked! I'm already down 25 lbs! WOOHOO!!! I'm sooooo happy. =) It is almost a week after my surgery, and the doctor already allowed me to take soups with small bits of veggies, meat and some crystal noodles (here we call it Sotanghon). I am also allowed to take jello (sugar free). Recovery has been great. No more muscle pains. But I still get tired easily, so I try to take things slowly. One day at a time. So far so good.

Went to see my doctor last Thursday for my first follow-up after the surgery. It was also my first weigh-in since I started my diet 3 weeks ago. And man, was I shocked! I'm already down 25 lbs! WOOHOO!!! I'm sooooo happy. =) It is almost a week after my surgery, and the doctor already allowed me to take soups with small bits of veggies, meat and some crystal noodles (here we call it Sotanghon). I am also allowed to take jello (sugar free). Recovery has been great. No more muscle pains. But I still get tired easily, so I try to take things slowly. One day at a time. So far so good.

Hello everyone! I returned back to work this morning, 48 hours after my surgery. I am not light-headed anymore. But now, the pain I'm feeling is like someone beat me up in the stomach. I also have this pain in the neck / shoulder area that I feel whenever I try to lie down. The doctor gave me some pain meds, so it helps ease the pain. I am still on the Soup diet, but my doctor did not limit me to just clear Soups. I can also take creamy soups and also smoothies, as long as they don't have big chunks of veggies or meats. Tomorrow is my first follow-up with my doctor after the surgery, and he will discuss with me my diet for the next few weeks.

I returned back to work this morning, 48 hours after my surgery. I am not light-headed anymore. But now, the pain I'm feeling is like someone beat me up in the stomach. I also have this pain in the neck / shoulder area that I feel whenever I try to lie down. The doctor gave me some pain meds, so it helps ease the pain. I am still on the soup diet, but my doctor did not limit me to just clear soups. I can also take creamy soups and also smoothies, as long as they don't have big chunks of veggies or meats. Tomorrow is my first follow-up with my doctor after the surgery, and he willl discuss with me my diet for the next few weeks.

I returned back to work this morning, 48 hours after my surgery. I am not light-headed anymore. But now, the pain I'm feeling is like someone beat me up in the stomach. I also have this pain in the neck / shoulder area that I feel whenever I try to lie down. The doctor gave me some pain meds, so it helps ease the pain. I am still on the soup diet, but my doctor did not limit me to just clear soups. I can also take creamy soups and also smoothies, as long as they don't have big chunks of veggies or meats. Tomorrow is my first follow-up with my doctor after the surgery, and he willl discuss with me my diet for the next few weeks.

Just got home from my stay at the hospital. I got banded yesterday morning. I'm so glad I stayed overnight. I was really taken care of by the doctors and the nurses. And the pain relievers and antibiotics were given to me through my IV. I slept like a baby most of the time, but sometimes the nurses will wake me up to take my vitals. The doctor also got the chance to replace my bandages the next day since I was still there in the hospital.

Just got banded this morning, and I'm now relaxing in my hospital room. Just want to share my experience today: 6AM A Skin test was done to check if I have allergic reactions to the meds I will be given. Man, this one hurt! 7AM I was given a muscle relaxant, after which they brought me to the operating room. 8AM I was put to sleep by my anesthesiologist. The effect was quite fast. 11AM Woke up at the recovery room, with a bloated feeling in my belly. It's like it's full of gas. I think they really had to put gas inside to make the surgery easier. The incisions didn't hurt at all. I also realized that they used compression stockings on my legs. I was told that they did the operation in a semi-seated position, so they had to put the compression stockings to prevent my blood from all going to my legs. The stockings hurt a lot, but they removed it as soon I woke up. I was also told by my anesthesiologist that the operation only took 45 mins, which was really fast. 12PM I was brought back to the hospital room, and slept for another 3 hours. 3PM Started walking around the room. I was light-headed for a few minutes, but the walking really helped alleviate the bloated belly feeling. I even was able to burp and pass gas while walking. 7PM The tummy aches are almost gone. But now I feel hungry and really thirsty. No intake allowed yet, so I just used a moist towel for my dried lips. All in all, the pain was really much tolerable that what I expected. I'll be discharged from the hospital tomorrow morning. I will also start my liquid diet tomorrow.Can't wait for that first sip of water. I feel reallly dry now. But one thing is for sure, I AM NOW A BANDSTER!

Just got banded this morning, and I'm now relaxing in my hospital room. Just want to share my experience today: 6AM A Skin test was done to check if I have allergic reactions to the meds I will be given. Man, this one hurt! 7AM I was given a muscle relaxant, after which they brought me to the operating room. 8AM I was put to sleep by my anesthesiologist. The effect was quite fast. 11AM Woke up at the recovery room, with a bloated feeling in my belly. It's like it's full of gas. I think they really had to put gas inside to make the surgery easier. The incisions didn't hurt at all. I also realized that they used compression stockings on my legs. I was told that they did the operation in a semi-seated position, so they had to put the compression stockings to prevent my blood from all going to my legs. The stockings hurt a lot, but they removed it as soon I woke up. I was also told by my anesthesiologist that the operation only took 45 mins, which was really fast. 12PM I was brought back to the hospital room, and slept for another 3 hours. 3PM Started walking around the room. I was light-headed for a few minutes, but the walking really helped alleviate the bloated belly feeling. I even was able to burp and pass gas while walking. 7PM The tummy aches are almost gone. But now I feel hungry and really thirsty. No intake allowed yet, so I just used a moist towel for my dried lips. All in all, the pain was really much tolerable that what I expected. I'll be discharged from the hospital tomorrow morning. I will also start my liquid diet tomorrow.Can't wait for that first sip of water. I feel reallly dry now. But one thing is for sure, I AM NOW A BANDSTER!

Hello everyone. Just got banded this morning, and I'm now relaxing in my hospital room. Just want to share my experience today: 6AM - A Skin test was done to check if I have allergic reactions to the meds I will be given. Man, this one hurt! 7AM - I was given a muscle relaxant, after which they brought me to the operating room. 8AM - I was put to sleep by my anesthesiologist. The effect was quite fast. 11AM - Woke up at the recovery room, with a bloated feeling in my belly. It's like it's full of gas. I think they really had to put gas inside to make the surgery easier. The incisions didn't hurt at all. I also realized that they used compression stockings on my legs. I was told that they did the operation in a semi-seated position, so they had to put the compression stockings to prevent my blood from all going to my legs. The stockings hurt a lot, but they removed it as soon I woke up. I was also told by my anesthesiologist that the operation only took 45 mins, which was really fast. 12PM - I was brought back to the hospital room, and slept for another 3 hours. 3PM - Started walking around the room. I was light-headed for a few minutes, but the walking really helped alleviate the bloated belly feeling. I even was able to burp and pass gas while walking. 7PM - The tummy aches are almost gone. But now I feel hungry and really thirsty. No intake allowed yet, so I just used a moist towel for my dried lips. All in all, the pain was really much tolerable that what I expected. I'll be discharged from the hospital tomorrow morning. I will also start my liquid diet tomorrow.Can't wait for that first sip of water. I feel reallly dry now.

In a few hours, I will be checking in the hospital for my early morning surgery tomorrow at 7AM. The doctor wanted me to stay 2 nights so he can monitor me very well. I'll keep you guys posted on my pre-op and post-op experiences.

In a few hours, I will be checking in the hospital for my early morning surgery tomorrow at 7AM. The doctor wanted me to stay 2 nights so he can monitor me very well. I'll keep you guys posted on my pre-op and post-op experiences.

PRE-OP TESTS Last Dec. 23, I woke up very early for my pre-op tests, which consisted of the following: BLOOD TEST ULTRASOUND CHEST X-RAY EKG I just got my results this week, and thank God I passed all tests with flying colors! Blood Sugar and Cholesterol levels are normal, size of heart and liver are normal, and no problem whatsoever with my EKG Test. CLEARANCES FROM DOCTORS Last January 8, my Lap-Band® surgeon helped me set appointments with three doctors: ENDOCRINOLOGIST, CARDIOLOGIST, and --- a PSYCHIATRIST! My surgeon wanted me to get clearances from these three to make sure everything is ok. My meeting with the first two doctors were quite fast.....just the usual check-up procedures. And it helped also that all my test results are great. My third appointment though - the PSYCHIATRIST - man, I'm was quite nervous for this one! I've never met one before, and my first thought was - "I'm not CRAZY, why should I go see the psychiatrist?" But surprisingly, the meeting went well. We got to talk for maybe an hour, and she made sure that I know what I was getting into. She also helped me determine why I was eating this much. I got to ask questions also on how to handle things before and after the operation, and how to live my life on a day to day basis. At the end of that day, I got my clearances from the three doctors. Glad my lap-band® surgeon (and his secretary) helped me set these appointments.

PRE-OP TESTS Last Dec. 23, I woke up very early for my pre-op tests, which consisted of the following: BLOOD TEST ULTRASOUND CHEST X-RAY EKG I just got my results this week, and thank God I passed all tests with flying colors! Blood Sugar and Cholesterol levels are normal, size of heart and liver are normal, and no problem whatsoever with my EKG Test. CLEARANCES FROM DOCTORS Last January 8, my Lap-Band® surgeon helped me set appointments with three doctors: ENDOCRINOLOGIST, CARDIOLOGIST, and --- a PSYCHIATRIST! My surgeon wanted me to get clearances from these three to make sure everything is ok. My meeting with the first two doctors were quite fast.....just the usual check-up procedures. And it helped also that all my test results are great. My third appointment though - the PSYCHIATRIST - man, I'm was quite nervous for this one! I've never met one before, and my first thought was - "I'm not CRAZY, why should I go see the psychiatrist?" But surprisingly, the meeting went well. We got to talk for maybe an hour, and she made sure that I know what I was getting into. She also helped me determine why I was eating this much. I got to ask questions also on how to handle things before and after the operation, and how to live my life on a day to day basis. At the end of that day, I got my clearances from the three doctors. Glad my lap-band® surgeon (and his secretary) helped me set these appointments.

Welcome to the group TODDEE1099!! I'm glad your surgery went well. Thanks for sharing your post-op experiences. I'll be checking in the hospital later this afternoon for my scheduled surgery tomorrow at 7AM. Keep us posted on your recovery. =)

"JAN BAND JOURNEYS" - Nice!!! Check out this graphic that I whipped out for our group: What do you think? I'm glad to be part of this support group. Can't wait to hear your stories. 4 days to go til my surgery. I'm excited!

Just want to wish all January Bandsters a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!