kujhawkrulz

Hi everyone. Things are going well here, but I had my fill on April 23rd and am still on liquids. The doctor told me when he filled me that it was between 4 and 6 cc's and believe me all I can do is drink. I was a tad bit amazed at the amount that he put in my band at once, especially since the package insert said 2 to 3 cc's for first fill with the Lapband VG. My doctor basically put the needle in under xray and had me sit up and drink Water while he tightened it down. I can drink and feel a bit of fullness off it alone and am losing about 1 pound a day. It's a tad bit scary, but since I don't have another 200 bucks I'll have to get by until I can either get a little unfill or I can eat food. I was banded on 3/11 and am down 35 pounds plus...I don't weigh again until tomorrow. Everyone said they can tell that I've lost weight especially in my face and my clothing is starting to get smaller. I'm rarely hungry which is good I guess considering I can't really eat anything. Anyways, thought I'd pop in with the news. Talk to you all later.

That is what the doctor told me as well :thumbup: I'm trying like heck to stick to it, I'm scared of flipping my port before it's healed so I'm making sure not to do anything involving my abdomen until after 6 weeks!!

I had my surgery on March 12th in Juarez and the only thing I would suggest is making sure that you know some common translations. All my doctors knew English, but not very many of the nursing staff did. The surgery and healing process was not too bad, and I'm back to clinicals in nursing school without a hitch. I hope everything goes well for you and your recovery is quick.

It took a couple weeks for me not to feel so bloated, and now I still am more gassy then I was prior to the surgery, but not nearly as bad as the first week or so, hang in there :thumbup: My first fill is scheduled for April 23rd, and it can't get here soon enough, I have absolutely no restriction and am having to make myself eat less and of course healthy. In all the literature I've read about the band it says that this is par for the course and to just ride it out until you start getting fills. I went from being starved to starving in a matter of just a few days, it's all kind of a roller coaster ride at first, but should start to level itself out after a few fills, just try to remind yourself to make very healthy food choices. Take care and it sucked to see both KU and KSU out of the tournament!!

Well it's been a really weird 2 weeks with the band. I went from not even feeling hungry to feeling like I could eat a house. I know that the doctors all said that you might even gain back some of the weight you lose during the pre-op and immediate post-op diet once you start on mushies etc., but at the same time it kind of sucks to be hungry again. Anyways, hang in there all you March bandsters until we can start getting some fills, things will change

I had my band date for like 3 months, and it seemed like it was never going to get here, and now I'm sitting here and Friday I'll be banded for 2 weeks. It's amazing how time flies. TGIF is my new motto because every time I get to advance my diet is on Fridays :Banane20: This Friday I get to start mushies, and I am so thankful for that, I'm really tired of drinking my meals. It has been weeks since I had a day without Protein shakes, except for the first week of Clear liquids, but 3 weeks pre-op and the last week it's been Protein Shakes and I'm so ready to eat regular food and not have to rely on them for my protein source. I was thinking today that it will be really cool in a few weeks, not only will I get real food in 3 weeks, but I'll get my first fill a week later, and get to start working out that same week :huggie: Yay I'm so ready, and really ready to be healed inside and out already!!!

Once you get some fills in your band, you'll see that change. I have dropped some weight with the pre-op and since banding, but I'm not expecting to lose weight until I get a few fills that give me restriction. I'd throw out the scale for a month or so and wait til you get a fill or two under your belt before you start to worry. After the clear liquid diet, kind of a starvation type thing, it is not abnormal for the body to hold onto some weight in case it happens again soon. So even though you are not eating unhealthy foods, you might not see the weight loss you were during pre-op and shortly after being banded. When you can start really exercising and get a few fills you'll see the metabolism kick into gear and see the weight coming off again. Later, Erin

My surgery was March 12th, and at times it is sore around my port and I'm careful when I get up out of bed, but not requiring help anymore. The gas and abdominal cramping is still there but able to move out easily now. My 14 year old was like "mom, OMG that's better then me!" Walking helps a lot and I've been taking Gaviscon for the gas pains and it seems to help quite a bit! I'm advanced to full liquids now and it seems that I'm tolerating them well, every once in awhile it kind of bothers me, but not too much. Take care

Sounds like you are on the right track!! I got to get off clear liquids and start full liquids so I'm not feeling quite as weak. I can just about drink anything at this point...just add water or milk and let the magic bullet rip, definitely gets it so thin you could drink it through a straw! I was actually able to stay up all night and study which is something I hadn't done the past few days, just felt so tired and warn out. Then again, I flew home from MX and then drove myself 2 hours home...then had to turn around 7 hours later and drive back to the city and my friend was admitted in the hospital for preeclampsia...jeesh when it rains it pours. I've actually been able to get some good sleep the past 2 nights and feel a bit more rested in the morning. As you can see though, it's like 3:30 am and I'm just now going to bed after studying pretty much all day. It sucks to have to make up for the days of studying missed getting banded and all that good stuff. I hope all is well for you and your journey continues as planned. Later---Erin

Good luck on your upcoming surgery and it will be here before you know it. I was banded on March 12th and it came and went so fast!!!

I used the same shakes from GNC for pre-op and only used 2 scoops of powder at a time for 40 g and like 4.3 g carbs. I love the banana cream flavored and even froze it and ate it like ice cream for a change. I can't start back on my shakes until like Friday, I'm still on clear liquids, but I'm sure they'll still be there when I'm ready :scared2:

I had my surgery at the Star Medica Hospital and Dr. Rodriguez was my surgeon. The hospital is in a good part of town, you'll see what I mean when you get there. Right across the street is a mall and American eating establishments etc. The hospital is very protected and 75% of their clients are Americans. I was one of 9 surgeries that day, 6 bands and 3 vertical sleeves. Not one time did I feel in danger, the place is guarded by like 5 to 10 policio with machine guns and several security guards inside the building. I went outside every day and soaked in the sun, and not once did I feel insecure. Like I said...the language barrier is the greatest with the nursing staff so make sure you ask questions to the doctors instead. If you really want something and they can't understand, find a nurse that knows a lot of english and goto them and they will translate for your nurse. Make sure to bring 1's and 5's for tips and if you bring someone so they can buy food in the deli...if they have American cash they'll give it to you...if they run out you get change in pesos.

Yeah everything is going great! I got a little whiney last night and still felt that way today, but the pain is pretty much gone and I get to advance my diet soon, so all is good. Thanks for asking and good luck to you :scared2:

Banded March 12th, on clear liquids with a vitamin drink and doing fine. Port pain mostly, but feeling better every day. I have decided that I prefer Gaviscon Liquid over the gas x strips because it seems to control the gas pains better. I never had the pain in my left shoulder so I'm grateful. Other then that I'm just living one day at a time, and need to really hammer down on my homework this week.

Good luck and congrats, I saw you today in the chatroom, really nice to meet you!

I just had my surgery in Juarez, check out my pictures. You are completely safe in the hospital, it is guarded by militia and policio 24/7 and not once did I see or hear of any violence until I got back to the US. The hospital picks you up at the El Paso airport and takes you back through customs. Sergio, our driver, even took us to a flea market in El Paso on Sunday before our flights left. I would make sure you bring your paper that has spanish/english translations. If you ever need anything off the campus of the hospital you should talk to Eduardo in the main deli on the main floor of the hospital, he's a delight!