vlp1968

I strongly reccomend lots and lots of water. Also adding a small amount of fat might help if your not getting much. It will make the meal last longer. Salmon is a great choice. I also eat flavored chicken sausage. Make sure you get your veggies- they can really help fill you up. I was in the same boat waiting for a fill to make a difference. My second one did. Hang in there! The band will work eventually.

Everbody is different. My experience was that the first fill worked for 2-3 days and then I was back to normal. I had my second fill Mon. and it lasted a little longer (5 days) and had a more significant effect on my hunger. My doctor said to call if the hunger came back so i did. I go in for another fill in about 2 weeks.

You may want to call your doctor and see if you can go in for an additonal fill. Also, hang in there. I was very hungry up until my second fill. You may feel some restriction when you get to solid foods again.

I count calories and protein. You want to get between 40 and 60 grams. I eat about 650 calories. As far as carbs, get them from the "right sources. Things like fruit, beans, starchy vegies like corn or potatoe, whole grain cereal, oatmeal. Dairy offers some carbs too. My nutritionist says 2 servings of dairy a day. I like lowfat cheese sticks and yougurt.

I was in the same boat for a while. I felt like the band was never going to work. However after my second fill I feel restriction. Be patient, it will work eventually. Be prepared that your first fill may not offer much but at some point you will reach that "sweet spot" Best of luck!

I am happy for you. I had my second fill Mon. and too am in heaven. I am satisfied with very little food and not hungry between meals. Doc. says it should last longer than the first fill. Hope he's right!

I am surprised to hear so many people drink a protien shake. I agree with the post about how they are not filling and have significant calories. That being said, I finally have restriction with the band. I am thinking of doing a shake if I haven't been able to eat enough protien across the day.

The psychologist that is part of the lapband team told me to take a picture once a month. I recently took a 2nd pic and see a difference. I started a scrapbook to keep a record of my weight reduction. She also said to keep one "fat" outfit to help see how far you've come.

My doctor didn't hide the long needle! I was frieked out for a second but thanks to the local didn't feel a thing. Don't know if you'll feel restriction or how long it will last. Seems everybody is different. My experience was the second fill caused some restriction. My surgeon said I can come back for more if I get hungry. Otherwise, it will be 6 weeks before another fill.

Congratulations! I would expect to miss 2 or 3 days of classes. It takes that long for the pain to go. I felt the most pain when I moved around too much. Also, don't hesitate to ask for pain meds in the hospital. I waited until the next day and it worked really well. In hindsite I should have asked for it right away. Things to practice before surgery is SLOW eating and chewing really really well. You might also want to practice seperating food and fluids. Best of luck!

My only other advice is to be ready to have significant hunger until you have had some fills. Restriction seems to happen for people at different rates. I have had a lot more hunger then I thought. Looking back, I may have choosen bypass surgery. However after a second fill I am feeling less hungry. You'll just need to be patient.

Yes weighing yourself all the time is tempting for sure. I weigh myself once a week at home. When I first get up, after using the bathroom. I believe this is the most accurate weight because what you have had to drink or eat isn't a factor. According to my doctor I have lost 3 less pounds then on my scale but it's close enough for me.

Hang in there. It will work eventually. I have read on this forum people saying it took up to 5 fills. I had my second fill yesterday. I will know if it is causing restriction when I get to solid food again. I have to admit I didn't realize so much hunger would be occuring once banded. However I am following the nutitionist guidelines and am pleased with the rate of weight reduction.

Journaling is an excellent piece of advice. I write down everything i eat and count the calories and protien grams. Can't say enough about how helpfull this is. Do you have off limit foods in your house? If so, get rid of them for sure. Stock up on foods you like that are part of the healthy eating plan you are looking to follow. Don't know if you have a spouse and/or children that makes it difficult. At least keep their food in a seperate cabinet so you don't have to look at it. Also, everyone can benefit from cutting out the junk. Are you letting yourself get too hungry? Add a snack or two if this is the case. Best of luck to you, keep us posted.

Yes they do expand your stomach with gas during surgery. I don't really know about your other issues. Good luck!

I stayed overnight- It was my doctors procedure. I was self pay- it never occured to me to see if not staying would be cheaper. I only asked for pain meds once-a slight mistake once I did i felt so much better.

I asked and was told by a nurse doing the presurgery ed. class that i could sleep on my stomach. I have been with no problem. Hope this helps and get some rest lol.

I am not your doctor but..... I think you are ok for now as long as you can keep fluids down. If it continues for the next few days I think it may be to tight and you need to have some saline removed. Again just my opinion from my experience as a bandster. I think you should contact your doctor if it goes on for a few days and again immediatly if your not keeping fluids down.

I too have been awaiting the restriction. Glad to hear so many others are too. I have had one fill and no restricion as of yet. Some on this site have posted it's taken up to 5. I was unaware of how long it would take to have an effect. In hindsight I may have choosed gastric bypass. But whats done is done and I am just going to be patient.

My psychologist that is part of my lapband surgery team gave me some great advice. She said to take a picture of myself once a month to see the progress. I do it in my bathing suit. She also said to keep one "fat" outfit to see how far you have come. I also spend a little time naked in front of the mirror (that came from dr. phil). Any other ideas for getting used to your new body?

My doctor takes a team approach. I met with him, a nutritionist and psychologist once before the surger. Again I met with all 3 2 weeks later. Now I see them all once a month when I go for a fill.

I eat salmon, turkey burgers, chicken sausage (not the spicey kind it made me vomit). Cheese and yougurt and beans have some protien too. The advice i have been given is protien first. I take a multivitamin and a calcium vitamin. Of course remember to chew chew chew. Good luck!

I have had only 1 fill, due for another in a week. I too have been dissapointed in how hungry I have been. The good news is I have stuck to the diet prescribed by the nutritionist and have lost 27 pounds so far. I am hopeing future fills will be more effective and last longer. Anyone out there who has found that "sweet spot" please respond.