Erika41910

Thank you Band_Groupie. I am trying drinking my coffee first. Another question: Is it normal to have pain with the first couple bites of food during most meals? I chew chew chew, and as soon as the food gets into the pouch, it hurts. It could be soft food, but its like I have to plug it up (sorry, not able to describe it with a better term) before I can continue eating. Once the pain subsides, I can usually eat approximately a cup of food, and then I feel full. I hope i'm not sounding crazy, but I would appreciate any feedback. :thumbup:

That freaked me out to read that the pouch can be stretched out. :thumbup: I feel discomfort when i'm getting full. Would we feel more discomfort if it is stretching?

Since my last fill, I experience similar events. When I wake up in the mornings, I feel like it's really tight. I can barely get anything down for the first hour, but by the end of the day, I feel like I have a lot less restriction. Is this normal?

I feel the same way. It seems like I can eat almost anything (not that I do, but I've realized that I can). I feel like the food goes right through when I chew it up well, but if I don't chew it up until it's a puree, it hurts. I I don't need a fill because a day after my last one 2 weeks ago (.9cc), it closed, and my doctor had to remove .5cc so I could get liquid down. I don't understand what's going on sometimes.

Did you already have an IV in your hand/arm? The anesthesiologists usually give something just to relax you as they are preparing to take you to the O.R. Sometimes that medication will knock-out a person.

I was feeling like that after each fill. I would feel restriction immediately, then it seemed like after about a week, I wouldn't feel much restriction at all. Today I had my 3rd fill, and I feel a lot of restriction now. I have my fingers crossed that this is the fill that will do it.

When I got my last fill, I thought it was too tight, but i'm feeling hungry all the time, and i can get in a lot of food it seems (I chew it up well). Am I chewing too much? What types of foods are typical at this point?

I was banded 6 weeks ago, and was having pains at the port site. The pain got so irritating that I went to see my doctor. He told me the fascia (abdominal lining) is very sensitive for some people. He injected lidocaine in a few areas surrounding the port. Amazing!! Instant relief! That was 10 days ago. Even though he offered to inject more lidocaine if I needed it, I spent about 7 days really being careful; not bending over too far without supporting my port area with my hand, not lifting, etc. I went to get my 2nd fill today, and was so happy to report that the pain is about 80% better. Hope this was helpful!:Dancing_biggrin:

It is definitely something that can be done, but the question is are you considering the Lap Band to be healthier, or as a quick fix. If a quick fix, you probably won't be successfull because it is a huge committment. If I were going to travel, I would turn it into a learning experience, and see how strong my willpower was. Hope you find the answer you're looking for. Good Luck!

I'm looking for the same answer. I had my first fill a couple weeks ago, and I have days where I feel like I could eat a horse (seems like I have the room for it too). I think i'm confused because if I chew my food up 40 times, I feel like it goes right through. I find if I don't chew it up well, I feel full for a while. I get another fill this Thursday. I really hope this does the trick. :thumbup:

I can feel my port. I'm not bothered by it, but does anyone else have pain or tenderness when you put any pressure on it? I am 4 weeks post-op, and it feels soooo tender in that area.

Congratulations! If you don't inspire all the pre-surgery people, I don't know what will! :laugh: I'm happy and proud of you!

Dear Alliebear, I'm sorry you had an experience like that. Hang in there; you WILL feel better. I had the gas pains too, and they got a little better each day. Even though the doctor said a heating pad probably wouldn't help it, I put one on my left shoulder whenever I could. It may be in my head, but I think it helped me. About a week and a half later, I didn't feel the gas pains anymore. I am 3 weeks post op as of tomorrow, and I am still tender (not painful) near the incision where my port is, but all the rest are fine. it will get better.

The nurse told me they probably would put in a catheter, but my surgeon would skip it if I peed right before I went in to surgery. I took my butt down to the restroom so fast and peed, and they didn't put a catheter in. I remember waking up about 6 hours later feeling the urge to pee, so the nurse helped me walk over to the restroom (I stayed one night). I'm sure it can be avoided, but I would ask your surgeon.

I was banded 2 weeks ago. I was feeling great, and the last few days have been miserable. I feel sooo weak and all I want to do is sleep. I'm meeting my Protein requirements, and getting all my Vitamins & supplements. Is this normal, and when will it go away?