mrslamica

My nutritionist said that usually after fill #3 people have restriction, but its different for everyone. I have 3cc in a 10cc band and I do not have much restriction. I can pretty much eat what I want...just slowly and a lot less than I used to before banding. I knew that this wasn't the magic bullet that will make me thin, but I was also aware of the "Bandster Hell" that I am going through now. I lost 17lbs the first 14 days postop and only 2lbs since then ( I was banded March 12th). I have been watching my food intake and the types of foods I eat. You might wanna try walking, I have heard that adding excercise with sometimes jump-start our metabolism and help us begin loosing weight again. I was just released for exercise last week (I had a hernia repair) but I plan on joining a gym this week and begin attendance to see if that will help me loose a little quicker. Hang in there, I know it seems discouraging right now but you are going through the NORMAL cycle. I think at one point or the other we have ALL had second thoughts and gotten discouraged!

I had PCOS and that was one of my pre-existing conditions for surgery. I had my first period about 7 days post-op and it was longer than normal, but besides that everything is fine. I have seen a decrease in the time it takes for hair to grow on my chin...I know that sounds gross, but it was one of the VERY unfortunate side-effects of a hormone imbalance. My doc said to expect a change for the better in my hormones.

Anybody get debilitating gas pains from Frozen Yogurt?!? Had some last night and the other week and I was really hurting both times, it took me getting it last night to realize what was causing it... I WON'T BE EATING THAT ANYMORE!!!

Hello everyone! Just checking in. I was banded March 12th as scheduled...and I lost 17lbs in the first 1.5 weeks. But after that I am at a stand-still...is this normal? Anyone else feeling the same way right about now? Congrats to everyone on all the weightloss...I can't wait till my first fill...April 20th.

I am needing some advice, but need it from someone who has their port in their shoulder area. I was banded on March 12th and my port is located in my shoulder area- between my breast and my arm pit. I am 5 weeks postop but it still hurts at night when I lay on it and I needed to know if this is normal. If nobody has had it placed there, I will have to call my surgeon and ask them, but I just thought if I could have the question answered on here, it would save time and I wouldn't bother them. Thanks!

I didn't say anything about lecturing ANYONE...I don't pretend to have all my stuff togeter. BUT if this woman is saying those type things and she's just now out of surgery one of two things is happening... 1)She's oblivious 2)She's intentionally being RUDE Either way, sometimes the best way to nip things in the bud is to be HONEST...and sometimes BRUTELY HONEST. No lecture required.

Is your boss thin? If she is then don't sweat it bc she will never understand or "get" why that bothers you...just look at it like this, in a year you will be so far beyond the whole "FOOD" hang-up and much more able to cope with those type of comments. If she is big, then you need to explain to her that you have made a LIFE CHANGE and you have done it for YOU. And if she were smart SHE would make a life change of her own. If she is really your friend, she will respect that. I can see where it would be seen as "cruelty" to talk about all of types of food (especially your favorite) right after your surgery, but the fact of the matter is that people who haven't researched LapBand or don't know much about it tend to under-appreciate the whole process that we are going through. And as a result they do not support you properly...or even worse try to stop you from succeeding because it's a common known fact that MISERY LOVES COMPANY. If you guys bonded over food- she is simply continuing the same routine you two had before your surgery and since she has experienced no change in life, she doesn't realize this might be hurtful. I was banded March 12th, and as of yet, I haven't had any of my family or friends (the few that know) say anything negative about it. I have, however, had a change in relationship with a few of my friends...kindof a disconnect...because we had bonded over food- and I didn't realize that was the majority of what we did, talked about and focused on. As a result of MY life change, they began feeling uncomfortable around me and I just had to adjust their placement in my life and although it hurt, I don't need those people that only want to hang out with me because I'm fat...or because I always want to go out and eat...lol!!! I would definately sit down and be honest about how you feel. I don't think she is intentionally trying to wear you down mentally...but she needs to know that this is happening and more than hearing about food from her- you need to hear support and motivation from her. If she cannot provide those things for you and its what YOU NEED, you may have to re-evaluate your friendship, because the toxicity that she will bring into your life will ultimately delay your progress and might hender your ability to reach your ultimate goal... weightloss!!!

So glad I'm not alone...I am 4.5 weeks out and sometimes it hurts so bad I feel like I've damaged something!!! Sometimes I burp...but that doesn't really help and it won't come out the other way either!!! I'm hoping it dissipates soon...cuz these days feeling like I'm having a heart attack is really getting old!!!

In my experience, I felt the food that was stuck IMMEDIATELY upon eating it...it sounds like you may have over-eaten...how big was the porkchop? On the otherhand, asparagus is a VERY fiberous food and fiberous foods are notorious for getting stuck! So really it could be eitherone...but I know the one time I really overate, I felt like I had a big gas bubble under my chest and it took HOURS to go away!!! I would stay away from asparagus and other fiberous foods just in case it was a "stuck" issue...it might be your body telling you that you cannot tolerate that particular type of food with your band. Good Luck!

I lost 17 lbs the first 2 weeks and then nothing so far...today is my 1 month mark...so I think that's pretty normal. I will have my first fill on April 20th.

...by the way SOBE lifewater B-Energy is FANTASTIC!!!! I found it recently and loves it.

I did end up going back to liquids today...I just feel better that way. I am going to do the 5 Day Pouch Test regemine and see if that will help me get back on track with my band. I did feel a little bit better after reading some additional posts on what is expected the first couple weeks after surgery. I think that I just need to slow down a bit with my food choices and wait till after my first fill to be eating regular foods (dispite my speedy progress into "normal foods"). But still...keep the advice coming people...I definately can use all the help I can get! Thanks for all the responses thus far!

Sorry for the defeatist sounding attitude. I guess I'm just going through the phase where I can eat more and not have restriction and it concerns me that I might be stretching out my pouch. I eat soft foods, seafood, chicken, whole wheat bread, turkey...I am not doing anything hard... I am really concerned that the feeling I am having is me over-eating...even though I keep it to about a cup of food per meal about 3 times per day (no snacks) and lots of Water and crystal light. Perfect example- I can eat a 4inch sub (on whole wheat) for a meal...that was my supper...but I feel like I could do 6 inches!!!

Hello everyone! I was banded March 12th 2010 and everything as been good until a couple days ago. Now everytime I eat, I feel bad :smile2:. It kindof feels like gas pains in my upper stomach but then it kindof feels like cramps. Has anyone else felt these pains? It doesn't matter what I eat, I feel the same. I still have some restriction from surgery ( I cannot eat near as much as I have in the past). I have only regurgitated once and that was because I tried sushi and the seaweed got caught over my stoma. The throwing up wasn't violent, just very easy and it came up. I didn't pb for very long (like 2 minutes). Could I have messed something up this early in the game? I have been able to eat a little bit more each day (which I am sure is due to my swelling going down). I did clears for 5 days, liquids for 4 days and then my doc cleared me for soft foods like grits and eggs at my 1 week follow up. I started easing into regular foods last Friday. I am thinking about going back to liquids until my first fill appt which is April 20th, but I just don't like feeling yucky. Any advice would be helpful...

That seriously just made me cringe...I hope that this is NOT a serious post for OP's, naive banster's and future bandster's sake. I hate the thought someone else sticking a needle in me much less doing it myself!!! GETTING A FILL IS NOT LIKE GETTING AN INSULIN SHOT...ask yourself one question...would you feel confident enough to administer your own flu shot?!? Or how about your own local anesthesic?!? Doing your own fill is just as risky and just as idiotic...I agree with Spartan... Idiot.

I'll go 20lbs...I'm at 255 right now, so that will put me at 235 by Mother's Day!!! Woot Woot...I'm reeeeaaaaddddyyy...just finished my workout!

I have hunger...but I also have restriction after 4-5 oz of food...I feel like I have eatin Thanksgiving dinner! But I did not have any hunger until week #2. I am upset mainly because I have stopped loosing weight. I had lost 17lbs since surgery, but after that...I have been stuck at the same weight for an entire week...NOT MOVING WHATSOEVER!!! Unfortunately, I have been told that this is normal, and I will not see anymore loss until I get my first fill, which will be April 20th...sooo excited.

I was banded March 12th. I had gas pains for about 4-5 days and my incisions are now ichy as all get out!!! I did have one problem today, I am on a mixture of soft foods and mushies and I got "stuck" today on sushi Once it came back up I felt okay, but will not be doing sushi again...I have actually had some problems with pain after swallowing so I am going to call the doc tomorrow and find out if I should go back to all mushies...I just get so tired of soup and shakes lol! Hope everyone is well.

Hi Trish, I think that your fears are completely valid and common amoungst us bandsters! I know I am still dealing with those types of fellings and I am 16 days post-op. I sincerely want to succeed with this and I will use my tool the way it was meant to be used, but after many failed attempts at loosing weight (and going from a size 10 to a size 22 in 7 years), I am a little gun-shy about the whole thing...especially now that I have stopped loosing weight post-op (which is normal, I hear)and I am awaiting my first fill. Just so you know...these feelings are valid and I DON'T think you will fail on the simple fact that not only do you have a support system at home, but you have this website, which has been a secret weapon of mine throughout this stage of my journey. I know I have gone through the embarassment of being big...and I have made up my mind that trying this and failing would be better than not trying it at all...that said I WILL NOT FAIL, and that is the attitude I maintain and will maintain for the rest of my life! Goodluck with your pre-op appt!

Wow, lucky lucky! My doc is making me wait 5 weeks before my first fill which means its late April to Early May before I am filled...glad to know some of you are having the same difficulties as me. I tried asking the question in the chat room but couldn't get an answer.:w00t: This info will help me sleep better...knowing that it is normal for me to be hungry 2 weeks out. Thnx everyone!!!

Does anybody know of a support group near Perry/Warner Robins/Macon? I was banded by Dr. B on March 12th and I would really like to meet some locals traveling on the same road I am. Any suggestions would be helpful, thanks!

I still feel bloated 4 days out...so yeah that seems to be normal!

Thanks for all the responses!!! Makes me feel sooo much better! I went back to work today..but didn't last very long. I ended up going home at 12pm. I have a conference call in the morning but don't expect to stay long after that either...because I just don't feel like I NEED to be back at work yet! I am also having some breathing problems...I cannot decide if the shortness of breath is from the pressure my stomach is placing on my lungs or if it is the anesthesia that is messing with my asthma. Before surgery I had exercise-induced asthma but now it's all the time...that's not normal for me! Thanks again to everyone who has replied and will reply...this site has really been helpful in my journey thus far.

I hear all of these testimonials saying they are no longer in pain at 2-3 days post-op. I am NOT one of those women! Every day is getting better, but I am still VERY sore and my port site (in my shoulder) is hurting a lot! I hope that this is normal...can anyone share how long it took before the soreness went away? Note: I DID have a hernia repair during my surgery so that might have a little to do with it. I don't have any problem swallowing (as long as it's tiny sips). My doc has me on Clear liquids only until Wednesday of this week. Help please :wub:

Yay!!! I'm being banded on Friday by Dr. B and I am VERY excited! I am about to D.I.E. on this SugarBusters! diet, but I know that it will help in the long run. Everyone at the office has been so so nice to me thus far and even the hospital staff was nice! I can hardly wait until Friday...I find out my time on Thurs between 1pm and 3pm...but think it's gonna be afternoon, which is really gonna to be good cuz I don't wanna wait and I am prolly gonna start phsycing my self out if I have to wait too long. This whole process has been rather short for me...I began considering my options beginning of 2009. I attended some support groups and also a seminar and didn't really decide to do it until the seminar in January 2010. I had my first consulatation the following week and then my pre-op was at the end of February...and now here I am 2 days before surgery and FREAKING OUT! What if it hurts? What if I don't loose weight? What is something goes wrong? What if my liver isn't small enough and he doesn't do the surgery? What if I don't wake up afterwards...all of these things are going through my head. I know the positives and negatives and that's what I used to make my VERY informed decision to do the surgery...but I am still a worry wart and I DON'T like hospitals lol! In fact I was so freaked out that I have forgotten my instructions on how to get to the out patient surgical station on the second floor! I remember the lady explaining it to me...but I had just gotten done having what seemed like 4,000 pints of blood taken, a random woman seeing my entire upper-body exposed (and for an EKG-none the less) and the realization hit me that I was ACTUALLY going to do this! So I am guessing I will have to contact her before Friday to verify my instructions...cuz I cannot remember! Good job LC, forgetting what your supposed to do and it's not even surgery time yet!