babsy

That's disappointing for you, but be happy that your doctor was smart enough to prevent complications and allow your body to heal before further surgery. It would be so much worse to have a band put in only to cause further damage, and later need removing. Big picture focus, this is only a teeny percent of the rest of your life, which will be longer and healthier after you lose weight. Good luck

They sound s bit deflating, and that's a shame. Mine was the opposite. My first visit was 6 weeks post-op. He was really excited about my weight loss, and called me skinny. Was also thrilled that I no longer need meds for my BP or reflux (had hiatus hernia repair too). He checked my wounds, and gave me a fill of 3.5 ml (4ml put in in surgery). He wanted to know if I liked the dietitian and her advice. He sat and dictated his report to my 2 referring doctors so that I could hear what was said. And gave me the opportunity to ask any questions without feeling rushed. From now on I see another doctor for regular fills, the next one coming up next week. I'm told he's really nice too, so I hope so. He's also available 24hrs/day, 7 days/week for any urgent problems, so it will be worth getting to know him. Hope your next visit is more positive.

This sounds to me like a fad diet, and I had the lap band because I don't want to do them any more. Like all fad diets, it sounds great, you lose weight quickly, and then it all jumps back on.

I too love closet shopping. Today I wore a t-shirt that I hadn't worn for 5 years, and put another 6 shirts from the spare wardrobe into my every day wardrobe. My work clothes that were too tight now fit loosely, and my pants are starting to look a bit clownish, but the smaller size is there waiting, about 1 kg away. I'm also looking forward to buying new clothes, but want them to be small enough to last a while. Plus I'm going to Canada and USA for the first time in 8 weeks, and hope to buy some new clothes there. Though I will need some new ones suitable for living out of a suitcase for 8 weeks - not planning to do any ironing on holidays.

Hi Please don't feel sad, that's a great loss. More than 2lb a week. I'm happy losing 2 lb a week, it's a healthy number, and what groups like weight watchers aim at. It took me 3 weeks to lose 2 lb. I lost 8lb pre-op, but since then I average 2lb a week except for those frustrating 3 weeks when I slowed down. This is a life change, won't happen in 3 months (but don't I wish it would). Keep looking at the big picture, how healthy you'll be in 12 months, and for the rest of your life. And look at the other positives. Mine are I feel lighter when I walk, and don't take BP or reflux meds any more. Plus I've saved money - my work clothes fit again, so I didn't have to buy bigger ones. They were too tight when I got the band, and needed replacing.

Hi all Glad to hear everyone's news. Isn't it a great feeling to be getting slimmer? I'm so happy (most of the time). I had my first fill on April 9th, bringing me to a total of 7.5 in a 10ml band, and felt like I still had no restriction. I could eat anything, including steak and bread, and felt like I was controlling my portions with no help from the band. It took me 3 weeks to lose 1 kilo, when up till now I've been losing a kilo per week. Getting frustrated. My next fill is May 5th, and I tried to get an earlier one but I couldn't. However, after the last couple of days I'm glad I didn't get another fill. I got stuck on Wednesday night, wasn't concentrating on chewing a piece of lamb chop. Ouch, now I've experienced sliming and PBing, and I wanted to never go there. Terrible pain for an hour, then still constantly upchucking for 6 hrs. Then I had a few sips of Water, and that wouldn't even go down so another couple of hours of sliming. YUK. Yesterday, all I could tolerate was sips of clear Fluid, and today I can still only have a few sips at a time. It feels like the first few days post-op, so I guess I'm all swollen. I'll just keep on sipping, then go back on mushies when it feels OK. What an awful way to be reminded to chew and chew. Apart from that, it's all good. I'm still shopping in my own wardrobe, and lots of my clothes are too baggy to wear any more.

I'm hungry too, and if I let myself could eat a huge amount. So frustrating. I had 4ml put in during surgery. I wasn't hungry for 3 1/2 wks, had steady weight loss, and then looked forward to my first check-up and fill at 5wks. He put another 3.5ml in, and I feel no different. My next fill is booked for early May, and today I rang to get an earlier appointment, but couldn't. I didn't lose any weight for 2 wks, and since the fill have lost half a kilo. But I feel that is because I am trying so hard, without any help from the band. I want it to be quicker. I know this is a life time solution, but I have an overseas holiday coming up in 9 wks, and want to buy new but smaller clothes for that. Aaaaghh, I'll just keep trying, and forgive myself for the odd slip up, which does happen sometimes when I'm hungry.

I ate normally before my first fill, which was in the morning. My doctor told me to have fluids for lunch, then thicker fluids for dinner, and start normal food the next morning. I guess if he hasn't told you to change your diet beforehand, you don't need to. While there, he'll tell you what to do next. "Cause we've all been told slightly different, I'd just go with what your doctor tells you.

I worded that badly. It is usually healed fully in 6 weeks, but may not look fully healed for 12 months. It can also feel different, because cut nerves can take 12 months to heal. Mine looks quite 'raw' still, but is healed. No, he didn't numb me at all, and I barely felt the needle go in, just a bit of pressure. It was very quick, and no sensation at all after that bit of pressure. I was surprised when he said he'd finished, and the needle was out. My band is officially a 10ml band, but the doctor said it really holds up to 14 mls. Mine now has 7.5 in it, and I don't feel any restriction, but I'm not hungry between meals any more. I haven't lost any weight for 2 weeks though, so maybe I need a bit more. I'll give it another week, then go and see him again. Good luck with everything

Hi I just had my first fill. My port site has healed well, but is still tender and looks pink. It will take up to 12 months for it to look fully healed. No problem or pain with the fill, which was great. Had 4ml put in during the op, and 3.5 more now. Was hungry for a week, now can still eat everything without problems, but not hungry between meals any more. I'm thrilled with the whole process so far. My fill was also my first check-up and my doctor was as excited as me with my progress. Called me skinny. Such a good feeling.

Hi, I had that too, after sudden movements. It lasted for 4 weeks, and really felt like the stitches were ripping out of the muscle. Especially if I coughed or forgot to be careful before I turned over in bed. I'm now 5 weeks post-op and it's so mild now it doesn't bother me. I didn't really find pain killers very helpful, because it comes and goes so quickly. Everything else is good, so a small price to pay for weight loss, normal blood pressure and no reflux since the op. Hope it goes away soon.

I agree we shouldn't criticise anyone for the type of surgery. Different strokes for different folks. Most of us have to trust the surgeons judgement for what will be best, as well as doing our research, and understanding ourselves and how compliant we are able to be with a new lifestyle. Like with the reasons we are overweight - there are many common stories, but also many differences. On this subject, I had an interesting time last week, with 2 of my patients. One came in to get his 2nd band removed, and have bypass surgery. He had his 1st LAP-BAND®® 5 yrs ago, and successfully lost 90kg (198lb) before the band slipped. He got it replaced with another band, and it was never right. He was constantly vomiting, miserable, and ended putting back on about half of the weight. In surgery they found it was twisted and so was his stomach. The other had bypass surgery 10 yrs ago, and has struggled with severe malnutrition for the last 6yrs, to the extent she was an invalid. She came in to have the bypass reversed, and is very anxious about putting the weight back on. She'd lost about 50kg. I feel that I made the right choice for me, and so does my surgeon. But that doesn't make it right for anyone else.

Hey Spartan, You are disgusted that people called her doctor names, then you call them boneheads? Double standard?

Well done Lisa Sounds like a good outcome. I hope you continue with your successful weight loss. Barb