revren316

I saw this post and had to get in on the discussion. I was banded in may of 2010. One thing I have learned is that everyone's journey is truly unique. I much like everyone had tremendous weight loss the first month or two. Literally I was losing almost a pound a day. But before you know. It old habits start trickling back in. I always understood the band was a tool and not a magic cure all. But even still I started eating like I used to, drinking soda like I used to. It started out slow but soon enough I was right back doing the same things I was doing pre op. Combine that with not keeping up with my fills and my weight loss slowed to a dead stop. For over a year and a half I bounced from being serious toband getting back on track to not caring and not following the rules. I never gained any weight back but I never lost anymore either. Then one day about a month ago I woke up and something inside just clicked. I got my stuff together and decided no more wasting my time. I went and got another fill which turned out to be that magic fill that everyone talks about. Restriction!!!! And I've been doing really good, not perfect, but really good and steadily losing weight again. I don't know how long this wave will last but I intend to ride it out. I guess my point is more people struggle with this than you probably realize. I honestly believe more people fail than pass because it's too easy to fail. You just can't beat yourself up too much. You gotta just get back on the horse... Its taken me almost two years to realize that but I'm just glad I did... And even though this has been a struggle I absolutely do not regret doing it and I know I'll win in the end you just gotta keep forging ahead. OK this is long enough lol good luck

Hey there i had to do 2 a day for 2 weeks. I honestly hated needles, but got over that pretty quick (especially after seeing the fill needle). My doc told me to do the injection in my abdomen on either side of the belly button. Alternating sides. I was so nervous the first time my hand was shaking, but i quickly found out that its nothing. Only twice out of the 28 shots i took did i actually feel anything, lol! I didn't have any side affects that i was aware of. He did say just be sure to not rub the area where the injection was. "needle in, plunge, needle out." he said that if you rub the site you will get a nasty bruise and imagine having 28 of those. i only ended up with 2 so pretty good. Hope all goes well, good luck on your journey!!!

hey there, i was banded on may 3rd and while everyone is different, i think a lot of people go through the same thing. Those first few weeks post op are great, your body is sore and food is the last thing on your mind. But i found that each day i got a little more hungry. by the about the end of week 3 i could pretty much eat regularly if i wanted to. What you are experiencing is 100 % normal. Good Ole "bandster hell." I found that when i was getting hungry between meals, a good Protein shake would hold me over. My doc told me if you really are truly hungry and not just "head" hungry eat some protein. It will fill you and keep that feeling longer. He also said that until you get your first fill losing weight really shouldnt be a priority. While most people do, lose in this period, this time is all about healing your body and beginning to make lifestyle adjustments like diet and exercise changes. Good Luck and take care!

Hey only a couple airlines actually do that, and thats only when the plane is full. I work for an airline and fly all the time. No way im fitting in a seat...at least not yet. It sucks because i always choose a flight with the most empty seats even if its an inconvenience to me or my traveling companions just because i live in absolute fear of being stuck in a single seat in a full row! But just another reason in a long list why i chose this journey. I think this is something that we all think about while it would never cross the mind of someone that has never had to worry about it. have an excellent vacation and good luck with the band!!!

I never vomited at all after surgery. The closest i came was about a week out, i got nauseous so bad, that i came close. The only kind of "refunding" Ive done is when Ive eaten to fast or got stuck, but that's not the same as vomiting. Everyone handles every aspect of the surgery different. You appear to have handled it quite well. Ive never typed vomiting so many times before, kinda weird, kinda gross. LOL! Good luck!

i was banded 5/3 and other than my port site i don't feel anything anymore. I don't know what your doc has you doing, as youve seen on here everyones is different. Mine had me walking from post op to my room. I would look into scopamine patches if you don't already have them for the nausea. For the gas, my doc said the best thing to do is walk. And sure enough for the first few days post op it seemed like every step i took a burp or two would slip out. He hammered on my walk walk walk. I know everybody's experience is different. Im not sure why your in so much pain. But each day gets better. i battled some slight nausea then about day 10 it was gone. I hope you feel better and everything is ok!

I love reading these kinds of posts. I was banded on 5/3 and lost 39lbs between my 2 week preop and 9 day post op dr appt. I know that won't stay that way, but i cant wait to be able to start doing this math!!! good luck everyone!

was banded 5/3/10 still bloated and sore. Like i got kicked in the stomach over and over and over. They had me up and walking within an hour of coming to...they said it helps with the gas. and i honestly havent had any after taking about 5 walks. My dr kept me over night for whatever reason, i dont argue just do as im told. Hopefully tonight i will finally get some sleep. The hospital beds were mad for people under 6 ft, Im 6'4 so yeah very uncomfortable. Everything is staying down, car ride home sucked but good to be home. Good luck everyone

Hi just figured i would throw my .02 in here. Im 2 days away from getting banded and almost ending my 2 weeks pre op diet. Every dr is different. Ive been reading this forum for a while and seen probably a hundred different pre op diets. Im on a high Protein, low to no carb, as little fat and sugar as possible diet. It sucks. But really the first three days were the hardest. Yes i was hungry, yes i probably wouldve done anything to be able to have some "real food." But by the middle of day 3 or 4 i was no longer hungry. i was drinking 3 Protein shakes a day and by day 4 i literally had to force my self to drink them because i was always full. Its really hard, but you gotta stick with it. My biggest motivation was exactly what someone above me said, and thats that my liver wont be small enough to safely do the surgery thus postponing it and having to continue. You gotta remember this is your dr saying to do this to make it safe for you. On the plus side, i had a dr appt 7 days into the diet and had lost 13lbs. not a bad start on a long journey. Good Luck, and keep yourself busy, if you get really hungry drink a big glass of Water and go for a walk. do something to keep your mind off of food. Hope this helps May 3rd..........

hey guys im currently in day 8 of my 12 day diet. I have 3 shakes a day and one chicken breast. The first 3 days suuuuuuccccckkkkkkk. Headaches were terrible. it was one of the hardest things ive done. BUUUTTT it gets better, or maybe let me say easier. U just got to develop a routine for your food intake and everytime hunger strikes take a walk around the block or drink a glass of Water. This is what helped me get through it. By the end of the first week you don't think about it as much and never lose sight of why your doing it. A lot of bandsters say that the preop diet is the hardest part. On day 6 i had a dr appt and i had already lost 12 lbs. talk about motivation. I get banded monday, nervous and scared, but also excited. Good luck i hope this helps, just stay strong and stick with it, it gets easier.....promise! Good Luck!!!!

Another May Thirder in the house...I'm sure most of y'all will agree hardest decision of my life. Everything from not being able to eat certain foods to complications...it seems like forever ago i made this decision. Its funny because i think we all experience the same things in everyday life as well as our thoughts going into surgery. Been killing this preop diet lost 13lbs in 6 days so far. Some people have asked "well if you can lose weight like this then why not stick with it and not get banded" my response is pretty easy, Ive lost this weight before only to gain it back plus some. Im just ready to get this done with and hopefully start living life again. Ive been blessed that my size has not kept from doing a lot of things i want, but its certainly starting to catch up to me and Im ready to knock this out and for the first time take control. Sorry for the rambling, good luck everyone, i hope everyone is prepared for what to expect post op. I cant stop reading these forums, been such a big help! Good Luck We will all be tied to May 3rd forever, much like people that sure a birthday. Our Bandiversary!!! COME WHAT MAY!!!!

@hpygirl30, just curious, im from tempe, and getting banded next week. What surgeon did you use?

I have my surgery scheduled for may 3rd, been knocking this preop diet out of the park. Everyone that said the first 3 days are the hardest was 100% correct. At my preop i was 456 i would like to get down around 250 to 270...I'm pretty tall. Scared, nervous, anxious, excited, determined are just a smidgen of the emotions I'm feeling. This board has really been an invaluable tool. Thanks to everyone who posts on here!!!