Isa Bella

Stef, congrats on the weight to this date. You are doing so good & you have not had your 1st fill yet. Dont let the scale stress you out. I know how excited you are about getting into the 180's (i cant wait) Enjoy your vacation & dont stress yourself out. Drink lots & lots of liquids and keep making the healthy choices you have been making. Best of luck and have a great vacations :thumbup: Welcome Ryan. This is a great place to get inspired, motivate yourself & to do the same for others. We are all on the same journey and we are here for each other. Keep us posted on how your doing.

Last night was a little easier although I found some grahm crackers & had about 4. I really did not want them but they are like crack. I know that keeping myself full with liquids like Tracy does help alot but last nights battle winner was the "crack" grahm crackers) so then I went for a 2 mile with with my dogs. Every morning I begin w/a 2 mile walk wth my dogs. I love the cool, calm & peacfulness of the early morning and I always thank God for this new day, its beauty & its light & THE CHANCE TO BEGIN AGAIN :thumbup: Each day will only get easier as we grow stronger. Wishing everyone a beautiful day.

Hi girlie, Glad all went well with your 1st fill. Im glad you posted this thread cuz I had been wondering about 1st fills. I get mine on Aug 31st. I spoke to the nurse today & he doesnt use flouro unless something not right. Hope you feel some good restriction. :smile2:

I experienced the same thing but also on my right side(thats where my port is) The numbess from the meds & the swelling is starting to go away but to put your mind at ease you might want to call your Dr. Keep us posted on your progress. Best of luck :smile2:

I can sooooo relate to you. I am in banster hell. I was banded JUly 19th. I have cancer and last week I had to go for my annual CT scans w/contrast(used to be every 3 mths) Im allergic to the dye so I need to take high doses of Prednisone 3 days prior to being tested. I also had to drink 3 bottles of barium. I had forgotten the ravinous hunger associated with it. I have been so hungry since Sat. I keep walking in the kitchen opening the fridge and cabinets looking for something & anything but nothing quenched my craving. All I have is healthy stuff so in a way that was good. Too much of healthy stuff also comes with alot of calories. I increased my exercise past couple of days to burn some of those extra calories and so far this evening seems 2b a little better but Evenings are usually my breaking point. I dont remember how long it usually last but hang in there. Please keep me posted as I will. We can get thru this together.

OMG! Ive heard things like this happen but to think this was just with water? Hope you did not irritate things to much. Hey, at least your looking good girl :eek: starting to turn heads:lol:

Well, I got a call from Angela who is Dr Martins assistant. They opened up his new office which is at the same location (same floor) but right next to the old office. They did indeed know this but were not giving out his info. They have not been able to verify my insurance wth Dr Lourie. They tell me he accepts it but when I called my insurance co they do not. I will be staying with Dr Martin cuz I know he does take my insurance & he's been my Dr for 6 yrs. He had done prior hernia repair. Here is Dr. Martins new tel # 626-765-6405 Best of luck to everyone.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Im 4 wks post-op & I was really struggling yesterday. You are an inspiration. Thanks for reminding me that everyone has their ups & down and that today is a new day & we learn to make better choices along the way. You are an amazing women inside & out.

Hi Stars. Im 4wks post and been hungry for the past 2wks AND have 2 wait another 2 wks for my 1st fill. I had been able to control it and I also fill myself up with water, tea & crystal light. YESTERDAY was a different story. I really struggled all day.:smile2: I kept walking into the kitchen and opening up the fridge and cupboards & was cool till night time. I had some chees...still hungry so then a protein bar...still hungry 2 SF popsicles I also had a headache took a darvocet & fell asleep. In the past I could stick to a diet all day & the evenings were always a struggle. Was I really hungry last night? This morning is a new day & wont let yesterday get me down. I will exercise a little more to make up for the extra calories but cant wait till I feel some restriction. *** I had to take steroids last Thursday for some CT scans cuz Im allergic to contrast dyes & they usually get me really hungry but that was 5 days ago. Hmmmm!!! like I said earlier, TODAY is a new day. Wish everyone a succesful & happy day.

I was unable to burp 1st couple of weeks after surgery then once I passed the liquied stage the burping & hiccups started. I usually get the hiccups 1st thing in the morning or whenever my stomache is quite empty & after the 1st bite or food or even 1st sip of liquids I get the hiccups. I too cant help but giggle when I let the burps come out full force (when Im alone) I was never one who burped & I find it amusing. Now when Im with compnay or in public Now thats a different matter. I for the most part can control it but then there are the surprise attacks that I have no control of and It is embarrasing. I was hoping this was a temporary thing but keep reading people who have been banded for sometime now still burp.....Oh well.

I also have Fibromyalgia/arthritis & symptoms sound the same. I was diagnosed 4 yrs prior to getting banded. I was just banded 4wks ago. I know how frustrating it is not knowing what is wrong. I went years b4 they figured it out. Im praying that you get the answers &test results you need to make your decision. Wishing you the best. Please keep us posted. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Hi Rachel, Congrats on your weight loss. Im excited for your 1st fill & let us know how it goes. I get mine on Aug 31st. I have not weighed myself at home but the inches are coming off. I was able to get into a summer dress from last year. I love this journey that were on. Keep up the great job.

Congrats on the NSV:thumbup: I had mentioned that I decided not to weigh myself but I wish I had measured myself. I have been fitting into clothes that were to tight also. What an awesome feeling. I want to hear how your 1st fill went.

Stay positive. Make sure they give you something for the nausea & liquid meds for the pain. The gas pains can be releived with some gas-x and by walking. Will be praying you have a smooth trip & recovery. Keep us posted.

Hi Sandra, glad your feeling some good restriction. Today Im 4wks post-op and my 1st fill in 2 wks & cant wait. Are the support group meetings in Brea for any SWL patient or are they for the medical group where you had surgery.

Congrats to everyones weight loss. Keep up the great work. Bella~ How exciting to be so close. You can do it! Twoderville...here comes Bella:thumbup: Leigha~ all I can say is WOW!! seen your pics of your amazing journey. What an inspiration to all of us. Today is my 4wk bandiversary & trying to be very, very patient. So looking forward to getting my 1st fill in 2 wks. Till then I make healthy choices and exercise.

1 more thing. Take measurements of yourself. Even though you might not show a weight loss you will be amazed at how many inches you will lose. You will start to notice your clothes getting looser which is a great feeling. NSV~ Im 4wks post-op today & yesterday I got into a dress that I no longer fit into. :cursing:

My Dr. warned me also of the possible weight gain. I did not have 2b on a pre-op diet but I lost 12lbs 1st week. I knew that once I started incorporating food again some weight wld come back on. I decided not to weigh myself at home until my next appt on Aug 31st which is when I get my 1st fill. I have also read on here that it can take 3 or 4 fills b4 feeling good restriction. Dont get dissapointed. The weight will eventually start to come off. From the time the swelling goes down after surgery to your 1st fill is considered "bandster hell" cuz you have no restrictions, you get hungry & you dont lose any weight or gain a bit. Make wise healthy food choices and exercise, drink your 64oz of Water & drink your Protein drinks. I try to stay within 800-1000 calories a day. Good luck & be patient. Take this time to learn new eating habits & enjoy the journey 1 day at at time.:cursing:

Sorry Sooz. Glad they found out what was causing all that pain. Hope you feel better soon.

Hello to all Cali bandsters. Moo~ Hope your feeling better. Keep us posted:) Emjay & Hottie~ I saw both your profiles Congrats to you both for your accomplishments. What an inspiration u2 are. Im 4wks post-op and my fill is coming up in 2 wks(cant wait) So far Ive had a good experience. Im taking it 1 day at a time but at the same time cant wait till next year. Hoping I look 1/2 as good as you both.

Dawn~ I totally can relate to your frustration. I only told my parents, sisters & 1 friend who have all been very supportive since the beginning. HOWEVER....my friend who lives few blocks away whenever she see's me always asks me how much I lost & tells me It does not looks like you have lost any weight. She told me this 1 week after surgery. The surprising thing is Her sister had it done a year ago & she knows how it works etc. I keep reminding her "Its just a tool & its a slow process" but same thing happend next time I saw her. I decided for at least a short while that I wld just text her & walk my dogs in opposite direction. I never thought I would get excited going into a new food state but would always looks forward to what new item I could add to my menu. ) Im 4wks this coming Mon & have been doing really good. Never had much of an appetite UNTIL TODAY!! I have increased my exercise as of yesterday & may take me a couple of days for my body to adjust but Im keeping full by drinking lots of liquids. I am eating 3 meals a day with 2 snacks. taking min 70 grms protein and around 800/1000 cal. I do not get my 1st fill for another 2 weeks. Im hoping this hunger is just a temporary thing. Worst of all I have been craving popcorn since yesterday also. Dont know if its just the salt or what. I have the Weight Watchers 1pt individual packs but not sure If I shld even try it. IM HOLDING STRONG!! :<{

Wow! I was not aware of this. I learn something everyday. I get my 1st fill in 2 weeks. Does everyone gurgle after they start getting their fills? just curious.

I had the hernia repair same day also. The pain your feeling is due to the gas. It tends to settle in your chest shoulder area for some reason. Walking helps alot. I bought Gas-x b4 surgery cuz everyone on here was tellling me it would help & sooo glad I did. Gas-x either chewable tabs or dissolving strips work great. Take it 1 day at a time. Dont try to do to much. Your body needs to heal. It will be 4wks for me on monday & you will be feeling better very soon. Best of luck on your journeys and looking forward to getting updates from all of you. This is a great forum & go to the chat room also. They have been very helpful.

Hello everyone! Had my C.T.scans & lab work yesterday & soooooooo very happy to say all test results were very good. No new tumors & existing tumors have remained stable for 5 years now. White blood cells count very good. I have to tell you that the prep which I had to start the day b4 was quite difficult. Having to drink the 8oz Barium (YUCK!) every hour for the last 4 hours b4 the test was a task. Its nasty tasting even though they give you "Berry" flavor & you all know how nasty it is. Was not quite sure if I was going to be able to keep it down. I kept telling myslf I had to cuz I was not about to reschedule & next time might be even more difficult cuz I wld have had my 1st fill. Whew...anyway got thru it and just so very happy to share my good news with all of you. I got to see the band in the CT films. Was quite interesting. My Dr's were happy about my decision to get the band. I had discussed this with them a year ago when I 1st started to look into it so I had their ok. Thanks again for all your words or encouragement & support. Blessings to all.

Lawgirl~ congrats on the weight loss. I get my 1st fill on Aug 31st & cant wait. I have not weighed myself at home but lost 10lbs 1st week (1st post-op appt). I know not to expect much weight loss until I start getting fills but the inches are melting off. So happy to be sharing this journey with all of you. Take it day by day. Have a great weekend.