cyndilou29

I had the shoulder pain from the gas from my appendectomy for about 8 years off and on. Then one day, it just went away and never came back. Interestingly though, now that I saw your post, it was after my galbladder came out. Hmmm....

Honestly, I think most people have this experience. It takes most folks a few fills before they feel anything. It's not 100% of the people, but for many.

Mark, you are so on the money there. Great post, I couldn't have said it better.

I had my first fill last week and while I got the Water in the office down fine, later that day I was really tight. Stayed tight for one more day and now I'm feeling very little restriction. My surgeon said that a lot of people swell a little after the fills and it takes a few days to go down. I've also heard on here though that you can tighten up a week or two after a fill which is bizarre. As long as you are getting liquids in (and liquid protein) you are probably ok waiting another day or two. If you stop getting your liquids in or start feeling badly you should call your surgeon and maybe see if he can unfill you a little. Good luck!

Don't risk hurting yourself by giving in. I know it's easy to do but you've come this far and you can do this. Go back on liquids and try to find some liquids that sit well with you. When you progress to mushies, you'll feel a little more satisfied. Remember though, that until your first fill you probably won't have any restriction. It's all about healing right now and some willpower. Once you get restriction it gets easier. Once you get on food though, you have to examine your food choices. pizza and fruit loops aren't great ones. Good luck. You'll get through this phase of "Bandster Hell" and be on your way to healthy soon. Keep us updated.

I agree, research to find out what is required first. I didn't have to do liquids pre-op but was on Clear Liquids for 1 week and full liquids 1 week post op. Honestly, though, just recovering from the surgery you don't want to eat too much initially anyway. Good luck though! Keep us updated on your progress. I think it's much easier to do when the band is actually in because there is a "fear factor". You are afraid to PB or slime so you follow the rules. That isn't there with you now!

I'm so sorry that you are feeling so down. It must be incredibly frustrating to be stuck at 13lbs. I know you don't want to hear this but maybe take a really deep look at what you're doing. Are you tracking your calories on FitDay or thedailyplate? Let me tell you, that was a HUGE eye opener for me. I figured I was averaging 500-600 cals when I started mushies but I was over 1000. Also, how much exercise are you doing? Every day? Are you lifting weights (ie building muscle that weighs more than fat?). If you can honestly look at yourself in the mirror and say I'm doing everything right, then you need to see your doctor for some tests. You'll break this plateu eventually, just try to be patient. Easier said than done, I know. But think about the weight you could have gained without this band. Isn't better to be 197 than to be 210? Keep us updated with your progress. I hope you break this stalemate soon!

What did the tests say? I have the same feeling and I'm wondering what the heck it is.

JJB please don't beat yourself up. Look what you've accomplished! You had a little setback but once you're filled, you'll lose it again. I think it's fairly understandable that when there is no restriction you go on a little "bender". But you will gain control again and you will lose. Hang in there..

Mine will only fill if the weightloss has stopped. If you are losing 1lb a week he won't do it. I don't think everyone does it that way but I don't think it's completely atypical either

I have the 4cc band and my doc usually puts in 1cc for the first fill but I only wanted .5cc because I had issues in the beginning (WAY overtight due to swelling) that I don't want to repeat. He said if I don't have enough restriction then to come back next week for another .5cc. Every doc is different but if you tell them where your head is, they will work with you (ie want to be more or less aggressive with the fills).

My goal is to never step foot into Lane Bryant again, even though they've been very good to me. I need to be around 180 to be comfortable in a regular size 14 (not 14W) and I'm 5'5". 30lbs to go!

You are going to get MANY opinions on this. This is my opinion, and many may disagree but here it is: Buy it. When I went to my first seminar, I pulled out a shirt that I've been wanting to fit into again. It's been years, it's not even in style anymore, but it was my favorite shirt. Every week or so, I look at it and remind myself what it felt like to be that size. It still doesn't fit (won't for another 50lbs or so) but I know it will fit some day. It may take me 3 years but it will fit again. If you can use it as motivation and not to beat yourself up, I say go for it.

I'm so happy to hear you are feeling ok. That fever thing was making me nervous. I didn't have a fever but I had the other problem. I felt like I didn't leave the bathroom for almost 3 days. My doctor's explanation? Liquid in=Liquid out. He said it happens in about 10% of the people he bands. Keep us updated. I hope you continue to do well

I can't imagine why anyone would do that, to be honest. It's almost a guarantee that you will re-gain the weight

Very normal. I had the same issue. It's typical of abdominal surgery. When I had my hysterectomy the people boards for that called it "swelly belly". It goes away, it's just the gas and fluid retention. Be patient, it will get better I promise!

I miss big gulps of liquid too! Little sips stink!

OMG Terri I am having the same thing with my hubby. I can't believe how much I notice how and what people are eating. I sat across from my DH the other night and watched him SHOVEL in his food and wash it down with rivers of liquid! I was thinking "yuck!" I know I did the same thing 6 weeks ago and it was really eye opening. You know what else was eye opening? I have 2 children, 1 thin and 1 average weight. My think one eats like I currently do. Really small bites, takes a little at a time, etc. My average weight one eats more in one sitting but only when he's hungry. If not, he won't even have a bite. I'm so thankful that I somehow raised kids without the eating issues I had (and clearly their father has! Yuck! LOL!).

No, the Protein powders are not for "weight gain" they are to help "bulk up" weightlifters. They will cause you to gain weight if you eat your regular diet and include them. However if you are using them as Meal Replacements (which we basically are) you will not have an issue with them. I highly recommend IsoPure liquid. It comes in 20 fl oz bottles and comes in different flavors (Grape Frost is my fav). It is the consistency of Water and tastes like Crystal Light. If the flavor isn't strong enough for you, you can even add a little Crystal Light to it but I like it just as it is. Each bottle has 40gm of protein in it so even if you do 1 bottle a day, you'll be all set. It is very important to get all your protein in. Especially for your hair.

This is very normal. I was banded 5 weeks ago and I felt as though I would never feel right again. I feel completely like myself now. Here's the issue though, you probably will remain unrestricted until your first fill (6 weeks or so). That's why the call this period "Bandster Hell". This time is for healing, not for weight loss. I know that's really frustrating but once you start getting filled you'll start getting more restriction

I bet you are not eating enough. I was stuck for almost two weeks with not a budge on the scale. Then I had a day where I pigged out (well relatively. I had 900 cals where I could usually only get in 500-600). The next day I was down 2 lbs.

What is the "trial"? It's odd that if you are truly in a trial they would charge you anything. That's sort of the benefit of being in a trial.

LOL, it was a "fool" moon, wasn't it? Well that would explain why he thought that would somehow make me swoon. Although ironically it did but for different reasons. And, Shawn, I agree. I'm sure it was because you looked "mo-betta". Good for you.

I'm supposed to get one next week but I'm not going to. I can't imagine ever wanting one but I'm not opposed to getting one. I have really good restriction right now without it. I guess it's like after you have a huge meal you can't imagine ever wanting to eat again, but then an hour later you do. Well, I can't imagine ever wanting a fill but if I'm eating too much or too hungry then I will.

I was tight in my 8s and into 8.5 when I got banded. Now my 8.5s are swimming on me and I'm comfortably in 8s again. I'm only down 33lbs too. When I was young and skinny (in college was the last time) I was a 7. I doubt I'll get there again but maybe 7.5. I have skinny feet to start with (the only part of me that was skinny!)so not sure losing more weight will make much of a difference but you never know.