jguttery

I was banded on 11-1-10, and I really didn't have too many struggles. Sure I was sore after surgery, have a couple of stuck food incidents here and there, but otherwise there isn't one thing that has really been hard. The hardest struggle and I really don't think of it as a struggle is that everyone in my house is obese and all the junk foods are still around. That being said, I went into this journey realizing that I was going to have to change me and not anyone else. To change the way I ate and the way I "thought" about food. I have my own section of the fridge, where I keep my heathy food, and have learned not to dig around the fridge to find something to eat. Yes there are those days, that I feel like I am hungry when I know I am not. Today just happens to be one of those days. I still eat out.... just look at the appetizer menu or value menu depending on where I go. My progress so far: 83 pounds lost in just under 120 days, have gone from a tight 3XL shirt to a XL or L and from a size 44 or46 jeans to a 36.

I was banded in November, and remember every single bit that you are going through. The shoulder pain is probably from gas. Mine seemed to move around alot and finally went away about midway of the second week. The gurgling, it's probably not as loud and you imagine, but you are more alert on the sips you are taking. But yes, It seemed loud and awkward to me too. Congrats on the progress of your journey!!!! John

I figured I would add my 2 cents onto this post. Which starts with, I have no understanding why people who have had other WLS's feel so eager to put down the band and tell all the negative aspects. With that being said, I do believe that the band takes a lot of dedication to lifestyle reform and learning heathier habits, ie no more breakfasts for me of 6 biscuits with gravy, 4 sausage patties, hashbrowns smothered, covered, diced, chopped, capped and whatever else I could add on. I hate to her that a friend is trying to tell you that you are making the wrong decision! Here are some of the life changing positive aspects I have found with the band. 1. No more C-PAP, 2. Lower Blood Pressure, 3. I use the stairs now, 4. I can walk from the back of the parking lot without loosing my breath, 5. Actually can walk into any store and find my size in clothes, 6. Trying to remember what a back ache feels like, 7., Strangers treat me nicer, 8. Haven't heard a fat cop doughnut joke in a while, 9. Sex life has improved, 10...... okay I can go on and on and on. Use the pre-op diet/post op diet time as a way to learn healthier eating and a better lifestyle. The band can be a wonderful tool (there's that word again), however it's up to you and you alone. The best of luck in whatever decision you make!!!!! john

I have never been sore after at stuck and sliming episode, but I definately don't ever feel like trying to eat again for a few hours later. I remember the first time I got stuck.... a tiny piece of chicken that was too dry!!!! An hour of sliming and PBing, plus I made the mistake of thinking.... maybe a couple sips of water will get it down, learned real fast liquids just make it worse. I have found that my band is tighter in the mornings, and if I have some hot liquids an hour or so before my first meal it helps.

Congrats on your journey! The first couple of weeks seemed the hardest for me. You will find that each day you feel better and better.

It maybe that your stomach is still healing and that is the pains you are feeling. I know what I thought was hunger pains actually went away in a couple of weeks. Yogurt four days post-op? Lucky you... I had two weeks of clear liquids!!!!!

For me the first couple of months I was stict on everything I ate... I counted every single calorie, measured every portion of veg, weighed every portion of meat, cut out all starchy carbs, and no sugar. That's what worked for me, but everyone is different. I admit lately I have been off the wagon a little, and having the occasionaly bread, or sweets. I came back to the forums in hopes of getting re-motivated and back on track. Try counting calories first... if you learn to count everything, you would be surprised where those extra calories add up..... and watch the sliders!!!!! John

I've only had my band for a little under three months and just had my first fill the other day. The times I have got stuck have usually been when my band feels tighter in the mornings, and usually on meat or bulky foods. Or when I try to take a too big bite of food. You may not be at your sweet spot, but you have just enough restriction to get stuck. Try keeping a journal or make notes on what type of food and what time of day that you get stuck. John

I started at 323 and am currently 243. I think what helped me is that I stopped thinking about food. My daily beginning meals were, egg white and veg scramble, lunch was usually fish or chicken and veg and fish or chicken and veg for dinner. A snack or two in between of fat free pudding or yogurt. Count calories, weigh portions, and limit starchy carbs.

Congrats to everyone!!!!! I was banded on Nov 1st, 2010. So far I have lost 80 lbs. Down from a size 44 jeans/48 slacks to 36 jeans and 38 or 40 slacks. My recent NSV, The wife and I went to Vegas last week and found the premium outet mall. I was great being able to pick a L or XL shirt off the rack and it actually fitting!!!!! Needless to say I racked up on Calvin Kleine, Polo, and Brooks Brothers!! john

Hey Y'all, I was banded on Nov 1st and as of today, I have lost 80lbs without having a fill. I get my first fill later this afternoon, since I have lost a lot of my restriciton. I can tell you that each persons experience is totally different from the next. I had a decent amount of restriction the first couple of months without having a fill, however I also changed the way I eat or view food. So mine was part physical and part mental attitude. I really never experience bandster hell. My biggest suggestion is count, count, count those calories. I mean every single one of them. If it passes your lips count it!!! Avoid sliders as much as possible and pre-plan meals. I know the times I have cheated have usually been the times I didn't pre-plan my meals for the day. Good luck all!!!! John

It will take a few days to start feeling better... but you will. The pain in the chest could be gas.. could still be a little anesthesia... and could be just because you had a major surgery and everything is just sore. But it will get better. I found the more I got up and walked and stayed as active as I could the better I felt the next day. They first few days are rough... hang in there!!!

You may need to have a talk with your doctor and nutritionist. Take a close look at you calorie intake and count every single calorie. You may find that there are hidden calories that you don't realize you are even taking in. Butter on the popcorn.....Salad dressings.....Sugary drinks, all those add up fast. Don't defeat yourself my just giving into temptation to eat something and grab the first high calorie thing that is available. Notice I said "defeat yourself", it has nothing to do with the band..... as we all have heard so many times in the past, the band is just a tool.... you have to put in the work! SF jello, SF popsicles even sugar free pudding are great low cal treats that can ease that initial head hunger. Best of luck!!!!!

I was speaking with the surgeons nurse during my pre-op visit and she told me that they have one patient that has not had a single fill, and she has had the band over 1 1/2 years and has lost 100+ pounds. I'm sure that she is the exception.

The Isopure Zero Carb flavors mix fairly well with water. I'm not a huge milk fan, but I did like using almond milk instead of dairy milk. less calories, less carbs. Also I found fat free yogurt, and puddings were a great subsitute when mixed in with some water. Just be careful and watch the calories/fat/carbs you are adding into the shakes.

I've been on full liquids for a couple of days so far.... and canned soups are starting to get boring..... so this morning I made cream of chicken, with a can of Rotel, cilantro, and a little bit of fat free sour cream.... it was a nice change from most of the plain cream of whatever soups.

I'm sure liquid Tylenol is fine... you might want to call your Doc and ask. My doc told me to take medications as normal and not worry about if they were liquid or not. I haven't had a problem yet with any of them... and I was banded on Monday. I had a slight headache yesterday, but once I increased my fluid intake it went away.

Most people will tell you that the pre-op diet is intended to shrink the liver... and it is. Trust me you want that to happen. It keeps the procedure from becoming an open procedure. My surgeon told me after the operation, that he could tell I pretty much stuck to the pre-op diet... and for the most part I did. My only cheats were a few cucumber slices and three pork rinds over a 16 day period. I know all the pre-op diets are challenging... but do your best to stick to it.

I understand exactly what you are going through, I was banded on Monday... never did have too much shoulder pain though... however I feel bloated and heavy. It's from the gas they use during surgery to expand the abdomen. Like the others said... it will eventually go away, it just takes time. I've tried Gas-X, I've tried walking......it's just gonna take time.

I wouldn't worry about being hungry.... it's normal. Your body is healing. Just follow your post op diet instructions and you'll be fine... Yesterday was day 3 post op for me and my appetite has increased... John

Congrats on beginning your journey. Your doc will probably tell you no carbonated drinks... besides sodas and sweetened drinks are a bunch of empty calories and self defeating. I was a huge soda addict too, however I quit them cold turkey and haven't missed them one bit. Some docs feel that carbonated beverages may stretch the pouch. As far as lifting, I had surgery on Monday and am not allowed to lift anything more than 20 pounds for 2 weeks. It's a precaution to make sure the body heals well after surgery.

I would recommend taking the cpap with you., Right after recovery when I was drifting in and out of sleep, my o2 level dropped to 83% but came back up after my cpap was put on.... just my 2cents.

As of yesterday I am banded. The surgery went well, and a one night stay in the hospital. I'm sore, especially around the port area. Feeling a little better tonight than I did this morning. No bad gas pains....thank God!!! Trying to stay hydrated.. and sipping, sipping sipping.

I'm Banded!!!! Had my surgery yesterday morning. Everything went fine. I'm sore and moving slow but nothing unbearable. Guess I got lucky no bad gas pains.... just a little last night after I got moving around some. Came home this morning, the pain meds are good and sugar free Popsicle are great.