Dave_NW

Your stitches are still healing into place where the band was placed on your stomach. You shouldn't expect any restriction at all at this point. You may experience some swelling, which translates to "false" restriction, until your system gets back to normal. What you eat, and how much of it you eat, is limited only by your personal motivation and awareness at this point. As to the pain, I've been told the nerves that surround your core midsection all terminate in the area of your left shoulder. If those nerves were irritated by the banding process, you could feel pain related to those nerves when you eat. As your stomach moves to accommodate the food you've eaten, it irritates the nerves again, resulting in pain in your shoulder. Maybe. I am certainly not a doctor. Hang in there. Each day gets easier. Good luck! Dave

I should clarify that I was playing "good cop, bad cop" about what you said. I want you to succeed. Heck, I want everyone to succeed. And I agree with the others, don't beat yourself up too badly about it. But I do think you should stop presenting yourself with opportunities to defeat your eating plan. As for your doctor saying no Snacks, I think if you PLAN a small "filler" meal in between larger meals, it isn't snacking. It's a planned meal. Included in your daily nutrition plan, it isn't a snack at all. And I think perhaps your doctor may have more accurately meant, "no grazing." That's where the real trouble comes in. Weight loss is a mathematics equation. If calories expended exceed calories taken in, you WILL lose weight, Guaranteed. The rest is just in the details. Good luck! Dave

Sorry, but I'm going to be a bit tougher than the posters above. What the HELL are you thinking??? Junk food? Really?? And not once, but at least THREE times? Come on! You said in your post, "I thought I'd make it at least 3-4 months before I started "cheating"." So you're pre-planning that you'll cheat? Honestly? That kind of mindset is dooming you for failure before you even start. Stop it! You know banding is a process, it is not a magic bulet. If you allow yourself to set yourself up to cheat, you will have a much harder time being successful. Get your head back in the game, and get back on track! Now, having said all that, let me offer this: If you're going to eat something you know you shouldn't have, make yourself work for it. Force yourself to exercise in advance for the calories it'll take to burn it off - and then "reward" yourself with the item - if you still want it. Plan the calories/fat of the item into your daily nutrition, so it isn't "cheating." If it's incorporated, you don't have to feel bad about eating it. But if you eat it, you need to earn it first. Wishing you nothing but success, and a smooth, continued weight loss. Dave

No offense taken. I was only commenting that it's a surprise that Wendy's chili is a viable choice for a bander to eat. Wendy's has a number of good things that aren't so "fast food-ish." Chicken strips and fries? Really? Do some people not listen to their Nutritionist? I'm still on the soft foods phase post-op, so am experimenting with various types of soups and such. I'm having a very good time with it. I can't imagine eating anything deep fried. Dave

My NUT says each bite should be no larger than a dime. (Funny how each surgeon team has different recommendations.) Dave

Nate, other than giving you a reason to stop and think about what you're eating, the band at this point for you is only a thing in your digestive tract. After you start getting fills, you'll get closer to the sweet spot everyone is after, Restriction is the goal, as another step toward losing the weight. You've only been banded a few weeks, and your body is still healing up. My surgeon doesn't give a fill till six weeks after surgery. So I'd think you're in the same place I am. Rather than worry about how you can eat anything, you should focus on trying to eat smart, and getting ready for your first fill. Don't be frustrated or impatient - it takes tme to get things totally tuned up. You're still in the starting phases. Good luck! Dave

I think I am one who keeps recommending Wendy's chili. I had done my research, and had previously vetted it through my NUT. She gave me a thumbs-up on it, because even though it's sold at a fast food restaurant, it's not a bad choice. It's as good as something you might make in your own kitchen. And since the point of this thread was what to choose from among a small selection of restaurants, it made a lot of sense. There are a number of smart choices available in a lot of fast food rstaurants these days, if you do a bit of research ahead of time. Not everything is a greasy burger and fries. Dave

I've been on high blood pressure meds for several years, and generally have managed to keep my numbers within reasonable limits ~125/95 or so, sometimes a bit higher. I've been taking two different meds to get those numbers down to that level. So then I was banded a bit over three weeks ago. I've dropped a chunk of weight. Yesterday was my first day back at work since surgery. I found myself feeling unfocused and a bit lightheaded. It occurred to me that maybe my blood pressure was too low, due to the changes in my weight, diet, and the two meds I've been taking for it. I checked my blood pressure and found it was down to 101/63. Yikes! I contacted my PCM doctor and asked her if I should stop taking my BP meds and monitor things. She agreed, and said I should check my BP several times a day, and advise within a few days of the results. So I've checked my BP every two hours today at work. It is absolutely normal ~120/74 or so each time - without ANY blood pressure meds. I'm pretty pleased about that, since this could mean two fewer pills to take every day. I'm all for that. I wanted to post about it in case others are having the same symptoms I was having. Good luck! Dave

Another vote for Wendy's chili. It's awesome. Dave

You need to remember, and maybe tell your friend, that if weight loss surgery was a quick fix, then nobody would be fat anymore. This is YOUR journey, and if you're comfortable that the gym isn't the right answer for you, then banding might be a solution. Don't let others try to distract you from your ultimate goal, which is weight loss so you can be a healthier person. A side effect of that is clothes that fit, and a better attitude. But in the meantime, you'll be healthier and happier for your child and husband, but mostly for yourself. Keep researching, and decide whether banding is the right choice for you. If you do decide to do it, you'll find a whole new world is waiting for you after your surgery. The alternative is to do nothing, and continue to be frustrated with your life as it is now. My biggest regret about being banded is that I waited as long as I did. I wish I had done this years ago. Good luck! Dave

It is, Raul. You're going to really like it. Good luck with your appt.! Dave

Becky, to test how you tolerate it, go get Wendy's chili. It's awesome. The small size has 220 calories, 18 grams of Protein, 22 grams of carbs, and 7 grams of fat. And it's delicious. I find one container is good for two to three meals. Good luck! Dave

Even more things to be grateful for, that may mean even more: The unqualified love and support of my friends and family. Today was Christmas, and we visited around to the homes of close friends and family. Nobody has seen me since I was banded - some didn't even know I was having it done. Their surprise and loving responses to how I look so far was so rewarding, I can't tell you. I have a long way to go on my journey, but as it's going so far, I'm really, really pleased. What are you finding? Am I the only one who is experiencing this kind of thing? Dave

I have Tricare Prime, which is run a bit differemtly than Tricare Standard, but I went through something similar. I had initially contacted a local WLS center to see about surgery. I attended a seminar, and got all ready to move forward. Then I learned I needed a referral from my PCM. So I went to the PCM, got my referral, went back to the WLS people, only to find out they don't accept Tricare at all. If I had continued, I'd have had to pay it all out of pocket. Back to my PCM. After calling around, I found an experienced WL surgeon who accepted Tricare. Got another referral from my PCM to that doctor, and I went to an introductory appointment. He was great, everything looked good, except for the teensy detail nobody had mentioned - his clinic wasn't approved for actually DOING the surgery. They took Tricare, but apparently Tricare hadn't approved them. So, here I go again... Third try: I found an approved hospital surgery center with an approved doctor, and got a third referral. Went to see them, and had a very frank conversation with their insurance referral coordinator. I wanted to be absolutely clear that everything I needed to be covered WAS covered. And it was. I was banded three weeks ago, and based on the Claims page at Tricare, it looks like everything the hospital is billing Tricare for is being approved. It'll be interesting to check the bottom line to se how much the hospital bills vs. how much Tricare pays. Good luck with your journey, and with your surgery. Dave

Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on your banding! It sounds like you're right on track, and like you're exactly where you should be. Keep it up! Good luck! Dave

Kim, walking helps dissipate the gas. Sipping water helps calm your stomach, and it will take away some of the hunger pangs. You need to remember your band is stitched to your stomach. It needs time and opportunity to heal up so you can get on with things. Rushing your recovery is not what you want to do, regardless of how expensive the doctor was. Find another type of shake you can tolerate, and get your nutrition in. If you don't, you run the risk of malnutrition, which has its own set of side effects. (like bone and muscle loss, and your hair falls out.) I had all sorts of issues with the shakes I thought I'd be drinking post-op, and I ended up using Musle Milk Light from costco. 150 cals, 20g Protein, 10g carbs in an 8.25 ounce ready-made shake. Very easy to drink. It was the only one I tried that I can drink. Be smart, and don't take risks. You'll find you'll get better more quickly if you give your body something to work with. And drinking Protein Shakes will kill your appetite. Good luck! Dave

They tell me the relative tightness of the band can and does change as you go along. You'll be fine one night, and next morning be too tight. In your case, it could be you had a bit of swelling after your fill, then maybe your TOM, maybe a bit of stress? Now you've calmed down and things are suddenly different? I'd monitor it, and see if you don't feel better soon. A big part of banding for me has been learning to listen to my body, and learn its cues in how it does things. It's been interesting! Good luck! Dave

I was banded the 6th of December, and met with my surgeon's team yesterday. They said exercise in moderation is okay, as long as there is no lifting over 15 pounds. So I'd think aerobic activity would be fine, if low intensity. If you feel faint, or have rapid heartbeat, stop. Stay hydrated. Remember, no matter how good you feel, you are still recoving from a major surgery. Take your time - you're only three days out. If it was me, I'd wait another week at least. Dave

I think you need to relax a bit and let your system adjust to the changes you've put it through. First you were too tight, and stressed out about that. Now you're too loose, and stressing about that. I know you're anxious, but come on, girl - take a breath! LOL! Go on liquids for a couple days, and let your system calm down. Get past your TOM. Then evaluate EXACTLY what you're putting into your body, vs. what you're taking from it. Weight loss is a game of numbers. If you expend more than you take in, you WILL lose weight. It's a biological fact. If you don't get enough nutrition, your body will go into starvation mode, and you will retain or gain weight. Increase your Protein intake, increase your exercise output, and see if things don't settle down for you. I'll wager if you do that, the scale will start moving the other way. Don't be rash with your behaviors. You didn't gain this weight overnight, and it won't come off overnight. But be smart about the overall process, and see if things don't improve for you. Wishing you nothing but success and good luck! Dave

I'm nearly three weeks out from surgery, and have just been cleared to get off of only Protein shakes, and go to soft foods with Protein Shakes in between. I've had a bit of a tough time with only protein shakes, so this next phase could not have come soon enough. I had half a scrambled egg for Breakfast this morning. Since that went down easily, for dinner, I had a real treat: Wendy's chili. OMG, nothing has ever tasted so good in my life. Best of all, I only had about a quarter cup, so there is a lot of leftovers for later. Yay! I've never been a major food junkie, (just a big eater who made bad choices), but I have to say, this little chili reward was most excellent. Funny how priorities change. Then, to add to the good feelings, I'm down 41 pounds since this started for me, and I have cracked a number I haven't seen the underside of in about five years. I now weigh less than I did the last time I went on a major diet. I've had to dig out my "outgrown clothes" to find blue jeans to wear that stay up - the ones I'm used to wearing are now (hopefully forever) too big to wear. I could not be happier. As part of my post-op life, I'm realizing how grateful I am for the little things in life. How about you? Dave

Hi there. Welcome to the party! If you're only a week out from your band surgery, your body is still healing up. True, there is no fill, but right now you should focus on getting healed up, not trying to lose weight or worry about how much you're eating. You very likely have a bit of swelling in your band area, so feel an artificial amount of restriction. After your swelling recedes, you may find you'll be able to eat more than you are now. But keep in mind that you have stitches in your stomach that are healing, so if you overdo the foods, you could cause yourself problems down the road. Slow down, and be very careful. Good luck! Dave

Your priorities right now should be about healing from surgery, not weight loss. That will happen later. Get well properly, and then move toward weight loss. Follow your doctor's advice, do whatever it takes to get your nausea under control, and rest as much as you can. I found sipping lots of room temperature Water, and walking frequently did a lot to settle my system. After a few days I felt much better, and within a week, it was almost like the band surgery hadn't even happened. Good luck! Dave

I'm guessing Time of the Month? Dave

Congrats, Becky! Keep working the plan, and you'll do fine. Good luck! Dave

Susi, I think it's great that you're exploring options. Whatever decision you make, you need to be comfortable that it's the right decision for you. I hope you can find the answers you're after. First off, choosing a surgery just because your online friends have had it is not a good reason to have it done. If you look further, you'll be able to find different online friends. You need to choose what's right for you, not what is the popular answer. I looked into RNY last summer, and attended a live support session sponsored by a WLS surgeon I know. At that meeting I asked the six or eight women present (there were no other guys) why they had chosen RNY over other types of surgery. To a person, they all said they were so morbidly obese, they knew they needed to drop a huge amount of weight as quickly as possible. For one, the surgery was a huge success - she looked amazing, and if nobody had said she'd had RNY, I'd have never known. The rest looked somewhat less good - their color was off (they all were various shades of gray), and the horror stories they were sharing about the negative side effects of life after RNY really gave me pause. I didn't have *that* much weight to lose, and decided the litany of problems associated with RNY just was more than I wanted to take on. Sleeve gastrectomy, and the more recent sleeve plication surgeries were also viable options for me. I felt maybe they'd be able to result in as dramatic a weight loss, but then I found my insurance wouldn't cover either of them. So it came down to the lap band. At first I was reluctant to embrace the band. It seemed somehow less "committed" than the other types of surgery. I was slanted against the band, because I didn't want to have to work at it. I wanted that magic bullet that will do all the work for me, while I sat back and admired myself for being so clever. To work the band requires effort, planning, and being proactive in my own weight loss. I'll admit I wanted to take the lazy way out, and I felt the band was going to be too much work. The more I researched, the more my mind changed. I read story after story about people who had been banded, and who have had great success with the band, with relatively few side effects. The turning point came for me the day I was given some very direct advice by someone who had already been down that road: They said, "The ultimate goal is to lose the weight. With a band you can still lose, just more slowly, and maintaining is a lot easier after the fact. Your insides are still intact, and if there are problems, it can be removed." Then they leveled me with this comment: "Yes, it takes work, and it takes longer to lose with the band. But in a couple of years, after the weight is gone, and all everyone will see is the new you, does it really matter which method you used to get there?" I was gobsmacked. I realized it was truly about losing the weight, and getting my life back. I have never looked back. I was banded on December 6. I'm just getting started, and I know I have a long ways to go. But as of this morning, I'm down 41 pounds, and I weigh less than I have in over five years. I'm very, very pleased. Good luck! Dave