sbrick

Thanks everyone for the advice. Your feedback has helped greatly.

I just had my first fill via my doctor. I've heard from people that he's a hard ass, but I guess I had no idea. I had followed the eating plan given to me, but midway through my six week recovery, I came down with the flu (I didn't exercise during that time). I still managed to lose 17 pounds before my doctor's visit. Once I got to his office this past week, he told me how terribly he thought i'd done. He said for someone my size, I should have lost 30 pounds and I was failing. I've always heard that any weightloss in the healing stage is good weightloss, am I right? We went over my food and the foods he recommends contradicts what the nutritionist gives you in a meal plan. He had me speak to another patient (who was bigger than me) and had managed to lose 35 lbs in 6 weeks. Am I missing something? You seasoned bandsters, can you please give me some advice? Thanks!

There are too many changes in my life to type them all!!! Whoo Hoo! But I will give you a top ten!

10. I can wear normal jewelry (ring size a 6.5-7; down from a 10) I love jewelry but couldn't wear much before!

9. I can wear a size medium shoe. Down from a double wide. Still wide calfs for boots but....

8. I don't need a seat belt extender for the plane.

7. I can bend over and tie my shoe without holding my breath.

6. I'm no longer ashamed to walk into a crowded room.

5. I like to take pictures now.

4. I wear shirts tucked in with belts.

3. I now feel like I don't embarrass my boys ages 14,13, and 11.

2. I love to shop for clothes now!!! Down from a size 24W to a 12~14ish, depending on item and brand.

1. I love to exercise now! I can run 3-5 miles!!!!

My life has changed so much for the better!!!! I love my band! I've lost 110 pounds and still going. It's taken me 2 years but I'm happy!

So very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

So what kind of changes have you guys experienced since you started losing weight? I'm just very interested to talk to more people closer to my age who've gone through/going through things similar to me. Tell me your stories! I'm really interested in getting to know you guys!

I'm Stephanie and I'm 27.

I was banded on Nov. 5th.

I've lost 16 lbs so far.

I've noticed that my confidence is slowly rising...already.

Now your turn!

GO!

I was really just curious about something. How much should one expect to lose prior to the first fill? I will have my first fill on Dec. 13th and I've lost 12lbs. YAY! Am I on track or no (if I was banded on Nov. 5th)? If any of you "band seniors" could help shed a little light on this for me, it would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello,

I was just banded yesterday Nov 10 and have the same gas, bloating, and not sure if it's hunger pains or pain from the incisions or what. It's a really weird feeling. I used the strips for gas and bloating, I guess it's helped a little because I haven't had the shoulder pain like I've heard is very common. My stomach is also making weird gurgling noises and once in a while I will feel a sharp pain move around...almost like it's trapped gas. My incisions are still covered with the same bandages I left the hospital yesterday with and I just got a call from the hospital saying I could take them off, take a shower, and replace them with new bandages after the skin is completely dry.

I've been walking a lot around the house..maybe too much because my incisions have bled a bit under the bandages.

The booklet my doctor gave me prior to surgery says that a little bloody drainage from your incisions is normal. You're describing the questionable feelings in your stomach? From what I've gathered from this site so far, it's completely normal to feel that way after surgery. My stomach did the gurgling noises, too! Just keep on walking, sipping your clear fluids, and make sure to get your Protein and you're gonna be feeling just fine in no time!

good evening everyone,

i was also banded on 11/5/2010. My surgery went off without a hitch and i was at home 6 hours after surgery. I have not really experienced any soreness or pain and i also have not had any of the gas i have read and heard about.

Even sleeping on my stomach has not been a problem.

Now for the problems...

My dr. Put me on a clear liquid diet for two weeks post op. I am starving all the time. Nothing seems to give me a satisfied feeling. Rather its a pressured feeling on top of the band. I was not prepared for how difficult it would be to even drink Water, but i have to take very very small sips of Water.< /p>

My biggest fear right now is that i am getting enough nutrition in my body as i am only consuming approximately 200-300 calories a day right now.

At this point and the way i am feeling i wonder if i will ever be able to eat solid food.

I am happy with my decision and am looking forward to the results, just was not prepared for the difficulties with liquid.< /p>

Tell me it will get better......

I am glad i found this forum to talk about this with others that know what i am talking about.

I would also like to find a support group in the austin, tx. Area to attend meetings and meet other banders.

:rolleyes2::thumbup:

it's gonna get better! We can do this!

Princess,

How many calories should I strive to consume each day? I've been reading on the site that if you aren't careful to get in the right amount of calories each day, that you may not lose (which we've all heard before). I consumed a little under 700 calories today and feel like there's no way I could have eaten any more than that! I'm really excited about my new journey and the fact that I'm learning to appreciate every single bite of food I put in my mouth! If you'd let me know about the calories, that'd be great!

Thanks! :rolleyes2:

Edit: I actually found the answer on my own!

Hi all!

So i'm almost a week post-op, my surgery was last weds...and I'm feeling kind of scared that maybe i'm doing something wrong? I have been feeling almost completely normal the past day or two, have had slight pain at the incisions but nothing i've needed medicine for recently, and the gas is almost gone. I even did a mile walk today on the bikepath nearby. i've also been able to have Soup and cream of wheat that's been "watered or milked" down to more of a liquid. this is all on my post op list of what I can have set by my surgeon....but i see others on here are on clear liquids or just the Protein packs with Water still... so i'm concerned that i'm moving too fast. any thoughts? i don't want to mess up!!! :rolleyes2:

Every surgeon is different and give you directions based on their opinion on what they've seen that works. You aren't doing anything wrong. It sounds like you're doing everything right (according to what I've been told)! I'm sure you're fine.

Yeah my day is finally here! This time tomorrow I will be among my fellow "banded".friends on here. I'm excited. Anybody got any words of wisdom before I continue this journey that you guys have already done??? Anybody with me on the 11th? Maybe we can share our experience. I know these pages have been a tremendous help to me. If I can let u guys know my experiences tomorrow I will go on line. Wish me luck and weight loss!!!!

I'm 5 days in from my surgery. Just know that if you have the problem with gas...it will get better! Just make sure you keep going for walks and know that that's the best way to alleviate it (or lying on your left side). I've been drinking lots of white tea. It's not completely caffeine free, but it's been helping my digestive tract move a little more efficiently (if you get my drift) and it feels nice having warm liquids going into your stomach. What I've been told: Drink your allotted amount of Water every day, get in your required amount of Protein (40-50 grams per day), walk as much as you can, take your Vitamins, and take small sips of EVERYTHING. Otherwise, it's super uncomfortable.

I know I still have lots of learn, but this is the best advice that I can give you based on my experience thus far. I wish you the very best luck!

Princess,

How many calories should I strive to consume each day? I've been reading on the site that if you aren't careful to get in the right amount of calories each day, that you may not lose (which we've all heard before). I consumed a little under 700 calories today and feel like there's no way I could have eaten any more than that! I'm really excited about my new journey and the fact that I'm learning to appreciate every single bite of food I put in my mouth! If you'd let me know about the calories, that'd be great!

Thanks!

Same to you! I wasn't sure anyone was even going to respond. Let's exchange emails and we can start emailing back and forth about our progress?

Last night I woke up literally every two hours. I could only get comfortable on my back with a pillow on my stomach. I'll let you know if the gas stuff starts to work, but I've taken my max dose for today! I'm uncomfortable all the time, too. I feel really swollen and gross. Does your stomach feel like you've done a billion crunches, too?

So, after surgery, I felt extremely nauseated. I was in pain in my abdomen but I remember the doctor telling me I needed to move around to heal faster. So, I got up and walked. Ever since the surgery, I've felt a very strange feeling in my stomach. I don't know whether I'm hungry, full, or if it's just gas. Such a strange change from the norm of always knowing if I was hungry or not. My port site burns when I move certain ways, but I've been doing pretty good. The worst part thus far is the gas buildup. I've been walking off and on all day and still have a huge mass of gas in my stomach. I tried the gas strips, I even tried gas pills. No real relief yet. I'm just hanging out, doing what I'm told and hoping that I start feeling better soon. My stomach is making the craziest noises!