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When I eat too fast I immediately get the pain in my chest and left shoulder. I am 4 weeks post opt. I am getting used to it though because sometimes that pain is the trigger for me to stop eating.

I really hate that I'm having to post this, but I don't really see that I have a choice. And sorry for the long post. I signed up with True Results for my gastric sleeve surgery. They did fine handling the insurance verification part, if a bit slow. Once I got approval from my insurance company, they told me my surgeon would be Dr. John Marsden here in Dallas. I set up an appointment to meet with him prior to surgery only to find that it was a group session, with a quickie 5-or-so minute personal time to ask him questions. He seemed nice, so I didn't think much of it. I worked with his scheduler, Jodie, to get my surgery set up for August 25th, and arranged all my work/medical leave/training/vacation around it. A week later I got an email from Jodie telling me that now Dr. Marsden was going to be out of town on the day of my surgery, and I would have to pick a different date. This meant moving my surgery up to August 11th. Okay, no big deal, I'll just rearrange my entire schedule over again, now having to attend training in Houston instead of Dallas (more on this later). The day of surgery, I arrived at 11am at Baylor Plano like I was told. The nurse had me get in my gown and socks and wait. Only about half an hour later did we find out that Dr. Marsden's office had messed up his schedule, and he was two hours late arriving that day. My surgery, originally scheduled at 1pm, did not happen until 4:30pm. I spent five hours in a hospital gown, in a small room, starring at the ceiling. I saw Dr. Marsden once, about three hours before my surgery, when he peeked his head in my door for about 5 seconds to make sure I was there. My anesthesiologist, who had not communicated with me AT ALL prior, showed up about ten minutes before my surgery to make sure I had signed the consent forms, not seemingly to actually care about my condition. I never saw Dr. Marsden again. I woke up in the recovery room briefly, and I was only really aware again when I got to my room. My parents said that no one had ever told them how anything went, they never saw Dr. Marsden, never saw any promised surgery pictures, and they hadn't seen the anesthesiologist. The only way they knew I was going to my room was from a computer screen in the waiting room. The surgery had taken half the time everyone had quoted. My nurse checked me when I rolled into the room, but didn't come back for the next 2 hours. In the meantime, the Dilaudid they gave me wasn't really cutting any of the pain, so the next hours are a bit of a blur. My nurse finally came back and got me on some different pain medication around midnight, and I did well getting up to walk as soon as possible. I was feeling much better by the next morning. Around 7am, I was told that I needed to do a swallow test to check my staple line, and couldn't go home without it. The only problem? The imaging center took ER and ICU patients first, and I would have to be fit around them. That meant my test wasn't until 11am. Meanwhile, I had been asking for "Laura", the nurse practitioner who was my ticket to discharge. She was always too busy to come to my room. Finally, around 4pm, we managed to get a visit. I asked about my surgery, since I hadn't seen hide or hair of Dr. Marsden at all, and she said she had no idea what had occurred, other than a sleeve, since his operating report wasn't posted yet. To this day, I could be missing a gallbladder or have had a hernia repair, and not know it. I called Dr. Marsden's office as soon as I was able once I was home, as I was told to schedule my post-op follow up appointment. The receptionist told me that I was to call True Results, not them, as I would not be seeing Dr. Marsden again. Nice, huh? True Results was completely booked up, except when I have to be in Houston (due to Dr. Marsden's scheduling problem), so I'm now wondering what the point is of going to a post-op appointment almost a month after the fact. So basically, after the pretty bad assembly-line experience I've had, basically being left alone to figure everything out, I'm thinking I should just find someone outside of True Results to work with going forward. I'm actually healing very well, but I would love to have a nutritionist or someone to talk to. Anyone have any suggestions? Something I haven't thought of? And is it normal for your surgeon to ditch you as soon as the stitches are knotted and the steri strips glued?

I am so sorry to hear about your less than personal experience. Surgeon's don't stick around long, but they should f/u. I saw my surgeon at the initial consult, on my last pre-op prior to surgery, in the OR and at my 2 week f/u. However the program is run as a team approach so I have seen the same nutritionist, nurse, NP at every appointment. Sadly this is a warning to all to truly investigate programs. I looked at 2 different programs before settling on the one I choose. To the OP, I would definitely seek out someone else for follow care. You may even be able to use your PCP if they are willing. I am happy to hear that you are doing well. I hope that continues to be the case.

I joined this forum two years ago when I was going through my insurance approval process. I eventually decided not to get the surgery about one month before it was scheduled. I started working out really hard and dieting. I lost 80lbs and felt great.....now guess what....just like every other time in my life I gained it all back. I'm active, I hike, scuba dive, swim etc...I'm not a lazy person but I just can't keep the weight off. I'm so fed up and sad. So here I am starting over and think the band might be the answer. I am concerned about the long term affects of it. I'm not really posting to get answers but hoping to find people with similar feelings. I meet with Dr. Luttrell in two weeks and Dr. Wellborn after that.

i've been religiously measuring and weighting AND tracking everything i eat (MFP) for the past 6 weeks. i was off work today so i didn't prepare my meals the night before .... so i guess i jus got busy w/kids and the house and never tracked anything i ate. i still made good food choices, i jus didn't measure/weigh or track anything except my late breakfast...(everything bagel thin - 2 oz ham - 1 oz cheddar cheese - toasted and made into a sandwich - only ended up eating half - daughter ate the other half when i got up lol!!!) i know i made good choices - i guess i'm jus frustrated because i don't have proof - or a calorie intake number for today. i know it's not about calories, but about portion control and food choices - but my crazy brain jus needs to see concrete numbers/food choice lists/ etc. to remind the rest of me that i'm still doing a good job and still on track. (plus tracking keeps me accountable for what i eat - measuring keeps me honest about portions!!! ) i'll do better tomorrow for sure! i don't like feeling out of sorts - espeically w my eating!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Twas the Night before Vacation, All dogs out of the house. Nestled on a Ranch, hopefully chasing a mouse. I'm trying to figure - what clothes to pack, keeping my mind busy so not to snack. It's that "in between" stage that's my daily struggle, size 10, 12 or a 14 I juggle. So and extra suitcase I order to hubby, to pack my workout clothes, to fend off the chubby. I'm going to run, workout, and take care & Hope the margaritas dont' kick me too hard - in the derriere. So off from LBT I am for a week, my support system in mind - so not to cheat. I thank you all for the journey right now, and hope my fill keeps me from eating a cow.

I went to a seminar about December 12th, had my consultation a week later and then had my surgery on January 4th. I was a self pay so it is a much faster process. I need to loose 80lbs and I have lost 20 so far. I had my surgery on Friday and went back to work on Monday even though I was still tired. You start feeling really good around the 4th-5th day. They want you to talk to a physchiatrist to make sure you are really ready for this surgery, since it is a life changing surgery. You have to put alot of work into this surgery to make it a sucess. It is not easy believe me! Well good luck with your journey!

2 More Weeks to Surgery June 5th And I am on Count Down!!!!

Hey everyone! It's been a few weeks since I've been on here, I've officially had the worlds craziest work month (the life of a nurse.) Anyway, I was banded on 7/25/12 and I'm feeling really great. Just had my 2nd fill yesterday, so I now have a total of 7cc in my band. I'm feeling so close to my "sweet spot", Dr. Thinks my next fill should really work wonders. Yeah! I haven't weighed myself since 2 days before my last fill, in which I actually did 2 days of clear liquids& Protein shakes prior to the fill and I'm going to do an extra2 days of it as well...sooo a total of 7 days of stage 1. I feel that its jumpstarting my diet again. My last weigh in at the doctors I was 209/210 (myscale said 209, his said 210) which was on the 20th. I've given myself a challenge. I told myself I want.to be out of the 200s by Oct. 1st, and its driving me nuts that I am not weighing myself everyday BUT guys, its so much better this way! I feel like I'm losing, I've been exercising everyday and burning a good amount of calories and my diet is awesome. Please please please pray that this can happen!! Even if the scale reads 201/200 on Oct 1st, I'll still feel great. I will update you guys on that day. I hope you're all doing well, I'm so grateful on my weight loss journey so far! Thanks!!!!XOXO -Melissa M.

I was banded in August 6 years ago. I started out at 263 and now stay right around 175 and have maintained that weight for three years. I went from a size 24/26 to a 14. I would probably be a size smaller if I could afford the tummy tuck, arm lift and thigh reduction, but I am who I am and don't stress over it. I exercise daily with at least a two mile walk each day and usually more on the weekends and work out with weight 2-3 times a week.

OK I was banded 8-18-08 did great at first lots of restriction. Got 1st fill on Sept 25, did good for about 2 weeks but noticed I could eat a little more every day. I stop eating when It suddenly it feels like I will throw up or any pressure in chest. I just don't feel that way very much anymore. I go in for another fill this Friday but being a little worrier as I am I started wondering if I stretched my pouch. I have only PB once and that was from eating to fast. I have had no other problems. So my question for you long time bandsters is this bandster hell or did I stretch my pouch?? I thought when you over ate with restriction you would PB or have extreme chest pain, Is this true?? Since my last fill I have only lost about 5lbs but at least I didn't gain.

Yes, that is bandster hell. You haven't stretched your pouch. Don't worry. Trust me, I just made a big post about something I went through recently and let me tell ya, I ate a big meal and the rest of my hubby's salad and had a barium swallow done and my band was fine. It's just you have hardly any restriction.. it honestly takes about 3 fills to get really good restriction. It's not easy to stretch the pouch. :thumbup:

good for you! I have only had 2 fills and i'm at 5.5 cc- I'm feeling more restriction now and I had my fill last week. I'm hoping that this feeling lasts for a while. I hope this is my sweet spot.

Received my 1st fill today. 41/2 cc & it was fine. Just a little prick & that was it. They normally do 51/2 ccs but I wanted a little less to see how I feel. I posted a few weeks ago that I can seriously feel my port & how yucko it makes me feel. The nurse confirmed that it's a little more to the left & not completely flush with my body. I knew I wasn't crazy. Overtime I will get more scar tissue there & it will flatten out. Whew. Weight loss was 11 lbs. I feel a little quisie but not sure if that's from the fill or not eating today. I'm starving:) Hope everyone is doing well. Tina

I would make an appointment for as soon as you can and say you a fill. My doc does a standard six weeks out but also says that if I need a fill before to schedule another appointment for a sooner time and date. I have a fill scheduled in two weeks but noticed my restriction is less since my last, so I scheduled a sooner one and kept my original schedule so I now have two in case the early fill isn't enough.

For the first time. Banded 4 weeks ago today. So I chose a small chili from Wendy's. it tasted so good I almost cried! Can a small chili really only be 210 calories?!! That is supposedly right but it tasted so good and now i feel guilty. Like i cheated! I am going to

I was scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico, this week! All surgeries for the week are now canceled due to the fires raging in Southern, California. Apparently some of the staff had to evacuate their homes, and the San Diego Airport may shut down preventing patients for flying in (and out!) My surgery is postponed 1 week, and I was bummed about that, however the real tragedy is what the Souther California residents are dealing with!

I was just wondering if anyone could tell me if stress can cause your band to be tighter? I've had a stressful month and I feel like my band is super tight compared to how it was about a month ago- my last adjustment was Dec. 14 and it was a REALLY good one- great restriction! I went in for my Jan appt (Jan 21) and I had lost 13 lbs- dr was so impressed he moved me to 3 month appts. I eat very small portions and stay full. So now I'm just wondering if stress could be causing it to feel tighter? Any help is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!

I haven't been on is a few weeks, been busy. But just wanted to share that I went to nutrionist yesterday. Just made me more pumped up. She told me that she wanted me to make my appointment to see the surgion. I hadn't done it yet because I still have to finish my 6 mths diet and therpist. But she was so impressed with how well informed I am and I how I have all my ducks in a row, she said to make it. She works hand in hand with the sergion. So I see him next Friday.:whoo:I have to and did give the credit to this wonderful board and all the help and answers I get from on here. Thank you Thank you!

Hi, im being banded next thursday. worried, excited, nervous etc. Also looking foward to a healthier happier life!:redface:

that is the hardest part the waiting, was told it would only take 2 weeks after submitting the paperwork and it took 4 thought i would go bonkers. but i hav esurvived surgery is next week on the 12. You will too it will all be worth the wait.

Glad i read this, i'm only 3 days post op, the gas is leaving nicely and i'm feeling pretty good except for my left side where i assume my port is. The best way to describe it is a pulling sensation, if i hold my stomach and take the weight i can walk around no problem (within reason)

TGIF...... Well I am a week away from a surgery that I have been waiting on for a little over a year. I basically gave up on the insurance approving it and found out the day before Thanksgiving that it had finally been approved. The Dr. is rushing everything through since the insurance is changing on 1/1. So my surgery date is 12/21 @ 10:00 am. I have little time to think about it, so I have not really been nervous. I started looking for "chat rooms" today and came accross this web site. What a GREAT tool. I am not on a liquid diet until 24 hours prior to surgery. So for me it is life as usual. However, I do have to drink a presurgical shake twice a day. Any advice for me out there during this final week of prep and for the first few weeks after?

Everyone is different. I have no fill at all, so this may change depending on how much you have in your band. I can eat pretty much anything I could before. I don't eat pasta, rice or bread because I am not supposed to. I am just used to it now. Yes, I do get stuck, even with no fill, the band is not just hanging there, which you may hear from some folk. I have learned to chew the living daylights out of meat. Just follow the rules and you should succeed. It will take time and you will have to learn again and again. The mushy diet isn't that bad and it's only a few weeks. The liquid diet was really boring. Campbell's Soup at hand is a great thing for that.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I recently got there as well (last week), so I know how exciting it is. I hope you get feeling better though, that doesn't sound like a 'fun' way to get to onederland, but it is a GREAT accomplishment nonetheless!