Hello! I am trying to figure out this forum and how it all works so bear with me! I was banded Friday, Dec. 3rd and have about 85 lbs. to lose. Diabetes runs in my family and I felt like a time bomb and have never been able to keep the weight off. It just crept up and up. I am very active and want to be able to exercise without the aches and pains. I am 5' 10" and 55 years old. I would like to stay in touch with those of a similar situation.

I had a great experience so far and had my band done as an out pt. procedure. I was out at SAM's the very next morning and haven't had alot of pain. Today I did laundry and walked at the mall. I plan to return towork for awhile on Monday. I was fortunate to also have had it done laproscopically and had a great surgeon, Dr. David Provost. All I can say is so far so good!

Hi everyone!

Is anyone having trouble knowing when you are full? I get my first fill on the 25th. I am eating smaller portions definitely, but I am having trouble knowing when I am full until its too late and then I am uncomfortable. I get a pain in my shoulder in the back and pain in my stomach area. I am assuming thats the new way to feel when I am full.

Would love to hear all your thoughts!

My pouch or band must be near a nerve - when I get full I feel it. It starts with a sinus pain on the left side of my face - if I don't stop eating (which is what happened the first time I felt this) I get a horrrrrrrrible headache. Horrible. I've only had it happen 1 time after that because I didn't listen to my body. My surgeon and his PA seems to think it's a nerve and not sure if it will go away with time. As of right now, I don't mind it. It tells me when to STOP!!!!

I started my protein shakes the day after I was banded. Ask your surgeon - each is different.

This this this!!! I stayed over night in the hospital and the next morning was given a protein shake and cream of wheat. I didn't really even have a clear liquid stage at all.

I was back in Iraq five days after surgery. Somedays are better than other as I have a great support group here that makes sure I take care of myself. I will not be able to have my first fill until March or May. We are only allowed so many days of leave so it will depend if my leadership allows meto go back before then. Dr. Basha gave me 3ccs, so hopefully that will hold me until I can travel to Dubai again or if someone knows where/if I can get a fill in Kuwait.

So far, including the pre-diet I have lost 18 pounds total and I am going to the gym everyday. I am not sure but I think that is ok for 3 weeks after surgery right???

Oh how exciting! I didn't think I'd meet someone online who was also had the same surgeon, especially when living in this part of the world.

They thought you were crazy going to Dubai hey?! I too would have been a bit nervous on my own but Dubai is great. The Dr's there seem to be great (much better there than out of town where I live) and Dr. Basha is very confident and has done many lapbands. We might not get the support that all the others are receiving in the US, like support groups, nutritionist etc. but at least the Dr. is only a phone call away and we have this forum to learn from others. I've learned so much from everyone here- its fantastic!

How is it in Iraq? Who will give you your first fill? Dr. Basha did mine and it was not under x-ray (or whatever they call it) like many others have spoken about on here. He felt my stomach, located the port, have me push my tummy up so my muscles were clenched and injected the 2.5 cc's. It was all over in less than a couple of minutes and painless. He then made me drink 2 glasses of water and boy was it different. I noticed the restriction immediately. I wasn't allowed to leave until I had finished both glasses of water without any difficulties, otherwise he was going to remove .5cc's. By the second glass of water I was fine again and a week later I've started losing again which I'm happy about.

I'm gathering there won't be any fancy equipment over there when doing your first fill either. How long will you be or have you been in Iraq? Are you back at work full time?

Had my first follow up today. Doc was impressed and said everything looked good. Then he went to do the fill and nada. The port would not cooperate. Now I have to go back in three weeks to see if it's just swelling or if the stinking thing flipped on me. So, right now I have mixed emotions. I'm happy that I'm doing well but disappointed by the lack of a fil (especially since it is a five hour round trip drive)l. Blah humbug!

My doctor does his fills under an x-ray machine. Ask your doctor if he can do this and then you'll know for sure what is going on. Good Luck!

My pouch or band must be near a nerve - when I get full I feel it. It starts with a sinus pain on the left side of my face - if I don't stop eating (which is what happened the first time I felt this) I get a horrrrrrrrible headache. Horrible. I've only had it happen 1 time after that because I didn't listen to my body. My surgeon and his PA seems to think it's a nerve and not sure if it will go away with time. As of right now, I don't mind it. It tells me when to STOP!!!!

I don't get the sinus pain when I am full but reading your post is interesting to me because the few times I felt "stuck" I got an immediated, horrible headache. Interesting!

Is anyone still feeling discomfort who had surgery around the 2nd, which was my date? I feel a bit of a twinge sometimes when I move a certain way, nothing painful just an awareness.

I didn't lose any weight this last week and am working on a better week this week. My second fill is scheduled for Feb. 4th.

Joan

Is anyone still feeling discomfort who had surgery around the 2nd, which was my date? I feel a bit of a twinge sometimes when I move a certain way, nothing painful just an awareness.

I feel something similar...not painful, just a twinge when I move the wrong way. Also, the other day when working out I was doing crunches and I felt a slight pulling sensation where my port is. Again, not painful but just a slight pulling...

I'm getting my fill today! I'm a little worried, I dunno what to do.. looks like it's probably liquids for a day or so after? My doctor called yesterday and they said just eat light today. What did you guys have to do?

I got my first fill yesterday.. She said mushy foods for 24 hours and it wasn't as important the first visit but from now on no food 2 hours before fill. She doesn't want food sitting before the fill. Good luck it was really not too bad at all. Fairly quick visit and the fill was done in a minute or two.

I'm getting my fill today! I'm a little worried, I dunno what to do.. looks like it's probably liquids for a day or so after? My doctor called yesterday and they said just eat light today. What did you guys have to do?

My fill instructions are liquids only the day of the fill, before and after. The next day full liquids and the third day soft/mushy food.

My fill was so easy! Less discomfort than an IV stick or blood draw.

Let us know how it goes!

Joan

Ok cool. I ate some oatmeal this morning, but then nothing since, just a protein shake. My appointment is in 2 hours. Waaah I don't want liquids haha. I'll see what he says when i go.

I go for my first fill on the 27th, a bit late considering I was banded the 14 of December, but better late than never !

I was banded on December 9. First fill won't be until Feb 2 - I'm not sure I need one though so I will just do whatever my surgeon says.

Ok I had mine, he used the fluoroscope. He said he put 5.5 ccs in and said my band is 11 ccs interesting! Surprised it's so much. I feel full right now it's weird! That machine made me feel like an alien!! I'm on liquids for 24hrs that's it.

It was weird this morning my left shoulder was bothering me. I have not had shoulder pain since like a week post op, now it is over 4 weeks post op. Lifting anything with my left arm hurt (well I mean dogs, I work with animals). I helped lift a maybe 65 lb dog on the table with another person and I was in pain after that. Don't know why.

I go in for my first fill on Tuesday, I feel like my doctor is going to say something to me, since I have lost less than a pound since my post op recheck. I just started losing again on Monday, had been plateaued since a week post op. I really hope he says that that is normal.

Well, have you followed all the rules? Exercise? I just got my fill, I'm losing but only maybe a pound or two a week. It's SOOO important to follow the rules or it won't work. The band will never do the work for you.

Yes, I am following the rules, I try to go to the gym 5 days a week. I work the day shift the other 2 days and have no energy after work. I do not drink with my meals, and I have been eating the 3-4 oz protein, 1/2 cup veggies and sometimes 1/4 cup starch since I started eAting real food on monday