New Bandster

[awhenry 0]

Wow what a whirlwind. What I thought was going to be a "piece of cake"(No pun intended), turned out to be a nightmare. I was banded on November 9. For four days I could not swollow or keep down a thing. After doing a Barium swollow, the doctor could see that nothing was going down. (the band was too small) Anyway, 5 days later, November 14. The first band was taken out and a bigger band was put in. Then the next week I got an infection in my incision. Finally today, December 9, im going to my first doctors appt and finally on the road to recovery and 31 lbs down. Getting compliments from everyone has been a big boost to my confidence. The first week, I told myself I wish I had not have done this because the experience was terrible, but now that Im feeling better and have lost a pant and shirt size, im feeling better about the whole thing. There is absolutely no Fluid in my band and I still feel a lot of restriction. Where I could eat 4-5 pieces of pizza, (very thin crust and soft) I can barely get one down. What a change. My only fear is im kind of afraid to get a fill for fear of getting too much restriction. Anyone out there experience any problems like this?

[Katy Castro 1]

Wow, sorry to hear of everything you've been through. What a crazy ride.

And congratulations on your loss... that's awesome!

So, fresh out of the gate I had restriction too. And from what I've read on many different forums, it's the exception not the norm. And I hesitated on my first fill as well because there was no need for one. There's several people in my support group who are months and months, some years out and still have never gotten a fill.

Your surgeon or their PA will ask you a few questions when you go in for your first fill to determine if you need one. But if you're able to eat dense Protein and stay full for 3 to 4 hours, chances are you do not need a fill.

Good luck!

[emjay 8]

Wow what a whirlwind. What I thought was going to be a "piece of cake"(No pun intended), turned out to be a nightmare. I was banded on November 9. For four days I could not swollow or keep down a thing. After doing a Barium swollow, the doctor could see that nothing was going down. (the band was too small) Anyway, 5 days later, November 14. The first band was taken out and a bigger band was put in. Then the next week I got an infection in my incision. Finally today, December 9, im going to my first doctors appt and finally on the road to recovery and 31 lbs down. Getting compliments from everyone has been a big boost to my confidence. The first week, I told myself I wish I had not have done this because the experience was terrible, but now that Im feeling better and have lost a pant and shirt size, im feeling better about the whole thing. There is absolutely no Fluid in my band and I still feel a lot of restriction. Where I could eat 4-5 pieces of pizza, (very thin crust and soft) I can barely get one down. What a change. My only fear is im kind of afraid to get a fill for fear of getting too much restriction. Anyone out there experience any problems like this?

You may still have some swelling from the surgery (both surgeries)! I can understand your feelings and actually they are pretty normal to have even after the first surgery. It can be an emotional journey even though you may feel you're ready for it. You've lost alot of weight already and that is great. Please keep in mind that if YOU are not ready to get a fill, DON'T. Listen to what your body is telling you. It's better to go slow than get fills too fast and have problems. If you are comfortable with your loss and you feel restriction, then don't get a fill until you feel you need one. Good luck to you - you deserve it after such an ordeal!