I'm almost 5 months post-op and have a few questions/things i've noticed, and just wondering about shared experiences and whatnot...

1) Does anyone still get soreness on their band side? it's higher than where my port pokes are (same level as larges scar). It didn't start right away, I'm thinking it is probably tight scar tissue, feels like a sore muscle after a work out, and I usually only feel it later in the day when i'm tired.

2) My port pokes are lower on my belly, just above and to the side of the belly button, but i can feel something hard much higher (where my soreness is)... again, scar tissue, tubing or what. My regular doctor felt it and says it's probs part of the band system, def not a tumor or anything... anyone else able to feel other parts of their band (or perhaps my port moved?)

3). Rare BMs (sorry, gross) anyone self-dose with stool softeners (not laxitives)? How often do you take? I'm ok with the fewer poos, but depending on if im on a meat-low week (i dont really like the taste of meat and only chicken maybe 1-2x per week) the BMs can be slightly difficult and painful.

4). I have 7cc fill in a 11cc band, don't "have" to eat one bite every 5-10 minutes like i should (i tend to graze naturally, but can eat several bites quickly)... i'm careful not to overeat, but i just think it's odd. I rarely feel that "oops i ate too much" feeling).

5) any other weird things to expect? I'm kinda plateauing, and am looking to jumpstart a new round of weight loss since I'm going on vacay in 3 months, and would like to be down 15 - 20 lbs... which is faster than my doctor would find "ideal" but i'm sure it will slow down or stop entirely on vacation

(next appt 3/17 for possible fill).

Milk of Magnesia is amazing for BM's. Start with 1 tablespoon. I took 3 tbs and couldn't leave the house!

I had my surgery 9/22/10. I have lost 65 lbs, I have had 3 fills, I think I have 4. 5 Fluid in my band. My dr. gives very small fills. He told me I probably only need one more fill. My last fill was 2 months ago, I just had one last week. I notice i have a hard time eating and drinking. I need to chew my food a lot and I am eating a lot less. I lost 1 lb. this week. I weigh myself once a week.

1) All of a sudden I now feel pain and soreness on my band side. I used to be able to sleep on the port side. I now find I can't, if I fall asleep on that side it wakes me up. I guess because we lost a lot of stomach weight.

3) Those BMs are not like it used to be. I take a lot of stool softeners. I drink Protein drinks that have fruit and vegetables in them. I eat a lot of chicken also and it has to be very tender. I can eat ground beef and ground turkey. I try to eat vegetables. I always feel I am constipated.

4) I am trying not to eat quickly, I have thrown up a couple of times in the past week. So I am not sure if I am overfilled or not. And I hate that overfill feeling. I think I get that when I am constipated, so I try to keep my system going on a regular basis. It seems that when you have a fill you have to start all over again.

I was told by the nutrionist that if you feel you don't need a fill don't take one. I see my dr. on 3/15 but that is just to see how I am eating and then he will schedule a fill for 2 weeks later if he feels I need one.

Are you exercising? I can't seem to exercise. I notice I do have a lot of energy. My daughter is making me go tomorrow night.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation. I am going on vacation in April, so I need new clothes. I plan on shopping at the end of March. I notice my pants are very loose so I am probably going into a new size pants. I am loving this weight loss so much and all the attention I am getting.

I can't speak for all your questions but for the constipation have you tried benefiber? I was having trouble in that area and now take 2 tsp of benefibre in Water every morning. I also still have the stool softener (non prescription) from the surgery which I took once when the benefibre wasn't enough. I also started eating salads almost every day and I think that's helping.

Good luck on your goal for vacation!

I'm almost 5 months post-op and have a few questions/things i've noticed, and just wondering about shared experiences and whatnot...

1) Does anyone still get soreness on their band side? it's higher than where my port pokes are (same level as larges scar). It didn't start right away, I'm thinking it is probably tight scar tissue, feels like a sore muscle after a work out, and I usually only feel it later in the day when i'm tired.

2) My port pokes are lower on my belly, just above and to the side of the belly button, but i can feel something hard much higher (where my soreness is)... again, scar tissue, tubing or what. My regular doctor felt it and says it's probs part of the band system, def not a tumor or anything... anyone else able to feel other parts of their band (or perhaps my port moved?)

3). Rare BMs (sorry, gross) anyone self-dose with stool softeners (not laxitives)? How often do you take? I'm ok with the fewer poos, but depending on if im on a meat-low week (i dont really like the taste of meat and only chicken maybe 1-2x per week) the BMs can be slightly difficult and painful.

4). I have 7cc fill in a 11cc band, don't "have" to eat one bite every 5-10 minutes like i should (i tend to graze naturally, but can eat several bites quickly)... i'm careful not to overeat, but i just think it's odd. I rarely feel that "oops i ate too much" feeling).

5) any other weird things to expect? I'm kinda plateauing, and am looking to jumpstart a new round of weight loss since I'm going on vacay in 3 months, and would like to be down 15 - 20 lbs... which is faster than my doctor would find "ideal" but i'm sure it will slow down or stop entirely on vacation

(next appt 3/17 for possible fill).

So I'm pretty much at the same place as you are! I'm just starting to have to chew more because food is just starting to get uncomfortable if I don't. I can look down at my stomach and see bump in my tummy (wierd)! I would try replacing lunch with a Protein drink! Everytime I get a little extra protein my weight comes off quicker; also make sure you are getting exercise (yuck)! I do mine everyday and I'm tellying you my booty sits higer . Good luck!!!