Hi everyone! I thought it might be nice to have an ongoing chat with others who are going through what you are RIGHT NOW.

If you were banded in April 2011, share what's going on. How do you feel? What are you eating? First doctor's appointment stuff...

I'm Robin. I had surgery April 20th.

I felt HORRIBLE for the first 5-6 days. I took my vicadin every 4-6 hours, but I still was in pain. Something happened between day 6 and 7 though. I feel SO much better! I am still sore, and god help me if I sneeze, but it's getting easier every day.

My stomach is healing well. My bandages are off and I'm just being careful to wear soft clothing. I am ITCHY! That's getting better though too.

The hardest part for me right now is not being able to monkey around with my kids. My three-year-old daughter is being so careful not to hurt me, but one little elbow to the side during snuggle time ruins that pretty quickly!

The first 5-6 days I ate malt-o-meal, applesauce, and Protein shakes. I'm on my 8th day and just had a cup of beef ravioli for lunch. I actually had a soft taco from Taco Bell last night. It didn't really taste as good as I remember.... hmmmm.... guess that's a good thing!

I have my first pre-op appointment tomorrow, so I have no idea if I've lost so far. I know this- I haven't gained!

Hopefully we can keep this thread going with our little April group. I'd like to get to know a few names and stories. Look forward to hearing from you!

-Robin

Hi all! I was banded 4/26/11. Can't wait for my first fill! Not sure how much I've lost since then. I feel like I'm struggling with this

shoulder pain . I cant nothing the eat only Jello, broth n juice ....water can somebody give me ideas please. can I drink ensures.

Hi millypili congratulations on being banded. I was banded on the 22nd. I didn't experience the shoulder pain like you are but I did have discomfort with the gas in my chest making it hard to take deep breaths. The best thing that I would recommend would be a heating pad and keep walking the gas will eventually go away. The liquid diet stinks but is needed to heal. I survived this week with my Protein shakes (Bariatric advantage) crystal light, Water, hot decaf tea and jello. I'm on the pureed stage now and that's been the hardest for me. I mainly have creamy Soups along with the Protein Shakes, yogurt and water. Things will start to improve as the days go by. Good luck to you on your journey!

I got my band on April 21st. Was in a lot of pain first week but seemed like day 7 when I had my staples out,was a turning point. I am however struggling with being hungry every 2-3 hours. Would love to keep in touch with fellow April bandsters . You all are losing weight and doing so well...and are an inspiration to me.

Hi,

I was banded on April 19th. I also had the unexpected hiatal hernia repair.

I had the single incision surgery, so only had steri-strips at my belly button and a tiny one below the center of my chest. I had my post-op appt with the surgeon at 7 days and he said everything looks great and cleared me for all exercise. Diet has been a struggle. I was on Clear liquids for 2 days-- no problem, then full liquids til May 1. I have to admit I started eating mushies already and some foods that were less than mushy, which I chewed really well. Im tracking my calories--1200 or less and doing low carb.

Im not feeling much restriction, but I did have a stuck episode today. Eating too fast.

I have lost 11# since the pre-op diet. I'm not worried about the lack of restriction. My doc said the first weeks before the fill are the hardest because you are doing it all on will power alone. I can have my first fill at 5 wks post.

Pain has been minimal. I took my Lortab elixer for the first few days, then didn't really need it. I went to the gym for the first time today and did 30 min on the elliptical with no problems.

Good to meet all of you.

(oh and to sandralee74 who posted above: I would call your doc and let him know about your GERD. It can be a sign of slippage.)

Hey there....banded 4-13-11 and have been on solids now for a week.

i now am only 0.4 pounds under surgery weight. The only good news is I am 18 pounds less than the pre-op weight and down a total of 14 inches......but i paid $10,000 for nothing. This surgery obviously doesnt work for everyone. Anyone who asks me about it is getting an ear full of about how worthless it is.

I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully we both have better luck

Hi Ya'll,

I was banded on April 15th.... day 1-3 was horriable!! I was in so much pain and sore.... but after that I was ok... just slow!!!! I was on clear liquids the day of surgery, and full liquids day 2-6 then on to mushies.... thank god , cause mashed potatoes never tasted so good LOL!!!!!! My band is empty now which moving onto the mushie stage, now I am getting more hungry now, which is very frustrating to me !!! I wont get my first fill till my 6week post op, which is May 23rd. Pretty excited and nervous about it !!!!! but now I dont even feel like ive had anything done!!! I feel my normal self.... I would also kill for a taco bell taco lol...... I just really want to get this weight off and be healthy for my family.. I think giving up POP was my biggest thing to do !!!! I have also never drank the Protein shakes... my stomach just couldnt handle it ... My pre weight was 296, day of surgery was 284, week 1 post op was 274.... went yesterday for my 2 week post op , i was at 279... uhgg up 5 lbs which is really discouraging BAD!!! Has anyone else had problem with gaining some weight back?????..... I know in due time.. this weight will come offf.... I think I am just in to big of hurry its exciting to know that now I actually have help to get this weight off.... Doc said I can go back to regular diet/solid foods in about a week 1/2..... so I am ready.... no hard exercise tho, only walking.... which I am starting Monday!!!!

ok peeps i was banded on april 4th i get my 1st fill on the 19th of may. my problem is the last 2 days i have been having trouble with what i belive might just be acid reflux i am taking zantac 2xs a day but i keep spiting up this whit foam i cant hardly even keep Water down it seems to just roll back up and out anyone have any thing like this if so what helped

that doesn't sound normal. call your surgeon's office!

i paid $10,000 for nothing. This surgery obviously doesnt work for everyone. Anyone who asks me about it is getting an ear full of about how worthless it is.

It is very very common to not lose weight in the space between surgery and getting a good fill. This time is for healing, not necessarily losing weight, though some people do lose. Instead of deciding the surgery didn't work after almost 3 weeks, I think you should be upset with your surgeon for not properly preparing you for what might happen after surgery. I know you were having issues with your diet- what are you eating now in a day? How much Protein are you taking in?

I was banded April 28th. For the most part I felt good right from the start! I'm sore in my abdomen but I do have quite a bit of pain in my left side/shoulder. So I've been applying heat to that and got some Gas-X to hopefully help with the gas pains. If I can just get rid of the pain in my left side/shoulder I will be doing GREAT! I have been on a liquid diet since I left the hospital, just waiting for Tuesday when I graduate to soupy potatoes/pudding and pureed foods. It's funny to think about how exciting that idea is to me right now

Congrats April bandsters and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Thanks for the reply. At least I know I am not the only one that has experienced this. I was taking liquid coedine. I have not had any at all today. Do you think I should still take it for the next day or so and see if that helps with the pain when I drink? I will try the gatorade. And thanks for the encouragment.

Hi dlucia,

How are you feeling today? If you think that codeine may be too much, try taking tylenol for a couple of days while the swelling subside.

It is a matter of a couple of days. I have been banded for just a few days more than you, and drinking doesn't hurt anymore... I can feel the Water going down my esophagus, but it is alittle better every day....

Keep on drinking dear, you don't want to get dehidrated.

I believe that down the road, once we get to our goal we are going to look back and think that all this things bothering us now are so worth it.

Keep up the good job!!!

Hello Fellow April Bandsters!

I was banded on the 22nd. As of this morning, I have lost 20lbs!!! My first couple of days were pretty bad pain wise. The gas was horrific and I've had 2 children and 2 kidney stones and it was worse than that! Back to work on day 5.

I've been on soups, Jello, sf pops, sf pudding until yesterday! Tried a little egg and a couple of pieces of sausage. Extremely small bites just to test the waters. Went well! At night, I ate a broiled scallop and maybe 2 teaspoons of mashed potatoes. Also went well. Today, left over scallops, one at a time! I am still drinking my Protein shakes, Isopure bananas and cream. Love them! One thing I do with the Campbells 98% fat free cream of chicken Soup is, I add shredded white cheddar cheese and skim plus milk. Its delicious and satisfying. I've heard other people do that to their cream of potato and broccoli soups also.

Not ready for exercise yet, just a little walking! Maybe after 6 weeks.

Good luck to everyone and look forward to hearing more about everyones suggestions and stories of success!

Kelly

Hello everyone!

I am so glad I found this thread. I was banded on 4/12. Not much pain, except for one of the incisions and the gas. Since my pre-op appt (3/29), I have lost 21 pounds. I am starting the mushies, and am a little afraid. At least with the liquids, I knew exactly what i could have. I got so sick of the shakes that I couldn't drink them, but I knew. Now I am afraid that once I start eating, I'll revert to old habits. I get full from very little, but I am hungry again soon. Any advice?

I WISH I could get full. I have no fill, which I knew would be the case, but can eat ANYTHING I want so it is really really hard for me. I don't get full very easily anymore....now that the swelling has gone down I'm assuming. At first, I would eat little and be full but not so much anymore. 21 pounds if fantastic!!!! Mushies are pretty easy.....mashed sweet pototatos, mashed tuna or chicken w/either light mayo or I mixed in some cream of chicken soup with the chicken, cream soups, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, I mashed up chick peas and put some light dressing on them and that was filling. Pretty much anything you can mash up would be good.

Hi dlucia,

How are you feeling today? If you think that codeine may be too much, try taking tylenol for a couple of days while the swelling subside.

It is a matter of a couple of days. I have been banded for just a few days more than you, and drinking doesn't hurt anymore... I can feel the water going down my esophagus, but it is alittle better every day....

Keep on drinking dear, you don't want to get dehidrated.

I believe that down the road, once we get to our goal we are going to look back and think that all this things bothering us now are so worth it.

Keep up the good job!!!

Hi Eda,

Things are going a better. Going back to work today. We will see how that goes. I took the tylenol and it helps but the pain does not totally go away but at least it helps a little. I am glad that you are able to drink a little better now. I am just not sure how everyone is getting enough protien during the liquid and creamy liquid phase. I try to muscle down a protrien drink and they make me sick to my stomach. I have tried 2 different kinds and 3 different flavors and they all taste like medicine. My stomach starts to roll everytime I try to drink one. I think in the last 4 days I have had a total combine of one can of soup and about 5 tsps of sugar free jello. Plus what water and crystal light I have been able to get down. I too am not a Taco Bell fan but a Taco or the Pinto's n Cheese sounds absolutely like a gourmet meal to me right now. Let me know how you are doing.

And I agree with you, once we hit our goal weight all this stuff we are going through now will be well worth it. I just wish I had a magic wand to speed up the process, but I guess we all wish that.

Take care and let me know how you are doing.

Donna

Hey Everyone! I was banded on 4/15. As they were pushing me into surgery, I almost told them "NO, STOP". Good thing they had already started pumping me with drugs because I don't remember actually saying the words. Up until yesterday I was still thinking this was a mistake. I have only lost 7.5 pounds since the surgery. I never feel full and I feel like I could still eat regularly. So, if I still felt the same, why they heck did I go thru the pain of surgery. Well, yesterday was my turning point. I finally FELT like I made the right decision. I could see a difference in the mirror. My face is thinner. I was outside doing yardwork all day yesterday. So, I definitely had energy. I hope this keeps going. I don't go for my first fill until 5/24. I hope that will help with the not feeling full issue. I want to feel that full feeling. Fingers crossed!

I was banded a week ago today! It was really hard to stay in the liquid stage yesterday i had a lean pocket and ate the turkey out of it man was i full. I am feeling great in fact going back to work tonight the Dr. said i would be fine to go back whenever i felt up to it. I am unable to drink the protein shakes makes me so sick. I have had no throwing up ( knock on wood), my scars are healing great, i get full quickly, and don't miss pop. I have my 1st post op appt thurs! besides not being able to stick to the liquids for 2 weeks i am doing great!

Hi all,

i am Cindy and was banded on April 29th. Feeling ok, haven't been on pain meds since the day after surgery but i am bruising now and taking deep breaths is killer. I have pain in my left shoulder and would really like to go for a walk but by the time i get dressed, i am exhausted. I am not hungry at all and the only thing i have enjoyed eating is cream of chicken soup. Not sure how I am gonna survive 4 weeks of a full liquid diet. It's already pretty monotonous. I am off work for the next 6 weeks so hoping i can concentrate on eating. Nervous about the post op visit in 2 weeks. If i haven't lost weight by then i will be very upset. How long til this dermabond glue comes off? Glad to see I am not alone in this journey

Hi everyone!

My name is Grace and I was banded on the 18th of April. This was my second round of surgery - first attempt was cancelled when I coded on the table a couple times. Everything turned out fine - just needed extra precautions.

Because of the first round disappointment I came out of the recovery room hugging everyone!

My incisions healed well. I had some red swelling but used some antibiotic cream and bandages at bed time and the redness went away.

Days 1-2 I was on clear liquids then full liquids until week two. Now on mushies until week 5. I am having a hard time getting my protein and liquids in but I am trying hard. I have picked up the strawberry protein powder and mix that with twice as much milk ( 1 1/2 scoops to 25ozs of milk ) and do this twice a day now to get the protein and fluids. My daughter had picked me up these party shot glasses that makes drinking sips so much easier. I just pour from my shake mixer into the little cup. Somehow the shakes dont taste so bad this way (and the strawberry is new).

Had my post op last week and Dr told me I can start exercising - nothing too crazy - just to make sure I sweat!

AND EWWWW taco bell??? really??? I stopped eating those when I found out the meat they use is grade D - dog food is made from grade B ..... sooo you would be better off eating dog food!

But the steak ... or a big fat juicy burger ...

Actually - anytime I feel a hunger growing I take a sip of the shake.... I throw back a shot.

I am not really paying attention to the scales (though I do weigh myself daily) just because I know it will not be an accurate guide with still healing from surgery.