we did it. we have made a commitment to a better life to start out our new year with.. I was banded Dec 20. I started out at 214 preop and then the day of surgery I was 201. Today I am 195-196. I have GOT to get rid of the scales and only weigh weekly. They torture me. I have had no pain.. No nausea. No vomiting. And better yet.. I have made it through the holidays. First fill is not until Feb 2.. Going to start an exercise routine of walking in Jan hoping to help increase my weigh loss without the fill. How are yall doing??? We have to stick together and support each other. I am here for ya.. If you need to ask me anything and I am not on here, you can send email to hlorettawilliams@gmail.com!

I haven't been on in awhile, but I am feeling pretty great except for my lower abdomen. It hurts. I am at work with an ice pack on my abdomen and I just took 2 Aleve. I have been told it is probably the stitches underneath and that the muscle was stitched. I did great all day, but a few trips up and down the stairs at work and then a few treks across the parking lot to my car was a bit more than I should have done. Bless them, they gave me the okay to use the elevator at work instead of dragging it up the stairs until the stitches have completely healed. I don't think I needed to ask if I could use it, but I did anyway. I noticed a lot of people have been struggling with gas. I have to say that I have been fortunate enough not to have had any issue with gas at all. I don't know why, but I don't. The only issue is this lower abdomen thing. I am still on lift restrictions. I end the 10 pound restriction this weekend and then go to 4 weeks of a 20 pound restriction. Anyone else have this too? I see my doctor on the 9th for my first post op visit. I am unsure of when I will get a fill. I am hardly eating as it is without a fill. I am simply full. I don't feel deprived or hungry at all. It is a nice feeling. However, I am not losing either. I am staying the same. It is frustrating. I think possibly my body might be in starvation mode and I need to add a Protein shake or something a few times a day to add some calories. I hope everyone is doing great.

Take care,

Jen

Does anyone else's port feel like the heel of a baby's foot stuck in their ribs? Jen

I WAS BANDED 12-15...I WAS LUCKY, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PAIN..DIDN'T REALLY TAKE THE PAIN MEDS-MOSTLY WHILE IN HOSPITAL IS ABOUT IT...I ALSO WASN'T LOSING ANYTHING AND STAYING THE SAME..WAS STARTING TO GET A BIT EMOTIONAL OVER IT, BUT, TALKED TO A FEW FOLKS ON HERE AND IT HELPED-BUT, SINCE STARTING BACK TO WORK ON THE 3RD I HAVE LOST 3 PDS...SO, IT WILL START COMING OFF AS YOU GO-I'M SORRY TO HEAR YOUR ABDOMEN IS HURTING-LUCK TO YOU!! IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER!

I think the gas has finally left the building! Yea! Feeling much better, have to keep reminding myself to drink drink drink. Took a little trip overnight, was a little worried about working my liquid diet. But it was manageable. Just a little tender at port sight but I can tie my shoes. Time for a trip to my plus size only consignment shop. I look forward to day I enjoy trying on clothes.

I am so happy that so many people were banded and are BANDING together to conquer this weight epidemic that we are all in TOGETHER. I have learned so much from every one and this thread and really made me feel sooo Ummmmm Normal... lol. I have not lost alot but I can tell that the inches are disappearing. I am going for a late post op appt with my surgeron on Monday. I am hoping to talk him into a small fill. It will only be 4 weeks out though instead of 6. Has any one managed to get fills before the 6 weeks post op?? I am eatting less, for sure.. But I do not have that full feeling so I want food more. I have had such a good outcome so far though. NO stomach pain, no nausea, no vomiting.. Every thing has really been going well... I am just wanting to wake up and it all be gone.. I can already pull my pants down to pee without unbuttoning them.. That is cool..lol. Now, I just wanna outgrow all my pants so that I will have to go shopping. I have to wear business dress attire so I want to loose it fast so I can buy the right size not one size a month.. I know, I know, slow and steady but when you have been big for so long, you tend to want to rush.... So tell me again,, how are yall doing now..

My 1st fill is February 1st, I was banded 12/29 so it is less than 6 week, it is 34th day. Like you I've had no nausea, no vomiting, no excessive pain. This is going to be one of the best decisions I've made in my life, EVER.

Back to work today but with my right lower stomach still hurting really badly. So off to the doctor for a chronic appendix or severe constapation was what the "self help" sites stated that it was. Doctor said nope, 20% of his patients basically hurt from the cut that it feels like you have torn muscles which indirectly you do-except they are cut. So not dead from appendix just feel like *())*&)*& when it hurts. Oh and I'm hungry.

Okay this computer has a mind of its own! Still hurting today where the incision is at, hungry & did not lose even an oz from yesterday! Only .3lb, & .3lb the last three days! Going for a walk

My company is having a big dinner today so a double walk will have to do instead - no go tonight

I was banded 12/29 and honestly I have no idea how much I have lost because I don't own a scale. I am excited to find out because I feel like I have a lost a little. When I did I obsessed or would become depressed by the number. I had a lower BMI pre-op so I did not have a diet before. My only complaint so far is hunger!! I don't feel as though I have restriction! I eat my small mushie portions and do not feel full. In fact I have been hungry since 2 days post-op. Has anyone else experienced this? I am following the guidelines to a T, but I am dying with the hunger. My first fill is 1/24/12. I sincerely hope that helps! I would not change my decision, but it has been hard!

I was banded 12/29 and honestly I have no idea how much I have lost because I don't own a scale. I am excited to find out because I feel like I have a lost a little. When I did I obsessed or would become depressed by the number. I had a lower BMI pre-op so I did not have a diet before. My only complaint so far is hunger!! I don't feel as though I have restriction! I eat my small mushie portions and do not feel full. In fact I have been hungry since 2 days post-op. Has anyone else experienced this? I am following the guidelines to a T, but I am dying with the hunger. My first fill is 1/24/12. I sincerely hope that helps! I would not change my decision, but it has been hard!

I was banded the same day as you and the hungry is definately there, I think the reason for liquid in a cup almost the whole day. My doctor does not have me on mushies for awhile, another two weeks of liquids. First fill 1-19-12. More Water might help fill you up.

Thinking of all of you today! Today marks two weeks and one day post-op. Lost 2.5 lbs. this week. It feels like it is coming off so slow but I realize that is the way the band is designed to work. I upgraded to a 1 mile powerwalk with 2lb weights on day 10 post-op- I am within restriction and it has helped me get back to feeling "normal". Still experiencing some pains in my left shoulder but typically only in the morning, before eating. Thinking it may be a full bladder pushing all the gas up onto my diaphragm and irritating the phrenic nerve- doc told me it may take two months before all the gas works its way out. My first post-op visit is scheduled Monday if things looks good I am hoping Dr. Elli will give me a small fill because my appetite has returned with a vengeance! Started soft foods yesterday and after the mashed potato mooshie incident on Day 9 post-op, I am extremely nervous. Eggs for breakfast today and if it hits my tummy too hard I'll revert back the what I feel comfortable with, protien enhanced yogurt, cottage cheese and carnation instant breakfast (I have never had that before my pre-op diet and it is the bomb ). It has been great watching each of you post your stories and successes- this December Bandsters group has been very supportive and I have been amazed watching how much progress everyone is making in such a short amount of time. Like everyone that participates in this forum, I am done yo-yoing with an up and down BMI between 35 and 20 for the past 18 years it was time to take control. I want to permanently own that BMI of 20 forever and by gosh this time it is going to happen and stay that way... and maybe in a year I'll get that darn breast lift I've been comtemplating since breast feeding my first baby- which by the way turns 15 in February- sniff, sniff . Have a great Saturday everyone!

Thinking of all of you today! Today marks two weeks and one day post-op. Lost 2.5 lbs. this week. It feels like it is coming off so slow but I realize that is the way the band is designed to work. I upgraded to a 1 mile powerwalk with 2lb weights on day 10 post-op- I am within restriction and it has helped me get back to feeling "normal". Still experiencing some pains in my left shoulder but typically only in the morning, before eating. Thinking it may be a full bladder pushing all the gas up onto my diaphragm and irritating the phrenic nerve- doc told me it may take two months before all the gas works its way out. My first post-op visit is scheduled Monday if things looks good I am hoping Dr. Elli will give me a small fill because my appetite has returned with a vengeance! Started soft foods yesterday and after the mashed potato mooshie incident on Day 9 post-op, I am extremely nervous. eggs for breakfast today and if it hits my tummy too hard I'll revert back the what I feel comfortable with, protien enhanced yogurt, cottage cheese and carnation instant breakfast (I have never had that before my pre-op diet and it is the bomb ). It has been great watching each of you post your stories and successes- this December Bandsters group has been very supportive and I have been amazed watching how much progress everyone is making in such a short amount of time. Like everyone that participates in this forum, I am done yo-yoing with an up and down BMI between 35 and 20 for the past 18 years it was time to take control. I want to permanently own that BMI of 20 forever and by gosh this time it is going to happen and stay that way... and maybe in a year I'll get that darn breast lift I've been comtemplating since breast feeding my first baby- which by the way turns 15 in February- sniff, sniff . Have a great Saturday everyone!

Thank you so much blue for the explanation about the phrenic nerve. I thought I had a muscle spasm - I've had to put heat on it the last 2 nights - because eating or drinking doesn't seem to affect it as much as when I get tired.

I'm 8 days out from my surgery and, like you, have bounced between a BMI of 20-35 for the last 20 years. I feel great (except for my neck), but not graduating to "mushies" until next week. Can't wait! In the meantime, I'm eating plenty of Soup (a can of Campbell's chicken Noodle pureed in the blended and then thinned out just a little tastes really good), cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. Thanks for the heads up about Carnation Instant Breakfast - I can't seem to drink the Protein shakes because they really screw up my digestive system.

It is so great that we have all of this support - I am in awe of your power walking (getting on the treadmill after this). I'll tell you, though, like I told my sister last month - that's what you get for nursing! LOL!

I'm glad to have found this thread! I was banded on 12-22 and I've lost a total of 14lbs since my surgery. I def related to a couple of people in the thread. (I remember crying after my surgery b/c I was in pain and couldn't do anything) but that got much better in a few days.

I've heard of the term "bandster hell" but what exactly is that? I've felt hungry over the past week and I definitely know that I'm not in the green zone. I've got 3 more days until my follow up appt w/ my surgeon and I def need a fill.

I just can't wait til everything is healed, I can eat regular foods and start exercising!

Hi everyone-got banded back on 12/19 and my first fill appt is 12/16. Ive lost 27 lbs since dec 5( includes pre- op) but during this week 3 of mashies my weight loss has completely stalled. I have been walking. I have so many questions when I go in, but I was wondering if anyone was thinking bout the following:

I have been thinking about all the dietary guidelines that we should be getting a day but only eating 4 oz at a time how can we possibly get those in? So far my doctor wants me to still have a protein shake in the morning and starting next week protein first then veggies- no carbs at all. Anyone else being told the same thing? That will be week four for me by the way. Anyways I will share any revelations, if any, after my appt. on the 16th. LOL

I was banded Dec. 14 and was only able to get in 4-6oz of water until they took all my fill out a few days ago. I also had 2 hernia repair (hyena and by my belly button) I'm suppose to be on solids now but nurse told me to take it easy. I tried tuna yesterday and ended up vomiting it all up. I can't keep foods down, even 1 once - with NO fill. I'm not sure what is going on. The pressure headaches behind my left eye are not as strong unless I try to eat then it hurts really bad. They are sending me to get lab work and sinus tested Monday and after that a cat scan. I pray they figure out what is going on because this is starting to become a nightmare. When I read you all can eat 4oz of food at a time I'm just amazed. I don't even have a fill in me anymore and I can't eat that much. What is going on with me????

I was banded Dec. 14 and was only able to get in 4-6oz of water until they took all my fill out a few days ago. I also had 2 hernia repair (hyena and by my belly button) I'm suppose to be on solids now but nurse told me to take it easy. I tried tuna yesterday and ended up vomiting it all up. I can't keep foods down, even 1 once - with NO fill. I'm not sure what is going on. The pressure headaches behind my left eye are not as strong unless I try to eat then it hurts really bad. They are sending me to get lab work and sinus tested Monday and after that a cat scan. I pray they figure out what is going on because this is starting to become a nightmare. When I read you all can eat 4oz of food at a time I'm just amazed. I don't even have a fill in me anymore and I can't eat that much. What is going on with me????

Ms. Foto, ask them to do an x-ray or an ultrasound to see if something is pinched (or otherwise ) where they put the band in. Doesn't sound to me like bloodwork is going to solve the problem. You have to be proactive and tell them what you want them to do, rather than just accepting this and continuing to be sick. Something is definitely wrong - you do what you have to do to get some results and we'll all pray and be here rooting for you.

HUGS!