Hello everyone I found this group by doing a Google search and see that there is a lot of support and that is something I need right now. I had my lap band surgery three weeks ago tomorrow (4/17/06) and I am eating like I did before I had it. The only way I know my band is there is if I eat to fast or don't chew my food good enough because I PB. I lost 12 pounds but gained 5 back already. I am really worried that I am going to make my band slip because I never feel full. Please tell me after I get my first fill that things get better. Also, if any one knows of a fill Dr. in Oregon or Washington I would love to know who they are.

Thanks so much,

Worried in Oregon :eek:):help:

It gets a little easier after your first fill, for some people it gets a LOT easier. I hope you are one of those. I am still waiting for restriction and have been playing with the same five pounds for almost a month.

The biggest thing has been the water. If I stay focused on getting enough, it is either too soon, or too late to take a bite. Vitamins have really helped with my cravings, I use a Centrum chewable. Some people like flintstones.

I had my first fill with Dr. Neal in Olympia. He has fluoroscopy which can be important for a first fill. He charges $350, but later fills are less. I have been told this is a fair price for fluoro fills. If you hear of anything cheaper...

His website is www.pacsurgical.com <- I think this is the right one.

There is Dr. Chebli in Seattle, check out Obesity Help for info on him. I like him, but he does blind fills. My port is still too deep.

There are many more, try the WA and OR local support pages.

Brenda, thanks so much for the info. I see that your start weight was 312 well, so was mine! I was shooting for 170 lbs but I will take 200 any day. I am 5'9" and haven't seen under 240 in many many years.

I will look around and if I find any fill Doctor's that are less I will let you know. I got banded in Mexico and can get free fills for life but I still have to pay for my flight there and back plus a night in a hotel and food. I think it will cost me more to go to Mexico.

Best of luck to you on your weight loss. I hope we can keep in touch. By the way where do you live? I live in Dallas, Oregon which is right outside of Salem.

Karlie

Karlie,

The first 4 weeks are for healing. Be careful with what you eat. Remember this isn't a cure all just help to give you that ability to cut back. There will be days even after you are filled that you will be able to eat all that you want. And there will be days where you will want nothing at all. I am one of the fortunate few that my stomic is very sensitive and I could hardly eat anything. If I pushed it I PB'd and I hate that feeling. I have only had two fills. Everytime that I think I should get another my stomic says I am not going to let you eat. So I wait. I can go months without loosing a lb. Then I drop 5 or 10. I excercise almost daily and still nothing. But because this was a lifetime choice I don't let my weight bother me. I feel better and I look better. It as almost been two years for me. In june It will be. I am down almost 100lbs. I thought I would be at goal. But I would rather be here then at 300. I love all that the band has done for me... you will to. Just remember to take it slow and help it out. Start by walking. It does not even have to be for long... 10 min will do. It will give you more energy in the long run. Stay positive and remember we are here when you need us. :eek:

Karlie - Didn't your Dr put you on a post op diet of liquids and then mushies? I was on liquids for three weeks, then soft foods for three more weeks - gradually introducing more solid foods. There is a lot you can eat in the mushie phase without putting your band in any danger. I worry about you since you said you PB already. If you continue to do that, you might cause your stitches to tear in your stomach and your band could slip, which could mean another operation to repair things.

Please, please, please, take it easy. Until your first fill you will be able to eat pretty much like you did before the band BUT you shouldn't! Like I said, we can all give you plenty of ideas for eating that will help you not be so hungry starting with getting a minimum of 60 grams of Protein per day, stay away from carbs (except from veggies), and start drinking a minimum of 6 bottles of Water per day (16.9 oz size).

Having the band means making a huge change in the way we eat. You must take small bites, chew slowly, and make each meal last 15 minutes. Until you get a fill, it doesn't matter if you eat more or gain a few pounds. This is normal as you begin to introduce more solid foods back into your diet. So don't worry about weight loss just yet. But do worry about tearing those stitches by stuffing your pouch or by PB'ing.

Karlie, as Photonut said, at 3 weeks post-op, the last thing you want to be doing is PBing... and having the band is only a tool. We have to be willing to make changes in our eating habits also. The best of luck to you.

Just remember that your first 4-6 weeks are for healing not weight loss. You may not lose any weight until after your first or second fill... or you may only lose a few pounds. You may not feel any restriction until then.... remember, your Band is just loosely around your stomach... it isn't tightened.

If you're PBing already, you're body and Band are giving you some warning signals.

You need to sloooow down your eating.

You need to stop drinking with meals. Nothing before for an hour, nothing after.

You need to try and chew every bite until it is liquid... 20-25 times.

I'm not sure how you're eating anything at 3 weeks out that can make you PB... but if you're on mushy food, maybe you're not blending it enough?? Try adding a bit more liquid and blending.

If you do PB, go on liquids again for a day or two to give your Band and body a break.

It's been a long time since I was Banded (over 5 years!), but things that I liked in the early post-op stages were...

Carnation Instant Breakfast... made w/ Hot milk

chocolate Milk blended with banana

Blended Bean Soups

Blended chicken, Rice & Broccoli casserole

Cottage cheese w/ FRuit (Breakstone Doubles)

Yogurt

Blended tuna or blended egg salad

smoothies

Veggie Soup (loved the Soup in Hand? thingies)

Applesauce

Also.. be sure you're eating without distractions (no TV, no reading, no stereo)... so that you can feel when your pouch is full. If you're having trouble with this, try eating only 1/4 cup of food at a time... and seeing how you feel after. Wait 5 minutes, and then try some more if you're still hungry.

If your problem is hunger, then look at what you're eating. Are you getting enough Protein? What about Fiber? Be sure to add some blended fruits and veggies or soups.

Wanted to add, at 3 weeks post-op you're better off drinking a milk-shake than eating anythign low-fat (or not) that makes you PB. Seriously. The first 4-6 weeks are not about weight loss. They are about healing. Your stomach needs to heal. Scar tissue needs to form around your Band. You have a lifetime for weightloss with the Band.