June 2013 Bandsters - How are you doing?

[LessLee 119]

I know! I was shocked to learn it had that much already. I guess that is why I am able to eat the smaller portions without being ravenous, but I do get hungry around 2hrs later..I hope this was just the top up I need. I am very afraid to be too tight, but I feel fine so far.

When they do the surgery at Slimband, they now use what they call "Slim Spot technology". They fill the band completely and then defill until they determine where the sweet spot level is - by watching the nerve I am told - so my sweet spot was determined to be at 7cc. They then take out enough, about 1.5 - 2 cc to allow for swelling and healing following surgery.

Great! Wow you had more in your band with your surgery then I do now. So happy for you. Everything else go well?

[Bro Rob 43]

I was banded on June 24th, had my first fill on July 22nd - I wished they had filled a little more because I am still getting hungry between meals. My doc is conservative when itcomes to fills, so I will have to ask them to fill a little more on my next fill on Aug 10th.

[LessLee 119]

Hi Bro Rob, I hope you find that green zone next time! Did they put any in at surgery?

[Bro Rob 43]

Hi LesLee - No they did not add anything at surgery. I thing the fact that I am much more active now - (working out) may have something to do with the extra hunger.... but it is nothing that is going to going to get me off track.

[Amberley 97]

tomorrow I get to start regular food. Goodbye mushies!!!!! First band fill is scheduled for August the third. I love The Hospital Group. The dietician has called every week. When they called to schedule my band fill she booked me for my next three bank fills scheduled 3 weeks apart. I know that The Hospital Group gets complained about alott but I have had the most amazing experience with them. What did you guys eat your first day off mushies?

[LessLee 119]

Great attitude Bro Rob! Love it!

Hi Amberley! My very first semi solid meal was Soup with big chunks of veggies and chicken + a rye crisp with laughing cow light cheese. Then for dinner that night I made pork chops because my husband wanted some, but they were a real pain to chew up..make sure your meat is moist. Most of the time I try to have 3oz solid Protein, 1/2 c veg and 1/4c grain for dinner. Nothing has given me problems yet, just go slow and small pieces. I like to feel it pass through before continuing. Good luck with your fills!

[DianaW 1]

My one month mark was the 25th. I feel good now aside from some lower level bloating. Bloating and pressure seem to be a theme for me. I had a lot of pressure from the gas immediately after surgery and it lasted for more than a week.

I had some serious challenges immediately after surgery, my sister-in-law got married July 6, I had a two day job interview on July 8 and 9 - and someone was always looking to take me to a meal!!! But, I talked to my nutritionist before everything and she really helped navigate me through it. Though my surgeon instructed me to transition from liquid to pureed foods three to seven days after surgery, he told me to talk to the nutritionist and it was she who helped me to figure out what to do when my options were few. Her advice boiled down to pick soft, healthy foods like fish and the inside of a baked potato (preferably sweet) then chew, chew and chew some more. I'm grateful to have an excellent team.

This week I attended my first support group. My team groups all bariatric patients together so I met a young woman who had surgery the same day, but she had bypass. It was nice to meet the participants, especially the fellow bandsters, but I didn't feel really stimulated during the session and not particularly engaged. Maybe because it was my first. I'll try it a few more times before I make a decision.

Really glad I found this site. You guys are way livelier than the ones in my support group.

[allysonwhitt 35]

Diana, I have had a lot of lower bloating and gas pain too. Try Beano with each meal for a few days. It really worked and quickly.

[AZ Gary 149]

Went in for my first scheduled fill yesterday and they looked at my charts and said we could wait another month since everything seems to be working as it should. They said the docs sometimes leave in upwards of 5-7cc. So if I was on the high end, I came out of surgery with the glass half full so to speak.

[LessLee 119]

Hi Everyone. Well I survived my daughter's birthday. I had once slice of thin multigrain crust pizza and a small piece of cake (I made it). That was all I needed and I counted the calories. I am happy to say I have lost another 1.4lbs this week.

Since my first fill last wed, I am much hungrier this week! I have also upped my activity level though. I do think I could use another small fill in 3 weeks.

Hi DianaW! You sure did have some hurdles to get through. I pretty much didn't leave my house for 2-3 weeks post-op, glad you were able to get through them. Welcome!

So you didn't get a fill Gary? How do you feel? I had 5.5 at surgery and got 1cc last week.

[AZ Gary 149]

I'm going great, with a little luck and a lot of exercise will pass the magic 50 number in the coming 10 days. I'm supposed to go back in a month which will also be the day I meet with my PCP to review labs and consider another drop in the meds.

[LessLee 119]

That's great!

[tracie71 11]

Hi had surgery June 15th and had 1st fill 1.5cc mid July. I have lost about 19lbs since start I do fine it very slow as I didn't lose for 3 of these weeks but didn't gain I suppose I shouldn't complain because it is suppose to be slow also if it wasn't for the band I would still have that 19lbs on my ass.... I still get a lot of head hunger and find I can have a little of the nice things without feeling to much guilt. I have upped my excercise and try to do 5k walk 3 times a week I feel much fitter and more healthy as I can't eat bread ( best news ever) it won't stay down no matter how much I try. Also I started to lose weight again when my husband hid my scales and I only get them now on a sat morn I was becoming obsessed and when I didn't lose I comfort ate which is my problem.

[allysonwhitt 35]

Doing well! Had a great week last week with a 3.5 lb loss. This week slower. My pants are falling off me which is great but frustrting because I am not buying any new summer clothes. At some point I may start looking like the teenage boys with their pants hanging off their butt. Lol

[LessLee 119]

HI Tracie, 19lbs is great! I also slowed right down after the pre-op and then the liquids phase, but many people gain once they start eating again, so we did good!! Congrats!

Hi Allyson, great loss! Congrats! Have you taken measurements? I do one a month.