Newbie-ish with a question

lookingout · May 24, 2006

Okay, so i had surgery on April 26. Why do I feel like I can eat almost normal portions lately? Is this normal? I'm scared that I might stretch my pouch. I have an appt July 1 for a fill. Any advice would help.........thanks!

tracylou · May 24, 2006

I had surgery 26th April and feel the same, i am just being carefull not to have a high calorie intake and filling up on fruit but it is hard

I NEED A FILL due for that 17th june. it feels like i am wating for my surgery date all over again

KYangelgt226 · May 24, 2006

I found it helpful to actually measure my portions at first. Best of luck

vericks · May 24, 2006

I have been banded going on my third week and I have the same issues. I haven't had a fill. I keep losing and gaining two pounds. I am trying to cut back on my carb mushies (potatoes, puddings) to see if that makes a change. I get my first fill in another week, perhaps that will bring about a loss of pounds. I lost thirteen pounds initially but nothing except a pound since. Hang in there until your fill.

Vickie

Iluvharleys · May 24, 2006

It's normal, you are wide open when you haven't had a fill. This is the healing time, take it easy, heal up and after you get your first fill, you'll see a difference.

MelodyJ · May 24, 2006

This is a time to practice what we've been taught!!! Measure your portions....take baby spoon bites....choo to goo then chew some more.....then wait 60sec between bites....then start over.

I was also told not to weigh myself or care too much in the first 6wks as you will have some fluctuations.....I still weighed myself! Couldn't help it w/ my enthusiasm.....

Just fight the "old nature" and try to establish good habits and go forth!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -47lbs

niki · May 24, 2006

It is perfectly normal, don't try to hurry things up, it is better to go slowly, believe me! Your surgery is still too recent and you have to give time for your body to heal and adjust and this takes time and patience. Most of us spent most of our lives fighting with extra weight and gaining more and more weight year afetr year, and now that we have a band we can't expect to loose it all at once in a couple of months!

Be patient, your body and your mind need to adjust to your new reality. Take your time to look closely at your food and at what you're eating because this is a whole new game, with new rules, and we have to learn to play it: think about doing good food choices, watch out those quantities you are supposed to eat, take your time to measure quantities you put on your table, and most of all: take all the time to chew, chew, chew, and chew it again - this is hard I know, but it's essential that we learn this new habit of avoiding gulping down our food without proper chewing.

And trust your doctor, if he's experienced he'll probably know the right timing for that new fill.

niki

debbiedawl · May 24, 2006

I just had band surgery May 1st. I see my doctor tomorrow. It is important to write down what you eat each day! For me this is a new way of managing your food. instead of the food managing you!! It has been a challenge for me not to want to eat more than I should.. But at age 53 I DON'T want to weigh 280 lbs. Nobody said this was a miracle cure for obesity. I contributed to my weight gain so I need to contribute to my weight loss. "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." Please hang in there it will be worth it. I know WE can do it!! Debbiedawl

ann38 · May 24, 2006

hi my name is ann and i had my band done 11/18/04 . start out with little protions and slowly build your food protions. i use smart one dinners,healthy choice dinners,or hormal made by dinty more all diet dinners. and do alot of excerising and anything that will help you loss weight okay. ann38:)

Katdancer · May 27, 2006

I am thinking about getting the lap band instead of the gastric by pass. I am very afraid of needles and want to know a few things. Is the fill done with a needle? How often do you need to get a fill? Were is the port that located? Can you see and feel the port? How long are you off work? I just need straight answers that the doctor seems to be avoiding. He wants to do the gastric. He said it would be best for me.

michmouse · May 27, 2006

Katdancer,

Fills are done with a needle, a very large one although you only really feel it when it first goes in your skin, and then I can't feel much after that.

I was told to expect up to 8 fills in the first year, trying to get the proper restriction. My port is on the lower left of my stomach. You lie on a table and have to do a "crunch" during your fills.

As far as recovery, the first week was hard for me, very sore, and I opted to stay home 6 weeks just to give myself extra time. I have heard of people staying home only a week or two.

The gastric is definately a quicker form of weight loss, and with the band you have to pick the right foods and proper portions. I too was considering it, but am happy with the choice I made. Good luck with whatever you choose. I am almost 4 months out and have lost 41 pounds. :grouphug:

hopefulloser · May 30, 2006

Hi, I just had my first fill. It didn't really hurt, but I thought it was kind of gross. The needle didn't come out smoothly. I am sure I will get used to it. I didn't have to do a crunch, not sure why. I am looking forward to feeling some restriction, but the weight does seem to be coming off. Good Luck.

nyssa · May 30, 2006

hi, I had my first fill at 3 weeks only 1.2cc and I am ready for another one at 5 weeks, at first I lost fast, 12lbs in 2weeks and now I have slowed down, but it is a constant fight to eat, and I know I need more Protein, I can eat about anything, but I try to stick to salads and Protein Drinks, although my doctor said I could have fish, and I have and haven't had any problems with it, I have healed very well, and can't wait until I am more restricted! You will do fine, and don't compare yourself to anyone, EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!!!! Good luck!