Hello everyone. I was banded on 4/30/07 and tomorrow (6/26/07) I get my first fill. I'm having anxieties and getting nervous. I have heard that they numb the area first and that you can't really feel it, but I'm still nervous. Does anyone have any comforting words/experiences to share? Did everyone else have to wait 8 weeks for a fill? Should I be worrying or is there nothing to it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

Tina

Goodmorning Tina,

This is just a side note to your thread....

I have only been on liquids for 2 of the 14 days pre-op and I wanted to know how you did with your liquid diet?

Surprisingly, I am not having a problem with hunger or cheating. It's the headaches and the swelling. I was going stop taking my Fluid pills and the naproxen during this period. But I am aching so much from the excessive sodium levels from the shakes, bars, and Soups that I have to take the meds for any relief.

Telll me how you made it.

Have a great day,

Chanda

Chanda,

It is very difficult. I had to stop taking my naproxen. Didn't Denise tell you to stop? I couldn't take them two weeks before or two weeks after surgery. You might want to call the office and check on that. You are probably swelling because of the outrageous heat. It's suppose to cool down tomorrow and maybe that will help. If you keep on track with the Optifast, you will probably lose 20 pounds before your surgery. I had a very, very difficult time in the second week and I just wanted to chew something. I called Denise and she said that it was alright if I had a salad or something very low calorie, but I was still scared to do that. Keep up the good work, but before you take any more meds, call the office.

Tina

Tina,

Your right. I am not supposed to have the naproxen but I was in so much pain yesterday. I have have to go buy some tylenol today. But I can take the Fluid pill up to the day before surgery. So hopefully that will help.

Did you not have the Protein bars??? Did that help with the chewing craving???

She said that I didn't have to buy the Optifast. So I am on the Slimfast Optima, broths, Protein Bars, Jello, Water, crystal light, and that's about it.

Tina,

How often did you eat salad? Did you have dressing???

I am like you and afraid to do anything that would compromise my band, but I can see that the broth will get real old really fast. And since it has so much sodium I may want to call Denise to see if I can do anything different.

Yes...go out and get that Tylenol. You do not want to compromise your surgery date. I only had salad one night and let me tell you...it was the BEST salad that I ever had (not really, but it felt like it). I only use Fat Free Italian dressing. It was also a garden salad...only lettuce, tomato, cucumber and carrotts. I didn't have any meat or eggs or cheese. Yes, I did the Protein bars, but it wasn't enough for me. The liquid diet literally drove me crazy. I was determined to make it work, but it was probably one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. I knew, however, that there was a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. Have you gone for the "What to Expect During Your Hospital Stay" meeting at the hospital? I found it very interesting. There were six of us there and only two were having lap band...the other four opted for gastric bypass. I didn't understand it. And, to be honest with you, I didn't think that they were that big. To me...to go through gastric bypass I would have to be so big that I couldn't get out of the bed and gastric was the only thing to save me. At the meeting, they show you everything that they put on you during and after surgery. They did say that the lap band patients did not get a pain medicine pump, but I did... Have I mentioned that I just LOVED GW????

Tina:whoo:

Ok, I made it through the first fill!! I had the option of getting numbed up prior to the saline needle getting inserted, but I chose not to. I figured why get stuck twice? The first needle will hurt when it goes in, then I'll get numb so why not just bite the bullet and do it without getting numb? I did, and it wasnt so bad at all!!

I was given 1 cc in my 10 cm band, (it only holds 4 cc's)...so, I'm hoping for some good restriction, and soon!! I havent had anything to eat today, just liquids and I'm starving!! LOL

I am nervous about my first fill also which is July 13th ( friday the 13th ) which is comforting LOL Anyway do all Drs put in a different amount of saline or do we all get the same amount the first time, how do they determine how much to put in ? I have the 10cc band, I want that thing filled right up haha. I am feeling hungry and am trying to make the right choices. Thanks everyone

Kim:)

I live in Harrisonburg - having lap band by Dr. Rodriquez on December 3 in Mexico. Does anyone have info on places to get fills when the doctor did not do the surgery? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks, Tara