what can i do to feel better?

[Tranquility 0]

I am going crazy with this lap band and I wish I could have it taken out.

2 weeks post op, had 2.5 cc's fill removed today, just stated mushie/soft foods, had mashed potatoes and pudding today, Still hurting. My head hurts, my chest hurts and throat up into my neck, like I am beging suffocated, my throat hurts, I am burping nonstop, every single day all day long

I thought that when I finally got to eat something, that I would feel better, I feel like indigestion and suffering.

So my question/statement: I want to eat like I did before, but just less, (like they told me the lap band would do)and feel that satisfied feeling from eating good food. I love mashed potatoes, I was full, but not at all satisfied. It is like a painfull fullness. My mom asked me -like a thanksgiving full hurt -and I said NO, thanksgiving full still feels all warm and yummy....

Does anyone else feel this way? When, How, will I ever feel good about food like that again?

[Grandma26 1]

I would call your DR. and let them know how you are feeling maybe you need more taken out until you heal. Are you chewing your food enough before you swallow? Sometimes If I don't or I eat to fast I get a feeling of indigestion, but it passes pretty quickly.

Try not to get discouraged, the lap band will work if you give it time. Eventually you will be able to eat a lot of the same foods you ate before, but in smaller portions

Edited August 4, 2009 by Grandma26

[Brockbabe82 0]

I would definitely call your doctor. But remember this is still rerally new, your body is going through shock, and it does take time to get over. Take your time eating, try sticking to lighter, mushie foods, and rest. Good luck to you, it WILL get better.

[Jachut 487]

How do you even have fill in your band to be removed at this stage?

its normal not to have any fill at all until 4 to 8 weeks after the surgery. I'd say you need absolutely nothing in there for now.

But I'm afraid you have to learn to live without that warm, yummy full feeling. You need to recognise satisfied, which sounds like it would feel good, but it kind of feels nothing. Its simply not hungry. You go from that to painful full very quickly with a lapband. So you need to learn to stop before that happens.

You will feel good about food again, and enjoy it, but you have to let go of the way you once felt about it and the way you once enjoyed it.

[NinaC 0]

My band isn't going to be filled for 4 weeks. You need to heal at this point. I'm sometime uncomfortable and have pains in my chest but everyday they get less and less. I feel better with everyday that goes by. Give yourself some time and don't make any rash decisions. It will get better!

[elcee 3,340]

I'm also wondering how/why you have fill in your band. Its not surprising you feel awful - your body needs chance to heal first before the process of fills starts.

I think you should speak to your Dr and that you should probably have all your fill taken out. You may find that makes a huge difference.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I think your surgeon was really really lax in the preop education for you...and you already know I think anyone who fills during surgery has, at the least, a mean streak!

May I suggest buying a book about the band? I expected going in that I'd be able to eat anything, and I CAN! but I didn't expect to feel full. It was made very clear to me that the feeling i was going for was "satiety"...not full. I can describe it best as "not hungry". I'm hungry, then I'm not. I didn't like that full feeling and so don't miss it.

I think you need some good band lifestyle education and maybe some sessions with a therapist. It is different; if you've read on here you know we have to do things differently like no drinking while eating, generally avoid carbonation, chew small bites well, etc..and that much of the "good stuff" doesn't happen until we hit the sweet spot...usually AFTER we've healed (not during week 2)

If you've read on here you know you are in what we call "bandster hell" right now.

You just had a medical device implanted around your stomach. There will be a learning curve and a time for healing and if your surgeon glossed over that with you, then shame on him.