tmckee

Your story is almost identical to mine. I was banded in July and have had two fills. The last one in October was probably too much because I get sick most of the time when I try to eat. I now have a whole new relationship with food....it scares me! There is no consistency in when or what is going to make me sick. Bread and meat won't go down but cookies and chips do. I'm 5'6" and have lost 46 lbs. too. The band does not make me feel full, it makes me feel sick and often have to induce vomiting for relief. This is not what I expected but since the scale is finally moving, I guess I shouldn't complain. I'm hungry alot and eat sugar free popcicles all the time. Slim Fast, soup and (surprisingly) salad, are all tolerated. Trust me when I tell you that I feel your pain....literally. I'm hoping that, in time, the band will relax a little and I won't get sick as often. Good Luck to you! 46 pounds is not bad....

I think everyone is different in what they can tolerate in their diet. The only really good piece of advise I can pass along pertains to the excess gas in your stomach. I swear by Gas X strips. They were lifesavers after my surgery! tmckee

That was exactly the type of useful information I was looking for. Thank you! I have been bad about drinking water. I will start today and get my water down! tmckee

I think Dr. Miranda's term was "nothing that you can't sip through a straw". I'm not sure cream of wheat is in that category but, if you can tolerate it, it's probably not bad. I ate a ton of sugar free popsicles (tropical flavors are great!) and sugar free jello.

The doc did use fluoro and initially had overfilled. He took out a couple cc's and I could see on the screen just a small amount of liquid passing through. I'm hoping that the band will relax a little on it's own. I'm so happy to see the scale finally move in the right direction that I'm willing to accept this for awhile.

Hi All. I was banded 7/03/07 by Dr. Ortiz. My first fill was 8/17/07 of 2.5cc. I felt no restriction and lost no weight. I had a second fill on 10/08/07 of .9cc for a total of 3.4 cc. Now I can't really eat much at all. I get very ill and often I have to self induce vomiting to get relief. A cup of coffee barely goes down. Does this mean I might need to be unfilled a little? I have lost a few pounds since my second fill so I'm really reluctant to be 'unfilled'. I chew my food very slow and to a pulp. Do any of you veterans out there have any suggestions for me? Thanks for any advice you can give. T. McKee

I'm curious to know how you were diagnosed with infection. I had my first fill on Aug. 17. In the past week or so I've been experiencing pain at my port site and wondered if it could be infection. You're the first person to post this topic. I'd like to know how many others experience pain at port site.

Yes, it was Dr. Vitello. Very nice guy and the procedure was very quick and easy.

I got a recommendation from this site for a fill doctor in the Chicago area. I had my first fill with him on Aug. 17th and he was great. Very reasonable cost and he uses flouro. If anyone in this area would like his information, let me know and I'll pass it along. TMckee

Quitting smoking will be the hardest part of any of this. I went solo in July. Not that I needed anybody but the hotel room is for two and it's gorgeous. I'm sure I could have found someone who wanted a cheap 3 day vacation in TJ. You'll feel good enough after surgery to get a little shopping in or site seeing. Best wishes. Don't be nervous. The OCC has this down to a science and you will be well cared for.

I had a margarita the day of my surgery. Also have had white wine (it's a clear liquid) since. No adverse effects. I asked about it at the OCC and they told me that alcohol isn't the problem...it's the empty calories. I'm still under 500 cals a day so I figure I can work in a glass of wine.

I was banded on July 3rd and I'm down more than 15 lbs. in about 10 days. However, I think Dr. Miranda did me a mis-service by telling me I wouldn't be hungry. I beg to differ. Those roaring sounds are not lions, they are indeed, my stomach demanding food! I've cheated a tiny bit with string cheese (low fat of course) and an egg. No negative results. For you veterans out there - have any of you eaten real food before the 3 weeks? If so, did you have any negative consequences? I figure that that what don't kill me will make me stronger. Just kiddin' but 3 weeks of liquid is just not natural! Not that I'm going to go off the deep end but, really, can't we eat something! Veteran banders please reply! Help!

Hi Macy, What is it, specifically, that you are afraid of? The surgery, as we have all agreed, is a breeze. No pain, little discomfort and up and at 'em immediately afterward. I was banded July 3rd and I have not thrown up once. There's bloating from the surgery for a short while (I swear by Gas-X strips) but I have not been sick. There is a company called Fill Centers of US that have sites all over the country. Unfortunately for me they don't have any in Wisconsin. Also, you could check with doctors who specialize in bariatrics and see if they are willing to do fills. I haven't had one yet but I've read that it's important that they use x-ray or floroscopy rather than doing them 'blind'. It's normal to be afraid of the unknown. But, as you can tell by all the testimonials, this is pretty simple stuff. You're worth it!