Lealove

WARNING:: LONG & kind of gross

Hello All,

I was banded on May 26th and had my first fill July 12 in Roswell. I had 2.??? cc in my 4 cc band. (I was the one that had to go back the next day because I could not even swallow my spit).. By that next day everything seemed better and nothing was removed.....well for the last 3+ weeks and this is what has been happening. I cannot eat anything but liquids all day and then a little bit at night. I have slimed (mouth watering and needing to spit constantly and some sliming??? kind of like vomiting but not the same... all i have to do is burp or lean over the toilet and out comes everything so easily and then I feel better. I have done this pretty much everyday. I have lived off of sugar free popsicles. I have noticed that LATE at night I can eat. Example last night I had a small Wendy's Chili at 11:00! I did not feel too bad because I figure I needed those calories. On saturday night I went out to dinner with my 14 year old son, his best friend and his mom. I was starving and I went as slowly as I could but after a couple of bites I KNEW I was going to be in trouble. I had to excuse myself and go spit/puke etc... and then I was fine. Well the next day, I just had my popsicles and water and then went to dinner with two of my girlfriends and I was very scared to eat but I went very slowly and I was able to eat 1/2 of a wedge salad, 2 huge onion rings and half of a sugar cookie. I felt great and I could have eaten more but I didn't. I never get that feeling of fullness just a feeling of if I eat one more bite I will be sick so I stop. Is this normal?? I know others have talked about how the band is very moody and you just never know... I feel wonderful, I am running every other night, taking my vitamins and have lost 26 pounds some weeks no loss and then some I do.

I was just wondering if this is normal. I probably needed to have some taken out back when I first had my fill but then there were days I was fine.

Any insight is much appreciated!

Lea

Thanks for the responses to my post about being in pain after my first fill. I did call Darlene (Roswell, GA) around 7:00 last night to explain what was happening. She is WONDERFUL. She gives out her cell phone number. She offered to meet me back at the fill center last night to check me to see if I needed any taken out but I told her I thought I could get through the night and would see her in the morning. I truly was so miserable, I could not even swallow my spit (sorry so gross). I walked around with a "spit cup" all evening. I seriously had so much pain and just plain uncomfortable, just a swallow of water hurt going down. I took (chewed) an over the counter sleep aid and went to bed. Well, I slept through the night and woke up this morning feeling great! I had 2 cups of black coffee NO Prolem! I went ahead to the fill center just in case and Darlene had me drink the Barium and watched the flow 3 times and it was just fine. She explained the swelling can cause too much restriction, etc.. I did not have any removed and I feel fine. I just wanted to post this in case someone else might have this happen. I am glad I waited 24 hours BUT this is not always the case, some people DO have to have some taken out.

Hi All,

I had my first fill today in Atlanta and it was a very pleasant experience. I, however am not having a pleasant experience! I have been uncomfortable since I left the fill center (1 hour away). I can drink but I feel it as it goes down and it hurts. I have had hiccups all day and have to burp constantly. I also have had to carry a cup around to spit in all day. I had black coffee after the fill (Darlene, the nurse, said it was fine) I was afraid I would get a migraine from caffeine withdrawal. I felt every sip and it sat in my "pouch" awhile then went down, I felt everything. I had about a 1 hour time today as I sipped chicken broth when I felt fine and thought the worst had passed. I am starting to feel the pain again. I am assuming that I am too tight. I am pretty sure the nurse will be in tomorrow so I think I could go back for some to be taken out but my question is, has this happened to anyone else and it did pass and get better. I remember MamaMichelle's post about the Chicken Ceasar salad episode and going back to the OCC for some unfill and possibly wishing she had waited to let it pass??? I can endure this if I know it is only temporary. They only have fills here the first & third saturday of the month. Please let me know if you experienced any of this. I think she said she put in 2.0 ccs in my 4.o band.

Prayers of comfort for your family. May you feel God's peace and presence always.

Hi Donna!

Welcome to this forum. I too am from Atlanta and looked into local doctors for the procedure and then I read Dr. Ortiz's book and decided that if I could have anyone do this surgery, I wanted him to do it because of his experience. It wasn't until I went to his website that I realized how much money I was going to save by going to TJ. So you see, I wanted him to do the surgery even before I knew he would be that much cheaper, that is how wonderful of a doctor he is. You will do great! My only regret is that I did not do this years ago! Best of luck! There alot of us from the Atlanta area on here.

Hi Beatriz!

I was banded the day before you, I was with my sister and we are from Georgia! I am not on the forum as often as I would like but just came across your post. I too get hiccups everyday. No rhyme or reason for when they occur. Sometimes they are more painful than others. I hope you are doing well. Are you coming to Roswell for your fills?? I have my first on July 12th with Cedartown (from Alabama).

Hey Guys & Girls,

Where are you having lunch and at what time?? I was banded on the 26th and not getting my first fill until July 12 with Cedartown but I would like to meet other local bandsters!!

Hi Ute!

Hi everyone,

I was banded on May 26th and have felt wonderful. I was looking at my card that I received from the OCC and it says that my band is LAGB 10.0cm. Is that what everyone else gets?? That just sounds "big" to me. I think I am getting paranoid because I think I can feel my band when I push on my mid left side (abdominal area) I cannot feel anything on the middle highest incision area where I thought my port was, I am confused and not sure what is where on me. I know I asked but honestly, I do not remember hardly anything from the surgery until we left to fly home. It was very strange, I lost a total 24 hours. I have had to ask my sister about things.

Thanks!

Hi All,

I was banded on May 26th and things are going well. I was just wondering.....sometimes when I am really thirsty and I just want to chug a glass of cold water to quench my thirst..I was thinking, Is this okay with the band?? I know with juice,shakes,soups and eventually food I have to have small amounts and go slow but is it okay with water. Just slowly sipping water when I am dying of thirst just doesn't satisfy me.

Thanks for any help!

Thanks Sue! I actually was looking out for you on the 27th but I really do not have alot of memory after my surgery. It is very weird, things have started coming back to me and I have had to asks my sister if it really happened or did I dream things. Very strange feeling!

Kimra,

Thanks that is helpful... I have read Dr. Ortiz's book twice and I have read the post op diet a million times but now that I am home (banded May 26th) I got confused and scared of how many calories/times to drink on a daily bases. Dr. Miranda was wonderful and helpful, I think this info. you posted might should be included in the post op info to help as a guideline for patients. I like how she broke it down for you.

Thanks!

Shannon

I know Diarrea is not spelled correctly (hee hee) and sorry so gross of a topic. I was banded on May 26th and so far I feel really well. I have lost 10 pounds and have MADE myself stay hydrated. I do have diarreah though. Not always but at least once a day. Is this normal??/

Hi Crissi! I went back to my sister's house until last night and did not have access to the internet. I couldn't wait to get on to see if you had written anything & Cedartown too! I have lost 10 pounds too!! Yeah for us!! I enjoyed talking with you and being banded with you, we will always be "banded sisters" now!! I was really sore but now am fine. I am just not sure how much we are supposed to be drinking (calorie wise). I found a really good potato soup and found some powder protein to add to it and it is really good. I have had diarhea (sorry so gross) but it seems to happen when I have chicken broth or yogurt drink. I am assuming it is because my system has been without solids so everything is kind of going through me. I have been drinking like crazy though not to get dehydrated. Did your little girl have a wonderful birthday?? You have given her a beautiful gift, your health.... by the way, my sister and I were talking about how beautiful you are, your skin looks like a 10 year olds!! Keep in touch!

Shannon =D>

Thanks everyone with the helpful info. Michelle, would you post that cucumber, feta cheese recipe?? My mouth is watering thinking about it! Thanks!!

I did the optifast shakes 3-5 times per day during the 3 week liquid post-op phase, I'm not usually a soup person so I like the shake option and it helped keep my protein levels up so I felt full most of the day! I also did yogurt and jello (regular and the puddings both in the sugar free versions)

Before my first fill I still did 1-2 shakes per day and then a salad or maybe a lean cuisine for dinner. Then I started adding more real meals in one day at a time till I was only doing a shake for breakfast and a south beach diet wrap meal for lunch and whatever I wanted for dinner.

After my first fill I did oatmeal or a shake for breakfast, but since I could no longer stand the tortillas in the wrap meal I would have a lunchable it's not the ideal diet food but I could eat the crackers meat and cheese with no issues. Dinner was usually this cucumber salad I make with peeled and chopped cucumbers, feta cheese and greek dressing...

Now since I've had my 2nd fill and I am really tight I can't eat the crackers any more and the cucumbers and oatmeal aren't going down too well either, so who knows what I'll start eating now..

I guess my point is don't feel like you have to plan so far ahead because things you can eat before a fill sometimes won't work after a fill, it's something you have to deal with on a day to day basis! You'll have to learn your body to see what will work for you!!

I am curious , has anyone followed a specific diet after being banded to maximize weightloss or this new way of life??? I have done Atkins (a healthy version of it) before and felt wonderful on it (of course thought, gained it all back and then some). I have read about South Beach and it looks good and healthy. I am just curious. I know the purpose of the band is going to be a tool to help me be somewhat "normal" about food, the amounts, etc....

just wondering....

LeaLove

May 26th banding!!

Lisa,

YOu are such an inspiration!!! Wow!! YOU are beautiful!! I will be banded on May 26th and am ready to begin my new life. Thinner but more important healthy!

Hey Denise,

I have my pictures up in my album, just go to my profile and click on gallery. I'm loving life!

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?showuser=1345

Lisa

I will look you up! I have sent an email to requests the Lucerna so hopefully it won't be a big deal!

I will be banded on May 26th along with Crissi and Cedartown. I did not make a specific requests for one of the hotels but now I think I should stay at the Lucerna. My sister will be with me and she is taking time off work to go with me and have a mini vacation so I want her to be happy. Who do I contact to request that I stay at the Lucerna??? Thanks for any help!

I just turned 44 on May 13th and my Birthday present to myself is being banded on May 26th. I have been on a merry go round of madness with losing major weight then gaining it back plus alot more. So embarrassing.... now I want to be healthy and fit for my family but also just for me!! I like being in my 40's in all areas except for my weight and I plan to change it this time and keep it off!!

I will be flying in on the 25th from Atlanta and I will be the other "fat one" (hee hee). So it looks like three of us so far on that day?

I do not know where I am staying.....I did not request because they both look really nice and as long as my sister gets to shop, she will be happy...

I am counting down the days!!

There is a pool ladies but not hot tub. The food is great and don't worry about a thing. Lacerna has been with OCC for a long time. I just talked to Rene and they are contracting with also another Hotel as well called Camino Rio. So you have both hotels. Camino Rio is closer to the office and closer to the shopping mall as well. So they felt that this may benefit the patients and their families. So if your choosing Lacerna, it can happen as well as Camino Rio. So ladies nothing to worry about.

I arrive on May 25 with my sister and we wanted to be at the Lucerna because it seems so nice and it has a history with OCC. I was nervous about going to TJ until everyone couldn't say enough about OCC and Lucerna......... what to do???????

If you are being banded around the 25th -27th please reply with what you are doing. I don't want to be at another hotel while all the other patients are at another.....

LeaLove

Renee, If you are talking about the fill center in Roswell, I just went there Saturday for my first fill. And everything was wonderful. Darlene, the nurse practitioner that does the fills there, is absolutely wonderful. Also Darlene will not do a fill without fluoroscopy. She requires it. She has you to drink barium and watches the speed at which it goes down to determine your fill. Then you sit in the waiting room with a bottle of water and sip for 20 minutes to make sure all goes down well. I totally recommend her. She is wonderful and everyone there is great. I have 4cc band and my first fill was 3cc. I know that sounds like a lot but everything is going down fine as long as I chew my food properly (ate a couple of bites of pasta today and did not chew enough - very painful). But the next couple of bites went down fine after chewing more. I am very happy with my experience there and my fill. I have a lot of restriction and hopefully will not need another fill for a few months but we will see. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

I will be using the fill center in Roswell (being banded May 26th). Misty I am glad to hear you like it there. I just cannot go to TJ everytime I need a fill although I wish I could. I am in the Lawrenceville area.........

LeaLove

I have read where many of you say your band is tight in the morning and you can barely eat anything or only a shake, etc... what does this mean and why is it tight in the morning??

20 days to Band!!

Has anyone ever used the protein puddings? Like Stallone or Muscle Milk (maybe milk muscle??)

Just thinking once I can have more firm foods that this would stay in the pouch longer???

LeaLove