litlady

I got my first fill a couple of weeks ago, and I'm leaning towards the fact that I still don't have restriction. I've been pretty sick the past week and I haven't felt very hungry. I did try to eat a few carrots yesterday morning and it felt like they got stuck... and, they came up. I'm feeling the stuck feeling with several things so I've been avoiding them since. However, I'm trying to weigh restriction verses stuck. Stuck = Pain. Restriction = Full. Right?

Kristy

Congratulations on your weight loss, Kristy. Way to go!!

I had my first fill 10 days ago, and I cannot tell what is restriction and what is something I didn't chew carefully enough -- I hate that awful pain. I still haven't felt full yet. Trial and error, I guess.

Congrats, Sue

Can someone explain to me what feeling restricted is like? I had my first fill 10 days ago, and the doc said it might take a week or so to feel anything. I do not trust myself to judge; I certainly have never been able to judge what full is

I am very excited to say that in the 7 weeks between my surgery and fill #1, I lost 47 pounds.

Thanks for all your help--

sue

Hi Lucy-

Thanks so much for sharing with us; you certainly have been through a rough patch. Hopefully, you are back on the smooth road again. It means so much to hear from an experienced bander. When I read six years, I had to stop and think. Intellectually I know my band is forever but my fatself is talking away in my head saying, " we can go get the ice cream; a little bit won't hurt..." My emotional self is being about 6 yrs old and telling me to get thin and then we will be able to eat anything. Your post made me stop and think about the life-long commitment I have made.

Sue

1. Name:Sue

2. Location: Orlando, Fl area

3. Age: 62 (say it ain't so -- how did it happen?)

4. Band Date:11/24/08

5. Married: Widow for 26 years -- never met another one as wonderful

6. Children of the human or furry kind: 2 grown human types; currently 3 female kitties. I take in rescues.

7. Hobby(ies):Travel all over the world; reading -- a passion; quilting -- my escape; and about a zillion other things

8. Work:High school literature teacher/ college adjunct

9. What was the deciding factor(s) on getting banded:my knees and back were giving out

10. Interesting factoid: I lost a bet with my students and ended up with the school mascot tattooed on my left shoulder! Anything for the kids!

Nice going, Clary! Congratulations on all of your hard work.

Hi Flan-

You look absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on your weight loss and your impending surgery, You are a lucky girl!

Sue

Karan-

Thank you for sharing your story. You have certainly made me more aware. And, thank goodness you are well.

Does anyone know what it feels like when the band slips? Just curious -- one of my semi-irrational fears.

sue

I am one of the newbies who has pretty much been lurking. It takes quite awhile to understand the culture of a board new to me. Some veteran members on boards are offended when a newbie tries to join the conversation -- can you tell I've been burned?! I have sent a number of private messages and actually asked 2 questions. Although I am generally assertive in my real life I do not feel comfortable doing that here.

Thanks to those of you who have responded to my PM; I appreciate the advice you have given me. I am sorry that the PM system is going away.

sue

Does this happen with all solid foods or just a few? Do you notice a pattern with what you are eating when this happens? Some foods are just off the menu for bandsters but which foods cause problems will vary from person to person and the only real way to learn is through trial and error. The most common foods which cause problems are breads and pasta. Maybe a pattern with a time of day? Some people are more restricted in the morning after they wake up. If that's the case try stopping eating for an hour or two before you go to bed. Once you fall asleep your digestive system shuts down so anything in your stomach at the time will just sit there and cause irritation. It's also possible that your stomach is having continued irritation from vomiting and has not been allowed to heal before the next episode. Try going on liquids for a couple of days and see if this helps.

It's very important to note that if you can't get fluids down you need to contact a doctor asap as you can easily get dehydrated and become very sick very quickly. Also, do not get a fill until this has been resolved. A fill will only make the situation worse and there's few things in life more miserable than an overfilled band.

Also, you said when you stick to full solids you don't have that problem, which doesn't make sense. Do you mean full liquids?

This has happened only in the evening at dinner time. The food doesn't seem to matter. My friend has suggested that I might be eating too fast which is possible. I put myself back on full liquids until I can reach the OCC. Full liquids are working just fine -- I may just drink soup for the rest of my life!!

I will definitely try to keep a journal of problems.

I really appreciate your advice and help. I sort of feel like I am feeling my way in the dark. Where does everyone find the diet/eating plan that they use? I was not given anything except a picture of a protein, a veggie, and a carb at each meal

Thanks,

Sue

Sue,

I would call the OCC. The nausea and vomiting isn't normal. I've gotten the pain in my chest... but, I know for a fact it is because I have gotten something stuck. I've done this twice, but it goes through my band in a minute or two. I'm trying to chew better. Are you able to keep fluids down?

Kristy

Thanks, Kristy. I will call tomorrow. I am having no problem with full liquids -- creamy soups are my best friend! I sure hope I haven't dislodged my band or something equally horrible.

sue

I am 6-1/2 weeks out from surgery and scheduled for a fill in 2-1/2 more weeks. Every time I try to eat solid food I get a horrible pain in my chest between my breasts. Frequently this is accompanied by nausea, and on several occasions I have vomited. I am chewing my food VERY carefully. If I stick to full solids, I do not have these problems.

Does anyone have a suggestion?

Thanks,

sue

I would love to come, and that is plenty of time to for us to plan a vacation (and save up for it.)

I am so far away, and I don't know if I have any skills to help in the areas of planning.

I will ponder on the thought and see if a trickle of creativity comes to me.

Hi Paula-

I live in Apopka (north of Orlando). Do you know of anywhere close to get fills done safely? Unfortunately, I cannot afford to fly back to TJ at the moment.

Sue

Hi Everyone-

Does anyone know of a good, safe place to get a fill in Florida? I would love to go back to the OCC but that you require me to take two days off from school which is hard on both my students and me.

I am very near Orlando. Anything in Central Florida?

Thanks,

sue

Thanks to everyone for your encouraging words. I think I am going to love being part of this band -- tee-hee!

What a great group.

Sue who hopes to build a funky signature and chart one day soon

I had my surgery on 11/24 -- the Monday of Thanksgiving week! Whatever was I thinking?

I went to work yesterday and was exhausted by the time the final bell rang -- today was much better.

I seem to be pretty weak which concerns me. I cannot walk very far before I need to sit down. Is this normal?

Sue

Top weight: 324

Surgery weight: 262

1 week down!

I'm new here, getting scheduled for a fill and I know this is last minute but if anyone is interested in heading to St. Petersburg, let me know. I'm trying to get scheduled for 7th or 8th, yes...not much time. I'm in Deland.

http://www.lapbandforum.com/style_emoticon...lt/rolleyes.gif

Hi Gopher -- I am getting my band on November 24. Prehaps we can make arrangements to go to St. Pete togethr in the future. I am in Apopka.