AngieB

I love drunkin posts! Glad your surgery went well Sabrina! Sounds like you had another great experience. Woo hoo for sleeping on your side!!!!

Hi, this is my first official post as a soon-to-be-banded person. My surgery date is July 26th... I am very excited yet very nervous. I've quickly come to the realization that I have to leave the "Mexico" out of all discussions related to my surgery. Everyone is very receptive until they hear "Mexico" and then I get the "Oh, I thought you were smarter than that" look...which just frustrates me. I certainly tried to get the surgery here in the States, but insurance denied me despite being a BMI of 52...apparently I need a few more diseases first?! Anyway, I've done my research and feel very happy with my decision...still a little scared though. How is everyone else handling the Fill situations? I've become increasingly frustrated with the hospitals around here. They will not do my fills because they won't be doing the surgery. There is a Fill Center in New Prague here in Minnesota, but to my knowledge they don't use the Fluoro. Any advice at this point will be taken.

Personally, I am a believer in floro, however I do know MANY SUCCESSFUL bandsters who have there fills done under floro. There are MANY things that factor in to a fill. Take for example, I was in on Friday and had a fill. The surgeon who did my fill, was brand spanking new. He did fairly well, well sorta. He was a dead eye dewy and hit my small, low profile port first try! YAY! Then he pulled some fluid out to make sure he was in, again, alright, but I prefer not to have them do that at all. It causes more movement, and swelling which to me is not nesseccary. Anyway, When he went to add fluid, the syringe leaked, so he had to shut the stop cock. After that, the gal who was training him ask him how many CC's he should add, he said, 1 CC. I have a small, 10 cm 4 cc band and already have some restriction, so that was a no go. She told him .1 or .2 cc's and he proceeded to push saline into my band. I then did a barium swallow and the fluid was not passing at all. He was unsure of how much he actually added. Bummer, so he went to back it out and the fluid went through the band. **At this point I should have asked for another barium swallow, but thought nothing of it.** I asked how much he added and he told me a .1cc or .2 he had no idea. Okay, I thought well so I don't know how much of a fill I got. Guess from here on out I will not know what is in my band. I was making peace with it and went about my marry way. (had to return to work.) So, I got back to work and was on liquids for 2 days......no restriction. I called Sunday night to leave a message for my nurse and asked her to call me. Of course, more times than not, they DO NOT LIKE TO ADMIT that the fill didn't go as thought. The notes in my file said, gave .2 cc's fill snug. Yeah, that would have been awesome, except he actually pulled more out of my band than what he gave me, leaving me with NO restriciton.

So I am going back in today and have to pay for the radiology fee again. Okay, what ever. Lesson learned.....

The point of me sharing my last fill story with you is to let you know that MANY things can factor in to a good fill....floro or not.

For me, I chose to find after care locally. I go to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for my fills. Each fill takes me about 2 hours. I have an office visit and then go to radiology for my fill. That is where I spend most of my time....

I am a wife, mother, full time worker with a part time job on the side. So travel and the expense tied to it is a greater cost than staying local.

I have not had a fill at the OCC, BUT can say they are experts. They have done tons of fills and are able to dial you in. They have had people who got to tight from a fill there as well. Fills are not a exact science. If you find someone or where that works for you, then stick with them.

Sorry for the long share, but I wanted to give you a glimpse into what can be possible. Wish me well today, as I will be going back in to get my restriction back! Ugh!

Angie

So I'm going on 17 days post op I've lost 18 #s! Wooohoo I've been starting to eat like mashed potatoes, had a hotdog w-no skin drenched in ketchup! No issues I sometimes get the "burp" which is an indication I'm full- the problem is I have to literaly remove whatever it is I'm eating cuz I feel like I could just keep going especially if I don't burp. I'm scared I will eat too much-havent pb or slimed yet? Does that only happen once u reach restriction? Or am I doing such a great job w eating tiny bites n chewing well enough? Is it normal to b able to eat now n feel like u could eat a lot-i haven't been help me please I was a little scatterbrain w getting my issues out but I know u guys understand thnk u

Hey there, I want to fist say, be careful! The 21 days of liquids are hard. Matter of fact, I was a cheater too. That being said. Let me tell you how I cheated. I drank my first 2 meals of the day and had a 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of puree mushie food for dinner. I would put what ever it was in a bullet and blend it, or I would have a piece of string cheese. Something that would melt on the way down.

The purpose of not eating solids or mushies to soon, is to give you band a chance to SCAR into place. By putting weight on it...weight meaning food, that is putting pressure on the band and moving it from it's position. This very well could set you up for a band slip months even years later.

Please do not go gung hoe. Don't cheat excessively or at all if you can help it. Even though you can. Your swelling is likely gone, and your band is WIDE open. That means more likely than not your food will pass right through with very little incedent. This does not mean you can go full board and eat pre sugery portions.

Get your mind in check, you are not thinking things all the way through. If you want to give me a call, I would be happy to talk band with you. PM me and I will give you my number if you are interested.

((HUGS))

This journey is a hard one for me, as I still have food issues. Hang in there!

Angie

Glad to hear it was a breeze, or has been so far! Deb I am sure you mom is very proud of you. I bet you could not be happier that she got to see you transform right before her very eyes!!! Please keep us posted on how your are progressing! Woo hoo!

So can u tell me is the band hard to live with now that your on regular food? I just fill like this is really what i need now that im hungry all the time, i see i needed this a long time ago. I didnt even know about this band until i saw it on a bill board in california. Then i started doing my research and found that this is what best suites my needs. The liquid part do you mean post op?

I do love my band, no doubt about it. Have I had great success???.....well, it depends on what you look at as far as success. I have changed alot in ways and in others, have become more aware of some of my food traits. I have plenty of cons to the band, but the pros are there too.

Is it difficult to live with the band, no. Not really difficult at all. For me the first year was a learning year. Now it is living with the band. If I had it to do over knowing what I know now, I would put more thought into the sleeve. I opted for the band because I was skeptical to alter my stomach so much. After being a year out....to me I think I would have had better success with it. It's all in who you are and the work you are wanting to put in to it. The lapband is WORK! Lots of work. Not that the other WLS are not work, it is differnent.

I'd be happy to visit with you more about my views on the band if you would like to speak on the phone. Let me know and I can PM you my phone number.

Angie

I'm such a dork - we're still together but I chicken'd out and didn't tell him I had the band or how much I use to weigh. I told him I use to be overweight and he said, what does that mean to you - 5 pounds? (that's the weight of one of my old meals - so nooooo - didn't say that though). I said more and we kept it up for a while - he asked if I ever weighed more than 2 bills (had to ask what that meant - its 200 lbs) I said yes - he looked at me sideways and I was a bigger dork and started crying - poor guy - he started crying and said it didn't matter and that was the end of that....

Anyhow - it is what is is - I'm just going to "weight" it out at this point. I told him to watch Shallow Hal because that's what I see us as - (he's never seen it or heard of it) and I told him I was Rosemary, he's Hal - we'll see....

I kept a pair of really sexy underwear that I had when I was close to 300, I should watch the movie with him and throw those at him at just the right spot of it. (Could be scary).... They are huge - just like Rosemary's for those who've seen it.

OMgoodness Lisa your sense of humor about this is so funny! I am sending you well wishes on the panty sling fling! LOL

In all seriousness, you have REALLY changed you life. I am sure if he thinks you are as great as well all do, all will be well. You'll pry chuckle after this is all said and done about the "telling" part.

Good fortune to you girl!

Angie

Well today is the big day i am starting my pre-op diet today im gonna do three weeks of dieting before my surgery which is on 07-28-10. I want to make sure i can have the surgery. This is going to be a life change for me. I am opting to do three weeks of protein for two meal replacements and chicken broth for my other meal. I need to loose this weight.

Welcome to the forum! The liquids part was hard for me but I did the best I could do. You will too! I love my band and am so happy I got it. It really has shown me what inside work needs to be done. Get ready to work hard and feel good!

Goodmorning everyone. Just a note to let you know I am getting ready for my extended tummy tuck and thigh tuck. Surgery is at 0815 this morning. Please pray that the surgery goes well. I have no complications at all , and that the drainage in the drains will be less than 15 cc by Monday so I can have the drains removed before I fly home ( I know but lets think positive

Once I can think again and am awake enough I will post how I am doing.

Thanks for all your support and all the kind words about my mom. You all Rock and I feel so blessed to have found such an amazing group of people. It is weird but you all feel like such good friends even though we have never met.

You all have a terrific day and I will keep you posted.

Deb

Deb - I am sending you good JuJu and postive energy! Looking forward to an update once you are in your right mind again....how ever druged up messages are good/funny too!

We are here for you...well as here for you as we can be! LOL

Angie

I was banded on June 30,2010. I have been doing fine but today my big incision in tender to the touch. I was wondering if this is normal or if anyone has experienced it. I am kind of worried something might be wrong since hadn't really been sore since first couple days. I have not added the yogurt to the liquid part yet in fear that maybe my body isn't ready yet with this tenderness showing up. Any comments or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Other then this I have really been happy with my decision and all going great. My pre-op diet start weight was 290 and I am at 259 today.......

I hope someone has some good advice out there.....Have a grat day!! :-)

Angie-IL

The large incision is where your port is located. It will be sore as it is stiched to you. Sounds like you are doing great!

Debbie - it has been so cool to watch you drop weight like crazy! Amazing truly outstanding. I am thrilled for you and am giving you a BIG ol' ((HUG))! I am so glad to know you and can not wait to hear about your plastics!

Congrats!

Woo hoo!!!

I definitely encourage you to do just liquids/mushies for a while after you get sick. I can still do tortilias but those are hit and miss for me. Bread if I pick it into tiny little bites, but I just don't let myself do that very often only if i'm having a major craving. Rice I just decided to quit doing a long time ago so not sure if it will go down or not.

You will see that everyone has different things they can handle and not. That is the fun of the band!

Shelby - love the new picture! YOU LOOK AWESOME!

Well today I ate about two slices of roast beef (thin from the deli) and a fork full of tuna. It hurt like hell going down. Just trying to figure out if I am eating too fast or the band is still too tight? I got my unfill on Monday and have had to throw up three times since then. I'm going to call Dr So tomorrow. When things get stuck does everyone just wait for them to pass or do

you feel the need to toss your cookies?

I personally think you need to go back to soft/mushies or protein shakes for a day. Sounds to me like you are PB to much and odds are have swelling. Once the swelling goes down, try food again.

If you are wondering if you are chewing your food enough, take a bite chew it up, and instead of swallowing, spit it out and take a look. Are you chewing enough?? Reduce your bite size by 1/3. Small bites, lots of chewing.

Try liquids to let your pouch/stoma settle down. Also malox will help with the irritation.

Ya know, I understand how hard it is to go somewhere yummy and order something WAY different than what you would have originally chosen. I have found the sparkle of eating out has changed. My menu choices have changed. I have even felt internal conflict about not being able to eat the things I one would have.

I am a food/sugar addict. Sucks to say that, but I have struggles when it comes to sugar products. My body begins to crave them and I cave and eat like crap.

Even this far out, I can get in a cycle of this behavior and it is difficult. What is the worst part is sometimes I don't want to do a damn thing about it.

Baby steps, it gets different, better, and sometimes worse. Get you head on straight and if this time is to difficult for you to go out for lunch. DON'T. IT WILL ONLY TORTURE YOU! Be kind to yourself, you are your own best friend. If you wouldn't ask your bestie to do it, don't put yourself through it.

Your life is changing and if you choose not to talk to your co-workers then don't. Make sure you have support and a place to come/go to talk to that people can understand you. This place is great! I love it.

I've learned that honesty is the atidote to my diseased thinking!

Angie

I went to work out today and stopped by a friend's place to visit. She asked if I would like to join her for lunch. I thanked her for the invite but told her that I wasn't ready for restaurants since I was just banded less than a week ago. While she understood she was a bit hurt and really didn't see why I couldn't muster up the willpower to go. I know she didn't mean anything by it.

After leaving I equated the discussion as a recovering alcoholic being asked to go to the bar right after a six week stint in rehab. A bit insane.

Does anyone have similar situations and advice to avoid these experiences? I know I will have office luncheons where I will be expected to participate in the impromptu "pizza parties".

Paul

Paul - at a week post op I avoided lunch dates too. However, as soon as I hit the soup stage I went along a few time. I could that most places had soup. My favorite was Panera Bread. I chose the broccoli cheddar soup....yummo! It was a nice treat and served me well!

Getting use to ordering differently felt strange.....but I did it and lived to tell about it. Now, I do not get near the enjoyment out of eating out. Still do it, but my choices have changed and I no longer get my old favs anymore. Which can feel good or bad depending on my day! LOL

Most of my friends understand the fat girl in me. I talk frankly about my unhealthy relationship with food.....It gets better.....lots better!

Hello,

I just got my second fill last week and went from 5.00 to 8.00cc's. I know I was too full, so went back to the OCC on Tuesday and Dr So took me down to 7.5. Last night I had a small piece of steak and some rice. I either ate too much or it was the rice, but it hurt like hell when I was done. Today, went to the fair with my husband and kids. Took a couple of bites of my husbands

gyro which is meat on flat bread. Hurt again and felt like it was stuck. I went to the bathroom and threw up. I'm wondering if I'm still too tight or it is bread and rice. I'm trying to figure out

the lap band and what I can and cannot do. What are your thoughts on bread and rice?

Thanks!

Heidi

At my fill level right now, I can eat bread. Example I had a chicken sandwich this week. One slice of bread, grilled chicken, mayo. I was able to eat it and a Tbs of baked beans.

When I have rice, I again have a Tbs of rice.

When I have french fries, I have 4 or 5.

I do not eliminate foods, just limit them.

I will say this as well. I don't eat bread often, or rice for that matter. Maybe once every few months.

I had the golf ball sensation in the back of my throat once....it felt icky. Try sipping on some hot tea, or coffee. Warm liquids help open your band. Sounds like you have tight restriction. If you feel any reflux, it may be wise to get a tinsy wincy unfill.

Sounds like dairy is your nemisis. It causes you to much gas and discomfort. I know there is a product you can purchase over the counter to help aid in the digestion of dairy. Don't ask me what it is called....your pharmacist would know though. I would take it if you are going to have dairy....

Debbie! You look fabulous! Wow! I completely agree with Sabrina! LOL What a knock out you are! Woot!

I am confused. I have 7cc's in my 11cc band and feel occasional pain when food gets stuck. When this happens I need to throw up and the pain goes away. Is this what restriction feels like? I want the feeling of fullness but not the pain of feeling stuck. I know I need to eat slower and take smaller bites but will I feel full eventaually? This pain is getting me down. Please give me some advice. I still want to get another fill because when I take smaller bites and eat slow I can still eat a lot. HELP...

I would highly suggest, you get use to this fill before going in for the "next learning phase." Feeling full is a different feeling for me with the band. It is not the tummy full I once had. It is pouch/stoma full. This sensation to me is different. Even a little extra bite can take me from satisfied to an uncomfortable acheness. Take that a bit further and you have the "one bite to many" syndrome. Which for me ends up with me at the sink of a garbage can. Lovely.

Here is the best suggestions I can offer.

A. Limit your portion. When you serving is done, so are you. At this point once you get food in your system, the hunger goes away. So eating after that is a choice.

B. Chew Chew Chew living with the band -you have to learn this fine art. Before the band I was a terrible chewer. Now, I am pretty darn good at it. In fact, there are some foods I use to love but now don't enjoy at all. Example bacon....emmm I loved bacon before. Now after I am finished chewing the living day lights out of bacon, it makes me want to barf. It is nasty in texture and flavor by the time I am finished with it. Ewh!

C. Cut you food in small bites. When I eat steak, I cut my pieces into the size of my pinky finger nail. Small. I am VERY careful with " Rip Foods" Rip foods are those you hold and bite off a piece. Like pizza, sandwiches, hot dogs in the bun. I proceed with EXTREME CAUTION.

If you are able to learn from someone who chased the fill, I am referring to myself here. Learn this. Reaching restriciton faster, is not always better. I adapted and now have habits that I didn't have. Do yourself a favor and practice these steps before you filler up!

Had my second fill @ OCC on Saturday. I now have 8ccs in a 11cc band.

The good news: As of Monday, I've entered ONEderland, for the first time since high school. Woohoo! And I also hit the half-way mark for reaching my goal.

The bad news: I am having some pretty serious discomfort. I am not getting stuck, sliming, PBing, etc but I am having this wierd stabby feeling in my side.

I think its gas, but Ive never felt such discomfort from gas before. I had a yogurt last night and man, it felt like a balloon in my gut. Really uncomfortable. I was walking hunched over bc standing up straight and taking deep breaths really hurt. I ate some Tums and the discomfort decreased but didnt totally go away. Ive always assumed I was lactose intolerant, but it usually just results in a little extra gas, no biggie. I love dairy/cheese/yogurt too much to care. But now im wondering if since I had my fill I cant tolerate dairy anymore?

Has anyone experienced this? Could it just be irritation from the fill? Should I do liquids??? In your opinion, might I need an unfill?

Any and all support experiences suggestions whatever you've got is welcome.. I want to be excited about all the weight ive lost, onederland, having lost 50% of my excess weight, etc but I am too worried to feel happy.

thanks.

Food for thought....if you are lactose intolerant, and have felt gas pressure before with dairy, having the band can make it worse. To me it sounds like gas is going down through your system....not so much up in burps. Gas x strips or beano may help....not sure. Is it with all foods or just dairy???

Well i am officially a bandster. Laying in my room an hour after surgery. Man is everyone here amazing.

Welcome to the loosers bench!

Can drinking carbonated beveraged stretch your pouch?....I thought You can have caronated beveraged after 6 months I don't drink them often but I do like rockstar the sugar free ones

cI don't post often but this worries me I need you help on this one

Hey Janet. I have read articles on both sides of the fence. So Dr.'s are saying it is fine to enjoy a carbinated beverage, while others advise against it.

I had a near beer at 4 months out. Have pry had 3 sodas/pops the entire year of being banded. Had pry a 6 pack of near beer in this time frame as well.

I know first hand the pressure that can be felt, as one day I was having a tight band, high stress day and took a drink of a carbinated beverage. No kidding it was like a volcano of carbination/foam that shot back up and out of my mouth. Lovely! Yes it was an eye opening experience.

Anyway, that is all I have to offer on the subject.

I didn't eat sushi yesterday. It was straight tuna with no rice. I'm wondering if I'm too tight or this is the way it is supposed to feel??? I did speak to Dr So yesterday and he said to come

back and he"ll take out about one cc. So, how slow do you have to eat? I just ate a hard granola bar and that went down fine.

The band takes some getting use to. This will be a good time for you to really pay attention to what you are eating, how fast, and how fast you are chewing. Each of us has the learning curve. Depending on the food, or the day with the band I can gauge how long it will take me to eat certain foods. Listen to you body. Start to pay attention to how your stoma, esphogus, and body feels.

S-L-O-W down, chew chew chew. Take it easy. If you have a PB, take it easy on your body. There are certain foods, I can eat with little or no problems and then others where I have to pay close attention to what I am doing.

Given you have reached restriction FAST. You need to slow it up and really be mindful of what you are eating. This is where you are learning to live with the band.

Hello, My name is Kathie, I am new to the forum and wondering what the pre op diet is?

The post-op diet is directly after your surgery and it is 21 days of liquids. First week is clear liquids, 2nd week you get to add drinkable yogurts, 3 week is full liquids no chunks so soups protein drinks ect. It is so your band will heal properly and stay in place. You will not be eating anything to heavy that might put pressure on the band. It is a time for healing.

HTH

Angie

I am getting banded June 28 th. Can anybody give me a bit of an idea of what sorts of liquids that you are allowed in each week of the Post Op Diet. Thanks

Mind you this list is more along the lines of after the clears.

1. Active Lifestyle Gellatin Cups - loaded with 4 grams of fiber per serving!

Flavors are better than Jell-O!

2. Mishima Miso Soup poweder mix - comes in individual packets that you just mix with hot water! Only 35 calories a pop.

3. Cool Whip Lite or Cool Whip Free (great with the Jell-O. Feels like you are cheating when you are not)

4. Nestle Rich Hot Cocoa Powder with Caramel - A liquid Candy Bar!

5. Bigelow Vanilla Chai Tea Bags - A box of 20 (Try with a dash of skim milk and you would think you paid $3.5 for a cup at Starbucks!

6. Campbell's Soup At Hand "Blended Vegetable Medley"

7. Imagine Organic Creamy Tomato Soup (comes in a rectangle carton)

8. Yonique Low Fat Yogurt Drinks (Pina Colada is awesome)

9. Lifeway Lowfat flavored Kefir (found this at Whole Foods)

9. Slim Fast Optima Shakes (The only protein shake I like)

10. Benefiber individual Drink Powder (like Cystal Light except 3 grams of fiber per pouch - sold in the Metamucil Aisle. Flavors are awesome. Mix with bottled water.)

11. Original V8 - I love this at room temp or heated on the stove as a soup.

12. Naked Fruit Smoothies (variety pack of 10, 10 ounce bottles found at Costco for $13. I use these for breakfast!)

13. Applesauce cups (mix it up by buying flavors like peach or strawberry)

14. Amy's Organic Tomato Bisque Soup

For me personally, I needed an intervention. I had not had a "stop" button or "full" stop eating for a long while. I wanted portion control and some balance. Hope, my band as provided me with a full button, along with many others. LOL