AngieB

Yes, you can go in now for your next fill if you want. Call when you are ready. I waited a month between fills, but that is the policy of the Dr I go to, so I waited.

Slowly, the weight is coming off...I think I have found my sweet spot...It took a year to get there...I have lost more weight in these last few months than in my entire first year.

If you think your to tight, your probably right. I think for the first year I thought that tighter was better..NO NO NO... Took out one tiny .5cc and it has made the world of diffference. Its a mind game that we all play with ourselves...If you are to tight and not losing, remove some fluid...and let he weight come off...Dr. Ortiz knows what he is talking about!!

Happy Bander here...

Kim

Hey Kim! Great job on the WL!!! Woo hoo!

You just scared the crap out of me. I've been banded for about 3 mos. now and I'm on my SECOND round of the stomach flu. Lucky for me I haven't thrown up either time (the 1st was 10 days post-op). When I started feeling nauseated this time, I started to worry about my band because my mom was telling me how violently she was throwing up a couple of days ago and is still sore from it. I guess you really can't do anything to prevent it from happening.

You can combat the nausa and vomiting that come with the flu. My family doctor gives me anti nausa medicine. I have the RX at home on hand for a just in case situation. There is also over the counter things you can purchase as well. I had 2 rounds of the flu and it was not fun. Vomiting with the band hurts....

I don't have personal experience, but my co-worker wears them every day on our lunch hour walks, she raves about them and has sketcher sandles she wears during the day....

I wear the regular on tennis shoes. For me getting out and walking is enough for me and I bought a $33 pair of addidas. That is me, I have a long way to go before I get to worry about toning....

You know you are a bandster when.....the red meat and mast taters girl you once were is eating tufo vegetable teriyaki......and loving it!

What a change a band can make in your life! WOW!

Yay for the WL! That gives you a boost to keep the momentum up! I hear ya on limiting your movement. I did not exercise at all when on liquids.....I am a baby though, so good for you!

Your personal trainer will be happy to see you again too! Woo hoo!

I have a group of gal pal at work. We get together and walk over our lunch hour. It is so nice. Average walk is 30-50 mins, which is so nice! We have different routes so some are more intense than others! It works out so great and helps me get my movement in for the day!

Keep up posted on your progress!

Hi Angie, I should have skipped right to the chase and PM'd you when I saw you on facebook earlier. Its been hot here the last two days and I'm trying to get my house ready for a family reunion here. I have not been drinking enough. I am so use to drinking with meals I put it out of my head. Having lived in Las Vegas you think I would know better. So I will try to be more vigilante on the water. As always Thanx for the help. TC Kevin

Ha! You should have PM'd me! It's funny, but with all my foodie issues, I embraced the no drinking with meals. It is funny to me sometimes, when I am out with family or friends and they are drinking with meals.....it seems like they are breaking the law! HA!

So a family shin dig huh....wonder what you family will say about your WL.......when is it? Do they know you got the band?

This should be interesting.....you will have to tell us if they notice a difference in you!

Angie

Angie,

The band slipped when I had a stomach flu. I didn't maintain at all, nearly put it all back on again! That's why I needed another one!

I've been in touch with Dr. O and there doesn't seem to be any reason for a slip (I think I'm just super paranoid). I'm just plodding on with the liquids and taking things easy. I feel a lot better this evening after being able to have a protein drink. It's pretty tough just broth and liquids, I have been exhausted.

I think the back pain is stress, my neck is sore as well. I always get neck and back pains when I'm stressed.

Madge

I can see why you would be hypersensitive to thinking band slip. Glad you talked to Dr. O! Hope the back pain goes away.....I completely agree.....protein drinks were so awesome. I couldn't believe how yummy drinkable yogurt was!!!!! Life saver!

I had my third fill on 5/17 and have had two mornings this week where I've had episodes of throwing up sacks of mucous. Has anyone out there experienced this, what does it mean and what should I do about this?? WE are leaving on vacation this Wed. and this is going to cause a real problem. I've missed 3 hours of work this morning because of the spitting up. I tried taking rolaids but even they wouldn't stay down. I had no problem eating yesterday not pbing or any other reations.

Looking for your feedback. Thanks

Hey there, sounds to me like you either need to drink something like hot tea in the morning to clear the mucus OR go in for a tiny unfill. I think you are a titch to snug.

HTH

Angie

This time is difficult, hang in there. Your first fill will be a blessing! It took me 4 fills until I felt restriction that stayed and did not fade away. (I am not your normal case. I believe my stomach is sensitive to fills.) Yoour doing great. The more restriction you have, the less room for bad behavior. You will be amazed and feel more in control of food! It will be a gift!

Make sure you are focusing on liquids. I drink a ton of crystal light, decaf tea, and zero calorie vitamin water. My favorite flavor of CL is White Grape. Get a water bottle and take it with you EVERYWHERE! My favorite water bottle is from contigo. It holds 24 oz. I drink 3 a day, on hot days when I am out in the sun I drink more.

I talked about water, because sometimes our "thirst" signal can be mistaken for hunger pangs. (not saying your are not truely feeling hunger, just wanted to point out that sometimes a good drink will curb the thoughts or wants for food.) When I have been in a pinch I will drink a ton of water and it will help hold me over till lunch or what ever.

Woo hoo! 21 days nearly OVER! Woo hoo! Doc Ortiz say solids not mushies. Remember to eat slowly and chew chew chew. I'd say watch your calories.

Hey Madge - sorry to hear about your band slip. Do you know what caused your slip? At any rate, glad the OCC gave you a second one! Congrats! Was this last year hard for you to maintain?

Back pain could very well be gas pains. I'd say walk as much as you can.

Thanks for posting and enjoy the day!

I am planning on going for my first fill on 6/22. I am debating on whether to stay the night. I really don't want to and unlike others who shop and go see movies in TJ. I don't like being there and can't wait to leave. I will be by my self and it makes me uncomfortable.

To leave that night or stay? I am driving myself crazy!

I would boggie on down the road or stay in SD. It's your first fill. Not saying something couldn't happen, but odds are on your first fill you are good to get down the road. That is my opinion.

Robbyn! I really do love you! I am so proud of you in this journey to be fit and healthy. You add so much to this board and are a valued member! For some of us, the ones who's desires get a bit dimer then brighter, then different the path has more road than most. What is the most important part of me is that I am still on the road and have not gotten completley off the beaten path. That is why I love Hope, I named my band...I am a silly girl!

For me, instead of loosing ground that I have won, I am standing still. I will take a stand still any day over putting the weight back on and then some. Your story is so inspiring to me and I thank you for posting your success! That is what makes you so beautiful and I am very attracted to your light!

I know you will continue to make progress! That is what this is all about right?! Change and progress to renew our lives!

Much love to you!

Angie

That is freaking awesome! Yahoo! Baby that band!

I would stay in SD this time because I don't speak Spanish and the staf (La Case de Lilas)and the owner didn't speak English either. While I was there, 4 patients left early because they did not feel comfortable. It was very hard to recover while doing sharaids to ask for anything, I think it hurt my healing more than helped it. Giselle, Dr Campoes nurse was a big help (she even gave me here personal cell phone number to call her, she was going to CA to celabrate her boyfriends B-day and still told me to call for anything!) and she will not recomend the place to other anymore. It was owned by a female bi-lingul nurse who very muched loved. She sold it to this Antonio and he is ruining her reputation and not going to keep bussiness the way that she did.

He even moved the location to a 3 story condo in a busy neighborhood. Dr Campose has deals with the hotels in SD and drivers. Warning, he is a very handsome man and I was so surprised to see how much better looking he is in person compared to the internet photos. His hair is the color of a chocolate bar and he is as sweet.

Good to note.....don't stay at the healing center......thanks Barb.

I'm five days post op, I had some soup for my dinner (first thing I've eaten today) and I now feel super full.

I'm worried something has gone wrong, I'm burping and I feel as if some soup/drink is coming up (sorry) it's not coming up, but I can feel it bubbling.

Does this sound normal or have I managed to screw it up?

Sorry for the manic post, I feel really paranoid.

Madge.

Hi there! First point I'd like to clarify is when you say "soup" are you referring to broth? At 5 days post op, you should not be having soups yet. Only clears and possibly a drinkable yogurt. Now that that question has been posed, I will give you a few suggestions.

You are early out from your surgery. You have swelling and the backed up feeling or full sensation you are talking about is due to drinking to fast. Sip, sip, sip. I would recommend that you slow down. It sounds to me like you are filling your pouch/stoma and it is backing up into your throat. You do not want to do that to your esophogus. The espphogus is a tube of passage, it is not meant to be stretched. It is not made of the same elastic tissue your stoma or stomach is made from. That tissue is made to expand and contract, your esophogus is not.

So, to regroup, slow down your drinking. Sip, sip, sip! This is the time to pay close attention to your body and begin learning the signs of your "new & improved system."

When you feel full, stop drinking....even if you are not finished. Count it as a blessing, your portions are smaller. The more your healing takes place the more the swelling will go down. It is important to not put undue pressure on the band. It needs to heal and scar into place. (it is stitched into place, but those stitches are meant to hold the band so it can scar into place.)

Take it easy, baby steps. You sound like you are doing great! Congrats on being new bandster! Welcome!

I just got back from Mexico a few weeks ago for a face lift, eyes and boobs. The doctor was very carful not to do too much. The anitheiologist (sp) had me use the twightlight while the doctor worked on my face, then he put me under for the boobs. I was on the table for 7 hours. I love my doctor and the outcome. I have boobs for the first time in my life that do not point down! And all the loose skin on my neck is gone. His prices are great and he works with you on helping to transportation and where to stay, just talk to his surgery planer Giselle...she is wonderful and so helpful, they always answer the phone. Dr Campose took 2 hours the day before surgery for my consult and took pictures the the next day just befor ethe surgery. Barbar Sawyer highly reccomends him! I paid 8K for all his work, and everything else, including my flight, and 10 stay in a healing house. I will be bringing a freinds this winter to see him for work, we will stay in SD this time and all be there for each other...it can be quite a bonding experince.

Hi Barb! Great to hear from you and to know your experience was so great! Do post pics when you feel better, we would love to see the finished product. (No naked poses needed.....lol.) Congrats on your new body!

okay.....i struggled with both phases of the diet..for me the emotional connection with food made both a struggle for me. I did loose the required weight for the pre-op. I did cheat on the post op. I chewed and spit a few times had some blended up food supper mushie on the last week.

I do not have the ability to say I did the diet perfect, but I did do the best I was able to do at the time. Cooking for my family was a real bitch.

The 1st week after surgery was super easy, I was not hungry, but the last week was difficult for me.

Thanks for the response. I am also trying to figure out...why I haven't lost any weight. Is it because of the fluid intake? I know the exercise will help me. Hopefully next week I will see a difference. My fill is scheduled for July at the OCC, which I look forward too. My husband and I were really impressed with OCC. The only downside was coming back across the boarder. We almost missed the plane.

I'd suspect that your body is going to be at a slower loss rate due to your other previous WLS. This may not be the case, but I've heard others who have had a second WLS say things about loosing more slowly. Also the lapband is way different than GB in the speed of WL. GB you dump a good portion of your weight in the 1st 6 months.

I was banded on May 10th over a gastric by pass that was done in 2000. I have been starving and haven't felt no restriction, whatsoever. I have been sore, so I haven't worked out. I finally went to the gym last night and weighed myself and haven't lost a pound. I started the tread mill last night and walked 2 miles today (5/20). I feel better and don't feel as hungry. I don't understand why I feel so hungry when my pouch is small. My stoma had opened, so I gained a lot weight.

I know the exercise will help kick start the weight loss (prayerfully)...what can I do to contain the hunger? Any suggestions,

Congrats on getting banded, hunger is a normal feeling at the end of the liquids phase. Once you can start solid foods, you will feel more satisfied. Until then, I suggest taking some fiber chew tablets that will help with the hunger. Takes the edge off. Are you drinking protein shakes and eating creamy soups?

Welcome to band land and hope these last days go by quickly.

Angie

All,

I just started solid food on Monday. It has been terrible! everything i eat comes straight back up, i either feel like nothing will go down or i immediately vomit! sometimes, food will go down (just a tiny bit) and liquids are fine, but anything like meat just blocks snd ejects. Am I doing something wrong?? I followed the post op diet perfectly! Did not cheat or anything. i am so worried my band will slip if this keeps up! has anyone else experienced this??

Welcome to solid foods! Way to go on completeing the three weeks of liquids! It is doubtful that you have slipped your band. I have a few suggestions to give you.

First of all CALL the OCC, and let them know what you are going through. They are really super good at helping and should be aware you are having a ruff start.

If you have been having episodes of productive burping, you would be wise to baby the band, you are new and your healing is still taking place. This may mean switching from solids to some mushier foods. Easy to go down aka slidder foods. With each productive burp you may have swelling to go along with it. If it where me, I would take some malox and do mushies for a few days.

After a few days of mushies, go back to solids. At this point you would be wise to use a baby spoon and fork to eat. This cuts down your bite sizes. Each bite should be chewed to smitherinze. Count and see how many times you are chewing.....it should be a min of 30. To test your chewing skills, try chewing up a bite to the point of swallowing. Instead of swallowing, spit it out and take a lookie lou. How does it look? Any chunks....is it paste?

Cut your food in to small bites....take a normal cut, and make it 1/3 that size.

Most importantly, CALL THE OCC! To me, it sounds like you have reastriction built in. You will not be needing a fill until you can A. Either learn to chew better and better, or B. till your restriction lessens.

It is not the best to have productive burbs or lodged food with the band. This is a learning curve and it sounds as if your learning curve has begun quicker than mosts.

HTH,

Angie

Shelby! Way to GO! I can only imagine how freaking awesome that was to see yourself in a size 6!

Hello,

I am leaving soon for the OCC. What items do I need to bring? What are the gas strips that people talk about? Do you only get three pain pills to take home? I had severe gas pains, nausea and vomiting for two days after my gallbladder surgery . I could not keep any fluids down and had to have any IV and stay in thd hospital for three days. I am scared to death and I want to be prepared when I am discharged to the Hotel. Any suggestions or things everyone wished they knew before their surgery ? Thanks so much...

Sherri - Yahoo on getting ready to leave! I had anxiety over packing....kinda weird but as soon as I was packed I was so ready and had not reservations or fears. ONWARD!

What I would pack.....

GAS-X strips. I also took liquid Beano with me. I used both, and had NO GAS pains what-so-ever. Here is what I did. As I was leaving the hotel, I squirted beano under my tounge. I had gas-x strips that I took to take. I didn't take them due to gas pains, I took them as a preventative measure. Did this work, I have no idea as I had no gas, so I can not say....or maybe I had no gas because I did these things....really I don't know, but I would do it all over again if I have surgery again.

I took comfee cloths, with room in them. I had a comfee pair of jams and a laptop that was awesome to have!

I took liquid tylenol with me, for just in case. I took it before we went on our 5 hr shopping tourist extravaganza the day after surgery.

PACK LIGHT! You really don't need to weigh yourself down with "stuff."

I took crystal light packets, and special k protein packs too. Which are easy peazy and light.

The OCC will take good care of you, I hope this will be your best surgery experience yet! (with no nausa or gas pains.)

Take Care!

Angie

Andrea ~

Here is my update. I have been at a stand still in WL for months. I went in and spoke to the nurse, and talked to her about a defill of a small amount of saline. She advised me against it. Given that I am not having the "normal" problems that would trigger a defill. She asked me to hang in there and try to get my behaviors under wraps. What I am finding is the amount I can eat is very small. Which is what we all strive for. Only thing is, I go rogue on eating when I get home from work. I snack and graze. The nurse asked me to add snacks to see if that would help. It has not. I feel worse about it, cuz it feels like I am eating all day.....Anyway, I am working the snacks bak out. It is funny how fast your body gets use to having something.

I am no longer night eating! Victory! I love not waking up to eat. That was a bad habit that I desperately needed to STOP! I have started walking over my lunch hour. I have 4 other co-workers who have started to walk with me!!! So any given day at work, I have walking partners. We do a 2.5 mile walk daily. Some days more. Which is awesome. I have noticed that my body is toning and loosing inches. Yahoo! So that is a huge positive in my life.

So as always, I am a work in progress. It's like I am an onion, I peel a layer to find another layer to work on. My progress has been something I am pleased about. Not always what I have had expectations of, but I am thankful for every accomplisment and value my band. Oh, and I gave her a name too! LOL I decided on Hope, cuz she gives me hope. Hope for my future health, hope for so many goals.

Right now, the meals I am eating are healthy, but my snacks are semi healthy to down right junk....so that is an area I need to pay attention to and give myself some love in.

Sorry for you troubles Andrea, but it sounds like you have done fantastic on maintaining with your fluid out, which is a HUGE SUCCESS!! It sure is good to see you back. I have missed you and your candid posts. Welcome back..

((HUGS))

Angie