slimbutrfly

Thank you everyone, I really want another baby. I want to have my children while Im still in school. This is something I thought about before having the surgery, but I also read so many stories of people having a successul pregnancy with their lap band, before their one year was up. So thank you for the input.

It's virtually impossible to stretch your pouch out when you're not filled. That's why people get complete un-fills if their pouch does stretch. The food / drink goes straight through the band an into the larger part of your stomach. Even if you eat way more than you should, it will only stretch the part of your stomach under the band.

Beth, thank you so much, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I think I started a topic before..(asking about 2 stomachs)..and not understanding if the food went straight to your stomach or does it stay in your pouch, when your not filled.

Thank you everyone else for their input as well

Could you stretch your pouch before you get your first fill?..how do you know when you stretch your pouch?

What is the exact reason we can't drink while we eat?..and how long do you have to wait to drink after eating. I read some where that after a fill, u only wait 30 mins to drink after you eat?...is that true?

I've done a forum search, I'm not finding a answer. I really wanted to hear from those who actually got pregnant after being banded. I've heard you need to wait 1 year. But has anyone gotten pregnant before the year?..who ever can relate, it would be nice to hear from you.

But if you were to fill up that tight, dont you eventually start to open up?

Hey for those who dont live in the Los Angeles area, the L.A. Times had an article about a new lap band type of lap band/new stomach-reduction procedre. Its going to be a incisionless procedure where they go down the esophagus. You get sent home when you wake up an hour later. Medical is even considering approving it for their patients. They feel in the long run it will be cheaper for them....I dont have the link, but you guys might be able to find out more information on it. (Los Angeles Times.Jan 3rd)

Question.. When you do not have a fill yet and you started eating, where does the food go?..When you take bites of food before a fill, does the food go straight to your stomach, or does it sit in your pouch and slowley go down to the stomach? Is it the same regardless if you have a fill or not? My fear is that I might strecth out my pouch, so if the food is going straight to my stomach because I dont have any fills then I think Im good. Im just a litlle confused!

Well.. My first day wasn't all what I expected as well. As a lot of you guys might know, Ive been chewing and spitting out, So when I took the first bite of an orange I spit it out because I was to afraid to swallow. I eventually ate just a few slices because I was scared. For dinner I had a small portion of enchiladas. I didnt feel full, howwver I didnt want to keep eating. For Friday, (2nd day)..I had crab salad for lunch..I had made it with thses buns that sara lee makes. They are as flat as pita bread, but the effects of a hamburger bun. I did get full after that. For dinner I made spaghetti, salad and garlic bread!! Soo good!. I even felt a little guilty becuase I feel like I ate to much! I guess there will not be any restriction until we get a few fills. I have lost 21lbs since Dec 5th, however last Saturday I weighed 216, I gained 4lbs, having weighed myself this Saturday. I only started eating on Thursday!..I'm a litlle discouraged. I just need to slow down, and not be to excited to eat again.

SOis it like that for everyone...Is the 1st couple fills tight at first, then open up a litlle bit?

so you can ask them to fill you up as if it is your 4th?

I was just wondering why people have to get little fills at a time? I know common sense says, because your body needs to adjust, but Ive clearly been following a lot of your guys stats, and notice that it isnt untill the 4th or 5th fill until you feel some restriction...I know everyone is different, but I think its a pain in the butt. I want 1 big one when I go for my first!!

This was one of my fears, still to this day being banded 19 days later, I feel my issues are going to come from the port. You didnt have any signs that your port needed to be re-attached?..Im so scared of my port, I dont ven like how i can feel it,I hope that feeling goes away!...Ps, please ignore the responses that you dont like!

Hey Steph, Im doing great! Ive lost 21lbs since Dec 5th. My boyfriend kept making me weigh myself every other day, so i was losing 2lbs every other day. But I didnt want to weigh myself like that, so now I started weighing myself every Saturday. I noticed I lost 5 lbs this last week. I started at 237lbs then surgery date I was 231lbs..only lost 6lbs! But they have been melting like everyone said they would. I also believe the bigger you are the faster you lose, then it starts to slow down. My boyfriend went to rub my back, and he said "Oh my god, your buffalo hump is gone"! (you know that hump on your back, below the neck)..It really did go down. It was really funny! I dont know if it is really allowed but ive been hiking on a 3 mile trail for the past 3 days now. I have my friends encouraged, so we all 4 girlfriends have been excercising together. My paper work says you can go back to the gym 3 weeks after, just no sit ups and stuff, so I figure there is equipment thats like hiking at the gym! I get to start eating on Thursday, so Im nervous. I still havent stopped my chewing and spiting out,to be honest that really satisfies me. After chewing whatever it is that Im making, I feel like I ate it. May be gross, but its helped me get this far. I found a few websites, some for lapband diets, and some for dieting, I started a grocery list to get ready for eating, so Im doing well. (I went out dancing last night).. Im not sore at all, I have even started sleeping on my stomach (just a lil bit though). The only thing that bothers me, not that much but I do think about it, is the port. If you rub my stomach you can feel it. Im not even pushing on it, just rubbing. So as scared as I am of having any more incisions, I feel like I might have to have it relocated. But thats just how I feel now. Will see more down the line. I have been more scared of my port being moved, or just having port problems, then having band problems. I dont know the signs of port problems though. Other then that I feel perfect, and excited about the weight that I have lost already. Im a little sore from hiking. Cant wait until the day I can go through the whole trail without stopping 15 times!

Now I know this is probaly thee worse thing I could do, but I want to be honest. I feel bad, and angry at myself that I can't control myself. I have been chewing up food and spitting it out. I don't let any pieces go down, its that I can't just walk away, or just tell myself NO. I didn't realize how bad my addiction is to food. I can't believe that I'm 5 days post op, and I'm already having a hard time. My thoughts are about what my first piece of food is going to be when I'm able to swallow. I wanted this so bad, and I knew what the steps were required, but this is not easy. I don't think I have any self control. My stomach did hurt after I chewed up a couple bites of pizza. I hate admitting this, but I do want to know if I'm really the only one.

Thank you everyone for paying attention to me! Ya We missed each other. I did met (bogiesmom), very nice. Im doing okay, It hurts when I breathe a little. Ive been walking a lot. I mean hours. I went shopping the next day after surgery. And last night went out with girlfriends, and today shopping. I cant bend down. Thats hard for me. Hunger hasn't been an issue. I really dont like BROTH. So Ive been ordering tortilla soup and just drinking the juice from that. I hope its ok. Its still really light in color. I bought liquid vitamens and protein powder today, so I hope Ill be set for a while. Cant wait till I can eat creamy soups. Let me know your status as well.

Hey steph, I guess I missed you, I was banded on Thursday. I think everything was wonderful as well. they are very nice there. I only have slight pain in my chest and in my port area. I dont know if its heart burn or air trapped?..Other then that im doing well. Cant wait to see our progress.

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you guys all know that I was banded on Thursday the 17th. Im now waiting at the Marriot for my driver to take me back across the border. I loved everyone at the OCC. All you guys were right, they are great people and very handsome doctors! lol. I remember Dr. Ortiz was leaning over my head telling me Im going to be asleep in 30 seconds..I statred laughing and so did he. Then he said 29, I laughed.. 28, I was asleep. lol. He could of leaned over a little longer if he wanted. I ended up going back to my hotel the same night. I feel okay. I was a little flushed in my face, But no fever. I feel as if I got kicked in my left ribs, and I have mild heart burn. Other then that everything went perfect they said. I know I will have many questions for you guys, so just be aware!..Im on day 3, so 18 more until I will be able to eat. Is it as really hard as it seems¿..thats the only question mark they had on their keybored! lol..Im still a little out of it. I loved the sleeping pill they gave me, or it wouldve been way harder for me to get through the night. So I think Im feeling the effects of it still this morning. But its good stuff..lol..Im going to wait in traffic to get back to Cali, so Ill check back in with you guys when I get home.! Thank you for everything you guys.

hahahhaha youguys are so funny!...My boyfriend was reading those with me, he even started laughing. lol

Thank You!

No Im having surgery on Thursday the 17th. Did I put to many hours?..lol.. if I leave Los Angeles around 3:30am, I should be there around 7am. (Hopefully). They said surgery the same day, so after my tests I should be having surgery.

Okay, this is the last time Im going to reply about any of this. I may be (NEW) but Im not afraid to put my two cents as well. How do you guys know whether or not the people who have been banded between now and the last time a question was already asked dont mind explaining their situations? If this is the case then maybe the forum needs to be broken up in sections. (old members who been around for years and dont want to answer questions that have been answered already, and newer members where people can get more recent information). To tell you the truth maybe it is better that the newer people describe their situations more then the older members. The newer the better right. For those who dont want to respond, keep it pushing please. I think the first thing Lindsey shouldve done was just tell me how to search. Thats It. Im not that great with computers. I would just do a google search on my question (but why ask google, when there are poeple here that can answer directly. I now know how to do a forum search, Im not lazy, if I was I wouldnt even log in as much as I do now. Thank you all once again.

Steph, Im on the same boat your in. I only lost 6lbs as well. I talked to DR. Miranda and she said I was doing fine. I cant believe im leaving in about 32 hours from now! lol So i think you should be fine.

I was just wondering if anyone knew about the history of the obesity control center, and if anyone heard of anyone dying during the procedure, or under the obesity control centers care? I know this is a scary topic, but I dont know how to look up any of their history or complaints.

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Thank You ALL soo much for responding! I didn't mean to start any conflict. I know for those who have been members for a while, probably do get frusterated with seeing the same questions over, however there also has been NEW* people who have lost the weight and maybe have had a similar situation to mine, since the last time the question has been asked. Things change all the time, people are reaching their goal weight all the time, and new people create accounts all the time. I dont think theres anything I would cange about this forum. It has helped my family understand my choice to go to Mexico, and it puts them at ease to know that there are thousands of people I could talk to, who have done the same thing Im going to do, and they are all just fine. I call this (BANDSPACE) kindve like a myspace for lap banders, personally I like this one more..lol. Lindsey/MYNEWLIFE.. thanks for the tip, Ill try next time to search for my questions before. ANGIEB and REVYD ..you guys are great supporters!