DebinPhoenix

I just ate about 1/4 cup of soup and got in pain again. I think my stomach is cramping like a charlie horse

On and off since surgery, I have had discomfort in my solar plexis area. I assume that is where my stomach now is. It is weird to describe - not really pain but def uncomfortable. It can wake me up from a dead sleep. At first I thought it was my actual stomach cramping. I figured the stomach had been "man handled" during surgery. In the past week it has been ALL day every day - worse when I eat or drink so can't really get anything down.

Anyone have any thoughts - I thought maybe gas - pushing the size of my stomach or something. Nothing comes up or down (and out tho).

Deb

I too switched to plication the day of surgery. I have been able to eat anything I want (8 weeks out) but in VERY small amounts. I have to have a protein shake to get in my 50 or so gm of protein a day. Just not possible with food right now. I was amazed at how little I could eat - 4-5 bites of meat, 2 meatballs etc and that is 8 weeks out. At 4 I could only eat half that. I have lost 25 lbs and am doing well. The only isue I have had is reflux so have had to stay on the priloec and zantax daily and also what I think is gas. I'm going to post about that and see if anyone has any advice.

Deb

I just started eating foods two weeks ago after a plication and have gotten sick twice. trying to figure out why ... the first time I had a few bites of m. potatoes but then forgot and drank a few sips of water. Major sliming episode

then today I had only 3-4 bites of mac and cheese and same thing happened although less extreme.

Both time I was in a car shortly after eating at restaurants and wonder if that caused it.

Just getting a tad frustrated as I don't want to get malnourished.

I didn't even know plication patients got sick or slimed?

Any thoughts?

deb

if you can't keep anything down morning or afternoon ... how are you staying nutritionally healthy

Yes im on week 11 post op and i have not had a fill yet, ive lost 56lbs but i have minor issues, i can not seem to keep anything down in the morning or afternoons even tried coffee and tea didnt work for me, i can not eat bread, pasta, rice, citrus fruit,steak, pork chops and definately dry meat no left overs for me!! just wanted to share and let you know everybody is different. But i believe this band is saving my life. And ive tried other drastic measure and nothing worked for me but this band.

I am now on the soft foods phase and could probably add solids but am having some issues. After just a few bites I am uncomfortable. Anyone else that tight? Also I have gotten sick twice after eating. A small amount of potooes and then I forgot and took a few sips of water. Threw up major slime for an hour after. Then today, I had a few bites of mac n cheese and got sick about 20 minutes later. In both cases, I had gotten in a moving car and wondering if that caused it. Either way, I got uncomfortable, I could feel extra saliva in the back of my throat and a bit later, threw up "slimy saliva" for a bit.

Really going to out a crimp in eating out for business lunches if I can't get into a car afterwards.

Anyone else having similar issues?

I went today and bought stuff to make Brocili/cheese and baked potatoe soup - can't wait

cheated today and sucked a McD's french fry until it became liquid but it was SO good

My husband was banded and did great the first 2 weeks. Then relaized he coudl virtually eat whatever he wanted so for the next 4 weeks, he did so. After the fill, that is no longer the case. Hang in there until the fill. Try to reduce the quantity. A smaller, saucer size (6 inch) plate helps you feel you are getting more since you can fill that.

very true - none of us would have resorted to surgery if we had the cure all. If you don't agree with someone's response, then just don't post.

"If you don't have anything nice to say, then say nothing at all"

deb

I had surgery Thursday (plication) and could have gone back to work today. Will wait another day or two. AM on chicken noodle soup broth and french onion soup broth. Hot tea with sugar is soothing. I can go to full liquids on Thursday - anything that can be sipped - no chunks. Mushies start in 4 weeks - not 6.

My experience was wonderful. Wouldn't hesitate to go to OCC again (except for I hate surgery).

Deb

Hey Nicole! Just read your good news. You must be so excited to be gettng this second chance. Can't wait to watch your progress.

Sabrina:)

How long before we can go in the water - pool or bath?

Yes, I am on day 6 - clear liquids. Basically water, warm tea which is soothing and chicken noodle soup and french onion strained. I can only take in about 1/2 cup at a time. I can add soft diet in two days and printed some of the soup recipes on the nutrition board - can't wait to make them and eat them

Shari,

I did see your post from before - quite the drama you had to go through. One brave chickie... I don't know that I would have undergone it all again etc.

What are you eating now? I managed to hold down 3-4 sips of warm tea this morning?

Deb

I had a plication done on the 16th of September as Dr. Ortiz found that the sleeve would not be possible (See my story in the sleeve forum).

I had dry heaves the first night but after that I was not bothered by it again. Dr. Ortiz tells me that the plication should have similar results to the sleeve.

As far as pills are concerned. . . I would crush up any large pills you have for a couple of weeks while your stomach heals. After that I would cut the larger ones in half for another couple of weeks and then you should be able to take your meds as usual although maybe only one or two at a time. . .There is no restriction in the size of the opening from the esophagus to the stomach as far as I can tell. Only in the size of the stomach.

You should, however, now that you have had the plication, check with your primary physician to make sure the dosages of your meds do not need to be changed.

how are you doing today? I hope better. Have to start keeping things down (me) and in (you) so we don't get dehydrated. Boy am I glad I don't have the big D on top of everything else. It's amazing how little issue I have with the surgery pain but with the other things.

The bloated, rumbling is the gas in your stomach that they use when they do the surgery. Try to swallow a gas X they are really small or take two fo the strips (that equals one pill). That really helped.

What meds are you on? Maybe that is what causing the D?

DId you get sleeve or plication?

I had a sleeve three days ago. went in for a band and after talking to others in the waitin groom and a nurse who had gone from a band to a sleeve, decided just to do the sleeve. I did the plication verision where they roll your stomach,not staple it and then cut off of the excess. I have virtually no pain but have terrible heartburn and indigestion. Husband says it is probably from the shock to my stomach- they were squeezing it, rolling it etc and now it can't figure out where everything is supposed to be. In any case, I am miserable. Throwing up from the terrible taste constantly which can't be good. Have tired the meds they gave me but since I can't swollow it, the taste once again makes me gag and then throw up.

will I ever be able to swallow pills again - if so, what size. I know with a band they say pea size - is it about the same with a sleeve?

Any thoughts?

deb

BTW I saw someone say OCC wanted them to stay a week. They never mentioned it to me. I am not about 2 hrs from home in PHX

two questions

1) why the sleeve and not plication - with plication, you don't cut or throw out half of our stomach in case of future issues. not sure if they know or not but am told they can nip a few stitch lines, unroll the stomach and back to presurgery

2) what is sliming - is that the same as frothing essentially?

I had plication on the 31st of October. 2 days ago. Went down for a band and changed my mind at the last minute. I'm sure it will be fine but I am now mad at myself because I not researched it like I had the band and am not totally sure what to expect.

Surgery - just about zero pain but I am still vomiting. Typical for me with anesthia but greatly compunded because I have horrific heartburn/indigestion. They gave me pills for it that they say are similar to Tagment, Previcid etc BUT everytime I try to open it and mix with a tad of juice, I go on another round of dry heaves. I really need to start back on my regular medicines too but don't think I will be able to get them down. Am getting worried about it.

Obviously I know I'll never be able to take woncho viamins or antibiotics but what size pills can you normally take? one of my is a small square and the other is a smaller than average capsule.

deb

I am going to Tijuana on November 1, 2010 to get VSG with Dr. Ortiz; however I am looking at plication.

I am 37 years old and My BMI is 45 , I have about 110 pounds to lose.

I am very anxious, but looking forward to changing my life.

I would love to hear about anyones experience with OCC and Dr. Ortiz and the sleeve surgery.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide a very anxious lady some support.

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I got some great tips when I asked for advice on port location in general but I am curious about the ports behind the belly buttons? is that more comfortable, less noticable as you lose your weight? Does it make your belly button look totally abnormal? Any thoughts would be great. I leave tomm and have to make a decision soon.

Deb

He's doing "okay". He found out the last two weeks that he could actually eat a fair amount. Nothing like he was easting but far more than ate in the first few weeks. he was filled yesterday for the first time (3cc) and is on 3 days of liquids. Hopefully that will restrict him some and he will start losing.

Thanks for asking,

Deb

Deb,

Congrats for setting a date. September 30th is right around the corner. Exciting! Definitely let them know your anesthesia issues.

How is your husband doing since being banded? That's neat that the two of you will be completely going through this progress together.

Started my preop diet 4 days ago and I am hungry, grumpy and ready to eat anything at this point. I also have the shakes and feel weak overall. Is that psychological? I have done 2 shakes a day, two days I had grilled chicken and the other grilled salmon. The only cheat was a handful of unsalted nuts this afternoon to try and stave off the shakes so I could work. Helped some but not a lot. Thougths?

any idea where I can buy them?

Started my preop diet 4 days ago and I am hungry, grumpy and ready to eat anything at this point. I also have the shakes and feel weak overall. Is that psychological? I have done 2 shakes a day, two days I had grilled chicken and the other grilled salmon. The only cheat was a handful of unsalted nuts this afternoon to try and stave off the shakes so I could work. Helped some but not a lot. Thougths?

I am being banded next week (9/30) and am reading that the port can be uncomfortable.

1) Should I consider the belly button port - is that more comfie?

2) If not, I also considered asking fora right side port since I skeep on my left side. Is that possible? Thoughts?

I am afraid I will end up having to do this port relocation surgery sooner or later my self.

I am only about 5 weeks out from having my band placed but the port is so uncomfortable at times and always noticable.

Since I am on next week my questions are

1) I wanted to ask to have it put on the right side since I sleep on my left? is that not possible?

2) Also I read another post abotu putting it under the belly button - what are the pros and cons of that? WOnder if buttoning pants irritates it then?

Maybe it was a reaction to the anesthia. I get sick for about 12-24 hours after any surgery.

Widlee said "...well you know you are suppose to start your journey and knowing how to pick your food and eat healthy and drinking 45mins after you eat and all that jazz. pretty much you have to do this on your own... you gotta stop yourself from eating too much and picking the right foods, because when you do get your 1st fill and feel the restriction, it's gonna feel like you have no self control and constantly getting stuck and stuff... you really gotta practice your new lifestyle change."

I very much agree with this. I felt no restriction after the 21 days of liquid. I have a high BMI. The 21 days of liquid was the hardest part of this journey for me. What I have learned from reading the Forum is that everyone is so different. I lost a lot of weight on liquids, about 20 lbs. in 21 days. I lost 9 more lbs during the next 3 weeks before my first fill. With no restriction, I had to concentrate on portion control big time. I had to eat healthy. I could eat all the foods bandsters say they have trouble with. I could eat bread, tortillas, mashed potatoes, rice, pizza etc. Even though I could eat these foods, I ate very, very, little of them because they are fattening.

I had 4.5 cc's put in with my first fill. The first few days on solids, I slimed 3 times. Once on bread, once on organic pizza with a thin cracker like crust and once from not chewing chicken breast enough. Anyway, the term "Bandster Hell" refers to the 3 weeks following liquids before your first fill, when most bandsters feel no restriction.

stupid neewbite question but what does "I slimed 3 times" mean? Is that like the term frothing I have heard?