Picturegirl

Kristen...you are doing better then most people so please realize that. Also, you have barely just started the process so do not get discouraged at this point. This is not going to be an instant gratification kind of process. My weight loss is slow but I haven't gained any weight back and I have stopped eating crappy food because I just can't eat it anymore. I have lost 22 lbs but have gone from a size 22 to a size 16. I have lost more inches then pounds. That is much better to me than the number on the scale. I also have gained the confidence to throw out ALL of my FATTY GIRL clothes as I get to the next size down because I know I will never be that size again. That to me is the most valuable result. There are so many different benefits that we receive from this procedure and it always takes awhile to realize them. I hope you had a picture and your measurements taken before your surgery. These are great motivators when the scale doesn't move. IF you haven't done this yet...do it now! It will help you after you get your first fill. Trust me on this one. Good Luck!

I was very hungry during the first liquid phase after surgery. I mean I was hungry by day 3! I have found that fruit juice did wonders for me in the beginning and jello. Even now after my fill, I can just have a big glass of juice and it will sustain me for a long time. I think the mistake I had made is not changing my thinking about food. You will never be able to eat the same way again. Ever. Unfortunately, there really is no "full" feeling ever again. If you are full you are usually PBing or throwing up. My signal is 1 sharp hiccup. If I hiccup more then once I have eaten to much. I find that some days are better then others and that the morning is the most difficult time of the day to eat. Marilyn, you should go back and get another fill. I had 2cc becuase I wanted to make sure it was tight and it was a bit too tight. So make sure you really pay attention when you are getting the fill. Right after my fill I was eating really quickly and throwing up all the time...forget the burping. I totally bypassed the burping and went straight to puking. But I have figured it out now and am in a good place. Good luck!

Hi Apryl... I just got my first fill yesterday 10/22. I read your this post about your first fill and was wondering how you were doing? Have you lost some weight? How much are you eating? I am a little apprehesive about going back to solid foods because after my surgery I was hungry the 3rd day! I stuck it out through the liquid phase and lost about 10 pounds but when I started to eat solids again, of course my weight loss slowed down and then eventually stopped. I waited to get my fill until I stopped losing, but I was able to eat almost as much as I was pre surgery. Dr. Martinez told me that my band was loose and I got 2 cc's yesterday. How is the tightness of your band? Are you having trouble with any particular foods? Hope all is well, Shawna

Thank you for all the advice. I do feel better when I drink things that are higher in calories but only for a short time. I will try the ice! Thanks again.

You are funny! I had to keep looking away from Dr. Ortiz because my husband was with me. I vaguely remember you can do light exercise like walking right away. To do anything more strenuous like aerobics or whatever I think you have to wait the first 3 weeks. So about the time you start your solid food you can do more strenuous exercise.

It is safe the section of TJ where the hotel, clinic and surgery center are. The Lucerna is very nice and there seemed to be quite a few children there when I was down last weekend. The thing to think about is that you will be staying overnight in the hospital the day of your surgery so you will need to have someone there to take care of your kids (husband?). I agree with Kathy that you are going to be focused on yourself and will need time to rest. That might not be possible if you family is there. Shawna

I am not taking any pain medication. I am toughing it out. I am trying to sip gatorade all day and some chicken broth. Each day I seem to feel worse with the nausea. You are probably right that I am not drinking enough. I am getting about 20-30 oz. a day. I am not sure that it is gas. I do feel an occasional bubble but that is a different sensation. I am not nauceous in the morning when I wake up until I start drinking.

I was just banded on Aug 12 and I have been feeling nauceous since I got home on the 13th. Is this the gas pains people are talking about? It feels like I am going to be sick all the time. Any advice out there?