fat2nrml

Hello All, I was banded on 3-25 and went through this too. I'm a sloucher and the discomfort made me straighten up! It went away though, thank goodness! I had the bending over-discomfort too, mine felt like something was getting stuck under my rib when I'd bend over. That too went away. The bloated belly, I think, is just the gas and swelling and it goes away too. Just think of all the work that Doc has to do in your belly to place your band, moving things around, it's bound to get everything swollen and irritated. I took Ibuprophen for discomfort and it seemed to work best for me. Also, I found that cold drinks made my gut and shoulder pain worse [at first] so I tried to stick with warm\hot drinks. I'm 3 months post-op and don't feel any of these discomforts any more. =D> I'm sure all this will go away for you all too, just give it a little more time. Try to relax and let your bodies heal, take care and best wishes, Darlene

AMEN!! I think that people who don't know, understand or care about being over weight should voice their opinion! Do they live in OUR shoes? Do they live OUR lives? That kind of stuff really sticks in my craw [?] I'd always get upset when I'd tell Doc's that I needed some kind of help losing weight [back then, I didn't know about the Lap band] and they'd just say "eat less and move more!" Gee thanks Doc, I'd never thought of that!!

What she said..... :girl_haha:

Welcome Jeremy and congrats!! It's great that you got to meet Dr. O and everyone before you have surgery! > I have to admitt, I was scared when I went to have my surgery, I went alone, but I worried for nothing! They are awesome, aren't they??!! If you have any questions or concerns, just ask. Best wishes Jeremy and please keep us updated!! :-h Darlene

Hello Santosha and welcome!! Congrats on your surgery, I had mine in March and am very pleased so far. [i need another fill.] I don't know anyone personally that has had a band slip or stitches rip because of eating too soon, but I'm sure it has happened. Why else would Doc warn you not to do it? I have to admitt, I did start solids a few days before I was supposed to, but ate mashed potatoes and some minced chicken. [Not that that made it right.] Try to be careful, you don't want to do damage after all your hard work and investment. [Most of us here were banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and had to pay for our surgery out of pocket.] Please take care of yourself and stick to Doc's rules, it's for the best. Post whenever you're having problems or doubts, there are some awesome people here who'll help any time. > Best wishes, Darlene

I'm like you, I chose not to tell everyone about my banding because of people like her!! I would have had trouble holding my tongue! I'm not a confrontational person either, but I would have blown up with her :ireful3: Please don't let it get you down Karen, there are people all over who'll give you grief about the band [because they don't know what they're talking about!] I agree with Allcdngirl..... that would have been awesome!! :girl_dance: Chin up girl and be proud of your band!!! > Darlene

I'd be nawing on the wood work!! [no WillT, not THAT wood work!]

Congrats on your decision to have lap band surgery and also for picking the OCC!! I had my surgery in March and chose not to tell many people. I didn't want to go through having to explain everything over and over and over. I don't have any regrets and am getting adjusted to my band. Hopefully one more fill will find my sweet spot! =D> Welcome to the forum and if you have any questions, just ask. There are alot of great, supportive people on here! Darlene

I just bought my first one too and cut it yesterday and it's half gone!! OMG is it good!! Perfectly ripened..... :shok:

I got that too and just figured it was from swelling around the band causing temporary restriction. It almost felt like I was trying to swallow a mouth full of air and it kind of gets stuck??? It went away for me pretty quick and there wasn't any pain. Keep up the good work!! =D> Darlene

Hello Jacqui1, So glad to hear that you have excellent restriction with your first fill!! =D> Where did you have your fill done? Also glad to hear that the warm\hot drinks worked for you. I figured it out pretty quick in my situation, and it really helped me. :yes: Best wishes! Darlene

Yep, that's what you do...... you can't change the past, you know it was wrong :punish: and you WILL do better tomorrow!! :ireful3: Now straighten up and fly right! :girl_witch: Your BB's are here for ya.... always!

:lb9: :cheerleader: :lb10: :lb24: :yes: Glad to hear you're doing well!! And to all the newbies..... bring lots of reading material, there are usually long waits. Best wishes, Darlene

Hello Jacqui1, How are you feeling? Any better? Please keep us updated..... best wishes, Darlene >

Hello, I had my first fill on 5-29 and got 1.8cc. I was on liquids for 3 days and didn't have any problems. I can still take all my meds with no problems. I'd say that you're still swollen and it may take a few days more for everything to settle. Make sure you're drinking enough, you don't want to get dehydrated. If you have extreme pain, you should call the center, you don't want to take any chances! Best wishes and please keep us updated. Darlene P.S. Did you notice if warm or cold things cause the pain? When I was first banded, warm\hot things felt better, cold\ice drinks made me uncomfortable.

People who can't work with the public should work in sewers with the rats!! Why do they choose jobs that they have to deal with people??? You should have taken her name and filed a complaint.... alright Darlene, calm down... The best thing about this episode is... YOU DIDN'T CHEAT!!! YYYYAAAAAAAA!!!! Way to go! You didn't go back to a bad habit because some B%$&H was an a$$!! Awesome! Be proud!! [We are! ] Darlene

I don't know how much help this would be, but when I craved food I would make a cup of hot tea and sip it. Carried it with me around the house and sipped it. And like the other's said, it is impotant to stay busy. I'm a lounge lizard in the evenings and that's when my snacking urges start. It IS hard and I must admitt, I've cheated at times, BUT I'm also proud to say, I'm doing better as time goes on!! Habits are hard to break, no doubt about it, but WE CAN AND WILL DO IT!! [sorry for shouting, I get carried away... ] Stay tough!! We're here for ya!! Darlene

Great to hear everything's well!! And, OMG!!!.... They are HORRIBLE DRIVERS down there!!!! :shok: I thought I'd crap my pants when the taxi driver took us to Rev. Ave.!! We held on for dear life!!

Hello Trudy and Welcome!!! > Did you set your date yet?? I know how exciting it is to know that the surgery's going to happen! > If you have any questions, just ask, you're going to be in the best hands! Best wishes, Darlene

You go power-business-girl!! :girl_haha: Awesome!! The self confidence is showing, you KNOW you can do it! :yes: :lb10:

Amber, You should be SO PROUD of yourself!! OMG you have DONE SO WELL!! =D> :lb24: :lb10: Keep up the good work Honey.... in no time you'll be celebrating the "Ones"!! :yes:

:lb14: :lb10: :lb9: :party2: :lb24: :yes: So glad to hear you're feeling so good!! It always feels good to be home, doesn't it??!! > Keep up the GREAT work!!

I was banded on 3-25 and went by myself. PLEASE BELEIVE ME, you'll meet SO many people while you're there. I met a fellow bandster and her friend and we went shopping the day after our surgery and had a blast!! We actually met back up last month and got our first fill together.... had a blast again!!! I didn't take any jewelry on the trip [my choice, didn't want bothered] and I kept money in different places in my purse and suitcase [use one with wheels!] The OCC is at your beck and call the entire time, plus the Lucerna staff is awesome!! No worries, enjoy your trip!! <' /> Best wishes, Darlene

I could sleep on my left side about a week out. I sleep with a pillow between my knees and it does help take off some pressure. It was discussed on the forum awhile back about shoulder pain and what might cause it besides the gas. The pain from your stomach surgery, the band and the swelling, makes it seem like the pain is in your shoulder. I had my appendix[?] out in '06 and the Doc thought at first I had intestinal flu cause my pain should have been on my right side and it wasn't. Even though my appendix was inflamed, the pain was more to the center and left of my gut. I noticed after my banding, if I drank very cold drinks, my shoulder would hurt. If I drank warm or hot drinks, it didn't hurt. I think the cold was shrinking my pouch, tightening my band and causing my discomfort. [My thoughts, everyone's different] Good luck and best wishes!!! > Darlene

Donna, I'd definetley talk to Dr.O, that is just ridiculous!!! I have read on this forum of other patients having problems and them being fixed at NO cost to them [except the air fare.] I hope this gets resolved soon, in your favor, because I know I'll be very disappointed in the OCC if it's not!! I'm considering getting my fills here in PA., [still looking into it] but I'm willing to pay more to keep going to the OCC because of the awesome care they give their patients. Come on OCC staff, don't let this smudge your good [GREAT!] name, take care of your dedicated patients like you always have!! Signed, Disappointed Darlene