1. Community
  2. Health promotion
  3. Weight Loss - Intentional

4 days post op Gastric Band

Posted , 5 users are following.

debbie98844
debbie98844

hi everyone. I'm new to this group. I wish I had found it before my op as I had so many questions but never mind. So far I have been very lucky and had no problems at all....no pain....no wind....nothing! My appetite is non existant but I'm told this will soon return. I am up and about and i am returning to work tomorrow. I have my fist band fill on the 27th May and I am a little apprehensive as I don't know what to expect and I don't know what the restriction is going to feel like but I guess its just about taking one day at a time. I am in no hurry for the weight to drop off and am quite happy to lost a pound or two a week....anything is a bonus in my book. Its great to come across people who are going through the same and share our experiences x

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Nat1982
    Nat1982 debbie98844

    Posted

    Hi Debbie

    I'm 5 weeks post op and have my fill this weekend I'm also apprehensive......how about I test it out for you and let you know?! 😂 x

    • debbie98844
      debbie98844 Nat1982

      Posted

      That would be brilliant. I'm so pleased to be able to speak to people who are going through the same journey as me and at the same time too. Thank you. Did your appetite return after the op? Mine is non existent at the minute
  • jebo2106
    jebo2106 debbie98844

    Posted

    Hi Debbie, congratuations on starting this journey. Sounds like your having a fabulous start!  Im going for my 4th fill next weekend. (banded end of November) I dont think i need much more as I am starting to feel some restriction.  You definitely have to eat a lot more slowly and cut out certain foods which stick - bread especially in my case.  The fill is nothing to worry about.  Firstly they take your weight to check how your getting on.  ask and answer questions about how your doing, then the fill - I ly on a doctors type bed put top up and they will feel around for your port.  The first time they removed any liquid already in port then refilled with a bit extra.  Its a slight scratch when the needle goes in - just dont look! and a bit like having butterflies in your tummy when putting in the liquid, its over and done with within a minute!  then I have to go back to reception and sit down with a drink of water for 15 mins sipping it to make sure you can drink ok before you are allowed to go - book your next appointment there too for your next fill. Im Manchester for mine this weekend with Healthier Weight.  Good Luck x 
    • debbie98844
      debbie98844 jebo2106

      Posted

      Oh that's good to know. I don't like needles so I definitely won't be looking. I don't think there's any liquid in mine at all. I didn't think there was when it was first out in but I've seen people mention they had a little bit in so I'm a bit confused by that. I guess everyone's is different maybe? I'm having my dietician and refill in Leeds so not too far away from you. I'm hoping one day to just be able to eat normal food but much smaller portions. If I can't eat bread then that's a small price to pay to be slimmer even tho I do absolutely love bread lol. Do you drink alcohol? I was told no fizzy drinks but I do enjoy a lager or three lol x
    • jebo2106
      jebo2106 debbie98844

      Posted

      I went out with the girls at weekend - dont normally drink - but had pimms n lemo and vodka and diet cokes - went down way too easy - think you need to sip rather than the normal gulp but surprisingly OK!  Ive changed my breakfast and lunch to yoghurt and granola dna 2 ryvita with philly but a normal small plate for tea - meats (chicken) you deffo have to chew for england having salads more and omlettes- bread i can tolerate toasted but again its chew chew chew and wait a while between bites! x Lost 3 and half stone so far - only 2 more to go - finally starting to feel normal and waist is now less than my boobs and hips! rather than being bigger!

       

    • debbie98844
      debbie98844 jebo2106

      Posted

      I have around 5 St to lose so similar amount to you. I can't wait for it to be me saying I've lost x amount of weight....I'm buzzing just thinking about it and it's hard to believe it is gonna be me one day. It's good to know you can eat normalish foods even though you have to chew for England....I tend to be a fast water....I don't like my food going cold....that's my excuse anyway lol. I guess I will just have to learn to do things differently. Small price to pay to be slimmer. Lol. I'm not drinking yet as it's early days but I'm going in holiday soon so I do enjoy a few drinks in the sunshine....will just have to see how I get on. Xx
  • Rebecca02
    Rebecca02 debbie98844

    Posted

    Hi Debbie!

    Sounds like you are doing great!

    Your appetite will soon be back! Mine came back after a week or so!

    Honestly the fills aren't at all bad! I was so nervous for me first one that once it was done I was so relieved that it wasn't painful just a bit strange!

    I think most surgeons may have a slightly different technique!

    I had to lie in bed and obviously lift top up a little, then I had to raise my legs off the bed about 10 inches because apparently this makes it easier to find the port as it pops to the surface! A bit of prodding around to find the port, little bit more tender on your first fill due to it the op being mor recent but every fill gets easier! Once the ports located in goes the saline to inflate the band, mine too was empty when it was inserted! Just a little scratch and then I had to sit up with the needle in me and sit on the edge of the bed while holding needle in and drink some water to check it goes down ok, needle out and all done!! It's honestly not anything like you would expect and it's far better!!

    First couple of fills I didn't notice too much restriction but each time you will gradually find out why they say to chew slowly and leave a minute between mouthfuls etc also which foods you may choose to avoid.

    The whole thing is strange and does take a lot of getting used to, it is a life style change after all!

    I had my band fitted October last year and don't regret it at all, the only regret is not getting it done any sooner!

    Good luck and just listen to their advice :-) x

    • debbie98844
      debbie98844 Rebecca02

      Posted

      Thanks Rebecca for all that information. I guess there's no point worrying about it when it's 4weeks away so for now I will just enjoy having no appetite as it sounds like it isn't going to last lol. As soon as I decided to have the op I immediately thought why didn't I do it sooner and enjoy being slimmer for longer. I think I was always fooling myself that one time I would get round to losing it but then I just had to stop kidding myself. We are away on holiday early May so the timing isn't great but there's always a reason you can put it off for and we hol again in sept so hopefully by then I will have lost some. I'm pretty clueless to the actual band and don't know if they're different sizes or all the same. Do they all hold the same amount of fluid? X
    • Rebecca02
      Rebecca02 debbie98844

      Posted

      I know what you mean about putting it off! Mine was end of october and I kept thinking to myself maybe I should do it after Christmas lol then it would of been birthdays and bla bla bla!!

      Do you know I'm not sure about the band either?! I don't know if there all the same but they must be similar! I know that different surgeons will fill them with different amounts, mines been steady and I lose minimum 7 pounds each time which is fairly healthy I feel xx

    • debbie98844
      debbie98844 Rebecca02

      Posted

      7lbs sounds just wonderful....I can cope with that. I lost 9lb on the pre op diet but put a few back on but I don't know how as I have eaten very little since the actual op....never mind I'm sure it will come off soon. Did you have s lot to lose when you set out and how have you done so far? X
    • Rebecca02
      Rebecca02 debbie98844

      Posted

      I wanted to lose 10-11 stone and so far I've lost 4.5 stone :-) not bad for 6 months work! Lol how about u? X
  • sarah48495
    sarah48495 debbie98844

    Posted

    Hi everyone I had my op on Sunday, apart from awful wind pains I'm feeling good, im so glad a made this step after so many years and am excited to gain control, it's great to read everyone's experuences and know I'm not alone. X
    • debbie98844
      debbie98844 sarah48495

      Posted

      Hi Sarah. I had my op the same day in Birmingham. I haven't suffered with wind so I've been really lucky. I agree that it's great to share our experiences. You will be at the same stage as me on the liquid diet. I don't know about you but I've no appetite yet but I think it does come back

      Rebecca I have about 5 stones to lose. If I could lose it a few pounds a week I would be really happy. Xx

    • sarah48495
      sarah48495 debbie98844

      Posted

      Hi Debbie, I still have no appetite and having to force myself to take fluids but am sure that will change over next few days, I have about 5-6 stone to loose. Ive woken up pain free for the first time this morning and not as bloated. I'm looking forward to the next phase in life with the band and being able to get some exercise in.

      I'm feeling a bit nervous about how to act next Saturday as I have a wedding to go to and apart from husband no one knows I've had the band.

      Hoping you're doing well

      Sarah xx

    • debbie98844
      debbie98844 sarah48495

      Posted

      Hi Sarah. Good to hear from you. I'm doing ok. I'm managing to have soup and a couple of yogurts a day. They're going down fine but I've no restriction in my band yet (I've discovered some have liquid in when they are operated on). Next sat is a big day for me too as I'm going on holiday abroad so will be doing the 2 weeks sloppy foods away. Only my hubby and daughter know too so I know how you feel. I suppose at a wedding it might be hard for you if its a sit down meal and not the right food. You may be lucky and get a soup starter. You will have to say you're not 100%. I've found I've had to use this excuse over the past few weeks as I've been going out but not drinking alcohol so I'm getting lots of questions. I've also said I'm trying to diet but it makes you paranoid that people have guessed but they probably haven't. Good luck x
    • sarah48495
      sarah48495 debbie98844

      Posted

      Hi debbie I you are doing ok and coping well. I came back to work yesterday and am finding it tough to actually stop to keep my fluid intake up. Gosh a holiday abroad that's a huge thing at this point, I would take some packs of powdered soup just in case!! ( or baby foodbiggrinAnd am sure you will be fine. I'm starting to get my appetite back but like you I don't have any fluid in the band yet. I have learnt though if I don't take things slow I get awful pain under my left Breast so finding it strange to take 1/2 hr over a bowl of soup. Have a good holiday

      Sarah x

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.