Newbie

Hi Everyone! My name is Heather and I was banded on 12-21-10!  The first few days was rough but after that everything is going good. Except I can tell I have some food restriction but I was exspecting way more restriction.  I haven't be able to fully sleep on my stomach yet because I am still a little sore.  I have a few questions. My husband said I will fill more restrictions with I get my frist fill. When I get my frist fill is this when I might feel things get stuck because I haven't had that problem yet. How long did you take off of work. I will be going back to work this next week and still feel a little tender. I am a nurses aid and I do a lot of lifting and I'm scared :(  At my 2 week check up I lost 5 lbs. They were impressed by that they said usually people don't loose before there first fill is that right?
I'm excited for this new journey and I hope I can loose at least 60 lbs by May :)

Welcome!

Many, if not most, people do not get restricition until after several fills.

Getting stuck is not inevitable and can/should be avoided. it will almost certainly happen to some degree a few times as you learn to eat with your band.

A week off work is probably the most common length of time BUT you need to check about lifting - that may well be different.

60lbs by May is possible but ambitious- it is only about 3 1/2 motnhs until May!  It is quite usual only to lose between 5 and about 8 lbs a month.  I always believe that setting fairly tight goals with deadlines is a bit dangerous! If you don't achieve it, will you feel a failure? Might be a good idea either to take away the date or to aim for less and be excited if you lose more! 30lbs is perhaps more realistic - and if you lose more you will feel very positive rather than feeling disappointed!

Kate

Welcome Heather

Yeah Heather! Welcome.

the swelling left over from the surgery should have subsided by now, so you might be feeling a little restriction. There are a few precious and lucky few that don't get fills for a few months because the band alone is enough pressure to help them lose the weight.

It's true that quite a few people between recovery and that first fill actually gain a little of that preop weight they fought so hard to lose. It's just part of the process.

I also think 60 lbs by May is a bit of a crazy expectation. That's not to say you can't do it, but I sure as hell couldn't. You'll have to work out like crazy and watch every morsel. Best of luck to you. Remember that the average is a 1-2 lbs loss a week AFTER they've reached restriction. Keep that in mind. This is usually a slow process.

Welcome to the club.