first fill!!

I got tomorrow for my first fill!  I'm nervous and scared and everything in between!  I have a couple of questions for the long time banders....

#1.  I am 4 wks post op, do you think, in your own experiences will they move to me regular food, instead of liquid and mushies??

#2.  I am seeing a Dr. something, nutritionist but on top of that I am seeing a registered dietician?  Can anyone shed some light on why I have to see both???  I'm not complaining, but i was just wondering...

#3.  Do you think a B12 shot would help with me being so damn exhausted???

thanks everyone!!!

Jamie

Hello! I'm not an "long time bander", but I can try to answer from my own experience...

When I was 4 weeks post op, I had already completed my liquid and soft foods diet...and yes, I was put on regulare food.,

I see a doctor AND a nutritionist every visit. The nutritionist just helps to find out if you are following the diet and program as you should.

And finally, only the doctor can make the call about the B12 shot. But I will tell you this... if you are not eating the protein as you should or drinking the 32-64 ounces of liquid each day, you WILL BE tired. All day and all night! I have to make sure I get the nutrition I need or the bed will hold me hostage! Keep it moving, and don't give in to the exhaustion...it can be your worst enemy!

Oh! and one last thing...regarding MY first fill, read my first entry posted last week...

Anumrzvee!

I went for my 1st fill last Monday, it was a breeze, really.  I didn't see my surgeon as I had seen him 2 weeks out of surgery.  I saw the Nutritionist and she went over my food, liquid and vitamin intake as well as answer some of my questions for me.  An RN did my fill, and she was very caring and sweet.  She had to poke around a bit to find my port, but it wasn't painful at all.  There was a bit of a pinch from the needle, but nothing to worry over.  I couldn't have asked for a better visit.

As far as being tired - I was really pretty tired the first two and a half weeks after surgery.  It may only be that your body needs more time to heal from the surgery.  If it makes you feel any better, I could only walk 1/2 a block the first two weeks after, and now (7weeks out) I'm walking between 1 and 2 miles four times a week.  My energy level is so much better now.  An added bonus, my dog is losing weight too! LOL  He spins in circles when i pick up his leash - so cute! 

Good luck and try not to worry! 

Jamie,

Good luck tomorrow.

By the time that I was 4 weeks post-op, I was already on solids. I am a bit surprised that you aren't on solids, but that they are going to give you a fill.

I only saw the dietician once post-op. That was when I was transitioning to mushies. Haven't seen her since.

Make sure  you are staying hydrated. Try to drink as much water as you can. Are you getting enough protein? You may also want to ask about adding in the sublingual B-12 drops.

Let us know what happens tomorrow.

Kim

Thank you everyone for your posts. 

I thought it was odd too that I'm not on solids.  I am to be getting between 60-80 grams a day and I have been getting about 65....I drink about 64-84 oz and when the weather is nice I am all about doing stuff...Its hard because of the rain, but I try to do things inside.  Today I re-arranged my living room, changed the cat litter, went grocery shopping, vacumed and swept the kitchen floor...I felt so good, tired but good...Usually when I rearranged the living room, about half way through I have to a break to catch my breath...guess what I didn't have to do!!!!! 

I am very good about getting my stuff I need to in, thats why I'm so suprised that I'm so tired.  I mean on Friday I came home from work, and fell asleep for 2 hours till about 6, then by 10 I felt I hadnt slept for days.  I plan on taking a list of questions tomorrow with me. 

Thank you again for all your responses! 

Jamie

 I'm not so sure you will get a fill at 4 weeks post op, most people I've talked with it's always been 6 weeks out. I am 6 weeks out Tuesday and I will be getting my first fill Tomorrow.. I to am pretty nervous about getting a fill, only because I don't know what to expect, everyone says it will be like the day after surgery, but I didn't feel anything so ??  I would check tomorrow with the Dr. & Nut about going to solids, I started solids 3/4 weeks out also, so I would say you will go to solids tomorrow and 2 more weeks go back for a fill. 
 My Dr requires us to see the Nut every visit, to make sure we are on track, to answer any questions we may have about foods and she also, teaches how to read the labels and understand them and what your eating. I like seeing her, she always has some good information and always has samples of different proteins and such to try. 
 AS for the B12 they will probably send you for blood work to see what you are lacking, as someone else mentioned a number of things can cause you to be tired all day. Let us know how it goes and what the Dr. say. Good Luck tomorrow.. John

Thank you John for the reply.  I know I'm getting a fill tomorrow because at my 2 wk post op the doctor said I will get a fill at my next appt w/ the PA.  Thank goodness I'm getting one.  Maybe thats why they kept me on liquid/soft foods for so long.  i have been on soft foods/liquids for 6 LONG ass weeks!!! 

I guess I just don't understand why I'm seeing both of them in the same day!!  I am very excited and ready to see them!!  I have a lot of questions!! 

Thanks John!!  Your very helpful!!!

I'm surprised too, that they are planning a fill before you are on solids.  This is why; If you are losing 1-2 lb per week, eating 1/2 cup of food that is primarily solid dense protein (meat, chicken, fish, pork, eggs) and not getting hungry within 3-4 hours of eating, not drinking with meals and getting 64 oz of non-caloric fluids in, you don't need a fill....
How can a judgement be made as to whether you need a fill or not, if you are not able to make the above assessment?
Do you have a Realize or Lap-band...Realize fills are generally scheduled for 6 weeks post op and there is no "primer" fill at the time of surgery.
Lap-bands are often filled at the time of surgery and again 4 weeks later.  While the doctors have some discretion (they can do whatever they feel is best), most follow the recommendations of the band manufacturer.
It is important to remember that a band can work (it doesn't happen often) for some time without a fill, depending on the size of your stomach and how much fat is around the stomach...my doctor's practice actually has one patient who went 7 months before a fill and lost over 70 lbs before her first fill. 
Be sure to let us know what happens at your visit!  Good luck!
Steph

Found this thought you might be interested in it.. ttyl.. John

 http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/lapband_postsurger y_diet_nutrition_exercise.html

John, thank you so much for that!  Your so helpful!!  Its so funny cuz on there they say about 3-4 weeks to have mashed potatoes and peas and my doctor wont let me have either of those.  I have the Realize Band Steph?  I'm not sure whats going on...I just had a taco and I am great...I am chewing like crazy so I feel very comfortable with everything....Thank you everyone for all your postings and support...