I'm still alive!

Well it has been a while since I have updated so I figured I better, especially since my disappearing act left a few people worried about me.  No worries, I am alive and well! I have seen Dr. McDowell twice since my last post. I went two weeks ago because I was worried about the swelling and bruising.  He said it was a hematoma and that is what caused the bruising, but that he didn't think it was bleeding anymore.  It's still a little more swollen than the other side, but is no longer bruised.  They weighed me at that appointment and I had lost 20 lbs since I began my pre-op diet.  He told me he wanted me to try eating more food, especially foods that would keep me full longer because since I hadn't yet had my first fill, I really wasn't experiencing any restriction and was doing it all on my own. I think it was the first time in my life that someone told me they were concerned I wasn't eating enough! haha  It was an easy fix.  He wanted me to try eating more meet and also to try some bread, too.  That was definitely easy to do.  I was concerned though because my weight loss pretty much stopped once I began eating more food. I saw Dr. McDowell yesterday.  When Laura weighed me, I had gained 1 lb. since my visit 2 weeks earlier.  She said that she wasn't concerned about that at all because since I didn't have a fill yet, that I was basically doing it all on my own.  She told me that she has seen some patients gain back ALL the weight they lost during their pre-op diet.  I was still down 19 lbs so I wasn't too worried.  Dr. McDowell didn't think it was a big deal either. The fill wasn't as bad as I expected.  I was worried it would hurt.  It really didn't though.  First, they gave me a shot that numbed me.  I couldn't really feel the fill at all... well, at least not the needle.  I could feel fluid going in, which was a weird feeling.  He had me sit up (while the need was still in the port) and drink some water.  He told me to take big gulps.  Since I didn't feel the water coming back up, he thought it was okay.  He was checking to make sure the band wasn't too tight.  He said as long as I am not having any problems (either vomiting from too much restriction or not experiencing enough restriction), then he'll see me for my next fill in four weeks, I didn't weigh myself this morning, but I'm going to tomorrow.  Hopefully by then that pound will have come back off. I'm excited about having some restriction now because last week, I was hungry and trying really hard not to eat what I normally would.  I'm used to chewing everything 27 times now, but not drinking with my meal is still hard.  I swear, I sit there counting down the minutes until I can drink something.  I normally drink 3 glasses of water with a meal so that has been the biggest adjustment for me. Sorry if I worried anyone!  I'm okay.  I've just been really busy with work and some organizations I belong to.  And now I am getting ready to move so I have lots going on.  I'll make sure to update again soon though. And I might even see some of you next weekend.  I'm going to try and make it to the Lunch Bunch if I can. :)

Congratulations on your first fill. Sounds like you are doing great and you should do really well with this fill. Keep up the good work.

ThinkPink, I was so happy to see your post...I really like this TN forum but there are only a few bandsters here..so I was tracking your progress and then poof you were gone.   I am having lapband surgery on March 18th.   I am so glad that everything is going great for you.   Seems like time flies...you already got your first fill!  Wow!   I hope to meet you someday.  I won't be going to the next lunch bunch because I will be on  the four protein shake regiment.  Take care and thanks for the update...keep us posted on your progress.  Becky aka Explorergirl37

Come on to lunch anyway. Just bring your lunchtime protein shake with you. We have had others come while on the liquid phase. It will do you good to make some connections prior to your surgery.

Hi Pretty in Pink,,, You were truly missed.......  Thank you for sharing.....  I look forward to your updates......

Glad to see you're alive!  You've been missed!

You are SO lucky to have already had you first fill. I had my surgery on Feb. 11th, and don't have my first fill until March 26th. I have gained back 2 of my 20 lbs. lost. I am STARVING. I am trying to eat more protein, but I can hardly wait to get my first fill. My surgeon doesn't fill until 6 weeks post-op. I was encouraged to hear that your fill wasn't painful. I am getting nervous since I go in two weeks. What type of diet has your doctor told you to follow post-op. Mine has said pretty much low carb. I too am having the hardest time with not drinking with meals, as that was when I normally got any liquids down before surgery. I also count down the minutes to drink LOL. Now that you have had your first fill, are you still hungry, or is it like it was right after surgery?

I guess every surgeon is different.  Dr. McDowell is pretty laid back.  In fact, I don't think I am on a "diet" right now.  He has never used those words.  He was telling me during my last visit that it isn't so much what we eat, it is how much we eat.  So he has encouraged me to eat foods that make me feel full for a longer amount of time.  So I try to eat more protein and avoid those high calorie, high fat foods. For example, here is what I ate today: Breakfast: 1 cup of Honey Nut Cheerio's and Skim Milk Lunch: Lean Cuisine Deluxe Pizza Dinner: Mango & Coconut Crusted Tilapia and green beans Snack: 100 Calorie Pack I am feeling some restriction, but I assume that my next fill will be even better because I don't notice a HUGE difference yet, but I do feel full a bit faster than I did the past two weeks. I've lost 22 lbs now.  And Friday will be one month since my surgery.

The not drinking with meals is still so hard because some foods make me thirsty and it's practically torture to sit there without drinking anything. How are your scars healing??  I am SOO impressed with mine.  They're not very noticeable at all and are healing very nicely.

Glad to hear from you and that you are doing well. Keep up the good work! The not drinking with meals will get easier as time goes by. It will actually become second nature eventually. This is something that bandsters and RNYers definitely have in common.