Alexandra

This is a very important point, Francesca. Newly banded people should try to remember this post-op period, and how really different it is to eat with an obstruction. I promise your stomach will heal and you will feel normal again, but a fill will recreate this difficulty for you. There's no downside to delaying a fill until after you're able to tolerate solid foods well.

Birdee, I'm with you. I don't see how a "sweet spot" could be anything but temporary, seeing as how often my restriction seems to change all by itself. I interpret the phrase "sweet spot" to mean a situation where the band keeps one from eating more than enough, but not in such a way that is painful or uncomfortable. It seems to me that such a situation would also be largely due to the behavior of the bandster, and not just the level of restriction. I mean, if we can all learn what specific feeling it is that means ENOUGH, and can manage to stop eating at that point, we might all experience that blissful feeling of being really satisfied with a meal. Two people can have the same level of restriction but for one person it's a harsh taskmaster and for the other it's a benevolent guardian. However, that said, I do think there's something to the notion that the right restriction works mental magic on us as well. Right now my restriction is lessened (I'm waiting for a fill) and there are two effects to that. One is that it takes more for me to be full, naturally, but the other is that even after I've had plenty to fill my stomach my mouth still wants MORE. With a better level of restriction both of those problems are addressed. That is my "sweet spot" and I'm looking forward to getting back to it.

Denise, I was going to say the exact same thing! I'm really bummed about this, since they're two such great sources of Protein, but I've never been able to tolerate more than a teaspoon of either one. And I've tried eggs all different ways, even in a soft omelette in the evening when I'd normally be able to eat steak. No go! What is it with eggs and cottage cheese?!? I thought I was the only one; nice to know I'm not alone in this oddity. My staple for liquid days is Soup. I love soup to death but try to stay away most of the time because it's so easy to overindulge on liquid foods. But if I've had any upset at all, that's my permission to go wild with soup for the next meal.

You've gotten great advice already. I'd only add, for the sake of everyone in your shoes or soon to be there, that it's REALLY important to follow your doctor's instructions but don't be afraid to go more slowly if your body seems to want it that way. If you're feeling tight in the chest after eating, burping a lot, or having heartburn symptoms, you're eating too fast/too much/too soon. TAKE IT SLOWLY and be sure to allow ample time between bites.

That's very interesting! He must have had some bad experiences with patients who react to seasonal allergens in ways that make them swell up or something. I'll ask my doctor about that at my next fill appointment; I'll be curious to know if that's a commonly held opinion.

Congratulations, Babs!! :D

Hi Christine, Wow, what a nasty surprise? But you didn't know that your doctor was out of network? That seems like the first thing he should have told you. Was your hospital in-network?? You may get a big hospital bill, if not. I sure hope it was!! My suggestion would be to look up the names Abkin, Bertha, Borao, Trivedi (and any other NJ lap surgeon's names you can find), on Horizon's website to see if they're participating. I don't know how readily they'll take on the aftercare of another surgeon's patient, but everyone understands insurance hassles and you might get lucky. For more NJ surgeon's names you can contact Inamed; look on their website for a list (www.inamed.com). Good luck!!

During this time you will feel lots of strange things, and it's easy to be kind of freaked out, since all of this is new. Unless you are in severe pain, or cannot tolerate liquids, chances are everything you are feeling is perfectly normal. With time you won't notice most of these things anymore. What she said. Exactly.

Kelly, I hope you're feeling better today!! Please let us know when you can. Kathy, this again is one of those "your mileage may vary" things. Personally, I drink quite a bit of Water in the hour or two before going to bed; it helps me fight the urge to nibble. I also take Vitamins in the evening after brushing my teeth, a practice I asked my doctor about and he said it was fine. Not eating in the hours before sleeping just makes sense, since it's better to go to bed with an empty pouch. Even without a band, that's standard advice for anyone who is a) prone to heartburn, or trying to lose weight. Banded people are obviously and may be more likely to be a), so the advice is especially apt for us. But it's not a hard-and-fast rule that is given to people upon banding or anything like that.

Congratulations! You're on your way to a healthier, stronger life. Good luck!!

If I may repeat what I said above: ...you'll find that over the next few weeks you'll be able to eat almost as normally as you did before surgery. Without restriction you have no more ability to resist your demons than you did before banding. Don't beat yourself up about it!! With time you will learn when enough is enough, and if you're like most people you will accept what you have to do to avoid pain. But this comes only AFTER you have restriction. PLEASE don't torment yourself with thoughts of "being bad" at this point. There's nothing to be gained except mental anguish. Just take care of your healing self!

Donali, I should have realized you of all people would understand the situation better than anyone. Thanks for the very informative links!!

Donali, we just talked about this the other night at the support group. It's a common misunderstanding that I think it's really important to clarify. "Erosion" refers to erosion of the STOMACH, not the band itself. The materials of the band are much more sturdy than the tissues of the stomach, and when there's friction and abrasion it's the stomach that gives first. So: it's the band that is DOING the eroding, but the stomach that is BEING eroded. Relieving the pressure point where the erosion is happening can be enough to let the area heal. The band itself retains its structural integrity, and will long survive the soft tissues of our bodies. Hope that helps! End of lesson.

Candy, it's so good to read of your good experience!! And I was going to post too about my great support group meeting of the other night. (Did we go to the same support group meeting and just not meet? ) I met Colleen on Wednesday night, when she attended our meeting in Florham Park. She does look great! Gary from Inamed was also there, but he was solo. I've seen him at two meetings now, and think it's terrific that Inamed cares enough to have reps at these meetings. And it's NOT a sales pitch!! Gary is helpful and instructive, patient and compassionate. Was he at your meeting? I completely agree about how important it is for bandsters and bypassers to meet separately. We've had three separate meetings now and the group is really growing. Where was your meeting? We should post this info in the New Jersey section because I know there were people at my meeting looking for things in other parts of the state.

I hope you don't mind my answering--I'm only halfway to qualifying as an "expert." But I remember so clearly being as confused as you are right now, so here's what I can tell you. Things will really change for you over time. Right now you're just reintroducing solid food, and you'll find that over the next few weeks you'll be able to eat almost as normally as you did before surgery. That may sound surprising, but it's true. Hunger will return and you'll recognize it, because the "oddness" you feel now will recede into the background as your body heals and you get used to the feelings that have changed. How long will it take? No one can say, for you. I know that by the time of my first fill, two months after banding, I was barely aware the band was there. All of the strange feelings were gone. But then, post-fill, restriction returned and suddenly I was back to square one with regard to discovering how much I could eat. Learning the feelings related to hunger, having the munchies, eating with the proper caution, being full, and being over-full does take some time and there are likely to be some errors along the way. By the holidays last year, four months post-surgery, I remember eating and truly being satisfied with a relatively tiny plateful. Not pissed off because everyone else was pigging out; not mad because something got stuck in my throat; just pleasantly full and satisfied on a very small amount of food. So for me, I guess the answer is four months. Your mileage may vary.

Hi Linda, One of the beautiful things about the band is that you can keep it a secret if you want. My two little girls hardly noticed that I had surgery ("Mommy has a tummy ache" got me through the two days post-surgery). The weight loss, for me, has been gradual enough that most people in my life haven't noticed anything dramatic. In my opinion it's probably better to keep it to ourselves for a while, even if only to avoid the overeager questioning from well-meaning people who expect to see huge losses overnight. That really is upsetting, even though we all know they don't mean any criticism by it. They just don't understand that there are real differences among weight loss surgeries, and expect us to show the same results as bypass patients. It gets tiring explaining that 5 lbs a MONTH is what I'm AIMING for, and I'm very happy with my loss as it is. So just do what feels right to you. This procedure really is something you have to do for yourself, and that includes the way you present it to the world. Good luck!! :D

Hi Cindy, Well, not being a fill doctor, I can't really say whether the resistance your doc felt is normal or not. My doctor doesn't narrate what he's feeling when I get fills. All I can say is that it is entirely possible to get a fill and then not feel much difference for a few days or even a week or so. If you're still feeling no difference two or three weeks out you might want to call her back and see about another adjustment.

Welcome Lucy, and congratulations on this important decision! I hope we'll get to hear from you more as you go through this process. Nice to meet you!

Hi Kataylee, Congratulations on getting banded and welcome to LBT! While it's true that a "pouch" is created upon banding, what isn't created at that time is much of a barrier to food going through it. The opening at the bottom of the pouch, in most people, is still large enough to let most food pass through it with little or no obstruction. So you can eat pretty much normally with food passing readily through the stoma (the opening) and allowing you to eat almost as you could before surgery. What happens at the fill is that the stoma is made smaller by the tightening of the band. So food doesn't pass OUT of the pouch as fast, and you feel full much sooner. And, ideally, you feel full longer. As for what's "average" for a first fill, we all have to learn that there is no "average" with regard to fills. Your doctor will probably take one of two approaches: the "sneak-up-on-it" approach, with very small fills until you're where you want to be; or the "go for it" approach, where he'll try to give you good restriction from the start. Either way, the precise amount of Fluid is going to be different from person to person, and there's absolutely no point in comparing the numbers.

My thoughts are with you too, Sue. Best wishes for a SMOOOOTH surgery and peaceful recovery. Can't wait to hear how it went, and what a hot mama you are afterwards!

Darcy, YAYAYAY!!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana Congratulations!! I well remember that feeling when I got the letter...I practically fainted with relief and joy. I'm so happy for you!! YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY!!!

No one can answer definitively the question of whether a band removal would be covered by insurance. In my experience (which is fairly extensive, as I'm an insurance broker), and in my state, medically necessary procedures are covered regardless of what they're related to. So, for example, if someone who had cosmetic breast implants developed a problem with them, the treatment for the problem would be covered even though the original implants were elective and not covered. But every state has different laws and every contract has different provisions. You'd have to check locally with your plan and state department of insurance to get the full story as it applies to you.

Sounds like you're healing up nicely! A milkshake is actually pretty thick stuff for four days out, so it's not surprising you felt superfull. I'm sure you still have some swelling, evidenced by the fact that you have no appetite. Please be careful to listen to your body's cues, and don't try to eat or drink any more than you are absolutely comfortable with. Ideally you'll stick to liquids for another week or so and stay away from really thick things for at least several more days. You have a lot of healing to do, so it's not at all surprising you're tired. Take care, you're on your way!

Hey Bailey, that's great news!!! Flag day, huh? A great day to be banded!!

Hi Joann, I'm so sorry to hear you're having these problems! Do you feel too tight in general? Or are you eating OK and just suffering from reflux? Reflux is a strange beast, and clearly something we want to avoid. Maybe a slight unfill will help. I hope your doctor can get to the bottom of this and your problems will be a thing of the past. Please let us know how it goes!