lmtorb

JC, Please keep us posted! Hopefully in a few days the saliva ordeal will be overwith. I still get the "golfball" when I eat too fast or don't chew enough, but it passes. Sort of a warning for me to SLOW DOWN and CHEW!!! If you do have questions beyond what this website can handle, PLEASE call your doctor!! That's why he makes the big $$!!

JC, I didn't spit up huge amounts, but just sort of like right before you are going to throw up.....Sorry, that's gross....but true!! From what I've heard and read, if you can not swallow your OWN saliva at ALL, you do need to see someone ASAP. If you were able to get the shake down, tho, you probably just ate it too fast. Do you feel like you have a golf ball in your throat/chest? I have that when I eat too fast or don't chew enough. Partially gets worse by panicking, tho, so try to relax and maybe sit in a comfy chair for awhile. My body did all sorts of "weird" things for the first week post-op that scared me to death, but nothing ever happened that was truly bad or hurt me. Each days gets better. But if you are to the point where you really can NOT swallow your own saliva and would like to see a doctor, then by all means, do so!!

Spring, Thanks for your ideas. My surgery was July 17th and I have had one fill of 1.0 cc. It gave me some restriction for a few days, but I am pretty unrestricted now. Waiting to schedule fill #2. I just don't get full until I've eaten quite a lot right now, but I know this will change with a fill. If I eat the mushy food, I get hungry WAY faster than if I eat something more solid. Maybe I shouldn't be worrying about this until I get more restriction????

JC, I experienced the excess saliva after I ate for a few days after surgery as well. It eventually went away, either by itself or I ended up automatically eating/drinking slower and that eliminated it. I was told by my doctor that I was VERY restricted right out of surgery and wouldn't need a fill for a LONG time, if ever. Well, two weeks later, I was barely restricted. Have already had one fill which helped for a few days, then right back to non-restriction. I'm in the process of scheduling fill #2. So be aware that even if you are pretty restricted right after surgery, a lot of that swelling will go down and you may need fills sooner than you think. But that's what the band is for, so I'm saying "fill 'er up!" Just wanted you to hear from someone else who was told they were very restricted right off the bat......

Seanmama, I had my band done by Dr. Adam Smith, D.O. His office is in Fort Worth right across from the Osteopathic Hospital. You might try calling him (he's listed in the phone book) and see if maybe they can help you. There is also a doctor in Decatur, Dr. Snow, who does LapBand surgery. Don't give up!! If you need more info on Dr. Smith, please feel free to send me a personal message and I'll respond and help as best I can.

Seanmama, So sorry you're having trouble with UHC!! Is your BMI high enough to categorize you "morbidly" obese, or are you in the bracket just below that? Reason I ask is that you said you have 100+ pounds to lose with 3 co-morbidities. I also have 100+ to lose with 2 co-morbidities (high bp, sleep apnea) and got approved. But my BMI put me in the morbidly obese range, and maybe that's what did it. Have you tried having a different doctor write up a letter for you stating it is a medical necessity? I've read a LOT of posts here from people who fought for a LONG time with insurance companies but eventually won. I'd sure give another doctor a shot at writing that important letter for you! I believe Alexandra, who posts a lot here and helps A LOT, had to go through this, too. Maybe she can be of help?? Hang in there and do NOT give up at the first denial!!!

Bright, From what I've read, it's NOT common to have seven fills, but some people have the type of band that holds 9 ccs of liquid as opposed to 4, so it takes more fills. Then there are doctors who will only fill with 0.5 cc at a time, so even the 4 cc bands take more fills to get proper restriction. Didn't mean to scare you!! The more I read, the more I realize how INDIVIDUALIZED this can all be! Some never need a fill, most need a few fills, a rare few people need many fills. So I've just learned to do what is right for ME and not compare myself to what others have done as far as fills. Maybe you'll get lucky and not need many !!

Wow! What a great thread going here!! Babs, I live in Weatherford, so if you go visit Bright in Ireland, can my wife and I tag along? Wouldn't that be fun!! By the way, what doctor and hospital do/did you use? Bright, the fills, as I've discovered, are VERY individualized. I was told after surgery that I was VERY restricted and might never need a fill, but two weeks later, was already becoming unrestricted. Had my first fill a week later, and it did a little bit, but not much. I'm in the process of scheduling a second one. Some people never need one, some need 6-7!! So be sure you plan on the unknown, if that's possible! My fill was very easy and uneventful, but just didn't do the trick yet. I'm trying to be patient, but it's difficult! I'm hungry a lot now and eating too much. But I'm also told by experienced bandsters to just wait for proper restriction before I get too worried. I really think the doctors should stress that some people need to plan on waiting until several fills are complete before the REAL weight loss will start! I sort of thought I'd come out of surgery and hit the ground running on the wt. loss, but it isn't so with me. Lost a lot the first week, then it's slowed down considerably. So....just be prepared for ANYTHING, but know it WILL eventually work!! Let's keep up the great thread!!

My willpower is pretty much dictated by my band. It only allows me to eat a small amount, and if I overeat, I pay dearly!! I've learned through experience that eating protein keeps me feeling full MUCH longer than carbs. As for the drinking, I don't drink myself, but have heard it should be avoided mostly for the "empty" calories it adds.

Hi--I had a GREAT loss my first week after banding....17.4 pounds!! Of course I went from probably 3000 calories a day to 300 calories a day with protein supplement. My first week was 100% liquid. Now that I've almost finished my 2nd week and am eating "mushies" for the most part, I've gained a pound back! I am truly eating SOOOO much less than pre-banding that this just doesn't make sense. Do you think it is because my metabolism came to a screeching halt after only getting fluids for a week and it will take awhile to jump-start it again? I am only weighing myself once a week, but today was VERY bummed! I feel good and clothes already feel a tad looser, but that scale frustrated the you-know-what out of me!!! Will things level out after awhile? Appreciate any comments, suggestions or better yet, experiences with the same thing!!

Does anyone have this same problem: It sometimes takes me an HOUR to feel full. Supposedly it should take 20 minutes, plus or minus a few. But I can eat and never really feel full or satiated until about an hour later. It's difficult for me to tell when to stop because of this. If I stick to the 1/2 cup, it usually isn't enough, but I'm never sure how much more to eat without overfilling. I've always been this way, which is probably part of the reason I always overate. I could sit and eat a HUGE amount of food and not feel too full.......until it hit later, then I was miserable! I just had my first fill and I am NOT drinking during a meal. Any suggestions or anyone else experience this either pre or post banding??

Dear Bright, I am 5 weeks post-band and have more energy than I EVER imagined! I attribute it to switching out a large amount of my carbs (almost all I ate pre-surgery!) to large amounts of Protein. I add Sanalac ("premium" powdered fat-free milk) to the pre-made Slim-Fast to add protein to it. Slim-Fast DOES have a fair amount of carbs compared to many other "protein drinks", so I feel a bit better adding the powdered milk. For the Slim-Fast in the powdered form, I make it as directed, but also add the powdered milk to it. Does NOT taste bad at all---you just need to shake or blend it well. For Snacks I eat a lot of yogurt, lean deli ham and turkey, Protein Bars and low-fat string cheese. I did not have any diet restrictions pre-surgery except for the night before (nothing after midnight) and had no problems with my liver being too big or in the way. I've read both sides to this on these boards and it really sounds like it's a personal preference for individual doctors. Good luck to you and I'm sure you'll have more energy once you start adding that protein and dropping the carbs!!

They let my wife have the "special privilege" of watching partially because she used to work at that hospital and has been in the medical profession for 20+ years. Also helps that she's known the doctor since he was a resident! They did make her wear a lead apron for her safety, though. It went so fast I'm not sure she would have been able to take any pictures, tho! I'm just glad she could see it all and describe it to me since I wasn't able to see the screen from where I was on the table. I'm thinking I already need a 2nd fill, so maybe I'LL get to see it this time!!

I had my 3 week post-op appointment today. It's already time for a fill! My dietician told me that occasionally, usually after about 3 fills, some people get TOO restricted and can't even drink liquids. At that point, I am to call the doctor immediately. I'll do that if necessary, but just wanted to know if anyone has actually experienced that? Scares me!! Hopefully my first fill will just restrict me enough that I can start a steady weight loss.

Nicky, Glad to hear your fill is helping. I had my first fill of 1.0cc last Friday and it didn't do much at all. I'm waiting to hear from my doctor if/when I can have another one done. I don't like this business of feeling unrestricted when I KNOW there is a band in there!!!! Hopefully fill #2 will help!!

Nicky, First of all, don't beat yourself up!! We ALL have had times like this and you just do your best and move on. I am a BIG animal lover and was very sad to hear about Molly. When I have lost dogs in the past it took me a long time to recover. food was the last thing I thought of for awhile, then I started eating everything in sight. I eventually was able to substitute things for it, like long walks or reading or renting a movie. Maybe you could try something like that. As for your husband and friends, I hope things get better with time. Do you have access to counseling just by yourself? Maybe talking through everything with a third party would help. There are also lots of "self-help" books out there that deal with pretty much every emotion you can think of! Do your best and know that you WILL recover and feel better. You've come this far and will surely be heading in the right direction again soon!!

Alexandra, Woooo-hoooo!!!! You did it!! As hyped as you are about this whole think, I just KNOW you'll be Bandster-of-the-Century! Keep up the positive attitude! But please, if you NEED pain meds, please take them!! If you sit there in pain, it can actually slow your healing. But if not, then good for you!!! Take it easy and let us know how you're doing in a few days!!

I wonder if some people are like me and are unfamiliar with boards like this. I just accidently found a personal message to me one day when I clicked on "pm". So I didn't really even know the message was there or how to find it. Are you emailing them to their personal email address, or just through here? Hopefully it's all honest mistakes because I sure haven't run into anyone here who doesn't truly seem to care about other people in the same situation. Maybe we need a place on this website to click that says "How to use this website"???? Or is there one and I missed it ?!?!

I think this is going to be a GREAT website!! It's new, so not many people have visited yet, but I think it's awesome. SO much easier to peruse than some others that aren't categorized. Tell your friends about it and let's get it going so we can help others who have been banded or are thinking about it......

Jennifer, I had my first fill three days ago, and I'm already able to eat way too much without feeling real full or even that satisfied. So in MY case, I'm sure I'll need another fill real soon. But everyone is different! If they'll let you make the appt and then cancel if you don't need it, I might be tempted to go that route "just in case". Seems from reading all the other experiences, most people need more than one fill to get the proper restriction, but I really don't know if it's recommended that it be done in such a short time period. Again, everyone is different and apparently I don't swell much with fills! See what others have to say. But if it won't hurt anything to schedule that 2nd appointment, why not do it so it's there if you need it?

How many mls does the typical band hold? I don't know what kind I have, but it is probably just a "normal" one....

I stuck to clear liquids all day of the fill, but felt HUNGRY. I had some soreness at the port site and felt sort of like someone had punched me in the stomach. But not too bad. The next day I was supposed to be on "full" liquids, but was just too hungry, so I ate mushy stuff. Did just fine! I'll keep moving forward. Just hope I notice a difference!

I got on at about 8:10 CST and there ended up being at least 10 people in the chat room at a time!! It was VERY fun chatting with these folks! Some did mention the power outage, so I'm sure that kept some others from logging on. Hope we can set a time like that again. One suggestion......some of the topics became rather "non-band" and it made it a little tough to talk to others who were also there to discuss band topics. Maybe we could suggest trying to stick to band topics as much as possible to make the best use of our chat time??? Lots to talk about last night, tho, with the power outage, so I certainly understand! Hope to find people on there again soon!!

The most difficult for me was to realize that I really, TRULY could not eat that big plate of food anymore! I just could not imagine getting full on 1/2 cup of food. But guess what?? It really happens! I'm now 4 weeks out and the swelling has gone down so I can eat more, but I'm getting my first fill tomorrow. I think just adjusting to eating SOOOOO much less yet still feeling full and satisfied was the biggest change for me. I'd often take too much food thinking "this can't POSSIBLY fill me up" and I'd end up putting half of it back in the frig as leftovers! It's sure cut down on our bill when we eat out at a restaurant.....my wife and I now split meals and both come away feeling totally satisfied, not stuffed, and not as broke!!

Do you like Cream of Wheat? If so, make that, but add a couple tablespoons of Sanalac powdered milk. It adds a good bit of Protein, makes it taste creamier, and makes it more liquid so it will go down easier. For things like cream soups, I also add the Sanalac. It was recommended by my dietician and really does seem to make my "full" feeling last longer! If I eat something that is NOT dairy based, I add some Knox NutraJoint Gelatine powder to it. Adds no taste, but adds protein! Also recommended by my dietician. You can use it to add to Jello and even your jello will have protein. I also add it to the pitcher of Crystal Lite I make every few days. There is also a Slim Fast powder out made with soy protein that has 15 grams of protein per serving versus 5 grams you get with the "normal" Slim Fast powder. Hope these ideas help!!