armymom2012

The only reason you would really have to worry about Thera Flu would be because of a conflict with your other medications, like Blood pressure meds and stuff like that. As far as joint pain, I was told nver to take ibuprofin, because it can erode the band. So now I take tylenol. You can either buy a pill slicer or get liquid. Although unless the pill is huge like some multi-vitamins, I really have no issue taking anything really, but everyone is different. Hope you feel better soon.

When I first had surgery, I kept having these painful shoulder pains. I was told they were from gas build up and then I was told it may be because I ate too much at one time. Now after three months I am still getting the shoulder pain. I will get them even if I haven't eaten anything in hours or had a very light meal or just liquids. It doesn't seem to discriminate. Has anyone had this problem and what did the docs tell you? If it wasn't for the fact that I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol and take meds for them, it wouldn't bother me so much. But I can't help but wonder if that might be part of it, even though I am only 43, my family history has a lot of heart issues, which really concerns me. The doctors tell me I shouldn't worry at my age, but now wth this surgery, I am wondering how will I know what exactly is causing it? The band or something eLSE? Right after surgery I had an EKG, because the pain was so bad, but it came out ok. So I really don't know what to think.

I agree you should get that checked out. I had a lump under my right arm a few years back, come to find out after they removed it and tested it, it was just a fatty lipoma. Even so I am glad i had it checked out. Good Luck to ya.

I have to take an antibiotic before I go as well, because I have had a heart murmor that was diagosed as a kid and has been detected a few times since. Although I usually take them prior to my visit, I have forgotten a couple times without a problem. I guess it all depends on how serious your condition is as well and if it is an actually medical procedure like a root canal or extraction, then I would definately go get them and take it before you go.

I have Tricare Prime North and I was below the 40BMI, but because I have High Blood Pressure, cholesterol and joint issues related to my weight, they passed me right through. I did have to do a psych evaluation and an EKG, prior to being approved, but other than that, I did not have to show proof of 6 months trying to lose weight, but my doctor did state in her letter that she had been my doctor and had been seeing me for over 5 years and that I had been over weight all that time, which had been causing issues with my health. The only thing I had put on my application as attemts to lose weight over the years was, weight watchers, the gym, pills etc. But they didn't need to see written proof. Hope everything goes your way. I don't regret my choice at all. Plus the weight is coming off quicker than I thought:)

After I found out my insurance would cover it. I signed up at the hospital for one of their free seminars to get all the information about the procedure. That way when I talked to my doctor, I let her know that I was serious enough to find out every detail before making such a big decision. At first she was hesitant, probably because she only weighed about a 100# soaking wet and coudn't understand my delema and advised me to first change my diet a bit, add some exercise and she drew blood to check my thyroid and other things to rule any other issues out first, which delayed me almost a year, but when I went back to her and said that I wanted it done, since nothing else worked, she was in total agreement. Every doctor is different, but you have to be a bit firm and show them you are serious about making those changes and hopefully they agree. If not find a new doctor. Good Luck to Ya.

I take Viactive Vitamins with Calcium, carmel chewables, two a day. Yummy. They also have them in chocolate.You can get them at Walmart. I also take Vitamin B-12,Two,Fiber chewable tablets each day, because our diet is so limited after surgery. It sounds like a lot, but I am actually feeling much better. I didn't start taking all of this until after my surgery. But I did start n the Viactive before hand to get used to taking them and to see what worked best for me.

I wouldn't take Ibuprofin. I was told to only take Tylenol, because the other may cause erosion of the band. I had really bad pain for about two weeks after surgery, but mine was because I was not having regular bowel movements. Apparently that can cause extreme abdominal pain if not taken care of. Good Luck to ya.

I had alot of issue with my bowels not working right after surgery. I ended up after two weeks, using Milk of Magnesia to get some relief. I also have to take a daily stool softner even two months later to try and stay regular or I bloat up and have abdominal pain really bad. Good Luck to ya.

amica813, My doctors Bariatric nurse group took all the measurements when I started the process. I have weekly weigh in's and they log everything for me. I also took before pics, so that in a year I can look back at the progress that way. It's not too late to start measuring and keeping track yourself. Good Luck to you.

It's been 2 months since I had surgery and have lost 33 pounds. For the past month it seemed kinda slow going, but when she measured me today and said I lost 27'', that really made me realize it's not just pounds that make the difference. I would have never gussed I had 27 overall inches lost so far, but my clothes do seem to be really lose these daysand thats good:) I'm excited. I treated myself to 3- Spicey, Naked tenders at Popeyes:)

I get around 50grams of protein on a good day maybe 60. I was told I should be getting around 70, but that rarely happens, because I haven't found a protein shake or bar I really like since the surgery. Otherwise I get mine from Fish, Chicken, eggs and beans.Regardless, I am still losing weight at a good rate. I try to write down what I eat, so I don't lose control and have started to walk atleast 4 days a week. Watch out for those smooties. Most have lots of calories and sugar.

I asked the same question the other day when I got my fill. They were having a bit of trouble finding it and needed to use an ultrasound to locate the port. I told them I thought that it seemed to have rolled or something the week before, but they said it seemed to be fine. Mine hurts a little bit after they move it around to put a fill in, otherwise it's usually fine unless I over exert myself while working out and then I feel a tinge of pain sometimes. Other than that, it beats the 30+ pound I used to carry around.lol

I was just given it at the hospital, nothing when I left. Thank goodness, I hate needles, could not imagine giving myself a shot

I would tell your doctor, but I had the same issues as well up till about 2 weeks after surgery. I think with all the diet shock that we have to do to our bodies prior and after surgery, leaves us sometimes low on energy and I could feel every stitch during that time when I moved, nearly taking my breath away at times. Plus I was told that I had swelling that was contributing to that problem as well. Hope you feel better soon.

Summer is near and although I rarely go to the tanning bed anymore, I do go sometimes a week or two at the begining of summer to get a start on my tan so I don't burn. Has anyone had any problems using the beds after having lap band?

Thanks LBT for the info. I was starting to wonder if with all their poking to find the port, they had put a hole in it and it just leaks out. I think right now i am at 5cc, because they put 4cc in it when I had surgery. Lets hope next fill your right. Not that i want to be uncomfortable, but I am starting to think that i may fall back into bad habits, especially since i am still pretty new to this.

I just went through the regular scanner at O'Hare and Dallas Fort Worth, with no problems at all. they were more worried about the half bottle of water I had.lol

I had my band put in in January and have lost 30# so far, but like you, I really don't feel any restrictions either. I have had 2 fills, the most recent was 2 days ago. Although for the most part I have done as I should with my portions, last week I was on vacation, which made it very difficult to measure and find places that had good food choices, even then I did not gain weight, I know I over ate a few times and was always in a hurry, so I know I didn't take the proper time to chew and eat, luckily for me, not one stuck episode. Seems kinda strange after hearing all the horror stories on here. Makes me wonder if my fills are just not enough to make a difference. Good luck to you.

Since surgery, I look like I have a bulge near the port area. I asked about this before having surgery and they told me I may see a slight bulge after loosing alot of weight, but that it shouldn't be that noticable. So far I have only lost 30#, but it looks like the side where my port is, is much larger than the other side and now since I just a a really small fill, I notice it even more so. Has this happened to anyone? And does it go away somewhat after you lose most of the weight? Just curious.

I have had that problem with some types of gold my entire life. I was told that it's the acid in your skin that causes it. Not sure how much truth is behind that, but I have no problem with silver jewelry. My mom has a similar issue with watches. She can buy a really good watch and it will stop working in no time at all. The same thing was told to her about that once.

Just got back from the doctors office, had my second fill. So far so good. I still don't feel the tightness and trouble drinking water like many do and thats good I guess. I just hope this time I start getting the full sensation that I had right after surgery. Last fill, didn't notice any change at all. Other than the doctor having to do an ultrasound to find the right spot in the port, all is good and I am finally at 198-1/2. Can't tell you how long it's been since I have been under 200. Think I will have a cup of Miso soup later to celebrate.lol Not that I have a choice for the next few days

It's really hard to stop obcessing over the scales sometimes, but I try not to weigh in everyday or so, because it can change from hour to our for no particular reason. I came home from vacation and I know I didn't do as well on meals as I should have, but the scale told me I lost 3#'s. Now when I was really measuring everything before that, I may have lost a pound. I think alot has to do with the amount of excercise you get to. I walked my tail off while on vacation, so I guess the extra calories I took in was lost do to all the hiking and walking we did. Hopefully next week, now that I am back on track, it doesn't come back to bite me.lol Good Luck, give it some time and keep a food and excercise log if you can. It helps to keep me honest. Most of the time, if I don't do that well, it shows me in the writing what I might have done wrong.

I can relate to feeling mentally and physically drained. Before I was banded in February, my knees and back always hurts. I had 3 surgeries to fix heel spurs caused by weight bain and I couldn't walk up my stairs without being out of breath and my relationship with my husband was going down hill fast. Plus, I was not as heavy as most that get banded, but the extra weight I had been carrying around for years took it's toll on my over all health and at 43, I felt much older inside and out. Now that I have the band, in almost 2 months I have lost 30#, most of that in the first month. If thats not motivation I don't know what is. It also helps that I have a terrific Bariatric group that I go in weekly for weigh-ins, which helps hold me accountable for my actions each week, especially right now that I am kinda new to this new phase of my life. But I think the key to your sucess depends alot on you. I really wanted this more than anything. I wasn't always big and I loved my life and who I was before the extra weight. That all changed when I put on weight. I love to travel, hike and swim as well as shop for new clothes, which I haven't been able or willing to do in years, because it was depressing trying things on that would not fit right. Last week, I was finally able to get out of plus size, what an amazing feeling. I also, while on vacation, bought some shirts that were too small right now, but motivates me to get into them by summer. I still have a ways to go, but each new success, no matter how small is something to be proud of. I just got back from San Diego on vacation, I really hadn't excercised much up till then, but was amazed that with the weight I had lost, I was able to climb some of the cliffs on their trails. I walked all week and with very little problem, something before surgery I could not have done. So you ask if this can change your life for the better. It has for me. Plus my husband and I have grown close again. Honestly it's the best decission I have made in a long time, now if you had asked me a week or two after I had it done, well lets just say, I was in pain and had a few issues, but I worked through them and with the help of my doctor and this forum it has made it so much easier to move through this process much smoother. Good Luck to you

My husband was really supportive. I took a year to think about my options before going ahead and doing it, but honestly it was the best choice for me. Like you, I was gradually gaining by the month and it was affecting my health. The rest of my family was mixed and other than that I only told my son and his wife and my best friend, which she is in the process of getting it done herself. It always helps to have someone who knows what your dealing with. To this day those are really the only people who know and when others ask if I have lost weight, I just smile and know it's working. Good luck to you.