armymom2012

Vacation in San Diego was cold, but nice and Catalina Island was georgeous. We spent the week walking everywhere, hiking trails and(crawling) up cliff sides.lol to get to secluded beaches. I realized how out of shape I really am, but it was all good and it gave me a jumpstart for when I got back home. I just wish that the first fill would have given me a little help when it came to cravings:) Although I didn't gain anything, probably due to the constant exercise, I ate more than should have. O well, it's a new week and a week away does a mind and body good. Back to work and school.

It is 6 am in California:( Yes I am already awake. Yesterday we flew in and walked around the hotel looking for a place to eat dinner. Seems like we walked forever,found this wonderful seafood place. The salmon was to die for. Although I was really starving, I did follow the rules and boxed up what I couldn't eat. So I guess it is salmon with a salad for lunch today:) After dinner we walked back to the hotel, passing by the bay along the water. Wow I could live like this everyday. I told my husband, I would have no problem walking everyday if I had scenery like this. It was a bit chilly, other than that the hot tub helped break the chill. So day 1 has been a good day. Today we are doing a city trolley tour, more walking. YAY:)

Today I finally went shopping to buy a few new outfits for my vacation. I used to hate shopping for clothes, but since the surgery, I have lost 26 pounds and my clothes were getting baggy. Obviously I am in the in between stage, but to be able to fit into an XL shirt and shop on the regular ladies size in Catos. Awesome feeling. i just hope my trip to California this weekend on vacation doesn't blow the diet. I just had my first fill and to be honest i don't notice a change, kinda scary. Oh well, todays a good day

I was wondering if anyone else has issues with drinking protein shakes since they had the lap band? I drank the Unjury shakes just fine prior to surgery, even the Slim fast, but since the surgery and my first fill, I can't seem to drink them very well. It's like my gag refux goes into over drive. Why is that? Although I don't drink the shakes, I do get my daily protein just fine through Salmon, chicken, turkey, eggs, hummus or Tuna each day. As well as a lean cuisine or smart one for lunch. Yes I will actually eat fish or Chicken salad made with mustard, egg, dill relish and low fat mayo, no bread for breakfast. lol I seem to loose weight each week when I go to the clinic, but they really want me to push the shakes for some reason. Whats the difference as long as I am loosing and getting enough protein? Just curious. Also, she suggested a protein bar. Anyone know of any good ones that don't taste like mushed up chalk? I tried the special K and it was ok, a little sticky though like a marshmellow crispy treat. But I'd like to try others to get a variety. Any suggestions?

Luv Luv Luv the video. Good job. I know how you feel. I had to wait til 4 pm. Spent all day at work at a desk thinking about food that I couldn't have and for some reason the guys here had to order pizza of all days. That is one of my personal deamons and I can't have it:(

Have a good one My husband turns 50 Sunday. We are going to California for vacation to celebrate. You go Hot Grandma, you can do it.

Thanks, you guys. Can't wait to go sight seeing. Maybe this time I won't be so out of breath like before:)

I was given a Depot Shot before Uterine Ablation Surgery. I was told that it would stop my period, so that I could have the surgery.

I was bloated for almost 2-1/2 weeks, plus no BM for almost two of them. It wasn't until the 3rd week my body caught up with all the chaos it had been through. Just stick to the plan and you should start losing soon. Just keep in mind to, that all weight scales vary to a degree. I can walk into my doctors office and I am 2#'s heavier than I was at the Bariatric clinic, just minutes before.

That is pure negligence on the doctor and the hospital. I wonder sometimes if they actually listen to a word we say to them or read our charts thouroughly before giving us a diagnoses. Heck you could probably look at her and see that she was not well. My mother inlaw just had a heart attack Saturday and a stint put in. She was relesed 24 hours later from the hospital. She is in her 70's and was quite weak when we talked to her. Seems to me, hospitals are run more like a drive- thru service now, but charge their patients like a 5 star resort. Sad!

I had the same problem for almost 2 weeks. I was told that the pain meds can cause it, so if you can do without them. Do so, plus if you take some fiber suppliments without enough daily water intake it can basically dry like cement in your system and make it worse. Try using Milk of Magnesia to see if it helps, if not you may have to buy an over the counter enama or a daily stool softner to help get you moving again. May sound extreme, but I was amazed how badly I felt being backed up that long. Once you start eating normal foods it will help get you back to normal as well. Hope this helps.

I had my first fill yesterday and they said that there was a little over 4cc's in there from the day of surgery. They added another 1.6cc yesterday. Before I had the fill, I was starving constantly around week 4 and after about 2 hours, I was hungry again. That is when they told me you know your ready for a fill. Now I know it is only a day after my fill and I am just now aloud to go from clear liquids to creamy soups, but honestly I don't feel any tighter. I had no issues with getting liquids down yesterday after the fill and today the cream soups are fine as well. How do I know if I got enough fill or if it needs adjusting. This process has me going more by measurements and 3 meals a day than by feel it seems. Do you think I might start feeling a tightness once I am aloud to start eating normal food again or should I already be able to tell even though I am doing liquids and soups? I hear all the time, people saying they are done after a half cup. I was able to eat a cup of broth yesterday and a cup of creamy soup today with no problem, but my stomach is constantly rumbling throughout the day. It's almost like having a baby again and not sure why it's crying.lol

I have to agree with KLL724, about 6 years ago I had the same severe pain in that area. This was years before I had lap band. it actually came and went for over 3 years, but the last event caused excruciating pain in my gut as well as a feeling as if I was having a heart attach.I was 37 years old at the time. When I got to the hospital they did test and realized that I had Pancreatitis and a gallbladder that needed to come out. This is not something you want to take lightly. Hope you get your answers soon.

B52, I have no trouble swallowing water or soup, but for over a week I feel like everything I eat just sits in my chest for a long time, even when it is just yogurt that I eat. The doctor was not sure why that is, especially since nothing feels or comes up. I have stuck by the rules pretty well and obviously I am not over eating because I loose weight every week. Just this past week I lost 3#. Oh well, it's a learning process.

I was banded on 1/25/12. Had my first fill today and have lost 25# so far. I hate needles so I was kinda nervous about this, but it wasn't so bad. I had my Bariatric nurse with me as well as the doctor and with all the talking going on, I pretty much didn't notice what he was doing till it was done. Feeling good, may go for a walk in a bit.

I have my first fill this afternoon. I am so ready to do this. This past week I could have eaten just about anything, although I didn't:) I stuck to the plan, but I will feel much better when I know I have a bit of a deterent facing my cravings. Last night at my class, one of the students I barely know walked up to me and asked me if I had lost weight recently. It felt really good. Honestly my clothes feel looser, but I guess my mind has not adjusted to the change yet, because I still don't see it in the mirror myself. I think it is a bit of my teenage years with Bulimia looking at me again in the mirror:( But anyway, it was nice to hear the words regardless. I haven't really told many people that I had the Lap Band surgery done, other than family and close friends. Maybe one day I will be able to open up more about it, but for now most people I just say yea, I'm losing weight because of health issues I want to clear up. Is that bad? I'm not so sure why I am afraid to open up about it to strangers, maybe just a bit of insecurity I guess. Who knows. But looking forward to a much bigger change by September when my son comes home from Aphganistan to get married. Hopefully I can where a dress and feel comfortable by then.

I made sure I had plenty of creamed soup, because after all that water and ice intake and no food, you are gonna want something that comforts you a bit. Tomato soup was my comfort food. Cream of Chicken, broths, popcicles. Use a blender on anything after the first week if it needs pureed. Try out samples of protein shakes before you invest in them. I like the Chocolate Splendor from Unjury. My doctor gave me samples forst. You can order online for the rest. Plus don't be suprised if what you were able to eat before surgery doesn't settle well with you at first. Thats when I just grabbed a popcicle or broth. Also, try getting your meds in liquid and try not to take the pain meds mor than a few days if you can tolerate it. I didn't have a bowl movement because of them and the new diet for almost 2 weeks. Worst bloating and pain I think I have ever felt. Good Luck to ya.

I had mine on a Wednesday and went back part time on Monday for a week. Although I work in an office I had some complications that were unexpected, like painful stomach spasms and neck pain from the gases they blow you up with. About a week later I was fine, but it just depends on each situation I think. Good Luck to you.

No NC2012, I did not go to the doctor for 6 months prior to deciding to get the band. Only when I was sick. But she had done Blood tests and other testing earlier that year to out rule other issues causing my problems. She also noted in her letter to Tricare that I had been her patient for over 5 years, that in itself may have shown consistent proof that she clearly knew my situation over a period of time. I had mentioned the lap band once to her earlier that year after I went to the LB meeting, because I was still having joint issues and swelling in my legs, but other than that no. I came back maybe 3 months later and discussed to my Primary Care Doctor that I had decided to start the process and at that time she agreed that it would be a good solution to my situation, because I have Degenerate Joint Disorder, Glucose Intolerant, High Blood Preesure, Cholesterol and reaccurent surgeries for Cronic Heel spurs, which could help by losing the weight that I had not been able to do on my own. I was not the min. 100 over weight requirement, but the other issues over rode that decission for Tricare to approve me. Now even though Tricare approved me, towards the end of the process when I finally met with the surgeon, he also had to make his conclusion and approve me. Hope this helps you.

I am actually taking the Gummy Vitamins with no problem, but I chew them till it's almost liquid, but like ev1988 said, it doesn't have the proper vitamins in it, so I have to take B12 and Calcium in a different form. Plus my doctor says that it could possibly stick to your band, not good. So when I finish what I have I am going to take Viactin that they have suggested. The less pills the better:)

I'm leaving in less than two weeks for a vacation in San Diego. Whoo Hooo Just hope the airport doesn't have to poke my port too much. Looking for some well needed time away. Can't weight to take some awesome pics.

It all depends on your new insurance. That is a question you would have to ask them directly. All insurance companies are different.

I had my surgery January 25. I am also on Tricare Prime (North). I did not have to show 6 months proof of anything where I had attempted to lose weight prior to surgery . The only requirement they have is a weight requirement or atleast 2 co-morbilities that would cause health concerns due to you weight, which is why I ended up getting approved in the first place. Although, I did have to fill out the application that the Bariatric Office gave me, asking all kinds of questions about what I had done to lose weight prior to seeking surgery options, pills etc. I was not asked to show receipts for Weight Watchers or Gym memberships etc. My Primary Care doctor was asked to send Tricare a referal letter, explaining my health issues caused by my weight and she happened to mention how long I have been a patient of hers. That was it. Other than that, I was asked to get special blood work done and an EKG prior to the surgery, because of health concerns, but after all of that was done, I was approved for surgery and was put on a diet a few weeks prior to the surgery date. The other thing that I was told was, that you would have to also get is a Psychological Evaluation prior to approval. Make sure that you contact Tricare and get a name of the person you talk to if they say yes to that question and follow their instructions clearly, because I am still arguing for that bill to get paid now. Honestly I think it was the doctors office making a filing mistake. But other than that, the whole process starting from the 1st meeting with Lap Band seminar to the surgery took about 6 months total. Alot of that has to due to how long it takes your primary to send a referal for all the tests and the Surgeon to set up your appts with them to acept you and then to do the surgery. Good Luck to you:)

I didn't realize that you had to drink the Barium stuff for a fill. I was just told that most of the time they will go by feel, which seemed odd to me, but even the videos showed it that way. Hopefully I don't have to drink that stuff tomorrow, I have such a bad gag reflex to start with Hope you start feeling better soon.

I am 1 month into my lap band surgery and feeling really good. But on occasions I still get this irritating neck pain like I had right after surgery. I was told that it was gas build up from the surgery back then, but what would cause it now! I had 2 scrambeled eggs this morning for breakfast and a Turkey and sweet potato Lean Cuisine for lunch, which was very lean and very small portion and a bottled water throughout the morning and afternoon. I don't feel like anything is stuck, just pain in the back of the neck and shoulders. Anyone get that kind of pain still? What causes it for you?