AmandaBelle75

I had a small fill (1/4cc) three months ago. I did really great for awhile and I started exercising more. I am now walking/jogging 20-25 miles a week and for the past month my band seems to be tighter. A lot tighter! The past few days have been really rough. I can't eat much at all. I woke up with horrible heartburn last night. I haven't had heartburn since being banded in April 2012. I've thrown up a few times too. I'm not eating anything bad either. This morning I had a protein shake and then I had spaghetti squash for dinner. I don't know if I should get a little taken out or rest for a few days on liquids. I have an appointment on Tuesday with my doctor. Have any of you experienced your band becoming suddenly tighter with an increase in activity? One minute I think maybe this is the "green zone" and the next I think "I hope it didn't slip!". I haven't had any real vomiting or heartburn since being banded until recently so I am a little perplexed.

I work from home too. I had surgery on a Monday and stayed overnight in the hospital. I did work on Wednesday for just a few hours on my laptop from my recliner. I managed to get all my work done that week but I did a little at a time. I was pretty sore for an entire week.

I have been doing the 30 day squat challenge and I keep feeling a pulling very painful sensation right where my port is when doing the exercise. It almost feels like it is ripping or flipping if that makes sense. Does this happen to anyone else? I refuse to give up! I'm on day 27!

I've been banded since 4/30/12.

I'm 6 months post op and I have lost 30 pounds. I was hoping I would lose more quickly but for me it has been a very slow process. I try to keep my calories between 1200-1300 per day but I am at a plateau that I can't seem to get past. Just curious to see what some of you successful bandsters are consuming. Thanks!

I was nauseated two weeks ago for the first time since being banded in April. The next day my left side hurt so bad I couldn't stand it. I ended up having surgery to remove kidney stones two days later. It was horrific! I immediately thought it was something to do with my band but it wasn't.

I have finally received all of my EOB's from the insurance company and here is the breakdown of expenses: Physician (Consult & Pre-op 2 appts) - Total billed $346 & insurance paid $81.25 and I have $70 in copays. Nutritional counseling (4 appts) - Total billed $405 and insurance allowed and paid $324. Psychiatry Eval (2 appts) - Total billed $200 and insurance allowed $103 & paid $78 and I have $50 in copays. Anesthesia - $2,875 billed and insurance allowed and paid $646.40. Surgeons fees - $2,211 billed and insurance allowed $1,189 and paid $1,039 & I have a $150 surgical copay. Hospital fees - $23,584.60 billed and insurance allowed $2,029 and paid $1,954 and I have a $75 copay. I have Federal BCBS Basic plan. My total out of pocket costs to date have been $345. I feel very blessed and fortunate. ~Amanda

I had my first fill this morning. I walked into the dr's office at 9:30 and was back in my car at 9:42. The fill didn't hurt at all. I only felt the initial needle stick. He put 3ccs in my band. I was banded on April 30th and I have lost 20 pounds so far. Good luck!

Congrats!!! I am 18 days post op and feeling great!

I went for my two week post op appointment today and I have lost 17 pounds in the last 24 days. Both my doctor and I were pretty happy with those numbers. I go for my first fill June 5th. Super exciting! I feel pretty great, just a little twinge of pain around my port every once in a while. ~Amanda

I am one week post op too and yesterday I developed a horrid rash all around my incisions. I peeled the "glue off" in the shower and started taking Benadryl and using Hydrocortisone cream. The itching was terrible with a capital T! I called my surgeon and they agreed that it was most likely a reaction to the adhesives. I had a medrol dose pack here at home so I took the first dose of that last night and I woke up this morning feeling much much much better. The rash isn't nearly as red and the itching has mostly subsided.

I woke up at 3 a.m. itching like crazy! I took 2 Benadryl and applied Hydrocortisone cream and went back to bed. When I got in the shower I pulled off the "glue" on each of my five incisions and I had blisters all around them. I am definitely allergic to the adhesive they used. I've taken four more Benadryl during the course of today and have applied the hydrocortisone cream. I am praying it's better when I wake up tomorrow because if it's not then I have to drive the 2 hours to see my surgeon.

I had mine Monday as well. I'm pretty sore still too. I did work today but I do work from home on the computer. I haven't taken a pain pill since yesterday since I had to work and my oldest son is home and in a lower leg cast and my youngest son stayed home with a severe upper respiratory infection. I had to take care of them. I feel really really swollen. I am hoping to feel better by the weekend. My band is empty but I still don't really have an appetite. Looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight.

I feel okay. I'm pretty sore when I get up or sit down. It doesn't hurt to bad as long as I sit still. I have zero appetite. I do feel pretty exhausted though. I have taken one pain pill since noon yesterday. As soon as I get this Protein shake down I am taking another one and hopefully take a nap.

Good luck! I had my surgery yesterday.

I am banded. Staying overnight in the hospital because my blood pressure and O2 Sats are running quite low. I did manage to walk around the floor I am on a few times and I have been up to the bathroom twice. I'm very tired and my tummy is pretty sore when I move. I haven't had any gas pains to speak of yet but my mouth is super dry and my throat is scratchy. The doctor and nurses have been absolutely wonderful today. I did get a clear liquid tray and took a few bites of jello and it kinda made me nauseous. I'm having an EGD in the morning to see how everything looks and then will be leaving for the 2 hour drive home.

Thanks! Good luck to you too!!!

Here we go! On our way to the hospital. I will let you know how it goes.

I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. My nerves are starting to get the best of me. Why am I so nervous? I have done a ton of research and thought long and hard about this. I've been so excited and now I'm nervous.... I know I will be fine. I have an excellent surgeon but would appreciate prayers for a safe surgery and a speedy recovery.

Brokenwings- I will definitely keep you in my prayers! I live 2 hours away from the hospital but thankfully my in-laws only live about 20 minutes away so we came up to stay the night with them this evening.

Tomorrow is my day too! Yikes! I can't believe it!

I am being banded Monday as well. Keep me posted on how you are doing. We can go through this journey together! I will keep you in my prayers. Good luck!

Yay! My surgeon's office submitted my information to my insurance yesterday afternoon and called me at 11:30 this morning saying they received the approval. My surgery is scheduled for April 30th. I'm so excited!

I am on day 6 of my 10 day liquid diet today. This morning when I weighed I had lost 5lbs. One pound per day is not too shabby. I am quite sick of the liquids though. Just the word broth makes me want to gag. I'm surviving on protein shakes, sugar free fudgesicles and crystal light. Four more days to go!

Just curious to see how many of us will be having our surgery the same day.