NewMissB

I am also curious as to what people are using and what works best for them. I'm looking into the fitbit flex wristband, which comes out this spring, or the Nike fuel band...does anyone have the fuel band?

Had a bad stuck episode/pb-ing on Saturday, followed by bad reflux at night, and every night since. I also have had trouble keeping down any solid or mushy foods. liquids go down, but I definitely feel resistance. Worried, I went to my doctors office today and the PA did an unfill, taking out 2 of my 5ccs. The last time I had a fill was in May, so I know I wasn't suddenly overfilled. She suggested that I irritated my pouch/esophagus and that the unfill, followed by two days of liquids only, then soft foods, and finally solids on Sunday. I am also getting an Upper GI swallow test done and coming back in 3 weeks. What's bothering me now is that although I'm feeling immediate relief from the difficulty swallowing I was experiencing before, I'm worried that this much of an unfill will lead to some weight gain over the next three weeks, and it's really causing me anxiety! Anyone have a similar experience? Any advice?

Welcome! It's definitely normal to feel nervous or have anxiety..I know I did! I wanted my band so badly and did whatever it took to get it, and I have absolutely no regrets! That's not to say that before and after surgery I wasn't scared or nervous. I definitely had a few times where I thought, "why did I put myself through this??" Reading these forums and asking questions has undoubtedly helped me! Almost a year later and 118 pounds gone, and I wouldn't trade my band for anything...it's saved my life, and no matter how nervous or scared you get, we've all been through it and are here to help! Good luck!!!

I've definitely experienced my fair share of stuck episodes, pb-ing, and vomiting, especially early on. It's definitely a learning experience, no matter how motivated you are to stick to the diet or follow the rules -- I didn't become overweight from eating healthy and exercising, that's for sure! Lol The reason this time was different, at least for me, is because I've never had a time where it was hard for me to even keep liquids down. I've irritated my pouch before and had to keep off solid foods for a day or two until it calmed down, but Protein shakes and Water were never a problem. I wouldn't quite say I ran to the doctor at the first sign of trouble, but I didn't want to risk there being a serious complication and ignoring it...the band has changed my life, or rather I have changed my life, by getting the band and making it work. I definitely understand what you said about blaming the band, or people saying it didn't work for them. I don't blame the band if I get sick, since its my responsibility to make the right choices about what I put into my body. Having the band is not easy, and we all know that, or learn it the hard way. I'm not sure I needed to be unfilled, but as far as that is concerned, I trust my doctor, and I want to make sure I do everything I can to keep my band and my body in good shape...which is kind of ironic since the only shape I use to be was round, haha. I'm going to continue eating the same way I have been, with portioning out my food, eating small bites, and eating slowly...just because my band is looser does not mean anything has changed...I know that, I just think the idea of backsliding scares me.

Thanks for all the replies--definitely helps to know others are or have been in similar situations. I guess I shouldn't really worry too much, as long as I stick to the rules like I have been all along.

I am always cold, too! My boyfriend complains every time he gets in the car because I always have the heat on, lol

I was wondering if anyone has found a relatively good tasting, high Protein shake? I'm not looking for any fancy flavors, vanilla and chocolate are just fine. I've tried the Premier Protein (30g of protein) chocolate flavor that I got from costco, but they had a very strange texture to them. Also I recently got some vanilla Muscle Milk Light (20g of protein) but someone just told me that they have heavy metals in them, like cadmium and arsenic?!? I have to research this more, cause that's totally unacceptable. Just wondering what you may have tried that works for you guys. Any input is much appreciated!

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I will definitely be giving a lot of them a try!

Banded on 4/5/12, and down 118 pounds in almost one year. Keep up the great work everyone!

I haven't been posting as often as I would like, but I wanted to share my story...so far. I was banded on April 5, 2012 and have since lost 90 pounds. The one thing that has helped me actually see/comprehend the weight loss is to take monthly progress photos. I recommend this for anyone just starting out, since many of us anticipate the physical journey and difficulties, but a lot of people are unprepared for the mental and emotional difficulties of actually "seeing" your weight loss. I sometimes still look in the mirror and see my Pre-op self, and that is why my photos are so important! Thanks for all the support I've gotten on here, especially in the beginning. Keep working hard everyone!! -Brittany The April photos were taken the day prior to my surgery, and the November photos were taken on Nov 5, at 86 pounds down. food Plan (includes allergy listing) 2007.doc

I was banded on April 5 and have to date lost 77 lbs. I have only had one fill (started off with 4ccs put in at surgery) and am now at 5ccs in a 10cc band. I don't exercise as regularly as I should, but am very strict on getting in all my protein and making sure I drink plenty of water. I'm hoping to be down 100 pounds by Christmas, which I think I can manage if I really focus on my exercise. Good luck to you all, and keep up the good work!!

Hi all! I was banded April 5th and am so pleased/ amazed to be able to say that I am officially down 54 pounds! I never would have been able to do it without the help of my lap band, and it truly is a blessing! I hope that you all are finding similar success with your bands. Keep up the good work! -Brittany

Hi everyone, So I got a bill in the mail today from my surgeons office with two bills to the amount of $75,000, and I nearly passed out. My surgeon does bot participate in my insurance plan, but he accepts it. I was told that after I was approved (GHI/BCBS/Emblem Health) I would get checks in the mail from the insurance company and have to endorse them, and then send then to the surgeon. I received two checks, one for $303 and one for around $2,500. The surgeons office included a copy of my claim to the insurance company, which basically showed that's all that was covered. I don't know what to do and I'm panicking. Can someone please help me understand if this is correct, or if my insurance just needs to send more checks? I'm freaking out and I was told I was approved, so this really scared me. Any advice you can offer is much appreciated, thank you!!! -Britt

Hi Everyone, So I got a bill in the mail today from my surgeons office with two bills to the amount of $75,000, and I nearly passed out. My surgeon does bot participate in my insurance plan, but he accepts it. I was told that after I was approved (GHI/BCBS/Emblem Health) I would get checks in the mail from the insurance company and have to endorse them, and then send then to the surgeon. I received two checks, one for $303 and one for around $2,500. The surgeons office included a copy of my claim to the insurance company, which basically showed that's all that was covered. I don't know what to do and I'm panicking. Can someone please help me understand if this is correct, or if my insurance just needs to send more checks? I'm freaking out and I was told I was approved, so this really scared me. Any advice you can offer is much appreciated, thank you!!! -Britt

They aren't open tomorrow or I'd be calling first thing!! I had a hiatal hernia repaired as well as being charged for "laparoscopic enterolysis" which is removal of previous scar tissue. Both of those procedures were billed at $15,000 a piece, and the lap band was $40,000. This seems awfully expensive and I'm just so scared, cause I'm a college student on my parent's insurance and clearly do not have that kind of money! Thanks for your advice tho!

I had percoset for pain after surgery and I would crush the pill in the bottom of a shot glass and add lemonade crystal light powder and a little water, mix, and just knock it back like a shot! Haha. It wasn't as disgusting that way, plus how hard is it to take a small shot and follow with a sip of water? It was a life saver for me, hope it helps you too!

Hi everyone, I could use some advice/cheering up, please. I as banded on April 5, did a liquid diet for a week and then started mushy foods for a week, and I'm now eating regular food. In that amount of time I've lost 20 pounds, but even as I try to eat super slowly, and watch what I'm eating, I still have a large appetite, and find that I don't really have any restriction. If I eat too fast or don't chew well enough (which has happened once or twice) I can feel the food get stuck, but it passes within minutes, and I still don't feel "full." I am really trying to stick to the correct foods, and am not having trouble with that at all, but I am just concerned now that my weight loss seems to have stalled, I'm eating larger portions than I would like (not nearly as large as before surgery), and I'm feeling very discouraged. My first fill isn't until May 11th, but I need to know that this is normal, and that I made the right decision, because I'm really trying to save my life and be healthy. Anyone who has been though this before, is going through it now, or has any advice, I'd really appreciate it! Thank you all so very much!

Some advice please...how large of sips are you taking when drinking? I'm three days out and obviously I am taking the tiniest sips of water and protein shakes, but I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to take "normal" sized sips of water again, but obviously not chugging it, haha.

Congratulations! I was also banded on 4/5/12, here in NY. I found that walking laps outside in my backyard has helped tremendously with the gas pain...it might make the neighbors wonder what the hell I am doing though, lol. Also, I have an electric back massager and that really helped to break up some of the gas pain in my shoulders. Good luck!!

Just had surgery on Thursday, April 5, and stayed over night. I was sent home yesterday with Tylenol-codiene but it was absolutely no help. I've been walking constantly to get rid of the gas pains, but it feels like someone is sitting on my chest making it hard to breathe. The doctor called in a percoset prescription for me and that really helped. I'm worried now that I'm not getting enough water and fluids. Today I've had about three glasses of water, half a cup of optifast, and about a third of a cup of tomato soup. I also had one sugar free ice pop, all since 7:30. Is this normal, or should I be taking in a lot more liquids? I feel bubbly in my abdomen when drinking water, and sometimes it's a little painful. I'm not even sure how much my new stomach can handle so I'm hesitant to drink too much. Please help!

Congrats on getting banded!! I have a history of getting dehydrated easily, so I'm super vigilant when it comes to fluids. I just don't want to do any harm by having too much or not enough, but so far so good. How are you feeling?

Thanks so much for all the advice! I know that the gas pain will be a memory soon enough, but it really adds to the "what have I done to myself?!" post op mindset, so I just have to keep positive!

Hi everyone...Britt here from NY. I've been lurking around reading posts here for a while, and all the supportive people on this site really helped inspire me to go through with getting banded. I've been overweight since I was a child, and always the heaviest in my family. Lap band was never something I considered simply because I felt like it was "giving up," and that being banded meant I was weak...which is exactly what everyone else thought of me, and why I didn't want to give in. I have completely changed my opinion in this regard, and know that I am taking a step in the right direction to get myself healthy, which DOES NOT mean I'm weak, rather it means I'm strong enough to admit that I can't do it on my own, which so many people can't admit. I'm less than three days away from surgery and I have many different emotions going through me right now. I'm scared, excited, nervous, determined, and confused. Will my liver be small enough? Will I be able to handle the pain? I'm terrified to wake up and find out that my liver was too large and I couldn't have the surgery. I've been doing opti for two weeks, and have cheated once or twice the first week, but only with a small piece of low fat cheese, or a bite or two of a banana. I have only lost about six pounds, which I think is good, but hearing what other people have lost makes me think I should have lost more. My doctor didn't specify an amount of weight to lose prior to surgery, so I'm super nervous that I won't be able to get banded! Is there anyone else who didn't lose a lot on Pre-op but still had no problems with getting the surgery, or their liver being too large? Thanks for any help you can give me, I appreciate it!

My surgery is on Thursday and I'm super excited/nervous. Tonight my boyfriend took photos of me to help inspire me, and help me keep track of my physical appearance throughout my lap band journey. I said that this would be the last "before" photo I will ever take, and I am so glad that my band will help me accomplish this...along with hard work! Has anyone else taken "before" pictures to help inspire them? Did you find that it helped? -Britt

I've decided to wear the same outfit every time, too. Can't wait till the tight exercise pants are actually loose! Lol Good luck to you both! I think the photos will really help psychologically with being able to see the weight coming off, just my opinion....I never have my photo taken now, so this will be different.