PatchIP

I got my first fill yesterday & he added 1.5 ml for a total of 3.7 ml. I can definitely feel a difference in the amount I can eat.

Hi all, I'll be two weeks post op tomorrow. I get my first fill in two more weeks. I'll be going on a cruise soon and would appreciate any tips or advice you have for me. I chew my food about 30 times before swallowing & I do take small bites. I'm getting all of my Protein in first, too. I've been on solid food since POD #5. I haven't had any red meat but I don't eat much of that anyway. I've mostly had seafood & very tender white meat pork. I know I'm the one in control, I'm just afraid of getting some type of obstruction while I'm on the cruise. Is there anything I should avoid?

Mine came completely off on post op day 12. It won't hurt to let it come off naturally. ETA - I didn't peel it off. I'm a nurse, too, and you should let it come off naturally.

Thanks everyone. I'll be on a Disney cruise and I've looked at food pics for what is available. They have plenty of healthy options. I don't have a big appetite since being banded but will have had my first fill prior to the cruise, so I was just concerned about that.

It seems like the post op diets are just as varied as the pre-op ones. I wouldn't have lasted on clear liquids for 2 or more weeks post op.

I had an early morning surgery and was home by 1330 hrs. I've taken a full two weeks off of work and am glad I listened to my surgeon. I had increased pain from the hernia repair but also a real lack of energy. I'm post op day 12 now and just beginning to feel like myself again.

I was approved on the first attempt however, they do like to screw around with you & they wait until the last minute to approve you. I was finally approved within a day or two of my surgery date. I was ready to cancel it because I wasn't willing to take the chance of being self pay for this. That really angered me because Aetna kept asking for additional information. For example, I had my CRNP write a list of my weights over 2-3 years. At the last minute, Aetna decided they needed the actual progress notes from my doctor visits. I also had to have an additional letter written by my CRNP, who is my primary care provider, that she agreed with the surgery, blah, blah, blah. Just be prepared for them to play the bariatric surgery game with you. I wasn't prepared for that and as a nurse, it made me angry because I know how to navigate the health care system. I really feel sorry for patients that don't have that benefit. Good luck to you!

The hernia repair was the worst for me. My abdomen felt fine after 2-3 days but I'm post op day 12 now and I still have neck pain. It is much less worse than it was but for the first 8 days or so I had pain on a 10/10 scale in my left neck/shoulder.

My surgeon had me back on solid foods on POD # 5 and I felt fine but I am very careful with what I eat. I was on full liquids POD #2 because I was nauseated from the pain meds. Don't beat yourself up, just jump back on the wagon. This is a whole new way of life for us. I'm only POD#12 now, so I am no expert for sure. I just know how bad we make ourselves feel when we fall off the wagon. It's a bump in the road but you can hop back on it.

Ha! I got my period on 6/21 & had surgery 6/22, lol. They let me keep my pad & underwear on. No worries whatsoever.

I'm eating the Chobani as well. I prefer mango & pineapple. I advanced to regular meals today after seeing my doctor. I'm POD #5 and feel great. The shoulder pain has decreased by about 50% which is wonderful! My belly feels great, too.

Are you really prepared for the procedure itself? I had a brachioplasty after I lost weight the first time. The pain was excruciating. I could not wipe or wash myself, so DD & DH had to help. That was so humiliating but I just could not move my arms around. I also wound up with horrible infections but prior to that, the pain was unbearable. Please keep all of those things in mind before you move ahead with the timing of your decision. I know what it's like to desperately want plastic surgery so I wish you luck in your decision.

I'm POD #3 and feel great with the exception of left neck/shoulder pain due to my hiatal hernia repair. My incisions itch but that is due to healing. they look great. If it wasn't for the neck pain, I'd have manageable abdominal pain. I've been on full liquids since POD# 1 because the pain meds were causing me to dry heave. My physician gave me permission to advance earlier if I tolerated it in order for me to keep the pain meds down. Greek yogurt has been my primary Protein source. I'm not really hungry but I have to eat it not only for healing, but to keep the oxycodone down. I haven't had any gas pains at all.

Oh, this shoulder pain is unbearable at times. I'm post op day 3. I'd be off my pain meds if it wasn't for the neck/shoulder because the abdominal pain is tolerable. I had a hernia repair as well & I vaguely recall my doctor telling me the hernia was a lot bigger than expected. I have to call him this morning for a refill of my meds and some reassurance that this pain is temporary. I've been walking plenty so it's not due to lack of exercise.

Congratulations!

Oh, this shoulder pain is awful. Walking has helped me and I'm post op day one. When I woke up in the recovery room, I felt like I was being stabbed in the shoulder.

I'm glad you're feeling better. My band was placed yesterday and I'm in a great deal of pain. I'm already eating yogurt because the pain meds were causing nausea/dry heaves due to having an empty stomach. Now I can manage the pain much better since I'm not getting sick each time I take a pain killer.

I'm on day 9 of a liquid protein diet. It is torture but for me, day 3 wasn't too bad, day four was awful but from day five on, I'm just not that hungry now. These shake are nauseating because I don't like them. My surgery is on Friday and I don't feel like it's real yet.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Mine is on Friday. Good luck!

Hi, Anyone here have experience with Aetna federal *** insurance requirements? My physician has me on the three month multidisciplinary program which includes: psych eval three months of nutritional counseling one visit with an exercise physiologist I still have two more nutritional appointments to complete. If you used this method, did you need to supply documentation of your exercise? I forgot to ask my doctor that & just want to know if I should be neatly documenting it to show Aetna. I'll f/u with him next week to be on the safe side.

I had a circumferential lipectomy after I lost weight the first time. I didn't have the muscle repair. I couldn't be happier with the results. Even though I've gained most of my weight back, I still have a flat belly and no saggy skin. I don't have love handles, either.

I'm a nurse, too. I'm hoping to have my surgery by June/July. There sure are a lot of us. Too busy taking care of everyone but ourselves.

I haven't been banded yet but I just wanted to congratulate you and wish you a speedy recovery!

Hi everyone, I'm a nurse, too, but I'm just getting started. My hope is to schedule my surgery around mid-July. It's great to hear that you're all doing well. Thanks for sharing your journey with the rest of us.

Hi, I'm new, too. I've completed my psych eval, surgical consult and first nutrition evaluation. This has been a long time coming for me after yo-yo'ing my entire life. Thanks to everyone here that shares their journey's, good and bad, especially for those of us that are just getting started.