PatchIP

I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. My last fill added 0.4 ml and I was in such pain for 3 days I had to go back and have it removed. I couldn't drink coffee or Water without it getting stuck and being in pain. I fell off the wagon for a while but still managed to lose 6 lbs in 2 months. I'm back on track now but I'm so sensitive to Fluid retention, too. If I eat something salty, I retain it then wind up PB'ing due to a tighter band. I have a hard time with chicken. I haven't had steak since before my surgery and only had ground beef twice. I can't chew it to mush well enough and then I have trouble. I slow cook my white meat pork so it's very tender & I also do well with fish. I love cheese, so that is my go-to food but that has a lot of artery clogging fat, too. Some days I feel like I can't win.

Thank you! That happened twice this week and I was thinking, what the heck?? I'm slowing down now and sticking to soft foods, taking tiny bites and waiting between mouthfuls. That has helped a lot.

I've got 4.8 ml total in my band as of last week on my third fill. I feel like I can eat about 1/2 cup of food before I'm full. I hope this is it and the weight really starts to come off now. How did you know when you were there?

You're right, I'm feeling the same way myself. What is pb'ing?

I have a new bellybutton for my new flat belly.

I drink 3 cups a day & it is my only vice. My physician has no problem with me drinking it and it doesn't irritate my stomach.

That can be really tricky, though, due to different cuts. I bought a few dresses 3 weeks ago for an upcoming cruise. I need to take them back this weekend because they are too big for me now (woohoo!), so try to keep that in mind. Some folks have pretty rapid weight loss with the band while others are slow & steady. I also agree with Sojourner that I, too, find sales all the time.

I lost 130 lbs with diet and exercise but I gained almost every pound back. For me, the band is preventing me from overeating or emotional eating. Just let those comments go and keep doing what you're doing. Great job, btw!

I'm always hot and was when I was a normal weight, too. I can't stand it!

My doctor doesn't want me to weigh myself unless I'm in his office & I've stuck to that. Daily fluctuations drive me nuts, so I understand his point. I can't wait for my visit next week so I can update my ticker. I know I've lost more than 14 lbs. because my pants are almost too big for me now.

For those with an abundance of abdominal flesh, they can have a panniculectomy, which just removes skin & tissue. The abdominal muscles remain intact. When I lost 130 lbs the first time, I had that done. I was super fit & didn't need the muscle work since I had a minor separation. It is one of the best things I ever did for myself. I didn't want the additional risks & pain that came with the abdominoplasty, so I just opted for the circumferential lipectomy.

Don't mean to hijack your thread but I'm really surprised at the number of people that had a one night stay for their surgery. I was in at 0700 & home my 1330. May I ask why so many of you had overnight stays?

Days 1, 2, & 4 were the worst for me. Day 3 and the others weren't so bad. Before you know it you'll be on the other side. Hang in there!

Welcome & good luck on your journey. I've gained & lost 130 lbs on my own, only to put it all back on again. I'm really glad I finally decided to do this.

First, best of luck to you tomorrow. Ok, leave the pillow and blanket in the car, along with the Water bottle. They'll give you water post op when you're able to drink it. If the hospital needs your ID & insurance cards, bring those. Remove all jewelry and don't bring any valuables. Flip flops are nice because you can easily slip them on & walk around for a bit post op, if you're able to, as well as wearing easy-to-put-on clothing.

Woohoo!!! Congratulations!

I'm 4 1/2 weeks post op and have gotten stuck a couple times. It is extremely painful, so you will know when it happens. I've never thrown up from it, though, probably because I've only got 3.7 ml in my band, so I still have room for it to pass. I haven't encountered the frothiness or slime that others have described yet either but I'm sure I will at some point. I'm also discovering that certain foods are just no longer possible unless I want pain, so I'm learning what to avoid.

Congrats! My first one will be fitting back into my wedding ring.

Woohoo! Congrats to you, especially for getting off your insulin! That is fantastic! I can't wait for my next weigh in in two weeks. I only weigh in at his office so I have no idea how much more I've lost since the 14 lbs. in my signature.

Hmm, goes to show how each place is different. I had my psych eval first, then first nutrition eval, then EGD, etc. I didn't need a sleep study. One word of advice - Aetna started to demand additional information at the last minute. Fortunately, I was able to get my PCP's office to fax it in time for my surgery but it was only 1 or 2 days before my date that I got approval.

I only had to have one visit with the trainer & I did the Aetna 3 month plan. My dietician documented my exercise in her notes, so maybe that counted but I only needed one visit to meet the requirements for the trainer.

I only had to have one visit with the trainer & I did the Aetna 3 month plan. My dietician documented my exercise in her notes, so maybe that counted but I only needed one visit to meet the requirements for the trainer.

Dr. Brebbia placed my lap band. You are in excellent hands & I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. I'm in Maryland, too. Good luck to all of you - I'm so happy I finally did this. Can't wait for my next appointment to see how much weight I've lost (my physician doesn't like for us to weigh ourselves outside of the office).

I got my first fill at 2 weeks post op. I've been doing really well since then & I'm only 4 1/2 weeks out. Each doctor is different, just like with pre/post-op diets.

Please make sure your hands are clean, as in just washed or used hand sanitizer, and scratch only the surrounding area. You don't want to cause an infection by introducing bacteria into your wounds. The itching is caused by healing - it will get better.