BreBre

So, I've had my band for 4 months now. I was 207 before I started the pre-op diet and I currently weigh 197. So yeah I haven't lost much. I did go down to 191.0 but started to gain it back. It seems like I am trying to find ways to get around my band so I can eat more. If I get stuck, I try to let it come up slowly, spit it out and go eat more. I know this isn't the right way to go about things You would think a "self-pay" would go full force into becoming healthier....but I haven't and I am completely upset over it. Also, I have been getting stuck A LOT lately. The other day I went to the hospital, because I was stuck for about 2 hours. When I got to the hospital, things went normal again. I'm thinking I slipped and it just fell back into place. Ever since, I have been getting stuck often. I also deal with a LOT of slime. When I puke stuff up, it's usually about 4oz of mucus! Should I be taking something every day for nasal drainage?? Could this be a contributing factor? This morning I woke up with a heavy pains in my chest. It felt like my ribs were swollen or aching... I know I am eating the wrong foods, I am eating way too fast and too large of bites. I try...but then I fall into my old habits. What can I do to change this mind set? I really want to be healthy..... I have had ONE fill. I am almost too scared to go back and see what they find out. But...I'm making the call tomorrow. Thoughts anyone?

Hi everyone. I just want to thank you all for the responses. Sorry it took me 2 months to reply. I was to say that I am finally realizing how to work with this band. I am eating WAY less and my mind set is completely changed. I have lost the weight I gained and I am on the way to losing again. I still get stuck ocassionally, but only because I eat a "tad" too much. I am finally realizing WHY I cannot eat and I've accepted it instead of finding ways to eat around it. I know that I have a psychological problem with food. I have accepted it and I am not working on fixing that. Thanks again for the encouragement and suggestions! I will let you all know how I'm doing in a couple months.

I'm 12 days post op and feeling back to normal. I've been cleared to eat soft foods and I feel so much better emotional wise. I feel like I can do this and lose weight without a fill. I definitely have less restriction since my swelling went down but I don't starve. I ate two pieces of soft fish today and felt great. I've lost almost 17 pounds so far. Has anyone had the same situation?

I'm also not afraid of a fill. If I'm losing weight consistently, what is the sense in getting a fill? I see none.

I was told to try soft foods and if I tolerate them, I'm in the clear. I haven't been able to tolerate everything. I'm not weighing anything. I'm just told to stop eating when full and no bread. I've been losing weight every day.

I thought for over a year about getting lap band. I finally went through with it...paid 10 grand out of pocket, and now I don't want it. I see my husband and son eating whatever they please, and I can't. I saw them eating burgers today and I broke down crying and locked myself in the bathroom. Is being thin really worth this crap??? I just don't want it anymore.... I am supposed to be happy about this life change, but all I feel is depression....

About 4 days. I'm 8 days post op and still feel sore but I'm able to move around and I'm pretty much pain free except for the ocasssional gas in my left shoulder.

My hubby and I did this morning. I'm 8 days post op. everything was fine but a couple times I had to push him up because my incisions were a little sore.

I'm a week post op and I feel fine... But I'm starving. The past two days I had some scrambled egg and mashed potatoes. I was under the impression that if my stomach felt fine that I was in the clear. But after some research I see that I may feel fine but the digestion process could have very easily slipped my band. I've only been on liquids ever since but I'm very worried that I slipped. I really don't have any restriction. I drank an entire protein shake very easily and some mint tea. I didn't feel full at all. I'm not having any other symptoms of slipping, but should I go into the ER for an X-ray just in case?

Thanks everyone. I think I am just going to go back to the liquids and wait it out. My doctor does not have me going to mushies next. He is having me 2 weeks liquids and then to soft foods. So, I guess it is different for every doctor. I just feel like my body needs more than these liquids and I am losing incredibly fast. I'm already down 15 pounds and today is my PO day 7.

6/7/12---- 12 pounds

Is there an insurance agency that will cover you if something wrong happens to your lap band? Say for instance...slip, erosion, infection, or anything that needs to be adjusted. I payed out of pocket for my surgery, and I really don't want to pay more for something that didn't even work for me.

That's what I'm trying to find... Insurance agencies who cover bariatric complications

Hi everyone, Just updating those who are interested. I am 5 days post op and feeling a little better everyday. I am currently down 12.4 lbs including my 2 clear liquid days before surgery. My left shoulder is still a little achy when I take deep breaths. Burps give me a little discomfort until it's expressed. My incisions look good, no bruises, no seepage. I was a little concerned about my breathing, but my doctor said it was okay. Still, I will take a deep breath and feel a tightness in my chest and left shoulder. I'm guessing that is the gas? I am really hoping that I don't have to deal with this pain in my shoulder for too much longer. I am getting really fed up with it. I've read that some women have had that problem for 7 weeks or so. I can't imagine dealing with this for that long. I am still sore in my port area. (When I sit up, lay down, twist). I am not really comfortable lying on my sides or stomach. I have really bad back problems (prior to surgery) and it's only making me feel worse. I feel like I cannot fully recover because of how my back feels. When I first get up in the beginning of the day, I walk a little crouched over because of the tightness and aching back. I am still trying to stay positive about all of this. Sometimes I think that I made the wrong decision, but watching the scale drop makes me think otherwise. I am just ready to start feeling like my self again.

No no... I'm saying in case is doesn't work for me or something happens to it. I'm wondering if insurance will cover to have it removed or whatever needs to be done. I am in the us and currently we have crappy military coverage. So my husband is getting out in 9 months and we will have to get new medical coverage. I'm wondering which insurance agencies will take care of me if I need something done or fixed that pertains to my lapband.

My husband told me not to look on that thread but I can't help it. I want to know what people are going through so I know what to look for. It seems like 4-6 years out is when people are having complications... Erosion.. Slippage... Gallbladder problems.. Even cancerous cells. I'm extremely worried and wondering if this was the right thing to do. I'm really worried and upset.

I was banded on Thursday as well! The first couple days were very rough for me... Physically and emotionally, but I'm feeling significantly better today. Just some gas pains in my left shoulder. I have lost 9 pounds since my 2 day liquid pre op diet. So that's 9 pounds in 6 days:) I'm excited to see how much I lose tomorrow and see how I'm feeling. Good luck!

Thanks ladies!

I'm 3 days post op and I have horrible cottonmouth. I drink Water all day, so I don't think I'm dehydrated. What else could it be? I'm also having trouble taking deep breaths. Is this normal?

I am currently on my 2nd day post op. My nurse told me that it doesn't get worse...every day it should get better. But I don't think that's what is happening with me. I feel fine for a while, then I get horrible gas pains out of no where. Granted, I do feel somewhat better than I did right after surgery and the day after. I had this pulling feeling when I would stand up..but it has gotten better. Today, I am still having some difficulty taking deep breaths. They did not give me the little breathing device? Should I be worried? My belly looks so incredibly weird. Where my pouch is, it looks so big and swollen. I feel like it's never going to go back to normal. How long is it going to be like this? One positive aspect is that I am now able to lay on my side without it hurting. My back is still agonizing. I am constantly asking myself..."What did you do, Bre?" I really need some encouragement.

Had surgery yesterday, and they told me to keep walking but I can't even stand up straight. When I lay on my back for too long and try to get up, it feels like my stomach alone is 100 pounds and it feels like my insides are stretched to the limit. Is this normal? I've had to religiously take my pain meds plus some. How long it this soreness and tightness going to last?

I took a long nap today and I feel so much better. No gas pains, I'm now able to sleep on my side, and I don't feel that stretching feeling when I stand up. My back is still pretty achy, but I had a bad back to begin with and sleeping the past two nights on it didn't help. I've lost almost 7 pounds since I started the 2 day liquid pre op diet. Today is my post op day 2.

I am feeling everything you just said. I am FINALLY able to burp and let gas out, but it's still really tight feeling and achy. I have been trying to walk as much as possible. I am hoping tomorrow is better. My husband also has to help me in and out of bed because it hurts to sit up by myself. I also gained 6 pounds right after surgery. Today I was 1 pound heavier than I was on my surgery day.

Cups of applesauce.. No added sugar.

My nurses were wonderful. My doctor wasnt exactly Mr softy but I'm not paying him to be nice... He seemed very knowledgable. Surprisingly, I'm doing fine. When I first got woken up I felt a lot of pressure in my tummy but no pain. The pain was in my back and still is!! I have really bad back problems, so I think laying flat on my back kinda messed me up. I'm not hungry at all like I was going in. I've been trying to walk a little... My gas isn't too bad. Sometimes I will get a rush of gas in between my breasts, but it goes away after walking and rubbing it. I will keep you all updates on my progress. Anyone have questions?