steinquilts

jeejee that is awsome! I had no doubt what so ever. My great thoughts for a successful surgery go with you on the 29th. YAHOO!

Hey pookie, Welcome to the sight. I'm from Pierce, CO and was banded in Greeley by Dr. Johnell. Banded 2/15/07 and have lost 55 lbs so far. Good luck in your journey.

I agree. Walk and walk again. I was told to walk every half hour once I got home and then took my first semi long walk the morning after. I was prescribed liquid Vicadin and I only used it once. My recliner was my best friend. It took the pressure off of my back without lying completely down on my back that also seemed to help.

jeejee just make sure you let us know what happens.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and say a strong prayer for you jeejee. Stay positive.

I have Aetna PPO also and was approved pretty quick. I did the 3 month presurgery approval. My doctor was ready and had me go thru the complete set of tests. Cardiac, hemotology, sleep study stress test, phsych testing, going over all my meds, family history, medical history etc. It worked. Talk to your doctor and start setting up appointments. I found that Aetna wants all of the ducks in a row. Good luck. It will be fine.

I hope this is not too late. I agree with jmcambra. Listen to your heart, head and your doctor. Have faith. What you are doing is an important and exciting change for your healthier future. You won't regret it. I am coming up on 3 months post op. I was told today that I have already lost 24% of my excess body fat. I wouldn't change anything. I would do it over in a heartbeat. Yes, I did have second thoughts and they were scary but I pushed thru the fears and am sooo happy. You will be great. You will do great and you won't regret it. Keep us up to date on what happens

I was banded on Feb 15th and was back to work on the 26th. So about a week and two work days. No problems and no worries. In fact I took my first walk the day after surgery.

My favorite breakfast is an EAS chocolate peanut butter shake. I make it with either a cup of dannon lite and fit vanilla yogurt or skim milk, a scoop of the EAS chocolate powder and two teaspoons of peanut butter. Yummy and at least 26 grams of protien. Keeps me satisfied until lunch.

I have a question for anyone who would like to answer. I had my 3rd fill a little over a week ago. I have the smaller band so I am up to 1.7cc's now. My question is this...With my second fil I was feeling quite a bit of restriction. Now with my third fill I'm not feeling any restriction, discomfort, anything. I'm actually able to eat as much as I want. So naturally I'm trying real hard to not overeat. I'm also not losing any weight. I haven't for the last 3 weeks or so. Is this natural or is this something I need to be concerned with? I'm exercising so I don't think it's that. I'm just wondering what is going on.

Thanks for the input beachgirl. I'll keep the overfill in mind. I go back in on 5/08 so we'll see what happens. I'll make sure to post what happens

OMG! The pics are amazing! You look soooo good. Congratulations on a job well done. I hope I look that good after 8 months!

I have Aetna and did the 3 month work up for my surgery. Alot of testing and record keeping in a very short period of time. I had to do a sleep study, hemotology, pulmonary, cardiology, diet, exercise, nutritionist, behavior testing, psych work up etc. At times it felt like a whirlwind. Everything was documented but worth it. Once all my information was submitted it took less than a week for Aetna to approve it.

I think the main key in helping the scars soften and become less noticeable is to use your choice of cream and lotions everyday. Just make it part of your daily routine. Your scars will do great. And you're right they are the least of your worries.

I'm using Mederma also and Jergens lotion. They both seem to be helping with the scaring. They look softer anyway. My main (larger) scar is slightly raised but that is how it was stitched and glued at the time of surgery. I was told that over time that too would be less noticeable(sp). My other smaller scars are almost invisable. I had my surgery 2/15/07

I work for a great company where pretty much everybody there is close, open, friendly and supportive. I did not have any problem telling people and I don't regret it. Like Kacee I figured that if people have a hard time understanding why I had the surgery it's their problem but are free to ask me. So far I haven't had that happen. In fact there are two people in my group that have been inspired to start the surgery process. Also, there are 4 other people in my company that have had the lap band or the bypass surgery. This really helps overall.

When I started the process last October I went to my boss and let her know right what I was planning to do. She really appreciated the candor and honesty and I believe it helped when it came time for the medical leave. Because once I was approved I had my surgery a week later. Depending on your relationship with your boss, be as honest as possible.

my first fill was 1cc and just had my second fill of 1.3cc yesterday. My band actually absorbed .9cc from the first fill. Right now the fill is just right alot of restriction but I start real food tomorrow. So we'll see.

I may be a little late but I got an answer to the question of stretching the pouch. Yesterday I had my second fill yesterday 1.3 cc's. While being filled the doctor said not to worry about stretching the pouch. With each fill you will feel the restriction. If you push or increase the amount of food you normally wouldn't put into your stomach it will increase the chances of stretching your pouch. The doctor told me to be honest with her at each fill appointment and she will determine if a upper GI xray is needed to check for stretching. Bottom line: follow the bandster rules for food consumption, be honest with yourself and your doctor, trust and listen to your doctor and you will do great. I have faith in you

You might also try taking a dulcolax laxative once a week until you get back on track. That might help.

I also got banded around the same time (feb 15th) My first fill was only lcc and my next fill with be tomorrow. I think I was told 1.5 to 2cc's. I didn't feel any real restriction. The only time I do feel restriction is when I eat too much meat. I guess I'm eating approximately a 3/4 to 1 cup of protien at meal time. I have to be really careful not to eat after supper. For some reason it gives me the choking, uncomfortable feeling. If you are worried or curious about the symptoms of streching your band ask your doctor again. He will tell you. In the meantime I'll ask mine tomorrow (9th) and post it here tomorrow night.

Thanks Beachgirl. You were really helpful. I got it and now can keep it updated. You're the best. Thanks again, :-)

Can anyone tell me how to put my tickerfactory.com tracker on my profile so it shows each time I submit a reply or a new thread? I must be a real dumby because I can't figure it out. Thanks ahead of time for the help.

I agree with bubblebut. Follow your prescribed diet to the letter. I was told by my doctor that overeating as you describe could ultimately stretch your new pouch or even develop a hiatal hernia. Be really careful. Remember portion control. You should be putting maybe a cup of food down in an hour, well chewed. Stay away from the carbs, fried and breaded stuff. Stick with protien, fresh veggies and fruits. You'll find that the protien will keep you full and you won't have sugar spikes from eating the carbs. Take care of yourself and your body will love you for it.

I'm still on the mushy stage until Thursday Mar 22. One of my favorite breakfasts is 1/2 cup dannon light and fit vanilla yogurt, 1/2 skim milk, 1 scoop EAS chocolate protien and 2 tsp peanute butter. Mix in the blender and enjoy. Yummy