sman342

Hi June Bandsters - Well it's been 5 weeks for me and for the rest of us, it's been around a month(+/-) since surgery. Just wondering how everyone else is doing? I've lost a good chunk of weight. (23 pounds) Had my first fill (only .5cc) yesterday that was uneventful. Notice that my stomach makes gurgling noises (not gas, not hunger, not diarrhea) like Fluid is bubbling as it goes down. It provides relief when it does. Anyone else familiar with that sensation? Share your stories! Sandy

Please don't jump all over me because I know I should know the answer to one of the pillars of lap-band rules..... but if you could remind me what the big deal about no liquids before/during/after. Seems like if I am getting a little "stuck" some water would help. Look forward to a response. Thank you.

Of course! definitely get on birth control. One of my surgery centers guidelines was no pregnancy for a year to allow body time to heal.

I had my surgery ay Highland Hospital and my doctor are Bariatric Surgery Center (Drs. OMalley, Johnson and Forbes). I recommend this practice. Important for you to get answer FROM Aetna whether they cover your surgey bc policies vary state to state and depends where your plan is administered. So, call Member Services at Aetna for that answer.

Regarding the hospital overnight: Think of it as a "getaway" where you get the remote all to yourself.. Also - should you have any issues, you have medical staff there to assist. Its very unlikely to have issues. Regarding those post op meal plans: Just stick to the shakes for now. You'll have plenty of time to digest all those hand outs regarding the next step. I think we all were overwhelmed by those sessions. Deep breaths!! best wishes!

Supposedly Biotin helps this but, like you, I'm already in the shed cycle. I think it's too late. GNC sells biotin chews and tablets. Maybe it will help our next shed cycle. I know - its scary!!!

I'm a self pay ($18,000 that was supposed to be $12K) too. I think I can get past where I am now (plateau, learning how to eat and chew with restriction, self control) and get to those amazing "AFTER" photos. When I look like all these amazing people who have lost the weight, I will say it was the right call. I know I cannot lose this weight any other way. Having relocated alot, I always advise others that they need to give any move 1 year before they like it. I am going to follow that same advice with my band.

Do you realize that 40 BMI for you is 219 pounds? Go back as soon as they will see you again. Wear heavy clothes - a 4 pounds gain for me would be after a good weekend of eating.

Please avoid the mistakes I made by having high expectations. I lost a ton of weight out of the gate and stalled out. Reason I lost the weight was bc I was eating right, I was eating to protect my post op tummy. Then, when I couldnt feel restriction - all the rules and seminar guidelines went out the window. Finally with my 4th fill - I have that elusive restriction that everyone talks about. If I DON'T eat slow, it feels like a tree branch going down sideways. I have to avoid the slider foods now and get on track. Enough about me - good luck to you.

When you get to proper restriction, you will have an indisputable sense of fullness that supersedes calorie counting. It took me 4 fills to get to that point. Be patient and best wishes.

The liquid diet really isn't that bad. In fact, I lost most weigh post op while healing my stomach from surgery. It's a time where you (and here's where I get corny) find yourself liberating from food. I felt very empowered realizing I can do this. PS - 2 favorite shakes are chocolate (powdered) unjury and GNC has a ready to drink Swiss Chocolate.

My doctor recommended Milk of Magnesia - just be prepared bc these often produce "sudden" results. Not to worry if you get very loose stools. I panicked but, that too, did pass.

over such a long time. I was banded 6/26 and have had 3 fills and getting number 4 in 2 weeks. I hope you get restriction this time good luck Your experience goes to show that every practitioner - and every patient - is different. I just saw a bunch of posters who have lost significant amounts - like 90 pounds without ANY fills. Meanwhile - one nurse at my office gave me 1.5 cc over 2 months - and I wasn't losing. A different nurse gave me SEVEN cc over 2 fills and I FINALLY feel it. I didn't feel it until now. Same office - 2 different nurses - goes to show difference in protocol even in same office.

Yes - Rochester NY in the house! My surgeon was Forbes at Highland? You?

Smooth Move tea works well. If your constipation turns to diarrhea - don't panic. I thought I had C-diff (google it) from the surgery but it was just the Milk of Magnesia kicking in with a vengeance.

Getting Mirena tomorrow morning at 9:30AM!

The facility I go to doesn't do outpatient.

I had to select between the 2 on my pre-op paperwork. Dr said they were about the same but that Realize had a really good website (that they discontinued in June 2012) and its parent was Johnson & Johnson, an American company. For what its worth....

I have CIGNA too. Fine print says obesity surgery is not covered. Phone rep says not covered. Submitted it just for fun and they are saying I need 3 nutritional and a Dr. recommend. Had surgery before this was settled and don't know where we'll go with this. Whatever you do - just get it in writing because depending on where you reside - CIGNA has different provisions.

I apolgize if you already answered this but I couldn't find it in the thread....did you have the surgery in Mexico. Those prices look very reasonable.

Card? What card? please share.

wow. that looks great. I hear it hurts a lot and you must wear a girdle and no shower for a bit. What was your experience?

Karen - Congrats on the weight loss. Good luck with the surgery. $20K is alot of money but I had a friend give me this analogy to justify PS - you spend more on a car that you have for what, 8 years? But my nose/tummy/whatever, I will have for life. Thanks for sharing the pictures. BTW - my denied surgery is costing me $18K. Fun, fun!!!

I, too, noticed diarrhea with Protein shakes - but I believe its because of the milk. I'm not lactose INtolerant but milk does have a gastric effect on me. I love unjury shakes - but they are made with milk. GNC carries Total Lean in zillions of flavors and is reconstituted with Water. Perhaps consider those. Good luck.

I didn't tell anyone - only my spouse. Even my kids think I visited a friend overnight on surgery day. More than being "ashamed" that I had WLS, it's about how I feel being overweight to begin with. Some people are quite forthcoming with their weight, "Ugh, I gotta lose this gut." or "I love Biggest Loser" or "I just started a diet." I'm so self-conscious about my weight, I am never comfortable lamenting about it, as if it is a secret that I am fat. So when it came to surgery - I didn't tell anyone. Just not comfortable with people knowing. Now - that I am on WLS diet, I simply say I'm avoiding carbs, or refuse the food. No, thank you, I'm good. You don't owe an explanation to anyone.