Susan3343

I am sorry but can someone tell me where to find the thread on what you need to buy prior to surgery? I am trying to find it for a friend and can not for the life of me find it. I tried the advance search and everything...I just saw the darn thing yesterday when I wasnt looking for it. Thanks

Hi. I will just share my experience with you but in the end it is your own decision and what you are comfortable with. I had my lap band in May 2007. It has been great and I love it however I shared with everyone thinking that everyone would be happy for me and encouraging. Most are but there are still those people who continue to ask me each time I speak to them, how much have you lost now? Over the holidays I needed a fill but was traveling a lot for work and didnt get one. Didnt really eat poorly but wasnt getting enough exercise in, late meals and so on so it was a lot of pressure for them to continue to ask me that question. I have learned that when asked "how are you doing or how is it going" to simply reply I am doing good and feel great. Because at the end of the day its not really how much I have lost that counts but how I feel. I feel much better about myself along with being healthier and just so much happier. I wish you well in your journey. Susan

Thanks...this was just what I was looking for. Not sure how I missed it :biggrin:

Randy I just retyped and sent it again. Check your spam box ok

Hey Randy...I sent you an email...did you get it?

Hope everyone is having a good day! Hey Vegasflyer I had a question if you dont mind, in your post above you said you were against anyone having Lap Band done? Wasnt sure if I understood you correctly and if so can I ask why? I mean I understand the whole hemophilia aspect of it and the risks but...well was just curious is all. Thanks

I was banded on May 4th and went for a fill on June 14th but the Dr said he would not give me a fill because I was losing weight with just the band. His thoughts were that must be I was getting some restriction even without the fill. He said to wait until it got to the point that I was not losing a pound or two per week and then come back and he would give me one.

I posted this in the wrong place earlier so am going to post it again here. I called today to confirm my appt for next week for my first fill. While talking to the scheduler she said that the Dr will access the port then have me sit up and drink while he injects the saline. I asked about doing it with xray and she said he only does it that way if there is a problem accessing my port. I also asked how does he know if the band is still in the right position and so on and she replied...again...that if he has problems with the port he will send me to xray. Just curious if anyone else has theirs this way because I hadnt read anywhere that this is how others are getting theirs. It seems in all that I read that there is other equipment used. Please pass on your experiences....please. thanks Susan

I am so glad I found this thread. I too have left shoulder pain. That was the first thing I felt when I woke up from surgery. I dont know what triggers it (hunger, full or gas) but will try to pay attention to this. Anyways...it really hurts at times! I was thinking that maybe it would ease off or go away...but maybe not. Is there any hope???? Susan

Hi Stacy. I decided to be banded because not only was I overweight but I was also on 2 blood pressure meds, med for acid reflux and high cholestrol. I was also pre diabetic. My starting weight was 258 pounds and now I have lost 33 pounds. I am no longer on my blood pressure meds and my glucose levels are remaining normal. My Dr said that occassionally someone will receive the band and not have to have a fill for a while because they achive restriction with just the band itself (the smaller band) He did say that if I stop losing weight to call and get in to have my first fill. I am happy right now without having a fill because I do feel that I have restriction. So for now I am happy and doing well. Good luck on your journey!! Susan

Went in for my first fill today. Of course I have been worried about it for almost 2 weeks now...sat in the office staring at the needle and supplies wondering how it was going to go..then the Dr walked in and said he wasnt going to do it today because I was doing well without one. Whewwwww. I kind of thought it would go that way because I am losing and I do feel restricted without a fill and was dreading having one because I didnt want to be too tight and have issues. So all in all it was a good visit! Thanks to all that replied to my concerns earlier. Susan

I called today to verify the time and date of my first fill. While talking with the person who answered the phone she explained that the Dr will access my port then have me sit up and drink something while he is inserting the saline to tighten my band. She said only if he had difficulty accessing my port would I go to radiology and have it done. I asked if the Dr ever does testing to make sure the band is sitting in the right position and she replied only if he cant do the fill. I am just curious to see how others get their fills. Thanks Susan

I was banded on 5/4/07 and so far have lost 33 pounds. I am thrilled with my band. Havent had a fill yet but scheduled for next week. I think what I like most about it is not only the weight loss but the fact that I now have control over my eating. I can not tell you how wonderful it feels to have food left over on my plate and to be able to say....I am satisfied. Its the first time in a longggggggggg time that I am happy being ME. Susan

My Dr said that he didnt do anything "down there" so when I felt comfortable enough to resume intercourse then to go for it. Its a good thing because I am down 33 pounds (cant get my tickler to update) and my guy wont hardly leave me alone LOL. Like some of the others however it can be uncomfortable in the incision areas. Susan

Thanks for the responses. Denise I was glad to hear that my Dr is not the only one who does it that way. I just hadnt read about others having it this way and that worried me. Thanks again Susan

Gosh this is one of those moments where I wish you could post without using your name but since it isnt here goes.....I know you are not supposed to chew gum....I know that! Dont ask me why I did but I did because I said to myself...you will never swallow it. Well the problem is I think I did. I was really stressed tonight, chewing a piece of gum and I dont recall throwing it out and its not in my mouth...soooooo the only other place it could be is...you guessed it. Now what? What do I do if it clogged my stoma? I am freaking out now and for those that wonder...yes I learned my lesson. Please could someone give me some advice. Thanks Susan

Dr Bruce did my surgery on May 4. The larger incision is where the port is. I can feel my port also. Its not painful...if I press I can feel it.

I agree with all that was said above. I posted the same thing that you did on about day 3 post op. Mine hit me in the shoulder and it was HORRIBLE! As painful as it might seem to move around....you gotta move. I really didnt have much pain from surgery ....it was all gas pain. I do however caution chewing gum. My Dr said no gum because if you accidently swallow it (which I did the other night) that it could block the stoma. I dont have restriction yet and had no problems with a blockage after swallowing it but it scared me enough to where I wont chew gum again. Good luck Susan

I was also told no gum because if you swallow it could block the stoma. Which makes perfect sense. Which is why I wont be chewing it anymore That was a big enough scare for me. As far as the PBing and sliming....I know there is a site on here for those types of terms...just not sure where it is. Hopefully someone more familiar with these things will reply with that info. Susan

Hey Ross. Glad to hear that things are going well for you. I cant answer all of your questions but I did want to say that I know what you mean about the burp thing. This is so annoying to me especially since I take customers and prospects out to lunch/dinner on a regular basis. It seems to me that mine has gotten better but not gone totally. I hope it does. As far as the other questions....I dont know but to tell you the truth I have the same fear about the vomiting thing. Hopefully someone else will provide some insight on this for us. Good luck on your journey Susan

Thanks all for the replies. I am fine. I was really freaked out last night because I havent had anything get stuck yet nor have I done the PBing or sliming thing yet. Of course I havent had my first fill as of yet..that will be on the 14th of June. No more chewing gum for me though..that was a big enough scare. Thanks again Susan

nope no fill yet.

Isnt it amazing how much you can pack into a pair of pants? I have lost 24 pounds and you would think that I would need to run out and buy something to wear....but noooooooooo......the old ones still fit. They dont fit as well of course but geesh. I did finally get into a pair of slacks that I havent been able to wear in 2 yrs so that was good but I put on a pair of jeans that I wore when I was 24 pounds heavier and they fit great. Makes me wonder what I looked like before when I was cramming all that extra pounds into them. Things that make you go ewwwwwwwww. LOL. Have a great day all!!! Susan

I agree Katherine...you have to work with what you got although I wish I wasnt working with so much. No seriously I am happy with what I have lost so far and I need to apply more engery to my work out program and I am sure that I will see some sort of change in where the weight is and where it isnt! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend. Stay safe Susan

Congrats on the 44 lbs..but I have to say...damn I am depressed LOL No seriously I am thrilled that I am down in weight and I am feeling much better than I have in a long long time. I just want to look good as I am losing also. Boy talk about having your cake and eating it too LOL. Hmmmm maybe cake wasnt such a good word to use