Iluvmyboys

Oh dang, drats............darn it...........wah wah wah! I knew it was too good to be true, but I was hoping that since she said it, she had a clue......oh well, just another bump in the road to my old self! Thanks for the wake-up! I'm not to educated in the medical coding/coverage stuff as I didn't even try to have mine covered by me insurance...........due to not a high enough BMI.

Betty, So glad you are banded! Each day get's better as far as being tired goes. I had the shoulder pain also (left shoulder). I didn't realize it was the gas they filled me with! It took about 5-6 days for it to go away for good. Drink as much Water as you can and feel better soon! Best of Luck,

Hi there, Although my Dr did not have me on a liquid protein type diet before my surgery I tried to do it because I see so many others on this board were advised by their Dr's. to do so. I know what you mean as far as how nasty most of em' are! After my surgery, what I found to be the most helpful way to do this was to buy protein powder from Wal-Mart in the vitamin section. They have vanilla chocolate mocha etc... I got the vanilla and made my own drinks in the blender. This way they are as thick or thin as you want, and they taste like a regular milkshake/smoothie! I am not kidding!! I would put frozen fruit in the blender, add a few ice cubes, half of a banana, some O.J. (or skim milk), the 2 scoops of pwdered protein, a bit of low-fat vanilla yougurt abd BLEND away! They are truly awesome, economical, and interchangeable. You can use strong coffee (decaf), and the vanilla powder, ice cubes and fat free cream and you have a frozen cappacino drink! If the pre-made stuff is gaggafying, try this and save a bunch of money for a nice day at the hair salon to feel great before you have your surgery!! You can do it girl........and we are right here for ya! Been there done that...!! And--- don't worry, you are not about to have to give up anything...you just eat it in much smaller quantities, because you are fuller faster! You definetly want to re-vamp the way you have been eating and go for more protein and healthier side dishes....veggies etc. But, when the need arises to feast on an old friend....go ahead and have a bite....you won't need much more than that and after a bit, you won't want to deviate from your new and good foods! It's just a good feeling knowing that the chocolate bar CAN be eaten if you need it!!! Good Luck......you CAN DO IT!!!

Kelly Ann, So glad all went well for you! You are very brave to go through the trip alone, take care of yourself and get lots of rest! You'll be your beautiful self very soon! I feel the same way about my experience,....I would have gone alone if I had to also. I wanted the Lap Band no matter what. I just didn't think things would be so disorganized on the part of my Dr. and his staff.

Penni.....so sorry for your loss......hold those momories close. Have a safe trip.

Hi Jodie, I feel like your twin! I was banded 9/29 and I am starving in the afternoons and or early evenings......I have tried soft foods every couple of hours and that helps...I don't know if I am supposed to be "grazing" like that though......like you too, I am nervous that I am going to mess things up.......hang in here for support. These angels on this board are truly inspirational. Hopefully after our first fill we'll settle down a bit! I have lost 9 lbs. and probably should be loosing more but my grazing in the evenings is responsible for that. Take things easy on yourself......we're on the right train track here.

Hi, I am new to the forum. I was banded 9/29 in Costa Rica. I was given the liquid diet and that is it. I didn't realize that when I was discharged the next morning at 6:30am (surgery was at 7pm) and still a bit out of it I was not given any discharge instructions. I am home now and still feeling tired and sore. I would just like to know what if any danger signs I should be looking for? I can still feel the stitches in my stomach....is this normal? I'm nervous that I may have popped some of them due to the way they feel. I am in the process of getting a Lap Band surgeon in my area and have my medical records transferred. Do I need to have a check up 2 weeks out? Like I said, I wasn't given any post -op instructions other than the liquid diet. I could not afford the prices in the US, but didn't realize that by going out of the country that I would not have any follow-up by this Dr...... at all. I appreciate any help you may have for me! Thank you in advance!

I just want to thank you all for sharing and caring! Your advise has been of great help to me and mostly I feel better (stress) thanks to all of you! I emailed Don Mills from Inamed and he replied with a list of Dr.'s in my area. I was able to get through to 2 of them and they immediatley returned my calls. One Dr. would see me as a patient, but would not do fills...... the other Dr. is from Emory Clinic in Atlanta and his staff co-ordinator said I could have my records transferred from my surgeon and he would see me as a patient and do fills! What a relief to know should anything go wrong, I have someone locally. I have also been doing a lot of reading on these boards and can't believe the wealth of information available through you all! God Bless you ALL! Thank you for your support and suggestions! You don't know how much this has helped me. I am forever greatful.....Thanks again!

DeLarla, Thanks for your reply. I'm relieved to hear that most Lap Band problems are not emergencys. How did you know that the port incision didn't heal? I'm just nervous that something will be wrong and I won't know it! When you had to go back to Mexico for more surgery, what kind of a fee were you charged? Just wondering if those kinds of problems are covered by the first surgery fee?? (Hopefully!) Thank you again for your support.........I feel better. Sorry about all my questions, I hope you don't mind.

I got the 11cc. Lap Band from Inamed. I did get the booklet with it. What's the difference between an 11cc. band and the other one? How do you know how much to eat? How would you know if the stomach pouch gets stretched? I am having protein shakes (thin ones) and am I to have just 1/2 cup as a meal? Then keep drinking water all day? I'm a little confused.

Ladies, Thank you for your help and support! I feel better nowing someone is out there to give me advise.....whew... what a good feeling! Thanks again! All I got was the diet from the Dr....Is there anything I should be looking out for? Strange feelings etc? I don't mind keeping my Dr. who did the surgery, but what do you do if you have an emergency? Thanks and good luck to you too!

Nancy, Thanks for your reply to my post. I feel a bit better now! The Dr. there said he wanted to see me in 6-8 weeks if I chose to continue to see him. I don't mind going back there for fills etc. But what if something goes wrong here? I figured if I get a doctor locally that if there was a problem n the future I would have a doctor here to take care of me. My PCP won't even see me for this at all. She didn't do the surgery, doesn't know anything about the Lap Band and said to find a local Lap Band Dr. I'm so confused as to what to do here.....continue with my Dr. in Costa Rica only, or transfer my records from him to someone locally (if I can find someone). Ths Dr. in CR charges 200. for a fill, so it's probably the same around here.....I just don't get the Dr.'s not wanting to take a new patient....what if I just moved here and needed a Dr.? What then? ............sorry to go on and on with this! Thanks again,