Newbandster

Hey Guys, It's been a while since I've posted. I've actually moved from New Jersey to Atlanta in July and have been busy settling in. I've noticed that I PB a lot more that I used to and I'm starting to notice a little pain in my stomach where my port is. Part of the problem is , that I'm in Atlanta now and I can't seem to find a doctor who will see me regarding this here. My surgeon was in New Jersey (Dr. Abkin's office) and when I call them, they tell me to fly up to see them which is kind of hard to do. I really wanted to see if anyone knows the symptoms of slippage before I book a flight out. Thanks,:think

Hey Dee Dee, I'm looking for a doctor in the Atlanta area. I was banded in New Jersey in November 2004 and moved to Atlanta in July, 2005. I really feel the need to see someone regarding my band and it gets expensive to run back and forth to New Jersey. I live in McDonough, GA. Does anyone know any doctors in this area?

Thanks so much for the feedback Ladies. I absolutely love Lapbandtalk. I can always come here for resources and knowledgeable people. I am going to start on my quest to find a doctor here. I really feel the need to see one just to be sure everything is okay. I notice that I only really PB when I eat too fast.

What do you do if you are losing the weight without a fill but you don't have any restriction. I scheduled a fill for February 24, but I have been losing about 2 pounds per week on average. I'm scared that if I go ahead with the fill, I may lose the weight too fast but I am still hungry during the day and although I can't eat as much as I did before, I can eat more that I think I should be able to. Any suggestions. You guys are the pros.

Exacty what are the symptoms for Reflux. I was banded on Nov. 29 and I am just this week starting to feel tightness in my chest and back. It hurts so bad and I'm really not sure why. It just happened all of a sudden. I'm still able to eat soft foods including marinated chicken chew up very very well and I don't really eat that often. I have been eating more baked fish than anything. But this pain is starting to bother me a bit.

I went and purchased this vitamin. It is GREAT. Thanks so much for the information. There is definately no after taste and I did find that I had some energy. I had really been suffering with this energy thing. I found that around 2:00 PM I was drained. Yesterday after I ate something I drank some of the vitamin and I ended up with some REAL energy. Can you take more than one dose daily? I could really use that pick me up twice a day with my schedule.

I ordered the book this morning. I truly hope it doesn't take as long to get my book. Hopefully they got it together by now. I charged mine on Amex so if there is a problem, they will take care of it immediately.

Hey Lifesavers, (That is truly what you guys have been for me during the past week):banana I went for my first post op appointment today. I lost about 10 pounds thus far. I was both shocked and estatic when the doctor told me that I could move on to the MUSHIE phase. :Bunny I thought I was supposed to be on full liquids for two weeks. Anyway while I was in the waiting room I was reading on the articles on the wall about a patient who had been banded and it said that when she went for her 1 week checkout, Dr. Abkin told her she could advance to mushies. Maybe the books that I got from the nutrionist are outdated. I don't know but everything I read said I couldn't advance until 2 weeks, but I asked the Doc again was he sure and he said "yes". So I came home and my mom made me what taste like the best homemade mashed potatoes I ever had. I couldn't eat very many of them, but I was able to eat some. I do find that after a while I'm hungry again. Is that normal? Any good ol' fashion suggestions for the mushy phase?????

Congratulations Pat. Welcome to Bandland. I'm only a week post op and I feel like I've been here for years. Take care.

Hey Alex, Thanks for the feedback. I also found that I'm not ready for more than a bite or two. But the monster in me is certainly returning. I think it's more of a mind thing. I'm thinking of the fact that I can have the foods and when I get them I can't really eat them. Like today, I have my lunch all planned out. A burrito from taco bell so I can eat the insides of it. YMMMM!! Sounds so good to me. Thanks for the tip on the Protein, I working hard to get it in.

Hey Sonia, I have been put under so many times, I can't even count them. It's always something to think about, but never anything to worry about. I don't know what your relationship is with God but I just put it in his hands. After all it is he who has the final say. I just asked him to keep me safe. You see, prior to approval, I prayed and I said to myself if it is God's will, I will be approved. So when I got the call that I was approved I knew I would be okay, because it was God's will. Don't get me wrong, the thought of it still frightened me quite a bit. But I reminding myself that GOD has the final say in everything. I did get the sedative prior to being put under because I had quite a bit of aniexty. I can't say that I remember even being wheeled into the OR but when I woke up I thanked God and I still thank him every day. Keep the faith and keep talking to your GOD and you will be fine. Shrinking Violet and Alex Hey guys, I posted this on another thread but I like to send it to you guys as well since we all have the same doctor. I went for my first post op appointment today. I lost about 10 pounds thus far. I was both shocked and estatic when the doctor told me that I could move on to the MUSHIE phase. I thought I was supposed to be on full liquids for two weeks. Anyway while I was in the waiting room I was reading on the articles on the wall about a patient who had been banded and it said that when she went for her 1 week checkout, Dr. Abkin told her she could advance to mushies. Maybe the books that I got from the nutrionist are outdated. I don't know but everything I read said I couldn't advance until 2 weeks, but I asked the Doc again was he sure and he said "yes". So I came home and my mom made me what taste like the best homemade mashed potatoes I ever had. I couldn't eat very many of them, but I was able to eat some. I do find that after a while I'm hungry again. Is that normal?

My surgery was actually done the day before yours and I feel the exact same pressure in my chest. I go for my one week post op tomorrow. I am also extremely sore on the left side. I'm assuming that is where the port is. I still walk slowly and have a very hard time bending down. I still can't tie my shoes. I read somewhere that some people go back to work a couple days after surgery so I gave myself a week, which means I am due back in tomorrow. I can't make it. I'm just so uncomfortable, between the pain in my chest, the diarrhea, and the nasty taste in my mouth, I just don't feel like I'm ready to be around people yet. I guess this is just part of the process for us. I know we will get through it.

Alex, Please keep me posted on that January meeting. I am a patient of Abkin and Bertha but I live all the way in South Jersey. I do work in North Jersey though so maybe it will be a night that I can come. I'm not quite back to myself yet. I'm still extremely sore in my stomach area where the stiches are on the left side. I'm assuming that is where the port is. I still can't bend down to tye my shoes yet. I think the toughest part of this is keeping my stomach from growling so much. It keeps me up at night and I still can't sleep comfortable as it is because of the soreness. I actually tried a little bit of pudding today and it wasn't bad. In some of the books that I received on the post op diet before the surgery. They said that you can have pudding in Phase II of the diet. I don't know. I just try to keep the edge off and it's extremely tough. Any suggestions? I can't wait unitl next week when I can go to mushies. I think I will be so much more satisfied. I find this support group so very helpful.

Sonia, This is great. I work for a school district as well and I have the same insurance. You should be okay. Don't put it off too long though. I have heard talk of the insurance companies threatening to stop paying for the surgery. That's why I ran with it. I can't say I'm 100% glad I did yet, because I am still in the full liquid phase and it is EXTREMELY tough to get through but I know I will and once I get through it I'm 100% sure I'll be pleased.

Alex, Please keep me posted on that January meeting. I am a patient of Abkin and Bertha but I live all the way in South Jersey. I do work in North Jersey though so maybe it will be a night that I can come. I'm not quite back to myself yet. I'm still extremely sore in my stomach area where the stiches are on the left side. I'm assuming that is where the port is. I still can't bend down to tye my shoes yet. I think the toughest part of this is keeping my stomach from growling so much. It keeps me up at night and I still can't sleep comfortable as it is because of the soreness. I actually tried a little bit of pudding today and it wasn't bad. In some of the books that I received on the post op diet before the surgery. They said that you can have pudding in Phase II of the diet. I don't know. I just try to keep the edge off and it's extremely tough. Any suggestions? I can't wait unitl next week when I can go to mushies. I think I will be so much more satisfied. I find this support group so very helpful. Sonia, What insurance do you have? Any weight loss attempts should be listed on your application. Not only ww or Jenny Craig. Have you ever taken diet pills to lose weight? I did and I named every one I ever took. How about the gym? That's an attempt too. Slim Fast anyone? Dexatrim? any of those over the counter medications for weight loss. Put your thinking cap on and as you think of them write them down. Any assistance, I can provide please don't hesitate to contact me as it is ALL still very fresh in my head. Sorry for the long thread. I guess I got a little carried away!

Hi Sonia, I am a new patient of Dr. Abkin/Dr. Bertha. Actually Dr. Goldstein did my surgery on Monday 11/29. Have you been banded already?

Hi again, I was banded on Monday 11/29 and I have been following the doctors orders for the solids. Since yesterday I've been suffering from Diarrhea very badly. Is this normal. It seems like everything I drink goes right through me. I called the Doctor today and he said I can take medication for it like anyone else. It is only me or has anyone else experiened this. I'm scared to drink anything now because I'm not sure if it is the food or just part of the recovery. I'm almost regretting the whole thing. :hurt I'm so uncomfortable. Any suggestions??

Good day everyone, I was banded on Monday, November 29, 2004. I'm in a great deal of pain but I'm dealing with it. I'm a little concerned because I haven't had a bowel movement since surgery. Is this normal? My stomach seems to be making some weird noises. I don't know if it is growling or what. I'm not hungry though. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you for all of your encouraging responses. I think I'm just very gassy now. Is it normal to feel the pain in the middle of your chest. I'm hoping it's only gas. I did get a slight case of diarieah. So I'm feeling better about that. It's just that I though the gas would be in the very beginning and since I didn't have any, I thougt I was in the clear. I'm getting sharp pains in my stomach too. More gas??? Thanks for all your help. It feels so good to have this support group online.

Good day. I will be banded in the morning. I have been reading this site for a few weeks now. I think I got a little confused with the information from my doctor. Does anyone remember only eating Clear liquids 24 hours before surgery? I'm a little confused and I am starving. I know I can't eat anything after 12 midnight, but what about today? Please help!!