QWINNER

Thank god you were not seriously injured. Seeking compensation for your lost expenses due to doctors appointments would seem like a great place to start. I worked for an insurance company for a long time and believe me, they have serious restrictions on how much they will pay out. The want to see proof about how your life has been affected by the accident. They even put up a fight to pay out to people who have been parazized and even killed in an accident. You should be very greatful you are living your life as you did prior to the accident. A friend of mine had an accident last week and is still in the hospital not able to move her legs. It is a shame. Good luck

I agree with Nancy and Babs. Weight has never been an issue for me until after the birth of my 3 sons. Not only did the extra 90 lbs affect me, but I, too, became controlled by food. Maybe it was the stress of raising 3 kids, becoming a stay @ home mom, and as time went on, a schudule of sports that would make anyone eat Micky D's every night. I started to feel comforted by eating and things began revolving around what kind of "eats" will there be next. I have lost and gained, lost and gained, gained. I decided that the band was the way for me to go. I was having a terrible time feeling full. Now, I feel full after a small amount of eating. I don't care what type of "eats" are around anymore and I can eat anything i want as long as it is small amounts. I can now control my appetite, it doesn't control me. I have longed to feel full after eating a normal size portion and now I do. I am so liberated now it is wonderful. I had to quit smoking 2 months prior to my doctor banding me or he wouldn't have done it. The day he told me that I stopped smoking. It's been almost 5 months with out the ciggs but that is how I knew I was ready to get banded. I looked forward to the last time I will lose those extra pounds and never put them on again. I would do this again in a heartbeat. If you do decide to get banded, be sure you have mentally prepared yourself to give food up as your comfort blanket. Remember, you can have anything that agrees with your band, only everything in moderation. Good luck.

I think the key is to drink as much as and as quick as you are able. Sometimes if I take a big chug of water after running, it seems to get stuck. Sometimes it takes me 30 minutes to drink a 20oz coffee from 7/11. Other times I can down a pint or 2 of water with no problem. I think the band is great. I also think it makes us listen to our body which we never really did before. I look at my band as my inner voice now. If it says to slow down, i do, if I don't I'll pay. I am in the process of thinking of a good name for my talking band.

Norma, I was banded on 1/12/05 and just got rid of my gas pains - mostly in my left shoulder. The rest of the gas still comes and goes, but at least it doesn't hurt. People say that the gas from this surgery can take 4-6 weeks to leave your system. Good luck.

this is getting so ridiculous. Don't you guys have anything better to do with your time. Let it go away for crying out loud.

I live on Long Island and we got about 6 inches. It is getting to be such and incomvenience. And the kids with their snow clothing. On, off, on, off. Wet, dry, gloves missing, hats falling off, snow in the boots, "he hit me with a snowball, no I didn't, yes you did".!!!AAAHHHH.. TAKE ME AWAY. This is hopefully the last of it although its been known to snow up til the end of march. In 1987, it snowed on my wedding day. My kids had a two hour delay which is ridiculous. By the time my 6 and 10 year old leave, my 13 year old is on the way home. (Not really, but it seems like it). Can't wait for the sun. I can use some sun. Relax and enjoy some nestles low, carb, fat free hot cocoa.

It is getting very tiresome hearing about the same stuff over and over. Perhaps there is some reason that some people keep opening up the same can of worms. Lets move on and continue to provide the important information and support that people come here to get.

Sounds like you have everything that you need. If your policy is a "referral" type of insurance, than go to your PCP first. He could get the ball rolling and atleast refer you to a surgeon. I have heard BCBS is one of the best for approval. I have oxford. No real health issues and weigh 204 @ less than 5 feet tall. I was approved in a week. My BMI was just under 39. Hey, you never know. Good luck to you.

The port is a funky thing. My doctor put mine close to the surface and i can actually feel it. It is attached to a muscle in your abdomin with stitches. the reason it hurts so much is because the port needs to be put in with a larger incision than the other incisions. The port is pretty big. Have you seen one? I hadn't seen one until my post op office visit and I was amazed at the size. I said Ni wonder that is the most painful incision. Then there is a tube attached to the port which attaches to the band which is how the doctor fills it. I find it to be the strangest part of the lap band concept but it obviously works. I was banded on 1/12 and have lost 20lbs. I hope to get used to the port soon. Good luck.

Paula, It helps with the appetite absolutely, especially with the impulsivity to eat on a whim. That is what I am finding. I've only been on it for a month and I really like it. Makes a big difference.

Hi Mary, I personally take it for adult add and it is wonderful. You may have to play around with the dosage abit and expect some tiredness the first couple of weeks but after that, it is great. Also, keep in mind that it does take 2-4 weeks to begin working fully.

Hi Brighteyes, I have the same feelings with the full liquids and solids too. I am hungry alot but the key is to eat healthy foods. That way, even if you eat too much, it is still ok. I too wonder about feeling full, but I have to say that I had an egg this morning, over easy and it is doing the trick. Try cottage cheese (i know, eww) but it is filling. Also, in the health section of the grocery store are these soups in a cup that you add boiling water. They are called fantastic big soup and there is a flavor called jumpin black bean and it is totally awesome. It is good for 2-3 meals cause it is like 24oz and is packed with protein and fiber. Also, their split pea is good too. Pastina is a treat on mushy week and yogurt drinks too. Also, try a spoonful of peanut butter, eaten very slowly. That fills you up too. You are doing very well. Before you know it you will have a fill. Good luck

I was just banded on 1/12/05. I have had 3 c-sections with all 3 of my boys and let me tell ya, I can handle pain. The first week afte the surgery is still fresh in my mind. It was painful, especially the muscle they cut to get the port in. That hurts for a good week and the gradually subsides. Burping really hurt me and coughing and sneezing were horrible. The good news is that by the beginning of the second week, you will feel like a new person. Those things don't hurt anymore and you feel energetic and motivated. It is important to walk, walk and walk. Don't lift anything over 10 pounds (a gallon of milk weighs 8lbs) and take it slow. If you can, rest/sleep as much as possible. When you start on full liquids, you will feel much better. Protein shakes, carnation instant breakfast with skim plus is chocolity good, soups and yogurt. You will be able to sleep better too. The food cravings good away and when you eat a good cup of soup it is yummy. I hope you are feeling better. I just wanted to let you know what you have to look forward to from someone who just went through it. 2 weeks makes a big difference. And don't worry about moving your band, it is pretty hard to displace and coughing will not do that. Good luck and keep asking questions.

Congrats. I know you will do just fine. I did. Just banded on 1/12/05. That is great that you have support at home. It is important. Enjoy the atkins now, it isn't that bad. Good luck

Hi Holly I'm new here too. Just banded on 1/12/05. I live on Long Island. Not too many people from around here on the boards, but everyone is so informative and friendly. I've been coming around here for months prior to my band. It is great to hear real life advise as apposed to text book stuff. I have had many concerns and questions answered here and want to personally thank everyone. I am trying to figure out how to post a new thread or start a new thread but I can't. Some of you guys asked me to tell you something about myself to get to know me which I think is fair since I feel like I know many of you already. I'm 41 years old, a stay at home mom (substance abuse counselor by night) with 3 sons ages 7,10,13 and my husband who is an engineer. We were highschool sweethearts and will be married 17 years next month. I guess my weight issues started 13 years ago after I had my first son and stress, hormones, bad choices added 100 extra pounds to my body. I've been up and down numerous times and just didn't want to play that game any more so I opted for the band. I figured once I lose the weight, having the band will help me keep it off, unlike all the other times when I have gained the weight back. So I did it. It has been a week and I feel much better than I did right after surgery. I've had 3 c-sections, and I handled them like a pro so I thought this was a snap but it was harder than I thought and I got sick from Vicodin the day after surgery and was sick for 2 days after that. Now I am getting ready to go to the store and to the doctor for my week check up. What a difference. I am still hungry but am sticking to the full liquids of yogurt, Protein drinks, pudding (fat-free/sugar free), carnation instant Breakfast with skim is good and once in a while a spoon of Peanut Butter. Eat that real slow. Anyway, I am looking forward to my first fill. Have a great support system at home and am excited about doing the things I used to do. I hope everyone who is newly banded is doing well. It does get better each day right? Glad to be on this journey with so many good people. Thanks for making me feel welcome and for all of your help. My name is Lori, by the way. My oldest son and my husband used the name qwuinner for their fantasy football team and I kind of liked it. Our last name is Quinn. Get it? hahaha Well, take care everyone. and thanks again

Thanks for the encouraging words. I will try to post a new thread with a little more info about myself since I am new to the boards.

So since I am so new to the banded community, I guess I have a lot to learn. I am a huge researcher and I knew everything about the band prior to getting banded, but you guys have the most wonderful practical advice and information and I am very glad I came across this board. I am particularly glad to hear that most people were still hungry right after surgery. I can barely make it through the day on full liquids and am constantly starving. I was getting discouraged, but you all helped put it in perspective. I could probably eat a regular prebanded meal right now without incident, but I won't. I guess I need patience until the first fill. Can't wait for that. Any suggestions about how to curb the growling, empty feeling I feel almost all day long??? Thanks

Hey patti, I was banded on the 12th and have the exact sensation near my port. The Dr. told me that that is where they have to make the bigest, deepest incision thru the stomach muscle and they stitch the port to that muscle to avoid slippage. What you are feeling is the muscle healing and scar tissue forming to aide in your recovery. In a day or 2 you will feel the pulling and tightness less and less. Walk and bend and sleep on your side as much as you can to get those muscles stretching and healing. I am so glad you had the same feelings as I did. I was concerned. I feel much better now. Hope I helped put your mind at ease. Good luck and lets keep in touch.

I hope you are feeling better. I am new to the boards - just banded on 1/12/05 but have been reading posts for about a month now. I feel like I already know many of you. Thanks for all of your information. Good luck with your recovery.