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jldch

LAP-BAND Patients
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Everything posted by jldch

  1. Is it possible for my port to move significantly (around 4-5 inches vertically) when standing up vs. lying down? Thanks!
  2. jldch

    Does Port Move Significantly?

    Thanks for your input!
  3. jldch

    Does Port Move Significantly?

    I guess some clarification is needed. When I went in for my first fill (2cc) five weeks ago, the PA had me lie down and entered the port below my waist, approximately 1-inch below my incision even though when I'm standing, my port is a good 4-inches above my waist ( I can feel it easily.) I went in for my second fill yesterday (another 2cc) and a different PA had me stand for the fill and entered the port above my waist. When I asked her about the previous fill, she said since the port is attached to the muscle wall, it shifts significantly when lying down. I can understand a slight shift, but 5-inches seems a bit much. I have my doubts that the original fill was in the port especially since I'm scheduled for another fill in 2 weeks and this practice is known for fairly conservative fills. I had no restriction after the first fill and very little so far but understand I will may need as much as 7cc to get to the sweet spot in my 10cc band. Thanks!
  4. jldch

    Flying and the band

    I flew a couple of weeks ago and had no issues.
  5. This is one of the things I am so looking forward to. Congratulations!
  6. jldch

    Low Carb Banders Unite

    Yes -- high protein/low carb makes me feel better. I'm early out (banded 3 weeks ago) but have lost 50 pounds since mid-August eating poultry, beef, fish, seafood, Beans and lentils. I also eat a lot of dairy (cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt) and a wide variety of green vegetables and cauliflower. I stay away from grains, but will have a bit (couple of tablespoons at the most) of quinoa and will have a small portion of Dreamfields Pasta now and then and the occaisional low carb tortilla. I will sometimes make a sugar free dessert with splenda, Carbquik, cream cheese, etc. and I do put a splash of cream in my decaf coffee. I also like to use ground flax seed to add more Fiber. I go for my first fill next week, but have a doctor who believes in small, frequent fills and believes in being able to eat regular, solid food, not liquids/purees. I was only on Clear Liquids for day before, day of and day after surgery; full liquids for the next 4 days; mushies for the next 10 days and then on to solids. I eat around a cup of food and am satisfied for around 4 hours (sometimes only around 3 1/2 and sometimes 5 hours depending on what I ate). I also usually have a small Protein snack (string cheese, carbmaster yogurt or a hard boiled egg) in the afternoon since we eat supper late. I usually drink at least 80 oz. of Water a day as well as a cup of tea and/or cup of coffee. I plan to continue to eat this way until I lose the majority of my weight but eventually plan to eat a wider variety of foods, just in smaller portions, especially when I'm in situations when it's hard to control what I eat (business trips/parties) and when I want to splurge.
  7. Until I lose the majority of my weight, I am on a "diet" (high protein/lowcarb and of course portion control). As I get closer to goal, I will incorporate a wider variety of foods. That's not to say that every now and then I'll have something not on plan, but to be honest, I feel better when I lowcarb.
  8. I'd like to join -- LBT NAME - jldch Height - 5'9" Surgery Date - 11/11/09 Starting Weight - 365 Surgery Weight - 325 Current Weight - 319
  9. For those of you that have an afternoon snack, what and how much would this typically be? Thanks!
  10. I had surgery last Wednesday and had planned on coming back to work on Monday but didn't feel up to it (port incision pain and abdominal gas). I'm in today and I am uncomfortable, but okay.
  11. jldch

    Pain!

    I had my surgery on 11/11 and am still quite tender in this area. I've also had quite a bit of gas which puts pressure on my incision and in my belly. The best thing I found to help with this is Phazyme softgels and walking. I do fill a bit better each day and returned to work today.
  12. I pretty much lurk but promised myself I would post my surgery story since reading previous stories were so helpful to me. I'm usually not the type to panic, however, I was very anxious a few days before the surgery (I even cried a couple of times!). On the day of surgery, I was totally calm and sure of my choice. I entered the outpatient surgery center on November 11th at 11:00 a.m. and had visits from the surgeon, his assistant and the anesthesiologist. I was weighed and then taken to my room where I changed into the hospital gown. The nurse came in and started my iv. She gave me protonix to reduce stomach acid, an antibiotic and about a half hour before surgery, gave me some sort of relaxer (Versed?). She also went over my history, asked if was allergic to anything, etc. I had severe nausea with my last c-section, so they put a scopamine patch behind my ear to prevent this. She also put pumping sleeves on my legs and gave me a shot of lovenox in my belly to prevent blood clots. I also had to take a pregnancy test even though I had a tubal eight years ago. I was wheeled into the operating room on my bed and then scooted over to the operating table. The room was quite cold so they put several wam blankets over me. The surgical nurse put a clear mask over my nose and mouth and had me breathe deeply. The next thing I knew, I was in recovery being asked to wake-up. I was in recovery from around 2:00 - 3:00 where I was asked about my pain level and given sips of water to drink and also a fast acting pain reliever in my IV. Next I went back to my room to relax . My mouth was extremely dry from the scopamine patch so I was given more water. I also had a dose of liquid Loritab. The nurse gave me aftercare instructions and helped me get dressed. I left the hospital at 5:00 and was home a few minutes later (I only live a couple of miles away). I'm not really in pain, just tired and a bit sore. I've had some issues with trapped gas in my collarbone and shoulder. It's so true that walking helps. My husband also gently massages the area and I've used a heating pad. Sleeping is a bit uncomfortable because I have to sleep on my back for now and I'm normally a stomach sleeper. I also make sure to use my spirometer to prevent pneumonia. My big challenge today is to get in enough clear fluid. I've had water, water mixed with diet cranberry juice, peppermint tea and am also using the new whey liquid protein shots (mixed with water) to get in enough protein. Tomorrow, I start full liquids (protein shakes, thinned cream soup, yogurt) and then on Monday, I progress to mushies. Everyone was extremely nice, considerate and professional and I'm very happy with my decision to have the surgery.
  13. jldch

    Lap Band process moving too fast?

    This is so strange. I was just getting ready to write a similar post. Even though I've been thinking about getting a lap band for over a year, I've just recently signed-up for a seminar. The doctor asked me to complete a questionnaire and contact my insurance company prior to the seminar. I called the insurance company (Federal BC/BS) today and found out that I am covered and do not have a requirement for the 6-month supervised diet. While this is wonderful news, I thought I would have at least 6 months to get my head around this. I guess I still do, but after reading several posts about denied insurance and long waits, I should just count my blessings. Jane

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