Norma Jamerson

I am so glad you asked that question. I was actually in the ER yesterday for the same lower left abdominal pain plus bleeding for 3 weeks. They did an ultrasound and found that I had ovarian cysts and that one of the cysts had ruptured and leaked fluid. That is what they believe was causing the pain. The bleeding is part of another issue (depo shots are starting to finally leave my system). Anyway, go see your regular doctor or an obgyn is my recommendation. Women who are overweight tend to get ovarian cysts. I will find out tomorrow more info about it. All my surgen kept telling me was that it was gas trapped in. I was having gas pains too, but this lower left pain wouldn't go away. So check into it.

Okay, So I am on mushy food still for another week. I have ate: Beans, applesauce, yogurt, cream soups, tuna with mayo, ice cream, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, and bad me, I ate lot's of lays potato chips because they seemed to disolve really good and the dr. and nutritionist said as long as I am not having trouble with it then it's okay but try to eliminate them for now. So that is obvious, but any ideas for other foods? I am tired of the same stuff.

I have had the most unberable gas that I have ever experienced in my life. It's from both ends. My burps are so long and loud that it's almost unbelievable it came out of me. At night I experience awful pain. It's such a sharp pain. I can't lay down with out talking milk of magnesea. Does anyone relate?

I have to say good-bye. However, I appreciate all the info. Thanks!

DeLarla-That's funny! I hope you can laugh at that now. I know I would be embarrassed too if it were me. And I am the type of person who would have usually already been to the ER because I worry about everything. Good thing I didn't. SO, what did they suggest?

Thank you everyone!!! I have more ideas now thanks to you! I have to say good -bye now, my 8yr old is home from school. And my 15 month old is hungry. See Ya!

Jack- the omlet thing sound good. I am just scared to try eggs again because when I tried it, I had some serious diarreah and nausea. But I could try it one more time. I am thinking that Hot Sause on food at this point is a NO NO. But, I love me some Crystal hot sauce on practically everything. If I take the breading off of fish sticks, are those soft enough to eat at this point, and can I put some lemon, salt, and Crystal on it?

This is really good info. I try not to laugh when I fart, but sometimes it's just too funny seeing the look on my husbands face. He is this tall, musclular black man who hardly ever farts, and I am this short little Mexican. I tell my husband, "Hey it's the beans, I'M Mexican, what can I say." He starts laughing too, but now my 15 month old laughs when he farts. How observent they are. I guess I have to laugh at it otherwise I will only focus on the pain.

Jack- I am so glad that the band is working for you! It's when the obesity has taken over our lives and our health that I fully agree the lap band is a good idea. Good for you!

Are you serious? Wow. You know my left shoulder has been having that tense feeling since the surgery too. Now I know what that is all about. Well I guess I have about another 3 weeks to get rid of this pain then.

Maybe it's the Beans then. I'm Mexican you see, and beans are my life. I will temporarily say good-bye to them and see what happens. I had my band put in on 2/16/05, so I would think that the gas from surgery should be gone by now. But I will try to walk more like you suggested. Hopefully something will work.

I was recommended milk of magnesea and to try Beeno. So far I just tried the milk of magnesea last night and it worked right away. But when I wokd up, I started feeling the pain again. Especially on my lower left side. I took Anatomy and Physiology, so I know that there is really nothing there but the large intestine. Has anyone ever complained of trapped gas with this change in eating?

Thank you so much Alexandra!

Actually my Dr. said those were fine if they were chewed up really good and all liguidy before I swallowed it. They disolve very easy.

P.S. how do I start my own message? What do I click on? I have a lot of questions that may help me out if I get answers.

I can honestly say, "Make sure you have some kind of counceling before hand." I say this because you asked how hard the mental part is. Well, that is the most difficult part of all for me. I got my band on 2/16/05 and cry about every other night. I miss food. I start councelling next week. I realize now how much of a relationship with food I have. For most people it's the hardest problem to overcome. If I could do it again, I wouldn't. I know, I am the only one saying that, but I am 5'1" and 221 pounds. SUre I was 236 day of operation, but I realize now I was not ready mentaly for it. If you can find a workout buddy, go to counceling, eat more salads rather than pasta for example, you may still be able to do this on your own. Try again with every inch of will power you have. Let this be your last resort because although this is reversable, Insurance agencies wont pay to reverse just because you change you mind. That is where I am at right now. So I'm trying to make the best with what I've got, but I do regret it still at this point. Again, this is only my opinion, and as you can see from everyone else, they have mostly positive things to say. I just wanted to make sure you know that it IS possible to do it on your own and at least that way you can enjoy your favorite foods at moderations. There are too many restrictions with the band.

LAY'S POTATO CHIPS! They are a blessing to me! I am only supposed to be on mushy food right now, but those bad boys practically melt in your mouth and very easy to chew. They go down smooth and I was actually able to eat a medium sized bag all to myself. Not that it's a smart decision to eat a high calorie food like that, but I really needed it.

HI Emmy, I too am need that full feeling. I am a stay at home mom as well. I had my band put in on 2/16/05 and will have my first fill in about 3 weeks. At first, I hated feeling full after 2oz of something because I wanted to eat. Now I don't feel that fullness anymore and find my self eating out of boredom. I hope this next fill works for you. If not, It may be slippage. Your doctor I'm sure will be able to figure it out. In the mean time, hang in there.

I have United Health care and I am on the PPO+ medical plan. They are great. They have realy been there for me. They even have a 24 hour nurse line that I can call when I am having pain or diareah or whatever. They are there. My husband works for a wireless phone company and they all seem to have the same insurance. I should be more greatful. I may have come across on other replys from other sections as ungreatful. However, I am scheduled for councelling next week and hopefully it will help me enjoy this experience rather than complain.

It's not just that I can't eat what I want. Obviously for any wieght loss without a band, the person has to eat healthy. But it's the fact that I can't even have a 0 calorie salad if I am haveing cravings for food, because it is still quantity put into a pouch that won't allow it. But what I wrote previously is more about really considering this as a last resort. I honestly feel that if someone is 5'7" 230 pounds, they have a good chance at losing wieht without this band. I was 236 and only 5'2". so I am rounder that a taller person at my weight, but I realize now that I should not have done this. TO answer your question, I am not that angry about the food, I am more upset with myself for focussing too much on getting this whole thing approved and not focussing on my emotional weaknesses. Not everone is going to have this kind of regret that I do, but there are people out there that simply GIVE UP trying to lose weight on their own that they feel this is their only option. AND IT IS NOT!! GOD look at Operah! She finally did it! and she looks fantastic still! and it has been a while. ANd she didn't have any tummy tuck done, that is all her working out that gave her a flat stomach. ANd we all know that she was a BIG lady.

Now these stuggles with food are things to REALLY REALLY consider before surgury. One has to think---"Is this REALLY my only option? OR is it that I just need some important decisions to make about my priorities. AM I just to lazy to get off my fat butt and go to the gym or what?" Because now that I have the band, I have lost 13 pounds since 2/16, but I cry every night because I can't eat what I want. I think "Gosh, If only I knew what I knew now, I would have done things differently." So please please consider this as your LAST resort for those who are considering doing this. This process is ONLY for those who have HONESTLY tried EVERYTHING in thier power to lose weight, not for those who just give up easy or are lazy. I realize now that I was just lazy. My gym is just 1 block away. Seriously 1 block away! NOw how laazy is that? But Also consider that fact that Insurance may pay for it to be done, but they won't pay for it to be removed just becasue you change your mind. So I am stuck with it. Unless they consider emotional unstablity a medical problem with the band and consider to approve a reversal. ANyway, that is just my advice to those who are considering getting the band done. I feel it neccesary to prepare a person on how HARD it can be for some. However, as you may see, others obviously love it.

When your baby mistakes your belly for your breast.

Thanks. I do appreciate encouragement. I have lost about 13 pounds since the lap band was put in. I understand It will work, but I just feel that I may not be able to handle eating only 2 to 4 ounces of food three times a day. I am on mushy food right now, and I just had 3oz of oatmeal at 8:30am and now it is 10:25am and I am so hungry. My stomach is grawling so bad and feels so empty. So I just keep drinking water till it's time to have lunch. I am eating very slow and chewing my food very very well. SO what do I do now?

What is the cost for a fill or unfill? See I don't even have that info. I know my insurance pay up to six for this year, but after that it is all my responsibility.

Hi. I also wondered the same question. I wondered why did I feel like this was all so wonderful for everyone else but not for me. I had my band put in on 2/16 and I hate it. Not to discourage you, but I feel regret. This is so hard for me. I never imagined it would be this difficult. On day 3 after surgery, I had a yeast infection in my MOUTH! I didn't even now that was possible. I was told it is from the antibiotics. Then I had a mild infection in two of my incisions. That is all okay now. But it has been difficult for me because I can't hold my 15 month old as much as I use to because my stomach is still sore. And I know I could take pain medicine still but I nurse my son still and I can't keep taking the meds. I also believe I was not emotionaly ready for this yet. When I met for a pre op phycolagist appointment, she did tell me that my stress and anxiety were considerably high and that I would need counceling after surgery. My thought on that now is...Why the heck did you let me go through with this without counceling before hand?! SO that's my feelings. I want the band out personally. I am 5'2" and 223. I think for some reason I gave up trying and thought to myself-why not try the lap band? There are a lot of people I know who did it and only told me the possitive stories. Now that I had it done, they are like "Oh yeah, I should have told you...." So I am pretty upset.