iluvpalmtrz

I was banded 2 days ago.Things went great! 2 of the nurses who prepped me for surgery had gotten the lap band over a year ago. Both had lost 80+ lbs and looked/felt great. Very reasuring. I was in surgery 1 1/2 hours. From what the Doc says I was in a lot of pain in recovery but once I go the shot of Demerol I felt great. I was up walking around later that day and even visited with another lap patient for 40 minutes. (had to laugh as they put me on the maternity floor due to lack of rooms and as I have a tummy, I looked like I just had a baby! lol even had someone say congrats to me! I smiled and said thanks! lol ). I was able to eat ice chips and sip water and felt fine. The ride home ( over an hour ) was a little rough but the Liquid Pain med took the edge off. I slept on the couch as getting up and down is kinda painful. I have found that an ice pack has helped with the discomfort. Did get minor gas pain in the center of my chest, which I was told was normal. Otherwise I am not in severe pain.I have had chicken broth,water and crystal light. I tried popsicles but they were too sweet ! lol they were even sugar free.Just for kicks I stepped on the scale and found I had lost 3 lbs! I am sure that was alot of fluid but it was a nice surprise. I am so grateful I had done this and am looking forward to a happy and healthier me! This site has been a great source of info as well. I know the post is long but just wanted to pass on my experience!! Michelle

I have been freaking out the last few days as I have had this feeling in my throat like a golfball is sitting there. i was driving homelast night and almost had a panic attack when it felt like my throat closed up for a second. I am able to keep liquids down and ate some fatfree/sugar free pudding with no problem. I have been eating constantly due to some major stresses i am dealing with. I also took too much fiber sure yesterday ( the one you can mix with food and supposed to be non thickening! . I started freaking out thinking I have slipped my band od done something stupid. It is definetly the reality check for me that I had thsi surgery for a reason and not to take it for granted. it has been 2 years and I have lost 130lbs. hopefully I have not done anything to screw it up. I am going to do the liquid thing for a few days and see if that helps. is hard as my Dr is in Maine and I live in orlando. Any tips suggestions you have would be great. thanks! Michelle:cry

AARRGGHH!!!! I had my surgery in Maine 5/17/05 and moved to Orlando, Florida 7/20/05. I have called numerous places and all but one has refused to treat me as I am a liability! the one place that woudl treat me wanted a "program fee" od $ 1,000.00! then the fills would be 150.00 is the dr did it and 75.00 if the nurse did it. I asked what the program fee entailed and was basically a "refresher". Well, I know why I did this and how, I don't feel I need to pay someone that much money to go over it again. I feel like I am being taken advantage of. What happens if you relocate witha pacemaker or other implanted device?? I know that it is basically because the band is so new but still really angers me. I am fortunate enough to have a friend who is a pilot and helps me get back to Maine and then I pay 300.00 cash for my fills. If anyone knows of a reasonable place in Florida who does fills please let me know...Don't care where at this point. Thanks for listening to me vent!:phanvan

When I got my band I had 4 fills covered under my insurance with no co-pay. I moved out of state and changed insurance and now have to pay 500.00 out of pocket. ( was 300.00 but they went up ). I have a Carecredit card that I use just for medical stuff ( thank god! ).

I am just so worried that the port or tubiing with accidently get nicked. I wish I had the $$ to go back to Main and have my band surgeon do for me. Funny, I have become very "possesive" about my band...like it is another appendage. I cannot tell you how worried I was that something had happened to my band. I had myself worked up that it was going to have to be removed and I was going to get fat again...just freaking out. The pain got so bad I had to go to the ER. I am thrilled that my badn is fine. They were very thorough, took lots of xrays and even had me do a barium swallow ( have to say that was cool to watch the liquid go thru my band ) . At least I know my band is exactly where it should be with no issues whatsoever. I'll get thru this as well. From what I here the recovery period is better then when banded. ( And that was not so bad for me )...I'll keep you posted as well...

I see the surgeon tomorrow to schedule my GB surgery. Horrible attack Saturday night and spent 13 hours in ER. Pain finally went away and no fever so I asked to go home as I need to organize work, kids, hubby ect. I had my surgeru in another state before I moved to Florida. I am more scared of the surgeon hitting my band/port.Tubing then I am of anything else. But I also do not to ever have another attack like I did the other night. OMG it was awful. I had requested they take my GB at the time of banding ( 16 months ago ) but they refused as ins would not cover! go figure! I am sooooo thankful it was my GB andnot a problem with my band as I had thought. very scary!

It has been 1 year 3 months and I am also experiencing intermittent port pain. I find the things that irritate it the worst are snug waistbands, long periods sitting at a pc, lying on that side and sometimes during intercourse. ( more the pressure from above ). Sorry to be graphic but want to be honest. It is usually more of annoyance then horrible pain. I find if I change positions, get up and move around and try on ALL pants/skirts before buying helps. I have lost 108lbs and this is a small inconvenience compared to the big picture. But sometimes I freak myself out thinking something serious is going on and stress about ever having my band removed...silly I know, but human. Good luck!

I am feeling down as well. I have lost 106lbs in 14 months. I feel/look like a new person. I was invited to a party at a luxurios hotel with a gay friend of mine who works for a record company. (it's a party for records industry people- not a frat party! ) My husband became very upset stating that I should not be going to parties without him. He is beyond worried that "all the men will be looking at you". He is very uncomfortable with the extra attention I get. I have told him That won't stop and he is going to have to learn to deal with it. We had some issues befoore but the insecurity/jealousness is beginning to frustrate me. Counseling is a maybe but not sure if it will help. I have also had 2 friends who have had weight loss surgery and have gotten divorced. I just know I feel overwhelmed right now.... Thanks for listening and thanks for the wonderful advice everyone has to offer! hugs!

I had my surgery in Maine and at that time my insurance would cover any fills I needed. I since relocated to Florida and my insurance does not cover anything to do with obesity ( nice huh! ). I have kept my DR and when I fly home to see my family I get my fill ( a previous boyfriend is a pilot so I luckily fly home for free). My fills are now $300.00. I went 6 months between the last one. I rationoalize this by the huge decline in my grocery bill so it truly evens out cost wise. I also have a "Care Credit" card that I am able to charge my fills on- low interest rate and I keep for medical bills...Best of luck to you!

This may seem silly but when I get "stuck" on a plateau I put myself on liquids for 2 days then mushies for 2 then slowly back to regular food. (kinda like after a fill ) this has always worked for me. just a thought! Good luck!!!

Hi! I relocated to Central Florida and it has been hell to find a fill dr who does not think of me as a "liability" due to not having done my surgery! AARRG! I have finally located a place that will do my fills. Jacksonville Health Center 904-399-4004. They do require an initial vistit which is 200.00 out of pocket unless your ins will cover ( most do ). I have to self pay for my fills as my insurance will only cover the exam and that's it. The fill price quoted to me was 150.00 which I thought was great as I was paying 300.00 back in Maine!! they were wonderful to talk to and got me in within a few weeks-( scheduled fill is 5/10 ). Hope that helps! Michelle

Just FYI that GNC usually has a counter in the back for products that expire in the next 3/6 months. I have had great luck with powders as well as bars.It's a ncie way to try things and not pay full price. As for baby food, I love it ( Yeah I'm weird! ). Even now 8 months out ( and 82lbs lighter! ) I still will do this once in awhile for lunch. The Beechnut chicken w/chicken broth has 8 grams of Protein in a 2 oz jar! It tastes just like chicken but the consistency is different. The baby rice & oatmeal banana Cereal mixes well with protein powder as well.. Best of luck and I can truly say that this is THE BEST thing I have ever done! 82lbs in 8 months and from a size 30/32 to 16/18! Oh Yeah!! Michelle

I had my surgery on 5/17/05 in Maine. I relocated out of state 7/05. As nobody would take me on ( as they state I am a liability ) I have kept my Dr. ( who I love! ). My fills are 300.00...kinda pricey compared to what I have seen. My insurance-Cigna- was not covering anything to due with weight loss surgeries but I requested we try to see if anything would be approved as they are always changing. Well, I got great news stating not only would they cover my fill scheduled for December but would also pay for my fill in August! I was beyond happy! I had my fill in December and a week later I received a call from the office that Cigna was having to do an authorization. Come to find out the office misunderstood and told me I was approved when I was not. I had checked with them numerous times before I flew home to confirm this was covered and was told yes definetly. I just received word that Cigna has now denied both fills. I knew that may happen but I thought it was very unprofessional for the office to tell me I was all set when I was not. ( I have also had a different problem with my forst fill ). I am frustrated that I am considered a liability! What about people with pacemakers, colostomy bags, ect who relocate?? Ok, I will calm down! Sorry to have to vent...has anyone else dealt with this??

I have horrible knee probelms. The knee caps do not track properly and surgery has been discussed. I was told to lose weight and that would help ( but not fix ) the problem as it is genetic. Well it has been 6 weeks and I have lost 34 pounds and my knees seem to be WORSE now then before. I was so hopeful that losing the weight would help! Is it because things are shifting around?? Has anyone else experienced this? Michelle

I had my first fill yesterday ( 8 weeks post op ) and it hurt. The Dr had a hard time finding my port and I told him it is easier to locate when I stand up and offered to stand up for the fill. Well he had to route around a bit. that hurt! He was finally able to locate the port and I recv'd 5cc's. I drank the required water before I left the office ( only gurgled a small bit ). he sd to be on fluids for 2 days and then move to soft foods.. I will admit I am very nervous about this and will take it very slow...I do like baby food ( yes, I am weird ) so I think I will start with that....had anyone else had a fill that was painful? Glad I don't have another for 8 weeks :0)! ( Oh I have the Inamed band that holds 10ccs )..

Thanks for the info guys! I am feeling better today and have had some pureed baby food ( 4oz at lunch ) and I also had 2 oz of baby banana oatmeal for breakfast. I am gurgling which I know is normal and my stomach feels kinda queasy but not bad. I am so excited by all of this and was thrilled to see 260 on the scale this am!!! Off to my support group for one last time before I move to Florida Monday!

I hear you on the bloated pregnancy look!! As there were no regular surgical rooms available at the hospital where I had my surgery, I was put on the maternity floor. As I was walking around the halls with my swollen tummy and pushing my IV pole, a man smiled at me and said "congratulations". I just smiled and said thanks! I am sure he wondered why I started laughing!! LOL

33 lbs in 6 weeks~I feel great and have started "solid" foods....my first fill is scheduled for 7/11/05. Best decision I have ever made!!

I am so very sorry...I lost my collie Sandy after 10 1/2 years..my first daughter was 6 months old when I got her. It broke my heart the day I had to put her to sleep due to a massive uterine infection. I had her cremated and she is in an urn so she can travel with me whereever I go. It will be awonderful day when I see her again. Gunnar was a beautiful dog! Boxers are truly loving loyal pets. I have been fortunate to meet many of them as my friend helps run a Boxer Rescue. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

wha hoo! I have lost another 4 lbs! I really pushed the water and protein and almost died when I got on the scale and sd I now weigh 267! I could cry I am so happy..spent last night trying on more clothes that now fit.. what a great feeling. I am learning with this not to get so discouraged and to take my time. It took YEARS for this weight to come on and will take time to take it off. thank you for all your support!

OK, I have read the other posts about plateaus and that they are to be expected...but I am soooo frustrated that the scale has not changed in 3 weeks. I was banded on 5/17 and proceed to lose 27lbs in no time. I DO see changes in parts of my body ( went from a 44DDD to a 40DD ) but don't want to lose all of it there! ...do plateauas last a certain amount of time as a rule? Does going back to liquids for 24/72 hours REALLY work? thanks for any suggestions...

hhhmmm, today I have had- banana/oatmeal CerealRDT Protein drinkHonest Tea-PeppermintBeechnut Turkey/rice-veggiesBeechnut-sweet potatoesw/w choc mousse popRDT Protein DrinkBeechnut Chix & Stars 10 grams of fat, 767 calories, 81 grams of protein, 48oz of Water ( and still drinking ) and I have not had my first fill yet.. is scheduled for 7/11/05...thanks for responding!

It has been 3 weeks 2 days since surgery. I have lost 27 lbs total and have not lost any in 5 days. I am feeling kinda lighheaded today adn a little woozy. I am taking in approx 20-25 grams of Protein a day and I believe I am supposed to get close to 60 per day. I am thinking this is why i am feeling kinda wiped today. I usually have one Protein Drink a dat ( Atkins ) but just took 15 minute and had 1...and will try to have another full one this afternoon. I have a friend who had the surgery the same day as me and he is already eating tunafish and eggs....I am just starting to eat banana baby Cereal ( which is actually very good )....I am taking too long to progress to mushies? Is it normal to feel wiped out every few days? I do have to say I sleep better at night then I ever have....except when I wake up on my stomach and port hurts....any suggestions / experiences anyone can offer would be appreciated.... funny, I feel kinda down today....like I want to go snuggle under the covers adnhave a good cry... :0(

I am feeling so much better now. I picked up some delicious Advant Edge Cappuccino Protein drinks.. they are awesome..they also have cafe caramel. 100 calories, 3 grams of fat and 15 grams of protein. I also picked up some baby food ( love the stuff ) and had chicken and sweet potato for lunch. Just the right size ( 4 oz ) and filled me up! I am now up to 37 grams for protein today. I will also try and put some of the powdered whey protein in my yogurt and pudding ( great idea !! ).. I did s/w my Dr office and they sd my body has gone into starvation mode due to the low calories ( I get approx 200-500/day ) and the lack of protein...I am getting back on track with this... Thanks again for the support!! Michelle

I get approx 32ox of water a day...I did just drink 11 oz of protein shake in 15-20 minutes....I feel slightly nauseous and has some "back up"..( burped and had a little bit come up ) sorry to be so gross...according to my booklet I am not supposed to start "soft" proteins until week 5. I am concerendthat if I am drinking 2 protein shakes I am getting 18 grams of fat! that worried me. I did try the carb solutions at 4grams of fat each but they tasted awful! I also have the whel protein poweder but that is gross as well... thanks for the support I appreciate it...