KD8888

I agree it sounds a lot like reflux. Some nights I would just wake up uncomfortable and some night I would actually wake up with with nasty stuff in my mouth. Neither I nor the doctor thought I was overfilled because I could eat anything. I could eat chicken, steak, all the things many people have problems with. It got so bad, I was eating Tums and Nexium all day. Finally, the doctor decided to unfill me for a month. I did not need Tums or Nexium even once after -- not once. When I was refilled (only half of what I had before) I lost 10 lbs almost immediately. I hadn't lost any for at least 2 months before. I hope this is not what you are going through, but if it turns out that you need a slight or complete unfill, don't let that discourage you. It is possible to maintain during an unfill if you are careful about what you eat and it is only temporary. Good luck.

I was off a full week after surgery. I recoup pretty well, but I don't think I could have gone back to work as quick as you did. I was feeling pretty good at home 5 days post op. You should start to notice a difference within a few days. Just take things as easy as you can. When you go to the doctor tomorrow. Be sure to ask what to eat. I'm sure they will tell you, but just incase they don't, ask. I was able to move to full liquids at your stage. Most doctors give the first fill around 6 weeks post op. I didn't gain weight during this time, but I didn't lose much either. If you haven't started logging your food on one of the online sites (fitday, dailyplate, sparkpeople and I'm sure there are more) this is a good time to start. You will get hungry soon (I was hungry from the time I walked in the door from surgery) but if you record and make good selections, you should be able to maintain or at least keep the weight gain to a minimum. I hope you're feeling better soon.

I was banded 9/07 as well. You didn't say what the small stuff she is nibbling on is. If it is healthy food including Protein and vegtables, I'm not sure there is a problem. My desire for food has changed. I don't want large portions like I used to. I'd rather nibble on something small as opposed to going to a restaurant and getting a meal that is way too much food for one person. I do make good choices for the most part though. Sometimes I nibble because I know I need to eat, but nothing sounds good. Unless your wife seems obsessed with not eating or is eating junk, I don't think I'd be too concerned. Congratulations on your weight loss.

I agree, it is your sister who has the problem. Don't let her unhappiness bring you down. That is what she wants. I'd just avoid her for now. You need to stay positive. You don't have to avoid her children since they are old enough to come to your house on their own. If they bring up their mother, you can listen (although you may not want to) and not comment. Even though they are close to you, they may tell her any comments you make. Congratulations on getting banded. By the way, I'm almost 1 year out now. Only 2 people know and I'm glad I only shared it with people who I knew I could trust. Good luck with your journey.

Congrats on your date. I'm having LBL and BL 8/13. I'm trying to stay busy and not think about it too much. I am getting nervous though.

Dr. Schulman, Thank you for the info on how much training a PS has vs. eye doctor. I was definitely not comfortable with upper eyelid surgery from an eye doctor. The rest of the story is that it is for my husband who has difficutly hearing (not the selective kind of problem). He may not have communicated our intension to have the surgery by my plastic surgeon. My husband has not had the consult with the PS yet. I just knew that he needed certain testing before insurance would approve. My PS's office does participate with our insurance, so he can submit the results once we have them. For some odd reason, the eye doctor's office didn't do the testing while he was there, they scheduled another appointment. Thanks again.

Dr. Schulman, Could you give your opinion as to the pros/cons of upper eyelid surgery by a PS vs. eye doctor. The plan was to have it done by the PS, but when the tape test (not sure of proper terminology) was requested of the eye doctor, he started talking about submitting the info to the insurance company and that he could do the surgery. Thanks.

You haven't failed. Get to the doctor for your fill. It may take a while to get to the right fill level, but this is what will help you control your appetite. Until you get there, try to make the best food choices that you can. Before I started my journey, I ate way too many carbs (mostly sweets and that type of junk.) I really have changed the way/what I eat. Sometimes when I want something, I go to the fridge and just stand there trying to figure out "what is the best choice I can make given what I've already had to eat that day." Sometimes I just close the fridge without getting anything, sometimes I pick the best choice and occasionally I make a bad choice. It happens to most of us. Strive to make the best choice most of the time and it will soon become a habit. Most of all, don't beat yourself up if you do make a bad choice. Just get back on track with your next meal. If you eat Protein first, it really will help you stay on track. Also have plenty of no calorie drink choices (of course don't drink them with your meals.) If you like sweets, something that helps me is a Water called AquaCal. It comes in many different flavors. It's good and it's sweet, but most of all it has no calories or carbonation and has some added Calcium. One 16 oz. bottle usually cures my sweet tooth. Good luck.

Salsa, I've been thinking of you all week. Best wishes tomorrow. I'll be checking in to see how you are doing.

I was the only one pushing it. I really thought I'd have the weight off by now, but I was having problems with my band several months ago and had to have an unfill and the weight loss slowed. I definitely want to be healthy and not put myself at increased risk of complications when I have the surgery, so I needed to hear what you thought. No problem with the tough love here! Thanks again.

Dr. Schulman, I'm scheduled for a BL and LBL 8/13. I'm starting to worry that I won't have enough weight off before the surgery. I carry most of my weight in my upper stomach area which is significantly reduced, but I still have a little more fat there than in the abdomen. How close to goal do I need to be to get a good result? If I am not ready in August, I will need to move the surgery to December, but that poses another problem, so I'd really like to be able to be ready in August. I have increased my workouts and I could add a morning walk on the treadmill. Do you have any recommendations regarding caloric intake/restriction with such a surgery coming up? Thank you for information and suggestions.

I'd show up at their office and try to get things scheduled. While I was there, I'd ask for a copy of all the test results. If you don't have luck getting scheduled while you are there, I'd take all of those results to another doctor's office and explain that you have had all this work done and you'd like to get scheduled for surgery and ask if you can get on their schedule and get them to submit the paperwork to your insurance. If your doctor's office won't get you copies of the test results, go to the facilities where you had the studies and get them yourself. Since you've are so far in the process now, it maybe easier to stay where you are, but it isn't over after surgery. You will have follow up appointments and fill appointments for some time. You need to feel comfortable with whatever doctor you choose. Good luck.

Mine was approved in 2 days. I called the 4th day and learned it was approved. I probably received the letter the 6th day.

What you need to get him to do is get your sleep study and your 2 evaluations scheduled asap. You won't get insurance approval until they have the test results. They should be able to tell you which hospital(s) the doctor performs the surgery, but the date won't likely be set until after you have approval. By the way, I think BCBS does have specific info available. You may need to speak to someone else. I have a different BCBS, but they directed me to a specific website address that gave all the particulars. I was also required to complete a 6 month medically supervised diet prior to approval.

I had severe reflux, but no other symptoms. I was unfilled for 5 weeks, then refilled. No problems now. What you are describing with your stomach and abdomen I have never encountered. It is possible it is not band related, but I agree you should contact your doctor to be sure. Let us know what you find out.

I think it depends on the surgeon and the area you live. Call your doctor's office and ask what the cash price for those procedures would be. By the way, I'd be interested to know what you needed to say as well.

JennR, Since you mention this happens mostly at lunch, if you're like me, you're eating too quickly or the bites are too large or both. Like some of the others mentioned, soup does work - I used to add some Protein powder (chicken flavored or unflavored unjury.) Soup does get old fast if you are relying on it for very long though. Now I just keep soup and Protein Powder at work for times when I don't want to go out. If you are bringing food from home, you might run your meat through your blender and make a chicken, beef, ham salad, etc. by adding a little mayo, pickle or whatever you like. If you do better with it already cut up for you by the blender, that might be an indication that your bites were too big or you weren't chewing well enough. If that doesn't seem to help, you may need a partial unfill. I had some problems similar to Terri. I didn't think I was too tight because I could eat everything as long as I chewed well. My problem was severe reflux for about three months, during which time I did not lose even one pound. Even though I convinced my doctor that I wasn't too tight because I could eat anything, he unfilled me for five weeks. The reflux was gone as soon as I left his office. After five weeks, I was refilled to half where I was before the problem. I do have good restriction with this fill level. This may have nothing to do with your situation, but I mention it as something to watch for.

Thank you Dr. Schulman. I'm so glad I asked. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures.

Dr. Schulman, I’m having a belt lipectomy and breast lift in a couple months. The doctor suggested injecting some of the fat from my abdomen or hips into my buttocks. I’ve heard of injecting fat into other areas, but I haven’t seen much info. Is this typically successful? Where could I learn more about it? Thank you.

I have no medical training, so this suggestion is only from what I remember of my experience, but if you came home with a little device to breathe into, I'd suggest you continue using that for a couple weeks longer. I wasn't able to take deep breaths when I came home and that really helped. You might want to give your doctor's office a call to see what they suggest or to determine if you need to be examined sooner than your follow up appointment. I do remember having a pain in one area of my chest for a longer period. It was more like a sore muscle. Good luck and congratulations on being banded.

I've had some similar experiences. They have typically happened in the evening when I'm at home (I think I'm more careful when I'm out in public.) Like Terry suggested, I find the most relief when I lay down. It usually takes a couple hours before I really feel better (my guess is the time it take for the food to digest.)

This is my plan. Please tell me if it is totally unrealistic. I have around 48 or slightly less to my goal, which is 10 lbs. less than my doctor’s goal. I have lost a little over 1 lb/week. I was averaging a little more weight loss until the last month. I got out of the routine of logging my food. As a result, I have not lost as much as I could have this past month. I’m logging again now and working on making it a routine. I’ve started looking into PS and have been following many of your journeys. I am planning BL with TT or possibly a LBL. I was originally thinking I’d like to have it done in December. I’m now thinking I’d like to have PS in August (around mid month, which is 21 - 22 weeks away.) I have met with one PS who thinks it is realistic if I can get closer to goal. I meet with another this coming Tuesday. Obviously, PS in August would require me to plan and get serious about what I eat as well as to substantially increase my exercise. For those of you who have PS experience, is August too soon for PS with the amount of weight I still need to lose? Any insight is appreciated.

OMG! I'd have wanted to kill her too! I hope you didn't pay much for that "oh so helpful" advice. I called my band doc to ask who they recommended. I really liked the PS they recommended. I had a second consult with another guy, but I think I like the first one better. Why don't you try calling your band surgeon for a recommendation. Keep me posted.

Kate, I'm planning to be off 2 weeks as well. The doctor said I should be able to go back then. I have more time, but I really don't want to be out any longer than 2 weeks if at all possible. What was disappointing about your consults?

Thanks Julie and Nina. I'm going to shoot for August.