Cocoabean

Hi NYC Gal, A jump of 3cc is pretty big. You could be having trouble adjusting, or there could be some swelling that needs to go down. That much of a jump may be why you have such stringent instructions for the after fill diet. When I get a fill my surgeon draws the Fluid out to check the amount already in the band and then puts it back in along with the amount in the syringe that he planned to add. I have never received more than 1.5cc at a fill. My after fill instructions are liquids for the remainder of that day and then back to solids the next day. Now I can eat about 2-3 oz of meat and a small side dish of about 1/2 to 1 cup of salad and a small bit of veggies. If I eat slowly and take small bites I can eat without trouble or pain. I was overfilled once and I could barely get liquids down. When that happens it is time for a slight unfill. I had 0.5cc removed and it made a dramatic difference. The band is not meant to be a device of torture. If you can't get liquids down, you will rapidly get dehydrated. You need nutrition. I don't get my fills under fluoro, so I cannot say if the amount of barium would equal a meal for certain, but I can't really imagine how it could be. Maybe someone else can say for sure. Right after a fill, my surgeon has me sip some water to be sure it will go down. He says if I am gurgling and burping, then we need to take some out right then. Hope this helps.

Most surgeons don't do a fill until around 6 weeks out. Yours might be different. As to whether or not to fill: My surgeon and I always have a discussion when I go in about what and how much I am eating, and how much I am losing. Based on that information we (well--I suppose he) decide if I am to get a fill and how much. I have never gone in expecting to get a fill and have him say no.

I was soooo happy when I made it through the pre-op! After I woke up my hubby told me my surgeon said it showed I did well on the pre-op because my liver was nice and small and easy to get around. How nice that was to hear! Way better than worrying that I'd wake up with no band! I read of a person on a different board whose liver split in two during RNY! I'd think that could be a very dangerous situation. Shrinking the liver helps to make it more flexible for the surgery so that won't happen. You can do it! Keep your focus on your health. This time really sucks, and you have to power through it. Be strong and remember why you have fought so hard to get to where you are right now.

This all makes sense, and sounds reasonable. Which probably means the insurers are looking for ways out! :thumbup: What isn't reasonable is three hands! :smile2: I did read a post here of someone who needs her band removed, her doc wants to revise to RNY. Insurance will pay for the removal as it is medically necessary. If she does the revision at the same time, her surgeon charges a revision fee of around $1100.00. I know that my insurance specifically says it will not cover a second WLS procedure. I do wonder if my surgeon does something like this, though. If my band did -need- to come out, I'd want to revise to RNY or get a new band, and I'd want it at the same time...if the insurance will pay for the OR and the anesthesia--too cool! I found that an interesting way of going about it.

You know, that rings a bell about treatment being covered if the complication treatment is medically needed (i.e. life threatening). Shoot, my researching was over two years ago now. My memory isn't that good. Sheesh! :frown:

If it isn't painful, you should be OK. I think of the band opening as a funnel. Add liquid to it and if it going in too fast, then it pools at the top and filters down through. It won't hurt the funnel, it just takes a while to drain. But sometimes you'll see bubbles come up through the liquid. That would be the burps and gurgles we get. When we drink slower, like adding liquid slowly through a funnel, it drains down in an even stream.

I suppose I should add--that if I do more than sip with a meal, it comes up in an odd gurgling sensation. Not pretty. So when I do have some liquid with a meal, it is not a huge amount that will mix with the food to make it a liquid consistency and flush through the band quicker. Just some clarification, and as always, do what YOUR doctor says. Mine did not give me the no liquids with a meal law and my experimentation doesn't show that I get hungrier with the amount of liquids I take in with my meal. YMMV.

I have some milk with my dinner, which is my last food of the day. My surgeon knows about it, and is not against a little liquid with meals. He's not crazy about me having liquids with calories, but it is a habit I don't want to break. It's about 1 cup of 1% a day. I figure I can live with that.

Thanks for the response! My insurance says it only covers one bariatric surgery per customer. I know they would cover a medically neccesary removal. Not sure about the revision. Maybe something like what you say, I would have to pay the revision fee. I hope all goes well for you and you are able to reach a decision that is right for you. I especially hope you are able to maintain the weight you have lost and stay healthy. I do worry about the possibility of my band needing to come out some day. I hope not, but it is nice to know what the options are.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! Mashed potatoes never tasted so good as the day I could eat mushies! It does get better!

Elfie Poo, you're doing about a pound a week. That is darned good. Especially for not feeling good restriction yet! Woohoo!! I averaged less than a pound a week when I was actively losing.

Hi Hotdog, I'd do a bypass if I had to have my band removed. I know I would not be able to keep the weight off. I have never been able to in the past, and I doubt I could do it now. I am curious though, will your insurance cover the revision to bypass while removing the band? Thanks!

It is funny how when we are gaining no one says, "oh, how much have you gained?" But start losing, and it is a free for all. You are absolutely correct that it is really no one's business how much you have lost, or if you had surgery, or how you are losing it. I believe for most people asking it is genuine happiness for us, and wanting to cheer us on. But some people can ask questions that are out of bounds. There is a thread here that speaks to comments that sting that are passed off as compliments.

Oh, here's another idea for the jewelry lover during weight loss phase. Buy a ring that fits. Wear it and love it. It gets too big, move to right hand (mine is a bit bigger than my left hand) or to a larger finger, and get a new ring that fits! Building the jewelry wardrobe is fun! But expensive. :thumbup: I am also considering having several rings melted down to create a brand new ring in my new size.

I love it! Not my style, but I DO love it! :thumbup:

Oh, I cannot eat chicken breast at all. EVER, nope, I don't even try it any more. I can eat dark meat, but not breast meat.

You could say that your surgeon wants you to only weigh in when you are at his office for post-op appointments, but that your clothes feel looser. Thus, you haven't been on a scale in a while.

I have used the snuggies. I have also had them slip off the ring, then had the ring slip off my finger. So keep a close eye on them. I went from a size 6 to a 4.5 on my left hand. Also now I can barely get my rings over my knuckles, but they still spin. So I am in search of an eternity band that can spin away and still show diamonds all the time! HiMow, CONGRATS! Whatchu doin' on the computer?!?!?! :thumbup:

Thank you for the post about your experience. I am sorry the band did not work out for you. Hopefully you can keep up with good habits and maintain the weight that was so painfully lost. I am happy you are feeling better!

Tweety, my bet is that 2 cups is not a big deal, but I understand your fears! Just be certain to stick with the pre-op for the remainder of the time! Part of me thinks the surgeons expect we will cheat. They know we suffer from Last Meal-itis during this time. They also know most of us are food addicts, and are dealing with many issues during the pre-op time! At the same time, I am not recommending you should lie about it...maybe he won't ask

I did not notice much of a difference after my first fill. But even now, with good restriction, I could come pretty close to finishing a Smart One, some days, I probably could.

Hi Tweety, How much did you eat? It sounds like it was one meal. My bet would be that it is OK, but fess up to your surgeon to be sure. I doubt you are the first to mess up on the pre-op diet. Some surgeons don't even require a pre-op diet. But as yours did, admit what happened and let the doc decide the best way to proceed. Best wishes!

Hi There! I eat normally before a fill and then do liquids for the remainder of that day. Then back to normal the next day. My surgeon is pretty conservative on fills.

My surgeon requires the patient to have quit, and runs the test to cofirm. If you haven't quit, he cancels the surgery. My hubby used Zyban when he quit, which is the prescription medicine welbutrin. It really helped him, you might ask about it. He had tried several times on his own. This was the only thing that worked for him. He is now several years smoke free. The use of it was temporary. Best wishes!

Good point, and yes, we do. The band does not remove head hunger. I still fight the desire for junk food every day. But, the band assists me in the fight by helping control my physical hunger. When my physical hunger is satisfied, I can better fight the head hunger. I can also make better choices for my meals. Someone up thread mentioned about feeling restriction with chicken and other meats but none with salads and soups. This is normal. Salads and soups are not as solid as meats. They will go through the band faster, and thus not sustain you as long. I think of the band like a funnel. Put clear Water in it and it goes through very quickly. Put something like ground chicken in it and it will go down very slowly. Which will stay in the funnel longer?