Cocoabean

You are only four days post-op. Don't regret it yet! You need to heal. The shoulder pain is the gas they use to fill the abdomen so they can see what they are doing inside. Gas-x will help it to dissipate, as will walking. Gas-x sounds odd, as the gas is in your shoulder, not your digestive tract...but it will help. It will also help the burp issue. A heating pad did wonders for me. It was my best friend for a week. Keep taking your pain meds, don't let the pain get ahead of you. When you get to level 3 of 10 take another dose. That is what it's for. You should start "turning the corner" and feeling better tomorrow or the next day. If you had a hiatal hernia repair with your banding, a bit longer.

I make that face when I get stuck. It helps, really it does! But first I have "the look" as my husband calls it. You might be pulling a stitch. As scar tissue forms, it should get better. Unless you have a Realize Band, that port uses clamps not stitches, but the scar tissue still holds true. Hope you are feeling better soon!!

My surgeon allowed me to go from clears to full liquids on day three, then regular foods as tolerated at one week. that was 4 years ago, though. And that was after talking to him at the three day mark, and seeing him at one week post-op. Have you not been given any feedback at all from his office? I think I'd go for the toppings of the pizza if they are somewhat mushy. Take small bites and chew like crazy. But that is me!!

My stomach is fine. I have a bit of bat wings, but not so bad that I "need" plastics. Sleeves cover it just fine. I'll never wear tank tops, but oh well. I have scars on my forearms that I prefer to keep covered most times anyways. Insurance won't generally cover my issue. Sometimes it will cover abdominal skin if its removal is for medical needs, like infection where it rubs. I carried my fat everywhere, I always had a small waist (proportionally speaking!), and my upper arms were large-ish. You can sort of see it in my avatar photo. A lot depends on where you hold your fat deposits, how much you have to lose, your age, and genetics. Rate of weight loss really does not affect how your skin bounces back, according to my surgeon. I have before and after pics on my profile..but nothing showing my skin. You can see my shape, though.

Liquids won't stretch your pouch. It actually takes a lot of work to do so. Liquids leave the pouch pretty quickly. Think of a funnel. Unless it is totally closed on the bottom, the fluid will drain out in fairly short order.

You still get all the credit! I would not have looked for it without you posting it.

I am curious, is this the old owner of practice doing the billing or the new owner? As in, is the new owner going back through the records and billing for services provided by the person he bought the practice from, and perhaps the original owner has no knowledge? I have no vested interest in this issue, but find fraud horrifying.

http://all-about-lapband.com/post-op/fill-chart.html Found it!!

You don't have to have a formalized program. Just be more active. Park at the far side of the parking lot for starters. If you have a desk job, when ever you print something walk a few steps further before picking up the document. When you get your mail, walk half your block first. I hate exercise, too!

Be aware, too, that band after-care is not cheap. The band is not a set it and forget it process. Fills cost money. Some places charge upwards of $300 for a fill. Banding has a higher rate of re-operation than bypass or sleeve. Any time you have an implanted medical device, there's a risk of it having a complication. Many surgeons include fills for the first year in their fees. That will take care of most of them. But I've had 2 fills and am considering a slight unfill since my 1 year mark. I don't say this to discourage you from being banded. I love my band, but to give you what you need to make an informed decision.

Your band may not be as tight as others' as well. If you are losing well, not getting stuck, and feeling satisfied, then you are doing it right! What others are eating is not the best measure. Until my last fill I could eat about 1 1/2 to 2 cups total. Then suddenly about a month ago this fill tightened up to where I can only eat a few bites. I tell you what, I don't like it. I am getting stuck quite often. I am scheduling an appointment to perhaps have a bit taken out.

Oxy is a narcotic, there are many. Yes, the are by prescription, but my PCP understands that I am not to take NSAIDs continuously. They can cause constipation. Just offering up alternatives.

Well done! Thanks for sharing!

Not all surgeons require one for all patients. Be happy! Rest up and we look forward to seeing you on the losers' bench!

Can you see your coverage online? I have BCBS California Acess H M O. I can enter my member # online and log in to see exactly what my coverages are. http://www.anthem.com/wps/portal/ca/member?content_path=member/f1/s0/t0/pw_a103465.htm&label=Member%20Home That is the portal for Anthem BCBS, it has a link to login or register. Take a look at what your coverage is, exactly. It may be different if you use in-network vs. out-of-network. It also appears that your surgeon must have privileges at a Center of Excellence. http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm That is Anthem's Medical Policy for bariatric surgery. Best wishes!

Are you talking about during a 6 month supervised diet or the 2 week pre-op?

My doc puts a tiny shot of lidocaine in. It stings just a bit, then I feel a bit of pressure with the fill needle. I've used the cream for other procedures before. I think it would be overkill for a fill. The needle used for a fill is just teensy tiny.

Whenever I travel I tend to get tighter, no matter the mode. I think it is just the stress of traveling that does it. I have, however, gone through the full body scanner with no issue. In case you were wondering

He will not put a stitch in it. I had an incision on my foot open after surgical stitches were removed. They just slapped a bandaid on it and said they only put stitches in fresh wounds of less than 24 hours.

You have to love it when a doctor won't listen to you, don't you? When do you see the new doctor? I hope it works out for you!

Does your school offer any type of counselling? You need to find other ways of coping with your emotions. There are other skills you can learn. If you have insurance, it might cover it, also. You don't have to suffer. See if you can get help!

Hiatal hernia repair does make the recovery harder. The first few days are the worst, you should be turning the corner now. Use a heating pad for the shoulder pain. It really helps. Walk, walk, walk as much as you can. That will help the gas disperse. As will gas-x strips. Hope you feel back to normal soon!!

I have had liquids upset the balance of my meal and cause a stuck! Before I reached a certain level of restriction I could drink with meals and noticed no difference. But now, if I drink while eating, it is almost a sure-fire method to get stuck. So, I almost always have a glass of Water at the table, I just cannot seem to break the habit, but I never touch it. Aversion therapy does, indeed, work.

My surgeon doesn't have a problem with carbonation as our digestive system is not a closed system, the gas will escape. The problem is that it can be an uncomfortable process. For me, soda is too carbonated. I'll sip it sometimes, but usually it gives me the hiccups. yuck! Beer I am generally OK with. The thing with alcohol and non-diet soda to remember is calories. Diet soda can increase your appetite due to the chemicals in it.

Was just popping back in to say narcotic pain relief is another option. Does nothing for inflamation, but is an option. I see someone beat me to it!