Sylvia

I'm approaching my banding birthday. In fact, I see my surgeon on my exact anniversary. I'd like to take the staff a small token of my appreciation for the new life I have received. Brownies seem somehow inappropriate:biggrin1: But I would like to take something. I'm fairly handy, but can't think of anything crafty to take so I'm wondering if any of you have any ideas. Or am I just silly to think of giving a Thank You to them.

I've only read one page, but am I really the only one with it in the middle. Right above my belly button. It's funny though, I don't think the port has shifted, but it seems like it was closer to my belly button right after surgery.

Thanks Guys, You've offered some great suggestions. Going with the crafty theme, I've found a cross stitch project that if there is time, I might try. That may have to wait until later. It says something like, Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels. I haven't gotten to the "thin" feeling yet, but I think it will be something to remind all the weight loss patients that we're getting there. I thought it might be a good thing to put in the room where we get weighed. :biggrin1: Since it is unlikely that I will be able to finish it in time for my anniversary, I will probably use some of your great ideas. Thanks so much, Sylvia

Okay, I'm going to try to do a brief synopsis, but I may not make the brief part. We'll see. I was banded on August 9, 2005. From the time I started on solids I have had some issues. Now, even liquids are causing a problem. I have been given four or five adjustments and have had 1.5 ccs added to my band. Here's what happens. Once upon a time, even with the band, I could sometimes eat an unlimited amount of some foods. Other times even a couple of bites would cause extreme pain. Once I have the pain, I continue to slime until it passes or until I bring up whatever is in me. Nowadays, even soup can cause a problem. Hardlly anything works. I'm probably going in next week for an adjustment, because I have got to be able to eat. But, I'm wondering, what are the signs of band erosion. Was my band placed wrong, is it just my body's reaction to the restriction. I don't know anybody else with the band, so I have no one to compare to. I don't even know what is considered a normal amount of food to eat. Maybe I'm just trying to put too much into me. But I thought that I would feel full once I had the proper restriction. I know these are complcated questions, but I'm getting frustrated. I'm almost always either hungry or in pain. Sometimes both. Thanks for your help.

I forgot to mention that I did call my surgeon and I have an appointment for an adjustment on Wednesday. Wednesday is the only day they see WLS patients. I was not aware that I was supposed to wait between PBing and trying to eat again. If I did that, I would stay on mushies 98% of the time. As it is, as I said, even mushies are giving me problems these days. I would never lose any weight if I stay on liquids because I would never ever feel like I had enough of any thing. Regular liquids go right through the band. I can drink a gallon of water. Thanks for the advise.

Eating too much. I don't think so. Usually, two or three bites is the most I can get before I start hurting and then I'm hurting until I bring it all back up or enough time passes. Usually, that takes two or three hours. And all that time I'm sliming. Sorry for the gross out. I am grateful for the information. I have had no real idea how much I should be able to eat at one time. Since my surgery sometimes some things bother me very quickly. The next time I will do fine with the same thing. I have not been able to eat what I would consider a normal meal for a bander since January. I have not had a fill since March and that was only to put back in what was taken out in January. I need to update my information. But I can't seem to figure out how to do it. I have lost a total of 120 pounds, about half of that since the band was put in. I am afraid that my band is eroding or slipped or something, and I can't stand the thought of having to have it removed. I just want to enjoy a meal once in a while. I don't remember the last time I ate a meal without hurting.

Dr. Enochs did my surgery Lap Band in August 2005. e-mail me if you want more information. BTW, my weight loss scale is not accurate, I have lost 110 pounds.

Kathy, My Drs are in Raleigh, operating out of Franklin General, in Lousiburg. They were using Raleigh hospitals but unfortunately, they stopped allowing the surgery about the time I started investigating it. I am at the point now where I am getting antsy. I've been working on this since last September. I only need one more blood test to be submitted before my case goes to insurance. I've done everything they require, but we know how insurance can be. Even then, my drs don't do insurance so I'm going to have to pay and get reimbursed by insurance. If insurance denies me I'm dead in water once again. I've had the wind knocked out of me several times now, but I always come back fighting. If insurance denies me, I'm not sure what I'll do.

I am hoping that it won't be long before I can say I have the Band. I was originally trying to get RNY, but because my liver is not happy, I am going for the band instead. The surgeries both carry the same risks, but the post-op problems can be life threatening. The reason a lot of surgeons give for not doing the surgery is the surgical risk, but to me, you can take extra precautions. The risks are known and can be controlled. Post op problems are not as easy to predict and if you have a problem, that's it. Nothing can be done. This surgery is reversible, does not cause malabsorption, and so is much safer in the long run. Since I don't want to exchange one problem for another, I've opted for the Lap Band. I am fortunate in that my insurance, once I get approval, does cover the Band if you have a reason not to do the RNY. My in (so to speak) is the hepatic cirrhosis. My insurance has some pretty stiff requrements but I have memorized them and done my best to jump every hurdle. If the rest of my paperwork comes in soon, they will send me to insurance. I am hoping to find out the ins and outs of the band. I already know that my biggest obstacle will be the fact that you can manage to eat around the band. I have already lost 54 pounds so I am hoping that I have developed some good habits and can keep the weight coming off and staying off for the rest of my life. Sylvia

Thanks for the welcome. I'm not sure which surgeon will "do" me. I'm using Bariatric Surgeons of NC, Dr. Enochs and Dr. Moran. Dr. Moran tends to do the Lap Band although they say they both work on each case. They are in Raleigh, but they operate at Franklin Regional in Louisburg. I am still waiting to be sent to insurance. I've been working on getting this surgery since last September, so I'm getting rather antsy. I started out at 290, in September. I began an insurance required physician guided weightloss program in December. So far, I've lost 55 pounds. I'd like to keep it working by getting the surgery while I am still on the upswing. I am only waiting for some paperwork, then off to insurance. I'd like to lose another 100 pounds, but I'll be happy with anything I lose. My goal is 150 pounds. Do you think that is realistic. I'm wondering if the fact that I've got a good start will help or hurt. Now, if I can just get back here. I can't seem to find things once I leave. Guess I'll have to get used to the forum. Sylvia