jmschnapf

Whoa! I forgot to update--I am down to 227 lbs now. Haven't posted for a while!! Jodie

I am 7 months out from sugery, last fill was 5/10/2008, I had 7cc's in a 10cc band. No problems until week before last. Had a round of awful reflux (never before), was so tight feeling for 1 1/2 days I could barely keep anything down, couldn't sleep lying down, all came up. Finally cleared up and back to normal after the day and 1/2. Thought I must have ate something that stuck. This week it happened again, except on the second day it did not get better, and then I got the hic cups that came and went constantly for over 24 hours. Needless to say yesterday my doc ordered an upper GI. The thin Barium wouldn't even go down. I had a slippage, and I was totally swollen up whick blocked my opening. After spending all day at the hospital, I was finally released to my Doctor's office across the street and he did a complete Unfill. :cool:....But he said after 2 weeks the swelling should be gone and the band should fit back into place, and we will start the refill process w/5ccs. I am disappointed, but thrilled that it doesn't involve another surgery at this time. I have lost approx 60 lbs since surgrey. I had about 3 months of very slow weight loss. The past 2 months I believe I hit my sweet spot and had lost about 4-6 lbs a month. I have to be very good this unrestricted 2 weeks, as I just started my vacation. He said it was possible that I didn't chew well on something 2 weeks ago that started the slippage, but that we may not ever know. Anyone else have this happen?? Jodie

I have read were several people went back within a week. I have a desk job, had surgery on Thursday and went back to work Monday. Each person is different. As you surgeon what he thinks.

I am 3 weeks post band, haven't been sick, or had any trouble. I have been on 3 days Clear liquids after surgery, and full liquids after that. Mostly powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury protien shakes, low-fat yogart and lots of soup! Now after my first day starting on mushies and introducing heavier foods, I felt some nausea almost everyday. Just a little for a few hours at a time. Do you think it is from eating scrambled egg, chicken salad, re-fried Beans?? Or maybe I have just picked up a bug? Not horrible, but weird to have problems now.

I had to lose 5% body weight, which was 14 lbs, I had lost some additional waiting for insurance approval, about 5 lbs then on the optifast for 2 weeks prior to surgery ( l lost about 10 lbs). I gained 11 pounds from fluid when I got home from surgery, but at my first check up 3 weeks after surgery I lost another 13 lbs. For a total of 42 pounds since September. Band date was 12/13. It is going much slower now, I am on mushies for about 2 1/2 more weeks. Hope this helps. Jodie

I just got banded Thursday the 13th, and went back to work on Monday the 17th for about 2/3 of the day. Worked over 1 hour on Tuesday, and worked 10 hours today. But, I work at a desk, it makes a huge difference on what you do. I also had a textbook surgery, no problems. I didn't have alot of sick time, it is a fairly new job. If you have the time, take it to heal as best you can! Good Luck! Jodie

missmonazz, I was banded the 13th too! I am also having the loud gurgling noises, and loooose stools. Just started yesterday. I went back to work (desk job) today. I only stayed a little past lunch, came home and took a good long nap! I really don't have any problems, except I got soo sore from sitting straight up in a chair at the desk. I work at a huge industrial construction site, so trips to the potty room are not a problem, and if I have too much gas, I doubt anyone would even notice!! LOL! Congrats on your band, we are embarking on an amazing journey. Keep in touch. Jodie

I am newly banded!! December 13th. I am feeling much better today. Yesterday was quite nauseating. I haven't had the gas pain, or vomiting. My incisions are sore when I move too fast, but liquid tylenol is working on that. I am going to work tomorrow, maybe just a few hours at at time each day. I work for an industrial electrical company, at a large construction site. I do payroll. Mostly sit at a desk. More mental stress than anything physical. I am 46, married for almost 23 yrs, have 2 grown step-daughters, one 19 yr old son in college and a 13 yr old daughter still at home. Oh, and I am blessed w/4 grandchildren from those beautiful step daughters. Looking forward to being IN the action w/my family from now on. Racing, boating, hanging out at the playground. Riding the rides at Holiday World w/the kids. Being able to physically go on some of the mission trips my friends go on and do something other than cook! The liquids after have been harder for me than anything before. I get to have full liquids tomorrow. I can't wait for yogart, Soup, and Protein drinks again!!! Best of luck to you all, Jodie

Thursday is the BIG day!! I am getting sooooo excited. And a little nervous! I hope all the newest bandsters are doing well in their recovery! This is going to be a great Christmas. I have done well so far on the pre op diet of optifast, I really dread not having anything to eat or drink the day of surgery. My surgery is not until 3:30pm and I have such a dry mouth from my normal meds and I guess the optifast. I have decided to go on to work for 1/2 day so I can keep my mind off of the drinking thing. grannyk-hang in there, we all have our days. Or else we wouldn't be here at all!! Jodie

I have been trying for a while too. Not overly computer knowledgeable!!! Just wanted to see if it works today!! Jodie

Good Luck to all the new bandsters to be this week! I will be thinking of you every day!! I am on the pre diet, and counting down to 11 days. You are all in my prayers---keep us updated. Jodie

I am finishing day 2 of pre-op optifast diet. I too, had a headache all day yesterday and most of this morning. I didn't really think about it being from the sugar withdrawal. Well I am better now. I don't care for the optifast soup, but the drinks are all right and the snack bar is decent too. I can't believe I am looking forward to the full liquid diet after surgery. When I can have runny yogurt, because I love my sugar-free yogurt!! My surgery is on December 13th. I have to say that I am sooo lucky to have the support of not just my family, but my friends, co workers and bible study group. They (my study group) on purpose didin't have snacks last night so I wouldn't be tempted. But they didn't tell me, so I brought my snack bar!! LOL! My co worker is going to do the slim fast for a few weeks w/me at lunch too. You all sound like you are doing great! Hang in there, when I get a little hungry, I get a drink of water and remember, I can do this for one day---Tomorrow I will start another one day. Jodie

My surgeon told me to ask my physician, he said ask my surgeon, the pharmacist said there was a possibility that I could use tablets, Not XR, that can be crushed, only I would have to take 2 a day. The XR capsule can not be crushed or opened and put in applesauce, etc. Anyone have an answer from experience about the ability to swallow this med? Thanks, Jodie-Surgery date 12/13/07

Everyone has been soooo great. I do get side effects after missing 2 doses. I get like little electrical charges in my head. Sounds weird, but that is what it feels like. Also, dizziness. It is really scary when I am waiting on my mail order prescription and it doesn't come timely!!! That is why I really am not wanting to change doses right now. It has been working so well. I have changed meds and doses through the years. They seem to lose effectiveness after a couple of years. I will say that prayer helped alot the last time I had a depression episode! Congrats on the newest lapbanders!! Keep us posted! Only 9 more days til pre-op diet, and 23 days til surgery!! Jodie

Kara, That is good to know, I appreciated Patty's input too. I will try to get them down whole, if not I see there are a few people opening the capsule and w/the med directions having that suggestion, I feel more comfortable. Our insurance is changing Jan 1, and I need to mail order my next script, they come in 3 mos supply. I think they are more expensive w/the new insurance. Thank God for my surgeon and some of his staff, they worked me into his schedule in December, so I can have the surgery covered by my current insurance. My husband works for Toyota, Indiana and Toyota is excluding weight loss surgeries from their benefits effective Jan 1 w/the new policy! The clinic and the surgeon were both very surprised. This site has been another God Send for me. I am truly blessed. Thank you all for your support. Jodie

Thank you all for your input. I will probably just try taking them as is and see how it goes. Great ideas! Jodie

Congrats Tralynn222!! You are doing great!!! Thanks for the info too. I am scheduled 12/13, looking forward to starting a new lifestyle! I have been incorporating small differences for the past 3-4 months. It has helped, but I am ready to go full throttle! Jodie

Tomecia25---We have the same surgery date!!! I am having mine here in Evansville Indiana. Yeah! I went for an upper GI yesterday, all seems fine. Today went over all the pre and post op diet, got samples of optisource, and unjury protein products. A gal there said the Unjury brand is supposed to be real good. I am starting to get really excited!! I love the Merry Loser glitter sign too. When I have time I will try to get that and the weight loss ticker too. I have lost neary 20 lbs so far, would like to lose at least another 100-120 lbs. You are all great. Thanks. Jodie-"MerryLoser"

Help! I have been preparing and going to the Dr and Nutritionist since April 2007. I fulfilled all of my requirements Sept 28th. My Dr was out of the office until Oct 3rd to sign the letter requesting pre-cert. Anthem PPO of Indiana took over 3 weeks to enter the request, then approval came Nov. 3rd. I called the office that Monday morning and they got me in to see the Nutritionist and the regular Dr on Nov 7th. At the end of the appt they scheduled me to see the surgeon on Dec 7th-telling me there was no way I could be scheduled for surgery before Jan 1st. I had let them know back in September that my insurance was changing, and the urgency of the matter. Of course the new insurance does NOT cover lap band surgery. I am beside myself! The surgeon also practices at another hospital in town, but the nurse told me that he is actually booked up. If...I could find another program that would take me, I would have to go thru the pre-cert approval again! Am I just out of luck?? Feeling down.... Jodie

Lynn-that is too wild!! That is where I am going. I got a surgery date yesterday!!! December 13th. I go tomorrow for an upper GI, Thursday morning for a meeting w/nutritionist and exercise specialist. See Dr Haughn Dec 7th ---then surgery! Good luck w/your insurance and surgery. Have you been to any support meetings? I have only been to 2. I plan to go pretty regularly. Keep in touch. Jodie

December 13th!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!!! I am sooooo glad to be a part of the Merry Losers!! Jodie

Well, today I called the surgeon's office direct, not the weight loss clinic. They also said nothing could be done, they were already scheduling into Dec. and they couldn't put anyone ahead of others. I hung up very very discouraged, and decided to go on line to see if I could find another clinic that could help. Within an hour a very nice girl from the weight loss clinic called me at work and said she heard what was going on and she spoke directly to the surgeon, and he told her they would work on getting me worked into the schedule!! She scheduled me to see him Monday afternoon (working me in, he is on call that day) but if that one doesn't work we will try for another. I should get a surgery date scheduled when I complete a visit w/him. Hopefully Monday!!! Bless Tracy, and Thank God for being in my life. Thanks to all of you for your support too. My emotions have run the gamat this week!!! Jodie

Thank you--that is a good idea, maybe his partner could do it. the partner generally does all the YnRue (SP?) and mine does the lap band, but I believe the partner was the first in Evansville to do a lap band originally. jodie

Good luck!! I am sooo excited! I can't wait til I get my surgery date. I hope it is before the first of the year. My insurance changes then! Just waiting for ins. approval! Good luck w/the surgery. I met a woman at one of the support groups that had gastric bypass, but still within 3 weeks of surgery was almost off all 13 meds she had been on for many of the same things you are taking. She was even insulin dependent before her weight loss. Isn't that awesome?! I pray it will go as well for you. Take care, :clap2:

Kim, That is great!! Only 5 more days!! I am waiting for insurance precert approval. Has been 3 weeks. The insurance co said it is taking about 15 days to enter the back logged precert requests then the approval/denials go quickly. I will have to do 2 weeks of optifast (liquid protein) before surgery, and 2 weeks after. I do dread that a bit, but it will be worth it. I think after surgery would be easier, while recouping. Before will just feel like deprivation!! Best of luck to you on surgery day. Let us know how you are doing!! Jodie