thenume

I am annoyed! I went to my doctor yesterday for my first fill. He instructed his assistant to administer 2cc in a 10 cc band. 1cc goes into the "rim" that will inflate the band and the other cc will restrict. 1cc? 1cc? As you can imagine it doesn't feel any different, and I find that my stomach is grumbling VERY VERY loudly again. The grumbling stopped in my third week post-op. I have another appt. Dec. 13, but who wants to have to see the doctor every 4 weeks for a fill until I feel restriction! I didn't expect 6cc's right away, but 1cc? I can still eat like I ate two days ago (which by the way, was almost like I didn't have the band). I have only lost 13 pounds and have been banded since 10/1/07. I know this is a process.....but a jump start would help. OK - thanks for letting me rant.

You can call your insurance company and they will tell you how much your deductible will be for the hospital. Most hospitals will allow you to pay in increments until you are paid up after your surgery. To answer your question, I paid the hospital $500.00. To see my doctor BEFORE the surgery I paid $40 (because he is a specialist it wasn't the normal co-pay fee), and $100.00 for a psch evaluation (directly to the pyschologist because she didn't take my insurance). Now that I am post OP I don't pay anything for the next five follow-up visits.

Chris N J, You look GREAT!!!!!! Congrats. How did you lose 137lbs in six months?

laphappy40, You can get the ticker scale at tickerfactory.com. It will calculate your old bmi, ask you your current weight and your goal. weight. Once you are done, copy and paste it to you signature on lapbandtalk.com & it will show up everytime you reply or ask a question on a thread. PS- once you've created your ticker you can double click on your ticker from a previous or just posted thread and it will take you directly to your ticker so that you can update it.

I have the exact same thing going on. It seems that the amount that I eat, determines how painful my left side under my ribs will be. If eat a very small meal it's not painful at all. Then after the food digests (I guess) the pain goes away. I will only feel the pain when I breathe deeply after eating. It usually last about an hour or two at the most. I wonder if it is some indication that we are full. Very Strange. It doesn't hurt very badly, it's just uncomfortable.

Traveler, How long have you been banded and are you sure it's not head hunger as apposed to "hunger" "hunger". I agree with klpdbl, but once you distinguish the two it becomes a little easier.

Does anyone know if you can stretch your pouch if you've never had a fill? I have only lost 13 pounds since my bandin 10/1/07 and i can know eat almost a "normal" sized portion. Do you actually have a pouch if the band has no saline or flouro in it? HELP! I am worried.

Thundandlight, Wow a full liquid diet for ten days before the surgery?!! That will be hard. That means you'll be on liquids for about a month (counting before and after the band). You are sure to lose ALOT of weight during that time! Maybe you can have some egg nogg (that's kind of thick). Jello sounds good. How about low fat pudding? What are you going to do when everyone sits down to dinner? I know you can do it, Good Luck!

I was banded on 10/1/07 and for about 2 weeks I could feel the port when I rolled over and bent down as well. Once the swelling went down everything was o.k..

I hope you two are right! Thanks for the support, can't wait for the pound to "melt" away!

Danaclark2, Danaclark2, I see that u posted this band in May has it gotten any better? Currently I am 4 weeks post-banded and I realized two days ago that I can eat almost a "normal sized" meal. I thought something was wrong. I thought maybe I stretched something (even though I have no restriction yet). I am scheduled for a fill 11/16/07 and it feels like a lifetime away. I noticed that I havent lost any weight this week and I am worried. I have lost a total of 13 pounds and my surgery date was 10/1/07. I really hope things get better with the band because my will power is starting to wear down. I got the band because I need help. I know that I am resposible for what I eat and exercise, but I really feel like I need more help. I hope that after the fill I feel the restriction I felt the first week or so.

I also ate "not so mushy foods" at my mushies stage. I was banded on 10/1/07 and by 10/6/07, I was eating fish and a baked potato. I saw my doctor on 10/17/07 and he was surprised that I was able to tolerate the different foods without nasuea and/or vomiting. My doc told me not to overeat (I am also at no restriction, but I do eat less), to listen to my body and to chew really well. I seem to be losing 4 pounds a week and I don't think I stretched anything. Although I think (almost everyday) that if would have adhered to the "mushie" diet maybe I would be losing more. Oh well I can't go backwards so I just eat right and exercise. Slowly but surely I'm sure the weight will come off. Good Luck!

Thankyou all.

What kind of exercise or exercise machine is elliptical? Question: I was banded on 10/1/07, is it too early to do sit ups or to use a machine that has weights and helps with stomach exercises?

RedGirl, I am sorry that you are going through this. Do you exercise? You said that you are eating all the right foods, but have you tried not eating until you are full. Maybe you should try eating until you are content (there is a small difference). Ask your doc if that would be ok. Hopefully this or something else will work for you. Good Luck.

By the way Marimaru congrats on reaching your minigoal. You should be proud! Thenume

Thank you. I'm just impatient, I do exrecise but with two kids a husband with a crazy work schedule, and my job, I only seem to fit exercise in twice a week for about two-three hours each day. I'll work on my patience and my exercise regimine.

Does your niece work? If so she may qualify for a low cost state issued insurance, that way she can forego the loan and still have insurance the surgery. Most of them cover the surgery here in NY. I know some people may not want to go that route, but health insurance is a must! If your neice does not work she may qualify for state issued insurance for free. That also covers the surgery, especially because you said that she has health related issues. Good Luck!

Days 1 nothing (surgery day) Day two clear liquids Days 3-10 liquids 1 week on mushies Then 1 week on soft solids Then regular solids (chew each piece of food 20 times)

Marimaru I know it's not going to disappear overnight, it seems like it was overnight putting it on. I realize it's 4 pounds a week, and I know I shouldn't compare, but it just seems easier for others to lose quickly. Thanks

FaithMD, This is a forum where everyone gives advice based on their own tolerance and experiences. Every menu that I have seen so far (from different docs from locations online and from research) say the same things. These are all suggestions and should be taken as such. FaithMD, I'm sure realestwoman71 apperciates everyones input. Please relax, and it is bad e-mail ettiquette to type in caps, it implies that you are yelling. Good Luck to you and everyone.

Hello all, Count me in. Although I am only two and a half weeks post-op I have only lost 8 pounds. As I read other banders' progress I can't help but feel a little jealous. Some have lost as much a 15 pounds in two weeks-geez what the deal with me?

I was banded on 10/1/07 and I lost ten pounds. I am also from NY- but I am from Manhattan. I saw the doctor yesterday and he said all is well.

I was the exact same way. I was actually able to eat 5 days after surgery. Odds are you didn't blow it. You would really know if you did. I saw the doctor yesterday for my first check up ( I got banded 10/1/07) and everything was fine. I will get a fill on 11/15. Just slow down. On one hand it is good that we have no nausea or vomiting, but on the flip side because we feel fine it's harder for us to stick to the designated meal plan. Try to eat mainly oatmeal/grits or whole grain Cereal for Breakfast and fish or chicken for lunch and dinner with vegies, my doc said as long as I can tolerate it I'll be fine. Remember not to stuff yourself. Don't worry! Read up on the symptoms of band slippage and things like that- I'm pretty sure that hasn't happened to you! :hungry: Good Luck, Thenume

I personally like the Atkins Protein shake in chocolate, when it's cold it really good. i get them from Duane Reade, a pack of four for about $6. It ALMOST makes you forget it's a protein shake.Have you tried eating steamed/baked fish or baked chicken for your protein. You are on your third week now, you can have oatmeal, eggs, and grits for breakfast and different things for lunch and dinner. I was also banded on 10/1 and am able to tolerate all foods without nausea. As for liquids, my nutrionist said Diet Snapple is good to drink also (and doesn't everyone have a favorite Snapple flavor). Crystal light is good (Raspberry Ice is my favorite). Good Luck