SuzanneG

Hi, I have been struggling in Bandster Hell this past week. I'm due for my first fill this Friday, but I'm a little worried. Saturday night I overate and although I didn't PB, my stomach feels like I was kicked by a horse. It's really sore, even today it feels tender. My doc's PA said that they would be able to tell during my fill if I've been overeating. Do you think once is enough to stretch my pouch?

I almost made an appointment with him because I was having a hard time getting a surgery date with Richmond Surgical, but they came through in the end. I was at St. Mary's also. Best of luck to you!:cursing:

Thanks. This makes me feel much better. I'm being very careful this week, but I'm starving. :cursing:

Thanks. I have been trying to take it easy since Sat. I thought it was strange that the PA told me that he will know when he does the fill if I've been eating over 4oz. I've been losing OK, considering that I'm in bandster hell, but I really don't want to get chewed out for overeating once. I really hope I didn't do any damage.

Don't get discouraged if you get turned down the first time. I'm a Fed employee with BC/BS also. They turned me down because they said with BMI between 35-40, you had to have at least one of the following comorbidities, heart disease, lung disease, sleep apnea. I didn't have any, but I had plenty of other stuff. I ended up having to write a letter of appeal, I wrote 2 letters actually and got letters of support from all my doctors, GYN, Gastroenterologist, Pediatrist, GP, and surgeon. Each told how losing weight would help the problem that they treat me for. I was approved after filing the appeal. I've heard people say that some insurance companies automatically turn you down on the first try. Good luck you.

I had a large one and he fixed mine during surgery. Now I have no more reflux!!!!! :cursing:

Not in my opinion. I was 224 and 5'4.5", about the same BMI as you. I'm 5 weeks post-op and very happy with my decision! Good luck to you!

I sure hope so because I've tried just about everything there is an each one gives me side effects that I can't live with. Vytorin gave me insomnia so bad, I was only able to sleep about 2 hours a night. This one was much more subtle, I laid in bed about an hour each night trying to fall asleep, but worse than that, when I did sleep, it was fitful so I never felt rested.

I figured it out! I wasn't tired because of what I was eating, it was my latest cholesterol pill. Half of the ones he's put me on give me insomnia. This one was mild enough that I didn't notice, with the holidays, then the surgery, then my trip to GL. I had my first normal week of work and was so tired, then had a hectic evening and forgot to take the meds and the next day I felt 80% better. I haven't taken it since and I'm back to normal. Back to the drawing board on cholesterol meds. Geeze, I think I've tried them all.

Well, I hate to admit it, but I finally broke down and overate this weekend. I didn't PB, but my stomach feels like I was kicked by a horse. It's really tender. I go for my fill on Friday. I hope the doc doesn't chew me out. They told me that he can tell if you over eat. Do you think 1 time will give me away?

I take the berry flavored Tums, they're actually pretty good.

That's awsome. I would love to have them as my doctors. Don't get me wrong, I like my doc, but those guys are great. I saw the episode where the sister was there for an unfill. She's a size 4 now! I want to be a size 4. :-D

Is that the father/son doctors from the show Big Medicine? I LOVE that show.

Like Pammycakes, I like to use it to moisten my mouth after eating. I haven't noticed a soliva problem, but I don't have restriction yet, my first fill is next Friday. As for air, this one is simple, chew with your mouth closed the way your mother taught you.

I've never been able to wear underwear into surgery, I think it's because of the catheter. Anytime you are put under general anesthesia, you have to have a catheter. They do it all after you're asleep, so you shouldn't have to know about that part.

I'm not counting my calories, but I'm losing 1-2 pounds a week. I am sticking to the diet, but by willpower alone. Hopefully next Friday will get here quick.

I have the card, but have never had to show it. I agree about the children's menu, but I do like to order off the senior menu when they have one. So far, no one has told me no. I'm not too good about taking leftovers home because so many times I'm not going straight home and I have to worry about it going bad in the car while I shop or run errands. It still bothers me to leave food behind. I try to feed it to everyone else. Lately I've tried splitting meals with DH and that's working pretty good for me. Plus its way cheaper!

For me, the most time I ever spend thinking about food was when I was on a diet. It felt like I spent every minute planning my next meal and very much looking forward to it as I was always starving. I've been overweight since I was 21 so I've dieted most of my life. The band finally allows me freedom from that. Yeah, I have to think about what I'm going to eat, but only in the fact that I need to eat and I need good protien and veggies. I thought for sure that I'd go mad missing pizza as it was my favorite food in the world and a non-negotiable once a week feast. Funny thing is, it rarely crosses my mind. Only when I see a commercial I think, hey, I haven't had pizza in forever and I don't even care. I used to eat like there was no tomorrow and then beat myself up about it until the full feeling went away and I was hungry again. Then the cycle started all over. I wasn't an emotional eater, but I feel an addicted eater. Since being banded I've discovered how much carbs and overeating cause you to be hungry. I'm also hypoglycemic and its practically in remission since being banded. I thought I would struggle with it, but the only time it appears is if I have carbs. I've known all my life I needed to eat low carb but could not do it to save my life, seriously. Now, it seems so logical and natural and more importantly, it's easy for the first time in my life.

Thanks Mikki! I forgot about that trick. We used it on my mom many times when she was in the hospital 2 years ago. I'm going to stock my desk with them. My daughter is a nursing student and brings them home all the time in her pockets. Luckily, the feeling passed, so I guess my stomach just didn't like the coffee, but I thought for sure I was a gonner.

Thanks Nikki! Although, I'll surely not hold my breath for my surgeon. He's supposedly one of the best in my area, but his office staff....I'm not so sure about them.

I think I'll try to scround up a mint then. I'm going to call my doc when he opens, but it won't help me today, I'm too far from home/pharm. to get anything unless I leave here sick and even that would probably take 2-3 hours to get a ride and get to the drug store. Thanks for the support though. I really paniced when that first wave hit me.

My doc said the same as most on here, that they are similar but Realize has better online support. I don't have my access number yet either, my doctor just told me to call 1-866-Realize and ask for the code. I haven't tried it yet.

I thought of that, but I'm 82 miles from home and in a remote area of DC. I would have to get a ride home (I vanpool) and take the rest of the day off. I was trying to remember all the things that usually help and the first thing that came to mind was gingerale, which I can't have. There have been several in my office out with this. I wish I had asked ahead of time for Zofran to keep with me. My doctor doesn't even come in for another hour. I'm a bit of a baby when I'm sick anyway, but now I'm in sheer panic. <SNIFF sniff>

These are great suggestions. I'm going to look for the canned meat. My doc did say I could occasionally have a protien drink for Breakfast if I didn't have time to eat. I do it about 1-2x a week. I'm hungry today too. I get my first fill next Friday.

Every doc has their own diets, but you sound perfect for mine! His main rules are: 1. no liquid caloires 2. no sugar 3. 4oz meals 3x day (these consist of mostly lean protien and veggies) The only counting required is to ensure that each meal does not exceed 4oz.