ssdown

Yup, I hiccup too Love it! :rolleyes2:

Welcome back! This site has probably changed many times since you were here last. I'm trying to get used to the latest format. I hope you get well and loose the rest of your weight. Be healthy, live long! SS :tt2:

I was also told the no straw rule, but broke it after a couple of weeks with no adverse effects. I was banded March 4. SS

Playful Psychic! Tell me about this clinical trial. I have a sister that might be interested. She has never been as high as me, but she has struggled and agonized with her weight all of her life. Thanks! SS

My insurance did not cover any WLS, so I coughed up the $16,000 and went through the pre-band process, which took a few months. I was beginning to get high blood pressure and my heart was starting to speed up (now taking Rx's), in huge part due to my increasing weight. The peace of mind of not constantly thinking about food is wonderful! I have not regretted my decision for one minute. SS

I had the same concerns. I've had absolutely no problem swallowing and keeping down all of my vitamins and Rx's. I did do some liquid vitamins and calcium for about two weeks post op, then on to my regular regime. I hope you will be the same. SS

Do you have any local support groups you can attend? I have found them to be invaluable. I drive 30 minutes to mine and it's worth the time and gas $. I was told not to drink any fluids 30 minutes before a meal, and wait 90 minutes after. It helps to keep the food in the pouch longer. Also, eat proteins first, then vegetables, and finally fruits. Avoid any carbonated drinks. You might check out the Food and Nutrition section at the Home page. There is a lot of helpful information there. Good luck. If you have any other questions, I'll try to help. I'm sure other bandsters will help you too. SS

Oh ya! I can kind of cross my legs too! My tight scrubs are now loose and comfy! I can't wait to get into my other scrubs that are too small. ss

If I eat meat first, chew it very well, I feel full faster. I try very hard to wait the requisite 90 minutes before drinking, but it sure is hard sometimes! This worked before I had my first fill and am now noticing a bit more restriction. Yea! SS

Welcome, Suzy! I was banded on March 4 and have some pretty good restriction, which makes me very happy. I hope to hear more from you as you successfully loose your weight for good! SS

I've lost 28 pounds! My surgery was March 4, 2008. I am very pleased so far and I can't wait until someone notices that I've lost weight!

Maya 314, You ought to give the juice plus a try. I've had absolutely no problem getting them down! SS

I am almost six weeks out an eat chili and refried beans with no problem. Tomatoes are OK along with small well chewed salad with onions. I have pretty good restriction. I got my first fill last week and am very happy. Good luck. Everyone is individual in how they can handle certain foods. I can have small amounts of bread and rice isn't a problem either. SS

I've been taking Juice Plus for about six months. I have no trouble getting the pills down. I take it because I am not the best with fruits and especially vegetables. I never have been. I just got done taking mine a minute ago! I can't say that they've changed my life or anything like that. I just figure they are a good product with good ingredients. SS

I've never heard of that happening, but I am still a bit new to this site. I am so sorry that has happened to you. I hope you reconnect with your port soon and easily. SS

Hi everyone! I just got my first fill last week. I can feel my port quite easily, so I thought that it would be an easy find for my fill nurse. There was some scar tissue that she had to work around. She did finally find it, but I was amazed how long it took! She bumped around the tubing of the port for quite a while (maybe five minutes is all) before finding the center. I thought she was going to damage it, but was told that all of the bumping around was not going into the actual port, just on the plastic tubing. I have seen some posts where some people want to access their port on their own for self-fills. NO WAY!!!!! I also have a bit more restriction, which makes me very happy! SS

Yes, be careful! I'll bet you'll be fine as long as whoever is with you doesn't expect you to cook or be responsible for any of the traveling duties! If you have a comfortable place to lie down, have your proper post-op liquids, and pain med. you will be fine! Good luck! SS

What a mess :cursing:. Your MD owes you an inconvenience fee! I can't imagine what you must be going through (both physically and emotionally). I hope that the third time is a charm! SS

Hey Sherrilabru, Just call United Health Care and ask if your particular policy covers lap band. Ask what they require to qualify. My insurance didn't cover any bariatric procedures :cursing:, so I was self-pay. I'm about your height and weight (I weigh a bit less now since I got my lap band on March 4) and am not comfortable with my weight either. I hope things work out for you. Keep us posted! SS

Hi! I was banded on March 4 and am getting my first fill April 9. I have some mild restriction right now, so I'm looking forward to getting this first fill. I have a 4CC band.:teeth_smile: My surgeon said if his patients feel they need another fill before four weeks, he doesn't mind if they come in sooner. We'll see how it goes! SS

Find a place that does it outpatient! I had mine done on an outpatient basis here in Oregon. I was in at 7:00 AM and back home (30 miles away) before noon. I was self-pay, though. My insurance didn't cover the lap (or any bariatric surgery) band at all. Good luck. SS

Hey Celticdreamer, I've done the Atkins diet before (of course I lost weight and gained it all back). At least you can have vegetables and salad, which provides some fiber, vitamins, and variety. I think your nutritionist is bonkers! Hats off for sticking with it! Do you have a surgery date yet? Good luck and keep all of us posted!

That sounds way high! You could probably find a place to do the fills somewhere else for a lot cheaper! You could even make a trip to another city and still come out ahead. Check out your alternatives.

I want. . . Peace of mind. To eat to live, not live to eat. A healthy fit body. To be stable with my weight; no more yo yo dieting. No extreme up and down weight gains and losses! To reduced or eliminate my medications. World Peace!!! :sneaky::regular_smile::regular_smile:

Hi! Like lottolose, my pill go down fine, so far. I am due for a fill in a couple of weeks, so we'll see. I did crush some after my surgery a few weeks ago, but tried them without crushing, and viola! They went down fine!