ForwardLeap

I was told it would last a lifetime, and was meant to stay in a lifetime. I asked the nurse when I had a pre-op.

Hi my Dr. immediately put me on "Full" liquids, and even wrote on the discharge paper creamed soups. So I took that if it was blended (can't be too thick!) I could eat it. I would call your Dr. and just see what he means by Liquids.

Trace, I was not told where my port would be. When I was in for the pre-apt. the nurse showed me hers. Which was higher up by ribs. I had no idea mine would be so low. I really hope it will not be seen. I will be getting a tummy tuck, and maybe the surgeon placed low as I have heard some people have this done for a tummy tuck??? But I have no idea as to why?

Hi I know what you mean, I could not sleep in bed for 2 weeks (I am a side sleeper and somehow in the night I roll-ow!) I finally just slept in a chair. I babied myself. I could not even wear jeans, as the waist hurt my port incision (right at my waist line---??Why would they put it there is beyond me!) I am 5 weeks out and only just this last weekend could I put a pair of jeans on and stay in them. I was so happy felt human again! Some people do not have any pain, or minimal--others do. If you can walk comfortably then go for it. Even if it is only for 5 min. I know I did things around my house but did not start any exercise program until I went to see the dr for my check up which was almost 3 weeks out. What does your Dr. say to do?

I was banded Christmas eve, did not get to go back to the Doctor until Jan 10. I was on liquids that entire time, and was to consume 1 oz an hour. It was awful. By the time I got to mushie stage I was so glad! I will not get my first fill until March 6. I had a large hiatal hernia repaired as well as fundoplication so it takes a little longer to heal. Yes, I am hungry a good portion of the time. 2 weeks out adding more protien helped alot, but at 5 weeks now even adding the protien is not helping alot. I get to go on food this week and am glad. It has not been fun, but is just price I have to pay. I am greatful to not have reflux, or pains from the hernia and sure do not want to mess up my band. I did like the Campbells creamed Soups, blended the cream of chicken so there was no pieces of anything and that helped. I also used protien shakes and sipped on that and it helped. Hang in there

I did and boy what a relief! No more pains and reflux! I hurt pretty good on my left side and slept sitting up for almost 2 weeks, but I had another surgery at the same time as well. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! The relief is wonderful.

Hi I do not think you will get actual real restriction until after your fill. You probably experienced swelling which made you feel more like you were full. I have had periods where I get really hungry. usurally if I add more protien I feel better, except this week I still fill hungry! I have not had a fill yet so am just trying to get through till then. My Dr. did say this was a time for healing and not to worry about weight loss--but gosh I loved seeing the scales go down in numbers and do not want to regain because I eat to much! We can make it through this!

Hi I used Mederma and my scars are healing nicely. I had someone else recoment vit E cream you can get that at CVS.

Hi I had a very large hiatal hernia repaired at the time the lap band was placed. I had had endoscopy about a month prior to surgery. They did give me an injection to prevent clotting the morning of surgery. But when he was performing surgery he said he was suprised how large it really was as it did not appear that large on the slides he had from the endoscopy. I no longer have the GERD, or the taste of bile, or pain! I love it. All the best

One good thing is you have not "gained"! Your at a stand still but have not had a fill yet either. I have been frustrated as I have not had a fill yet either. Have lost 36 pounds only to regain 2. But I have been so hungry. I tried increasing my protien which worked great in week 2 and 3 but this week, my stomach just growls no matter what I feed it! I have been exercising so am hoping that just maybe the 2 # is muscle gain-but kinda doubt it. I keep telling myself it could be Water as well, but its been 4 days now and the scales keep saying the same thing. I think this is part of the process. My doctor did tell me it was not an issue if I lost weight during this time but rather a time to heal. Hang in there

Why did I not think of adding all the pillows-LOL! What was I thinking? That would have supported me and helped. I am a side sleeper and it was awful sleeping on my back!

Have you ever tried Viactiv chewable calcium? I do not think they taste that bad. Christie

I have been using Mederma. I actually used this when I first got all the crazy itching and it helped me get through that. My scars are shrinking, so I am happy.

Hi -I actually had fundoplication surgery at the same time as I had my lap band replaced. They had to repair a very large Hiatal hernia first. I am still on the mushie stage so do not know how solids will be. But I feel a world of difference. Very glad I had it done! I know this post was considerably long ago but thought I would post just in case someone else happens to search for this topic. I am in the Kansas City area and my doctor was one of the few doctors who could do this surgery.

Miztrniceguy, I am sorry if that came out wrong, I was trying to say NO QUESTION is silly. I actually go to Dr. Selims actual office so have not been back to the WLS center yet.

Hi Marshap, I had BCBS Kansas Blue Care-they did pay for lap band but before I submited everything I made sure they had everything they would need. I was approved in 1 week. I now have BCBS traditional as of Jan 1 (hubbys company forced change) and I am not sure if they will continue to pay for my fills. We will see.... Just a note in response to the 15,000 fee. Does that cover the outpatient portion of the hospital stay? As I just yesterday received 2 bills in the mail. The hospital portion was 25,0000! Just wondering as that could make a big difference!

So glad to hear your feeling better! It is good to cover all the bases-just to make sure. I know as I said before, I think that you have to be assertive about your health! Christie

I have not had a fill yet! I had a small platau and lost and gained the same 3 pounds for a week. I increased my protien, and H2O and finally the scales moved.

For all the gas post: I took Gas-X and it helped alot.

Thanks, I was just wondering. I have since found a post where a lady showed a picture of herself and pointed out you could see her port through her shirt in the picture and you really could see where the skin bulged out under her shirt. She got a TT and they moved the port to the lower area.

Keep calling your Dr. I also took nexium believe it or not they increased my dosage to several times a day 3 weeks prior to surgery. I was so miserable. I know what you mean-it is awful. Did your Dr. fix the hernia, 3 times I had endoscopies, and 3 times they did nothing for my hernia. I have no clue why. This caused me to endure pain for 5 years needlessly. I to have a fairly good pain tolerance and it was awful. I actually aspirated in my sleep-hello you would think they really would have fixed the hernia! I was actually hospitalized (they thought I was having a heart attack) they actually did another rush endoscopy (I had one done 30 days before) and still did not fix the hernia! I absolutely insisted when I went to my surgeon for consultation for the lap band, that if I could only get 1 surgery done--it was to be the hernia repair. I am sooo glad it is done now. No nexium, no reflux, no pains (it is still a little sore once in a while on my side where they stitched the hernia up.) I can not tell you the difference in the quality of my life now. I can sleep through the night. I can breathe, I used to wheeze so much especially if I laid down. What a world of difference! No more pressure in the chest. Best thing I have ever did was get the hernia repaired by a skilled surgeon who's main activity is to be a surgeon. Lots of experience, in fact part of repairing my hernia (guess out of all the many the dr has done he had never seen one as large as mine.) One of the processes he had to use very few surgeons can do. I looked it up and he was the only one at the hospital who was qualified to do it! So very glad I had a skilled surgeon....... Best of luck, Christie

Great idea but I have terrible stretch marks-probably not acceptable.

I had BCBS of Kansas-blue care. I had my approval within 1 week and surgery scheduled 2 weeks out! Wishing you the best, Christie

Hi I was banded on Christmas eve, so we are pretty close when we were banded. My doctor told me to expect 1-2 pounds a week weight loss. So 6 weeks x 2 pounds=your ahead of the game! Hooray for you! Remember until your first fill you have no restriction. Prior to your first fill it is all about "healing". My doctor said if I lost weight during this time that was just an added bonus but this was not the time to worry about weight loss that will come after the fills. Right now is the time for healing, in fact he said some people actually gain during this time-and that was okay. Your tool is not in the actual working order yet to help you! Your doing great-and once you start getting fills you will do even better! Good luck, Christie

My doctor told me the liquid and mushy stage are for healing. If you lose great, but don't be worried about gaining a little. It is more important to heal properly. That being said I also have been so confused when I hardly ate anything and got on the scales and was up 3 pounds! I drank more fluids and increased my protien and 2 days later was back down. It could be you just were holding Water. Wish you the best, Christie