Jessica1977

Glad to hear your feeling better!

Flutterpril - Where in Missouri are you from?

I totally agree with food commercials comment...I think they really do brain wash you!..Now that have been banded for 3 1/2 months they don't phase me much anymore. Every once in a while I do find myself wanting to eat like i used to, but it just isn't possible anymore, which is a good thing. My hardest thing is that my husband loves his sweets, but he is lucky because he is 6'5 and 210lbs. So sometimes the temptation is there for me to grab junk to snack on, but so far I have done really good! I am glad that you are doing well after your surgery. I was really sore around my port site too, it was really hard to get out of bed. It took me about 2-3 weeks to not cringe when I would forget and use my abdominal muscles.

Ann - Thanks so much! If I can do it anyone can! Its so nice to meet everyone! Congrats and good luck to all!

I have also been checking the 30's thread on and off and haven't seen much activity. I am so glad to finally see some! So anyway, :tongue_smilie: It's nice to meet you all! My name is Jessica and I was banded on 1/14/08, and so far I'm down 50 lbs! Congrats & good luck to everyone!

Have you had a fill yet? If so, maybe you are too tight and need a slight unfill..I'm not sure, it's the first thing that came to mind and is just a guess. Hope you feel better!

You will definately still be able to go out to eat, go to bbq's etc... You will just be doing it a little differently after the band, meaning you will be eating less and healthier. You learn along the way what kinds of different foods you can tolerate and those you can't. So far I can still eat pretty much everything I did before as long as I chew, chew, chew! Your life won't stop after banding, it will just be getting re-started! And you are right one of the hardest things is admitting you cant do it on your own..So you have already taken a very important step!!

Sassy - I used to feel the same way about myself that you do. And I have to tell you that getting the band was one of the best things I have ever done, and has definately given me my life back. One of the things I had to do before surgery was a 7 day clear liquid diet, and that by far was the hardest part of my journey. My first 2 days were really rough because eating was more of a habit for me, i felt so lost without food. Food was my drug, and suddenly I was without it. I was having a hard time accepting that food wasn't priority, not to mention I hadn't felt my stomach growl in years, and it took 3 days or so for it to finally start growling. (FYI - Not all doctors require the liquid diet before surgery.) That was pretty much the extent of my emotional feelings with food. I wish you the best of luck, this site is the one of the best ways to prepare yourself and research banding. It has helped me tremendously over the last 3 months! Good luck, keep us posted!

My first fill was 4 cc's. :biggrin:

My son was 12 months at my time of surgery and he loves to climb, so after surgery I just had him climb up on the couch when he wanted me to hold him, so that it was easier to be at his level. It made lifting him a lot easier.

I am one to always repect someones opinion but, I just wonder if "Iamwiththeband" realizes how totally ridiculous that sounds?! NO ONE should ever give up on being healthy at any age!!!!

Betttybboop - My TOM came conveniently the night before my scheduled surgery...I went anyway and i was still able to manage. It was actually kinda nice to get them both over at the same time...They want you to get up and walk asap anyway, so it wasn't bad at all....

I am 3 months post op and I also was a fast eater. That being said I practiced, practiced, practiced before surgery and it helped me a great deal. I also used a small plate and kiddie fork, and sat my utensil down between each bite. With the drinking part I had a hard time with that also, but my Doc suggested having a sugar-free mint after you are finished eating and it gets all of the left over food out of your mouth and it will be a lot easier for you to go without drinking after a meal..The mints were a life saver for me!

Jamie, I went through the same thing about 2 weeks before my first fill. I just stuck to the diet that my doc gave me and I drank more water to fill me up and sometimes would have a protein shake depending on how hungry I actually felt. I also just started doing more things like working out to help me "forget" about being hungry. Hopefully this helps you out a little bit...And congrats on your new band!

Thats awesome! Good luck to the both of you, and Congrats on your new band 80s Chick!

Hi JanaBanana! I had the same pain with my port area, and I also had a hard time getting out of bed. It just takes a while to heal. If I remember correctly it took a few weeks for the pain to subside a bit. My doc said it is was perfectly normal. Goodluck to you!

You are very welcome Cathy! Anything I can do to help, just let me know!

Cathy, Thanks so much! I am doing great! I am down 45 lbs and feel awesome! Before surgery I had chronic heartburn, and my joints were always achy as a result of my weight, and I am happy to say that all of these ailments are resolved as a result of just losing the 45 lbs. I did have to do the 6 month diet plan along with all the other requirements for Cigna to approve me, and it took them about 1-2 weeks to deny me the first time, and all I had to do was get another dietary consult and send it in with the appeal and it was approved within a week or so. My surgeons office took care of all the contact with the insurance company. Cigna had originally told me that it could take up to about 30 days, but they were much quicker than that! I had tons of different emotions before and after surgery, so everything you are feeling is completely normal. This forum has helped me tremdously with a lot of different questions and concerns I had, especially after surgery. Well, goodluck on your journey and keep us all posted on your progress! If you have any more questions or concerns about the process or about Cigna don't hesitate to ask!

Welcome to LBT! I also have Cigna, and I started my diet plan out on the diet drug Meridia, but quit taking it 2 months into the diet plan. I was worried that they might not cover the surgery since I quit taking the medicine and that pretty much changed the diet plan I was on, but they approved it and I was banded on 1/14/08. I just thought I would pass along my experience with Cigna. Good Luck to you all!

Hey Jig, I like you had to do the required 6 month diet plan. I used my primary Doc. I was like you I was so afraid I was going to lose too much weight and then inturn not get approved. I have to admit that I only followed the diet to an extent, thus only losing 10 lbs in that 6 months. I also have no problem losing it, is just keeping it off that is the challenge for me. I talked with the bariatric surgeons office and they informed me that it does not matter how much weight you lose, or if you lose any at all, one of the things the insurance companies are looking for whether or not you have kept your appointments and have gone every month like required. Hope this helps and good luck!

Hi Stacy! Welcome to the forum! Let me start by saying that what you are feeling is totally normal! I had the same exact feelings you are having. I was banded on 1/14 and for me it was tough for the first week or so, but then it gets better everyday! By about a week post-op I was good as new. Just keep thinking about the end result! You will do great! Jessica

That's great! So how have you been doing post-op?

Hi everyone! I am new to this forum thing, and just thought I would introduce myself. My name is Jessica and I am from the St. Louis area & I was banded on 1/14/08.

I am 3 weeks post-op and I had the same feelings you are having. The whole first week post-op I was asking myself why I did ever did this over and over again. I felt like I shouldn't have gone through with it. I just have to tell you that it all gets better, I promise! I was sore until about the 5th or 6th day post-op, then I woke up one morning and almost all of my pain was gone. Good luck!

Nice to meet you! Dr. Wagner did my surgery, Who is your Doc?