CTpaddler

I'm 2.5 years out and this still happens to me...especially when I have oatmeal in the morning. It's a guarnatee if I get too full.

I just had my first and the doctor opened the front of the gown briefly to see if I had loose skin above my waist as well as below as it determined the type of procedure I would need. He also demonstrated how much loose skin on my upper arms might be removed (not all of it because of the skin on my forearms). I was totally covered for the rest of the consult when he drew diagrams of the procedures he would do and explained in great detail, options I might have, the surgery, recovery process, side effects, etc. It helped to talk with the people who were sitting in the waiting room since most were post surgical and all were very friendly (they knew how nervous I might be) and all spoke very highly of the surgeon and very very happy. I'm looking forward to the next step.

What an inspiration to read this list. I hit 102 lbs lost over 6 months ago and couldn't be happier. To anyone wondering if they can do it, just remember these words.....Never give up!!!

I'm anxious to hear how you are doing. Did your surgery go as planned last week? I hope you are up and about and starting to think about full liquids by now. Ellen

This is difficult because each person finds their own comfort zone. When I got that tight, I ended up getting a little bit taken out. The PA who did the fills said that if a person is so tight that they need to stay on soft food more than a few days after the fill, it defeats the purpose of the band. The idea is to be able to eat most (but not all) regular food but a lot less of it. There are a lot of very high carorie soft foods (my personal weakness is frozen yogurt) and getting into the habit of eating foods that will pass easily through the band may not help in the long run. It's still a very personal choice and what's important is to find what works for you. For me...I have trouble with bread, overcooked meat (especially poultry), overcooked eggs, and some tough/stringy vegetables. I have fewer problems if I chew very well, take care not to pvercook things, and peel the problem vegetables (like broccoli stalks). Things also seem to go in cycles where at times I feel just the right amount of restriction and at times it feels as if I could eat anything. I guess that's the beauty of the band....it can be adjusted. Don't be afraid to back off a bit and see how it works. You can add more later if it turns out that the high restriction works better for you. Best of luck Ellen

I've had my band since March 2006 and am just catching up with the board. Dr. T was only doing open back when I started looking (summer of 2005) so I had mine done at St. Francis. I've been happy with the decision ever since...just wish this procedure was available when I was much younger. I understand your apprehension, but you'll be in the hands of experts and you'll be through it in a flash. I was apprehensive about my first fill too, but it was a piece of cake. I try maintain a reasonable eating plan, but I'm not an angel...which is why it has taken me so long to get here. The one thing I can tell you is that I can't count the number of times I've been faced with a pile of delicious food only to be stopped by the band....and I am eternally thankful every time because I know I wouldn't have stopped but for this handy little companion. I wish you the very best. Ellen (who needs to update her pic because it's over 40 lbs old)

I'm feeling so very proud of every one of you! Your success is awesome no matter how fast or slow the progress....it's still progress. I've had 3 fills and now have 2 ccs and some occasional restriction. I have wonderful results those weeks when I'm on vacation and active but it all slows to a crawl when I'm having a busy week at work. Between a long day sitting at a desk coupled with an hour long commute each way, I'm don't make the time to get the exercise I need. I'll just have to keep working at it. Hugs to everyone. Ellen

Not all group health policies from a particular insurance carrier are the same. Each insurance carrier may have many versions available and each employer will select the version it wants to provide. The coverage provided by Employer A may not be the same as the coverage provided by Employer B even if they use the same insurance company. You need to get the specifics of the policy in question. For example, I also have UHC, and not only did they cover the band, they are covering the fills (with co-pay). (Yippee!!!) I'd recommend you get a copy of the policy, and, as painful as it sounds, read it carefully. Then call or write the company and ask questions. That's really the only way to know exactly what they will and won't cover. Good luck Ellen

Teachntots I'm very glad to hear you have been able to work in some exercise. I think that's the key. I just got back from a week in Yellowstone and I walked as much as I could every day.....which at an average elevation of 7500' was tough at times. I got on the scale as soon as we got in from the airport tonight (with clothes and shoes on). It's looking as if I lost even with eating out every meal. I'll know for sure first thing tomorrow morning. I've got to find a way to include this kind of exercise after I get back to work sitting on my tush every day in front of a computer. Ellen

Teachntots-- I can sympathize. I think I've been pretty good about sticking to my eating plan, but my exercise has been spotty and I haven't been losing much...12 lbs since surgery. I also lost alot while on the pre-surgery diet. I've been walking some and a couple of days a week I'm doing some fairly strenuous work in the garden for an hour or two at a time. The problem is that on some days I do nothing. I've only had one fill and am not due for another till July 5th. The surgeon told me that they would like to see 1 to 2 lbs per week and I'm hitting that so they are happy. After taking this big step and seeing some of the other results I was hoping for a faster loss. I think I need to weigh myself less often and focus on some other things in my life and the loss will come. I'm on vacation next week and will be eating in restaurants a lot, but we'll also be doing a lot of walking so I'm hoping to break even....maybe even lose a little. That's hard to imagine right now considering I'm at work, it's 2:45pm and I'm hungry as can be. Anyway, you're not alone and all progress is good progress so stick with it and have fun on yur summer off. Ellen

I did not find the injection very painful....just like a regular shot. I was worried that he wouldn't hit the port on the first try, but he did. I didn't feel anything at the band site at all although some people do report feeling some kind of sensation. Maybe that's because I got such a small fill in such a big band. The doctor just had me sip a half cup of water to be sure it went through and I was done. I was pretty apprehensive, but I won't be next time. Ellen

I got my first fill on the 11th but it was only 1cc in a 10cc band. I get some discomfort if I don't chew well enough, but I don't feel as if I have much (if any) restriction. I don't have another apt till July 5th, so I'm counting on my will power to keep to a band diet. So far so good, but it makes me very nervous considering my past track record. The big challenge will be vacation. We're going to Yellowstone for the week beginning Memorial Day weekend. I haven't been there in over 15 years and my husband has never been there. Even with all the restaurant eating, I think it will be ok as we will be walking a lot every day and I'll bring some Unjury packets in case I need the protein. Best wishes to all the rest of the March bandsters. Ellen

My surgeon used glue too and it was very odd. No dressings at all and it just came off by itself when the scab underneath was ready to come off. Ellen

I don't get my first fill till May 12th and I'm looking forward to it. I am still on mushies and eating less than 1,000 calories a day (more like 700) but have only lost 5lbs in the 3 weeks since surgery. I lost 12 lbs on the week long pre-surgery diet. I guess my body is trying to proetct itself now, but I know it will eventually come off if I keep eating the way I am and exercise more. Ellen

I'm 59 and today is my 3 week anniversary so I'm still on mushies. My biggest goal is to increase my activity level. I have a desk job and a long commute. Some days I'm able to get out of the office to take a mid-day walk and I try to spend a few minutes on the Healthrider when I get home, but I know it's not really enough to kick my metabolism into high gear. I'm working on it. My first fill is scheduled for May 12th and I'm nervous and excited at the same time. My hiatal hernia was not repaired during band placement so I have a semi-constricted pouch. If I eat my mushies too fast I get hiccups and I've had some heartburn. I've been on Prevacid for years and I'm still taking it now. I guess I'll have to be particularly careful about my diet after the fill. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones who won't need too many fills before I get enough restriction. Good luck to everyone else and best wishes keeping those old bones lubricated. Ellen

Junonia is wonderful. The clothing is all well made with high quality fabrics. I have very large upper arms and none of the sleeves are too tight. I'm wearing one of their turtlenecks right now and also have good luck with Tees, slacks, shorts, jackets, and all the things I wear when paddling my sit on top kayak including polypro tops, Quik Wik pants, and (when it's cold) a long Aquatard. They are good about returns, so you can exchange if something doesn't fit well. Good luck and have fun. Ellen

Diva You asked about someone's experience being banded for a year and then having a temporary unfill. I've only been banded a week so I can't answer from experience, but during my pre-surgery class I sat next to a woman who was the support person for someone else. She told me that she had to be unfilled in order to have some unrelated abdominal surgery. She was anxious to get refilled as soon as possible as she had regained 20 lbs in a fairly short period of time. I wish you the best with whatever you decide and hope you are able to have your surgery scheduled soon. Ellen

Janet, I hope your episodes are easing a bit....I think mine are. One thing I discovered that convinced me that I was feeling referred pain is that the heating pad and massage didn't help at all. Jack's got some good questions and it might be a good idea to make note of them in your diary. Well, I'm 6 days out, still on liquids and not really wanting much else. I'm back at work today....which means I've got to log off and get to it. I wish you the best. Ellen

Leatha, that shounds awful but it looks like you've been making great progress. Congratulations. When I was researching the shoulder pain thing on the web it mentioned something about gall stone pain referring to the right shoulder and stomach pain referring to the left shoulder. I have no idea how accurate that is, but it was interesting. Best wishes on your continued success. Ellen

Oh my gosh! This is exactly the problem I'm having. The pain in my left shoulder (sometimes radiating to my neck) is intense at one minute and then fades away to almost nothing later. I wouldn't have needed the pain meds at all for the incision, but was glad to have them for the shoulder. I was told that the residual CO2 pushing up against the diaphram could cause this referred pain but reading this thread I realize that I also had a large hiatal hernia pre-surgery...and I think it was repaired when the band was placed. I will verify that with the surgeon at my 1 week visit Tuesday. If true, then I understand that the procedure involves pulling the stomach back down into the abdominal cavity and making the hole in the diaphram smaller. That plus the residual CO2 might explain this discomfort. As for the GI gas, I had to switch to Lactaid years ago, so if you are having milk in the morning and increased gas later in the day, you might want to try switching to Lactaid for a week or so to see if it clears up. Ellen

I'm 55. Does anyone have information on whether being mature affects the ease or speed of weight loss with the band? Thanks! The only differences I can think of related to age are the severity of the comorbidities that might have developed. Degenerative arthritis in my knees makes it tougher to walk until I get rid of more of the weight. I'm looking into a Water aerobics class and I'll keep walking through the discomfort knowing it will get better as the weight comes off. Because my job is sedentary and I have gotten out of the exercise habit, I have some relearning to do. Other conditions like heart disease might have forced a person into a healthier eating plan which might actually help working with a band. By that I mean that a cardiac diet would have eliminated a lot of unhealthy eating habits and portion control might be the biggest issue....and hopefully one that the band will help with. So, I would think that a mature person who is still in good physical shape and can exercise and who is also able to make better food choices should have comparable results. That's what I'm hoping anyway. Beyond that, I think it's an individual thing. Ellen

I was banded earlier this week and I'm also 59. I was starting to feel like a 70 year old getting around and I didn't want to deal with those restrictions sooner than necessary. I'd say Go For It! Ellen

I was banded on Tuesday by Dr. Barba at St. Francis Hospital. Biggest issue is the shoulder pain from the gas introduced during surgery. I know the best way to get it to absorb is to keep moving around, so I'm fighting the urge to curl up under the comforter and take another nap. Another little walk would be better. I haven't had any gastrointestinal gas...yet. Ellen

Oh this is great! I'm glad I didn't think about it before Tuesday though. I didn't get any sedation before going into OR and I had to scoot over to the table myself. I have no idea how they got me into the bed in recovery, but I woke up in the OR after they were done and they were playing some great music....Ray Charles I think. The bed I had in recovery was moved right into the room, so I didn't have to move again. Now I'm laughing thinking about it all. Ellen

I'm a brand new bandster (banded 3/38) and I'm 59. Had this procedure been available when I was younger, I would have had it done, but I figure it's never too late. I know how much better I felt when I came down from my high, but when that stopped and I started gaining again, I knew I wanted to try something else. I haven't been a "normal" weight since grade school so it's hard to set a specific goal. I would love to get back into the 1's, so that's the goal I've set for myself for now. Best wishes to you. Ellen