SherryW

Great NSV...congrats!

Oh isn't it a trip learning it? Don't eat to fast or too big of a bite..ohhh I learned that the hard way. I think I wore a hole in my hallway rug hee hee.

The bariatric group I had my surgery with actually has two support groups. One is for banders and the other is for RNY. Each meeting is held on a different day. I thought that was pretty cool and made me feel more comfortable about attending them. I'll be going to my first one on April 6th. Sorry you had a bad experience Dana. I hope you can find a group that is more comfortable for you.

Hi Roni, When I first got my band (2/13) I felt that pain too when I went on mushies. It does go away. I noticed when I ate a little too much is when I'd get that feeling. You are definately still healing and perhaps your pouch was so full it pulled a bit? If it's very painful and doesn't go away I would call your surgeon. That pain just under my left ribs where the port is took me a little over 4 weeks to go away. Lots of work is done in that area, said my surgeon, so it definately takes time hence the reason they tell you to not pick up more than 15 pounds for the first 8 weeks or so or to do abdominal exercises. Hope that helped. Sherry

Howdy everyone, I'm sorry I don't have time for personals today. Kinda hard to catch up lately Question for all of you.....What type of weight scale do you use? I need to buy a new one so I'm looking for suggestions on a good one :eek: Thanks a bunch

Go with what your doctor recommends and ask a local EMT....There is no harm in wearing one but, could be harm in not so why not? EMTs and ER most definately look for the Medical ID Bracelets. My husband was an EMT. As a matter of fact another EMT on this website said to make sure the tag was one that had the emblem on it and wasn't just a charm because it's easier for them to find. Just like with anything else in your life, go with what makes you most comfortable.

I got my medical ID bracelet from Laurenshope.com and I'm making my own bracelets so they are interchangeable with different outfits. My Bracelet says: Adjustable Gastric Band (Lap-Band) surgeon's name Surgeons hospital - Bariatrics phone number of bariatric center They can call that number if I can't tell them myself and there is always someone on call.

Took me 2.5 months from Dec to Feb 13th but, I got alot of appointments out of the way the first week. They just happened to have the openings so I took them all right away. The ultrasound was booked a month out but, someone happened to cancel that day I was in so I took theirs I'm now a month and a few days out and have lost 22 pounds total so far (that includes a little I lost before surgery). I've been at a standstill for 2 weeks. I go on the scale on Monday mornings so hopefully the dang thing moved this week. I don't get a fill until 4/12. TwinkleLiL - congrats on your approval and definately let us know when the surgery date is! Hazel - Have you called the office again to find out what's going on with your approval? I'd be on the phone every day until I got it and remind her what she told you and how you haven't heard a thing. Don't let it pass to long without hearing from her. I swear sometimes the files get shuffled wrong! I hope everyone else is doing well and having a great weekend!

I'm a month out ....has anyone else noticed when you have your period that you can feel the band around your stomach? I don't have added restriction from it but, I definately know it's there. I know some have said they have more restriction from the fluid retention but, I don't really feel that as much as just feel it around my stomach. Sorry I haven't been able to post much....suffered from a terrible migraine this week and was out of work a few days. Trying to catch up on everything now Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

NO doubt in my mind she was upset that her DH paid attention to your figure! She's not thinking that they are with you and your DH all the time so he would notice. I'd listen to his compliment and ignore her catty remark. Feel bad for her because she's that insecure and instead of turning her insecurities around, like you did about your weight, she's finding it in making snide remarks to those she supposedly loves. I'm sure her hubby heard it later too lol. Believe me, I've been there but, it was my MIL this past weekend. When my DH was telling his mom that he and I have lost weight, she cut him off and announced she lost 7 pounds without him finishing his sentence. (This is definately one person I wouldn't share my surgery journey with and swore my DH to secrecy.) MIL usually makes a comment as soon as she sees my DH..."My you've gained weight" but did she happen to notice he's lost around 15, of course she did but, didn't have anything nice to say about it. When he told her he lost 15 and I've lost 22 she just stated again how well she's done and then told him she needed him to fix her computer and change the house filters. Mind you we live 6 hours away and just got there! No "you look like you've lost" no "how was your trip". UGH I was fuming but, was nice since she is my MIL. Every time we go there it never fails that he leaves feeling like chit. When we left on Sunday to come home he received no thank you for the help, instead she turns to me and says "WE still need to lose alot more weight don't we Sherry" My chin must of dropped. I just said goodbye and left. YESSSSS I do need to lose weight but, she's the LAST person I need to hear that from especially since I just got banded on 2/13 and I happen to think I'm doing pretty well at losing 22 so far. UGH People never cease to amaze me with their caddy remarks. Love her because she's my MIL but, DH and I have decided that NOT going there to visit as often is in our best interest right now. Why go just to feel like crap when you leave? Good luck with your friend and know that you're are workin it babe! You're going to be a hot mama and then what will she be thinking hahahaha

Tammy your niece needs counseling for sure. Then let the counselor tell your sister whether or not to tell the school. Honestly, the school won't be able to do much because they aren't going to follow your neice into the bathroom after lunch etc. The counselor will also get to know your niece and where the ideas for this came from and where to go to help her heal. Have your sister talk to your niece's pediatrician and ask for a recommendation for a child counselor. If she trusts and likes her daughters pediatrician then that's the best route to find a good caring counselor. I know my son's helped us alot. He even does teen counseling in his office one day a week so the kids get used to it then if needed he lets the parents know of counselors he trusts. It worked for us with some teen anger issues that my son needed to get out with my XH. I wish you and your family the best with this and your niece is in my prayers.

Only a few days before your fill Rene that's great! I know I need one myself. Been at a standstill for a few weeks now. Frustrating when I have so much to lose. Even though people say you're not suppose to concentrate on losing the first 8 weeks...doesn't matter I wanna lose dang nabbit lol. I can definately tell I need a fill. There isn't any restriction right now except if I take a bite too big and don't chew it well. Even then that only lasts a few minutes then poof, gone and hungry again. I don't get my first fill until April 12th. Another month of no weight loss is not going to be good. I keep trying to tell myself you've lost alot already, you're doing well but I think you all know what I'm talking about. Just frustrating! Hugs to you all and I hope you have a better time on the scale than I did this morning

Hi Everyone, I've been away for a bit I see. I was banded 2/13 and I can honestly say yesterday and today are the FIRST days I've gone with no pain at all. No port pulling, twinging or muscle aches in that area. WHEW it feels awesome. This is also the week I've lost the restriction from the surgery and I won't be able to get a fill until April 12th. My doc won't do them before 8 weeks are up. Says we need to heal first. I didn't lose weight last week and I'm due to weigh myself tomorrow morning. I have a feeling it didn't move. Being able to eat "mushies" of course has added some calories and the trend for me on past diets, fads etc the 3 week I lose nothing. Sometimes the 4th week is the same and I never made it to the 5th week so I'm praying I can keep it together until my first fill. Every time my tummy rumbles and it's inbetween meals I'll drink some water and if that doesn't work then I'll eat a hardboiled egg or tablespoon of peanutbutter so I'm getting the protein but not a bunch of empty calories. Hopefully that will keep me in check until my fill. Ohhh I'm dreading the scale tomorrow but, I gotta do it. One thing with the band at least there is no giving up When it's filled it will keep me in check for sure. As far as the gas pain I had mine for about 3 weeks. I could still feel it in there. GasX helps but doesn't get rid of it all. Hope you're all having a good weekend!

Way to go Elisa! good for you!

Welcome to LBT Ryan and congrats on your banding. I was banded 2/13 and I can definately say this website has been a great help before and after my banding :eek: Good luck!

Sunta, I'm now 20 days out and I still get that pulling feeling. My post op visit was 4 days ago and they told me that feeling could last another 2-3 weeks. SNEEZING oh lordy that does aggravate it and make it hurt. That had me in tears on Friday but, it's getting better. One thing I have learned is you just have to let those sneeze out, don't hold them in at all. Just open your mouth and let it go...hurts far less that way The pulling you're feeling is your muscle that was disturbed during the surgery and if it's under your left ribs area your port is there as well. Same area was responsible for so much work that deep bruising happens etc. That's what I was told anyway. Was actually told they have to tunnel in through that area to get to your stomach to band it. Even the word tunnel hurts hahaha

I didn't like the adult Centrum Chewables myself. They're just too big so I take Flintstones Complete chewables. Doc recommended them It's my understanding that all your medications should be in liquid form or pills that are no bigger than a birth control pill or pills that can be cut or crushed but, every doc is different. You're best to ask your doc.

I'm SHOCKED that Ebay allows such sales and it's just so appauling to me that any doctor would even think about putting that in someone. I think if they are going to allow sales of stuff like that that the consumer should be able to see who's purchased it.

My nutrionist said READ THE LABELS on all things you choose. Well, Slim fast is fine for the full liquid phase at my bariatric center. There are so many Slim Fast shakes you really do need to read the labels. I drink the Slim Fast Low Carb shake. It actually has more Protein and less sugar than the rest of the Slim Fast products...yes even the High Protein Slim Fast has less grams of protein (18) versus the Low Carb (20) so definately read your labels. The Low Carb one also uses Splenda for sweetner. I like the chocolate the best and no aftertaste to me. I also have a powdered form of protein mix called AES Advantage in chocolate. I mix a small amount (maybe a tsp) of fat free sugar free banana pudding mix in with it and use skim milk. It's great that way and sometimes I had 1/2 tsp of Peanut Butter to it. Alone...yuck I don't like it but with the pudding mix or peanut butter it's great. good luck

sunta, I'm 19 days post op and still have that feeling but, it's not as painful as it was in the beginning. I asked my surgeon what it was and was told that is where the port is but, it's also the spot where most of the work is done from. They actually have to tunnel in there to get to where they are going. That tunneling of course causes deep bruising and your port is stitched into place there. You major muscles that help you get up or bend are all in that same spot. When you sneeze...oh lordy....THAT'S where it pulls. I told my doc it kinda feels like there is a little guy in there tuggin on my tubing pulling my port lol. He said yeap that will take a while to heal. I'm expecting this to last me another few weeks but, I can honestly say it's getting better with eat passing day. This dang cold I just caught isn't helping and perhaps set that pain back a bit but, at least I know what it is. Definately call your surgeon so you can ease your own mind. As much as everyone is helpful here...it's always best to call your bariatric center as each doc is different and some do the surgery different ways. Hope you feel better soon. Sherry

Hi Lenay, I just had my surgery on 2/13 all of my pain is gone now except occassionally my port area acts up. I had my postop visit this past Wednesday and they explained to me that area will be sore for a while because it's the area they do most of the work from. The area is just under my left side ribs. Now that I know what it's from I understand it and realize it's just going to take time for that area to heal from the deep bruising. Like people here have said everyone is different. Definately give yourself some time to take it easy after the surgery, follow through with your docs directions and you'll do just fine. As far as erosion and vomiting....give your doc's office a call and let them know your concerns. They'll help you through that. There are medications to help stop you from vomiting and your worries about erosion...ask your doc how many cases he/she has had. That will give you what you need to make your final decision Another thing, especially right after your surgery, you'll have days where you're questioning what the heck you did to yourself. Again, that's natural too. I went through that a few times as well but it has alot to do with the anesthesia leaving your body and you being tired. I'm on my 19th day post-op and I'm already loving my band. I feel great, I'm not starving and I finally feel like I've gained some control over my weight. Best wishes with your surgery!

you are very welcome. Now if someone can give me a quick fix for this pain under my left ribs I"d be in heaven lol. Sneezed way too much today and it's super sore as if I'm back to square one UGH. I know it will get better but, wowza does it hurt right now. Kinda like someone reached in and pulled..hmm wait they did that a few weeks ago heh heh.

I had quite a bit of pain the first week. I'm 17 days out now and still have pain under my left ribs where they did most of the work. Had my post op visit yesterday and they said that could last another few weeks. I'm just starting to feel like myself again except for that pull/burn feeling in that area. I do hope you feel better soon and the pain meds are helping you. I had to give up my pain meds 4th day out because they started to make me feel queazy. I switched to liquid tylenol. walking does help but when you're in pain...sometimes it's not so easy :confused: Good luck and best wishes with your new band

hi Dena, I'm sorry I can't help other than to recommend GasX chewables. I didn't have the shoulder pain but sure had alot of gas that didn't want to come out lol

OMG I'm laughing so hard my port side hurts again hahahaha. Thank you so much for the wonderful sense of humor!