Jeen423

Hi everyone. I got my band on April 17th - just one week ago today! So far, so good. I have had a lot of my questions answered by reading this message board. Thanks to everyone who posts! Today I found a large red rash on the inside of my thighs and on the sensitive inside skin of my upper arms. What the heck? It doesn't itch but looks like hives or something. Anybody had a reaction like this? Jeannie

Anyone have any suggestions for getting vitamin E without the little jelly capsule? I can get all of my other vitamins and supplements down but that one gets really stuck. Thanks

If you're not frustrated enough, here's another bit of news- my doctor told me that, in addition to your body fat, your stomach itself will be "losing weight" (the fat that is marbled in your stomach will be reducing as well). So that causes the band to loosen up as well as the swelling going down! Hang in there. The fills will help get your restriction where you want it.

Hi everyone. I had my first fill last week, my shoulder pain returned and I'm having an almost constant pressure feeling in my stomach. I never really even felt the band before my fill. Also, I am having a lot of gas which I didn't have a problem with the first weeks after surgery. Anybody experience this?

Dia, hang in there. Right when I thought I was at the end of my rope, the neck and shoulder pain eased up. I thought something was really wrong when I was having pain radiating all the way up into my neck! Thank goodness for this bulletin board. I'm 2 weeks out and still have a "gas bubble" in my lower abdomen but the chest pain has eased up in the last day or two. But of course, if you're in a lot of pain, don't let us talk you out of calling your doctor! Good luck. Jeannie

Thanks AlysonRR. I thought it might have something to do with the antibiotics or maybe the whey protein. It's not too itchy and otherwise I feel great so I'm going to take a benadryl and keep on going! Take care! Jeannie

I'm so glad you posted this thread! I got my band last Thursday and am still struggling with the gas pain. How are you feeling otherwise? I've been very lethargic even though I've stopped taking my pain meds and have been walking and doing things around the house to try to stay out of bed. It seems like everything just exhausts me. Are you bouncing back pretty fast?

I got my hiatal hernia (which I didn't even know I had) repaired when my band was put in last Thursday the 17th. Some of the gas and suture pain is letting up but I have a fairly constant burn in the center of my chest. Does that have anyhting to do with fixing the hernia and putting in the lap-band together? Thanks

Someone suggested Tivo or taping TV shows and then playing them back so you can skip the commercials. Sounds like a great idea to reduce the visual torture! Good luck

Hey, Just banded! The sugar thing sounds like a critical point. The psychiatrist at my surgeon's office suggested (strongly!) that I get the book, "Potatoes not Prozac". I think it's about the carb/sugar addiction so many of us struggle with. I ordered it today. I'm getting the band next Thursday and I don't want to &*@% it up after all the time and money I have spent to get here. I'll stay away from sugar completely so I don't get on that roller coaster again! Yeah, I know - easier said than done! Wish me luck. Jeannie

Hey Dan, I get banded next Thursday. I had a lot of reservations at first but my Dr. and staff have been so thorough that I really feel good. The only thing I'm really scared of now is the anesthesia. But I just keep thinking about the quality of my life and the pain I'm experiencing right now. The hope of some relief makes the risks seem smaller to me. The only advice I would dare give anyone is to make sure your reservations aren't from not having enough information from your surgeon (or from not having a good feeling about him/her). Don't hesitate to bug them to death if you need more info! I hope you have wonderful success and enjoy your new life! Jeannie

I have run down the list of my friends and aquaintances and picked only a few to tell. I have one friend in particular that I know would say something inane like "why don't you try such and such a diet?". I just don't want those kinds of reactions. Also, I don't want to be the Lap-Band Lady. The reason I'm doing this is to get out from under being identified by my weight issues. I just want to do what I have to do and get on with the parts of my life I have lost to obesity!

Yeah, the tapping technique is called EFT. It's based on the art of acupuncture and is supposed to realign the mental energy etc.. I tried it when I went to a hypnotist to help me with eating. It worked to the extent that, when you are tapping yourself you are conscious of the fact that you want to reduce your craving at that moment. I really didn't think there was much else to it.

Hi all, I'm paying for my surgery myself but I just found out that my insurance company will NOT cover any complications from my Lap-Band surgery. Has anyone else had to make this decision? I'm freaking. I'm finally ready to do this but having to pay for emergency treatment could ruin us financially. Please give me some input. Thanks!

Dear PS, It really is scary isn't it? I have the same fears. I have spent half the day walking around in a daze. Do I get the surgery or not? But I think I have decided with my heart so I probably need to just keep plowing ahead and have some faith that things are going to be O.K. I can envision myself being able to do things I haven't been able to do for years and that kind of snaps me back to the crux of the matter - quality of life. I can either stuggle on grunting when I tie my shoes, hurting myself to keep up with my husband on a walk, not being able to play tennis or even throw a baseball with my grandkids, or I can do this and not look back. I hope both of our struggles with this ends happily! Jeen423

Angelface, I and my hubby also like to travel and cruise. But the last time I was on a cruise I couldn't do some of the things I wanted to. I was too heavy to parasail. I wasn't strong enough to snorkel in the beautiful Mexican water or do much hiking or even sightseeing. I LOVE food but for me it's getting to the point where I feel like I'd rather get to the end of my life and be able to think back on all the things I did instead of all of the forgotton crap (scuz' me) that I ate. I can't wait until my surgery and I have a feeling I'll never look back! And, I understand that you don't stop eating good food, just have to control your portions like crazy. Anyway, these are just my thoughts and feelings. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Thanks so much you all! I know I'm going to be able to get a lot of help here. I'm just going to keep on going with this. I feel my life starting to change and it's exciting and terrifying!!! Wish me luck.

Can you tell me if you experienced any emotional issues BEFORE you got the band. I was expecting the "mourning" of my friend (food) after the surgery and trying to prepare for it but got blindsided by the feelings I'm already having. I guess the silliest thing is that I have been fat almost all of my adult life and yet I am crushed at the diagnosis of "morbidly obese". I look at myself in the mirror every day yet having someone tell me that and seeing it on paper is killing me. Wow! I really didn't think I was in denial about it but I have been in a funk and feeling absolutely HUGE since I started this. Give me your thoughts. Thanks!!!:blushing:

Hi! I'm just getting started. Will probably get my lap-band in April. Can you please tell me what you all mean when you say you have a hard time with or can't eat certain foods? Does it cause discomfort? Where? Does it make you throw up? I really want to do well with this and if I know what to expect I think it will help. Thanks, Jeannie

Thanks so much you all. I really feel like I'm going to have an edge when I get my surgery. This site is so full of useful info and helpful people.

Hi all! I'm new to the site and just getting on my way with the lap-band. I have been medically approved and have my psyche eval on the 19th. I'm paying myself so I'm sure it will go fairly fast and I'll be banded sometime late April. Funny - banded sounds like we're a bunch of carrier pigeons! Anyway, thank God for you all. This site is going to be a lifeline for me, I can tell. My husband and I have decided to tell only a few family members about my surgery. I'll tell my sisters but I just don't want to open myself up for some of the comments and reactions that I know some of you have had to deal with. I was thrilled to find this site. You have already answered so many questions for me! About myself: I'm 47 years old and 5'5" at 251lbs. I have a BMI of 41 right now and seem to be a prime candidate for the band. My doctor told me to do it last fall but it seemed so extreme at the time. I don't know why. Have been "dieting" my way to this weight for 35 years! The only time I have lost a large amount of weight was about 7 years ago when my first husband died suddenly. It was a horrible way to lose and I have gained it all back and then some. My back hurts, legs hurt, ankles hurt.......you know the story. I see the success of the band and I'm really starting to get excited about having a second chance to enjoy my life. Thank you all for being here. Wish me luck! Jeannie