Jessyca

I had lapband surgery in 3/08. I had pneumonia three times from the lapband. I don't think mine is placed too high or anything but I can't really tolerate any fill. Even with a small fill I would vomit water. My port is always sore, I lost about 50 pounds and gained it all back and then some. They found nothing wrong with the lapband and recommended I just have it removed. I finally got health insurance but have to wait a year for a pre-existing condition clause. It's as if I didn't have surgery at all. While I had no serious complications, I am very disappointed that it didn't work for me. I'm glad to see it works for most though!

The IUD is not fool proof. It works about 97% of the time. I just had a baby while using the IUD for 3 years. I even had it checked by my OB/GYN two months before I got pregnant!

SpecialK, I was in the same boat. Totally starving. I was banded on 3/17/08 and my first fill was scheduled for 5/9/08. I called last week and played the "I am eating way too much and afraid I'll stretch my pouch card" and they gave me my first fill last Friday, 4/18/08. Wow, what a difference! I've lost 4 lbs since then. I can still eat salads and protein well, but the few crackers I was eating, I can no longer tolerate. I got 3cc's at surgery and 1cc last week. I begged for 1.5cc's but am so glad I only got 1cc. I am not near as hungry or able to eat that 1.5 to 2 cups of salad, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. So I hope your first fill is soon... Also, ironically, SpecialK is what my nickname is at work. It's due to my last name. I guess you can figure out that one is! Take care!:redface:

My surgery was on 3-17-08. I've lost about 16 pounds, 13 of which were during the first two weeks as well. I had two weeks of liquid, 2 weeks of soft foods and now I'm starting solids. I don't know, I was hoping for more but then I remind myself that losing anything is better than nothing. My first fill will be 5/9/08. Can't wait, that's for sure. I seem to have no restriction of any kind even though I got 3 CC's at surgery. I'm not as hungry as I was on liquids. I think even though we know we should lose 1-2 pounds a week, we secretly hope it will be more like 3-4 pounds. Good luck to everyone and take care!!!

Banded 3/17/08, down 13 pounds. Actually lost the 13 pounds the first week out and nothing since then. I know, I know, time to heal but hoping for more. Does anyone eat more than 1/2 cup at each meal of the mushy foods?

I was banded two days before you and am also on mushies. I find that yogurt and cottage cheese are good for protein but aren't that filling. My dr allows us to have fish and tuna. I find that tuna salad fills me up immediately. I had 3cc put in during surgery but I still find that I am hungry. My 1st fill is scheduled for 5/9.

I have an 8 month old, 4 and 6 year old. I waited one week from my surgery on 3-17 to pick up the infant for fear the band would slip. After my 10 day post op appt, my dr said no problem with the baby and infant carrier. She weighs 20 lbs. I still don't pick up the older ones since they weigh like 60 lbs. Good luck!:crying:

I have a 8 month old, 4 and 6 year old as well. I got banded on 3/17/08. My dr told me nothing heavier than 10 lbs for the first week, then add 5 pounds each week thereafter. However, the help wore out after week one and my husband had to go away for three days during week 2. So badically I just followed the lifting regulations for one week. Then at my 10 day post-op appt, my Dr said lifting the baby (20lbs and carrier) was fine. Hope that helps....

Ejmdiva, No, I seriously relate. My band date was 3/17/08. I too am hungry. It started on Friday. I don't know if it has anything to do with not having to follow a pre-op diet or what. I can't wait for soft foods. That will be next Monday. Take care!

It's been one week for me as well. I started feeling better on Friday. Went out shopping, grocery store, etc. and then crashed on Saturday. I am going to go to work for a few hours today. I only work part time but will start my three days a week on Wed. No nausea. I was so expecting it because I puked all through my three pregnancies for nine months. I am sooooo tired of my liquid diet. I am literally hungry all the time. I'm behaving because I don't want to hurt anything. However, I can't wait to start on mushy foods next Monday. At this point I would love to eat oatmeal, fish, well let's face it, anything. A week ago I couldn't have imagined I would be craving healthy foods. I have my post op appt on Friday so I am hoping he puts me on soft foods then. Easter was difficult. I brought my broth and watched my family enjoy their ham, potatoes, etc. The fun part was when my dad brought out my favorite cheesecake from costco. If looks could kill.... My biggest obstacle, besides hunger is my 8 month old. Not being able to pick her up has been impossible. My husband, mother and even my 4 and 6 year old have been helping with that. The 4 year old is frightening though, and is no longer allowed to pick her up. Tomorrow no one will be here with me, my 6 year old is back at school so I will have no choice but to pick her up. Unfortunately, she weighs 19 pounds. I am really going to be careful and hope nothing slips. It's not the pain or anything, I'm really not sore anymore, just a little twinge here and there. My main concern is not causing any problems with my new lapband.:wub: Just wondering what everyone's lifting limitations are? Take care, Jessyca

Mergatroy- glad your home from the hospital. The no peeing sounds icky. I'm feeling somewhat better today. Still struggling with my three young children. My mom and husband are a help but having him get up in the middle of the night to pick her up out of the crib and put her back is getting old. Today she bumped her head and my mom ran over and scooped her up and gave her cuddles. I'm like, "hello, mom's here". Also, anyone having difficulties with the Protein drinks. I got a sampler pack at my dr's office. The broths, hot cocoa, etc are pretty good. The pudding was awful. Barely tolerating the GNC whey vanilla. I've been reading some other threads and it looks like Isopure and unjury are popular. Any thoughts. I was reading a thread somewhere and they mentioned "cake batter" flavor from GNC. Called GNC, no such beast. I mean really, that sounds fantastic. Well, my 4 year old son just sprayed Water all over the kitchen, my 6 year old plugged up the toiled and my 8 month old is screaming from the high chair, and unfortunately, I'm all alone for the next two hours. Sometimes you just have to laugh or you'll pull your hair out. Still glad I did it but looking forward to a long weekend with family around to help out. Take care everyone! Any thoughts on the Protein shakes would be welcome........:wink2:

Gregw I like your train tracker. Yeah, I'm finding that most dr's don't put any fill in during surgery. Not sure how I feel about it yet. We'll see. How are you feeling? Ohio is not too far from PA...

I'm home as well. I also was banded on 3/17/08. Feeling okay, I did take some pain killers this evening. I have an infant, a 4 and a 6 year old so homecoming was a bit hectic. My youngest is 8 months old and I'm not supposed to pick her up, she's about 20 pounds. They said nothing over 10 pounds for 5 weeks. I don't know how that is going to happen. My husband is helpful but can't be around every second. Oh well, if I can go one week w/o picking her up I'll be good. I have a question. My Dr put 3 cc in my 10 cc band during surgery. Did this happen to anyone else? I tried to eat some broth and was so filled up halfway through. Take care everyone, I'll be thinking of you!

Yes, I think it sounds like a external yeast infection. I have suffered from them for the last several years. Especially through my pregnancies. When you see the Dr. ask for a "skin scrape" to be sure it is caused by yeast. They can then give you the appropriate medicine to make it go away. Otherwise, it it's yeast it will keep coming back.

Oh and I forgot through all the complaining. Good luck to all of you scheduled for surgery Monday and this month! We can and will do it. Yeah!

Yes, the excitement is building! Today is my husband's birthday, so I think we'll go out for a nice steak dinner. I did not have to do a pre-op diet, but I wish I had. I think I gained 5 pounds this week with the mentality, "it's my last...". I have to report at 8:30am on Monday at Osteopathic Hospital in Harrisburg, PA. They too want to keep me overnight. I am so glad since I have an 8 month old, 4 and 6 year old. There is no rest here. I also have grand dreams of turning into Martha Stewart over the weekend, cleaning and organizing my whole house. The hours are ticking by and it's probably not gonna happen. Now, if I can only get the laundry done and the house vacuumed, we'll be okay. :thumbup:

I am getting banded on St Patty's Day in central PA. I found this forum recently and I gotta tell you, great advice. Thank you all! Maybe some day I will be one of those "old timers" helping people benefit from my success. Trying to think proactively here, otherwise, I'll lose it. Having three small children under the age of 6, I have got to get organized and be prepared for Monday. Perhaps I should get "offline" and clean my messy house. :grouphug:

Angie, it took me a few months. I went in Nov for my first month in my "3" month diet. I went back the beginning of Dec and then again in Jan. When I went on 1-4-08 they told me my insurance company no longer requires a 3 month diet or psych exam. So they submitted the paper work the following week. After that I did the blood work, etc. So from start to finish it has been 4 1/2 months. Not too bad considering some of the stories I have read about on the threads.

Yes, I too am quite excited. Good luck with your surgery as well. I will check out the March bandsters thread. I do have a question, where do you get the ticker and the "Shrinking Shamrocks" logo? Just curious. I guess I just cut and paste, huh? Take care, Jessyca

I live in Harrisburg. Very close to Lancaster. I have family in Virginia too, near the Navy Base in Portsmouth. Small world. Will you be getting your surgery anytime soon?

Okitsme- I too am excited. I have three children under 6, so I am desperately trying to get those "loose ends" completed. Of course, they all need snacks for St. Patty's Day, Easter, etc. Take care!

Rachel, That's great! I am having my surgery at Osteopathic Hosptial by Dr Currie. I work in Hershey, so I am very close by. I wish you the best of luck. Keep me posted of your results! :grouphug: Jessyca

Hey, I have a 3-17-08 date as well. I live in Harrisburg, PA. Anyone near here? Good luck to you all. I think I have been eating more bread, pasta and red meat this last week than is humanely possible. Take care. :drool: