cherb101

Okay, so to make matters worse I have realized very suddenly that I think I am pregnant. FOr the rest of the scoop I was banded on April 1 and have lost about 68 pounds without a fill. I have been feeling very off and not following my diet and exercise like I am supposed to so. Now I realize that I have a variety of early pregnancy symptoms! This is way to early to be pregnant, I think I'm screwed. Help!

I need someone to vent my concerns to and nned a little help get myself on track. Here is the scoop: I was banded on April 1st and have since lost 68 pounds, which is great but I have yet to have a fill. At first I was freaked out about the fill and delayed it awhile, then when I decided to go ahead I lost lost my job and insurance (cannot afford the cobra coverage). Since then I have fallen off the wagon, eating things I know I should not be eating, not exercising, just really down in the dumps. Now, of course I cannot eat the way I used to but I am still screwing this up. I have no idea what it will cost for the fill to pay it out of my pocket. Also, I am having some issues that concern me. I am having the BP's, they suck but no biggie, burping, hiccups all that, but I am having a lot of trouble swallowing. It seems like everything gets stuck. Is that normal? Also, am I supposed to be able to feel this band in there? Sometimes I can. It is not extremely painful or anything, just a soreness inside that makes me freakout like maybe the band is erroding or it has slipped or I've stretched that pouch out. I just don't know, anyone else with this issue? And what should I do about the fill? I know that if I can get back on track and eat the way I am supposed to and exercise I will still be losing weight, even without the fill. Should I get back on track and wait or pull the money out of my savings and go ahead with it? I just don't know. Please just give me some advice here. Thanks! <!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_42028-->

Currently I am a little restricted. For whatever reason the surgeon did leave a small amount of fluid in the band during the surgery. I just feel like it is time to move forward. My surgeon charges $400 just for an office visit, I am assuming the fills would be that much or more. Being currently unemplyed that is a lot of money to take out of my savings for this.

Self pay will move things along a little faster but my advice is slow down, do not rush into this. This is a major commitment. It took me two years to get the surgery done, if it had happened faster I would not have been prepared.

I too have had frequent gas build up problems, I drink way too much and often have Coke Zero with is a no no! I have found that when I am feeling really blocked up I take some Gas-X thin strips and it will disssapate that gas right away and give some much needed relief. My situation is wierd. I have not had a fill yet but have some fluid in the band which was actually left during surgery. So I do have some restriction and gas has certainly been a problem for me.

No liquids before, during and after meals is becase the fluids will cause the stomach to empty faster allowinng you to eat more.

Just a quick Hi to everyone. I just joined the forum, just checking things out. My banding is in two weeks and I am getting a little nervous, beginning to have second thoughts about going through with it. Anybody else have doubts before going into surgery? I have been reading a lot about anesthesia awareness and that really has me freaked out. I don't know, really questioning if this is the right road for me. This is my second surgery date, it was postponed on February 5 due to high blood glucose. I was ok before that date but now, I don't know. Maybe the delay has gotten to me.