alice150

I was banded on April 8 and have been doing fine. I have had some pain at the port site from time to time, but nothing constant. I do notice that there is a bulge or puffiness from the port incision to the my left side. Its soft. I can't feel my port unless I really push down. I had my first fill last Tuesday, and my doctor said that the pain might just have been that I twisted or turned a certain way, but he never addressed this puffiness. It doesn't hurt, its just puffy on one side and not on the other right above my waist. Is this normal just because the port is under there? Does anyone else have anything like this? Thanks. Alice Banded April 8, 2008

Ellen, Indiogirl(Janet) is our inspiration around here. She keeps us going with encouraging words and some tough love at the same time. Good luck on your surgery. I really can't advise you on which band to pick. I'm not sure what the difference is. I have a 10cc LapBand and feel fine. I had my surgery on April 8 and my weight loss has been slower than some of the girls here, but I'm getting there. You will be in my prayers. Check in with us and let us know how you feel. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/236.5/150

Hi Everyone, I really appreciate everyone who weighed in on my situation with changing doctors while I'm living away from home for a year. I really just panicked when I realized how different this doctor handled things and should have discussed it with him a little more. I have been losing, slowly but surely, but I do also feel the need for more restriction. I will probably consider going back to him if my own doctor sticks to his 5 lb or more loss a month rule. He will not consider an adjustment of the band if you lose 5 lbs or more in a month. Thanks for all the input. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/236.5/150

Janet, I haven't posted in awhile, but I did see that you have some stuff going on that I'm sure has you a little nervous. I am keeping you in my prayers. Hugs, Alice

Hi All, I haven't posted in awhile here but I feel like I connect to all of you the most. Some of you already know that I live in S. Florida and recently had to relocate to the St. Pete area because of my office closing. I made the move so that I could make my 20 years with the company which will be next year and 20 years brings better benefits at retirement. I am living apart from my husband and adult son, who is high functioning autistic. I am committed to making this year a positive experience for everyone, me, my husband, my son (who could learn to live with a little less mothering at 24) and feel that being by myself most of the time, my weight loss journey will be easier. I am still planning on seeing my surgeon in S. Florida, since I am here on long weekends on a monthly basis. I was a bit upset at my last appointment because I felt that I should have a fill. I had one on May 19 and just felt that I could eat too much. I lost 10 lbs between May 19 and June 24, my next appointment. The doctor said he would not fill me. He is very conservative and will not adjust if things are going well. I feel very mild restriction and feel that I can eat past it, around it, whatever, but I had no choice but to wait and see what happens in the next month. When I made the physical move to St. Pete, I was doing lots of lifting and was in severe pain for several days right after the move in my port area. I found a local Lap Band surgeon and went to see him yesterday. My husband wanted me to have a doctor in the area, just in case of an emergency. When I saw this doctor, I could not believe the difference in thinking. My doctor says keep track of calories 1200 - 1400 a day, exercise daily and use the band for the tool that it is. This new doctor says 800 - 1000 calories a day and he was willing to do a fill yesterday even though I have lost 8 more lbs since June 24! In fact, he said, "We will make it real tight". As I was waiting to be called into the fill room, I got scared. I didn't want to be "real tight". I would like a little more restriction, but at the same time, I don't want to go through the pbing and sliming from a band that is too tight. I decided to tell him that I was not staying for the fill today and that I really just wanted the port checked out because of the pain that I had the week previous. I left and said I would call for an appointment. I don't think I will call for an appointment, though. I think this doctor is too aggressive, while my own doctor isn't aggressive enough. Whether I am losing weight because of the band or in spite of it, I am going to keep doing what I am doing and talk to my doctor on August 5, when I see him again. I just wanted to share and see what you all think of this. Thanks. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/236.5/150

Name - Alice Date you were banded - April 8, 2008 Weight Lost to date - 30 lbs How are you feeling? - Good - Not much restriction, but I have been able to stick to healthy diet and I have been exercising!

Lundy Lane, I am just like you. I was banded on April 8, I have had 1 fill on May 19 and I have never really experienced pb'ing or sliming. I am losing weight too. At 6 weeks the doctor gave me a fill because I lost most of the weight in the first 3 weeks. I went back 5 weeks later on June 24 and I had lost 10 more lbs. I wanted a fill because I felt that I was eating too much and I didn't think I was getting any message from the band. He wouldn't do it. He will not give fills if you've lost more than 5 lbs in a month. I am watching what I eat, keeping track of calories most days and exercising. I feel like I am losing weight in spite of the band. If having this surgery is what helped me make these choices, I am fine with that. I am going to keep going like I have and if I don't need a fill for a couple of more months, so be it. I started out on the day of surgery with 4cc's in a 10cc band and then had 1cc added on May 19. I want to take my time with this because my band is already 50% filled. My doctor feels the same way. He's very conservative, but until I am not losing weight, I won't complain. Good luck. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/242/150

Is peanut butter and jelly ok? I would spread it very thin on toasted whole wheat bread or on thin tortilla. Sometimes you just have to have a taste of the comfort food! Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/242/150

Thanks for the input. I'm going to try it like I said, very thin spread on toasted bread, but I will also ask the doctor what he thinks. Alice

NOPBJ, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with the anesthesia. I also had a very bad reaction to the anesthesia. I had dry heaves for two days and when I woke up I was incredibly dizzy. My heart rate dropped too low and then my blood pressure went up. They had a very difficult time stabilizing me. All in all, the surgery itself was not so bad. I do feel the outpatient surgery centers are a joke, though. Definitely an assembly line atmosphere. Once you are out of surgery, their job is to get you out the door as fast as they can to get your space ready for the next outpatient procedure coming to recovery. I was sent home much too early and still having dry heaves and very dizzy. My insurance would have covered inpatient for this, and my recommendation to anyone who can get the coverage for inpatient is to stay the night, if they can. Good luck on your journey. I think you will find it getting better and better every day. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/242/150

Hi Janet and all you other LBT'ers, I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! Well I haven't posted in awhile because I have been making some major changes in my life (for the coming year anyway). I moved 300 miles away from my husband and 24 year old son who is high functioning autistc and still lives at home. My office in S. Florida is in the process of closing due to centralizing operations and I will be living in the St. Pete area for the next year. I've been with the company for 19 years and I really couldn't take the severance package with the closing because 20 years of service brings lots of benefit perks for early retirees. I'm not at that point yet and will not be for several years, but I would have to wait to collect my pension until I am 65, if I did not make 20 years. This way I will get my 20 years in next year and be able to collect on my retirement anytime after I turn 55 (two years from now). I feel very weird. Very out of place by myself. I moved into my one bedroom apartment on Wednesday and my husband and son left to go back to S. Florida today. With the price of gas, we decided it would be best to travel home for the weekend once every three weeks. I'm a little anxious, but I realize this is an opportunity for me as well. This coming year is about me! My food shopping was geared only to me today and I will only have food in the house on my food plan, no one else's. I also hope to meet a fellow LBTer in the area soon. Anyway, I just wanted to check in. I hope everyone is doing well and feeling good about their new lives. Hugs to all! Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/242/150

Janet, Congratulations! You are truly an inspiration to us all, especially this 53 year old grandmother of one! I will have to take some pictures, so I have some before pictures to post 8 months from now. Thanks. Alice Banded 4/8/08 271/243/150

Hi everyone, I will be going for my second fill tomorrow. I was banded on April 8 and have lost 28 lbs. I have a 10cc band which started out with 4 cc's from the day of surgery. My first fill was May 19 and it was 1 more cc. I have never really felt any restriction, even after my fill. The doctor said that he did not think 1 more cc would feel much different??? At the time, I was just starting solid food and couldn't really tell him how full I felt. How much of a fill should I get tomorrow? I don't want to be too restricted, but I do want to get some kind of message from the band. Do I have a say in how much I should get, or should I just leave it up to the doctor after telling him that I can eat way too much without feeling it, if I don't make myself stop from sheer willpower. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/243/150

Hi everyone, It sounds like Janet is really giving out the kudos to everyone. Everyone is working very hard. It is a complicated journey and even though we were banded to help, its more work than I think most of us realized. I saw my doctor today and I told him that I was fine but I did not think the band was communicating with me. I thought I was able to eat more than I should be. He looked at my weight loss since the last visit on May 19 - 10 lbs. He said - no adjustment today. His rule - if weight loss is 5 lbs or more in a month, no adjustment. I was a little disappointed and told him that I didn't feel anything. He said, if you feel something, its too tight. He said that I am working the system the way it is supposed to be worked and I would not have lost 28 lbs in 11 weeks before this. He's right. He also asked me if I could eat a Big Mac. I really don't know because I haven't tried, but with how I have been eating for the most part, I'm not really sure I can. I tried a filet of fish sandwich a few weeks ago and it didn't go down very easily. I didn't finish it. He used that to show me that the band is doing its job. I guess my band is talking to me, just not shouting at me :sad_smile: So, I am going to keep working at it everyday - healthy food choices, exercise, Water and lots of positive self-talk. Good Luck everyone. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/243/150

Well, I am back from my appointment. No Fill. My doctor's guidelines are weight loss of less than 5 lbs in one month before he will consider any further adjusting. I've lost 10 lbs in the last 5 weeks. I explained that I did not think that the band talks to me and he laughed. He said I am obviously working the system the way it should be worked and if I want to feel food in my band, I am looking for it to be too tight! I'm only 2.5 months out and have 5cc's in a 10cc band. He is afraid that I will max out if I look to have a fill too soon. Thanks for the feedback but I will follow the doctor's orders and whether it is because of the band or in spite of it, I don't plan on losing less than 5 lbs a month! Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/243/150

This is where I really have to do better. I have been walking 3x a week with a friend at work during lunch time at a huge outlet mall. I always say I will exercise in the a.m. before work and I never do. I want to get into a routine 5 days a week. I'm actually moving this weekend from S. Florida to the St. Pete area for a year. I will be living away from my husband and adult son who is high functioning autistic. I didn't want to do this, but I will have 20 years service with my employer next year and I would lose the option to get my retirement benefits early if I don't make it to 20 years. It will be difficult to be traveling back and forth every other weekend, but I do see an opportunity with this move as well. This is my time to take care of myself. I will only have healthy food in the house, I will join a gym and transform myself this coming year! Good Luck to everyone. Alice 271/243/150 Banded April 8, 2008

Janet, Thanks for all your support for everyone. Whenever I've had a bad day, I sign on here and feel much more positive about what I can accomplish. Its the success stories, like yours, that help. I've been struggling lately but have many more good days than bad and I hope when I see the doctor tomorrow, my second fill will help a little. I know the work is up to me. The last time I weighed, I had lost 28 lbs - about a week ago, but I'm all bloated due to TOM - (yes, at 53 years old, I still have a monthly visitor), so I'm not sure what the scale will show tomorrow. You are the perfect person to be on a Lap Band Patient Advisory council since you are so in tune with what everyone is going through. Have a great weekend and let us know how it goes. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/243/150

Hi Ladies, Just checking in. I'm doing good today, but I have struggled a little with junk in the last couple of days. I realized last night that it was "PMS". I'm 53 and still getting periods!!! I went 8 weeks this last cycle after just about having a clockwork cycle of every 4 to 5 weeks and I thought maybe this is it! Maybe menopause is starting. Not yet I guess. I never thought I would be looking forward to it, but I am. Beckyo, sounds like you are doing great and you won't believe the difference a week from now. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and hope to get a fill as I'm pretty sure from some eating episodes, that I really need another one. Have a great weekend everyone. Alice 271/243/150

Beckyo, I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable but you seem to be doing everything right. I would call the doctor to see what you can take for the heartburn. I didn't experience heartburn but almost everyone suffers with the gas in the first week or so. It will get better and you will be encouraging other new bandsters before too long. Hang in there. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/243/150

That was a great article. I'm going to print it and take it to my doctor with me next week. I'm doing much better since the weekend and concentrating on making healthier choices. Have a great day! Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/243/150

I wish it took me longer. I am having trouble slowing down. I usually take about 20 minutes at the most, but I don't feel any restriction. I've had one fill on May 19 and will have another one next week. I know there is more than one reason for learning to eat slow. It takes at least 30 minutes for your brain to get the message, plus food may get stuck when the restriction is right. I'm waiting for my band to talk to me just a little bit more. Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/243/150

Apples, Welcome to Bandland! You have already done so well pre-op, I know you will be successful with your new weight loss tool. I was glad that I didn't have any pre-op diet or requirements but I now realize that I would have been a little bit further on learning the portions and slow eating if I did have a pre-op diet. I've had one fill but haven't hit my "sweet spot" yet. I go back on June 24 for my next appointment. Hopefully I'll get some signals after another fill. Feel better soon. Sounds like you are doing great! Alice 271/243/150 Banded April 8, 2008

I was banded April 8 and had my first fill on May 19. I have a 10cc band that had 4cc's from the beginning and on May 19 I received an additional 1cc. I felt a little restriction right after but it did not really last. I don't feel any restriction right now and even though, I've lost more weight, I would like to get a message from my band when I eat. My next appointment is June 24 and I hope to get 1cc more. We will see what happens. Alice 271/244.5/150

Hi Fifties gang, I've been on the forum for a few months and was banded on April 8. This is my first time in the Fifties board but I think I will be visiting more often. I only went back a couple of pages on posts and realize that there is so much success in this group. So many of you have done so well in just a year's time or less! I need all the inspiration I can get and I think I have found it. Alice 271/144.5/150

Hi SS, I am also in Florida. I actually live in Sunrise in S. Florida but will be moving to the St. Pete area for a year on July 2 due to my job. I was banded on April 8, 2008. I have been successful, losing 26 lbs since then. How soon to you hope to have surgery? Where in Florida are you? Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/245/150