Hoop79088

I've heard before (I might have read it on here, I don't remember) that your band can be tighter in the morning. I experience this every morning but I don't know why? Is it because I've been laying down? I can't think of another reason. The second question is - I've also heard that sometimes your band can be tighter when you are close to that time of the month. Has anyone else experienced this? I have had trouble eating anything the last 2 days that didn't stick me. I'm very conscious of my chewing and don't drink while I eat either but it seems like the last 2 days I haven't been able to get anything down with it causing me trouble and I should be starting my period in about a week. Any thoughts and suggestions?:thumbup:

Wow, I could have written this same exact thing!!! I am in the same boat you are. I don't have all of the answers but when I really concentrate on the small bites and chewing like crazy I usually don't get stuck. My fills/unfills costs $275 so I don't really want to do that. I am losing weight and hope that once I lose more weight I won't be as tight and the getting stuck won't be as often. How much weight have you lost? I've lost 31.5 in a year. I've got about 40 to go. Good luck!!!

Hello, I was also banded in May of 2008 and I am now at 195.0. I have lost 31.5. I have struggled this last year with not losing more. Have you had trouble with that? I see other people that have lost alot more their first year and I want that too. It is still coming off so I know I need to be patient, it's just hard for me some times.

I did this for 13 years but was only onsite at a customer's location for about 3 years. I sure don't miss the stress but it was a cool job.

I am covered through my employer with BCBS. I have been shopping for health insurance for the rest of my family. My employer has agreed to take me off their group insurance and pay for a policy for me, my husband, and son because the cost is very close to what they were paying just for me on the group policy. The problem is that when BCBS found out that I had had the lap-band surgery they would not cover me at all, excluded me completely! Humana did the same thing. Has anyone had this trouble and does anyone know of an insurance company that will cover you (not under a group policy) knowing that you've had this surgery?

Well, the problem isn't with the group policy at my work, I am covered there and haven't had any problem, although that insurance wouldn't cover the surgery which is not problem. The problem is with the insurance outside of my work that I am trying to get for my husband, son, and me. I want to be taken off my company's group policy and want to be added to the policy for just my family but won't do that unless I can find a company to take me. Does that make sense?

This has happened to me and I went to the bathroom, stood in the stall and bent over as well as I could. At least no one could see me trying to get un-stuck!

We have had the stomach virus going around alot and I have been around several people that have come down sick with it. What are the guidelines for feeling sick to your stomach and trying to protect your band?

I haven't heard of this but I'm gonna try it. I have heard of drinking room temperature pineapple juice. It seemed to help a little.

It has been suggested to me to drink a small can of room temp pineaple juice. I have tried it and it seems to help.

What is the "downward facing dog"?

Being a Crime Scene Investigator seems like such a cool job!! I'm jealous! I think stuff like that is sooo cool!! I know this is the guy's room but I couldn't help myself!!

yes I had the procedure performed on May 9, 2008 and Dr. Guillermo Alvarez did it.

My experience with him was a very positive one. I would recommend him to you. He took time to explain exactly what he was doing. When I went there were 4 of us that were getting the procedure and he and his assistant actually carried our bags to our room. He has a van that comes to Eagle Pass and picks you up and then when you are released from the hospital, the van takes you back to Eagle Pass. He takes time to sit down and answer any questions you may have and doesn't rush you through your questions. If you go to Youtube.com and look up his name it will show him doing the procedure. I have a scar about an inch long about 3 or 4 inches above my bellybutton and 3 very small, almost non-visible scars. One on each side of my stomach and one right below my breastbone. The inch long scar is visible. I believe you will be happy with him. Very nice and professional yet he isn't all full of himself like alot of doctors are. Good luck. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

I got the same advice you did. Don't count calories or fat, just quit eating when you are full. And of course..excercise!

wow!!!! That is a great price for fills!!! I live close to Amarillo, too bad we are so far apart, I'd try your doctor!!!!

Hello, I had my surgery done in Mexico and I went back to my doctor for my first fill and he used the flouroscopy (sp?). It was a very good experience because he didn't have to look for my port and he was able to watch liquids go through the band while I was there. My 2nd fill was at a local doctor that didn't use the flouroscopy. He had to move the needle around a little more to get it into the port correctly which was a little uncomfortable but he had deadened the skin first so it wasn't painful. The 2nd doctor I used told me that with the kind of band that I have they usually put in 1.5 cc in at the first fill (which the doctor did) and put in .5 cc each fill after that. The 2nd doctor chraged me $175. When I went to Mexico, he charged me $100. Hope that helps. ;0)

I don't mean to sound like a whiner but I've lost 15 pounds since my surgery on May 9 and I'm stuck at that weight. I realized I was still eating too much after my first fill on July 5 but I've really tried to watch the amount of food I'm eating and feel like I'm really doing better. I also walk 2 to 3 times a week but I'm still not losing weight. I'm just discouraraged right now and feel somewhat of a loser (not in the right sense!!). I'm drinking more water than I ever have before also. Is there something I'm missing?

If you stretch your pouch, does it ever go back to it's normal size? Or do you just live with a larger pouch?

No, I'm not keeping a journal right now. What is the best way to do that? Just with a notebook of some sort?

I'm not keeping a journal so I will start. I'm not eating almost any bread, I think I've only had a couple of pieces since my surgery. When I walk, I walk 2 miles in about 40 minutes. I still have to be careful and not get food stuck. If that is still happening, do I need a fill already? For your Journal, do you just keep a notebook with what you have eaten?

I was trying to calm her nerves. I'm not her surgeon and wasn't trying to act like I was.

I was told by my doctor to have clear liquids for the first week and then full liquids on the 2nd week so having full liquids on the 9th day and on isn't going to hurt you. I think the directions that your doctor gave you are good but since mine was a little different that tells me that having full liquids on the 2nd week is ok. I just got my first fill last week and I was afraid that I had stretched my pouch because I was able to eat anything I wanted to before the fill. When I went for my fill the doctor told me my pouch looked fine and you would have to really abuse your pouch to stretch it. I don't know how much abuse it would take to stretch it but I think you are ok.

The first week post op is clear liquids. The 2nd week is full liquids, (yogart smoothies, etc). I am on my 3rd week post op right now and I"m on foods that are textured like mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, etc.

I didn't have a pre-op diet, I think it depends on your BMI if you have to do anything pre-op. You will be very happy with Dr. A. His staff is very kind and that helps with the jitters! Good luck! Any other questions, please let me know.