4evrwild

Hey Lise, Gosh, you've been so positive and have been doing so well! I just got my first fill today. It was 1 cc. I have a 10cc band and some was put in at time of surgery so I have a total fill of 3.4cc's at present. I don't feel any different with this first fill at all. Today might not be the best day for me to judge tho. Please keep us posted, and I wish you the best. Just try to do things the way you know you should from now on and hopefully that will get you thru to the time when you finally feel restriction :rolleyes2:

Yay!!! Isn't it a great feeling to finally have had the surgery and now you can be on your way to a new you?!!! Just a note: I was told we can't eat jello post surgery, only before, it could get stuck. I haven't tried it so I don't know from experience but just thot I'd pass it along!! Good luck!

I was told I should get a Medic Alert bracelet/necklace as well but wasn't told what to put on it other than the Adjustable Gastric Band. Since I've read your post I'll have to ask specifically when I see my Dr. tomorrow. Can you tell me what "no NG w/o scope" means, I have no idea atm. Also, where did you order from? TIA

I'd really like some links to some facts on this NSAID issue cuz it has me both worried and confused as a lot of people here have been given different advice. I read on the Allergan site that one should be very careful about taking NSAIDS but there was no info as to what damage it could cause to the band or pouch etc.?? Tylenol is considered an NSAID far as I know. I asked my surgeon if I could take Tylenol and he said "sure". I still would like more info to go on and we have to take something for mentrual cramps and aches and pains don't we? I know I do occasionally. If anyone else has some documented info I'd sure appreciate it :confused2:

Have you actually sat your husband down and explained to him how very much you want to better your life and that of your families for now and the future? Perhaps he should go to one of the seminars with you so he can learn about this as well? I know how some people just can't seem to understand what we go thru cuz they've never been there and it seems like a drastic measure. It's not that drastic really(after all, it isn't brain surgery and it's a 3 compared to RNY which is likely a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, says my surgeon); I spent most of my life being fit and trim and here I am 100lbs overweight!! What? The fact is those of us who really want to better our lives are already half way to doing so, just in knowing it isn't healthy to be so overweight. I've lost weight in the past and gained it back and then some, and then some more, lol. Not really funny but you know how I feel. Sh**t happens.............; sometimes we just need something a lil extra to get there, a great tool like the lapband. We have to feel good about ourselves so others can too, that's what I say You will definately find support here I think. I'm newly banded and just found this site and so glad I did!! I just went to a support group meeting the other day and I'm glad I did that too! I feel so much better already cuz I'm on my way to a healthier and happier me. Send your hubby to this site! Good luck to you and your family!!

Typically, the largest incision and the one that stays sore the longest is where the port is. That's my experience but when you go in for follow up be sure and ask the surgeon. Mine happens to be on the right side but a lot of people have it on the left side. Hope this helps a little bit

That was my thinking too, the other options just seemed waaaaay to invasive for me which means it could be more risky. If we aren't happy with the band for whatever reason, we can have it removed, I don't think you can reverse the others. I hope I never have to remove it cuz I'm very happy I did this. It was either this or keep gaining weight and at my size I needed something to help me. I know it will be a great tool and already is.

Well said and totally true, the people on this site are truly inspiring!

Not sure about that particular drug but I have to take two meds everyday and continue to do so right thru surgery, both pills are small. If they are big you may have to crush them but you should check with your Dr. before doing this and just check with him about any meds you need to take and how to take them. I am allowed to take Tylenol and swallow them at 3 weeks out. I usually cut it in half to make it easier to swallow. I've read where lap banders should avoid NSAIDS but my Dr. says it's ok, still bothers me tho so I try to get by without it.

Worrying won't get us anywhere, so why worry, think positive. You got this far and you will make it work I had the dry heaves after my surgery the whole day I was in the hospital during my overnight stay. I was worrying up a storm and my Dr. just said with a smile, I don't want you to worry, I want you to just relax and concentrate on recovering. So, I take his good advice and cross each bridge as I come to it, that's all we can really do. The hard part is over so hang in there!!!! If you continue to have your doubts you should talk this over with someone like your psychologist. When I got my mental health eval, he said to definately come see him again if I feel I needed it, because some people do get depressed after surgery. I'll finally be at ease next week when I go for my bariam swallow which will give us a baseline for my band, then I will see if my vomiting disturbed the band. The latest way to avoid band slippage is that the Dr. secures the stomach around the band with a few stitches to hold it in place during the critical time of healing. I think it was on this site (can't find it right now) where they have a video posted of the entire surgery, 59 min long, excellent to view this! Sorry so long winded here, lol. Good luck to you! Edit: here's the link if you want to watch the surgery video: Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support - FAQ

Here's a link to my experience. I'm very happy with the decision I made to go with the lapband but I didn't have many co-morbities, just high cholesterol and obese, as if that isn't enough. I have a friend who has diabetes and she chose the band and wants to lose about 80 lbs. It is a personal choice tho. No port infections on any of my 5 new friends who did this surgery on the same day as me. I go for my barium swallow next week to get a baseline for the band. I'm nearly 4 wks post op this Fri. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/new-happy-camper-57493/

It's in the same isle as the Sweet n Low and Equal and I believe the sugar as well. I'm not sure if that's in the "baking" isle or the "coffee" isle but one of those two I believe. Let me know if you find it; I have to drive 60 miles to get to a Walmart, boohoo . EDIT: I have say, you've done fabulous on your weight loss, you must feel great!!! What an inspiration you are to those of us who are just beginning our WL journey!!!! Way to go!

I believe I've seen it at Walmart and definately any health food stores.

I use Altern as well and I really like it. I used to use Equal and Sweet n' Low but because I get migraines I quite them. Some people say they can contribute to migraines so I try and avoid stuff like that.

I'm the same which is why I'm getting really addicted to this wonderful site; I need all the support I can get!! Thanks for posting about the book!!

I'm sorry I just don't remember :tt1:. A lot of times when I find something that I know I can use I just copy and paste the part I want and email it to myself. I wish I could remember but I've been reading so many posts that I just can't recollect. The exact directions I have posted, if I find the original poster, there were two that I had, I will post back for ya.

My port is on the right side and the incision is approx 1 3/4 and I have another on the left side that is about 1 1/8. A total of 5 but the other 3 are so small!!! The bigger ones are just off center on either side and the port one is higher, all well above the belly button so some day I could wear a midriff top and no one will be the wiser, lol.

You have a wonderful attitude. Like you I have not been heavy all my life, the last 8 years is a different story however and I still can't believe I've more than doubled my size. I have nothing but positive thots and I think it's great that you are going to better your life for you and your children. Keep us posted, I'm new here by the way and also newly banded in Saranac Lake, bet ya know where that is, lol.

Congrats, this is such an exciting time for you. You've prepared as much as possible and you can now look forward to the first brand new day of the rest of your life!!! :smile:. That's how I felt anyways, like I get to do it right this time!

Thanks so much Kathy. I'm so glad I found this forum, it will definately help keep me inspired!!

Hello everyone. I am new to this wonderful forum and already I can't tear myself away from reading so many great posts! I had my lapband surgery exactly 3 weeks ago today! I did the HMR shakes for 9 days prior to surgery and lost 9lbs. Total lost in just 4 weeks is 25 pounds and already I feel so much better. Dr. Michael Hill of the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake, NY was my surgeon and I was his first patient. I felt confident in his abilities as he has done many open WLS and the lap band is easy compared to those. He has a wonderful personality and I felt very comfortable with him, a real positive person. After surgery I felt progressively worse as my overnight stay at the hospital wore on as I had a lot of dry heaves and that got me worrying about band slippage. What could I do tho, the anti nausea drugs they gave me didn't work? I went home the next day and was quite sore but nothing I couldn't handle. My blood pressure was way up for me for about 4 days as I was very uncomfortable especially my first few days home with a lot of gas feeling in the tum tum. All that I went thru was pretty much expected, cept for the dry heaving and in less than a week I felt remarkably better. I could go on and on but perhaps I will do that in some later posts if anyone wants to ask me questions. All in all I am very happy I did this. I was a lil' scared at first but I had given it many months of thot since it wasn't offered at AMC till now. I knew this would be a small sacrifice to make to better my life. In two weeks I go for the bariam swallow to get a baseline for my band placement etc. and I will find out, ease my mind, if my dry heaving did any damage. I am told by my surgeon that almost all of his lap band patients he's done have had the dry heaves at some point and he doesn't know why exactly. I sure would like to know if others had this experience. All in all, I'm one happy camper. My next step is to get myself back to exercising which is always something I've enjoyed doing but got harder as I packed on the pounds. Edit: I should also like to add that the Bariatric Program at AMC headed by Dr. Hixson has been designated a Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. I think that's wonderful. The entire staff from the receptionists to the nurses and Dr.'s are exceptionaly friendly, kind, respectful and professional. I can't say enough good things about their team.

I gained about 10lbs as I kept waiting and waiting, about 5-6 months to see if they were even gonna start doing the surgery in my area, eeeek! I was a baaaaaaaad girl, but not anymore :smile:

My pre-op liquid diet went about 800 calories or less per day and the protein goal was 80. In those 9 days I lost 9lbs.

I was on a nine day pre-op liquid diet but I could also have a half cup of cottage cheese or Jello every day. Then after surgery, 2 weeks liquid diet to allow proper healing. You get used to it especially since you really don't feel like eating let alone drinking anything thicker that Water for a few days or so after surgery. It goes by quickly :smile: Edit: and that's exactly why they want to go on a liquied controlled pre-op diet, to shrink the liver :blushing:

I am new as well but I found this as I was wondering the same and found the answers in this forum which I posted to my email, here it is: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/ How to set up your ticker: 1. Go to Trying To Conceive Ticker 2. Click on weight loss link 3. Select a ticker ruler you like by clicking the option button next to the one you choose and then click NEXT 4. Choose a ticker slider you like by clicking the option button next to your choice and then click NEXT 5. Configure your weight tracker by entering you info and the click NEXT 6. You will see a message on the screen that says Done! Your Ticket URL is: (and then there will be a long string of text starting with Trying To Conceive Ticker..... 7. Click your mouse at the beginning of this text (starting with the h in http and drag over the entire line of text. (make sure you highlight the entire line (URL) 8. Press Ctrl+C (hold these keys down at the same time) to copy the text you have highlighted 9. Go back to www.lapbandtalk.com and click the UserCP link 10. Click the link titled Edit Signature 11. Scroll down to the text box titled edit signature and place your cursor where you want your ticker to go 12. Click the icon called insert image - this is the one that is yellow with the two little mountains and sun on it 13. A window will pop up telling you to enter the URL of the image 14. Press Ctrl+V (hold these keys down at the same time) to paste the text you copied in step 8 above into this field. 15. Click ok and you're done! Your ticker should magically appear. 16. Click save signature and you're done - you can update it as often as you want by going to user CP, click on your current ticker and press delete - then repeat these steps to re-add. - Show quoted text -