Ineedalapband

Just wondering if anyone knew of a LB support group on the MS Gulf Coast, particularly the Gulfport area? I live on the coast but got banded by a Dr. in Covington, LA and don't want to travel that far for a support group, especially if they are in the evening. Thanks!

I know this question has been asked a million times and I did read through the responses I could find before posting but I'm still not sure and hoping some of you could give me some insight. I had my band placed last August and though I've only lost 40 lbs I'm happy with it. Anyway, I've been nauseous for the last 3 days and have pain in my gut right where the top insision is. It feels hard when you press it too. I've eaten oatmeal twice in the last 2 days and all went well but I'm still pretty darn nauseous and just trying not to throw up. I just don't feel well but its making me worry my band has slipped. I do not have any coughing at night but do have small burping (like when you have indigestion) even though I haven't eaten anything. Whats your take? Sick or Possible Slip? (Oh, and there is no way on earth I'm pregnant. My husband is currently deployed.)

MissBs - I guess I just had a bug. Odd though that it lasted almost a week. I'm feeling much better now and am going to go ahead with my scheduled fill on Wed. I'm at 8ccs now. I'll be interested how much they put in. Hope this one is the charm.

Thanks everyone. I'm still feeling a bit funny and not really eating. I did just make myself eat some chili from Wendy's because I'm sure my body could use some protein right about now. It seems to go down ok, but I still feel so nausious. So, I guess if its not better by Monday I'm going to call my Dr. and ask what they think. I'm schdeduled for a fill next week too but I don't know if I'll get it.

I've had so many fills at this point I have lost count. Seriously. I do know that at this point I have 8cc in a 10 cc band! I still do not have great restriction. It does make it harder to eat some things but I still don't get that "full" feeling. Ever. I've been feeling queasy the last few days and unable to eat much of anything. Now I'm worried my band has slipped. I don't know if I'm just sick or what.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I could have written that post. Other than bread I can eat as much of anything I want. I want to feel full and quickly! Thats why I did this! I haven't gotten a fill in two months, not because my Dr. won't give me one but because I had some fillings in my teeth replaced and they have been so painful I can hardly chew anything. I've had them replaced again and they are still so painful I can't chew. I'm waiting to get a fill until I can chew again. Note to anyone - do dental work in small doses with a Lap Band. I would have never done both sides of my mouth if I had known I wouldn't be able to chew. No chew + Lap Band = Throw up! I feel like after all of this my now my teeth are holding me back! Thank God for Fat Free Refried Beans!

I always get a quick stick to numb the area first, then the fill. I had the surgeon do my fill once and now I make sure to make my appointments with the Nurse Practitioner. He stuck me over and over. You can tell he doesn't normally do the fills. No thanks, I'll stick to the NP who does fills all day long and gets it on the first try just by feel. :wink_smile: I'll be going for my 5th fill at the end of the month. I have a 10cc band with 6.4 in it. They put me up to 7 last time but it was too tight and I had to have .6 taken back out the next day. I was gurguling my own spit!

I love my Divacup and wish I had known about it years ago. I tell everyone I know to get one. I think I paid about $20 for it and it was worth that and so much more. It lasts for years. I think the cheapest place I've heard of people getting them was at iherb.com.

Where do you guys buy the Biotin? Mine is falling out like crazy and I'm still getting the regrowth from having my baby last year. My husband actually bought me a shower drain cover today and told me to use it since he had to unclog all the hair from the shower. Also, can anyone suggest a good chewable Vitamin that you can buy locally without having to order a special/expensive one. I take 2 Chewable Centrims but I'm not sure its enough.

I have Tricare Prime. My Drs office covered the fills for the first 3 months then I had to get a referral from my PCM for "continuing care". She gave me 4 visits on my referral since I just called but I'll go see her and explain I need more when the time comes. I pay nothing. Thank You Tricare! As for the fills, my Dr says only liquids 3 hours before a fill, liquids that day, mushies the next, on to normal foods the 3rd day.

PB will also usually be accompanied by a huge glob of slime. You'll start "sliming" (producing lots of saliva) when you've done a no-no (not chewing well enough, etc.) and then eventually the PB will come back up. Its yuck and you'll know when it happens. Its kinda like throwing up. :thumbup: I was too tight with a fill yesterday and PBed a tablespoon of liquid tylenol. Even it came out surrounded in slime. I got some taken out today. What a relief!

I had one and will admit I was also squeamish about taking it out but will tell you it was really no big deal. I actually had my mom pull it out while I closed my eyes. It only took a second and I could barely feel it. It didn't hurt, it was only a "weird" feeling like someone already told you. I was amazed though at how long the tube was in there. :thumbup: It won't be any weirder than having your band filled. Don't worry about it! I had the fanny pack and it made things easier so I didn't have to tote it around. You'll know its time to take it out when it looks like an apple core.

After this last fill I find myself standing in front of the fridge/pantry asking myself what I can actually eat without being in pain. I don't have loads of moist chicken breasts just laying around and am finding it increasingly difficult to find something I can just make easily for Breakfast or lunch. I tried eating an egg the other day and ended up "loosing it". oatmeal is a winner but not lots of Protein there. Other than FF refried Beans, SF pudding, salad, Soup, cottage cheese and chicken I'm pretty much at a loss. They are my staples. Oh, and please don't say Protein shake, I may just turn into one. Any good QUICK and EASY ideas out there? Of course, I don't mean convenience foods, just not difficult to make.

I'd never heard that until I just read your post. I eat salad almost every single day.

Thanks for posting this question as well as to those who answered. I'm going for my 4th fill next week but it will be the first that will be billed to Tricare as the first 3 months after surgery are covered by the surgeons office. I was concerned I'd have to pay something. I haven't paid anything up to now. Thank you Tricare!

Thats awesome. Glad to see I'm not the only one who took photos of my stomach after the surgery! :thumbup:

Thanks guys for the good ideas. I love me some hummus and just recently made some. Too bad I cant eat it with some pita bread! :grouphug: Carrot sticks work. Its worth it though. I tried to eat some leftover chicken fajitas tonight, it was a no go. I do enjoy Soups (especially a low fat chicken tortilla I make) too. I'll have to get some frozen healthy choice meals without rice/pasta (I have trouble with most carbs). I know they have lots of sodium but they would work when I'm in a pinch or am making something for the family that doesn't sit well with me. Good ideas ya'll. Keep them coming. Thanks.

So, my Mother-in-law is coming for a visit next week. She arrives on the exact same day as my 3rd fill and will be here 7 days. Up to this point I've had my husband swear not to tell anyone about my band. My parents know because we live near them and a select few of my friends. I haven't seen my MIL in two years because she lives far away, not because we don't like her. The fill really puts my in a weird place. I tried to change the appt for the day she leaves but they are booked. I know I'll be on mushies the next day as well as cautious eating after because I feel like this fill is going to be the one that is going to cause me to REALLY follow the rules. I don't want to lie but I don't want to be choking on a cracker with no explaination either. I really just want to keep it to myself but I feel like it will either get out accidentially or she'll wonder whats up when I cut my food into pieces I'd feed the baby. :rolleyes2: MIL lives near SIL, etc. so I know telling her means putting the word out to the rest of his family. Would you tell just for the sake of ease?

For those who care, I didn't tell her. It was difficult because someone who knows I had it came over and was talking to me saying stuff like "can you have carbonation, etc." but it was vague. I also had my first seriously stuck episode in front of her but just played it off as something "stuck in my craw". So, she may have left with her suspicions but not with the facts. I just didn't feel like it was the right time. Give me another 50lbs lost and maybe I'll tell her then. She didn't even notice I'd lost 30lbs since the last time I saw her. Oh well.

After 3 fills (5.5 in a 10cc band) I can still eat a pretty good bit. My band is working in the sense that it keeps me from eating the things I shouldn't (bread, french fries, etc.) because they get painfully stuck but so far it doesn't make me full any faster on the things I should eat (moist chicken, salad, oatmeal, etc.) I got seriously stuck for the first time the other day trying to eat the center out of a fried chicken breast (I know, what was I thinking!) I ended up trying to "wash" it down with a sip or two of Water (hello, can you say big mistake!) and threw up in my mouth! EWWW. I hauled it to the nearest bathroom but it sure was embarrassing. Thankfully the chicken came up with the water and the pain subsided quickely. Note to self: NO FRIED CHICKEN. :drool:

She is overweight herself and my DH seems to think telling her may even open up the idea to her for LBS. I don't know. I think I'm going to see how this fill does for me and just play it by ear. I'll bet I end up telling by the end of the week though. I guess I just don't want people expecting too much from me too soon. I'm not embarrassed I had it done, I just don't need any additional pressure or judgment.

26 lbs total from 2 week preop diet until now. Not as fast as most but hey, its something!

I guess you'd have to ask yourself if the taste would be worth the risks? My Dr. is of the never, ever, ever school of thought on carbonation so thats all I know. Its ok by me though since I don't really drink alcohol and my drink of choice is tea. Is there some other alcohol that you like that you could add to a low cal, no carbonation drink like a flavored crystal light or tea?

Making your chicken in a crock pot might help. You can make it with a can of FF cream of chicken Soup, bbq sauce, chicken broth or just a little Water. I'm getting my 3rd fill on the 13th and I really think this one is the one thats gong to help. I have some restriction in the sense that if I eat something I shouldn't (ie. bread) I feel it but when I eat things I should eat (ie. chicken, salad, etc.) I don't get full any faster than I did before the band. I'm ready to get this thing working for me!

I could have written tihs post. I'll be happy when i get the full feeling and not just the stuck one!