kiz

Beth, your husband would probably score on the high side of the autism spector. Not to say that he's autistic, of course, but he definitely has the sensitivity gene (chip) missing. I score very high on the feelings side, so his attitude would really push my buttons. This probably isn't the first time you've not had support in the way you need from him, but other than letting him know you need him in your corner, and spelling out how he hurts you with his comments, this is something he's going to have to change on his own. Or you're just going to have to learn to live with it, and look for your moral support in other places...such as LBT...and practice saying the Serenity Prayer.

Welcome to LBT, conztantybuzy. (great screen name!!) I also have the Realize Band, and I would never knock the Lap Band, I think they're both amazing tools. I had to go with one or the other, and after researching, the RB came out on top - for me - but that's not to say I wouldn't be thrilled to have either band. My quality of life has already improved dramatically. Good luck to you!!!

The most important thing is that you can get your fluids down. If you get to the point that you can't, you need to go in for an unfill. You can become dehydrated pretty quickly. This is according to my doctor, so yours may be different, but if you can't progress past mushies within two weeks, he says you should get some fluid taken out.

Best wishes to you, Mamadot and good luck as you begin your journey! It's great that you have a friend who is also considering a gastric band. It's very helpful to have someone by your side who is going through the same thing. It's wonderful that your husband is supportive too. Mine is as well, and I can't say enough, how much that has helped me.

Welcome to LBT. I had my band placed by Dr. Brengman with Richmond Surgical Group, out of St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond. They have been designated as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. (You can Google that for more info). I've had excellent follow-up care, and I would highly recommend this group. The cost was $13,000 for self pay. This includes one year of follow-up exams and fills. After one year, the fills are $150.

I know it's easy to give up when the scale kicks you in the gut, but this time will be different. You have the band, and you will eventually get good restriction. Some people seem to get it right off the bat, and others struggle, but don't get discouraged after this setback. Sisterc did such a great job describing all the reasons the scale can be fickle, and there's a very good chance yours are off a bit. Just keep doing what you're doing, and you'll get there. I've had two major times the scale was against me, one was a particular bitter pill to swallow. My husband and I had walked six miles + (I had stuck to three 1/2 cup meals plus a healthy snack for days) and the next day I was up two pounds and he was down one (mind you, if he's overweight, it's no more than five lbs). I honestly started crying. My husband put his arm around me, and told me that it was impossible for me to have gained two lbs of fat in one day, and that the scale would soon catch up. It did, but you know, sometimes it just hurts to work so hard for something and to not see immediate results. The same thing happened this weekend, but my husband was up two lbs too, so that one wasn't so hard to take (lol). It's been two days, and those pounds are gone again.

I would love to put this whole thread on IGNORE. Every time it pops up with a new post, I get a huge chocolate craving because of the title. Yeah, I have it BAD!! On top of that, I just noticed chocolate ads attached to this thread..aaargh - LOL!!!

In addition to sisterc's post, do you know if your doctor's scales and your home scales give the same weight?

Two days full liquids, two days soft foods, then regular diet.

Some reasons could be that you're eating too fast, not chewing throughly enough (you don't want to chew until your food is liquefied, but it should be pretty mushy/pasty), or taking too big of bites. Those are the first things I'd consider.

I've experienced almost the same two-week pattern, TQuad, although I wouldn't say I had no restriction after two weeks, but it seemed to diminish greatly over night. I was convinced I had a leak, but my doctor assured me that I didn't. I've been holding my breath since my last fill 2 1/2 weeks ago, and so far - KNOCK ON WOOD - I still have great restriction. That's not to say that it's as good as the first week following the fill, but that had to be partially due to swelling. I'm feeling great, staying satisfied for four hours+ between meals, and keeping my meals at 1/2 cup. I'm praying this lasts!

I've had six fills; three with fluoro and three not. Not a one of them were painful. With fluoro, the doctor can first locate the port by x-ray, so there's less chance of a mistake. However, the three I had done in the office were done in one stick as well. I've said this in other posts, but pulling off the bandage was the only pain I experienced from any of my fills.

I hope you don't get flogged for your question. I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask this question. I'm still in the weight loss phase, and I'm not wanting to add more calories while on vacation, but I did ask my doctor at my list visit about an upcoming trip, and what I should do if I would get into some sort of bad "stuck" situation. I'll be out of the country, and while not in the middle of nowhere, it's a small island, that you can only get to quickly by plane. There is a hospital there, at least. He said, that if I was at my "sweet spot", I could come in and have .2cc (I think that's the amount he said, but it could have been 2cc) removed. I am at my sweet spot, but so far, I've not pb'ed or had any real problems with food, as long as I'm careful. I'm going to play it by ear, as the date gets closer as to what I decide to do. On a ship, you don't want to run into any kind of medical emergency either, so I would think it might be prudent for you to get a slight unfill. Also, I understand that this is a special trip for you, and while not wanting to go "overboard" (sorry, had to say it), it makes sense that you want to be a little more adventuresome with your food choices.

I was also told not to worry if I had a 24 hr virus. If after a day I was still vomiting, to call the office, and they would call in a prescription for anti-nausea meds. I could also come in for an unfill. There's a very nasty stomach bug going around, so I'm being even extra vigilant about hand washing. I definitely don't want to test my band.

Heartfire, My gall bladder problems started during pregnancy. My pain was just right of center of my chest, and right at the bottom of my rib cage. My doctor thought it was indigestion. Soon after I had my baby, I had a full fledged attack. It felt like someone was stabbing a knife right threw my chest in the same area I mentioned. I was doubled over in pain. I went to the doctor, and with an ultra sound I was diagnosed. I've heard that sometimes the pain radiates around to the back, but that didn't happen to me.

Suzanne, do you go to the hospital support group meetings? I'm going to the one next Monday. If you're going to be there, I'll look for you and come up and introduce myself. (You'll recognize me from my avatar picture too - haha) I also wonder about how many people I've met that are also online.

If you think the price of gas is high, wait until you see the price of 1cc of saline. :biggrin:

I know pain can radiate, but when I had gallstones, my pain was just at the bottom of my rib cage right of center. I had to have my gall bladder removed. The pain had started out kind of gradually, and I thought it was bad ingestion for a few months. Then I had an excruciating attack, and that's when I saw my doctor and was diagnosed with gallstones.

If you can't get liquids down tomorrow morning, you have to call the doctor, and I'm almost sure you're going to have get some saline removed. You can't wait until Monday if things don't improve tonight, because you'll get dehydrated. I hope things settle down for you tonight.

LBMom, another thing they could do to check her restriction, is to have her do a barium swallow before they remove her saline since you're requesting fluoro anyway. When I told the doctor that I needed a third fill, after two fills in one month, they tested me that way, and sure enough, the barium went through in a swoosh. Also, the three times they remove fluid, I'm missing some (around 1cc). They've assured me that I don't have a leak though.

I've only had to use it once, when I had chicken/broccoli stuck. I only had to take one pill, and I got relief.

Congratulations on your first fill, Beth. I'm glad it was so easy for you. Mine have been too. I've had six, and I'll have to say, I've never tasted anything. It'll be interesting to see if anyone else has.

LapBandMom, I've had six fills since I was banded in Sep (I also have the Realize Band), and it really wasn't until the 5th that I had good restriction, and even then, I went back two weeks later for 1cc, which they did under fluoro to make sure I was getting good restriction. That's not to say that I didn't have any restriction along the way, but it was never the sweet spot. Right up front, I have to say, that I don't have the emotional issues your daughter is facing, and so I could never put myself in her shoes, but I did want to let you know that my band is max full, and it's working for me. It took that much to get me to where the hunger was tamed like the brochure promotes ... from lion to lamb. I wish she didn't have to wait a month for another fill, but if she's not getting them under fluoro, and you can request it, I highly recommend it. The doctor can check her level of restriction right there, and she will be able to see it too. My heart goes out to her, and you. I have kids too, and there's nothing worse than seeing then suffer.

I <heart> Suzanne's doctor. (we go to the same doctor - heehee)

Would it look like this? :present::party::heart::bananalama: