RestlessMonkey

I've never heard of this one! I slept on my stomach from night 2 and actually think it helps to prevent adhesions. Did he say WHY?

I don't have anyone in my life who would dare to say those things to me...LOL I guess because they wouldn't like what I said back. I'd say that I have tried diet and exercise and have the intelligence enough to know that if I keep doing the same thing I'll keep getting the same result. I'd tell her that statistically people who DO successfully lose with diet and exercise generally gain back all the lost weight plus more; in fact only 5% keep weight off that way. I'd tell her that while I think it is nice for her that she can maintain a healthy weight without such medical intervention, I'm grateful that the band exists to give me another TOOL in the war on obesity. I'd tell her that she's misinformed if she thinks I won't still need to diet and exercise to lose, but that the band will help supply portion control so that the hormones and chemical signals that trigger hunger for me will not be so overwhelming. I'd tell her that I hope she never has to deal with such a problem as this, but that if she can't help me and support me, then don't bother me with her opinions. Of course, that's just me!

Welcome and good luck! I went to a seminar (my surgeon requires it) but I also bought a couple books and read them. I was petrified of bypass surgery and still am; but my issues with the lap band have ended up being worries with no substance. There are a lot of great people here who will help you! Good luck!

As far as I know if you signed a "waiver" that means that the surgery is excluded, ie not covered. It is not a covered item. You'll need to self pay, I'm thinking

Hmm...I was on fluids for 2 weeks...week 2 was full liquids (protein shakes oh yum) but since I had no restriction he didn't limit how much or when. In fact, after my surgery I drank like 30 ounces of Water in about 5 minutes...the nurse gave it to me! Each doc is different though; how he places the band, if he puts fill in, etc. A different "touch" can make a difference in how fast we heal, how swollen we are, etc. I'm glad I didn't have to mess with rationing my liquids since I could drink easily.

See, my doc hits it without the fluoro. He can tell by the resistance of the fluid in the band. I guess it's just a knack some have! I'm glad I don't have to mess with the x-ray but it's good that it's there for those who want it.

I don't have it but can tell you that you have to be tested because if you have apnea you need to get fitted for a mask/machine that helps you keep breathing at night. Different people require different equipment and the settings etc depend on the degree of your apnea. If you DO have it, the machine can change your life. Many many people find renewed energy, they feel more cheerful, and it can be life prolonging (over time the apnea can damage your organs including your heart) So while I can't answer you about cost etc I can say it's worth it if you have it. On the bright side if you are trying to get the band you'd meet your deductible anyway; might as well get it taken care of. And many insurance companies do consider sleep apnea as a co-morbidity of obesity. Good luck! OH and the doctor should be able to tell you where he'll send you; they can give you a price.

maybe this will help http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

What did they tell you? What are you eating that is "wrong"

This may be obvious...but if you got a post op diet for this (I did; don't remember it now but was to eat liquids for a day or so, then soft etc...) do it. People who have problems post gall bladder removal seem to have starting eating "normally" too soon. Just like post op with the band, you need to heal. Glad it's out; you'll feel much better soon!

Good for you going. You'll get refilled soon enough; better you are ok and stopped this before you got dehydrated or slipped or something.

I grew up in El Paso (desert) so we didn't have much fish and when we did it was breaded and fried! BUT...it beats starving! I cheated my first time by losing "my way", not my docs way. I did atkins...had steaks/beef instead of turkey chicken fish, had cheese, used some butter on my veggies, and even had a patty melt and fries for my "last meal" (oh brother I think of that now; how stupid!) And fruit wasn't on my preop diet at all. I do eat some now but especially now that I'm restricted and doing as doc says (Protein first, then veggies, THEN fruit) I often don't have room for it. My doc says no Snacks, either. I CAN eat it...just can't work it in right now! SO I did lose 15 pounds in 3 weeks and was pleased! (and that is a good loss!) but I ate too much fat, and so my body didn't pull it from my liver like he wanted. Yeah just ignore those twinkies. They aren't worth it!

Apparently like everything else, we're all different! I think having to have an x-ray would be a nuisance and a waste of my time, some swear by it!

You CAN eat that way because the opening to your stomach is generally not any smaller, or if it is, the amount isn't enough to restrict you. Can you not hold a belt around your waist and it not be restrictive? Until you cinch it up, it's just "there". Same is true of the band; especially with the new AP small and large choices, most of us wouldn't even know we HAD a band if not for the scars and the bills...until we get restriction. So yes, you'll be able to eat like you always did, most likely, until you get enough restriction.

My doc always has me do liquids for a day or two after a fill, does yours not require this? Because if your band and stomach are agitated from the fill and then you eat and PB etc...you are not doing yourself any favors! Restriction is WONDERFUL! But you may want to go to liquids only for 24 hours and then start with a mushie.

Ok you got me! That ALMOST made me spit my Water on my keyboard! :thumbup: I'm a font of something, anyway! :w00t:

What do you eat for lunch? What do you drink throughout the day?

I don't know personally. However I'd think that your surgeon would want to work with your cardiologist and the anesthesiologist to make sure everything's copacetic! If they all give the green light, though, then you should be good to go! And of course the surgery would be, as far as I know, the only time it would be an issue!

I don't think it's "better" necessarily; my doc does mine just fine without. He says he can tell because of the resistance putting Fluid in. (makes sense if you think about it) He hits the spot easily and my port is tilted... if you have an inexperienced surgeon then I can see how fluoro would be better. Just depends on your situation!

I think you HAVE to talk to him about it. Once he can articulate why he's against it, you can address it. Mine worked in a GI lab for years and figured I'd have issues like bypass patients do. He was adamantly against it. However he's an open-minded guy and knows I have a good brain too, so agreed to go to the seminar with me. My surgeon was wonderful for the seminar and afterward spent about 30 minutes talking to my husband (who is an RN) about all his concerns. We left there with my husband as enthused as I was! Until you know why your husband is against it, you're in the dark. If it's a willpower issue there are stats (and your past attempts) to back you up; fact is only about 5% of people lose weight AND KEEP IT OFF (that's the kicker) with diet and exercise alone. Ask him if you needed a heart pacemaker would he think you were just not showing willpower? NO! He'd want you to get help. Well, this is like that. If he's afraid you'll get thin and leave him, tell him maybe! J/K You need to find out why, address it as best you can, and go from there.

Depends on you, your surgeon, your situation. If you think you'll be ready, you probably will be.

I take a great multi and was still low in thiamine and vitamin D so please realize just taking a vitamin doesn't mean everthing is ok. Ask your doc if it could be related to a B vitamin deficiency or some other (or better yet ask your nutritionist) If it is just post surgery the odds are it's related to the diet you're on (and I don't mean a "diet" but how you're eating and hydrating) If it's neuro (nerves) an xray probably won't show anything. Get the nutritionist involved.

I actually didn't eat quite as much as before but that's not saying a lot! I mean, going from 4 fried pork chops to 3 isn't a huge difference! I gained weight from the 3rd week post op until just recently when I finally got good restriction...not a LOT of weight but I wasn't losing. I wasn't dieting, either, to be honest. I got the band for that restriction and it took me a long time to get it (my doc is great but I think a little TOO conservative) Restriction makes it all do-able, though, and while i did GAIN (I mean zounds I lost 42 pounds in 7 weeks), I didn't gain like I would've had I "crash dieted", lost 42 pounds in 7 weeks, then gone back to normal. Even unfilled the band helped keep the gains slow and small... So just take it one day at a time and do the best you can. The restriction makes it all worth it.

So you are going to a surgeon who will not tell you what size band you have, how much is in it, how much he puts in each time? You know legally you have a right to that? I'd get my medical records and go to another surgeon, at the least. Was he this way prebanding? The band usually doesn't fail, it's user problems (and that includes the doc) but it can have a leak. I'd seriously just switch docs.

I'm not a transplantee...but I do take 27 blasted pills a day (and only about 5 of them are prescription! the rest are "supplements") So I feel your pain. I can't take most of them on an empty stomach but honestly once I've "eaten" the pills won't fit! It's a bummer. And not all pills can be crushed or dissolved in liquids. Maybe your pharmacist can help?