RestlessMonkey

Hi! Didn't you just have your surgery like a week ago, or am I insane? (either is equally likely)

Call your surgeon. The very real danger is blood clots from being seated so long. You'll need help to get through it safely...

What did your doctor say about hydration? I didn't have any trouble drinking (many don't any more, I've read, with the newer lap bands) but he did stress we were to stay hydrated. He also told us no protein during the 1st week. We're all different.

That's uncommon with a BMI over 40...that's a bummer. I suggest calling them and explaining your situation. Are you sure you never went to a doc 5 (or more years ago) who might have a record of your weight? If not, you can ask if there is any circumstance where that requirement is waived. Good luck!

Since you're being honest, I will be too. Cake isn't your friend. Really. It's just food, it's a choice, you won't hurt its feelings if you don't have it in your home. Good luck finding a fill center. I am unfamiliar with the distances between Hackensack and Far Rockaway, and you say where you work and where the doc is but not where you live (not that I'd know that either!) but may I suggest taking a day off work and going to your surgeon to get another fill? In the interim you can exercise and make smart choices. With three fills you're probably getting a little help from the band, but you need to keep at it. And remember...cake isn't a friend, not to anyone. Neither, for that matter, is green salad or grilled chicken. It's just fuel and some work better in our bodies than others. You're just choosing to put the bad stuff in your tank, that's all. You aren't the only one, but you know it's dangerous for you...help yourself stop.

Does YOUR insurance require a 5-year history of being overweight?

I'd go to my banding physician. Since you can't do that (not to be nasty but another reason not to get banded away from home...whether next state or country...) anyway that was for "newbies" and researchers. For you...I'd find a lap band surgeon, pay his fee, and go to him (or her). You may need it removed or revised, or there may be something else going on. Good luck and what happened to you is a potential threat to ANYONE, not just people banded in Mexico (or whereever!)...just that if you are banded away from home and then have medical issues, it's hard to find help! I hope you feel better really fast and can find a sympathetic lap band surgeon near you who can help you find a better solution than just having the band removed. You don't need judgment from an ER physician who doesn't know you or your struggles.

If you read through for a while you'll see that sliming refers to your body producing a lot of mucus (slime) if/when you have a bite of food stuck. Not everyone gets food stuck, so not everyone "slimes". It's the body's reaction. Just make sure you follow your doc's orders.

My surgeon is another who says NO to carbonation. Weren't you told that preop? You should have been advised...

I WISH I weren't hungry but I came to in recovery hungry and thirsty (no nausea thank Goodness)! I was so parched I drank 32 oz of water before I left the hospital. However, the fear of messing up my band kept me on the "liquid" diet.

Call your insurance company and complain. If charging that fee is illegal (ie, contrary to their contract) they'll let you know. IF it is "legal" and you were forced to change coverage by an employer, I'd then complain to the employer's HR department.

It depends on the person, the surgeon, how stretched it is, etc. You may need to have it removed, wait, and then start over, or sometimes they just "unfill" and things even out. It will stretch a little (how else would we be able to eat 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food) as we heal etc. If you're worried about stretching it, talk to your surgeon and s/he can tell you how it's handled in their practice.

I think you're rationalizing. I "cheated" on my preop diet and didn't get the surgery. Trust me; you'll get real food again (once you've been through the liquid phase post op) so don't think you'll never have food again. You wanting the chicken is probably just nerves. Tough it out, 2 more days (think how proud you'll be of yourself) and then you'll just have post op to get through. Very nice, well-meaning people on this board posted about how they cheated (or only had 5 days diet, or whatever) and I assumed I could to. I was wrong. Don't risk it; do what YOUR doc tells you.

I'm a senior...thank goodness! I will say that, at least in my state, (so maybe not true in yours?) by law we can only miss so much clinical time and anything beyond that, they MUST fail us, even if we're at top of the class. So I missed skills lab (4 hours...pediatric stuff) but didn't ever miss a clinical. Just plan it to have as much time off as you can, or as much "easy" time...lectures etc.

No kidding! Honestly I had my pedicatric class right after my surgery and that helped during recovery... this semester I have 3 days of clinicals each week and that "surgery on Friday, back in class the next Tues" thing wouldn't have worked for me! If you recover fast from surgery and are in pretty good shape otherwise I think you can do it! I was worried about staying hydrated BUT fortunately never had any problems drinking Water, so that wasn't an issue (because there's no "keep the water with you and sip" during clinicals, is there? We're lucky we get to use the restroom, let alone any leisurely water sipping!

Hi I too am nursing student similar situation If you don't have a grueling clinical, or can schedule during period without clinicals, a week will be fine. BUT there are lifting restrictions and that may be problematic for you. I HAD scheduled mine well before the semester start but had problems and had it on a friday (missed a skills lab) and had class that next tues. I was fine because my clinicals (pediatrics) didn't start until day 10 after my surgery. My surgeon said he has nurses who go back to work with just 1 week post op but he recommends 2 weeks. AND of course a lot depends on you. I recover VERY fast from surgery...no pain, minimal gas, etc. We're all different.

You sound so on top of things, so I'm sure you know you really are supposed to "INHALE" with that incentive spirometer, right? Sounds like you're doing well!

Hi and welcome! Your judgment, and your doctor's, are better than any "talk board" advice, but I will say usually a little blood 3 days post op is ok. If your surgical sites get hot, inflamed, hurt, drain something that is purulent, swell, etc, then call your doc ASAP. OR if you are just worried! But it sounds like you have a good handle on it! Sounds like you're healing well! Just keep taking those deep breaths, walk, etc. You're on the way!

If coverage isn't offered, it won't do any good to appeal (just as if you are in a wreck but don't have auto insurance, an insurance company will not cover you). Many surgeon's offices have information on financing. You might find more info out "looking" around the "Insurance and financing" forum.... There are surgeons in the USA who will do the surgery for around 10K (like a doctor in Denver, Kirschenbaum or Kirshenbaum, not sure) and many people go to Mexico.

Ask your surgeon. S/he'll be able to direct you.

Ask your surgeon about the IUD AND have your son attend a seminar with you. That should help calm him. The risks of remaining obese are probably more likely (diabetes, stroke, heart attack, osteoarthritis, etc) than something bad happening to you on the table. You need to explain that to him.

If your surgeon knew you were vomiting and didn't worry about it, I'd thing you don't need to either. Bring it up with him at your first post op appointment.

I agree with Jack...call your state's insurance commission. Pronto. Don't let it go on. Also check your credit to make sure they don't mess it up.

Well I'm betting your surgeon's assistant has a good handle on what needs to be done, and with her in your corner, you at least have a fighting chance. Sorry about the other person...that's pretty vile. I'll cross my fingers that something works out for you!

Call your regular doctor.