RestlessMonkey

I don't know; my surgeon requires that we have liquids day 1, full liquids day 2, then mushies, then soft, then real food post fill. I don't get "food" on day 1 or 2.

Start with your insurance and find out WHICH lap band physicians are in your network. (Mine for example requires center of excellence docs, and the center my primary doctor originally sent me to did NOT accept my insurance). Once you know which surgeons are approved by your ins, select from there a seminar (or two or three) to attend. Once you find your center/surgeon, they'll help guide you through the rest of it. Good luck!

I'm really truly sorry that some people posted that inexperience, in their opinions, wasn't a problem. Obviously, it is. I've always been taught that to pick any "expert"...you select one that DOES whatever...A LOT. Plays the piano? You don't want one who plays the clarinet and just took up the piano. Works on your transmission? You don't want a guy who always changed the oil and now is learning trannies. Removes your gall bladder? You don't pick a plastic surgeon, no matter how skilled. I can see how you'd think "the people here are pros, they know". Sadly, though, we often don't. We can say what happened TO US...but that's very individualized and nothing to base YOUR health and safety on! So a warning to those thinking of getting the band....take what you read here with a grain of salt! This place can be a WONDERFUL source of info...but not your ONLY source of info. And Cleo's mom If you can possibly switch surgeons, I'd do so. The aftercare is 9/10 of the band, and you're not getting it. Venting about it here can help but you need to take care of yourself and apparently your surgeon can't help you with that. He may be highly skilled in the OR but he needs training, nevertheless. If you don't want to keep on being his guinea pig, find a new doc! I'm really sorry you're having the trouble with him, but don't compound it by hanging in there. You're already doubting the band. Find a new one with some support!

KSILL18 if you follow your doc's instructions it apparently shrinks "enough" :laugh:

My surgeon does fills blind and I think many of us are kind of porky in the stomach area...he numbed me first and it took him a few tries but he found it. Subsequent fills have been perfect and fast and painless. It's no big deal. I've had manicures that hurt more! :laugh:

I LOVE my band...when I think about it. But I can understand your issues; and I think a session or two with a therapist should go a LONG way towards easing your mind. Remember, it's just there to help you and you are in control always. You chose to have it placed, and you can have it removed if you want. Think of it as an accessory like shoes or a purse, or earrings. If you decide you don't want it, out it goes.

Why did you pick such an inexperienced surgeon? Did your insurance force it? I'd call and complain about him if that's the case.

I understand your dilemma. In an odd way, mine was similar. I never identified with the "push down the pain" thing because my childhood was fortunately blessed and free of abuse. I read over and over (on chat boards) about people who eat when they are sad or unhappy and that just wasn't me. I went to behavioral therapy for a year to figure all that out for myself. I do have "issues", of course, just not those. That's my point, I guess....a good therapist can help you get a handle on things regardless of what caused the behavior. My therapist Pat really helped me, and she's there still if I need her. Without her, I don't think I'd have ever gone on and gotten the band...too many "gray" areas. You might want to try some therapy. You don't have to wait a year like I did (when I started going to Pat, my insurance did not cover the lap band anyway) but in conjunction, it could be really helpful to you. It was, to me.

Ok do one thing for me please...since I just GOOGLED that and you know you can't always trust the internet....call a pharmacist tomorrow (THEY should still be working) and tell him/her you take warfarin and want to know what veggies are safe to eat with it. That way you'll be most safe! I'm sure you're taking the warfarin for a reason and if it does decrease it, that can mess you up too, you know. You don't want to have a clot during surgery or some such. So ask the pharmacist! :cursing:

From my VERY limited experience with Warfarin (which is what I think you meant?) there are only certain green veggies you have to avoid...leafy greens and broccoli... I found this on the 'net : Vitamin K decreases the effects of warfarin. Large amounts of vitamin K are found in foods such as liver, broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, Swiss chard, coriander, collards, cabbage, and other green leafy vegetables. Do not change the amount of these foods in your diet without first talking to your doctor. What vegetables CAN you have? I Pretty much lived on green Beans on my diet because I don't like many other green ones except peas (and they are kind of carb-y) We did have asparagus once. I suggest you ask your surgeon. He's not a heme doc but he is a physician and will be familiar with Warfarin and the side effects. His nutritionist should have some options for you.

The "AP" stands for "advanced platform"...the APS holds 10 cc, the APL holds 14. Interesting article about them: http://bariatrictimes.com/2007/06/02/the-lap-band-ap%E2%84%A2-system-the-platform-advances/

Ask your insurance.

I agree...driving 70 miles isn't perfect but if my option was "drive 70 miles for the band, or no band" well I'd be revving the engine,. Shoot my hospital is on the other side of my (large...with all roads under construction, it seems) town and it can take me up to an hour to get there if the timing is bad. It's still worth it,

I have an AP band and no restriction. There are minor differences in it and other lapbands...mostly that it is now sized...AP small (holds 10ccs) and AP large (holds14cc) You need to meet with your surgeon and go over your band and what it should do and why you might be vomiting. I have had 3 fills and have no restriction (and no PB, no slime, no nothing) yet...and yes my band had "primer" in it; they all do.

Lord no! I'm a nursing student! LOL BUT I do believe in empowering people and in accepting responsiblity for our own behaviors and I'm sure that comes out. Not that we aren't human. To me, Bigpapa2 has NO reason to be ashamed because he lost weight and the lady he was speaking to had not. That's HER problem (assuming she even sees it that way!) So I'm telling him, if he doesn't want to be prideful, to still OWN that he has worked and lost! I meant it in a very positive way so I hope it came out that way! :cursing:

Trust your surgeon. You're doing fine. Restriction is a funny animal; sometimes it seems to come and go on a whim. You talked with your doctor; that was the right thing to do! Keep at it!

When were you banded? Call your doc, describe the symtoms, see what he (or his staff) says! We all heal differently; what was true for someone else on here isn't necessarily true for you. If you're in pain, find out why!

Call your insurance and ask them what they require. Insurance isn't one size fits all...

I figure if they wanted your help they'd ask you for it. Seriously, if someone just took it upon him/herself to tell me how to lose weight it would just make me madder than a hornet. It's dicey. Worry about yourself, do your thing. You can tell them you have the band. If asked tell them how much you've lost. Then they can say "HOW!" and you can help. By the way, why on EARTH would her improper eating make YOU ashamed of what you've accomplished? That's goofy thinking, Bigpapa! You've done well for yourself and your family. Maybe admitting that would've helped her realize she could be farther along by now. If you don't want to be "proud" of what you've done, at least own it. You've worked and lost. Being honest about that may help others.

They are all different...ask them how long to expect each time. They'll be your best source. And a warning! You'll be going to your surgeon frequently during the first year...once you're cleared post op you'll be going up to once a month for a while (or more, depending...for fills, check ups, etc) Very exciting that you're on your way but make sure the distance won't keep you from going to get your fills etc.

Make sure if you go outside your city/county for surgery (to the next city, next state, next country, wherever!) that you line up after care before you go...or plan to go back to your surgery site frequently during the first year. Getting the band is the tip of the iceberg; aftercare is what makes it work and keeps it working. You will have fills and health issues come up and will need quick access. MANY surgeons will not readily take on someone else's patient regardless of who the banding surgeon or where. So line up that aftercare first.

I'm tricare standard....didn't need a referral but my PCM would've given me one if I'd needed it.

Depending on your insurance you want to pick a surgeon and facility in your insurance network so your best place to start is THERE...otherwise you may go through part of the process only to find the surgeon doesn't accept your insurance. Good luck!

Your surgery wasn't cancelled, just postponed. I was told it could happen to me but fortunately my ecg showed what I thought...that my heart was/is fine. Wouldn't you REALLY rather be safe? I know it's disappointing but it's worth it. You want the odds on your side here.

Stephanie on threads like this with multiple posts you need to indicate who you're "talking to"...especially when you are asking something not directly related to the original post! :cursing: You can use "quote" (the button bottom right of each post) to quote the person you're asking (neat feature) or you can just type in their screen name. That way we'll know who you're asking!