RestlessMonkey

Are you sure they only had a mask? Most people are intubated after they are out and the tube is removed before they come to, so they never really know. Discuss your valid concerns with your doc. I know for my 8/11 surgery my throat was a little sore after, but for the 8/29 surgery I had no pain, nothing. An anesthesiologist can work with you so that you can have the surgery if you want, and minimize any danger to your vocal chords. If they can't allay your fears, don't proceed!

If I were you I'd call my doc on Monday and ask if it's normal for you...depending on where he placed your port and what happens with most of his patients! If it's nothing, GOOD! but better safe than sorry! And congrats on your 13 pounds down! :shades_smile:

JWRN you could almost open a business submitting tricare claims for patients across the country! (not even really kidding either)

If you have it removed, you gain it back. There are studies. The success rate of keeping weight off is dismal, worse than the general population. And, why would you want to have it removed? If you feel great, and are eating anything you want (once you've lost) but in more moderate proportions? I look at it this way. I used to eat a BIG 12 ounce steak for dinner. Once I ate it though, I didn't think "Man I wish I could eat 2 more of those suckers!" Once full, once satiated, you're done. Eventually I'll eat 3-4 ounces of steak and be happy and full. I don't expect I'll think "Man I wish I could have 12 ounces" You are thinking with your current mindset...but that will change. You will be off diabetes meds, most likely (success rate depends partly on how long you've been diabetic) and will be able to eat a healthy amount for your new lower weight. Why would you want to go backwards? I understand where you're coming from, I thought that out too. Then I realized the fallacy of my thinking, it was just that little voice in my head trying to rationalize....If I am healthy and happy with the band, I won't need to have it removed.

I've heard that some docs tell their patients it can take up to 2 weeks or so to "feel" a fill. I know "aggressive" fills can aggravate esophageal problems like spasming etc (early bandsters had that WAY more than we do..and aggressive fills are the culprit) So knowing that if it were me (and I'm not a doc and didn't stay at a Holiday Inn express even) I would probably give it 3 weeks then try again,

Look at it this way...whatever time you take, you are saving yourself 15k. That is a pretty high salary, IMHO! LOL It's worth it.

LONG2BTHIN that is AWESOME! I am so happy for you! I hit a little milestone too...today I've lost over 10% of my start weight. I am floored and excited. 41.4 pounds down since 7/25. WOW We ROCK!! LOL I know mine will slow down. It will need too...but what a great start for me. AND what a great achievement for you! I AM LOVING MY BAND! And Nanalaura...you CALL that office and get what you need or threaten to change. How dare they do you that way? You are a paying customer and a patient! Advocate for yourself, my dear. They need a wake up call.

Like many others, I expect my band (my new love) to be a tooll not a solution. I will use it to help me achieve my goal, but I'm still going to have to work it. I'll probably count and so on at first to get a baseline, then will stop and see how I do. There ARE many bandsters who 1 year or more postop who can just rely on the band and their experience to keep the weight off. They eat what their family does, but less. Those successful ones, though, don't eat like they used to. So you are going to have to change...the band will help you do that, if you want to.

Yes my preop stuff took FOREVER !!! I felt like a chubby little lab rat being led around by the promise of cheese or something. I had blood drawn (5 vials) I had an upper GI series (barium swallow and they watch it go down...tastes icky but doesn't hurt at all), a meet with a nurse to tell me what to do preop (bathe with a special cleanser, take polish off my toenails...WAH! etc ) I also had an abdominal ultrasound that didn't hurt but was weird because I'm not used to being mashed all over my torso. OH and a chest x-ray (my favorite of the bunch really didn't hurt and took about 2 minutes) None of it was bad, just time consuming. Take something to occupy you in between appointments (a book, knitting, whatever) take your patience, and take a bottle of water for when they finally tell you you can drink (for me it was after the blood and barium) It doesn't hurt, it's just mostly boring waiting.

I was on a preop diet for 5 weeks. I'm usually pretty outspoken and didn't notice being more cranky, but I was "fuzzy" sometimes...forgetting stuff I usually know etc. It is in Mazlow's order (things we need to live....like air first, then food and Water, then shelter etc) Of course if you are hungry you are going to be short tempered. Your body is frustrated!

Do what your doc says! I got 2-3 cans of eas carb controal AdvantEDGE shakes and 3 oz lean fish or turkey or chicken and 1 cup green veggies each day. That's it. came to 600-700 cal. It was to shrink my fatty liver. I was starved and did my "own" diet. I lost 15 pounds BUT...come my 8/11 surgery day, my surgeon found he couldn't place the band because my liver was too large! It is pretty vile to come to in recovery and hear you don't have the band. SO I did HIS diet and when i got hungry I just remembered how awful that felt. On 8/29, 32 pounds down, he was successful. Let me be a horrible warning...tough it out but do what your doc requires! You'll be glad you did! I love my band now...and am down 41.4 pounds since 7/25....I'm a pretty happy camper. I'm still on liquids and still hungry but it will pass and I feel so good, I handle it better now.

So sorry! I would cry for days if they took my band and I've only had it about 8 days.

That DEGirl, the pill is notorious for making women more prone to blood clots, which I'm sure you know! Perhaps each patient is different; since KristyLynn's doc asked her to stop it, (understanding how important it is that she not get pregnant right away) it's probably for a good reason, and she should clear with him before she goes back on it!

Actually, littlefroggy has the best idea. Call and tell them he said he'd do it for you and NEVER said a thing about an additional charge. Tell them you feel they should not have charged you. Be nice but firm!

If you can pay it now (using a credit card or a loan) call and tell them you had no idea there would be an additional charge and tell them you'll pay half right now if they'll consider it paid. Honestly this type of negotiating is often done in medicine. And if you feel squeamish, just think that a short phone call could save you 2600.

You're welcome! better safe than sorry!

As long as you don't chug and it doesn't nauseate you, you can just drink your water. And the "no liquids with meals" is to keep you from flushing the food through your pouch too quickly. If you do that, you won't feel full as long. I think 30 min is a good average but if you want you can call your doc and reconfirm; they are all a little different.

It's to help prevent blood clots and they can be an issue for a while post op.

You should really check with your doc.

I'm so sorry! but glad you went to the doc!

Good luck you guys! I got my band last friday and I love it already.

No, but can you swallow now? If so, then it's helping! Sounds simplistic but that's how you can tell. You are swelling from the surgery and it will take a while for it to calm down. So if the tube allows you to remain hydrated, its doing its job.

No but to be honest, for a bright person I've been a little fuzzy lately. I will do that! (they just let me have protein on Thursday. Shakes, but better than nothing)

My doc says the shorter the time you are type II diabetic, the more likely it is to "cure" you. Actually RNY bypass is the one most touted as a diabetic "cure". Go to a seminar and ask the surgeon! He will let you know what his experience is with his patient base.

You need to go to a seminar (or several) , pick a surgeon, and they can give you an idea of a timeline. It varies for everyone! Self pay usually goes faster but how fast depends on your surgeon etc.