leapfrog0506

OMG how well I can relate. I was told by my husband I was being antisocial because I wasn't sitting in the kitchen with everyone as they were chatting and eating. I just removed myself from temptation and went into the living room with my two boys and watched television. I explained to him how hard it was for me to be in there and he understood. I am guessing everyone else did too but if not oh well. I was one of the one's that gained 3 pounds from post op appt to 1 mo follow up....but I have now (as per my scale) lost 11 pounds since that "slap in the face reality check" first fill which was on December 10th (little over 2 weeks ago). So I feel avoiding the situation helped a little. And now I know if I cheat even a little that is 15 extra minutes on the eliptical just to work off that bit of calories.....not worth the extra time....LOL Good luck to everyone and stay focused.....we have all proven we can do this. Good luck in the New Year to the New YOU!

I am very thankful my insurance paid 50% of what is allowed. My total out of pocket expense for surgeon, OR, and anethiesia was a little less than $1000. I did however see the bill that was sent to insurance and about fainted myself. Being that I do insurance for a living I knew that insurance NEVER pays the full amount that the provider bills, if they are contracted with the insurance company. The hospital portion itself was $72,000 (give or take) I paid $100 outpatient copay.....insurance paid a little over $22,000 for that part. However, since my insurance policy states this procedure is only payable at 50% of the allowed amount for the surgeon and anethesia, I thought I was going to have to pay around $5,000 to $8,000 out of pocket....but to my surprise NO. The surgeon billed insurance a little over $7,000 which BCBS AL only allowed $1,078 for the banding procedure itself.....I pay $539.00 and insurance paid $539.00. Also, since I had to have a heital hernia repair he billed for that as well around $2,300 and it paid the whole amount for that. My portion of anethesia is $326.00 insurance only paid 50% of that as well. So all in all I think I came out so much better than I thought....and worth every damn penny. When I saw these statements from the insurance company I was pretty pleased. Like I said I thought I would be coming off a lot more than that. So this was a GREAT Christmas present to myself! Merry Christmas EVERYONE..... good luck on your journey and great food choices during the holiday season.

I had my first fill today and it was painless as well. About the only thing that stung even a little bit was the second poke of the numbing medicine. The nurse felt around for the port and wanted to make double sure of the location and was going to send me for a flouroscope *sp*. That ended up not happening....when the doc came in he found it no problem. One stick he was in and I was asked to drink a little water and off I went back to work. PAINLESS....and he said the first one is sometimes the only one that can be tricky. I got 1.5cc so I now have 3.5cc....I wish he would have given more at least until I felt some restriction. From what I understand I have a 15cc band so you can imagine 3.5 in a 15. He said it usually takes 2-3 fills for good restriction, I don't know if he just takes a conservative route or what....but I love the doctor...he is absolutely wonderful.

I had one (or shall I say a couple) of those cry days as well. I had one of those days around day 4 after my surgery. But it was a weird kind of cry....one where I told my husband Thank you for loving me thick and thicker...LOL I have had a few angry days (at work especially). People expect you to bounce right back (since you are at work) but sometimes you have to ease yourself back into it. I went back to work on the Friday before Thanksgiving which gave me Friday at work to get some things accomplished. Then I had a weekend to recuperate from that day. By Monday I was about 85%, only because I caught some kind of cold/allergy/flu crap they decided to give me at the office (everyone was sick while I was gone as well). My doctor (that I work for) said my immune system will be in turmoil for a little bit (good excuse for getting me sick). The backache was worse at work because I couldn't stretch out in the recliner or bed like I could at home while out of work. It should subside...good luck....and congrats.

Okay I know this is a weird question, but I will ask anyways...LOL I was banded Nov 13th...so that makes me almost 4 weeks post op. On to the feeling I am having. Every morning when I get up (once the alarm goes off) while I am tossing and hitting the snooze button, I am getting this weird "squeezing" sensation. It is very hard to explain but IF you had it you would know it. It is not something that is painful or bothersome, just weird and I can't figure out for the life of me what it is. It is only happening in the morning after I have laid down through the night. Maybe it is a spasm????? I emailed the Bariatric Coordinator since she has also had the LapBand and she hasn't had this sensation. So, I thought for my first question on the site that I would see if anyone else could fill me in.......PLEASE tell me I am not the only one....:angry_smile:

Thank you Thank you Thank you...I am glad I am not crazy. I keep telling my husband about this feeling and he just looks at me like "Oooookay". LOL I don't think my band is too tight as I don't have much restriction right now. I do go get my first fill tomorrow. It may be the way I sleep. I sleep half on my right side and half on my stomach. I haven't gotten the courage to sleep on my left side yet (as my kids say that is Port side...not Starburt *sp* side..LOL). I don't go to bed on a full stomach (eat too early for that) so I don't think that is it...I make sure I eat early enough I can drink a cup of milk before going to bed each night(nighttime routine). I could be just sensitive or it could be the way I sleep at night. And I am just Thankful it does go away and does not stick around. No problems eating or drinking. Don't eat breakfast anymore I just down a protein shake to make sure I get all my protein for the day but the sensation is not the reason for doing the protein shake at breakfast. I just find that I am not hungry enough to eat in the morning....never have been a breakfast person anyways. Although I love breakfast for supper. Thanks for the replies so far....keep 'em coming.

Well I am thinking it is where I am banded....either the bottom of the esophagus or stomach. It is hard to explain exactly where it is. Nothing to do with heart....LOL It is just a really strange feeling....it doesn't hurt and it doesn't stick around.....it is just weird. I have an appt for my fill on Wednesday and I am going to ask the doc about it but just thought I would see if anyone else has had it. Thanks.

Glad someone reported how a fill felt. I have my first fill on Wednesday the 10th....Can't wait. I don't believe I have any restriction or if I do it isn't a whole lot. I am ready for some restriction because I am watching VERY CLOSELY what I eat since I don't feel that full sensation yet. Thanks for the information ...... and congrats on the size 18 jeans I know how you fell. I was in a 26 and now can wear a 20!!!!! Boy it feel greats! Best of luck.