disneynut

mysherrijo - Just curious as to what the republicans cleaned up that the democrats are going to mess up. Apparently, your diehard republicans turned against their own party en mass.

I would wait until after Thanksgiving. I have a lot of swelling and have a hard time getting anything down after a fill. The fill I just had last week started off fine by within a couple of hours, I was so tight I couldn't even swallow my saliva and was in major discomfort until I finally got in to see another doctor at the end of the evening. If that were to happen, I wouldn't want to try to find a doctor who will unfill you unless you go to the emergency room. Being too tight is worse than not being tight enough. Just watch the quantity of the food you do eat on Thanksgiving. On the other hand, this fill not be the "one" that works for you either. You just really have to weigh (no pun intended) the pluses and the minuses and make your decision. Good luck on this next fill.

Hi everyone. I haven't posted in a while, most just lurking. I need some help here. I went for my fourth fill today and I now have 7.5 cc's in a 10 cc band. I was at seven, he checked today and I was at 6 so he put in 1.5 cc's. I drank fine before leaving but since I came back, I had 4 spoonfuls of yogurt before getting full. Since then, I'm miserable. I've been sliming, pbing, burping, hiccuping. I'm definitely overfilled. I usually am really tight for a few days after my fills, but never like this one. I called the doctor's office to go in to get an unfill but he's in surgery and his partner is not in. They "don't know when they can squeeze me in" was my doctor's assistant's reply but they will call back. Unfortunately, I'm at work now which doesn't help my situation at all. I have read here that being too tight is the worst, and I have to agree 100%. Is it just my history of swelling that's making it so miserable? Does anyone else here have problems with swelling and then in a day or so, it subsides? I hope to hear from my doctor very soon cuz I don't know how much more I can stand. It's swallowing my saliva now that is making me ill but I can't even suck on a hard candy because it nauseates me. How long does it take anyone here to get back to the doctor's office for an unfill and how long can I last like this?

Hi Brandi. Welcome to LBT. I was fortunate enough to have my insurance pay for my surgery, but my sister was self-pay due to her being declined by her insurance company (she appealed 3 times and finally won, so she'll get reimbursement for out of pocket costs). If it was as easy to stop eating and exercise, there would be no overweight people in the world. I could not lose weight without this surgery. I was banded in April, 2006 and just went for my 4th fill (and unfill) today and officially have lost 52 pounds. I have not felt this good physically and emotionally in a long time. I have energy l haven't seen for years and my head is adjusting to the new me. I am liking what I see in the mirror and I've got a long way to go before I'm done. If I didn't have this surgery, next year I would have been 20 pounds heavier than last year and so on and so on. I was so winded just walking, horrible acid reflux, no energy, no stamina, no desire to do anything that I used to love to do. I couldn't fit in chairs with arms, couldn't go through turnstiles, couldn't fit in an airplane seat comfortably without putting the arm rests up and getting a seat belt extender, etc. I don't want that kind of life anymore. I want to travel and do things like a normal person. If your family doesn't want to you have surgery and you have explained the procedure and just the effect it will have on your health (I'm sure they want you to be around for a long time), take them to a seminar to get a better understanding of the surgery itself, but in the end, it's your life you need to live. Your health and happiness are so important so you don't get heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer and whatever else comes with an increased risk due to obesity that if the opportunity is there and you are fully aware of the risks and the rewards and you decide for yourself that this is the right road for you, go for it! Be happy and be healthy!

I took your advice and just came back from the drs. office. I got a 1.25 cc unfill. Ahhhhhh - immediate relief! I never want to experience an overfill again.

Hi everyone. It's good to catch up with everyone and see that us April bandsters are doing well. I'm feeling great. Went for my third fill on August 8th and now I'm up to 7 cc's in a 10cc band. I asked the doctor for a small fill and he put in 1/2 cc. Well, the first day or two was great but by day three - wow major restriction. I couldn't eat anything without the flaming golf ball feeling. It only lasted about 10 minutes but it sure felt like hours and it sure wasn't a pleasant experience. I actually had my first and only PB on a Lean Cuisine meal of honey mustard chicken and green beans. I probably ate half of it then the misery started. I had been sliming for days before it happened and I decided to call yesterday to schedule a small unfill but miraculously the swelling subsided and I can eat again in small amounts but no more golf balls - ouch! I think it was the ice cream I had Sunday night that helped to get rid of the swelling :biggrin1:. It's been a wonderful 24 hours. My sister finally decided to bypass her insurance (she is waiting to hear on her third appeal) and self-pay. She had her surgery on August 4th. I liked it better being on this side of the hospital bed. It does seem like it was soooo long ago that I was in the exact same position. I lost a little over 5 pounds between my second and third fill which was 4 weeks time. I have been working so hard around the house taping, spackling, painting, moving furniture because I was having new floors laid in two bedrooms and the hallway, painting, painting and did I mention painting. I still have to finish the kitchen which is 3/4 done and the bathroom and then my room but I don't ever want to see another paint brush, roller or can of paint for a long, long time. I really thought I sweated off more than that, but I'll take the 5 pounds. I really need to start an exercise program, but I can't find the free time lately. Hope everyone is having a great summer. By this time next year, watch out world for us April bandsters! Keep up the good work. Good luck Susan on your port revision. Heal well and fast. Amourette, I sure hope you are feeling better and Eficka - wow do you look fantastic!!!!!!!!!

I'm at 6.5 cc's and I go for my third fill on August 8th. I felt restriction for about 2 weeks since my last fill on July 5th and now I feel none. I'm hoping that this third fill is the charm. When I did have restriction, it was great and I could easily go 5 + hours without being hungry. Now, I'm hungry after 3 hours.

I had one a couple of years ago because of severe acid reflux. I went in, got an iv, got some stuff that knocked me out and next thing I knew, I was waking up in recovery wondering when they were going to do it. Shook off the anesthesia and went home shortly afterwards. No sore throat, no nothing. It took no more than a couple of hours from when I got to the hospital until I left and went home.

So far the only thing I can't tolerate is pizza. No problems with anything else to date.

Amy, as a multiple dog owner, I would agree that having at least one dog is a great idea. It's wonderful to have someone to greet you when you get home from a long day of work, who wants nothing but love and loves you back no matter what. On the same note, they are a lot of work too. If you have never owned a dog before, you must be consistent with walking, feeding time, etc. because they don't care if it's a Saturday and you want to sleep in or you are on vacation. Goldens shed a lot! Are you prepared to have dog hair on everything you own? Puppies cannot and should not be left in a crate for that long a period without a break to potty, eat, drink and play. All my dogs are crated during the day, but I always go home at lunchtime to let them out to do their business. If I can't be home because either I'm busy at work or plan on being away all day, I hire a dog sitter to come over to let them out. I personally think being in a crate for 8 hours is too long, not that they cannot hold it for that amount of time, but just to take a break! Do lots of research to find what breed is best for you and your lifestyle. If you are not active, you don't want a jack russell terrier, a border collie or austrailian shepard. If you are active, i.e. biking, jogging, hiking, etc., you don't want a toy breed. Look into petfinder, breed specific rescue or the humane society. Unfortunately, a lot of beautiful, sweet and healthy dogs are dumped because people think they are disposable. Dogs are a lifetime commitment, so picking the right breed will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Best of luck in finding a wonderful companion or two. Paula

Yoplait custard style yogurt. I never liked yogurt prior to banding because the texture was disguisting and I could not get bring myself to eat it without gagging. Now I eat one or sometimes two every day. I am also loving fresh cooked green beans with garlic, olive oil and balsamic vineger - absolutely yummy!

What are you eating? Have you been tracking your calorie intake? If you don't get in enough calories you will not lose weight. Exercising? I've read here that the first weeks before your fill are for healing and that any weight loss is a bonus.

I told no one but my immediate family, one close friend and one perceptive co-worker who flat out asked if I was having surgery. I couldn't lie to her face. When I received a anniversary party luncheon invitation for my good friend's parents, I had to ask what the food was being served before I could RSVP because I was just moving to the mushie stage and didn't want to have them pay for food service if I couldn't eat anything so I told my friend. I just told my boss that I was having some surgery and needed time off. I wouldn't tell anyone else unless they flat out asked me because I'm a terrible liar. If you are close to these people, do you feel they will be judgmental? I feel it's nobody's business but mine. I have cut way down on portion sizes and the foods I eat, but I can eat small amounts of everything so it doesn't catch a lot of people's attention. I have read that some people just say they are recovering from hernia surgery or gallbladder surgery. If you still have your gallbladder and something goes wrong later, you've already told people you had it removed. Good luck with your decision!

Cinderella. I have had a wonderful experience with Pioneer Valley Surgical. My dr. is Dr. Fiallo. My sister on the other hand has Dr. Haag and she has been fighting her insurance company for approval since April. She could not get anyone to return her numerous phone calls and when the insurance company requested additional information from his office, they never sent it and she was denied (that wasn't the only reason she got denied though). My insurance is Health New England and I got approved very quickly. The surgeon's office has informational seminars for people who are looking into banding at the Best Western hotel in West Springfield. I don't really know how often they have them so you could call their office or go to their website and it should tell you when the next one is. After the seminar was over, I arranged for a call back to get an appt. and it didn't take long at all as I said approximately 4 months from the date I went to the seminar until I had the surgery. Good luck to you!

WOW! Great NSV for you. I can see why you are tickled pink. Congratulations!!!

Welcome to our group! I met with the surgeon for the first time in early December, 2005. I went to the required support meetings, met with both the psychologist and the nutritionist twice. I heard from the doctors office that I was approved at the end of February and had my surgery on April 6th, so it took a total of 4 months from start to finish.

Hi Angie. I know what you mean. I've been eating way too much lately and was sure that I gained a couple of pounds since my last fill on June 6th but I actually lost 9 pounds. Had the second fill yesterday and I definitely have restriction. I sure hope that this one sticks around for more than a week like the first one did. Good luck on your fill!

Hi everyone. I'm very happy with my weight loss to date (41 pounds since March) and haven't had any problems at all (knocking on all the wood I can find!). I went for my second fill yesterday so I'm up to 6.5 cc's and I definitely can feel the restriction. First fill I only felt restriction for one week, so I'm hoping this one will be good for a while. I was so sure that I had gained a couple of pounds since my last fill on June 6th but I actually lost 9! I bought new clothes (2 and 3 sizes smaller) recently and actually enjoyed shopping! That hasn't happened in ages. I just noticed today that I am further away from the steering wheel when I'm driving and it's so much more comfortable. I think I might have to move the seat forward just a bit. I am thrilled with this band and just love seeing that scale move down. On a good note, my sister who pursuaded me to go to the informational seminar in the first place has her surgery scheduled for August 4th. She has been denied twice by her insurance company as a non-medical necessity (she has a lot of problems health wise and she gets denied - I have no health problems but my high BMI) and is appealing to the bigwigs via the use of a lawyer. She's a federal employee so it goes through Washington, DC, but whether or not they overturn the denial, she has reached the end of her rope and will self pay. She's having real doubts right now that she wants to go ahead with the surgery and it's funny because I re-read our comments prior to our April surgeries and we were all in the same boat just 3 short months ago. It's easy to laugh a little at her nervousness because I can still remember how scared I was! I even replied to her email today by sending her what she sent to me when I was telling her how scared I was. It sure is easier to give advice than to receive it. Sorry about the long post, but keep up the good work everyone!

Yep, first fill was 4 cc's and the second one yesterday he put in between 2 and 3 cc's more. Sure hope this restriction lasts more than one week like the first one.

I forgot to add that I love London! I was there on vacation for the first time a few years ago and intend on going back again.

Hi Liv. Congratulations on your banding and welcome to LBT. I hope you had an easy time with your surgery and that your recovery is going smoothly. I've only been banded three months but I am thrilled with it so far. I go for my second fill on Wednesday, July 12th. I went shopping recently and bought new clothes 2 and 3 sizes smaller than what I was presently wearing. Who would of thought?!?!

I had my first fill on June 6th and I felt restriction for about one week. I can eat anything with no problems at all right now and I know I'm eating way too much at one time. My second fill is scheduled for July 12th (thank God!) and I can't wait to get some restriction. Weight loss is going good though. I don't have an exercise routine per say, but yard work and unloading and stacking 3 tons of pellets for my winter fuel supply does cause one to work up quite a sweat. Keep the faith and good luck with your fill. I've read that some people do great on the first one.

I drink a little with my meal, a few sips here and there and I drink a little after meals as well. I'm not talking like a big glass of anything, but I don't find I am getting hungry any quicker either. That nice full feeling is with me for a few hours whether I drink a little or not. I try not to drink during or shortly after meals, but I find this a very difficult thing for me to change.

Hi Dave. Welcome to LBT. Good luck to you on your weight loss journey.

Hi all. I was banded on 4/6/06 and have been doing well. If I go by my mom's scale, I've lost a total of 50 pounds since my first appointment with the doctor. I have my second fill scheduled for July 12th so we'll see what the official total is then. Anyway, I went clothes shopping for the first time since banding because my skirts and pants are falling off. I literally have to hold on to them when I walk cuz I'm afraid I'll embarrass myself. Since I had no idea what size I am now, I just picked a size and went to try everything on. I got into a pair of pants comfortably (even though I didn't like them) and they were 3 sizes smaller than what I was wearing - 3 sizes smaller!!!! I called my mom and sister on my cell phone almost jumping for joy in the dressing room! My tops and blouses are 1 to 2 sizes smaller, depending on the maker. I now have clothes for the time being that actually fit and it has made my day. WHOOO HOOOO!!!!