christypooh402

I've had 3 fills so far and I have never had a numbing agent. My doc goes right through my scar, so I never feel anything but a little bit of pressure!

I am Tricare prime and was banded in Jacksonville, FL by Dr. Cywes. With his practice, once the program is paid for, you are covered with them for life. The program (the surgery cost) was completely paid for by Tricare except for a $200 fee that had to come out of pocket. The only problem I foresee for me is I am not sure what I am supposed to do when we are due to transfer. I figured when the time came I would just get another refferal from Tricare. At least I hope that is how it will work! Hope this helps. Christy

I am tricare prime and I had my surgery at a civilian facility in Jacksonville, FL last sept. I got a referal from my pcm and just went from there. Everything was covered 100%, even the labs and the chest xray. I have lost 40 pounds so far. Also, at the doctor's office I was sent to, once the program has been paid for, you are covered with them for life. I will not have to pay for any fills or follow ups with them ever. Now, when my husband transfers, I will have to go to tricare again and get another referal for follow up care at another facility. Good luck with your decision and I hope this has helped. Christy

Happy24, I don't have any problems with bowel movements. I go about twice a day and they are gross. Seems whenever I drink a shake it goes right through me.

Hi everyone. I"m pretty new here and was banded on 9/11. I've been reading alot of posts and according to most people, I should be feeling pretty good by now, but I don't. My back hurts, my incisions hurt and itch, I am still having gas pains. I'm just all around feeling blah. I'm trying to stay off of my pain meds during the day (hydrocodone) because today my DH has duty so I'm home alone till the kids get home from school and tomorrow I have to go back to school myself. I'm a full time student. I just want to lie in bed and sleep for about a month. Anyone else feel this way a week postop? Maybe I am just a wuss.

I was banded on 9/11 and had to stay the night because it took me nearly 4 hours to wake up in recovery. My blood sugar also dropped during the night without me knowing. I was in a lot of pain from the gas and could not stay awake enough to walk because they gave me morphin. Then, next morning after I had walked a bit, they let me go home.

My first consultation was in may. I got my band last thursday from Dr. Cywes in Jacksonville. The doctor talked to me about the procedure and the reasons why I am overweight (he says fat, lol). He explained that obese people have an addiction to carbs and that his job is to help me fight that addiction. It all made sense to me. He asked if there were any questions. He said that from that point forward, each time I ate something I was to ask myself two questions: why am I eating this? and how many carbs does this have? Oh, before I talked to the Dr., they did a med history and got my weight. They also got paperwork ready for all of the tests that I would have to get. (labs, ekg, chest xray...) Also, he gave me a website to go to that you can do a free food log. It's called fitday.com. You put in everything that you eat and it keeps track of calories, fat, carbs, and protein. This was a lifesaver when I did my preop low carb diet. Hope this helps you!!

I too was banded o 9/11! This is the first day that I haven't had the god awful pain in my left shoulder, but I still have some pressure in my chest. It comes and goes. I feel like if I could just pass one big burp it would all go away!!

I was banded on 9/11 and gas pain is my worst complaint right now too. I keep feeling like I need to burp but it won't come. A little diarrhea, but only about twice a day. According to my doc, I should be able to have mushies on friday but I really want something now!! I started my protein shakes yesterday and I can only drink about 3/4 of a cup then the pains start. It feels like the gas pain in my chest, but I think that means I'm full too. This is going to take some getting used to.

I have not figured out what is mushy and what is soft yet. According to my Dr., I can start soft foods on day 9. I am currently on day four and this was my first day of full liquids. I had a sugar free carnation instant breakfast shake today. I think I am hungry now, but I'm not sure. I am having a lot of rumbling.

I was only on a liquid diet for 2 days before my surgery, but I was on a low carb diet for 6 days. I lost 12 lbs during that week.