Elisabethsew

Hello fellow March bandsters. I had my surgery on March 30, lost 31 pounds so far, and am FINALLY getting my first fill on Thursday. I have not felt ANY restriction since 5 days post-op but my surgeon is a stickler for waiting a full 8 weeks before giving a first fill. It's been a struggle sticking to the diet but I'm making good choices. I hope to kick start the weight loss after the first fill and am like a kid anticipating Santa's arrival waiting for that fill. LOL. One person at work noticed I lost weight but I have a lot to lose and don't expect to have people notice yet. My clothes are fitting looser, I'm feeling better, and I'm motivated to be successful so that's all that matters now. Did anyone feel restriction with the first fill?

Most companies demand that 6 month medically supervised diet. Since you're diabetic, couldn't your MD write a letter stating that he/she has been medically supervising your weight loss attempts for X years? Welcome to the board!

The fast answer is "no" but the right answer depends on other factors such as co-morbidities (diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, heart problems, etc.). Insurance companies have a "general" guideline that you need to have a BMI of 40 with no co-morbidities or a BMI of 35 WITH co-morbidities to qualify for weight loss surgery in the United States. If you elect to self-pay (either in the U.S. or another country), the insurance constraints don't apply and you can find a surgeon to operate on you.

A disgruntled cook at the local bar and grill poisons your food. You suffer in agony for days until the poison eventually kills you. Hmmmmmmm... death by food! What was I thinking eating that crap at a bar and grill? LOL.

I'm amused by the posts that speculate whether or not a famous person has had weight loss surgery and, if so, what type. My opinion is, who cares? If he/she has decided to reduce their weight by opting for a surgical intervention, more power to him/her.

As long as you tolerated the food and did not have any pain afterwards, you likely didn't do any damage to the pouch. While I can eat ANYTHING and have felt no restriction, I purposely don't eat things like fast foods. I'm getting my first fill on Thursday and HOPE I will FINALLY feel SOME restriction. My surgeon told me it's fine to splurge on a burger on a RARE occasion but it pays to make healthier choices. The important thing is you spent time with your family, exercised while having fun, and suffered no repercusions from the fast food.

Just for the record, intubation does NOT involve the stomach at all. Intubation is an artificial airway that is inserted to help a patient breathe. It is positioned in the trachea, just above the point where the respiratory system branches out to the left and right lungs. Do not intubate (DNI) is associated with do not resusitate (DNR) and the only time the medical community pays any attention to DNI/DNR is when it's written on a legal document. Alert bracelets are NOT advance directives and should only serve to do what they say, alert people of an allergy, illness, device, etc.

"Fat-burning" as described by this MD is putting the body in a state of ketosis. This is NOT healthy and is especially dangerous for any people with kidney problems/disease. I'd be interested to see how many patients actually KEEP the weight off.

I'm getting my first fill on 5/25 and plan to do everything I can to remain a PB virgin. Still, it's good to hear your experience was not too awful.

I chose my goal weight based on what my surgeon said I should weigh from insurance height/weight charts. I am FAR away from my ultimate goal and now just set mini goals of 10 pounds. When will I know I have reached the ideal weight for me? When I look in the mirror and like what I see reflecting back at me.

I'm glad you got some answers from your MD. I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and never had a problem with reflux from that surgery.

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. Take the time you need to heal. Congratulations on a WONDERFUL milestone.

Gas CAN last for days. Increase your water intake and take some walks. If you spike a temperature, diverticulitis could be the cause so keep an eye on your symptoms.

Fantasia Leather Jugs! Oh my....

Fair, Fat, Fertile, Female and Forty. Traditionally, those are the common "5F's" that predispose a person to gallbladder problems. Diagnosis is either via an abdominal/pelvic sonogram or a DISIDA (HIDA) scan. For me, the "attacks" were weeks apart and then became more frequent. I work in a hospital as an RN and the last attack felt like I was having a heart attack. THE PAIN WAS SEVERE AND UNRELENTING. I couldn't make the pain go away no matter what position I put myself in and the pain was worst under the right breast area with radiation to the left chest and right upper back. I went to the ER and a sonogram showed stones that resembled a fresh water pearl necklace. The DISIDA scan failed to visualize the gallbladder which confirmed I had total obstruction of the common bile duct and surgery was scheduled for the next day. Your symptoms could either mean gallbladder stones or sludge in the gallbladder. Sometimes, the drug URSO works to clear the sludge and dissolve small gall stones or crystals. If you find your medical internest not responsive to your concerns, I would suggest seeing a GI specialist. I hope you feel better.

I'm glad is was no big deal. I go for my "first" on 5/25 and am nervous.

I think the honeymoon phase begins when you start to feel restriction. Unlike many of the surgeons people discuss here, mine will not give a first fill until 8 weeks post-op. That's a very long time when you've NEVER felt restriction and the only way that you even know you have the band is by the scars. I have another week to go before I get a first fill and appreciate ALL the posts that people take the time to write. I'm maintaining my weight loss by sticking to my diet and through the support I get from this forum. The pros far outweigh the cons and I am looking forward to the start of my honeymoon phase and hope it lasts a LONG time.

I can tell you that I haven't felt the food go down and I started solids a little over 3 weeks ago. I think more people feel it when they get their fills.

I'm unfilled and can eat ANYTHING. Sigh! I am hoping that changes next Thursday when I FINALLY get my first fill.

Hi Jen, I was banded 8 days after you and have a first fill scheduled for 5/25. You said that you were filled today and, from what I have read, feeling restricted is what fuels the weight loss. Have you noticed that you feel full with less food intake yet? Hang in there, sooner or later you'll hit the right level of fill and lose more consistently. I can't wait to feel even a little restriction.

Congratulations!!!

I have another full week to go before I get my first fill and can't wait. Did you all experience any pain getting a fill?

My surgeon won't do fills until 8 weeks post-op and I'm scheduled for the first one on 5/25. I have zero restriction and see no point in waiting longer than the 8 weeks. Even if I only feel a LITTLE restriction I feel that's what I need to stay motivated.

Have you brought your husband to any of the informational meetings? Have you showed him the thread of people showing their scars? Have you showed him the thread of the before and after pictures? Most importantly, have you sat down and been 100% honest with your husband about how your weight affect you... physically and emotionally? Ultimately, the decision is yours. Don't take ANY action until you've gotten all your questions answered.

You know how men are when it comes to asking directions? LOL. I have a friend (male) who had lapband surgery in July of last year and is nearly at his goal weight having lost 125+ pounds. He TELLS everyone how he did it but would never go to a chat room or info board.