IMhopeful

Hi Al Just wanted to check in and see how your appointments are going and if you've received your surgery date yet. I know it can take a bit of time based on your insurance. When I was banded, by Dr. Jones, I had BCBS and it didn't take long at all for them to give the authorization. My meeting with Dr. Jones 11/19/08 my band was placed on 2/10/09. My experience was great as I'm sure yours will be. Hope all is going well. Keep the updates coming by personal message or post! :thumbup: Theresa

First: Ja9rhone I'm so very very sorry for your loss. You're in my thoughts. I was banded Feb 10th '09 I was doing great until the end of the summer. I was down 58lbs but have been losing and gaining the same 5lbs since the end of August. It seems that I've fallen so far off the wagon I can even find the wagon to get back on anymore. I haven't been exercising and I've been doing ALOT of stress eating. For the last couple of months I've gotten back to putting myself on the back burner. Both my mom and my disabled brother have needed most of my time for one reason or another. At times I get so frustrated all I can do is cry and or eat. How can I get back on track??? I've tried doing my food log (which I did religiously in the beginning), getting to the gym and support groups have been impossible...with my, my mom's and brother doctors appointments there isn't time in the day. I want and need this to work so badly, I can see clearly in my mind the results I want/need, but it's almost as if I'm frozen. Right now I'm down 53lbs. HELP!!!:confused:

I also had my surgery in Feb '09 with Dr. Jones. So far I've lost 58 lbs and I too feel great. I've been very fortunate and have had almost no problems as a result of the band. One occasion I ate too quickly and had some pain from the food getting stuck, however I did as advised, I stopped eating and walked around for a few minutes and the food passed without a problem. I had some post op swelling and was not able to get all the fluid in that I needed. This caused me to spend an extra night in the hospital. Personally I feel the biggest obstacle to get past is it's not brain surgery -- all the same cravings are going to be there. You can still have the things you crave but not everyday and not in the same amount. About a week after surgery while watching TV, I heard my hubby munching away on a snack. It was very hard since I could only drink (you're on a liquid diet for several weeks after surgery) and although I was feeling stuffed after drinking 8oz of fluid, I wanted to be able to chew something. I remember crying thinking if I felt this way now how was this surgery ever going to help me. But I got through it. Another thing that can be hard is not drinking a 1/2 hr before and after eating. You get used to that too. I don't want to discourage you. No it's not easy but if you use the band as the tool it's meant to be and listen to your body it's worth it!!

I believe the program fee is for (non reimbursable) expenses like the pre op work book which I found extremely helpful, it goes through things step by step. Also the support group they have twice a month and the online newsletter. Each of the surgeons run a seminar so your able to meet both of them if you attend both sessions. Yes, the majority of it's repetitive but you can get a feel for the surgeons themselves. In addition patients who have had surgery attend this gives you the opportunity to speak with them directly. You may not be able to get in prior to you move I would go to another seminar and ask the surgeon. They may be able to recommend a bariatric surgeon in the state where you'll be moving.

I was banded 2/10/09. Although I do not have an ICD I am a heart attack survivor. On 7/29/07 I had a heart attack, went into cardiac arrest, and had angioplasty. There was some perminant damage to my heart as a result of this but my surgery went beautifully. Of course everyone's situation is different the program I went through would not even consider me for the surgery without a cardiac clearance. My cardiologist did a cardiac cathaterization to confirm that there were not problems brewing. He had to send a letter to the medical director of the program clearing me for surgery. The surgeon requested another letter stating it was ok for me to stop taking the blood thinner Plavix 1 week prior to surgery. However I was allowed to stay on a baby aspirin. Now until I can resume my plavix (they cannot be crushed and there's no liquid alternative) I take 4 chewable aspirin daily. My surgeon ordered the cardiac anesthesiologist for my case and had the cardiac team on standby in case of any problems which there were none. I'm sure your cardiologist will know exactly what to do to make sure you're safe for surgery. Best of luck!

Hi Catlover4, I was banded on 2/10/09 and wear a Medtronic Minimed pump. The day before surgery I was advised to adjust my basal rate to 1/2 of the lowest basal rate. My pump was on throughout the surgery. The nurses monitored my blood sugar during surgery and were aware of how to adjust the pump settings if necessary. There was never a problem! Since my surgery I'm using less than 1/2 the insulin I did prior to surgery. It's very rare that I have to bolus myself for meals. However I have to suspend my pump totally during exercise otherwise I will go low. I've lost almost 50 lbs and I'm keeping my endo aware of my blood sugars. I just keep my pump site away from my port. The only problem I've had is I have less area on my stomach where my pump works because of the weight loss. There have been a few times that the canula has bent and I've needed to move my site. As my weight continues to go down both my doctor and I are looking forward to stopping my insulin. Best of luck on your surgery, you'll do fine pump and all!!!!

Hi liquidbluegal - I'm from Foxboro. why are you about to give up hope?? Please feel free to send me a private message. I'd be more than happy to share stories with you or even talk to you about topics from the support groups. I've gone to 2 support meetings and I do feel they help. My surgery was on 2/10/09 although I haven't had the band long I'd be more than happy to lend an ear and help anyway I can. Good luck -- don't ever lose hope I'm sure things will get better!

Congrats to both of you lapband4life and TheB!!!!! That's great. I was banded on 2/10/09 and have lost 37lbs post surgery and 10 pre surgery. Until recently I've haven't gotten to the gym as much as I should but I've picked up the pace recently. Next follow up isn't until 5/20, can't wait to see the results. Keep up the great work!:smile:

Hi all, Had my first fill last Wednesday (2cc's). I wasn't expecting to get it but it wasn't bad at all. The worst part was I had just gotten the ok for a full food diet but that was short lived. After a fill my program requires 3 days of liquid diet then another 3 of day of soft food. So far everything is going down fine. I do notice I can't eat as much earlier in the day however in the evening I don't seem to be as full but I am satisfied. I'm still consistently losing about 2lbs a week.

Hi All, I'm almost 2 months post-op and am on my stage 4 diet. So far I've been able to keep my weightloss steady and have lost 41 lbs. I have a follow up on 4/8 even though I have been following my diet I'm nervous about going in and seeing that I've gained. Honestly it should be expected with the difference in the diet to gain maybe a pound but it's causing some serious anxiety. The anxiety is making it so I want to eat more. (Can you tell I'm a stress eater!) Did anyone else gain when they were on their stage 4. Hi Dezadoo, Congratulations on your new baby. I'm on Facebook my name is Theresa Kinney if you'd like to add me as a friend just put lap band in the request. Hope all are well.

Hi all, Still waiting for my first fill but glad to hear that there isn't much to it. As for me I'm still not very hungry but I have had days with very bad cravings. This week has there has been a bit more stress because I haven't been able to keep to my routine. I was getting to the gym 3-4 times a week but not this week - have been caring for my mom going back and forth to doctor appts. Yesterday I caught myself wanting to just graze instead of sitting and eating a meal. Also I haven't been able to get all my fluids each day. I'm determined to keep myself on track with my eating and drinking. I'll have to get a bit inventive about getting some exercise in while with my mom. The good news is that I've been consistently losing weight. Saw my cardiologist last week, I had lost another 5lbs since my follow-up with the surgeon on 3/4. Hopefully I can keep it up while caring for mom.

I haven't heard much about the Realize Band but I thought the bands were supposed to be placed high on the stomach so the pouch was only about the size of a thumb. I have a 10cc Lap Band - since surgery I've some severe cravings but no hunger. I was banded Feb 10th just got the ok for soft foods on 3/4 and will be on this stage until my next appt on 4/8. Then the doctor will talk about when I can get a fill. Jackee - Congrats on your weight loss. I hope things continue to go well for you.

I haven't been hungry since my surgery. There have been a several times that I've had severe cravings. When it happens I stop myself and really think about if I'm truly hungry. I find that I'm satisfied and have been able to avoid giving into the cravings. Also I'm getting back on track with my exercise, spent an hour at the gym over the weekend and again yesterday. Later today I'll be there again. As hard as it was to do -- I had my husband take pictures of me (in my bra and panties) the day of my initial consult, surgery day, and yesterday (1 month bandiversary). Last night we compared them really got to see the changes. They serve a dual purpose as a photographic journal of my journey and as a motivation for the discouraging times. Happy Bandiversary Everyone!!! :thumbup:

This forum has been great, it's so nice to know there's a place where people will be there for support/encouragement and understand how hard this is. I'm in for the exercise reports - I need to get more motivated to get there everyday. Especially now that I'm starting my stage 4 soft food diet. My nerves are kicking in because I don't know how my body will react after 3 weeks of full fluid. Want the numbers on the scale to keep going down. I lost 6.2 lbs in last 2 weeks. :confused:

Hi all, I had my first follow up today with the nutritionist and the surgeon. My diet was advanced to the stage 4 diet of soft foods. Finally something other than liquids!!! Will still have to drink some Protein shakes to be sure to make my quota. Also got the ok to start using the weight machines at the gym. But I have to get my butt to the gym more often. Down another 6.2 lbs!! Got the warning that once I start soft foods my weight may go up but not to worry and don't get discouraged. How's everyone else been doing with their exercise??? yayatrudy glad to hear that your back pain wasn't anything more serious. Once you start Water aerobics again I'm sure you'll see a change in you weight.

yayatrudy how did you doctors appointment go today? Was the band causing your back pain? I have not had any pain in my back. The little pain I was having was around my port and that has stopped. I hope you feel better soon. Please let know how your doing.

Hi T- Just wanted to say glad to hear that your surgery went well and your feeling good!! Hope everything keeps going on the good track for you.

Hi - Collegegirl I had quite a bit of gas and bloating also. Although mine was not painful it lasted a bit over a week. I found the best for me was walking around and in bed sometimes just shifting my position for even a minute worked. I had to stay in the hospital for 2 nights because I was swollen and unable to drink very much - didn't start passing gas until the day I was discharged:cursing:. Talk about discomfort. Everyone is different as to how long it takes the gas to dissipate but it will!!! Good luck.

blklab no need to change your name I think that was a great idea. Actually I'm still on a full liquid diet -- going to see the doctor March 4th. As much as I would like to advance my diet I get nervous when I think of things getting stuck or sliming (which I think is the same as what my doctor calls foaming but I'm not sure). Does anyone know if sliming is the same as foaming????

I didn't get staples either only steri-strips. They loosened up around the edges but not at the incisions themselves. Finally I removed them myself yesterday. The nurse at the hospital advised me to remove them when they are wet. After my shower I took my time, if it looked like it was going to take the scab with it I just went slowly. Everything was nicely healed underneath. My new scars go so great with ones I had when I got my gallbladder out!!

I do still get throbbing pain in the area of my port every now and then. Also at times I get a pulling from that area but not nearly as much as I did when I first came home. Neither the throbbing or pulling has been bothersome to the point of needing pain medication or even Tylenol. One thing I've noticed is I get the hiccups almost daily, it's not painful just annoying. Is this happening to anyone else?

blklab70, that's great news. I know what you mean I'd much rather take pill than the shots. It's been much easier with the pump because I only have to give my self a needle to change the placement of the pump every 3 days. I was taking both insulin and oral meds but since the surgery I hadn't needed the oral meds. The dr has cut back on the insulin and is having me take the oral medication so that we can phase out the insulin all together. WHOO HOO! Always remember that any weight loss is a step in the right direction!! I won't be holding onto any of my old clothes as they get too big either. There's only looking forward. That means as we all shrink SHOP SHOP SHOP! Keep posted on how you're doing

Thanks and congratulations Shaggs & Serenity55, I'm so happy to hear that your both doing so well. It's amazing the difference that it makes with the aches and pains. Others may not understand how you can feel so much better 10 days after surgery than you did before. I think most people expect feel much worse not just because it's surgery but also because we're overweight. What a difference a few pounds make!! I'm still on a mostly liquid diet, other than yogurt, whipped cottage cheese, applesauce and the usual Jello and Popsicles. My followup appointment is March 4th can't advance my diet until then. I have the occasion cravings but I've decided to use this time to jump start my weight loss. If anyone needs help keeping motivated I'm here.:tt2::waytogo: