Carol Conley

Great site with a lot of information. Thanks for sharing!

Are you drinking enough fluids and are you getting enough protein? I am suppose to get 40 to 60 grams of protein each day. As long as I drink enough water I don't have any "bathroom" problems. I am 3 1/2 weeks post op. The swelling that went down initially was probably "gas" used in the surgery. I remain somewhat swollen especially at my port site. The more active I am, like walking, the less bloated I am. My Dr. said the swelling wouldn't go down until I'm completely healed. My band hasn't felt tight yet, so I can't help you there. I get my 1st fill at 6 weeks post-op. Good Luck, I hope you feel better soon!

It seem like people are a lot more likely to post if there is a problem. So you will read the good and the bad but when something "different" than expected happens we come to the Board for information and support! I know there are others with a lot more knowledge than I have. I kept reminding myself how much damage all of this "FAT" was causing to my health.

It took about 7-8 week from my 1st Dr.s appointment until I had my surgery. You have to have a variety of tests. I had to get letters from all of my doctors to have my insurance approved (about 3 weeks). Good Luck! Hang in there, it is not usually a fast process.

I felt so much better after learning so much from this Board. I had my surgery 2 weeks ago and have had no "surprises" except that I'm really NOT hungry!:nervous I had my 1st check-up today and I had lost 15.6 pounds. Be sure and have your protein and SF jello etc. ready before you get home. It sure makes the transition easy. Good Luck! I'm sure you are going to do terrific!

Good Luck! How exciting, a new baby! I like the name "Hope". It can mean so many things to so many different people. I tried to think of something funny or cute but I'm a blank slate! You will be in my prayers "Little One".

Time seems to go very slowly when you are waiting for approval. After 3 weeks of waiting I called my Dr.'s office and asked them if I should call my insurance company and find out what was holding my approval up. They said yes, I did, and after 1 more call to the office I was approved that afternoon. During the waiting time I ate everything I thought I would miss. Not such a good thing to do!:guess Good Luck, I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

I found out that there is also a doctor in Norman that will do a fill for about $178.00 each. Sorry, I don't know his name. There was someone from another board that found him. I know that there is a Bariatric Center there. As for the hunger issue you were worried about... If I start to feel hungry I just mix a scoop of protein powder with jello or something and eat it slowly. So far that has stopped the habitual hungry frenzy that I've been in for years. Good Luck! Let me know if you have any more questions. By the way, it's a good idea to have your "new food" ready for you when you get home. The Protein Powder and vitamin's I use have to be ordered from www.walgreens.com., you can't buy them at the store. Beneprotein is the protein powder I use. Optisource is the brand of high protein drink and chewable vitamin's. There are a lot of choices and everybody has their favorite. I sure get carried away blah, blah, blah:)

Hello fellow Bandsters! I had my surgery almost 2 wks. ago on 3-28-06! I had it at Edmond Medical Center, in Edmond Oklahoma, a suburb of Okla. City! They have a small Bariatric unit and I had wonderful care. Dr. Philp Floyd was my surgeon. Very kind and reasurring. I am on pureed "food" and protein drinks at this time and of course lot's of water! I haven't had any problems to speak of. My Dietician has been a HUGE help. I will have my first post-op visit on Tuesday. I'm excited to see if I've lost any weight. The biggest surprise since the surgery is that I'm really not hungry. I think it is the 1st time in my life I've experienced this! I'm so happy I was lead to this website!

Yes, I was really sore, especially at the incision site for the port. My allergies have been acting up, and it seemed like I was always having to cough. I was also having trouble taking a really deep breath. My pillow became my best friend, by me holding it tightly against the site. Then about 4 days ago all of a sudden I noticed I wasn't hurting any more and I could yawn and breath nomally. I can still feel something there but no pain. I am really lucky though I don't have to really do anything but recover. I really feel for those of you that have to go back to work just a couple of days after your surgery.

I live in Edmond. I used to do some work in Chickasha occasionally. My insurance agent is also there. It looks like you are really doing well. I hope we can keep in touch! Do you go to a support group?

Hi I was given some advice from someone else that had their surgery in Mexico. It is: make sure you have a doctor in Okla. or close for you "fill's". I know some people go back to Mex.to get their fill. A friend of mine failed make arrangement here and she did have a problem getting a doctor to help with her follow-up. I had my surgery here in Edmond. It was done by Dr. Philp Floyd. I was lucky my insurance paid. I have had my Band 12 days now. Where do you live? There are support groups several places in Okla. and they don't care where you have you surgery. I'm sure there are people that know so much more than I do. I just thought I would let you know what a couple of Okies have gone through. Good Luck. Keep in touch!

She told me if I am feeling hungry to add Protein Powder to something like 2oz. of SF Jello or to what every drink I'm "sipping". If I start thinking about food or see a stupid Pizza commercial I will put a scoop full of Protein Powder in SF pudding, jello,etc.(I use Optisource-I get it www.walgreens., not at the stores). Then I take about 20-30 minutes to eat it, (who knew you could actually take that long to eat what used to take me 2 bites!) So far I haven't really felt hungry using this technigue that the dietician suggested. I am 12 days post-op. Good Luck!