LuvMySteelers

Hey all - thanks for posting this thread and all of your replies. I'm 27 and currently struggling with this exact issue!! Except I've been dating the guy for about 3 weeks now, and I almost feel like he may be upset that I've waited this long to tell him anything! We've been out to eat a few times, but I give the typical excuses...big lunch, tummy ache, doesn't taste good. Anyhow, feels good to know I'm not the only one struggling with this!

What is your recipe for the chocolate cheese cake? Exact amounts please.....sounds awesome! Thank You!:tt1:

Wheew just read through this whole thread....I'm having alot of trouble with painful hiccupping! After reading, I'm going to really really concentrate on the chewing small bites. I eat slow, but I think its my bite size and chewing that is getting me. If no improvement, I'll be going for an unfill. I'm also going to try the water thing to help the extreme hunger! I'm starting to slide back to the grazing, and the weight isn't coming off as fast as it was, so I know I need to do something soon! Thanks for all your suggestions everyone!!!

Hmm...I was banded Nov 08, and I've had 1 fill, 1 total unfill, and 2 new fills. That is how my doctor has always done it...once the needle is in, I sit up and drink water until I feel it start backing up. I've never had a problem drinking afterward. The first two days are always more sensitive and I just drink liquids, but I always adjust quite fine afterward. So I'm curious why your doctor told you it was a "new procedure."

I'm assuming my approval was so easy because of my Federal Gov't Insurance. My BMI had to be 40, and that was pretty much it. I had no co-morbidities. I did have a family history of heart disease and cancer, but thats about it. But I do know that with most insurance agencies, having at least one co-morbidity is a big step towards approval (high blood pressure & diabetes are 2 huge ones!) Good luck with your approval process!

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program - I did not have to do the 6 month diet. I only had to have the letter of recommendation from PCP and do a Psych test...BUT my BMI had to be 40 or above. I was teetering on the 38-39 line. Like BandGroupie, I ate a huge meal and downed LOTS of water right before my weigh in! I would call your insurance and ask a general question - what is your bmi requirement for lap band? Don't tell them your current step in the process, you're just beginning to think about it! They should just be able to give you a straight bmi number and end of conversation...that way you'll know where you stand!

If you can't find someone you like in Knoxville, I can give a great recommendation for Nashville. Remember, you will develop a close relationship with your surgeon for years following surgery, make sure its someone you feel comfortable with! If the seminar is good, you will get all the information you need to start the process. If you leave feeling confused, I would be skeptical of their center. Thats just some advice from another "pretty, chubby girl!" :thumbup:

I live with my aunt, who is a nurse (thank god!). My surgery was Monday. She was with me all day Monday & Tuesday. She went back to work on Wednesday and I was alone. I stayed upstairs in our house on the couch in the bonus room. We have two dogs, so I would have to go downstairs several times and let the dogs in & out, as well as get Water to drink. I was fine when she went back to work, and by Wednesday I was feeling good enough to walk around. You should be okay, and knowing that she lives close is the peace of mind you'll need to know someone is there if needed! Good luck with your surgery!

My doctor prescribed Loritab liquid for pain relief after surgery. It worked fantastic. I only needed it for the first few days, then I was able to switch to Liquid Tylenol.

I had very bad migraines before my band. I also drank alot of Diet Coke. Now that I have virtually eliminated carbonation and aspartame from my diet, I haven't had a migraine since before my surgery! Do some research on aspartame, I truly believe that the sugar substitute was my problem.

I can handle soda if I sip it slowly, NO STRAW! I forgot and took a drink of Diet Coke through a straw and thought I was going to die! The first drink causes a few hiccups for me, but once I get past that its okay, as long as I go slow. I try to let it sit for at least a little bit though first.

It all started with a spell of hiccups, then a yawn. I found that during abnormal breathing I had this pain in my lower right abdomen. I went to see my surgeon. He pushed around a bit, asked a few questions, and said he wasn't quite sure, not typical signs of gall bladder problems. He ordered an Ultrasound, X-Ray and Blood Test. Results came back Friday morning, all negative. By Saturday afternoon, the pain was pretty much gone! However....Saturday night at work it only got worse. The pain began at 11:30pm, with a sharp, constant stabbing in my upper right abdomen. It continued until 2:00am....constant! There was nothing I could do to relieve it, not sitting, standing, walking...nothing helped! I began researching on the internet and have decided that my symptoms most match that of gallstones. It said gallstones occur predominantly in women, who are overweight, and who have experienced rapid weight loss. I'm going to call my doctor Monday morning to go in for a CT Scan, but I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this? :biggrin:

I use Wii Sports game that came with my Wii for exercise right now. I just bought my Wii Fit on Ebay, but haven't gotten it yet. After a few rounds of Wii Boxing I've worked up a sweat. The day after the first time I did it my arms were killing me, so I know its effective! Looking forward to the Wii Fit. I also bought a Bowflex Treadclimber....I need several options or I'll get too bored! :thumbup:

I have severe stabbing pains in the upper right abdomen. It is very bad after I eat solid foods, and can last from 2-8 hours constantly. When I lay down, the pain travels into my right shoulder. Since I've been in the hospital and haven't had solid food, the pain is just when I go from sitting to laying down, or with yawning/hiccups (any abnormal breathing). All my gallbladder tests have been negative, so they've brought in a GI doctor to try to find out whats going on.

i would say 1 week is way too soon. your body probably hasn't fully adjusted yet to your first fill. talk to your dr. about your concerns and see what his response is. he shouldn't do a fill if you're not completely comfortable with it. personally, i would wait at least 3 weeks. my dr. will do one every 6 weeks if needed.

I'm actually in the hospital right now. I had one done this morning. Same thing as Smartiegirl. Mine was painful when they had me lay on my left side, but I'm in for potential gallbladder problems, not because of my band. But the test itself is not painful, just boring!

Anyone in the Nashville, TN area? My best friend that convinced to me get Lap band moved away to Georgia! Looking for someone to talk to, hang out with, eat very little with! LOL :tongue2:

I called my surgeon because the lower back pain was soo unbearable. He said to be sure I was getting all my water/liquids in. He suggested that the pain was more than likely my kidneys and possible dehydration. I followed what he said and drank as much water as I possibly could and I felt better. I still get the back pain once in a while (3 weeks post-op), but I immediately start drinking and it helps.

Just in case any of you need a good laugh, I'll tell you the story of my first fill today.... Background: I was banded Nov. 17. Ten minutes before surgery my doctor explained how he doesn't put any fill in during surgery because of potential swelling. I'm 3 weeks out today. For the last week and a half I've been able to eat almost like I used to (no bread, no diet coke, a bit less though). So I get called back and the nutritionist puts me on the scale and asks about my eating. She says I'm doing well, puts me in an exam room and leaves. Doctor comes in, reviews my stats and says, "ok, well I put 5cc's in when I put in your band because the band was too big." I was shocked, but just nodded and said ok. Then he all too quickly ran through what was about to happen with the fill - lay down, shot to numb, inject saline, drink Water, leave. That is what I heard, in that order! So, I lay down and we begin talking about pain/soreness, etc as he sticks me with the first needle to numb! I screamed OUCH! and he said, "Oops sorry forgot to warn ya it was coming!" That kinda loosened me up and made me laugh, but nothing prepared me for what was to come.... Next thing I know, here comes needle #2. So I'm laying there, trying not to think about the needle and then he moves the table extension from under my legs and shoves his hand in front of my face. The look on my face was obvious confusion, as he said "take my hand and sit up." I said "um, so yeah, that needle is still in my stomach!" He laughed and said "yes, and now you need to sit up and drink water." I slowly sat up, giving him that "you're f'ing nuts!!!" look, and took the water. He told me to take 2 big gulps and let him know if it goes down, or would come up. The water just sat there in my throat. It was the oddest feeling EVER! He looked at me and said "well?" All I could do was mutter some noise to say "i dunno" cause frankly I was scared that if I opened my mouth it would all come back up! Eventually it slid down, thankfully. At this point I begged him not to make me too tight, so he only ended up giving me 1cc, to make my current total 6cc. All in all, slightly traumatic, but not as painful as I expected! And in hindsight, quite comical for the doctor and the nurse! :wink_smile:

Thank you for that website! I ordered lots of stuff to try! I have trouble getting in my Protein, I'm scared to death of losing my hair!!! Thank You Thank You!:sad_smile:

Hey Whitney, I'm 12 days out. My advice to you is to move around as much as possible now, it will help you get ready to get to classes. I was lucky and able to take this whole time off, but I really didn't start feeling better until I got my butt off the couch and walked! Also, leave EARLY! I can get around pretty well, but just a little slower, so give yourself extra time to get to class. And keep your load as light as possible. I find it feels like it pulls on my incisions if I carry anything slightly heavy. Hope this helps! As for the seafood craving, can't help ya, i hate seafood!!

wow i know EXACTLY what you mean! i feel stuffed on top, yet i hear these loud stomach growls and feel the churn! odd sensation!

I'm on Day 4 post-op. I had two days of liquids which I lived on water and popsicles. Now I'm on mushies, and I'm starving! I've tried scrambled eggs, mac & cheese, and chipped ham. I'm following the no drinking guidelines when eating, but I'm not feeling full! The stomach growling is nearly unbearable! Anyone have any suggestions !?!??! :thumbup:

Ok - so my incisions (6) are covered with this "saran wrap" sticky stuff! I have the steri-strips, with little heart shaped gauzes over them, then saran wrap! Kind of like ClingWrap, but sticky! Now I'll admit I'm a big wuss with pain, but how in the heck do I get this stuff off !?!? I tried pulling it off in the shower, and got about 1/4" before I gave up! Any ideas?! I need this stuff off!!! :thumbup:

Hey there - I was just banded by Dr. Morton on the 17th. He was recommended to me by one of my best friends who had the procedure two years ago. I met him at my pre-op diet consultation and loved him. I thought he was very thorough and honest. Along with his credentials and experience, he was the only one I wanted! The morning of my surgery he explained things very well and asked if I had questions. While I was in recovery, he went out and talked to my aunt (family member with me) and explained that everything went well and I was in recovery. Hope you enjoyed your meeting with him!