whatakindgirl

There are 2 foods that I stay away from with a 10 foot pole... and that is Pork and Steak. I would not even try it shredded. Never has gone down well. You learn real quick what foods make you feel good... and what foods make you sick. You will be an expert in no time. Oh, and if you feel food stuck, then try getting up and walking around the block or getting on the treadmill. As a nurse, we always encourage mobility to get the digestive processes moving.

I have the same issue. From time to time I have a complete unfill done for 1 month, and that probably lasts me about 3 to 4 months of no problems. I also take Prevacid prn (as needed). As well, I do not eat after about 6 PM. If I am really having issues then I go to liquid diet temporarily. When I am better I start to re-introduce soft foods and once I eat a certain food that gives me problems, then it goes on my "no eat" list. Going back to liquid diet temporarily may help because the acid buildup is sometimes due to food that is stuck. I always go to my doc if I am having problems for 3 to 5 consecutive days. If you let it go too long then you may be subjecting yourself to major problems in the future, such as, chronic esophagitis or esophageal cancer (to name a few).

Keep looking ahead to your goal. It may seem far... but it really is not. I was on Morphine for 1 day. I went on Vicodin the next day. And by the third day I used liquid Tyenol. I did have occasional mild pain when I tried to sleep on my side or stomach or when I would sit/stand up. It took a couple weeks for this to change. If you are experiencing sharp pains for extended time, say longer than a couple of hours, then you need to speak to your doctor. Mild to Moderate pain is common. Use a pain scale to describe your pain to your doctor. Say 1 being a little pain and 10 being extreme pain. For example, my pain feels like 7/10. It's important to remember that after surgery you are going to need time to recover. Everybody recovers at different rates. Nobody has the exact same experience. You know your body better than anybody else... if you feel like something is wrong, then do not hesitate to call your doctor.

My doctor told me no lifting anything over 10 lbs. for 6 weeks. We have staff that comes in with equipment to move patients. The reason is because they sew sutures tying the Greater curvature of the stomach around the lower esophageal area. This prevents slippage--for the first couple weeks-- after surgery. I felt like walking around and driving places about 1 1/2 weeks post op. I was on Short Term Disability for 4 weeks. I did not want to risk messing it up, and having to get surgery again.

My doctor charges $425.00. My insurance only pays a negotiated amount of $279.10. I pay out a $300 deductible each year. Once I meet my deductible (which is after my first fill), then my insurance covers 80%. I ends up being about $69.00 a fill. I only had 4 so far this year. I am going to have a take the Fluid out for a couple days around Christmas, and then put the fluid back in the following week. I did not get to Celebrate Christmas last year, since I had surgery 2 days before Christmas. In any case, it can get quite expensive if you do not have insurance. My doctor actually changed his charges this year because Medical or Medicare stopped paying for the fills. Other insurance companies have been limiting fills. It is something you want to look at before getting surgery.

You know your body better than anybody else--even your doctor. I do think if you feel it may be too tight... then you probably are right to decide to decrease the Fluid. I can say that I prefer my band to be snug. Some of the hard foods for me to eat are: bread, Pasta, potatoes, eggs, and fried foods. Which these are all bad anyways. You may just need to eat slower. I usually make 30-45 minutes available. I only eat a couple of bites. Eating slower ensures that the food gets to your stomach and helps you decide if you need another bite. It takes about 5 minutes before you feel the impact of the first bite. Remember to drink some Water about 20 to 30 minutes before, and do not drink during eating. And then wait until about 45 minutes after your meal to start drinking liquids again.

You are probably just full. If it is stuck, your tummy will start rumbling, even though you feel full. You will even have trouble taking in liquids. The hot beverage idea... is a great idea. I usually drink a cup of coffee. However, drink it slowly, so if there are problems then you can stop right away. In any case, if you think something is stuck, then go on liquids. To test it out, take in soft food later. Try your best not to throw it up!!! This is very dangerous to your health. Vomiting can cause damage to your esophagus and teeth. Most importantly your esophagus, which gastric acids can destroy tissue and be a precursor for esophageal cancer. You could also start to have problems with ulcers, and have to start taking Nexium (the purple pill). Try your best to stay away from foods you are suppose to avoid.

That is 100% normal !!! They do not fill your band for about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. You stomach incurs some swelling right after surgery, and your chances of band slippage increases if their is Fluid in the band. You will be grateful that you had the time to adjust. I now have 6mL in my band. I only eat a couple of bites. I could not imagine doing--what I am doing now--right after surgery.

Rogaine may help temporarily, but the second you stop using it then your hair will fall out. Best thing to do is take chewable multi Vitamin, and B12, Biotin, and take a Calcium 600 mg +D chewable (these are all separate tablets). I lose hair once in a while...shedding.... even though I take Vitamins. It comes back quickly, and I lose it pretty evenly so others do not really notice. If you do lose alot and have bald spots, then check out a hair powder product on QVC that Joan Rivers endorses. A lot of people have said it works really well with blending in the bald spots.

Rogaine may help temporarily, but the second you stop using it then your hair will fall out. Best thing to do is take chewable Vitamins including B12 and Biotin. And take a Calcium 600 mg +D chewable. I lose hair once in a while...shedding.... even though I take vitamins. It comes back quickly, and I lose it pretty evenly so others do not really notice. If you do lose alot and have bald spots, then check out a hair powder product on QVC that Joan Rivers endorses. A lot of people have said it works really well with blending in the bald spots.

Yep, I was definitely treated differently when I was fat, as opposed to being skinny. The main difference is that guys talk to me or look at me a whole lot more. Especially, the guys at work! You know, it is really easy to have a mentality--when your fat--to say "oh, poor me." This is my opinion, of course, that this mentality has an impact on the way people perceive you. As you become more confident, after losing weight, then people start to have more confidence in you, as well.

You know, the thing about it is you do not have much restriction in the first couple of months. It is better think that you do, and get used to eating less (i.e. eating only a cup of food)--as well as--reading the signals that you are satisfied. Because when they start to tighten the band, then you will have less problems of PB, vomiting, etc. I read some of the earlier comments, and I agree that it is mostly a Head fake. Your head tells you that you want more, when your pouch is already full. And, for me it is hard, because I like the taste of food. You really have to learn to chew and savor your food longer (in your mouth), so that your head does not say "more, more, more."

It's funny... I work in a call center for a major bank, and I will be on the phone talking to a customer.... when all of a sudden a burp comes out. Sometimes I cannot control it... the air comes up quickly. It's actually really embarrassing sometimes. I think there are different factors as said earlier: taking in air when you a chew a lot, air getting stuck in the pouch when the food starts to churn, and food possibly getting stuck in the band area. In any case, it will probably never go away. Some days are good for me, and some days are bad... when it comes to burping. And it is not PB, because I hardly eat anything, I eat very slow, and chew a whole bunch.

First off, I took a shower a day after surgery. It was wonderful:biggrin: It is more common for hair loss approximately 2 to 3 months after surgery. I did lose some hair right after surgery--due to stress--and it was only a little. That is really cool that you are donating your hair. I am sure that somebody will feel very loved and special to have somebody think of them. I never thought of how much I loved my hair until I started losing it. It can be an emotional process and even cause some sadness. Helping somebody else, during the midst of your own crisis is very thoughtful.

They put the Heprin shots next to my incisions, which makes the area red, sometimes bruised looking, and itchy. Do not itch the shot injection areas. Heprin prevents blood clots and thins the blood. Neosporin does work really well on the incisions 1 to 2 weeks post op! As for the concern of infection (I read in another reply). It is good to take your temperature a couple times a day (post op) and look for any type of oozing coming from the incisions. If you have a temp or oozing, then call the nurse at your Surgeon's office. Otherwise, redness, yellowish color, or bruising is normal. The yellow color is because of the glue used to close the incisions.

The gnawing in your stomach will not go away until soft foods, which was 2nd week after post op (for me). After surgery, I woke up at 3 or 4 in the morning and my stomach was growling so bad that I could not go back to sleep. It is weird drinking broth or eating sugar free Jello at 3 AM! I was a little thirsty after surgery. My mom got ice chips from the nurses, which helped A LOT

Let the flight attendants know that you have a medical condition and need to get up and walk around. Hopefully, it is a Boeing 747 so you have two aisle's to walk down. I have taken a lot of Trans Atlantic Flights and they always allow people to walk around. You should be fine.

My friend used a full water bottle in each of his pants pockets! We were talking about it at a work meeting, and decided he should have used rocks instead of water bottles.

There is actually several videos on uTube that show the complete operation--both installing the Lap Band and Removing the band. There are also videos on fills. The videos are not for people with weak stomachs!!! It really helped me know what would take place during surgery. I was better talk with my Surgeon about the procedure. I also better understood the seriousness of this surgery. It is true about adhesions forming during the first 5 days after surgery. Scar tissue forms over the band which better keeps the band in place. If one does not stick to a liquid diet, then they risk the band slipping. I totally agree that much of the complications have to do with the "bandsters." We have to do our part to ensure success. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds_nwlgQztE]YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.[/ame]

I have noticed my double chin going away. I am wearing a smaller bra. I have lost a couple inches off my hips... which is wonderful. I would not say the effects have been drastic, but at least it is a good start:thumbup:

Best way to move forward is to stay away from the temptation. Don't go to the places that you know you are going to eat food that is high in fats and sugars. Make a grocery list of items from a list of foods provided by your surgeon (don't buy any foods at the grocery store that is not on the list). When I feel like eating too much or eating a food I shouldn't... then I exercise or eat a sugar free popcicles. As far as damage... probably the only damage is guilt. Your Surgeon can do diagnostics to determine if your band slipped or if you stretched your pouch. I would say that you should refrain from eating hamburgers. Otherwise, surgery was a waste of time:bored:

It depends on how well you tolerate pain and discomfort. Also, what daily routines would you not be able to take care that still need to get done. You will not be able to lift more than 10 lbs. for about three weeks (to prevent band slippage and hernias), so if you have little children, then that could pose an issue. You will probably be on pain medication for the first week, so you will not be able to drive. Even after I was off pain medication, I was too sore to sit up straight and drive. I would suggest planning to have someone help you the first week. They don't have to be there 24/7, but it will relieve stress. Less stress... means quicker and safer recovery.

It is different for each insurance carrier and specific healthcare plan. i.e. Blue Shield HMO requirements are as long as you attend a 6 month weight management program.... Aetna requires 5 years of documented PCP visits for morbid obesity and a 6 month weight management program. Make sure to call your insurance provider (ISP). Here was my steps and I had Blue Shields HMO: 1. Get PCP approval and referral to insurance approved Weight Management Program. 2. Completed a 6 month Weight Management Program. One appointment a month, 6 months consecutively. 3. Completed Blood work and psych evaluation. Weight Management group submitted paperwork to my Insurance for approval to have 1st consult with Surgeon. 4. Set up and had 1st consult appointment with Surgeon. 5. Surgeon office determined I was ready for the procedure and submitted paperwork to my Insurance carrier to have surgery approved. 6. Pre Op appointment and Surgery dates set up after approval received from my insurance carrier. 7. Finished Pre op blood work, x-rays, and EKG. 8. Surgery... Whooo woooo!

My Top 10 Reasons: 1. Tired of people judging me and looking down on me! 2. Prevent diseases and/or health complications. 3. More energy. 4. Stop buying larger size clothing. 5. Want to get married and have children w/o being fat. 6. Stop my knee pain. 7. sleep better. 8. Help motivate my mom--who is very overweight. 9. Help me feel good about myself and be confident. 10. Be able to take a plane ride w/o having to buy 2 seats. :Yawn:

All I can tell you is based on my surgery. I am sure that each person has had different experiences. I was required to stay in the hospital one night. Honestly, I felt better staying over night, so that I could rest assure that I would be able to take care of myself at home. If your insurance covers it, then you should do it! Another plus is that the nurses wait on you hand and foot. If you need nausea or pain medication, then they are right there to get you through the worst part. I am going to be off work for almost 4 weeks. I get State Disability and I have Private disability insurance, as well. State Disability will vary from State to State. My private disability will only cover what the state does not cover. I could probably push myself and go back to work w/n 2 weeks. I have a really, really stressful job, so I prefer to take it easy and not to hurry back. Thus far, I have had no complications. I feel that I am getting back to my normal routine... quickly. Minimally invasive? Surgery is Surgery. There are always risks involved.... even worst case scenario (I will omit saying the "d" word). The incisions take about 2 weeks to heal--again depends on your body and how well you take care of the incisions. Lastly, I would say that success of the surgery has to do with how qualified your surgeon is and what their track record shows. Don't be afraid to do some background work on your Surgeon. It will give you some peace of mind! Second part of success is your dedication to succeeding. You have to be determined to leave behind old habits and learn new ones. Make sure to follow all the surgeons guidelines... this will prevent complications. Good Luck!