pappyny

I've been noticing my hair thinning our quite a bit lately. I am 3 months post op today, so the timing seems consistent with others I've read about. I've been looking for Biotin since before the surgery, bit kind of forgot about it this past month due to our military PCS. Does anyone have suggestions for a good chewable biotin supplement? I've read that the 5000mg is better than the 1000mg. Is that true? Thanks - Karyn

That's very odd. Are you sure it's a tricare thing and not your surgeon's office? I have tricare prime, had my first fill last wednesday and go for another one next week. (trying to work back up to what was put in the band at surgery, had to have all removed due to acid reflux). My surgeon's office says that all fills are covered for the first 3 months, then I just need another referral for care after that. I would double check about that if I were you. Just my thought. Karyn

I have had the same feeling and it turned out to be acid reflux. It happened when I was pregnant with my 4th dd and then again after getting banded. I had a complete unfill (3.5cc) and was given a prescription for Nexium, both helped tremdously. I just went back today to get a fill 2.5cc. You should definately get into see your doctor and maybe you want to ask if she thinks it could be acid reflux. Hope everything works out well for you :smile: KP

I have lost about 24lbs. since my surgery 36 days ago. I'm happy that the numbers on the scale are going down, but my clothing size has not changed Last year I lost about 15lbs., was about 270 and I could definately tell a difference in my clothes. I weigh less than that now, why no change? Anyone had this issue before? Thanks for reading

I have been banded for about 6 weeks. I have been suffering from acid reflu since I started on solid foods about 3 weeks ago. I did have acid reflux over 3 years ago when I was pregnant, never had it again, until recently. I posted a thread last week about having a complete unfill and the PA I saw mentioning band slippage. For about 5 days after the unfill the reflux did go away, then all of a sudden it came right back full force after I drank a small cup of milk. I've emailed with my surgeon, he doesn't seem to concerned that my band has slipped because I have no other symptoms. Is it possible that this is just a part of being of banded for me? Is there any way to make the acid reflux go away? I like the band, but this reflux is making me miserable. I can't eat a whole lot at meals, not because I have restriction, but because the acid reflux is so bad. Any advice? Thanks in advance. Karyn

I put a call into the doctor this morning, didn't receive a call back so I went in to the office. The PA was able to see me right then. She figured she should try to take out Fluid one more time just in case there was some that didn't come out the last time, she was able to take out 1cc. I also got a prescription and am scheduled for an upper GI next Tues. Hopefully it comes back normal and that last cc was what was causing the reflux. Thanks for the responses Karyn

I have Tricare Prime as well. From the time my paperwork was actually submitted, it was about 4 days to approval. Could your paperwork have been sent in a little later than you think and that's causing the delay? Hope you find out something soon. I know first hand the waiting is one of the hardest parts.

Congrats on your weight loss! That is fantastic! I too am waiting for the day when I can see peoples reactions. I had surgery March 27. I am going back home to visit some family in June. I hope I can get the reaction that you got. I am down about 24 lbs. now. I would love to be able to get down another 15-20lbs. before then. Congrats again!

I didn't have a pre-op diet. I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted right up until 12 hours before the surgery. My surgery went just fine, no big liver issues. I'm sure your surgery will be a success! Congrats on the 20lbs. lost already!

Here is a bit of history. I was banded on 3/27. I was on liquids for 3 weeks, started solids on 4/17. I was experiencing, what I thought was food getting stuck, until I realized I was getting this feeling after only having a slimfast shake in the AM. I finally figured out that it was acid reflux (flashback to when I was pregnant with my 4th dd). I am still able to eat solid food, just not the 4 oz. at a time. I usually end up eating about 2-3 oz. and then have Snacks (healthy ones) in the late morning and afternoon. I make sure I drink 64 oz. of Water each day. I have not vomited, PB'd or slimed or even been truly stuck. I had an appt. today for my first adjustment. After telling the PA about the acid reflux, she mentioned that it sometimes happens with a band slip. She said that the doctor that did my surgery tends to put in 1cc during the surgery and was taking it out. She actually took out 2.5cc. She thinks I may have had to much restriction from that and swelling. I'm am kind of nervous that she even mentioned slippage. I've looked up the symptoms of slippage and the only one I seem to have is the acid reflux. What do you all think? Should I be concerned that my band has slipped already? Also, I've only lost 20lbs. in the first month. Is that normal or am I already falling behind? Thanks for reading! KP

Thank you for the kind words :biggrin: So far today no reflux! Such a good feeling. Now I just have to be patient and wait 3 weeks until I can get my 1st fill. I seem to be doing good keeping my meals to 4oz. of less though. Realizing that I needed surgery to lose weight has really made me think before I eat. I finally started going back to the gym and using Wii fit at home so hopefully I will be able to kick start my weight loss again. Thanks again.

Thanks for the quick response :drool: I'm still having some reflux after eating my lunch, but not too bad. The PA did say it could take a couple of days for it to completely go away though. I guess I'll know if it doesn't go away that it could be something more serious. Thanks again!

I hadn't ready anything about burping yet and I was beginning to wonder if it was just me! It can be very emarrassing. Just tonight I had one of those instances. Everytime I think of it though, I remember why I did this and the weight loss makes it SOOOOO worth it to me.

I agree with ParrotheadCathy. I have told very few people, my husband, my mom and step-dad, and a few close friends. I am choosing not to tell my brother and dad. I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. My brother and my dad have always been the first to point it out to me. Whether is was them joking about it to me or behind my back. It was VERY hurtful, still is even after all these years later. I don't know for sure, but I'm assuming that they would not be supportive. They would be ones that would think this is the easy way out (this is NOT easy!). To save myself from more embarrasment and hurt, I have chosen not to tell specific people. I more likely to talk to a stranger about it than some of my family. Just my thoughts! kp

For the past few mornings, I wake up completely fine, have a slimfast shake then go about my day with no issues. By mid-morning I feel the need to swallow (just salavia) but end up with what feels like a big glob of flem going down too. It feels like it gets stuck, nothing too painful, but stuck. I drink my water, eat my lunch, usually chicken in some kind of sauce with a vegetable. Everything seems to go down just fine, but within a 1/2 hour my chest hurts like I have food stuck. It lasts pretty much through the evening. I still have the feeling now. I go to bed and wake up just fine. Is this just throat congestion (if there is such a thing) that's making me feel stuck? I am careful to chew, chew, chew and chew some more. I'm not sure what to do. I thought about taking a decongestant, but I don't want it to dry out my sinus' so much that I'm in pain from that. I'm drinking some warm milk now and it helps for a little bit. Should I try to drink a warm liquid right after I get the feeling? Any insight on this would be appreicated! Thanks. KP

Did you have your surgery at the Las Vegas Surgical Center? I had mine done there the same day, the 27th, by Dr. Soong. I too have had problems with gas pain. Just in the past few days has the pain lightened up considerably. I do still have slight pain when trying to sleep though. How have you been doing on the 3 week thick liquid diet? That honestly has been the toughest part for me. For some reason I thought I would magically lose my appetite. HA!!!! But I'm still making it 1 day at a time.

I have had my surgery with Dr. Soong, a week ago today actually. Dr.Soong is great. The surgery went as planned. I am having a hard time with the liquid diet, but that's all on me. Have you been to the initial seminar yet?

Hi - I just wanted to stop in and re-introduce myself. I posted an here a couple times when I was going through the approval process. That part was pretty fast! I was banded on March 27. I have been through the "regretting this" "oh my gosh, what have I done" bit, but now I'm just trying to stay focused on the reason I got the band. I have already been struggling with the 3 week liquid diet, have not cheated yet, but been very tempted :confused:. It's hard when I still have my husband and daughters eating regular meals and I'm sitting there with my soup :wink:. But then I take a look around my table and realize that I did this so I could be there for them much longer than I probably would be without the band. I am getting through this one day at a time. Each day gets me closer to when I can eat real food, much less than before, but still real food! I do have a couple of questions as well. While on the liquid diet, is there any calorie goal that we should be trying to meet? I feel like I'm hungry all the time. My shakes and/or soup only hold me over for so long before I need to have something again. I feel as if I'm going to pass out if I don't. Does anyone have any good "liquids" that would be different from the norm? I've been adding fruits and things to my shakes, but I guess I'm not that creative, because I'm bored with them already. I've figured out some soups that blend well that are a bit more filling than just broth, but I can't find many that I think would still taste good without the chunks. On the liquids phase am I allowed to have yogurt (regular or frozen)? My doctor said anything that would normally go through a straw. If I add the yogurt in with my shakes is that okay? Or just fruit smoothies? I still have so much to learn! This site has been a life saver for many things though. Especially when I was having horrible gas pain in my shoudler. It was nice to read over and over again that it's completely normal. Any other advice or tips for a newie are welcome! Thanks - KP

Hi af_wife75 - What base are you at? I'm guessing you work at the CDC?

Hi - I've been lurking here for awhile, but have never posted. I have already started the process for Lap Band surgery. I have the referral from my PCM. I am attending the required seminar next Wednesday. I have Tricare prime ins. (Triwest). I'm wondering if there is anything I can do between now and next week. Can I schedule the appt for my psych eval. through a tricare psychiatrist or do I have to see one recomended by the doctor (Dr. Soong)? Has anyone had the surgery done by Dr. Soong? If yes, were you happy? How long did it take from start to finish for the whole process? Did you have any expenses not covered by Tricare? Basically I would like all the information I can get about this particular doctor and/or the Tricare process/timeline for everything. Thanks in advance! KP

I have gotten my orginal referral from tricare. My doctor has been really great about everything. She highly recommends the surgery. She has put in the tests for me without having to make an appt. She seems very willing to do whatever I need to make this happen. I received a call from the surgeon's office today. We are just waiting for my tests results before I can schedule any appts. with them. Hopefully by the end of next week I will have everything in order and will just be waiting for tricare's approval. The person I talked with at the office seems quite confident that I will get approved with problems and I will have the surgery some time in Feb. I really hope it all happens that fast.

Most definately. It's always better to go through things with someone in the same situation as you.

I was there last week Wednesday. So it took about 1 1/2 weeks to here from them. I think they like to contact your insurance company to check the benefits. Then it's a matter of waiting for your test results and they will schedule you for a consult. I'm a pretty impatient person for most things and this process seems to be moving right along. Just do everything that you can before hand and it should be the same for you.

I attended the seminar last Wednesday. It was Dr. Soong, Dr. Atkinson's partner, doing the seminar. He seems very nice, though I haven't met him personally yet. As soon as my pre op test results come back, I will be scheduling a consult with them. Things seem to go pretty fast once you get all the refererrals and pre op testing done. I should be in for surgery in Feb. if everything goes the way it's suppossed to. Good luck with you quest!

I also have tricare. Would you mind telling me what your beginning stats (weight/comorablitlies) are? I don't have any comorbilities, but I do meet the 200lbs. over ideal weight requirement as long as they go by the low end of the metlife chart. I'm about 10lbs. shy of the higher end. Just trying to figure out what my chances are of getting approved. :tt2: Thanks. KP