Irish Girl

I had kidney stones about a month after surgery. It just hit all of the sudden one day. I spent several hours at home in pain (because I thought it was my band and it would pass), then took a quick ambulance ride and about 6 hours in the ER. The doc said that fluids would help them pass. I was throwing up, hyperventilating and had the shakes really bad and couldn't get anything down. Next came the IV and dilodid. The dilodid really calmed me down and made my body relax and the many bags of IV fluids helped them pass. I have a Water bottle with me almost all the time. I have a 40 ounce bottle at work that I know I have to finish before I go home and then I have to finish another 40 ounces before I go to bed at night. I can't drink cold water too fast, but I can really suck room temperature water down just like I did pre-band. I hope you are feeling better soon.

My favorite channel wasn't the food network until after I was banded. And about eating at your favorite restaurants....you can still do that but you will take a leftover box home every time. But the best part is....you can have your favorite restaurant food for a couple of days. I mourned the not eating all the time, but now I embrace it. Food is not my guiding light anymore. I almost feel like I have control again. You will too.

Becka...I am so glad your mom surprised you. Best of luck on your procedure. I can't wait to read your updates.

I was really restricted for about a week and a half. It is because your stomach is swollen from the trauma of surgery. As time progresses, the swelling will go down. My problem was that I quit trying to get anything down. That was really bad for me because I ended up dehydrated which led to kidney stones a month later. So keep sipping what you can even though it takes a bit to go down. It gets better. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your progress.

Here I am......73 pounds down!!! Before: March 2006 - 225 pounds After: December 2006 - 152 pounds

Here I am, 8 months out. Not the most flattering photo, but I wanted to share. Believe it or not, there are really 5 scars. Oh...and that lump over there on my left/port (your right) side, is my port sticking out. It looks like I am going to have another surgery to get it embedded in my muscle so I won't suffer from erosion. But I am not pursuing that until after the new year.

I have the same issue with hot and cold. I used to love drinking cold water, but now it makes me really tight. Be sure you are drinking water if you can't get much else down. You don't want to get dehydrated.

Hi Tammy, You can find a ton of information on this board. I remember when I first looked into WLS, I spent hours on end here reading everything that I could. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

I had my surgery in April 06. At that time I had United Healthcare for insurance. They covered my procedure. In September, I started a new job and my new insurance is through Regence. The big issue is.......it looks like I will have to have my port put into my abdominal muscle. Where the port is now is risking erosion because there is no fat to cushion between the port and the abdominal wall. I was looking through my benefits book and it states, in the exclusion section "surgery (including reversals), treatment, programs or supplies intended to result in weight reduction, regardless of diagnosis." What to do? I can't get a straight answer from Regence. And I thought that since my other insurance company did the surgery deed, this wasn't considered a pre-existing condition prior to the new insurance. Regence has covered my office visits for the past two months, so I guess I am really confused. Anyone else have this happen? I suppose I am just gathering information before I really buckle down and figure out what I am going to do. Any insight would really be appreciated.

Mine was 39, but I had high cholesterol for about 8 years and sleep apnea as well.

I tried the strawberry nectar. Kind of sweet for me. The lemon tea isn't that bad, but there is a bit of a bite to it. If you like chocolate, my favorite is Designer Whey (the vanilla is nasty). The chocolate reminds me of watered down cocoa.

Hugs.... I will keep my fingers and toes and eyes and everything else that I can cross, that all is well. Keep your chin up.....you are a trooper.

I use a liquid multi-vitamin from Costco. It has some calories in it, but I think I will take the calories instead of the yucky chewable vitamin taste.

The pre-op diet was the toughest for me. I chewed gum alot during that time. I know you can do it!!!

My doc gave me a script for phentermine. I take one every other day. I can tell when the capsule dissolves as I get a bit chatty for about a half an hour.

My doc is in Tacoma. As far as I know he works with Dr. Raumbauts (Dr. in Mexico) patients for fills. His name is Dr. Earl Fox. How is your progess so far?

I am not at 100, but I have lost 72 pounds in 8 months.

What a fantastic gift. The lap band and a path to a healthier you. I am excited for you!!

I have taken a real liking to Melon flavored Propel. If it is cold, I can only drink a half a bottle, but is sure is yummy.

I use Benefiber once a day every day in my morning protein drink. I also take a small ducosate sodium once a week. It seems to be working.

Irish Girl, I am. Well.....its cause I am Irish and I am a girl. Anyway, my name is Julie and I also go by the nickname Jewels (cause I am a gem). I am from Washington State.

There is a scar stages thread that you can check out. It has some good photos of people and their scars at different times after surgery.

Thanks Molly. I am really trying. And you are more than halfway to yours. Great job and keep up the good work.

My doc does fills for Dr. Raumbauts patients. His name is Dr. Earl Fox way down in Tacoma.

Mrsbee....good luck to you. Welcome to LBT.