GayleTX

Hi, there.....hey, you are in good hands. Dr B. did my band in March. It was a huge non-event - not so much as a gas pain. The hardest part of the whole thing was trying to tug on those white surgical hose over my little short fat legs. Grunt!!! I'll try to answer your questions based on my own experience. Shrimp and crab are high Protein - they'll be an important part of your diet from now own. Two weeks worth of them should not effect your cholestrol....and you probably won't eat a lot of them anyhow. And your cholestrol is going to probably drop like a rock within a few weeks. I'm off my meds for it completely now. Difference between Mycoll and Reclaim....Reclaim is much better tasting. Wish I had some right now! It's one of the better ones of the market, made in Dallas. I've had a number of surgeries myself. Can't really remember if the anesthesiologist called the night before or not this time, but he did come to my room before surgery and talk with me. I never even knew when they took me to surgery. After I began to wake up, my back hurt from lying on that slab (nothing to do with the surgery...just my arthritis...he gave me some morphine to ease the pain and I was groggy for while.) They stood me up, xrayed my belly to see if the band looked right, and that was it. I was in and out and on my way home....whole thing was about 4 hrs. They decide on the size of band after they get in there and look at the way your are put together, they say it has nothing to do with your size. I got a 10 cc VG. I think he said come back in 2 wks. afterward. I felt fine, tried not to sleep on my left side for a couple of nights. Had no pain at all. I was just tired and sleep feeling for a few days ( but I'd been that way for a couple of years..LOL~). I was driving in 3 days, could have gone back to work in about 4 days if I were working (desk job). I can't feel my port or see it. Seems like I got a fill about 4 weeks....can't remember for sure. I don't use the SCOR center for my fills because insurance won't pay for it there (at least at that time they didn't....may now). I use a cardiologist who specializes in wls patients and all I have to pay is co-pay for an office visit. He determines the size of fill the first time.....I got 3.6cc's. After that it's based on how you are doing hunger-wise, etc. I had one more 3 wks later, probably will go back before long....I'm beginning to get a little hungry sometimes. I think most drs say if you are going by rules, getting hungry and haven't lost in 6 wks, you may be ready for another fill. My fill dr. is extremely skilled and experienced. I walk in, flip up my blouse, he injects the needle in the port, I step across hall, drink something while tech looks at floroscope, and I'm outta there in less than 5 min. Mine have not hurt at all. I have heard others complain about pain, however. I am to see Dr B again 6 mo after surgery...'call me if you need me.' I haven't needed him. So far, so good. When I read some of the others' experiences, I am so thankful for a good experience and talented people with lots of exerience doing their jobs. I'm doing my part on this end, too.....it's hard work but the results are worth it. Best wishes.....hope this helps. Remember that everyone's experience is different and this is just mine. It was a relief, though, because I am older and had been sick for a long time. I now feel 10 yrs younger and am 80 lbs lighter and still going.

It really helps to feel like you are not in this alone! My weight has always been an off-limits topic within my family, so I am amazed that simply by reading the boards and posting that I have now found the freedom to say numbers out loud that I never could before (still stutter when I say 'how much' I weigh but I can say it). It's really quite a sence of freedom to talk about it and say how frustrating and sad the weight has made me all these years. Reading the boards is like therapy....the words don't seem so scary any more. What are your main reasons for wanting to lose the weight? Looks? Clothes? Personal relations? Health issues? I'm guessing you are talking with your mom by phone, by email, etc. pretty often? You might bring up one of the issues that means the most to you and discuss it with your mom....then another issue during the next conversation.....then over a period of a few days/weeks get to the point where you say "I think I've found a solution, mom....." Hopefully by then she will see that you have put some serious research and thought into this and will accept your decision. As for the family coming.....you might want them there for support, but the surgery probably will not be debilitating and you will more than likely be able to see after yourself when you get home. Of course, it's always comforting to have someone around, but in reality won't be necessary. Continue reading and studying and stocking your pantry for life right after you get home. Get some good Protein and start on it now....it'll make a big difference. Best wishes......

Nobody can tell you what it's like....just have to be there to appreciate it, don't you?

A friend of mine in Arlington has just joined a roller derby league...didn't know they had such a thing. Another friend of ours in Florida heard about it, checked there, and they have one, too! I remember watching rollerderby girls on TV back in the 60's (early 60's at that)....those gals were TOUGH. Maybe today's version is a 'kinder, gentler version".... Proud of ya'll for getting out and there.....that's got to be great for the body and the spirit both!

Does your surgeon have a psychologist that he works with for the bariatric patients? Sounds as if this might be a good time to utilize that person if he does. Your husband probably has no idea why he's acting like he is....most men don't think very deeply into their emotions, don't analyze them - they just react. Some conversations with a psychologist could be very helpful to both of you. I'm sorry this is happening. This surgery is hard enough to live with under the best of circumstances, so I know you are having a hard time.

The amount of cc's depends on what size band you have and your doctor's preference.....they all seem to have a different idea. I had my first fill at 6 weeks. However, I know that some doctors actually put a small amount of fill in during the surgery.

This is an explanation that I found on-line: What Is a Stricture? The lower esophagus can open to the size of a quarter or wider. When recurrent inflammation occurs in the esophagus, scarring develops, underlying tissues become fibrous, and the opening narrows. In advanced cases, this narrowing, or stricture, can be severe. The opening may be reduced to the size of a pencil or even smaller. food and Fluid are delayed and only move slowly across the opening into the stomach. A large piece of food, such as meat, may completely block the esophagus.

Best to wait til you leave the hospital..........

I am surprised you would feel any restriction at all with just 3 cc's. I have a 10 Cc VG also...first fill was 3.6, next was about the same, and I don't feel I have adequate restriction yet. Have you considered that you may have a stricture? I think that's a pretty common occurance. I don't know how a stricture is diagnosed......can anyone here shed some light on strictures??

Best wishes to a fellow Texan! Get busy studying and researching and stocking your pantry!!

Thanks, scribby....my mind is still there, too....and we think we have problems!! And I'm asking 'why"? Did somebody complain???

There are some great and also easy recipes for bariatric people on www.bariatriceating.com......some are on the message board and many more are posted by the administrator. They also give instructions, not just recipes. They also sell a book by the administrator that is a great help for learning to eat and cook food that are both appropriate for lapband and for your family. I buy the already cooked frozen shrimp at Sam's and eat them plain with sauce or use them in recipes....makes life very quick and simple. I'm also buying the little frozen packages of mixed veggies that you just throw in the microwave...don't even have to poke a hole in it...and in 5 min. you have perfect steamed vegetables....eat plain or with cheese dip poured over them and/or a little can of mushrooms mixed in.

The band is not designed to restrict liquids, just solid foods. When you get back on dense protein in a day or two, hopefully you will feel some!!

Until you have a fill (or two or three) you don't have a 'working' band....it's just been inserted. It can't do its job until hafter you begin getting some restriction. What you are experiencing is very typical, very normal. Just realx and let your body heal. When it's time, when you get a fill that can give you enough restriction, then the pounds will begin to fall off. And you will feel great! I understand about the 'small town' mentality. Ignorance abounds regarding weight loss surgery, doesn't it.

I have a 10 cc band Mar. 27 '06 and have had 2 fills (about 3.5 each). I've lost 81 lbs but I have stuck to the rules very close. I would say if you can eat 2 cups of food at a time you are definitely in need of a fill. Do you get (stay) hungry? The cereal and bread (carbs) would make me have quite a bit of cravings. "wine with meals"....it's recommended you have NO liquid with or for an hour after a meal....it washes the food out and you get hngry quicker As for 'fills going away'....as you lose fat around your stomach the band feels looser and you need to get it filled again....is that what you mean? Ah, yes "food for entertainment"....that's been the hardest part for us. Not much else to do around here for entertainment since we don't dance, drink, party, and can't even agree on movies!!

Many people report that their band is very tight in the mornings. I always drink a big mug of hot coffee before trying to get any food to go down and try to eat in a relaxed situation (I know that's hard for a lot of people...mornings can be a circus). Hope it gets better....

I like the products at that website.....they are specifically for bariatric patients whereas most of the proteins at places like GNC are for athletes.....high calories, carbs for energy. And most of them taste much better.

Good question to ask the surgeon! My DS was approved by the insurance company yesterday for a surgery BUT the insurance clerk at the surgeon's office told him the insurance company changed their mind in about 20% of these surgeries AFTER the surgery (it's not wls) and the patient had to pay it themselves. That should be illegal!!!

Banded Mar. 27.....down 81 lbs.!! Have not had one problem of any kind.

side note: have you noticed that even in stores that carry larger sizes, they always put them at the very back of the store? i equate it to being required to ride 'in 'the back of the bus.'

Brad, I have sent you a PM.......

I have a VG....had a 3.6 fill after 6 weeks, then another in 3 weeks (nearly 2 mo ago). He told me I could come back in 3 wks but I haven't needed to. I've lost 81 lbs and am still losing regularly. What are you eating? Are you eating the dense Proteins and solids? That will help you feel full for a longer period of time. Softer foods (potatoes, ice cream....no's no's anyhow!) and liquids go right on by the band.....the band's restriction is not meant to control mushies and liquids. That's why it's important to eat the dense proteins that will stay in your pouch and move thru slowly (meat, eggs, Beans, etc). It's also important not to drink for an hour after eating....if you do, it will wash the food on thru the band and then you're hungry again. I may be telling you something you already know and are doing, but wanted to bring that aspect of it up not just for you but for others who are reading this. A fill that is too aggressive keeps you from being able to eat healthy foods, so it is important that fills are done gradually. That is why the band is such a healthy choice of wls....we can get our nutrition if the fill is just right. Best wishes to you.......

I have a VG....had a 3.6 fill after 6 weeks, then another in 3 weeks (nearly 2 mo ago). He told me I could come back in 3 wks but I haven't needed to. I've lost 81 lbs and am still losing regularly. What are you eating? Are you eating the dense Proteins and solids? That will help you feel full for a longer period of time. Softer foods (potatoes, ice cream....no's no's anyhow!) and liquids go right on by the band.....the band's restriction is not meant to control mushies and liquids. That's why it's important to eat the dense proteins that will stay in your pouch and move thru slowly (meat, eggs, Beans, etc). It's also important not to drink for an hour after eating....if you do, it will wash the food on thru the band and then you're hungry again. I may be telling you something you already know and are doing, but wanted to bring that aspect of it up not just for you but for others who are reading this. A fill that is too aggressive keeps you from being able to eat healthy foods, so it is important that fills are done gradually. That is why the band is such a healthy choice of wls....we can get our nutrition if the fill is just right. Best wishes to you.......

The first fill often doesn't do anything for you at all. That's just step one in getting to an appropriate fill. Patience is required! Even with the second and subsequent fills, for some reason, some people don't feel the effects of a fill for several days. I've seen a number of posts that mentioned "it didn't kick in for a week!" so that seems to be very common. It's hard to be patient when you're HUNGRY, isn't it!! Keep drinking lots of Water, keep eating your good dense Proteins (meat, eggs, beans) and stay away from the carbs (carbs just make you hungrier) and you will make it! So neat that you are doing this as a couple! Just remember that your WLS journies will not be the same. Best wishes to both of you.......

Oh, Jack.....if I were looking for a man, you would now go to the top of my list!!