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The pain medication like Vicodin usually makes me sick so I took only 2 one each night for two nights after I got home. They gave me a patch behind my ear for nausea right out of surgery. They also gave me phenegren during surgery for nausea. I did really well with not being sick I think because of these two drugs. My surgery was two weeks ago tomorrow. I am down 24 pounds I think 10 of it came off prior to surgery. Had my 2 week check up today and can eat anything you'd feed a baby, according to my doctor.( creamy and mushy) I will go back in two more weeks and then he said I probably could try solid foods. Hope your nausea is better soon. Try to get by on children's Extra strength Tylenol liquid.

I bought a pill crusher and have not needed to use it. I take a prenatal vitamin my daughter is sharing with me, as I have not taken vitamins in the past, but felt rather tired after the first week and a half of all liquid diet. This pill is a horse sized pill and it has gone down fine. You might try just taking one pill at a time with a little water before you pursue crushing pills.

Hi, I had diarrhea for a couple of days about 4 days after my surgery. It went away the next day as I was told I could eat yogurt and slim fast, which I did and the diarrhea stopped. I was told this is common because of the clear liquid diet.

Today is August 28th and a week and a half since my surgery. I decided to weigh myself for the first time since my initial visit to the surgeon in May, a couple of nights ago. In May I weighed 230 pounds. The dr. took a picture of me. I had been cutting back on carbs and exercising quite a bit on the treadmill since May. I now weigh 208 pounds. My clothes are starting to feel bigger on me. A jacket that I wore with my dress pants is too big now. That is a good feeling. I feel like I am hungry even after I eat my yogurt or my Slim Fast. I know I won't get a fill until 6 weeks out in order to give my stomach time to heal. My stitches are starting to itch and I am able to sleep on my stomach now without pain.

Today is August 28th and a week and a half since my surgery. I decided to weigh myself for the first time since my initial visit to the surgeon in May, a couple of nights ago. In May I weighed 230 pounds. The dr. took a picture of me. I had been cutting back on carbs and exercising quite a bit on the treadmill since May. I now weigh 208 pounds. My clothes are starting to feel bigger on me. A jacket that I wore with my dress pants is too big now. That is a good feeling. I feel like I am hungry even after I eat my yogurt or my Slim Fast. I know I won't get a fill until 6 weeks out in order to give my stomach time to heal. My stitches are starting to itch and I am able to sleep on my stomach now without pain.

Hi, I walked around a lot to walk off the gas. I felt very bloated for the first 5-6 days. I still get a pain in my shoulder after I eat sometimes, but then it goes away. I am just a week and a half out from my banding on August 17th. The first 3 days were the hardest as it hurt to walk and to get in and out of bed and on and off the toilet. Each day after there was less pain, now just dissolving stitches that itch some. I am able to eat yogurt and slim fast and maybe after my dr.s appointment on Wednesday some cream soups. That will be a welcome change.

Hi Jesica, I live in Pocatello , Idaho not far from SLC. I was just banded August 17th. I had Aetna, but I ened up being self pay as they wanted a more recent attempt at weight loss and I had been there and done that over the last 20 years of my life, and decided that I was not going to lose the weight and still not qualify because I had been able to lose. My problem is gaining weight back and that is where I hope the band will be of help. I did my first exercise to day with 30 minutes on the treadmill and got in a little over 1 mile. The first 3 days were painful to get in and out of bed and to walk,but there after each day got better. I have my two week check up this Wednesday with my surgeon, in Blackfoot, Idaho. Self pay was $11,000. and other wise with insurance it is $15,000. This covers the fills for 1 year and then it is $100.00 per fill after that. Good luck to you on qualifying for insurance. I also did not have serious co-morbidities, or life threatening health issues. I am 5'5 and started at 230#, in May. My scale says now I am 208#.

Hi, My Doctor has reccomended 30 minutes of exercise every day. I plan to do 30 minutes as often as I can right now as I just was banded a week and a half ago. I walked 30 min today on the treadmeil and got in a little over a mile. Prior to banding I walked on the treadmill 3-4 times a week for 40 minutes and got in 2 miles. I don't have that same enrgy today so I am taking it a bit slower and fewer minutes to start with as I don't have the same energy I had prior to banding.

I had to be at the hospital at 6:30 in the morning of Thursday, August 17th. I had my husband drop me off with my overnight bag, and he drove another half hour to work as he had several meetings there that day. I told him I would be fine and that he could stop by on his way back home. The surgery went well and I was back to my room by 11:00am, watching t.v. I had clear liquids and jello for lunch and then the Dr. came by and said everything went as planned and he would like me to begin walking about 6 times that day. So...I got out of bed and walked around the floor a couple of times and did my lung breathing machine to keep me from getting pnemonia. My husband showed up about 4:30 and he walked with me and then left to go home. I didn't need any pain medication the first day, but on Friday before noon and before my husband came to get me I asked for something as my port side was starting to hurt. They gave me Toradal and Motrin in my IV. That seemed to help. Getting into bed that night was terrible. That was the worst part of the whole surgery was geting in and out of bed and sitting down on the toilet and pulling my self up again. OUCH! I had to hold pressure on my port side when I walked around the house on Friday and Saturday and Sunday. Monday it was a little less sore. I was having some gas pains also during these first few days in my left shoulder area. Today is Friday and I can now get in and out of bed pretty pain free and even slept on my stomach last night. I took the Vicodin Friday and Saturday night only and Childrens Liquid extra strength Tylenol as well. I was on clear liquids from Thursday until Wednesday when the Dr.s nurse called to see how I was doing I told her I felt very weak. I told her I was having a bout of diahrrea as well and she said that was normal being on just the clear liquids. She said I could try some yogurt and Slim Fast, but not full cream soups yet. I had yougurt for dinner that night, but had those gas pains back in my shoulder area right after eating it.

I had to be at the hospital at 6:30 in the morning of Thursday, August 17th. I had my husband drop me off with my overnight bag, and he drove another half hour to work as he had several meetings there that day. I told him I would be fine and that he could stop by on his way back home. The surgery went well and I was back to my room by 11:00am, watching t.v. I had clear liquids and jello for lunch and then the Dr. came by and said everything went as planned and he would like me to begin walking about 6 times that day. So...I got out of bed and walked around the floor a couple of times and did my lung breathing machine to keep me from getting pnemonia. My husband showed up about 4:30 and he walked with me and then left to go home. I didn't need any pain medication the first day, but on Friday before noon and before my husband came to get me I asked for something as my port side was starting to hurt. They gave me Toradal and Motrin in my IV. That seemed to help. Getting into bed that night was terrible. That was the worst part of the whole surgery was geting in and out of bed and sitting down on the toilet and pulling my self up again. OUCH! I had to hold pressure on my port side when I walked around the house on Friday and Saturday and Sunday. Monday it was a little less sore. I was having some gas pains also during these first few days in my left shoulder area. Today is Friday and I can now get in and out of bed pretty pain free and even slept on my stomach last night. I took the Vicodin Friday and Saturday night only and Childrens Liquid extra strength Tylenol as well. I was on clear liquids from Thursday until Wednesday when the Dr.s nurse called to see how I was doing I told her I felt very weak. I told her I was having a bout of diahrrea as well and she said that was normal being on just the clear liquids. She said I could try some yogurt and Slim Fast, but not full cream soups yet. I had yougurt for dinner that night, but had those gas pains back in my shoulder area right after eating it.

Hi, I was banded on August 17th in Blackfoot Idaho by Dr. Avila, He is a great guy and am am starting to feel good again except for some pain at the port sight and a few gas pains. I am now eating yogurt and Slim Fast after my first week of clear liquids. I need to start on a vitamin however as I have been feeling a bit tired from it all. I have my first check up next Wednesday, so I will see how much I have lost since my initial visit to Dr. Avila in May. I was self pay as my insurance would not cover it unless I had a more current attempt at weight loss and I have been there and done that only to gain it back plus more over 10-15 years, so my dear husband said he would pay so that I wouldn't have to continue to fight the insurance for the surgery and could get a date and get it done!

Hi Any Liz, I was Banded August 17th. My pain is now somewhat minimal, except for some port pain if I stretch out or over too far.I am howver really feeling weak after one week of just Clear Liquids. The nurse caled me on Wednesday and said I could have yogurt and slim fast. I have done that now for two days , but still feel very weak. I was blow drying my hair this a.m. and my arms got so tired as I raised them over my head. I don't think I am getting adequate nourishment each day. Also had a migraine yesterday and took medication on two occasions, Relpax and Reglan. These always leave me feeling tired as well. I still have a slight headache today and I am wondering if it is because of my change of diet. I would feel fine if it weren't for the weakness and slight headache. I even slept on my stomach last night.

Hi, Has anyone had trouble getting approval by Aetna for the band surgery? I have a BMI of 38.4 and have a bulging disk in my back which I have received therapy for over 3month period on two different occassions. My surgeon suspects some sleep apnea. I have migraines that I see a neurologist for and edema in my feet and ankles if I sit too long. I have been overweight for more than 5 years. Tried phen phen and lost 50-60 lbs. eight years ago , but then they took it off the market and I had to quit it and over the years my weight came back plus 20-25 lbs. more. Then the doctor tried me on phentermine alone and it did nothing. Prior to all that I had done Weight Watchers with little success. I need to lose the weight as I have a family history of type 2 diabetes, which my mom has currently and she has had this for 30 years as she is 83 now. Wonder if this is enough info for them to consider me for coverage. I have seen the surgeon that would do the banding and have done all of the pre-op testing and will finish the last psyc. appointment today. So soon they will send this and all my medical records to Aetna as I have a surgery date for June 8th. Hope that they have all the infor they need and I will let the dr. office submit the letter etc. pbrown

Hi Losha, I am on the clear liquid diet fro two weeks. It is pretty boring and I will be glad to move onto the creamy liquids the following two weeks. I have been having sugar free jello, chicken or beef boullion and fruit juice. There isn't alot to choose from. The new stomach supposedly holds about 1/2 cup of food or liquid at a time if I remember right. When is your band date? p.brown

Hi , I also was banded August 17th. I felt good the first day but was really sore on day 3 and 4. I had a terrible time getting out of bed. I had pain in my left shoulder and chest and pain on my left side so much that I had to hold my side in when I walked. Today I can walk without holding on to my stomach. I am feeling tired however, maybe because of surgery and liquid diet. My diet is clear liquids for two weeks then creamy liquids for 2 more weeks and then mushies for the next two weeks. then I think onto regular foods. Hope you are doing well!

Well in two days I will be banded. I am looking forward to it, but am wondering about all the complications I have read about. My husband says you wont' know until you try. I will be self paying $11,000. I have been busy the last two weks entertaining dlegates from our Sister City in Japan. They just left yesterday, so I haven't had much time to think about it, which is good. Aslo our daughter had a baby on Saturday, August 12th. she was just 5# 12 ounces and a real cutie. I have been taking care of our 4 year old granddaughter so her parents can make the adjustment to two. We drove today 30 minutes to Blackfoot to pay for the surgery and to find out when I am supposed to show up at the hospital. I learned today that I am suppose to be there at 6:30 am. My husband works in Idaho Falls just a half hours drive further north. He will drop me off and then come back to se me later in the afternoon. I will spend the night at the hospital and then do the barium swallow the following morning to see if the band is placed correctly. Then I will be back home to recover and begin to learn about my new band and how it will react to foods. I have been on high protein and low cabohydrates these past two weeks. After surgery I will be on 2 weeks of clear liquids and then 2 weeks of other liquids and then 2 weeks of mushies.

Well in two days I will be banded. I am looking forward to it, but am wondering about all the complications I have read about. My husband says you wont' know until you try. I will be self paying $11,000. I have been busy the last two weks entertaining dlegates from our Sister City in Japan. They just left yesterday, so I haven't had much time to think about it, which is good. Aslo our daughter had a baby on Saturday, August 12th. she was just 5# 12 ounces and a real cutie. I have been taking care of our 4 year old granddaughter so her parents can make the adjustment to two. We drove today 30 minutes to Blackfoot to pay for the surgery and to find out when I am supposed to show up at the hospital. I learned today that I am suppose to be there at 6:30 am. My husband works in Idaho Falls just a half hours drive further north. He will drop me off and then come back to se me later in the afternoon. I will spend the night at the hospital and then do the barium swallow the following morning to see if the band is placed correctly. Then I will be back home to recover and begin to learn about my new band and how it will react to foods. I have been on high protein and low cabohydrates these past two weeks. After surgery I will be on 2 weeks of clear liquids and then 2 weeks of other liquids and then 2 weeks of mushies.

Hi , I am having my surgery this Thursday August 17th), self pay for $11,000. this includes a year of fills and after that fills for $100.00. I live in Pocatello, Idaho and will drive 30 minutes north to Blackfoot. Idaho Falls another 30 minutes north of Blackfoot will do it for nearly the same price.

Just to let those of you that may be considering Lapband Surgery. Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, Idaho are doing the surgery self pay for $11,000 and that includes the fills afterwards. Even if you have to buy an airline ticket it may be cheaper then where you live. Not sure how you would do the follow up fills. Maybe they would do it for less if you aren't planning on doing the fills here. Just an idea!

July 10th After being turned down by our insurance company and no where left to go, I will have to pay out of pocket for the surgery. I know it will be worth it for me physically as well as for my feelings about myself. I have scheduled it for August 17th with Dr. Avilla at the hospital in Blackfoot. Now I at least know that I have explored all options prior to going the self pay route. It would be nice to get it done in July, but with the Japanese youth delegation being here and my being responsible for their 2 weeks of activities I don't want to risk not feeling well during that time.

Hi, I also have a surgery date of August 17th after 3 months of trying to get insurance to cover it. I will self pay and know for sure that I am going to get it done. I will have mine done by Dr. Avilla in Blackfoot, Idaho. I have to have my blood work redone as it was done in May. I live in Pocatello, Idaho. Getting excited for this change!! Hope your surgery goes well!

I have been denied by Aetna as my weight loss history is 8 years old. I have a BMI of 38.5. I also have a bad disk which I have had physical therapy for and suffer from migrains. Even though I had documented the phen phen phase of my journey 8 years ago that wasn't good enough. I am not going to do another 6 month adventure only to loose and gain it back as has been my pattern over many years. So I am going to self pay $11,000 as I do not want to go down the same road my mother has traveled at 83, diabetic, two knee surgeries and two back surgeries, last summer. I am at my all time high and want to get rid of the extra weight before it creates problems for me as I am 51 years old. I have been exercising walking two miles 3-4 times a week for 40 minutes. I will continue to do this. My surgery is scheduled for August 17th. I already had a surgery date back in June, and had had all the blood work done. Nowthe blood work is out dated so I have to do it again at the end of this month. We had to do all of the blood work and chest x ray before submitting records etc. to the insurance. I am finally seeing my way clear to a "for sure "surgery date!! Anyone lese being banded in August?

Hi Memphis Lady, I live in Pocatello, Idaho. I am considering self pay as our insurance doesn't want to pay and I can get the surgery for $11,000 which includes the fills afterwards, in Blackfoot, Idaho. This is about 30 minutes from Pocatello. In Idaho Falls Idaho, an hour away,they are quoting about $11,000. as well. They have just started to do these in both locations. Salt Lake Utah also does the surgery, but I don't know how much they charge for self pay. it is 2 and a half hours south of Pocatello so it is a little far for me to go.

Thanks for the infor. I had already checked this out and know that they cover for surgery if you have a BMI of 40 or more. My BMI is 38.5 and I do have back problems and a history of type two diabetes with my mother and her mother. The dr. also said I most likely have sleep apena. I have migrains and my neurologist sent documentation of prescribing a sleep enhancing drug as she said if I am tossing and turning I am not getting into a deep enough sleep which could result in my migrains. All of these files have been sent to Aetna along with the phen phen plan that I was on 8 years ago before they took it off the market.

Hi Emily, My Dr. quoted a price of $11,000. for self pay and this price includes your after care and fills. This is through Dr. Avilla in Blackfoot, Idaho. They also are just now doing this in Idaho Falls, Idaho, but I don't know of the price. Good luck!