june09bandit

I've only told people that I am positive will offer me support. I need a little support, but I don't need a lot of questions from busy-bodies nor harsh judgements. This is really a very personal decision. Only you know what's right for you. I did tell my boss - how else could I explain all the time off for fills and one untimely unfill? I was sure to tell him that I wanted it to remain a private issue. Good luck in your journey!

Your stomach may swell in response to the fill since it makes the band move slightly as it adjusts around the stomach, and the stomach has to rearrange itself inside the band (at least that is how I understand it). Let them give you the prescribed fill, then take a drink of Water. You'll know immediately if it was too much. If it goes down ok, then the odds are good that you'll be fine. If the water goes down, but very very slowly, I ask that they remove a little to allow for the potential swelling. I was overfilled once, and didn't like it at all, so I've taken the conservative approach to fills since then. I'm also 2.5 hours away from the surgeon, so I don't have easy access in the event of an overfill. I had 3.5 ccs on my first fill and had NO restriction. Good luck!

I don't think it will be the port, I suspect either the tubing or the backside of the band. I asked the PA that does my fills how much slack they leave the in the tubing - he had no idea - apparently he's never sat in on a surgery. Things that make you go "hmmm".

I would want to know which portion is touching on the diaphragm - if it's the tubing, maybe they could shorten or re-route the tube. I would want to see what part is causing the issue before trying to make any difficult decisions. Good luck to you!

I am not self pay, but I've had concerns for those that are. Based on my experiences thus far, I would be concerned about the costs AFTER the surgery. I'm getting fills every 2 weeks while I'm trying to get to the sweet spot. I'm getting small fills (.5cc) because I never want to be overfilled again. If I was self pay, I wouldn't be able to justify the fill expense. Not sure what it costs for a fill self pay, but I see how this could get very expensive very fast, or force you to get larger fills that may get you too tight. Also, I really think I have a leak. If I have a leak, I am hopeful that my insurance will cover the repair. If I was self pay, would I be able to afford the surgery to repair it? I'm just trying to point out that there are a lot of expenses that come after the surgery. Personally, I was going to try to self pay if insurance hadn't covered me, but now I really don't think I would have been able to afford the aftercare. Good luck in your journey!

Congratulations Elfie! I have high hopes that I will feel restriction for longer than a week at a time in the future. What are your portion sizes?

Try the Gas-X strips. I read on here pre-op to use those to help with the gas. I used them occasionally, but I never got gas in the lower half of my body - but I was burping constantly. Perhaps they stopped it before it moved south?

Elfie Poo, I'll join in not being able to keep my word regarding this thread.. so here I go. Please note the original post above. Nowhere in there did she say her hubby was wrong or malicious or sabatoging. She asked for ENCOURAGEMENT!! Some of you just can't give encouragement, because no one is as "right" as you are. If they need encouragement, I suppose you think they are a wimp. What right do you have to judge others? If you can't give encouragement, perhaps you shouldn't post on a SUPPORT bulletin board. Maybe you should stick to Rants and Raves -which you are very good at giving. Ok Elfie, putting my soap box alongside yours in the closet.

I agree, the OP was just venting - she had a moment where she was ticked off to be in the presence of garlic wings. I understand completely. If I had enough willpower pre-band to ignore temptations or stop eating after 1/2 cup, I wouldn't be post-band... I would have dieted and been successful on my own. I'm not sure why those that are not tempted by tasty treats had to get the band. I agree 100% with Elfie Poo! This is a support board - when someone needs support during a weak moment, I think we should consider providing it, even if it's just to tell them we understand how hard this new lifestyle can be - not tell them how foolish their feelings are. JMO.. and my last comment for this thread. Those that need the last word can now have it.

I don't know how to get it off quickly. I just kept showering normally and it eventually all went away.

I understand that, but I think everyone knows what I'm referring to, more so than they would know what referred or phrenic nerve pain is.

I think I should appreciate my husband more. I've had a lot of small fills trying to get to my sweet spot (I think I have a leak, but that's another story). He will actually ask me what I can eat on the days following a fill, and that's what we both eat - at least when we are together. He knows it's a challenge to resist some foods, so he just doesn't break those things out when I'm present. I've never asked him to make this sacrifice for me, but I certainly do appreciate it. I know he still eats his junk food (chip bags in the trash), but he doesn't want to make me feel deprived by crunching in front of me. I wouldn't really want the chips anyway, but that is his way of helping me. I've never asked him NOT to eat a particular thing, he chooses to wait until I'm back on real food and can enjoy it with him. I guess we all have choices to make. I appreciate how he supports my attempts to lose weight - and I think I should tell him that tonight!

Oh my gosh - you're 10 days out from surgery and STILL have the pain? I didn't notice your surgery date. I would call the doc and ask about it. When I had my gallbladder out many years ago, I did have the gas pains, and I remember clearly how much it hurt. I was expecting the same after my lapband surgery, but was very pleasantly surprised when my biggest side effect was constant burping. I hope you feel better soon - the gas pain is no fun whatsoever.

Woo Hoo!!! Congratulations on meeting one of your goals. And you are absolutely right, if you can meet one, you can meet them all.

I sense that you feel very strongly about this. Not all of us have your willpower nor your selflessness. You must be a wonderful, kind, compassionate person to live with. I think she agrees she will "survive" just fine. Never known of smelling a wing to be fatal, just irritating at times to those of us that don't have your strength.

I think some may be missing her point - doesn't everybody have one particular food item that they find irresistable if they smell it?? Kettle corn for me... If hubby had brought kettle corn in the house while I was still on liquids and mushies, I would have considered it lack of support as well. Of all the foods in the world that he could eat.. he doesn't have to bring in her absolute favorite at the time when she absolutely cannot indulge in a single bite. She's still in the liquid or mushy phase - no point in making her miss her favorites already.

No problem, I just didn't want everyone to think the gas pains were inevitable. I don't know what the doc did to suck all the gas back out, but I didn't have any pain at all from it.

I'm no expert, but it seems that everyone loses weight at a different rate based on their caloric intake and exercise levels. If you can eat more than you should, you should probably talk to your doc and see if he thinks you need a fill. It sounds to me like you could probably use one. Good luck!

You missed an option on the poll - I didn't have any of the gas pains.

Good luck to you! I'm sure it will all work out in your best interest. The office manager may be a huge help in getting everything in order.

I took the opposite approach, I let the staff know that I was at their mercy and I really needed their help to make this life change. It paid off - they bent over backwards to help me. To this day, if I call and ask for an appt, they give me whatever I want - even if I give them 5 minutes notice, they squeeze me in between other patients. I think I've been in customer service too long - I know what makes me want to help others and what makes me want to be obstinate.

When I use ground beef, I always use lean meat. After I brown it, I drain the grease then rinse the meat in very hot Water (in a colander) to get off as much fat as possible. Based on this, how much difference is there between the ground beef and ground turkey for use in Chili? I actually use a combination, but I wonder if I'm fooling myself into thinking the ground beef is healthy after it's rinsed. Thanks for your words of wisdom!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but yes, there are times I do feel deprived. I just have to tell myself over and over that those cravings are what got me here. I'm still working on my willpower - I do cave in occasionally and satisfy the craving. I eat significantly less than pre-band, so I'm sure I'm taking in far less calories. The result is that I'm losing slower than most - 38 lbs in 8 months. The upside is that I've lost that many lbs instead of gaining that many. Sometimes I just "miss" eating like I used to. I have hopes that it will pass eventually. Good luck to you - you can do this!

You know, the best way to alleviate your panic is to go ahead and tell them. I wasn't going to tell my boss, but I eventually decided that he needed to know. I'm glad I did, or else he would never understand why I have to go to Tucson twice a month for doctor's appts when I seem to be perfectly healthy. I did make sure I told him that I do not want anyone else to know - it's my business and I intend to keep it that way. I believe he has respected my wishes.

How are you doing after a few days on the protein drinks? Hopefully they agree with your digestive system and it's easy for you.