paracelsus51

I looked into the financing, but ended up borrowing from family. Much better rates. Some places charge the doctor a fee and Dr. K doesn't accept those, so make sure you ask about that. I went back in this morning and they took out 1cc of the 2cc's they put in. I felt better within minutes. I just get so frustrated having to explain again and again about the GERD and how that has to dictate how the band works for me. It's the reason I got the band, to control the GERD as nothing else helped and I couldn't have the nissan procedure. I had a horrible night and I felt like death warmed over with pretty much every symptom of GERD. Their thinking is just restrict for weight loss. They told me I was going to be an exception to the general rules. I think they might have got it. At least he got the port on the first stick this time, but my belly is sore tonight.

OK, went in for my first fill today. I wish I could've had Dr. K do it, but I couldn't make it back. Ended up with a PA, which will not happen again. I thought I was getting the doctor. He took a good five sticks to get the port, which was outside the numbed area, so that was a waste. They added 2cc's of fluid, in spite of my telling him I have GERD and having fluid back up into my esophagus is not good. He just said that WAS what they wanted and I really don't think he understood at all. So, needless to say, my GERD is just horrible right now. I will probably have to go back and have fluid removed. Actually, I will if this doesn't stop.

I didn't know he did tummy tucks. Does he do anything else? What does something like that run? Mind you, I am way long ways from that, but I can't imagine there won't be need. The breast lift should make you happier, even if you don't get implants. It's not worth the worry. I always thought I would never consider such a thing, but now I am older and can appreciate how some lift has benefits.

Mine was actually pretty good, the worst thing I could say would be that I was on a schedule to be gone, last person of the day. My surgery four years ago was more like the bad treatment stories above and I'm not going back to that place for anything I can avoid. This time I was at the surgery center in and out in about 6 hours. They were very nice and I got a lot of pain meds. I didn't really feel that bad, but they gave them to me just in case. I got liquid pain meds and nausea pills the day before along with antibiotics, so no waiting to find the doctor afterwords. The doctor was very nice and skilled and I had no gas pain at all and what I would consider tolerable abdominal pain when I tried to get up, but that is expected. They didn't damage my teeth either, no excuse for that to anyone. Only needed pain meds for a couple days and switched to regular ibuprofin kids chewables and liquid after that. I have the doctor's direct phone number if I have any questions and I believe he was a really good choice. I was lucky to get both very skilled surgeon and one who was friendly.

I can't stand any of the protein shakes I have tried. I've wasted all kinds of money on them. Muscle Milk Light made me gag like the rest of them. Isopure is bad. Beneprotein, ick. EAS and even Slimfast, all undrinkable. What I found was that I have really just relied on Instant Breakfast. I like it and actually drink it, so that's better than wasting money on stuff I won't touch. They have to make the protein powder so sweet flavored, it's just as bad. I can eat soft meat now, so it's not as bad.

Hallo all. What kind of prep do you do for a fill? I didn't even think to ask at the doctor's office. I will call on Monday, but I am curious. I am kind of assuming an empty stomach is the best choice. I don't fill full ever. My stomach does hurt on occasion for a short time. I am lucky to never be barfy at this point, but I now burp like a guy. I'm trying regular meat, soft regular meat trying to up my protein. I cannot stand any of the shakes, they taste horrible and make me gag, and I am trying some protein bars to see if I can stand them. I've only found one brand so far. Any of the really good looking ones have an entire day's calories in one bar. Yes, do write a letter of complaint. Do NOT email them. Letters get more attention than emails. Bad customer service is bad for the company and there is no excuse for it, especially at that level. I cannot believe how much some people allow their kids to get away with. It's not ok for them to do everything because they are kids. A few manners go a long way. It does not reflect on you, but on them. They should be made to feel embarassed that they acted in such a manner. Also for me, even with travel expenses, it was thousands of dollars cheaper for me to fly to Denver than have surgery here. It was around $700 for flight, hotel and car for two people for four days. I stayed a couple days after surgery. I didn't want to fly the next day.

I was banded on the 18th of June. I find it interesting the difference in post surgery diets. I had some ground ham to see if I could tolerate anything solidish just this weekend. I had scrambled eggs and a bit of ground sausage this evening for dinner (made a pancake dinner for the nieces and nephews). I am really hesitant to eat too much of anything, just in case. I don't feel full pretty much ever. I don't feel sick or barfy either, which is great. I am still mostly drinking right now. I get my first fill in a couple weeks, so it will be interesting to see what a difference that makes. I drink a lot too, slowing down and still getting half a gallon a day is a challenge, so you are not alone there. I do weigh myself every day, but that is helpful to me. Sugar free stuff should be used on a limited basis.

I like that moniker too, fatnsassy. You'll be scared. I've had surgery before and this was so much easier. I was surprised at how well it went with very little pain afterwords. I had a Mohs procedure to remove a skin cancer on my face and it it bugging me much more than the lapband surgery ever has. Dr. Kirsenbaum was very nice and was willing to answer any questions that I had and even after surgery, which has only been two weeks so far, they have freely answered my questions whenever I have called. I am also glad I did take extra time off of work. I know some people go back after a few days, but I wouldn't recommend it if you have a choice. I have my first fill scheduled in a couple weeks. The doctor will be out after that for a bit, so they are doing it at four weeks instead of five. I can't afford to go back out to Denver to have Dr. Kirshenbaum do it, but we have an excellent doctor here. He was able to palpate my port, so I won't have to pay for the flouroscope unless there's a problem. They charge a little extra if he didn't do the surgery for the first fill ($200), but it's only $100 after that.

Mine was supposed to be at five weeks, but since the doctor is going to be out, it will be at 4 weeks. I start soft foods this weekend. I haven't had any problems and since I've been doing nothing but drinking stuff, I don't get full. I do burp a lot, but that's not new.

Yep, all the pills I am taking can be chopped. I had to stop taking one as it couldn't be and it was huge and I had to take four a day. I had a Mohs procedure today to remove a skin cancer on my cheek. It turned out to be much bigger than thought, so now I have a bunch of stitches and a pressure bandage across my whole face smashing my nose. The problem being that I can't drink out of a glass because my lip is pulled and swollen, or breath out of my nose. I had to resort to using a straw or just not drink. I might try a sippy cup. I am stuck this way until Thursday. I see the bariatric doctor on Wednesday. I am also back on horrible tasting antibiotics. BLECH!

We do not have pollo loco or Captain D's here. We had Taco Bueno, but they shuttered up and disapeared overnight. Fortunately I've pretty much given up french fries. I want to get back to sweet potatoes though. Anyone tried Popeyes, Taco Johns, or Dairy Queen? I know a buffet is not worth it anymore. Can you order a footlong minus the bread?

This is a great thread. My family likes to go out and eat and my nieces and nephews just live for McDonalds, so it's great to have ideas of what I might be able to eat once I get back on solids. I cannot eat fresh fish and only tolerate things like fish sticks or canned tuna in limited amounts. Right now I stopped at Runza to pick up a fruit smoothie when I was running about town with no food and it was the only thing on the menu I could have. I bought a protein shake but it was disgusting. Anyone have issues with popcorn once they are on solids? How about hard taco or tostada shells?

I have yet to get in all my protein, but it's only been a little over a week. I got the flintstones chewables too. I am chopping up my pills so I can get them in. I stay up late and have to take a nap in the middle of the day. I can get in up to about 14 ounces over about an hour. I don't really feel full, I just am trying not to overdo it. It is annoying because my soup gets all cold before I can get it all drunk.

I had surgery on the 18th. I didn't have staples though. My first check up is next Wednesday, but I won't have any idea when my first fill would be until then. I am drinking pretty much nonstop. I don't have a feeling of fullness yet and I am working on not getting dehydrated. Just keep reading around the boards and you will find the answer to most everything. Mostly, if you have a question, call your doctor's office.

I think our hospital here is a center of excellence. I actually put more emphasis on the track record of the doctor and the facility than any one endorsement or award. You make a good point. I also believe that we still do a lot of this through word of mouth, even if some of it is internet mouth. We're not sure if we should do some plumbing in our house without a recommendation, but we can go either way with a word from any given doctor.

I am a week out and can start warm foods today. I actually haven't been out of the house since I got home from surgery. It's been way hot and humid. I have to go to my piano lesson and buy some food. I am hungry, but more of a desire to chew something. I am thinking of getting a chew toy as it will be a few weeks more before I get to eat solid food. I also never feel full. Supposed to keep drinking until I feel full and, well, haven't. I have to pick up some protein drinks. I hate the beneprotein and I can taste it in anything. I am so looking forward to some oatmeal. Anyone else just not feel full? I don't want to damage myself and I feel great, just keep drinking up to 8 ounces at a time, not in one gulp or anything, and don't feel full.

I ended up going to two different surgeons as I was self-pay. I got folders, a book, emmi, websites, and a list of people I had to see before surgery including nutritionist, pulmonologist and where to find funding. I had to watch a video and went through the whole procedure at least three times with a doctor in detail. I ended up going to a different surgeon for the surgery, but I am following up with the local doctor. I am not one to have a ton of questions beforehand to ask, but everyday as things occur. I also spent a ton of hours on the internet and talking to people live and reading on all different sites gathering all the information I possibly could. I agree, if you aren't offered much more information than you can absorb and contact information for when you have questions, then that isn't the place for you. They should also be there when you call and have answers at hand. I am only a week out and I've called the office at least four days. I am working on figuring out how to tell when I am full when all I do is drink. Stuff I never thought I would have to think about.

I've always been fat, but when I developed GERD a couple years ago, I started gaining a lot of weight. The only thing that controlled it was eating bread and crackers. Constantly. I went through every test in the book and at the end they gave me some drugs, which only reduced the feeling of having a heart attack, but do nothing for the constant burning and pressure and tell me they can't do anything else, including GERD surgery. Finally, after my last attack, each of which lasts for several weeks, and now being on 4 times the normal dose of meds, my GP suggested the band. Losing weight might help the GERD (even though it was causing me to gain tons) and the band can help or do away with GERD. I had a 3 in 4 chance of some level of success. I would not have chosen reassignment surgery, as none of them would help GERD. I was also against having any of my internal organs chopped up and moved about. I read other people who were freaked out by the idea of having some foreign object inserted and would prefer to have some version of the other non-reversable procedure. If this doesn't work, then I can have it reversed and I don't really have any other options. I did do all the research and education to find out about the band, which is something I'd have never considered in my life. I had to pay for it myself, as WLS is excluded from our health plan, no matter the diagnosis. I had the surgery a week ago, so I won't know if it has worked for up to several months, but here's hoping.

Water aerobics is great. I've been doing them for years, as it's the only workout that my joints can handle. I will be going back this fall after I heal up. You really do get a good workout and sometimes it takes a while before your arms can be used again.

I'll be one week tomorrow. I am looking forward to warm foods, ok warm liquids. I am feeling pretty good. I have random pains, but nothing bad. I can't walk much as it is really really hot and humid here and I have developed a cold from being exposed to air conditioning. I have yet to be full and am still gurgling away.

They will also want to know who will be staying with you for the first 24hrs. You wouldn't be able to drive anywhere, even if you wanted to. They had to remind me to breath. I am still not ready to go out and about. I am all messed up for sleeping. I am also trying to figure out when I feel full, as I don't ever really. I just keep drinking and "eating" my liquids. Haven't had anything come back up even though I gag on the horrible tasting antibiotics. I do gurgle a lot though.

I took a total of three and a half weeks off. I didn't want to be rushed and I had no idea how long I would need. Even after reading endless posts. My desk is also really far from the bathroom. At four days out I am off the pain meds, really didn't need them after the second day. I have had no gas pains, which is something I feared. Right now I am trying to get enough fluid. I'll work on protein next. I figured that I could always go back to work early if I was ok. I am also able to do some work from home. I can't take a full breath yet and my side still hurts, but that is a ton better than yesterday.

I had a TAH too, in 2005 and lost a lot of weight more than 40lbs in less than six weeks. I was off work for six weeks and wasn't allowed to lift anything and forget exercise. I was lucky to get 700 calories a day and I didn't sleep much at all. I didn't lose any hair. I am only four days post banding, so I am still working on getting enough fluids. I hope that I will have the same luck this time.

Well, I am back from Denver. The surgery went well and the trip home wasn't that bad. It was interesting to have all my liquid drugs bomb tested at the airport. I am sore and I just removed the nausea patch, so my fine vision should return soon. I am also moving towards being able to breathe deeply again. My cats missed me and want lay on me. Nothing is coming back up, so, so far so good. I admire those who can go back to work a couple days after this, but I wouldn't have been able to. I am glad I was able to take the extra time off.

Well, I am off in the morning to Denver. Surgery is on Thursday. I've got nothing else to focus on now. All the work is done. I don't want to have surgery again, but I need to do this. I just found out I have another skin cancer on my face and have to have that removed in a little over a week after surgery. At least they put you out for surgery. I am just hoping I packed everything and that I can find some wool felt.