Gigi_Girl

Mwoods, good luck to you and everyone else going in tomorrow! Let us know how you do.

Thanks for the update. Take it easy!

Monie, I think a hill side climb certainly qualifies for two miles!

Welcome home and get your rest and fluids. You are doing great!

Going back on liquids is a good idea. Let us know when the nurse calls you.

Thanks, it has been a beautiful day! I just got in from renewing my driver's license. I changed the weight to my goal weight of 165. Only 41 pounds to go! That is closer to the real weight than the weight that was on the license. I had not changed it since high school.

lmn, I like the bariatric advantage wild cherry calcium and the bariatric advantage orange or tropical multi vitamin. I also need to take iron supplements which are not included in the BA multi vitamins, so I take the BA chewable iron lemon lime flavor. They actually taste pretty good and I don't have that yucky feeling from taking iron that I got from so many others. Some people don't like the chewable vitamins because they taste chalky to them, but everyone's tastes are different. I have heard of others that stick to the OTC chewables like Flinstones Complete or Centrum Chewables. They just may have to take a higher dose to get the ingredients needed.

Joann, good luck to you too! I'll be thinking about you!

10 pounds in six days is fabulous! I too am older, just turned 56 and I am 8 days out. I have lost 4 pounds since surgery. You usually don't lose a lot in the first couple of weeks because your body is adjusting and healing. did you doc prescribe something for nausea? If not, give them a call. sounds like you haven't found a Protein that you like. I like Extreme smoothie pre-mixed drinks, and Matrix Protein powder. When I feel cravings for salt, I drink a cup of bullion. Hang in there, it does get better!

Alex, good luck tomorrow! It is so worth it! I'll be thinking about you and the other bandsters up for surgery tomorrow!

Music teacher, I'll be thinking about you and the others being banded tomorrow. It is soooo worth it!

Ty, the quick way to find it is to look at our profile for those that list the August 2012 Bandsters. click on that link and you should see the join button. gigi

If I were starting over, I think I would choose the gastric sleeve. It has a quicker weight loss than the band, but without the malabsortive issues of bypass and it has less followup requirements than the band. But let me tell you my history and you decide what is best for you. I just got my second band put in 7 days ago (the first had a leak and my insurance, after much discussion, would only pay to replace what I had - a band) If I wanted to switch to a sleeve as recommended by my MD, I would have to self pay. That said, I understand that some insurance companies are beginning to pay for revision surgery on bands to sleeves or bypass, so check and see what your insurance company will cover down the road. I feel great just a week after surgery and I feel restriction for the first time and I am determined to make this work. I had been successful with my first band by losing 80# before regaining 30# over the last year. I am determined to get a net weight loss of 100#. Check back in in six months and see if I have made it yet. Attitude goes a long way!

Be sure to join the August 2012 lap band support group too. You'll find others that had surgery the same day as you.

I appreciate everyone's concern. We are here to support each other and to kick each other's butt when needed. I have had a good day and NO FEVER has returned. My port pain is greater than some, but remember I was a band removal and replacement, so the muscles where the port is attached did double duty getting the first port removed, then the new one clamped in. My story in brief if you haven't read: banded December 2008. Lost 80 pounds in first two years. Started gaining weight in last two years - gained 30 pounds. Never felt much restriction. Determined thru testng over the last year that I definitely had a leak. Took 4 months back and forth with BCBS of AL (PEEHIP) to FINALLY get them to agree to replace and not just remove the first band. Removal and rebanded on August 20, 2012. The leak was obvious in surgery - the band was leaking, not the tubing or port - so i had a flat tire. I know I am swollen from surgery, but I actually feel restriction now. Don't ever remember this level of restriction! yeh!!! Good luck to those being banded this last week of August. All of the August bandsters that have gone ahead of you are here to support you! Let us know how you do.

Thank you all for your concern. The fever broke before I went to bed last night and I feel good this morning. I promise I will call the doc if it comes back.

My doc's orders on the temp was 101 or above to seek assistance. I am staying below that with tylenol. Curious if anyone else running a low grade fever.

First band had a major leak confirmed during surgery, thus the replacement.

This link for Drs. Miles and Schmitt's patients looks like it used to be frequently used. How is everyone? Anyone from the group interested in sharing their band stories?

Every insurance contract is different. My BCBS contract still requires the wait.

Please note that my suggestion on mixing Matrix protein with yogurt is for full liquid phase and not clear liquid, so depending on your doc's schedule, you may have to wait a few days.

I agree with the Protein shots. Mixing a scoop of Matrix protein with yogurt is another option. Are you of your recently banded still having pain in the port area and/or running a low grade fever? I am on day 5 and cannot get up from lying down without help. I can stand from sitting without problems. Also, it seems every evening my temp get up in the high 99s or low 100s.l

I believe the statistics I read say that band patients will lose on average 60% of their excess weight. On 100 #s that would only be 60#. My physician recommends that higher BMI patients go with a Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass. Talk with your psych evaluator and physician for their reasoning.

Glad you made it! Take little walks around the house to help with soreness. I was banded on Monday and just got up from a nap.