PeggyBluebird

Thanks. I am doing a little better and was able to hold down about a half cup of mashed potatoes today. I think I was maybe over-reacting. However, I will call if I throw up again. BTW, I see several banders talking about something called "PB"....what does that mean?

I had my 3rd fill yesterday and it is the first time I have had restriction since my banding in Sept.07. I have not been able to really keep anything down other than some water. However, I did keep a small yogurt down. Is my fill too tight? I really don't want to have any removed if I knew that it would loosen up a little. Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated. Thanks

There is a doctor in Maumee, OH who will do other doc's fills. I am not sure of the price but his name is Dr. Duckett in Maumee, OH.

Hi Dave, I was banded on 9-18-07 and my surgeon mentioned that I had the new third generation band. Do you know if that means that the band holds 10cc's instead of the normal 4 cc's? I am asking because I just had my first fill and I didn't think about it when I was there, but he put in 3 cc's and I really don't feel that much restriction. I am hoping my band holds more than 4 cc's or I may be in big trouble. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. sincerely, Peggy (down about 26 pounds since pre-op diet started),

I also had my lapband done at Detroit Medical Center on 9-18-07. We drove from Ohio and the only post-op prescription I got was for pain meds which I had filled when I got back to OH using my own insurance. I was taught to give myself the blood thinner injections and then the doc decided that I didn't need to have it after all. That was quite a relief. However, Belite had already brought me a gift package to the international hotel which happened to be enough syringes for the blood thinning injections. When I found out I didn't have to do the shots, I left the gift with one of my nurses, explaining the situation. My surgeon was Dr. Laker who was just fabulous. I had no complications or problems of any type post operatively. I just went for my first fill on Halloween and have already dropped 3 pounds from that. My total weight loss to date is 26 pounds. I have to say, however, that I am doing cardi two times a day. I walk for at least 2 miles on the treadmill every morning (using the incline up to and past 5 degrees). At work, I walk two more miles on my lunch break (weather permitting). So, the weight does come off more quickly if you add cardiac exercise.

Hi Lauren, I had my lapband done in Detroit by Dr. Scott Laker on 9-18-07. I just had my first fill on Halloween. I have lost about 23 pounds since the surgery. No complications whatsoever. It is a great group there and Dr. Laker has a great bedside manner, not to mention, he is easy on the eye. LOL. I went through Belite also. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Peggy

Count me in. I just did 2 miles on my treadmill and it felt great!

Why did you have to get banded four times, if you don't mind my asking?

Thanks Angeleyes. It does feel good to lose weight. I hope your fill goes well for you and you continue to lose also.

I was also banded on Sept 18th. I have no problem eating over 8 ounces of soup and I could eat more. I was worrying about the same as you. The water also goes down fairly quick and easy....same with coffee. I know I have nothing in my band yet but I still think I should feel more restricted than this. I also paid a lot of money (>11K) to have this surgery and I hope it pays off. I have lost 11 pounds total so far and feel pretty good about that. But now that I can have all liquids, I am afraid I will be eating more fat and calories than with the clear liquids.

I am post op 5 days and had my first BM on the 3rd post op day. I was also told that when you are on liquids, it can take a while longer to get that working well. I have been regular since my first BM. I think it may be too soon to worry about it. Just keep sipping your water and drinking your liquids and before you know it......it will happen. Good luck.

If your tests show you are well, you feel well and you like what you are doing, to heck with that doc. Your know yourself better than anyone else. If you are doing everything by the book then you should be proud. I am only post-op 5 days and have already been working out on the treadmill and actually post op day 3 and 4, my husband and I had a garage sale. Do what feels right for you and don't let the medical professionals bring you down. You are only 18 pounds to your goal and that has got to be simply amazing. I can't wait!!! You go for it.

Hi Angel, I was just banded 5 days ago and I understand what you are saying. I was able to hold an entire cup of soup today and could have kept eating. I was wondering if perhaps your surgeon, like mine, does not fill your band until the 6th post-op week. Also, if you are still only consuming liquids, you can hold more than actual food. Your weight loss sounds very good, as mine in that I have already lost 11 pounds counting the one week preop diet. I think your husband is probably correct. As long as you are mindful of the amount of food you are taking in, you will lose the weight. When do you go for your first fill?

I feel really good. It is unbelievable. My number one tip for you is to get up and move around as soon and as much as possible after surgery. The worst part so far has been the gas. If you are able to walk a lot you can work the gas out of you quicker. Also, have some type of OTC meds at home for post-op such as Gas X, Tagament or Carafate. My pain has been well controlled with half the pain meds that were prescribed to me. I was told to take two Vicodin every 4 hours but only did that one time. It was too much for me so I only take 1 about every 4-6 hours. I have already been walking slowly on my treadmill, and my weight today (5 days post-op) is down 11 pounds from one week pre-op. That is the good news! The bad news is that I still have cravings for junk food, like chips or peanuts. I don't have any solutions for that one but if you have any ideas, please share with me. I actually chewed up an almond and then quickly spit it out without swallowing any of it. I know that is probably not a good idea. Good luck with your banding and keep me posted. No worries, the surgery was really no worse than a D&C I once had. The gas pains are the worst of it. Be well and keep in touch!

My doctor sent me home on whole pills and told me to simply break them in half and wash each half down with water. My regular meds I have been taking whole since day one. I was told that if they are no larger than a regular M&M, it would go through the opening just fine. So far, so good. Nothing has stuck yet.

I was banded in Detroit on Sept. 18th. This is post-op day 3 for me and I feel really good. I am pleasantly surprised at how easy this has been so far. I am, obviously, a little sore where the incisions were but the pain is well controlled. This has been an easy surgery so far and I am looking forward to shrinking down into my next size. Good luck and keep me posted.

:embarassed:Hi everyone, I am scheduled to be banded on Sept. 18 in Detroit. I am getting a little concerned as I have been searching on her for a while and have yet to see anyone (except for one) other person who was scheduled by the Belite Group. The woman is named Joann and I am sure that she is also affiliated with a group in Mexico. Can anyone give me any information about this company.......good or bad.:help:

Tilly, who is your surgeon in Detroit? Everyone was absolutely wonderful to me. The surgery was fairly easy and my pain is well controlled. I was actually more worried than I needed to be. Relax, it will all be over soon and you will be up and about. And, if you are anything like me, will be going stir crazy sitting around the house. Keep me posted.

I am doing great. This is post-op day 3 for me and I am up and about thinking of having a garage sale.......my husband will do all the heavy lifting. So far, this was a very easy surgery and my surgeon, Dr. Scott Laker, from Detroit Medical Center was just wonderful. I would recommend him without any hesitation. Looking forward to my smaller jeans fitting agian very soon. Let me know how you are doing also.

Hi Tilly, If your surgery is on the 21st, I will probably just be on my way home from Detroit. I will try to let you know how it went but I am thinking that you won't get to read it before your surgery. I wish you the best right now and try not to be nervous.........ok.....I am a little nervous. Let's compare notes afterwards. Also, are you on a pre-op liquid diet? I haven't been on one. I have just tried to watch the calories and fat all week. I think I may have actually lost a couple pounds doing this. Keep in touch and Good luck!

The same thing happened to me 2 years ago. I did my research and am scheduled to be banded on Sept. 18th at Detroit Medical Center. It is going to be self-pay but after discussing it over with my husband, we decided that my health was worth the cost of a used car. So I took a loan out for the amount of money that I needed. The lapband in Detroit costs $11,700.00. That is the least expensive one I could find in the states. If you are willing to fly to Mexico, you can get a lapband done for about 8,000 with airfare,etc. If you live driving distance to MI, it may be worth checking into. Good Luck with your search. Believe me, I know the disappointment you are feeling right now but don't give up.

When were you banded and how much have you lost so far? I am getting so excited and anxious. I can't wait to get started back on my exercise regimen. I am going to smoke that tradmill!

Check out the Detroit Medical Center. I am to be banded on Tuesday (9-18-07) by Dr. Scott Laker. I found him by going through the BeLiteWeight group. Good luck!

Hi Rebecca, I just wanted to let you know that I think we are fine. I got a call from the Detroit Medical Center where I will be banded next Tuesday by Dr. Scott Laker. I think this is a group of surgeons who rotate to different areas and was told that they contract Belite to take care of the details for them. I am no longer concerned but am getting very excited about this. I went on the low cal, low fat diet today and feel absolutely good about this decision. Hope you got some information today that will help you feel more comfortable about your choice. Keep in touch, Peggy

Wow, I have to do the liquid diet for an whole week pre-op. I have heard of others doing it for 2 weeks. Good luck and keep us posted.