HappyDay

I was April 9th and am doing wonderfully!! I feel great and have lost about 25 lbs. since pre-op. I can finally sleep on all sides and stomach without pain.....I just wish I could go into my hot tub (Doc said to wait until week 4). I notice that I can eat more than they say and am starting to get hungrier....I hear my doc will do the first fill at 4 weeks - we'll see at my next appt. (4/26/10). How are you doing??

I'm 2 weeks post op and have a huge black/green/blue/red bruise around my port area and bellybutton area. Doc said it was from internal bleeding. I also had an infection in that area 3 days post op (big red circle around incision) and was put on antibiotics for 5 days. There is also a hard lump (I guess hematoma) under the port incision and my bellybutton where the bruising is on the darkest part of the bruise. So it's been 2 weeks and the bruising doesn't look much better. I've seen the doctor twice now (once for infection and once for 1 week post op) and he doesn't seem to be concerned.....so I'm just letting it be for now. By the way, my port pain was a tearing/burning awful feeling that seemed to get worse - especially when turning over in bed (which was almost impossible). I'm now day 14 post op and it's much better. I can sleep on both sides now - but it took awhile. I guess everyone heals at different speeds. I'm sorry your in so much pain - I thought mine would never go away.....I hope you feel better soon - good luck to you!!

I started eating pureed foods 1 week post op as per nutrionist....I've been eating tuna w/miracle whip blended in the magic bullet (love that thing), scrambled eggs, chicken breast w/broth blended in magic bullet, cottage cheese, applesauce, sweet potato and green Beans (magic bullet). My favorite is the tuna w/miracle whip.......it's heavenly - I use 1 small can (3oz) tuna and 1 Tbls of miracle whip and measure out 4 tbls of it....yum!! Now I want to leave work for lunch. I'm allowed 4 tbls of any of the above 3 times a day....I also still have 3 Protein shakes in between (Unjury) with 4 oz of milk. I haven't really been hungry at all. Good luck everyone!!

I'm 1 1/2 weeks out and was not allowed any food until 7 days post op. I didn't have any nausea.....I'm sorry your not feeling well. Maybe just stick to Protein shakes and liquids for the first week. Hang in there....it will get better.

Rubie - I'm so sorry to hear you have a blood clot.....I hope by the time you read this that you have recovered. I am praying for you. Please keep us posted!!

djbabe - I'm 2 days behind you (April 9th) and I have my post op appt. on Monday. I also still have pain on the left side.....a tearing/burning pain coming from the port area and it's very bruised below and a little red around it. I did have an infection 2 days post op (very big red circle around incision), but called Doc and he prescribed antibiotics. I finished them on Thursday and the site is still a bit red. I was relieved to hear yours is still red as well......I was hoping that was normal and not the infection coming back. It's a lighter shade of red and isn't hot like it was the other day. I guess we all will have our own challenges, but it's nice to know your not alone. Good luck to you and everyone else beginning their journey!!!

Congrats to everyone banded so far.....and good luck to those who have yet to begin their journey!!!! I'm 6 days post op (April 9th) and am feeling great....... Other than than an awful tearing/burning pain from the port site when I turn the wrong way, or try to roll over in bed :thumbup:.....Is this happening to anyone else?? Or am I just the lucky one???

I also had my surgery Friday, April 9th and stayed overnight in the hospital. Friday wasn't too good....I didn't come out of the anesthesia very well. I couldn't quite wake up and had a lot of trouble getting up to walk. Also didn't urinate until about midnight and even then, just barely....also not good. But, Saturday I was feeling better and was discharged. When I arrived home, I had blood on my shirt from the port incision.....my doc ordered 3 shots of heparin while I was in the hospital to stop blood clots from forming and I guess it thinned my blood too much. By Sunday, I have a large bright red circle around the port site and by the bellybutton incision. I called the doc and he called in some antibiotics for me......I went to see him this morning and it seems to be clearing up. I also stopped the pain meds Saturday night. My only concern now is that I have an intense burning feeling from the port site every time I change position :thumbup:....anyone else??

After waiting 7 months....I can't believe it's finally here. I get banded tomorrow morning at 7:30am - I've been so busy with work and trying to keep it a secret from everyone that it kind of snuck up on me. Been doing the protein shakes for 1 1/2 weeks now and I'm not even hungry......I even made Meatball sandwiches for my family tonight and didn't even crave one (well, maybe a little). I guess I'm ready!!!! My doc makes everyone spend the night in the hospital, so I won't be home until Saturday.....

I feel exactly the same way.....only I had to go to 6 nutrition classes over a six month period to get my insurance to pay. I was very frustrated at first, but glad I waited. My surgery is in 3 days (Friday) and after all of the research and lurking on this site, I feel I am more prepared now than if I had jumped right in. It's definitely a lifestyle change and not a quick fix.

I was also diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency.....way before opting for the band - I took the prescription and it's fine now. I have to take a D3 supplement now. I don't think it's anything to be too worried about. I also have a potassium deficiency, discovered during pre-op testing. I'm getting banded on Friday and doc told me to eat a banana every day during the pre-op diet. I was kind of thankful for that - sure beats protein shakes.

As everyone else has already said.....it seems like forever....my first appt. was last September. I just came home from my 6th Nutrition appt. (once a month). I didn't think it would ever get here.....I couldn't BELIEVE I had to wait 6 months....."what a waste of time" I thought. I was wrong.....this site has helped me tremendously......the 6 month wait is almost over. My surgery date is April 9th (pending my Ins. auth.) I can remember people posting things like that back in September of '09 when I first started looking at this site and thought to myself...easy for you to say - your date is very soon.......It will come before you know it - and by then....you will be prepared. Have Patience!!! and good luck to you.....

April 9th!!! I have been horrible with the 6 month diet....I'm hoping it won't cause a problem with the insurance....no weight loss in 5 months (unfortunately, I didn't really try)......one more weigh in on Wednesday before submitting to Insurance Co.......I guess I have that "last meal syndrome".....not good:cursing:

Wayno - question for you.....did you lose any weight during the 6 months??? I didn't lose a pound and am worried that the insurance co. will deny me because of it. I actually managed to stay the same to the pound for the last 5 months. My final nutrition appt. is next Wednesday - do you also have Horizon POS?? I'm in NJ - what state are you in?

My insurance company (Horizon POS) requires a 6 month wait, numerous visits with specialists and 6 visits (once a month) with a nutritionist. My initial consult was in October and my surgery is scheduled for April 9th.....pending insurance approval. I won't know about the insurance until right before the surgery date - so I pray it gets approved. Originally it seemed like forever - but now that's it's less than a month away - it seems like the time went so fast. It's a good chance to really figure out what to expect and this forum has been extremely helpful. Good luck to you!!

I have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield and I have a 6 month wait with numerous doctor clearances (cardio, psych, gastro, pulmonologist, sleep study) and 6 nutrition visits over the 6 month period. That's my experience so far..... My date is April 9th (I pray it gets approved) Good luck to you!!

Thanks for sharing!!! :biggrin:

That sounds very disappointing!! My insurance requires 6 months nutrition classes so it's been a long wait. My surgery isn't until April. You should be sure that your doc's office is current with all of the insurance requirements. Seems to me that they should have been aware of the changes. Good luck to you. As far as looking for a new doc.....I suppose that would depend on whether you like him or not - I would just be sure that they follow through with the insurance requirements more closely.

LOL - I wish I heard of the Triple F's 2 years ago......I turned 40, am definitely fat and out came the Gall Bladder..... and then on came some more fat

I'm scheduled to be banded on April 9th at SOCH with Dr. Reich - I'm from Ocean County - so far I've heard great things about him!! Looking forward to it!!

What is the 5 day pouch test????

I think it depends on your insurance company. They are all different. I have a BMI of 38, but I have co-morbities.....high blood pressure, back pain, water rentention, fatty liver. My doc says that I should have no problem. I'm in my 3rd month of my 6 month waiting period. The hardest part is that I was told not to lose too much weight and I can't gain any. Not an easy thing to do. My insurance co. is Horizon POS (Blue Cross/Blue Shield NJ). But, like I said - every insurance co. is different. Good Luck to you!!

I'm in month 3 of my 6 month waiting period (because of my insurance). I have finished all of the required testing, psych, cardiologist, sleep study, gastro, blah, blah, blah and I have 3 more nutrition classes to go. I have been eating and gaining like crazy!!!! I think I'm losing my mind. I have a 39 BMI and was told that I can't lose too much weight before banding or I'll be denied, but I also can't gain any weight or my insurance won't cover it - I think I've gained about 8 pounds in the last few days and I'm getting very frustrated because I'm of control!! Just looking for some words of wisdom or others in this same predicament. Thanks.