DottieAnn

I had my first fill today, he said normally he would only add 1/2 cc but since my weight loss is not very good, he added a full cc. I had 1.5 in there from the surgery so I now have 2.5 cc total. I really don't notice a huge difference, I have a 10cc band. Just wondering what everyone's different fill amounts are that are working. I can't get another fill for a month, at which point he will only add 1/2-1 cc again. How much does everyone have in their bands?

I was banded May 3 & did well sticking to my post-op diet. I didn't lose all that well for some reason during that liquid phase though. I still haven't had a fill and I am soooo ungodly hungry all the time. I guess the initial swelling has gone down from when the band was first placed, b/c at first I felt full all the time & now I can eat pretty much anything. I weighed myself today & I have only lost a few lbs since surgery. I am so discouraged, I feel like this is yet another thing that isn't working for me diet wise. I can have a fill on July 8........ someone who has been there, tell me if that is the problem here or what is going on? I am starving all the time, I WANT to feel full like I did at the beginning. Will a simple fill help ?? THANKS!

Yes I gave myself 2 shots of lovenox a day for 7 days. It wasn't bad at all.

I was allowed 4 shakes a day and water. NO diet jello or broth or anything else. After about 3 days the physical hunger gets better because you go into ketosis. But the head hunger is there. Set your eyes on the end prize. I found out after surgery it was all for a good reason. I was much better prepared for the post-op diet by going thru the pre-op stuff.

Yes I also can eat just about anything. I won't have a fill for 2 months out, which is early July. I hate feeling hungry & being able to eat a lot. Right after surgery I would get full so fast which was nice. But I have only lost about 5 lbs since surgery so obviously I need a fill.

Had my band done on May 3 & have been feeling great. The recovery was quick & easy, I have been walking the neighborhood since the day after surgery & am starting to advance my diet slowly as recommended. Tomorrow I can start adding hot cereals & scrambled eggs & stuff like that. I wish I had done this a few yrs ago, I had thought about it so many times but always chickened out. If I had known how easy it was & how motivated & in control it makes me feel....anyway, I just wish I had done it a while ago when I first considered it which was about 3 yrs ago. Oh well, looking forward to the new & better life this is gonna give me! I hope everyone is doing well that has been banded recently, and good luck to all those getting ready to have the surgery!! No looking back--only forward!!!

The only person on this planet that knows is my husband. (besides the Dr office of course). I didn't think it was anyone's business. We live out of state away from family....so they dont even know I was hospitalized. My KIDS dont even know, they think I had my gallbladder out b/c I knew they might mention it to someone. Anyway its my business & between my Dr, my hubby & me! I didn't wanna be the subject of everyone's conversations in the family!

Hi everyone, Just wondering how everyone is doing who recently had lapband. I had mine Monday afternoon May 3, just 2 days ago. I was sooo scared right before it & I must say it hasn't been that bad. I came home yesterday & as long as I stay on top with pain meds, I do fine. I walked around the block yesterday & am doing well. It isn't nearly as painful as when I had my gallbladder out a few yrs ago. The most soreness is at the site where they inserted the port. As far as appetite, it is ZERO! I have absolutely NO appetite whatsoever, which is a miracle for me. I have all I can do to get the protein drinks down because I have no urge to eat anything at all. So anyway, I know there are a few having surgery tomorrow & other times this week...just wanted to encourage everyone that it hasn't been bad & definitely worth it. I have no regrets that I went thru it....it's all gonna be better from here! So good luck & hope everyone is doing well!!!! :bored:

Hey everyone, I also failed to mention that when they went in to do my band, they found a hiatal hernia so they repaired that as well. So I had the lapband AND a hiatal hernia repair & I still felt really good despite it all. I also wish I had done this years ago. If I had only known it would be this easy.....I am NOT hungry & really have to force myself to drink & get in my fluids & protein. A nice change from being a bottomless pit! I am glad you are all doing so well. Good luck to all those who are having this done soon. Don't be scared! I was scared & very nervous & like I said, it hasn't been bad at all. I have zero regrets. I am 4 days out & I have been walking the neighborhood, doing gardening & getting around fine. :thumbup:It is so nice to have some control for once over what goes in my body. Blessings!

Thanks for your replies everyone. I am now 3 days post-op & am doing great. Still no urge to eat, taking less pain meds, etc.....as far as what I needed post-op.....I had broth, sugar free popsicles, crystal lite, diet jello and now protein drinks......but I have to tell you, it is hard to take in very much. I have slept in the chair part of the night, I would lie down for a while & then about halfway thru the night I moved to the recliner. I used ice packs on my belly instead of heat packs because it just felt good. Walking is definitely a good thing, it helps with mobilizing any gas you might have & helps regain strength. Like someone else mentioned, I did have a lot of pain in my back afterwards, even more than the belly. I was told it was from all the CO2 they pump in during laparoscopies. So being mobile early on definitely helps get the gas out. It really ISN'T as bad as I had expected girls & guys!! Seriously, I was expecting to be much more sore than I am. So happy & excited for all of you that are getting ready to do this!! Best wishes to all of you, it will be over before you know it!!! Hugs!:bored:

Monday is the big day for me too! I also am nervous now that it is almost here. But......I think that is normal girls! Let's all say some prayers for each other the next few days.... that we all come thru this safely. I have been on protein liquids for almost 2 weeks, but today & tomorrow I get to change it up! I get to have......clear liquids only for today & tomorrow (broth, diet jello, popsicles etc.) And tomorrow I have to do the golytely prep, you know the kind you do when you have a colonoscopy to clean out. Anyone else have to do this? I am not complaining....I am just wondering why we would have to do this for lapband (I understand if it was bypass.) Anyway hang in there, we are all on our way now. It used to seem like a dream that it was really ever gonna happen. I think I am in shock or denial that it is finally really almost here! Good luck to everyone & here's to all of us!! We are really gonna do this! By this time next year, we will all me skinny-minnys! :thumbup: Yay us!!!!

1 week from today is my surgery! I have my pre-admission testing tomorrow. I am excited but also nervous. But I know May 3rd is the first day of the rest of my life!! Question.....How much post-op pain is there (for those of you who already had it done?) And how long before the pain is getting better, a week or 2??

My biggest problem is cooking for my children while I am basically fasting! It has been super hard! One day it got so bad that I wore noseplugs so I wouldn't have to smell it! :biggrin:

Brittany, I tried to have lapband a few yrs ago & my insurance co wouldn't pay only for gastric bypass, which I didn't want. Don't give up. I hate to recommend Mexico but I had a friend that was so desperate & her ins co wouldn't pay & she went to Mexico where she had it done very cheap....she has since lost over 80 lbs since last summer. I would try going to a Bariatric Dr anyway & see if they have a way around it, they know the ins & outs of insurance co's.....also try an appeal thru your ins co cuz many times, the second time around will work. Whatever it is, don't give up because there IS a way out of this!! Also I found this info online.... It is beneficial to contact your health insurer as early as possible if you are interested in weight loss surgery. Many insurance companies will cover the expense, but the approval process can be long and complicated. If you contact your insurance provider and are told that weight loss surgery is not covered, don't get discouraged and don't give up. Many times the initial answer is based on incomplete and mistaken information. There is still a chance that by working diligently together with your primary care doctor, bariatric surgeon, and other legal and medical experts, you may succeed in getting approval thru the appeals process. Obesity Legal Assistance It may be appropriate to seek support and legal assistance if you really ought to be granted approval for weight loss surgery but your insurance company refuses to cover it. If you are struggling with your insurance company, you may find the Obesity Law and Advocacy Center a source of useful assistance. You may also want to consider joining the Obesity Action Coalition, a national advocacy group for the rights and needs of obese people. Keep us informed what's going on w/you......don't give up & blessings to you! D.A.

I am on a 2 week pre-op liquid protein diet. I am allowed 4 shakes a day....they said 400-600 calories & 60-80 grams protein. Also no carbonated bev's, caffeine, or diet sodas etc, but they did say I could have crystal lite. The first 3 days were horrible but today is my 4th day & I feel quite a bit better physically. It seems to be all "head hunger" at this point. I have to hang in there b/c my surgery is less than 2 wks away & I don't want to do anything that could cancel my surgery. Whoever was asking about good tasting protein stuff...... For post op shakes etc, I am ordering some stuff from Bariatric Choice online. They are pretty reasonable & the stuff I have tried tastes really good. They have cheesecake mix, pudding, shakes & bars, oatmeal, soups & even meals that are all high protein. So far I have tried a few things & the shakes are thick & great tasting, pudding & bars are even good & I am picky. They give free shipping on orders over I think it was $79 and give discounts such as 10% on orders over $99.....anyway, just thought I would put this out there as a suggestion if you have trouble w/the taste of some of the protein drinks. Good luck everybody!

I am scheduled for surgery May 3 & am currently doing my 2 week pre-op liquid diet. It is extremely hard to stick to but I know I have to. I am starving. I couldn't wait for surgery to come, but now that it's finally here, I am feeling quite nervous over the whole thing. Does everyone go thru this? Good luck to everyone, I wish you all huge success!!!!