mlevel

Hello All, It has been a long time since I have been on and need to reintroduce myself. I was banded in Ohio in Feb. 2007 and have lost over 100 pounds. I just found out that my surgeon and bariatric group is no longer available and am looking for someone in the Cincinnati area for future follow up and fills. I need it to work with my insurance (Anthem BC/BS). Any suggestions are welcome. Also, I am having a problem with gas. It is only in the form of belching and it smells horrible. It is mainly when I have forgotten to eat and get 'too hungry'. Kind of like a reminder that I need to fuel up. The worst part is, I get it while digesting too. I have tried gas-x and mints. Five gum seems to be about the only thing that masks the odor. Does anyone have any suggestions? Anyone else experiencing this? Thanks for your assistance!

Hi Janelle, I went to Middletown and Dr. Skofield performed my surgery. You will find a link to her on the hospital website. She and her staff have been amazing. They take care of everything!...from insurance processing for approval through post-op. If you have any other questions about her, pm me. Best of luck to you on your journey. I would do this again in a heartbeat. My life has completely changed!

Wow! That's all! I am in desperate need for a fill then. I am at 3.5 cc's in a 4 cc band and it seems like my body will lose so slow now that the initial 65 pounds is off. I can go 6 to 8 weeks before I notice a couple pound drop. Thanks for sharing. I will definitely be getting a fill when I go back in on 12/27! Btw, I how full can you really fill a band? I have heard conflicting things.... For example, only as full as the band 4cc band=4cc Fluid AND 4cc band=7cc fluid. What is reality? Thanks again!

Hi all! How long do you allow your scale to plateau before you go in for another fill?

Hello All, I haven't been on in quite a while but I do try to keep up on all the reading. I have been banded since Feb. '07 and have 3.5cc's in a 4cc band. I am going in at the end of Dec. to have another adjustment because I am able to eat more than I use to. My question is this...how full can a band be filled. I have read heard different things. For example, a 4cc can be filled to 7cc's? True? If I eat solids...sure, 1/2 to 3/4 cup but if it is soft foods then there are times when I can go 1 cup even up to 2 cups. liquids...easy 2 cups. What concerns me is that I get hungry now and haven't felt that in some time. There are times that I can begin to eat something and only be able to have a few bites. Other times, things go down way to smooth! Anyone have any snippets of wisdom on any of this. Is this normal band stuff? How long can one go on a 'sweet spot'? Help! Thanks!

J~ I don't think that you can look more amazing! Thanks for sharing the encouragement!

I can't tell you how happy that makes me just to hear! I am due for my 3rd fill tomorrow at my 3month post-op appt. I have a 4cc band and am now at 3cc's. I feel like my loss has been a bit slow and I am searching for that sweet spot! Congrats! Enjoy your vacation!

lizrbit~ thanks for sharing this info. Would you mind sharing what kind of iron supplement you take? Where do you find it? I need one that doesn't taste like gun powder! Thanks!

I am not on the list...I was banded 2/19. Thanks!

It has been a long time since I have posted and I thought I would give an update on what has been going on... Began the WLS process with a visit to Dr. Schofield (Ohio) 12/28/06. Surgery date was 2/19/07 (-13#'s). Two week post-op appointment 3/5/07 (-10#'s). First fill 4/2/07 (-7#'s). Weighed in today because not knowing is driving me nuts 4/19/07 (-7#'s). The grand total to this point is 37#'s. I am unsure as to whether this is considered great progress but I will take it. It is better than the alternative! It has been interesting to read about the differences between the 4cc and the 10cc band and the fill/restriction levels. I have a 4cc band and the first fill was 2cc's. I am not sure what to expect on fill #2 coming up on 5/7/07. hhhmmm!

I was banded 2/19/07. I have been burping ever since. No matter how fast or how slow I eat. Drinking too. The hiccups are more common now than before surgery as well. It reminds me of a water cooler as the food passes through the stoma. Kind of wierd but worth the trade! I have had one fill and notice more burping now.

Freetobe - I just had my first fill Monday, April 4th after my 6 weeks post-op. 2cc's. The surgeon had an ultrasound done to locate the port and then the tech marked the port site. She (my surgeon) hit the port the first time in. It took just a few minutes for the whole procedure. I was on clear liquids for 24 hours...then mushies...now full foods. Everything seems to be going as planned. I am sorry to hear about your ordeal. Hopefully the next time will be a breeze! Good luck on your loss!

I can understand fully where you are coming from. I was banded on 2/19 and went back to work (1/2 days for the first two!) this past Monday. We have a scale there that I am dying to jump on but am afraid that the difference b/w works scale and the dr.s scale will play head games with me. I go to post-op on Monday, March 3rd(?)....I didn't think that I would EVER be saying that! Good Luck!

I like the "50 Gram Slam" better. It isn't as thick either so I think that helps too. My dietician put me on the Slim Fast Low-Carb because it has the highest protein and less sugar. It is o.k. but....well...you know! The creamy vanilla tasted like a good vanilla ice cream shake which I love! The chocolate did not leave me with the warm fuzzies but to each his own! Again, best wishes in that department. Right now I am on Stage 1 (clear liquids and protien shakes) but have been cleared to Stage 2 this weekend (thicker liquids, creamed soups/blended or strained, yogurts, f.f. pudding...) I am looking forward to the variety!

I was just banded on 2/19 and a friend of mine found a protien shake at GNC that is really good! It is called "50 Gram Slam" and contains 50 grams of protein and is very low in sugar! The chocolate is good but the creamy vanilla is delicous. It comes in 15oz. cans that I know of...that is what she brought me. I havent' been to the GNC store to see what flavors they offer but they can be bought in individual cans so you can try them without being out too much $$$. I am also drinking Slim Fast Low-Carb which has 20 grams of protein per shake. Not bad. Good luck finding something that works for you!

Wow! What great success! I hope that I can be as successful! That is fantastic!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Kudos to you!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I had my surgery 2/19 and am feeling pretty good. The port site is sore of course and am looking forward to it subsiding. Thank goodness for pain Rx!!! My Dr. put me on a clear liquid diet but has boosted it to Stage 2 this weekend since all is going so well. (Thicker liquids and creamed soups/blended or strained). I thought by now that the lack of chewing would drive me nuts but so far...so good:clap2: ! I have actually been around food with my family and it hasn't been bad. I haven't yet had real hunger!!! Could this be for real? Best wishes to all on continued success! ~mlevel~ P.S. Once I get a hang of the ticker...I will keep you posted on my success. Will have my first weigh in at my 2 week post-op. Wish me luck!

This is all great to hear! I was just banded on 2/20 and am home recovering. I am on clear liquids and sipping all day to get enough in. I have yet to feel real hunger. The food smells and looks great but the overwhelming desire to eat it at all costs has left me. That alone is quite the miracle! I am hoping that the healing time will go quickly as I am already getting stir crazy here at home. I wish the best to you! Thanks for sharing the encouragement!

I have a banding date of 2/19!!!! It is great to join you all! I know that I have a lot of changes coming and a lot to learn! Any advise is always welcome!

Hello! I am about to be 'new' to the whole 'banded' thing! I go in tomorrow (Feb. 14...what a great Valentine's gift:)!) for my pre-op and Monday, Feb. 19 at 8am I go in for the life changing surgery that I keep reading about! My doctor does not require the liquid diet until after the surgery. I am a bit apprehensive and a bit over the top with excitement (if both of those emotions can exist together!). The weather here in Ohio is horrid right now so I am hoping that nothing stops this momentum. I hope that it will not be long that I am posting the same great successes that continue to inspire me!

Hello to All! I am a 50+ BMI'er too and just received my surgery date today (2/19/07). So far everything has gone so smoothly, I feel like I am in a dream. I was told by my HR Benefits rep to expect to jump through hoops for 2 years before being considered for approval. I began the journey of searching for surgeons a bit shy of 4 months ago! I will be the first one at my place of employment to be approved. Doors will be opening for others now I'm sure....that holds a bit of pressure when word gets out! This thread is an incredible encouragement to me. Your successes have been phenom! I look forward to running this race with you though in all honesty I am a bit nervous about being 'prepared' for after surgery. Any advice is welcome! Wheatsin, I can't wait to see my OB/GYN after this...she has been pushing me for RNY so I hope to knock her socks off! (Heck, she is always making me remove mine;)).

I am on FastTrack awaiting insurance approval. I have been so stoked about this new life change...following all of the 'rules'...but then people have been telling me stories of 'friends they know' who after 6 months have only lost 20 pounds.... How discouraging is that? I have a significant amount of weight to lose. Is that really what I should be expecting? It will be years before I get my BMI down at that rate. Help! I need some encouragement!

I hate to sound so ignorant but would someone please send me a manual of "Interpretations for Dummies" because I can not for the life of me figure out what "PBs" are....help! (Thanks in advance!)

Thanks! I needed the boost desperately today. I appreciate you taking time to respond to the posting. I have been following the restrictions of the band and have added exercise to my daily schedule to begin my life overhaul before the band so everything is not such a sudden jolt and I am losing weight in the process. I need to focus on this forum and not stories of 'others' that can so quickly cut your hopes down. Thanks for the focus!

Hi Everyone! Great to be here with all of this experience. I am new to LapBand, researching everything that I can. I am just starting the process and am attending a meeting Thursday night (11/30) to learn more. I have fought weight my whole life and am ready to get this under control. Will appreciate any information that anyone can give regarding what to expect and how to get started!