JillianRN

I used a heating pad on low and walking was always a plus. I used liquid mylanta instead of Gas-X. I also drank iced tea (decaf) and that seemed to help. It has been an incredible journey sometimes difficult and other times really good.

Do not give up. There is an appeal process to follow.When you go to the home page search for the thread called Insurance Denials. Or How to appeal a denial....Once you have everything together with your proofl then you can appeal. I think it is effective to have a writen letter from you detailing what the increased weight has done to your life and how your life could been better, I know I have seen posted on this site...about the above... Jillian

You have just got to start over. Do not put yourself in those situations. You can do it girl......

You are getting ready to begin an amazing journey!. It is completely normal to be nervous. I know it is easier said than done but the next 7 days try and relax as much as possible. I wish I would have...lol. I look forward to hearing of your successes!

I was banded October 8th and my port is place up higher in my abdominal area. Since surgery, I have had port pain. My skin is not red or hot to the touch. There is a slight amount of swelling. The discomfort is continuous and increases during the daytime. The skin on my entire stomach feels hyper-sensitive to the touch. I can hardly stand for my clothing to touch my skin. I have no problems eating or drinking and I am not schedule for my first fill until Nov 18. All of my incision lines are well healed and I use shea butter on them. The skin on my stomach is not dry. Tylenol does not make a difference. I do not have a temperature. Any advice?:thumbup:

Even on the tough days...absolutely 100% Yes!!!

I do not get a fill until 6 weeks either:(

I look at it this way...You have to have faith in your surgeon to allow him to perform your surgery..why not trust him to guide you during your healing process. I was banded the 8th and I followed 14 days of liquids and then began to step up gradually. This process allows your stomach to heal properly.Follow his recommendations to a "T". I am only allowed 2 ounces of food 5xday. 2 ounces = 1/4 cup. until I am properly healed. I hope this helps in a small way...Blessings..Jill

Low salt chicken broth was really beneficial for me. The hunger pains were the worst. I hope you feel better soon!

My Dr. required me to walk for 60 minutes everyday. I found that when I did during the first 2 weeks iit was simply too much. I can do much better now, it may be helpful for you to ice the area. That was very helpful to me.

Before I had my surgery, my nutritionist told me the same thing. She then offered me the advice of taking bites the size of an eraser and chewing it until it literally dissolves in you mouth then swallow. I am not at total restriction just like Honk, but I am so much more aware of eating now. Plan on each meal taking at least 20 minutes to eat. I enjoy each and every bite and I plan each and every meal. You will fall into an easy pattern.

I had mine done on the 8th and I thought that the pain would never stop. The best trick that I found was applying an ice pack..20 minutes on/20 minutes off. My surgeon stitched that port to the muscle and probably yours did too to hold it in place. I still have some tenderness and slight swelling but it has gotten better, it just will take some time. Hope you feel better soon...

I have the same insurance and was just banded Oct 8, 2010..My husband's company did not have that clause. Therapies may include fills. I would work through the process and see where it led./That includes going to a seminar, getting your Primary Care MD to write a letter on your behalf detailing your co-morbidities, and how you would benefit from this procedure. I am praying for you in your journey, that God will make a way for you.

So glad you are through with your surgery, let the healthy living begin. I look forward to hearing of your success. You will find alot of support on this site. 'Jill

:huh2: I am not hear to whine or complain and I hope that I do not appear to be doing it but I need some answers and hopefully some solutions. I am post op day 11. I am still on a liquid diet per my Dr's orders. I have been ordered to drink between 60-90 grams of protein. I can have low sodium broth and low sodium tomato soup. I exercise between 30-60 minutes a day and I am getting in at least 64oz of water on top of sugar free ice pops and unsweetened tea (no caffeine). I've had several surgeries c-section laparoscopic partial hysterectomy and a very complicated complete hysterectomy (abdominal incision). Those surgeries, especially the last one was extremely painful and I deal with pain very well. This surgery by far has been the most painful. I had 4 puncture wounds and 1 incision about 3 inches long where the port is. All are healing well with no drainage, but the port one and the one to the left remain extremely painful. All sutures are out and I have steristrips on the two painful ones. I had some vacation days to burn so I took a week off. I returned today for 1/2 a day and I worked from home for 1/2 a day. I have so much bloating, not necessarily gas you can expel. I put my lose fitting clothes on this morning when I left and by noon I looked like I was 6 months pregnant. My stomach feels like it is eating itself, almost like if you had a virus and you were getting over it and a saltine cracker would settle it. I drink slowly and at intervals but everytime I drink my protein shake or soup my stomach does this same kind of thing. I am able to go to the bathroom without difficulty. I have no restriction as the Dr. does not put any fluid in for the first 6 weeks. I have no difficulty swallowing. I am hungry, but not all of the time. I keep myself mentally busy so that I am not concentrating on food all of the time. And if I have not complained enough, I have absolutely no energy. Everything I do washes me out. I am usually a busy person, and productive, but just to fold clothes or do normal household cleaning, I find myself short of breath and weak. I have checked my blood pressure and it remains on the low side of normal. We did have to reduce my dosage because of very low blood pressures a few days after surgery. Can anyone offer any advice to me? Is this normal? Do I need to do anything different? I do not regret the fact that I have my Band whom I lovingly call Cha Cha....long story. BUT I need some reassurance. I have pulled my big girl panties up and am trying to be optomistic.:cursing: Jill (Sorry for such a long post....just needed to unload)

Thank you..it helps to hear from others...

Thanks Lovemysgt and Honk. Before surgery I was not a big fan of exercise...lol I did walk a couple of times a week and used the WII fit a couple of days.

Thank you Nicole!

Sorry for the typos....I usually can spell better than the above post...lol

I will be praying for you. Anything that is unknown can be scary. You will do well. Just give your body time to heal properly, start walking as soon as you wake up from surgery and do not stop:).

The burping sensation will ease a bit in the days to come. When I was where you guys were it was very painful to burp, now it feels so good...lol The straw has to do with taking in air. On day 4 I drank iced tea with a straw and my stomach "blew up like a balloon." I was so miserable. I had to walk it off. I am not much ahead of you guys, but it does get better. I am still having energy issues. I did have alot of weakness and found out that my blood pressure was very low so my blood pressure meds were regulated. Some of that weakness is from being put to sleep and the meds that were used.