wendyjoy

I was banded 3/19 and I went for a fill on 6/19 and my Dr wouldn't give me a fill. Now I am stuck at the same weight and I have to call for another appointment. I have not had a fill yet and some people have had 2 or 3 that were banded the same time. I have been stuck at the 37lb mark for a month now. I guess I will have to beg for my first fill.

OK, so I was debating whether or not to make an appointment for my first fill. I was banded on 3/19 and I am doing pretty well. I am good about 80% of the time, but it is those 20% that make me worry. I eat out of control with no restriction. When I stick to the band rules and limit the carbs I feel restriction and don't feel the least bit hungry. So I decide that maybe I need my first fill. I have read that the band really doesn't work the way it is suppose to empty. So I call wait a month for my appointment, drive an hour, and meet with my doctor only to be told that he doesn't want to give me a fill because I do have restriction some of the time. He thinks the band is safer without doing too much filling. I really feel like I am doing all the work and the band isn't being the tool it was meant to be. I agree that I don't want to overfill the band for no reason. I want my band to last for life, but right now I feel like I am doing 90% of the work and the band is only doing 10. I just wish the band could maybe pick up some of the slack. Any way, I left with the understanding that until I get stuck or gain weight I won't call for another fill. What do you think about this? Is this what tells me that I really do need a fill? Thanks Wendy

Thanks for the fast reply. I have lost about 37 and I am still losing, but I continue to read how the band won't work without a fill and I know that I am doing most of the work. It is not the same as when I was first banded and didn't want to look at food. The weightloss was so easy then. I am just wondering if that is what will return with a fill and proper restriction. That would be so much easier than the daily struggle I am having now. Thanks Wendy

I think you just have to do what you think is right. My Dr. did the same thing. I walked out of his office confused and not knowing what to do. I still go to my surgeon's meetings once a month and he still bashes the band. I'm glad I found this sight and researched everything first. I didn't want the bypass because I thought it was too big a risk to take with 2 small children. I am so glad I got my band. I love it. I have been banded for 7 weeks and have lost 34lbs. I have to tell you that I do have to do most of the work for the weight loss. I don't have much restriction, but I like the idea that I have the band there to fall back on in moments of weakness. I think if I find old habits coming back, I will be at the Dr's office asap to have the fills needed to get this baby working for me. That is just me. I am afraid to get too full because I still enjoy all the foods I use to only in smaller amounts. So far it has been a dream come true, and I am so glad I didn't listen to the Dr and went with my gut feeling. Good Luck Wendy

Now that I can't use advil, what can I use for cramps. I tried Tylonol last month and it just didn't do the trick like advil does. I also can't stand the chewable and liquid versions. Yuck. Anyone have anything else that is band friendly and really works? I would be your best friend if you can save me this month. I feel like going to bed and staying there for the next 3 days. Thanks Wendy

Ok, so I go out to eat Saturday night and I was very good. I am 4 weeks post op and have been very careful to follow the band rules. I am on mushies and so I ordered egg salad without bread. I have had egg salad at home and didn't have any problems. The egg salad at the diner was huge chucks of egg so I made sure to chewed very well. After I ate I didn't have any problems, but later that night I started having a sharp pain in my upper left abdomen. It comes and goes, but most of the time it feels as though someone is stabbing me. Did I eat too much? I only ate about 3/4 cup. I have been on liquids since then. Will this pass or should I call the DR. I have to go for a routine X-ray to make sure the band is in the right place. Should I call before I go incase he needs to order other tests? Please help I am getting really nervous. If I did something wrong I wish it had been on something better like something I am not suppose to eat. Like..... something really yummy, not egg salad. Thanks Wendy

I thought the gall bladder was on the right side. I checked Webmd and they said pain on the right. Plus they checked my gall bladder 5 weeks ago before surgery and everything was alright. I called the Dr's office and they said the only thing on the left side was the colon. Maybe I am just backed up. They said it doesn't sound band related. It is so hard to know what is and isn't. When you are so new to it all. Thanks Wendy

I am 2 weeks post-op and introduced runny mashed potatoes last night. They like sat in the back of my throat and I kept thinking I hope I don't PB. How long after you eat do you PB if it is going to happen? I waited 45 minutes and then tried to drink to wash them down. If you pass 45 minutes can you consider yourself safe? Thanks Wendy

I didn't know that Potatoes were a problem food. I wonder why they are the list that my Dr told me to incorporate into my diet this week. They so were not worth the worry that they were going to go down ok. Tonight I stuck with blended Soup and it was much better. Thanks I don't think I'll be having potatoes for a long time.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't PB I just didn't want to be caught off guard. I am just nervous about introducing new foods. Now that I can have more mushies, I just wanted to know how long until I am safe. I do notice when I do eat thicker stuff, I have trouble making it past the first one or two small little bites. It may be more in my head than anything. I keep telling myself "Go slow you don't want to get sick" and that makes me not want to eat anything. Thanks again Wendy

I just wanted to let you know that Miralax is now over the counter. I tried it and it works great.

I was banded Monday 3/19 and I am due to visit the Dr on Tuesday 4/3 to have the staples removed and all the other post-op stuff. I was just wondering if it is normal for the skin around my staples to be really red. Just one out of my 5 sites are really gross. It is the place that pulls the most and the biggest opening. I have been putting bandages and antibiotic cream on them. I know that my skin is prone to scar so I don't know if this is just part of the healing process or if they are getting infected. I wish my Dr didn't use staples, but there is nothing I can do now. It is one of those questions I didn't think to ask prior to surgery. Thanks Wendy

I was banded Monday too and my gas has finally left me. I'll tell you thanks to this forum I knew what the pain was. It never felt like any gas I ever had. More like a whole body ache. Today is the first day I feel good. I actually ventured out the Walmart and the Market. I'll tell you I was expecting something much different when it came to the pain. I had 2 c sections and neither one compared to the pain I had post opp. My doctor says I have a low theshold for pain and that he doesn't ever prescribe pain meds for this procedure. Well I got them, took them one time, got sick and never took them again. I am so glad I am through with that. I could dance I feel so much better. The heating pad, rocking in a chair and walking all got rid of the gas in a couple of days for me. Good luck Wendy

Ok, so I just bought some salt watchers Soup at the market and I was wondering if I seasoned it with a tiny bit of sea salt if it would defeat the purpose. A little sea salt does goes a long way. Does anyone use it to cook with and do you notice the same Water retention side effects as with regular salt and sodium? I am still on my pre-op diet and trying different things to see what will fly after surgery. You guys have been great. I have tried several of your liquid recipes and they have been yummy!!! (not ice cream sundea yummy, but you can't have everything) Thanks Wendy

Slimfast does have a low carb option that has more Protein than their high protein. It has 20grams of protein and 2 g net carbs. It is not so bad tasting and easy to find in the stores. I compared the ingredients to the Atkins and they are very simular. Good Luck, Wendy

Being from New England we have a huge selection of white fish. My favorites are Haddock and Cod. I am not a big fish fan, but it is good for you. I usually rub it down with melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle it with Good Seasons salad dressing pack mix. I like the Ranch and parmasan cesar. One packet can be saved and used for several meals. Some times I use it on chicken too. I broil the fish for about 7 minutes on each side or until flaky and white. it is very good mixed with cooked veggies.

I have the same problem with artificial sweetners so I went to GNC to ask if any come without. They gave me some unflavored whey Protein. I have to tell you YUCK!! Needless to say I returned it and found one called 100% Natural whey protein at GNC. They have chocolate and vanilla. I bought the vanilla and while not great tasting, it was good. It is sweetened with stevia which I can tolerate . It is all natural and comes from a plant. I currently use stevia in my coffee and know that I can tolerate it. I also know that kashi has a Protein shake that uses no artificial sweetners it is on CVS.com I have not tried it yet, but if you are a carb counter, I think the carbs might be higher that others. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. As a person who is always looking to avoid artificials sweetners, but a life long dieter, I have tried almost everything out there. Wendy

Hi Mary Rose, I have Tufts and didn't have to lose any weight before they would submit my paper work. I have my date 3/19 and submitted all my paper work and had my approval by 1/12. I heard on the news that Tufts was changing their policy. Is it your Dr's office that makes you lose the weight before you can submit your paper work? I don't think it is Tufts. Wendy

I have been watching my carbs and eating a lot of Protein. I can not stand the taste in my mouth from the protein. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of it. Any natural remedies or anything besides eating carbs. I know when I am post op and have to stay on the Protein shakes it will be every worse and drive me nuts. I brush my teeth, eat sf mints, nothing seems to help. Please help before I end up in the looney bin. Thanks Wendy:help:

How do they determine what size band to use? Is one size better that another? I haven't had a chance to ask my doctor which one will be used on me. Thanks Wendy

I am being banded on March 19. I can't wait. I have had my insurance approval since 1/12 but my doctor is so busy, he is booking in March. I know some people get their dates within weeks. I guess it will be nice to be banded in the Spring because the weather will be nicer to get out and walk. I'm freezing up here in MA. Burrrrr Thanks Wendy <!-- / message -->

For those of you that do Low Carb, Do you figure the total carbs in a product or net carbs. I know that the net carbs= carbs - the Fiber & sugar alcohol, but I find if I eat something that has carbs but low net carbs, I don't get the low carb benefit. Like I am still craving carbs and don't seem to lose the weight the same as if I was doing total carbs. What do you think? Thanks Wendy

I live in northern MA but near the coast. I live in Merrimac which is near Amesbury, Salisbury, Seabrook NH. I am having surgery on 3/19. I hope your consult goes well. Good Luck Wendy

I should clarify about the psyc evaluation. I am not so sure that all the evals are so quick. I just know mine was. I was being nosey in the waiting room and the woman in front of me who was there for the same reason as me had to come back for several visits. I remember thinking that this was going to be a pain, but he asked me some questions and that was it. I was approved for 10 visits through me insurance if needed, but I guess I didn't need them. They can't help those that are nosey I guess. HA HA Tracy, I am from Northern MA. I'm freezing Here burrrrr!!!!

When I was looking for a psych eval, I called some local Dr.'s and they couldn't be bothered to help me, so I called My surgeon's office and they had 2 or 3 they work with. It was a piece of cake. As soon as they heard who was doing the surgery, the psych asked me like 10 questions and wrote his report while I waited. What a difference. Same with the nutritional consult. I called 2 others and they were totally against WLS and didn't want anything to do with the evaluation. I went to the Nutritionist they recommended and poof!!! Eval sent the next day. Insurance approval 2 days later. Yee Hawww!!! I would call your surgeon. It was a hugh difference. Wendy