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My Band is on the right side about 3 inches under my breast. When I lay on my back it shows. Only my three best friends know I had this done and the boyfriend I live with doesn't even know... I'm scared he will feel it when we make love.. Besides it showing when I am laying down, It kinda feels like a bruise and is tender when I am sitting... My Surgery was on 04Dec09... Will things get better? I see the surgeon tomorrow for my first fill and will report back what he thinks when I ask him these questions...

I am 4 weeks post- op,cleared for just about any foods and I eat salsa all the time! It's great on eggs or beans!!!

Yeah, have your surgeon remove it. It should have been removed the week after your surgery. I had the same thing. Its usually if one incision site won't stop bleeding with just the surgical glue.

Surgery was supposed to be this coming Tuesday and the dreaded phone call came today. Postponed till July 28th due to insurance complications. My whole life was rearranged for this week. I had dog boarding booked, my mom was in town from out of state, significant other got off of work and I had a substitute teacher booked for work. Ugh!

My biggest regret is thinking that I could do this all on my own, with just diet and exercise! What a waste of years that I could have been already where I needed to be, but life is what it is, I suppose. I finally took a leap and started looking into the Lap Band this March. Attended a seminar in April 2007 and did plenty of research online. Finding this site has been the biggest source of all things Lap Band and I can't express enough gratitude for all those who post on here, both the good and the bad. After viewing a variety of different posts and links here, I feel like I could be the most informed person to have this surgery. My surgery date was originally July 11th, but was pushed back to July 31st because I couldn't get my sleep test done in the time allotted, but was able to get it done on July 8th, so I'm just waiting for those results now. Hopefully by the end of this week (July 20th).

My biggest regret is thinking that I could do this all on my own, with just diet and exercise! What a waste of years that I could have been already where I needed to be, but life is what it is, I suppose. I finally took a leap and started looking into the Lap Band this March. Attended a seminar in April 2007 and did plenty of research online. Finding this site has been the biggest source of all things Lap Band and I can't express enough gratitude for all those who post on here, both the good and the bad. After viewing a variety of different posts and links here, I feel like I could be the most informed person to have this surgery. My surgery date was originally July 11th, but was pushed back to July 31st because I couldn't get my sleep test done in the time allotted, but was able to get it done on July 8th, so I'm just waiting for those results now. Hopefully by the end of this week (July 20th).

:sad:Help! I'm 1 and 1/2 weeks post op and at my 1 week appt I had lost 7lbs--but now I have gained two!! I don't feel as much restriction, and I have added things like guacamole to my clear soups for a little more nutrition. I'm still hungry between meals, but I am not snacking between meals. What is going on? I'm eating so much less than I was before.

Just a thought: If you are only a week and a half post op, the swelling around the band is probably starting to go down a bit. Since the swelling is going down it is easier for your food/liquids to go through your band, which is why you are hungry between your meals. It is perfectly normal. I went through this same problem. Just eat healthy and follow your diet and this will pass. When you start getting your fills things will get much better. Best of luck to you!

Don't compare yourself with anyone else. Some people have dramatic weight loses and some do a gradual, slow, but steady weight loss. It's barely been 2 weeks. Relax. Your doctor will tell you if you are doing something wrong.

I took three pen and paper tests -- 600 items. I passed, apparently because I am not suicidal.

I agree the ba were horrible I wasted a lot of money on them. I buy gummies at walmart along with my other vit I get the caltrate chewables for cal, chewables multi throw the ba away HORRIBLE I could kick myself for purchasing them. Oh well lessons learned three months my levels r fine.

I was on pain meds for about two weeks. Then I saw my Dr. and because of everything that I had done, he said wait another 2 weeks, and then go back to work. So I listened, I walked allot for that first week, and did light housework to help work my way up. If I got tired !! :and I did" I took a breather, then either back to work or not if it was to much. :you will know buy how you feel" Every day got better, and better. Then I returned to work.

Usually, walking is permitted, Actully, walking is recommened to rid yourself of gas! I am not sure that walking the length of a movie will be okay the 1st few weeks, tho'. You will probably have to take it slowly for a while. As far as healing, you may take a longer while if he has to fix a hernia. Ask your surgeon any questions concerning healing, out of work, etc. Good luck on you journey to a "new" you. Karen

It is now day 10 for me and the shoulder pain in minimal, gas pain is gone as long as I walk right after I drink, I finally burped like a big dog, and went #2 twice this week, Oh it really doesn't take much.... I went fishing with my dad today and worked yesterday, Oh still no food but can finally drink more than 6 oz of Water at a time.... Oh it doesn't take much:thumbup::biggrin:

By the time you get to this point...you will have already had to go on the liquid diet for at least a week before the surgery. That was hell. I realized just how out of control my eating habits were and it did mature me to realize, hey, i don't need to be stuffing my face with junk all the time. I got depressed, I got upset, I took it out on everyone. I drank CONSTANTLY during my pre op diet so I was never hungry, and it worked, so keep something with you all the time. I'm post op day5 and struggling some. My docotor's instructions allow me to have foods with a little more substance like milkshakes, smoothies, cream Soups for the next 10 days. Unfourtunatley all I really WANT is pizza so nothing really appeals to me, but that's why I"m here in the first place. It will be hard not to move on to mushy foods just yet but you can DO it. You can do the liquid diet at first because you see a light at the end of the tunnell. You can do it post op because you don't want to mess up your band. Just keep in touch with your doctor. My biggest problem was feeling hungry but I've figured out what works for me and it's fine.

Best of luck. Hope things are going well a few weeks out.

I was banded on the 26th of Dec. I just ate 1 oz of salmon chewed really well. The lit. from my doc. says soups but in the Band book from the doc it says when you start on your 3rd week you can have pureed (wrong spelling) fish and chicken. Did I mess up? I feel ok.:speechles

Banded 2/25/2010 :blushing: Ok, I have done my two week liquids and all has gone well... I'm starting week 3 and I noticed I did not have a food plan for week 3, so I call the doctors office. I was told not to start anything new until I have my first post op doctors visit which is next week. This was a problem... I was told don't eat chicken... Too late I ate chicken (Boston Market) I was told don't eat tuna... Too late I ate tuna (Canned) I was told don't eat chili... Too late I ate chili (Wendy's) I did not mean to do these things, but I thought I had a green light for week 3 as long as I was eating soft foods and chewed very well. My observations and experience: Pay attention to what you eat and how you eat it. While eating and being distracted, I ate too fast and got some food stuck (Poor chewing). Eat very slowly at every meal. If you eat too fast you don't allow your body to tell you its full and that's a very important sign to learn. Being too full will also feel like food is stuck. Wait before drinking when you feel full. Depending on what you eat, if you drink it might be painful if the Water is block due to food being processed thru your LAP-BAND®. This is the same pain as food getting stuck. Get your Protein. When your body is lacking protein and you are doing lots of activity, you body can not burn fat as fast as your using it and you will feel tired and listless. Be weary of being comfortable with certain foods. Even if you have eaten something before and all went well, the next time it might not. I had that experience with hard-boiled eggs. One day all went well and the next morning with the same routine all did not go well. Have a healthy respect for what you eat and use some common sense (I speak from experience lol). Understand the difference between cravings and hunger. These are different feelings and I notice that I may still crave things (which is normal) even though I'm not hungry. I have had to learn this and not mix the signals. Everyone is different. What works for some may not work for others such as breads, Pasta etc... Some folks can do salads and some cant, some can do steaks and some cant. You will discover this through trial and error, but don't be scared or discouraged, its just part of the process of re-adjusting your diet. I have come to realize how important food was in my life and today its just a source of nutrition. I admire the folks who took the steps to get the surgery done because it's a life altering event and that take a lot of courage. I have found this forum to be educational, encouraging and very supportive. I'm glad to be part of this group and I will try to give as much as I have received from this forum.

I have had the Realize band for 6 weeks and no problem also. My surgeon likes them better, something to do with less complications. However she still uses the Lap Band on very large men (it comes in 14cc?) if they need that size. No problems with mine.

Went to see my surgeon today, everything was ok, I have another week of liquid diet and then to solids, no smuchies for me ...from liquid to solid as per his own words. So the schedule for my fill is November right after my Birthday...so excited, I will be able to enjoy my night out with my sister and girlfriends in Atlantic City, NJ! It seems all the healing meditation worked... Keep positive, fill your life with love, harmony and peace!

I’m one week out from surgery and my husband and best friend are making menhavwbsecond thoughts. They have no idea they both agree. My husband says I’ve had enough surgeries during my lifetime from car accidents and complications post car accident. I’ve also have a history of sepsis (infection) every time I get opens up for surgery. He know what I went through with all that.ni think he’s just afraid of what could happen or me not pulling through this time ans my friend said likewise. I really and and nee this surgery but now I feel like I’m second guessing myself. My initial plan was to have the sleev but the doctor takes me into duodenal switch because it’s less likely for weight gain. I agreed but also has second thoughts about that particular lad surgery just because of all the additional nutrients you malabsorption va the other surgeries. In my head I was also think duodenal would allow me to lose weight faster than the sleeve. Then again i don’t want to loose too much I don’t want to be looking too skinny from excessive weight lost from duodenal (CW 232 GW 150-160). Although not reversible the sleeve is less invasive and not switching around parts. Then again I’ve had a gastric ballon (obera ballon) and maybe lost 10 pound at most so that was also my reasoning for wanting duodenal switch more aggressive than sleeve as to me the obera balloonMimics restriction just like sleeve but it’s temporary. As you can see I’m a week out from surgery and all over the place. HELP!!! Has anyone that is slightly obese or obese who has extremely hard time losing weight even with diet or excercise had success from the sleeve? How fast did you lose weight?

I have Anthem BC/BS administered by Health Comp and began the 6 month approval ordeal at the end of January. My surgeon mentioned when I first met him that he has a good relationship with Health Comp and would try to submit after 3 months for approval. Well he submitted after 8 weeks (after seeing him 3x, the Nut 3x, and the psych eval), and a week later (today) I got word that I'm approved! Not only that, but my surgery is scheduled for this coming Monday, April 4. Sweet!!! I was debating between getting the sleeve or the plication, but in the end opted for the sleeve. So I'm quickly ordering my Vitamins, vita-mix blender, and Protein powders. Hopefully the operation and recovery will go well. I can really only take a week off work so I'm a little worried about that, but we'll see. - ken

I went to Mexico and had it done then three months later went to my doctor (she was a new doctor for me) and told her I had WLS. She did some blood tests, took my vitals and checked my incision sites.. Then she said all looks great and that I should just keep doing whatever I've been doing. Easy peasy.

6 weeks before I was allowed to do anything other than walk.

I'm three days post-op and the pain from the surgery gas is starting to wane somewhat. I have a wife and a son who have been more than supportive and who'd like to see me hang around a few more years. My family health history and my many past failures from one diet to the next led me where I am today. I felt the right decision was made and I've lost about half of what I needed to lose to get to where I looked and felt my healthiest. I hope everyone reaches that point in their personal lives. Pray for me and I'll do the same for you. John