Marchies In April

[Success in lapband 0]

Momlambert:

Tell me what is going on with your Dad at this point. How are his spirits? Have you still been able to "not tell your family" about the lapband?

[tammyj 15]

I HAVE THE SMALLER BAND!!! I felt immediate fear when I found that out yesterday at my first fill! I assumed I had the larger band because when I left the hospital after surgery they gave me an information packet from Inamed with a VG sticker on it. It seems most of the problems I hear about on this board and in my support group are from those that have the smaller band. I also have this phobia about being too tight. My doctor told me that the VG band is usually used for men or women with higher BMI's. He also said that if he had given me the larger band it may take filling the band to capacity for me to even feel good restriction because my stomach is smaller. I guess that makes sense...in a way.... Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it now. It's in there!!!

Anyhow, I was given 1.5cc in my 4cc band. He filled it to 2cc and then asked me drink about a half cup of Water, but I could feel the water up in my throat so he took out .5cc, had me drink some more and the water went down fine. He used a mini ultrasound machine to find my port, gave me the numbing shot which was a little uncomfortable, and then he inserted the needle into my port to fill my band which I didn't feel at all. The funny thing is I never laid down. He did everything as I stood up in front of him. I am scheduled to go back in 2 weeks on the 30th for another fill if needed.

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I needed to hear them! I was in a state of shock when I first cut it all off. I feel better about it now!

Have a Great Day Ya'll!!!

[JackSpratsWife 0]

TammyJ,

Be glad that you have the smaller port, besides the obvious that your stomach wasn't that big to begin with, my doctor told me that there is a flater port that fits small one. So when you get skinnier you will be better off!

[Hazelbunny 0]

I HAVE THE SMALLER BAND!!!

I have the smaller band also. Despite my high BMI the surgeon said that I had very little fat around my organs so the big band would have made it hard to get adequate restriction.

By the way - love your TWA! I can't wait to see the twists when it gets longer.

[kyethra 0]

I'm glad you've gotten restriction tammy and also the rest of you who are getting fills! How exciting!

I don't know what size band I have-- I suspect smaller based on my degree of restriction immediately post op. But I have no idea! If/when I ever get a fill I'll have to ask about that. Right now my weight loss is cruising along though. I weighed myself today and I reached my first mini goal. Whoo hoo! Almost fourty pounds down too. I was saying to DH last night that I've never lost this much before. A few years ago I lost 30 pounds (actually that was down from about where I am at now) and managed to keep it off for a year. Other than that, forget about it! Once I start excercising I am sure that will help even more.

[momlambert 77]

Momlambert:

 

Tell me what is going on with your Dad at this point. How are his spirits? Have you still been able to "not tell your family" about the lapband?

 

Thanks for asking, Pam. How sweet.

 

Dad is doing wonderfully well the last two days. Ten days ago we thought the cancer had obstructed his colon but then Hospice was able to give him some steriods (for comfort, not cure) and it reduced the swelling enough that he felt better. That lasted a few days and then the obstruction again, it seemed. Milk of Magnesia, etc. seemed to push things through (not a pleasant experience for Mom to clean up after, however). But yesterday he was able to have a very normal, unassisted BM and has been eating a lot, feeling great, ready to go for rides in the car, and driving my mother crazy. So, I guess things are good!

 

My oldest daughter is coming in on Thursday for a few days to see him, another daughter and her husband are coming in 3 weeks, and another daughter with her two little boys are coming a few days after that. To me, it looks like they are all going to get to see Grandpa in good shape! Unfortunately, the daughter who is the closest to him was here during the blockage and could hardly visit with him but they both know she was there.

 

Of course, the roller coaster will probably take many turns and ups and downs but for now...well, we are very grateful!

 

No, I haven't had to confess about the surgery. I'm still on mushies and so just tell my mom that it's because of the sugery I had (she knows I had a hiatal hernia repaired) so all is well there. Honestly, this is the best for everyone. My kids all know and one of my sisters along with DH so I have a great support system without the negativity I would get from others. Someday, maybe. But for now, I'm happy with no one else knowing.

 

Hope you are doing well. I so appreciate your support and the support of everyone on the board--it's so wonderful to have such great friends from afar. Much love, Karen

[JosieK 120]

hi everyone,

checking in. i just got back from NY. i had to attend my friend's fathers funeral...noreaster' and all.

i am having a BIG problem eating anything.:help: i'm worried something may be wrong. i went to see my doctor last week as i was having severe pain in my left shoulder while i ate.

he said i had a pretty big hernia that he fixed during my surgery. he was surprised i didnt have reflux.

so my stomach needs to recover both the band and the hernia.

now i cant get food down my esophogus. so i'm living on Protein Shakes and sugar free ice. i can eat small amts of cheese but i dont want to eat it due to the high fat/calorie count.

does anyone else have this issue?

[Nikki 0]

I'm wondering about the fills?

I had my surgery on March 5.

I went in for my 2nd post op appointment last Thursday and was expecting a fill. Doc says "nope" not because I'm feeling too restricted or anything but becasue they "typically don't do fills until after 90 days".

He says that it is so that I can get used to having the band in, but I suspect that it is more of an in$urance i$$ue.

I know that my insurance says that he is covered for all procedures for 90 days and pays a certain amount. He cannot put in another claim for 90 days. Anyone else having this experience? Any feedback would be appreciated.

By the way - I DO NOT want to bash my doc - he has been great and so has his staff, I would defeinetly reccomend him. But thisthing with the fills is eating me? (pun intended) LOL

[Medge 0]

Ooh Nikki, I thought I had it bad with having to wait 8 weeks and being told the Dr. refuses to budge on this....90 days seems so long. I feel for you girl. I'm hungry all the time too and just know I'll be gaining some of what I've already lost back while I wait for the end of May to get here. :-(

[Sugarbear 2]

Ihave to wait 6 weeks inbetween fills. Just the rules of my doc. I would really like to get one sooner too. I had one two weeks ago today. I have the medium size band, 10cm. I think I got 1.7cc's fill. I don't have any restriction at this time. I hope the next one works better.

Congrats Tammy on your fill. I think you will be happy with the smaller band. I think you will be more successful achieving your "sweet spot" in a shorter period of time than those of us with a larger band. I love your look with the shorter hair. It looks so cute on you I don't think I would let it grow out. It is so "chic." Maybe I will do something drastic when I lose some serious weight.

Tracy, it won't be long now. You don't look very heavy in your picture. My face shows every ounce of my weight. I just know you will do well. Sounds like the pre-op diet is going well. Hang in there!

[Sugarbear 2]

I'm wondering about the fills?

I had my surgery on March 5.

I went in for my 2nd post op appointment last Thursday and was expecting a fill. Doc says "nope" not because I'm feeling too restricted or anything but becasue they "typically don't do fills until after 90 days".

He says that it is so that I can get used to having the band in, but I suspect that it is more of an in$urance i$$ue.

I know that my insurance says that he is covered for all procedures for 90 days and pays a certain amount. He cannot put in another claim for 90 days. Anyone else having this experience? Any feedback would be appreciated.

By the way - I DO NOT want to bash my doc - he has been great and so has his staff, I would defeinetly reccomend him. But thisthing with the fills is eating me? (pun intended) LOL

Usually my doc gives the first fill at about 6 weeks. I got mine at four for some reason. Small amount. She will not do another before another six weeks. Never heard of 90 days. Maybe it is your insurance.

[Sugarbear 2]

Momlambert, just wondering how things are with your dad. I know that must be hard. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. Please don't forget to take care of yourself through all of this. You have to take care now for the long term success. I hope you dad is doing as well as he can for the situation he is in. You know we are all here for you. I have lost both of my parents, I think I know a little bit of what you are going through. Take care.

[momlambert 77]

Momlambert, just wondering how things are with your dad. I know that must be hard. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers. Please don't forget to take care of yourself through all of this. You have to take care now for the long term success. I hope you dad is doing as well as he can for the situation he is in. You know we are all here for you. I have lost both of my parents, I think I know a little bit of what you are going through. Take care.

 

Thanks, Sugarbear. I wrote a pretty detailed post on this page a few posts up--maybe you saw it. Yes, it is hard. I certainly appreciate your prayers and I know Dad does, too. He tells us, "When the Good Lord calls me home, I'm ready to go!" He's got a great attitude.

 

We are doing quite well--right now it's easy because he's like he was a month ago when we didn't know he was so sick! Then we had the scare a few weeks ago where we thought we only had a matter of days with him and that has put us all on edge--but I really think it helped us face reality and prepare us for what is to come. I have to remember to visit him now and every chance I get because that horrible day a few weeks ago will repeat itself unannounced at any given time.

 

I am trying to take care of myself and my precious band but in the grand scheme of things, it's not the highest priority. But I'm still on mushies and that probably makes it easier for me now--my choices are pretty cut and dry (actually, not cut and dry at all but very wet and, well, mushy).

 

I'm sorry for the loss of your parents--I've been blessed to have them with me all of my life and I'm so grateful for that. Thanks for your kindness and prayers, Karen

[Hazelbunny 0]

hi everyone,

i am having a BIG problem eating anything.:help: i'm worried something may be wrong. i went to see my doctor last week as i was having severe pain in my left shoulder while i ate.

 

he said i had a pretty big hernia that he fixed during my surgery. he was surprised i didnt have reflux.

so my stomach needs to recover both the band and the hernia.

 

does anyone else have this issue?

 

I have no idea - have you called spivak's office? Hope you feel better soon.

[LoriPA 4]

YAY, FOOD!

 

Had some whole wheat toast with natural Peanut Butter. YUM! Good to be able to eat 'normal' (well mostly normal) stuff again!

 

Tomorrow, I will try to weigh myself and see if I made any more progress. I can't believe it's been four weeks since surgery already!