melzie_99

My weight has been on a roller coaster this week; luckily I'm only officially up .4 but I'm disappointed I didn't lose any. I really need to step my game up....

Honestly, I don't remember anyone asking me if I actually use my CPAP; they did, however, tell me to bring it with me to the hospital. I know the mask is hard to adjust to in the beginning; I always felt like I was going to suffocate. Now it's hard to sleep without it and I feel so much better in the morning when I use it. I know you don't want to hear "just wear the mask", but I have to tell you it really does help. My biggest motivator to use it on a regular basis was a patient of mine telling me about a friend of hers that died in her sleep from sleep apnea who didn't use her CPAP. Scared the snot out of me and now I don't even like taking naps without it, nevertheless going to bed for the night without wearing it...

I've had that issue ever since surgery; problem is, it feels so good to let it out! LOL. At any rate, my dr's nurse told me that we have a tendency to swallow a lot of air when we eat and drink, especially if we don't do it slowly. I'm assuming the band traps a lot of it, hence the gas. She told me slowing down will help but that it'll probably always be there. Believe you me, I live off of Gas-X, so you're not alone on that one. Do what you need to do to be comfortable...

Had my 2nd fill this week as well and was only given 1cc, giving me a total of about 5 in the band. It was definately tight enough that I had my first stuck experience (which was AWFUL). Don't know how much of a difference it will make, but it's the first time I actually feel 'restricted' if you will. There's no standard fill amount, so I think it's safer to take it slow and work your way up. I know it's frustrating, especially if you're self pay, but from reading about the experiences of others I think it's worth it in the end...

I've been 'put under' 3 times now for various surgeries; yes, there's always a risk but I wouldn't worry too much. From my experience they inject a drug in your IV to make you sleepy and I'm always out within 30 seconds. Next thing you know you're in recovery. No dreaming; just fall asleep in one spot and wake up in another. I would continue to work on cutting out the smoking; I'm sure your dr has all ready recommended that you to. If you get too nervous beforehand they normally will offer you something to help you relax before you go in for surgery. Just focus on the positive; you'll be fine!

I have to pat everyone on the back who has been comfortable with sharing their decision for surgery openly; only one person outside of my immediate family knows about mine and her dad had it done so it was no big deal to her. I know a LOT of judgemental people (had one "friend" who told me if I really wanted to lose weight I should get off my butt and join a Biggest Loser program or something; she had no clue I was thinking about the band and probably never will) and have no desire to share my decision with them. I haven't lost a lot yet but am proud to say I'm 40lbs lighter than I was this time last year and that's due to hard work, not some "easy way out". We still have to work our butts off even WITH the band, and for people to suggest otherwise infuriates me. Sure, sometimes I ask myself why I went this route when I see shows like 'Heavy' where people lose a bunch of weight without surgery, but you know what? I know me and I know I made the best decision for myself. At the end of the day we have to live for ourselves and do what is best for us.

I finally had my first stuck episode last night, and it was as horrible as you all have described. I got my 2nd fill a few days ago and apparently I can no longer eat bread now; I felt like I was choking and then the sliming started. Tried walking around gave me the hiccups; hands over the head made me burp but it still wouldn't come out. After about 5-10 minutes I finally threw up and felt SO MUCH BETTER. Needless to say the dogs got the rest of my bread lol. I'm assuming my best best is to go on soft foods for a few days again now?

Was doing well last week until my dr started me on a new BC pill; been gaining weight ever since. NOT HAPPY!! (However, it IS that time so maybe that's the problem...)Going in for my second fill in a few hours (dr still seems to think I should only be able to eat 1/2c of food at a time...*sigh*). Think I'm only down .4 this week officially, but I guess it's better than a gain...

You know, honestly, it's one of those weird things: for me, for a few weeks after surgery it would literally take me hours to be able to drink 8 oz of anything, especially the shakes. Now it's almost 3 months later and even though they say shakes and other liquids are "sliders", I can get quite full rather quickly from drinking. I've always been someone who feels full if I have too much to drink, and that hasn't changed since surgery. I actually prefer to keep my protein shakes as part of my diet as opposed to eating solid proteins more often because sometimes I'm just not hungry but I can mix some protein powder in a drink and get fluids and protein at the same time, you know? I certainly wouldn't suggest forcing yourself to drink more than what feel comfortable; there's a lot your body is trying to adjust to after surgery and it will get better as you heal.

I'm no doctor but I guess the pain is the bigger concern than the swelling. I have a bulge in my lower abdomen everyday since surgery right where my port is. According to my dr, the port sits on or close to the intestines so whenever there's any gas passing through it causes swelling. It does cause discomfort if it bulges a lot or I mess with it; maybe you're dealing with something similar? That being said, you already said you're getting tested, which is good. I really think chances are your symptoms are band related and not a sign of some major ailment. Just keep doing what you're doing by keeping in touch with you dr; better safe than sorry. I wish you well no matter what!

Not 100% certain why self pay is so much cheaper, but like mentioned earlier, hospitals have a tendency to inflate prices for insurance companies because they know they're not going to get back 100% of the charges. I think my insurance company only paid about 50% if even that much. That being said, unless you're required to pay a portion of your insurance balance, I guess I wouldn't worry too much about it; after all, isn't that what insurance is for?

Technically I guess it can but I wouldn't recommend it. I use the unflavored type all the time and mix it with Crystal Light; it kind of has an almost Gelatin like taste (IMO) that I think would be untolerable unless mixed with something. The flavored ones I've tried with coffee but never just plain old water; don't think it would taste very good.

My doctor said yes you should feel restriction immediately after a fill, but because your body has to adjust to it sometimes it can be a few weeks before everything settles down. I've only had one fill so far and was tight for the first day, then felt absolutely nothing for about 2 weeks. it was week 3 before I really noticed a difference and now 5 weeks later I'm finally starting to get full a lot faster than in the past. I don't know why it takes time. but it seems to be a common occurance...

Having the same problem; I believe I have about 4cc's right now and the only time I really feel restriction is when I first wake up. I have never had any trouble eating anything and most of the time have to stop myself from eating as opposed to actually feeling satisfied. I have only found a handful of foods where I feel full after eating a few bites. I'm thinking about going in for another fill but am really trying to step up the exercise and make more efforts on my own to try and lose the weight. I have never PB'ed or slimed (which is good), but I really feel like it would make life a lot easier avoiding my temptations if I wasn't physically able to eat them as opposed to telling myself no....

Wish mine were more regular; I've been having a "period" every 1-2 weeks since surgery, normally last 1-4 days. Finally saw an OB/GYN and she told me this will continue until my weight loss stabilizes because fat contains estrogen and the more you lose, the more is free floating in your system hence messing up your cycle. The only option she had was getting an IUD which I refused since I've never been pregnant and don't want an implant. And since I don't intend to stop losing weight anytime soon (I still have a LONG way to go to goal), I guess I'll just have to suck it up and deal with it. *sigh*

I went for the first time last week and just about died...lol. Proud to say I made it the whole hour and had more energy than girls half my size (biggest person in class unfortunately). My body hurt for days but I can't wait to go back tomorrow; I even rescheduled a date with the hubby just to make sure I have time to get to class. Hoping this will be the breakthrough I need to get excited about exercise again...

I have to admit that happened to me too for awhile; I think it was due to dehydration. Since I've been upping my fluids I don't have the problem anymore. However, if it smells funny or even just concerns you more than it should I wouldn't hesitate to mention it to your dr (even the surgeon might know what's up). Hope that helps...

Stock up on Gas-X; I'm a couple months post surgery and still have to take it on an almost daily basis. The first few days/weeks of gas are awful, I know; hurt more than surgery in my opinion. Make sure though it's really just gas pain and not something else; if you begin to have trouble breathing or any severe pain make sure to see your doctor right away. We've had a few people on here end up with pulmonary embollisms they thought were just gas, so always make sure to follow up if something doesn't feel right.

I'm the same way, Vicky; I weigh in daily just to see how my weight is doing and make adjustments accordingly, but only record my weight once a week. I know a lot of people think daily weigh ins are a bit obsessive but sometimes I need that reminder, especially if I ate something the day before I know I shouldn't have...

Been having the same problem for months now; I'm not sliming but I'm constantly nauseous. Saline rinses seem to help in the short term, but I've had to resort to using some of the anti-nausea meds I got after surgery on more than one ocassion it gets so bad. Benedryl does seem to work but it knocks me out; guess I'll have to step it up with the nose washes...sorry to hear you're dealing with the same yuckiness.

This post is making me feel SO much better; I'm also a January bandster and I have only lost about 24lbs, which is really disappointing to me. I've only had one fill and it seems to have done little to nothing as far as I'm concerned. I have no problem eating ANYTHING, so it's been mostly willpower keeping me from gaining. This whole 1/2c of food every 4 hours is DEFINITELY not happening for me. I'm trying to hold off on getting another fill because I haven't been doing everything in my power to try to lose weight on my own. Trying to step up the exercise and get in more protein, and then if I'm still stalled then I guess I'll go back. *sigh* Thanks for this post, Renee; I don't feel like such a loser anymore.

Oh, and if you click on the individual claim, it will tell you specifically who and what the charge was for...

I would follow up with Tricare on this; I have Prime as well as was covered 100%. As long as the provider was someone in the Tricare network, I don't see why you would owe anything (unless you've exceeded your yearly cap, I don't know what happens then...). In the meantime, I agree with everyone else: until you receive a letter from Tricare stating "This is a bill" then I would let them work out everything....

Posted on wrong board; oopsy...

I can understand your annoyance. I think in my case, however, I get a bit frustrated about the question only because I thought I would've lost more by now that I have. I've never really been a numbers person when it comes to my weight until now (more concerned about size) as I've always weighed more than people my same size. I've become more focused on my NSV's, like being able to sit comfortably in a seat on the plane and not be squished or being able to keep up with my thin sister who speed walks everywhere without needing to whip out my inhalor (lol). I think most people mean well when they ask, but yes, there are always those few who are just there to try to steal your sunshine. I think as long as we remember this is a journey we are doing for ourselves and not others we will be just fine. Good luck to you all!