Alexandra

Hi Sensy, You are not the first one to report that phenomenon. I don't know the answer, but one theory is that as the day goes on gravity works on our internal organs and Fluid leaves the area, making the stoma a bit larger. I don't know. Another theory holds that it's a vicious cycle, too, since as you eat in the evening you are actually creating more tightness the next morning. (The theory is that if there's any food in the pouch when you go to bed, it creates irritation which can create swelling, etc.) Which means you can't eat in the morning of the next day, which means that by nighttime you're even hungrier than you would have been. Someone suggested really trying to alter that dynamic and I found that it really did help. Try to not eat for a couple of hours before bed. Then do what you can to eat Breakfast and lunch. Have Snacks during the day and really try to spread your calories out evenly--not making dinner your biggest meal of the day. After a couple of days you may break the cycle and find that you don't get that wide-open feeling in the evening. Good luck!!

Kathy, you get three stars!! That's an excellent answer. Phyllis, restriction is a function of both the amount of saline in the band and the thickness of your stomach tissue. That's why even an empty band can exert substantial restriction on some people and none at all on others. And why some people are good at 3.7 and others are fine at 1.5 cc. There's just no uniformity to it. Your 2ccs didn't fill your band, what it did was close your stoma. As you lose weight you will lose internal fat as well, and the internal dynamics will change. That's why you may need more fill as time goes on. For the time being, you've found a good level of restriction and that's all that really matters!

Laura, we all wondered whether we'll be able to feel the band after its put in! Claustrophobic or not, that's a perfectly normal thing to ask. And the answer is no, you cannot feel the band itself around your stomach. It only makes itself known by its effects, by how you feel when you eat too fast, too much, or take too-large bites.

Carnivale looks like Twin Peaks in a circus setting. Ever since Twin Peaks went off the air I've been trying to recreate that transcendent television experience, with very little luck. Deadwood looks amazing, too--I really love Westerns when they're done well. Six Feet Under hasn't grabbed my attenion, but hey, I'm open. Looks like I'll have lots to do in retirement!

We talk about this in our support group from time to time. My doctors' practice doesn't recommend endoscopy testing unless there's some other indication of a problem. They do fills under fluoroscopy with a barium swallow, though, so they always have a very good idea of how things are with our bands. Erosion is very uncommon, goes the thinking, so having a relatively invasive and expensive test annually for something that happens to only 3% of patients is not good use of medical resources. But it's ALWAYS a good idea to stay in close touch with your aftercare doc even after you're through the first year (during which you will presumably have regular post-op checkups, fills, and so on). As time goes on you'll learn how your band feels, its patterns with regard to your bodily functions (does it get tighter during that time of the month? the day after a very salty meal?), and how you can eat/tolerate what sorts of foods. If you're paying close attention if/when there are any changes you'll be that much more aware of them. And IF there are any changes you should get in touch with your doctor for testing. If I didn't have the barium test done each time I had a fill, I'd probably want one annually or so. Looking at the band via fluoro can tell the doctor a lot about its condition, and yours.

Glad to hear things went smoothly.

Norma, thanks for letting us know how it went! I was thinking of you today. Isn't that interesting that you had hunger pangs and didn't recognize them? Perhaps, pre-band, you didn't allow your stomach to get so empty between meals. I always say that hunger is a new bandster's worst enemy--and I'm really glad to hear your doctor tell you to eat when you're hungry. It's happening in the middle of the night because your dinner is probably a lot smaller than it used to be, and there's 12 hours between dinner and breakfast! It's not surprising that you'd get hungry. (The real question is, why aren't you asleep?) When I was nursing my daughter I'd get up in the middle of the night with major hunger attacks. Nutrigrain Cereal bars were my salvation, for some reason. Yes, with your first fill it's very possible you won't feel any difference with liquids, and you may not even feel much difference with solids. But you should give it more than a couple of days before calling for more fill. It usually takes my fills three or four weeks to "kick in" and you might want to see if that happens to you. Anyway, I'm so glad to know things are OK with your band. We've all felt buyer's remorse, but it goes away with time and with weight loss.

Both of those shows look SO GOOD to me. I don't have HBO, though, and really can't justify the expense since I watch very little TV these days. I'm making a list of shows to add to my DVD library for my retirement, and these are TOTALLY on it.

Congratulations and welcome to bandland!! :D

I had the same situation with my first try, okiejudy. I knew I was going to get a denial and no one could understand why I WANTED that denial quickly. If you already know it's a done deal maybe someone there could actually get it done faster for you. When I went through this I had to pester my doc's office to submit but once they did I had the denial in hand in about two days. It might be worth another phone call if you didn't make it clear in your earlier calls that you KNOW it's going to be denied and that's what you WANT to see. They might think they're being kind by telling you it will take 30 days. :rolleyes

Congratulations, Boxerluv, sounds like you're in great shape! And how cool is that to know another bandster you might actually get to see on a regular basis!! I'd love to have someone actually in my real life who is banded. Here's hoping all the testing and insurance foofaraw goes smoothly!

I was going to say exactly the same thing. Norma, you're inspiring me with your attitude.

Hi Kirsten, Until you try out solid foods you're right, you won't feel any difference. The increase in restriction with a first fill is rarely enough to affect the passage of liquids. But you may very well feel something new when you try eating more solid foods, so go slowly. Chew! And if you feel anything stuck or golf-ball-like in your throat, STOP. That's restriction, and it will take some getting used to. Good luck, and be sure to let us know how it goes.

Yeah, I absolutely agree that you should call your insurance company. Be nice, and just say you're calling to see if the file is complete on your request for precertification. In lots of cases delays are caused because someone needed one more piece of information, sent a request out and it got lost or ignored. It's VERY important to chase down all those little details yourself, because no one cares as much as you do. Call!

I've restored it. Marie, thanks for letting us know that Philip does not mind the obituary appearing here. We're all thinking of him in his time of grief.

Congratulations, Wendy!! Welcome to bandland!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

Hi Jeannette, It does seem contradictory to hear that many people lose quite quickly in the liquid phase, and then to also hear that you shouldn't expect to lose before your first fill. The fact is that both of those are true. Some people lose a lot of Water weight during the liquid phase and that accounts for most of the rapid weight loss some experience in the first few weeks. Others simply don't, and the weight doesn't start to come off for real until good restriction is reached--which can take a couple of fills to happen. I think I lost about 20-25 lbs before my first fill, but I started at 317 so I had a lot to lose. My fill was 8 weeks after my surgery, and then my second was three months later. Between surgery and my second fill I lost a total of about 30 lbs.

Hi Flower, A lot depends on your personal situation and whether you're asking your insurance carrier to cover the surgery. If not, and you're self-paying, the surgery can probably be scheduled within the month. If you are going through insurance, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. It all depends on your tests and whether the carrier is satisfied that you're medically qualified for the operation. Good luck!

Megan's right, Norma. It's important to let your body adjust to its new part, and once this hard part is over you will feel perfectly normal. If you really can't handle the restriction the band gives, then you don't have to have it adjusted. Once your healing period is completely over your body will feel totally normal and you'll be able to eat pretty much as you want. If the band is not tightened, there's often very little to no restriction. And the amount of the tightening is totally up to you! So think about going that route. You've already had one surgery and it makes no sense to consider another one when there's no medical reason for it. And this way, if you do decide you need help down the line with your weight, you can have the band tightened again. That's the beauty of it!

Hi Nicole, Your surgeon is probably one who performs both surgeries, right? If he does, he will evaluate your suitability for surgery the same way for either operation. If you are sure you do not want bypass but DO want lapband, he should agree to your wishes. If he doesn't, fine another surgeon. The procedure for presurgical testing is the same whatever the surgery. Once you're declared a medical candidate for bariatric surgery, that's when the doctor submits a request for precertification (approval) from your carrier. You and your doctor should be on the same page from the start. Good luck!

My unfill was .4, I think. It made a big difference, although I really wasn't having real trouble eating. My problem was reflux. I think you may have some swelling or irritation still from the days you spent too tight. Be very gentle with yourself over the next few days and I'll bet you'll be fine.

Hi Kara!! Congratulations on your banding and your great head start out of the gate! Your next step is mushies--yum--and your weight loss will slow or stop. Be prepared!! It's not stopping forever, but it will stop for a little while. Don't panic. I'll be your band buddy--we have almost exactly the same stats! I've never been 175 but yeah, that's a little secret goal of mine, too. I'm thrilled to be at 226, though! I'll take it!!

Oh wow. How cool was that? I may have to go back now and read all my early-days posts.

Yep, Kelly, I agree. Remember we're going to be banded for a LONG time, and making sure it's safe is more important than dropping a few more pounds at this time. I went through this exact thing last month, and do not regret my unfill one tiny bit. You'll be happy you did it, really!

Magster, if Aetna is denying based on "experimental" status, it stands to reason that SOMEDAY that "experimental" status will no longer be viable. After a while, new procedures that work STOP being experimental. But it's not true, in any event, that Aetna denies based on that reason alone. Aetna clearly shows a preference for RNY (though I really believe that will change after another year or so), but if you can provide medical reasons why RNY is not right for you they WILL approve the band. Look at their website (under Coverage Policy Determinations--Obesity Surgery) for specific reasons why banding would be approved over bypass.