Alexandra

Cindyp, this is a really good way of putting it! Surgery and then each new fill means learning all over again how to eat, essentially. That is a kind of scary thing, and it can be very unnerving to be taken by surprise. That's why everyone keeps saying go slow, take it easy, experiment but be careful. Whatever else is true about life with the band, there's no denying that being overfilled is way worse than being underfilled. And it doesn't lead to additional weight loss. So give yourself all the time you need to really adjust to a new fill, being mindfull that your body needs to adjust too, not just your mind.

I'm really glad you're healing up, Lisa!! I can't wait to see you post a picture of a nice, cleanly healed, CLOSED (former) port site on your belly.

Hi Francesca, pills won't hurt your band, but the wrong kind of pills won't be good for your stomach. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) and some other things can depress the production of protective enzymes, or something like that, leaving you more vulnerable to ulcers. It's more than just a matter of a medication "upsetting" your stomach. Talk to your doctor about what you're taking and whether he can change your prescription to something less likely to increase your chances of ulcers. Good luck!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! This is a red-letter day for sure. Soon you'll be joining us in bandland!! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana

I mentioned in another thread that I really don't think it does anyone good to starve ourselves, especially right after surgery. Go ahead and eat what's necessary to keep the growlies away! This is a big step, certainly, but it's not one we have to get used to overnight. Norma, you will indeed be able to eat. 0 calorie salads are fine and a staple for many people. As you explore life with your band, you'll see that you're not deprived at all. But it does take some getting used to. I know that I could never have achieved the permanent loss I want without a serious tool in my arsenal. Oprah has some tools in her arsenal most people don't have--the personal chef, trainer, and the motivation of being on camera every day. With those kinds of helps, maybe I wouldn't have needed a band either.

Donali, what's with the asterisks? I was looking for footnotes! Are those just your 3-star favorites? I thought I loved certain movies until I saw the LOTR trilogy. I've never been so captivated by a cinematic experience before or since. So they are all my #1. Other than that I'm a big fan of period pieces and complicated spy flicks, anything I can get totally lost in. Things like The Usual Suspects and Howard's End, just to name a couple.

Norma, the cost for adjustments depends totally on your doctor's policies. In my case, it's very expensive for fills since they're done in the hospital radiology suite, but this last adjustment was done in the doctor's office. It will probably just be the cost of an office visit (my insurance covers it, so I don't know exactly). You're lucky that your carrier will cover up to six. That's better than most!

Congratulations!! What a rush getting that sooo-important piece of news from the insurance company. You're on your way!! :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny

Norma, I personally think that hunger is a newbie bandster's worst enemy. Go ahead and satisfy your hunger!! Especially if you're nursing you need extra calories. Holy cow, I remember how starving I used to get when I was nursing--it's totally unrealistic to think you can adhere to a very low calorie diet now! If you're still on liquids, explore the world of Soup. Seafood bisques and egg drop soup saved me during this phase. Mushy foods include things like cheeses and meat salads (tuna salad, cottage cheese, chili--being sure to eat slowly and let each bite settle well) and there's no reason at all to deny yourself enough to feel satisfied. If you get too hungry you'll only be more frustrated than ever and might end up bingeing, possibly doing damage to your pouch and/or band. Why suffer?!? EAT, GIRL!!

Mariposa (I love your username!) -- Many people find that it takes two or three or more adjustments to get to the right level for them. Be careful what you wish for, too: If you find that you suddenly have greatly increased restriction you may be headed for unpleasantness if you're not very, very careful. I've had fills sort of tighten up on me even three weeks afterwards, so I personally would wait at least a month before deciding that an adjustment wasn't enough. My theory (and that's all it is, a theory) is that the stomach tissue reacts to increased pressure from the band by sort of thinning out a little, counteracting the action of the band for a little while. Then after some time has gone by and it gets used to the pressure, it goes back to its normal thickness and voila! Restriction. I've been surprised by increased restriction several weeks later on at least two occasions. Good luck on Tuesday. Have fun with Doctor Cutie-pie!

Oh, Norma, it sounds like indeed a longer exploratory period might have helped you a great deal. This IS a big step and we have to be really ready to take it before we do. You will heal, and you will feel better physically very soon. It's only been a couple of weeks and a LOT of people go through a period of questioning right after surgery. Please be very good to yourself and most of all don't agonize over watching calories or anything like that now. The scale is NOT going to be your friend at this point. This time, as I'm sure you've heard, is all about healing. When you're ready to take that next step will be time enough for a fill and to get your weight loss started. Take care of yourself, take care of your child and know that your band will be waiting when you're ready to jump in. And please post with your questions and feelings--it's very valuable for all of us to see all sides of the banding story. Hugs,

I drove the morning after my surgery. I wasn't taking any pain meds though I was indeed sore. But the idea of my daughters NOT going to daycare that day was way worse than the pain, so I bit the bullet. :rolleyes

Happy birthday, Teresa!! Hope you have a great day!! (Vinesqueen, I ALWAYS think of hippos and birdies on people's birthdays, too! )

What the heck is Pogo?

Well, some nights were worse than others. On a really bad night, if I wasn't propped WAY up on pillows, I'd get symptoms whenever I'd fall asleep (since my swallow reflex would stop). A couple of nights I had to move to a reclining chair to get any sleep at all. Then there were nights when I'd wake up in the morning feeling just peachy and think everything was gone. But I still wasn't sleeping in my normal position and I knew I couldn't, so that had to be fixed.

I've had no problems with spicy food at all. As long as the food goes down, my Iron stomach can tolerate just about anything. Fried foods are actually very easy for me to eat. Which is why I have to try to avoid them, for the most part. Loads of calories, very little nutrition, and a waste of effort. That was hard getting used to and I can't say I succeed all the time, but I try.

LOL! Hope you didn't have nightmares, Paula! The night was wonderful. I often wake up briefly during the night--I'm a light sleeper and my kids make noise. But last night every time I woke up I realized I had snuggled down a little farther in my pillows and there was no discomfort or bad taste in my mouth. What a joy! This morning I was able to flop over and catch a few more zzzs without thinking twice, which privilege I'd been missing more than anything. So it looks like the adjustment worked, and I'm a happy camper once again. Thanks for asking!

Hi Rachel, Yes, if you look around you will find some negative stories related to banding. But there is no denying that in the worst cases (like the "horror story" that's been bumped for you), the problems are likely related to medical malpractice or medical conditions the patient had beforehand. These are chances everyone takes with all kinds of surgery. Band complications tend to be minor and fairly easily fixed. And when they can't be fixed the band is removed, which does happen occasionally. But even that doesn't have to be a very negative story. I've heard stories of people having the band removed and doing great without one; having it removed and converted to bypass; having it removed and replaced immediately with a new one; or having it removed and waiting a while before having a new one installed. So with the band, even when there are complications there are still options open to us. It's a relatively non-invasive, non-complicated surgery and the implant works in pretty predictable ways. So you really aren't going to find lots of scary stories like those you see on bypass sites. Good luck with your research, and ask lots of questions!

It's so cool that we have some serious interest in this! I'm getting psyched. :banana

Man, this is one TERRIFIC show. I highly recommend it, especially for people who are still missing Twin Peaks.

Hi Fidget! Sounds like you have a great game plan there. Good luck with your plans and we'll save a place in bandland for you!! Love SD, by the way. My bro lives out there so I've visited a few times. You have, hands down, the best weather in the U.S.

If you're talking about elsewhere on the Web, I occasionally spend time at a debate site for moms of an intellectual bent. Other than that I just work, sleep, play with my kids, yell at my kids, feed my kids, read to my kids, .... (And once in a while I kiss my husband.)

It's virtually impossible--maybe even completely impossible--to stretch your pouch with liquids. At this point even the thickest liquids flow right through your wide-open stoma into the stomach below. Even when you get on to solid foods you may find that you can eat almost normally without feeling any special sense of fullness. The band really doesn't work for the vast majority of people until there has been an adjustment to tighten it. You're not alone, and believe me, things will be different once you've had an adjustment or two.

Thanks for remembering! I went to the doc this morning and all went very well. He took out .4ccs and said I'd probably feel a big difference from that. So far it's hard to tell, too early. The real test will be tonight, and whether I can lie down for any length of time without reflux.

I've heard of lots of people having hernias repaired at the time of the band placement surgery. Good luck!!