angbutler0712

Ok.. So i had just stepped outside to go for a walk when I had a coughing fit and dry heaved at the end. Right when I started to dry heave, I got this god awful cramp in my stomach right below my port incision. It hurt so bad! I thought that maybe I had ripped open my staples. (I am 6 days out of surgery). When the cramp subsided, I felt the port area and could distinctly feel my port. I haven't really been able to feel it since I had the surgery.. Just that there was something hard under my skin. This time I was able to feel the whole thing. Has anyone else ever had this? I hope I didn't cause it to flip. I thought that the port was stitched to the abdominal muscles.. Maybe it was just th cramp pushing it up to the skin?? I have no idea. It doesn't hurt any longer and I can't really feel the port again. Weird.. Thanks Angela

I went to the doctors today to have it checked. My port incision site swelled up and has a red ring around it.. The doctor looked at it and said I have a hematoma. Apparently I got a small bleed under my incision when I had my coughing fit that created the hematoma. There isn't anything I can do about it.. He said its not infected and that the body will absorb it. I also mentioned that I felt something rip when I dry heaved and he said I may have ripped my port from the abdominal wall. he said they won't know for sure until they go to give my my first fill in January. If its flipped then they'll have to open me up and reposition the port. Fingers crossed that it didn't flip!!!

I am 1 week out of surgery today. I have been eating between 300-500 calories per day and honestly it's a struggle to get them all in. Don't get me wrong.. There are times when I'm starving and feel like I could sit down and eat 2 whoppers! But once I take 3 or 4 bites of my yogurt I'm full. It's such a weird sensation having overrate all my life. From what I've been told by my nutritionist and what I've read on here.. Once we're fully healed we will be able to eat the normal range of calories. I wasn't told how many meals to eat.. Just to make sure I get in the recommended 60-80 grams of protein a day and 48-64 oz of fluid. Good luck!

At my psych evaluation they wanted to know my day to day routine. They want to know what your relationships are like with your family and spouse. They want to know of any past depression, causes for it, how you got through it, any attempts of taking your own life. If you have ever been to therapy, it's very much like the first meet and greet session with the therapist. Now beware that I've seen people get denied because they come off as not mentally stable or that they have tried ending their own life. My friend was denied due to her crying and bringing up how she's not over a past abusive relationship. I do not have tricare, so I have no idea how they work.. But from the sounds of it, you are at the beginning of this process. I would say from mine and my friends experiences, it takes 6-9 months to complete the entire bariatric workup and have surgery.mbut every insurance is different.. So yours could be quicker. Goodluck!!

I lost 12 lbs on my liquid diet. My dr didn't have a specific number to lose during this time.. He just said it was so my liver would shrink.

Hello! I was banded the same day. I'm experiencing the same exact things. The gas pain in my shoulders is getting better. I went for a 3 mile slow walk yesterday and it def helped. As for being hungry.. I am starving too! But when I try to take in a protein shake I start getting the hiccups after a few swallows. If you haven't had the hiccups yet.. You're lucky. They hurt! I tried a Greek yogurt yesterday and nothing has ever tasted so good!!! I only ate half and took tiny spoonfuls. I was satisfied. About th tummy rumbling... Dang.. My two year old thought a monster was in mamas tummy! I went out and bought gas x strips and they are amazing!!! Not sure if you've gotten that weird pressure in your chest where you feel like you have to burp, but can't. Whenever I feel that pressure, I tak a gas x strip and it goes away. It has also cut down on 90% of my tummy rumblings. Good luck and keep us posted.

I was banded 5 days ago, 11/23 and including my 14 day pre-op liquid diet I've lost 20 lbs today. I've lost 8 lbs since surgery.

I've heard about this. My friend who is a year out experiences the same thing every month.

I am open about my surgery. I don't go around talking about it, but if someone asks I tell them the truth. There are people who feel I've taken the easy way out, but it doesnt bother me. Being 4 days out of surgery and the 2 years of workup and the work I'll be doing for the rest of my life isnt the easy way out. I've also found that not hiding it has given me a larger support group. After telling a coworker, I found that there are 2 other associates dong the workup for lapband.. We've connected and shared stories. So for me, sharing has been more beneficial than keeping it a secret.

I had a moderate sized hiatal hernia repaired when I had my band placed on 11/23. I would say that most of the discomfort comes from the gas they fill you with. My port incision is sore but as for the hernia, I don't feel anything or any pain when I sip my shakes or water. My surgeon said that I wouldn't notice any extra pain from the hernia fix. But everyone is different. good luck!!

I didnt have a catheter and I did have an upper GI 4 hours after they put my band in. Thankfully I didn't have to stay overnight in the hospital.. That may be the reason I didn't get the catheter. Thanks for sharing your story!

Right.. I would call your nutritionist. They may say its fine since you're tolerating it.. But I don't know. Do you know how big of a band you had put in? Mine is an 11cc realize. I'm wondering if I'll be one of those lucky people that feels a little restriction once the swelling goes down. Unfortunately my doctor doesn't do the first fill until the 2 month checkup. It's going to be all on me for a while. Good luck to you!

I need some advice.. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong. I am having a difficult time getting in my fluids and protein. I went through an extensive nutrition program before the surgery and they pounded in my brain to make sure I'm drinking 48-64 oz of liquid and taking in 60-80 grams of protein per day. I just can't do it. Yesterday I ate only 34g of protein, 200 calories and only about 24oz of fluid. I have been having some major gas issues. Every time I take a sip, I feel like I have to burp but it won't come up. Super frustrating. I did go buy the gas x strips last night since most of you talk about them on here. Helped tremendously. It's not that I don't feel hungry.. I've already had my stomach growl out of hunger a couple times, but as soon as I take a sip or two of protein shake, I'm done and the burps and hiccups start. Ugh. I have no fill in my band. It is empty and I won't have my first fill until my 2 month check in. Did anyone else have similar issues to this. I don't want to hurt my body by not getting enough fluids or protein.. Do you have any tips for taking in liquids early after surgery? Thank you for your support. I appreciate everyone's input here.. I would be lost without your stories and advice! Angela

I was banded om 11/23 and have gotten hiccups 3 times. And they HURT! It's not that I'm having difficulty chewing because I'm sill on thin liquids.. I believe it had to do with the amount of air that gets in while I sip. My stomach also makes super loud rumbles. To the point that my 2 year old lifts up my shirt asking what's in my belly making all that noise!

I would definitely look for a support group. Unfortunatly there isn't a magic pill or even a magic lapband that will make you thin and healthy.. That responsibility is in your hands. Lapband is a tool to assist you in the health journey. I can't say much.. I've only been banded for a day, but as everyone here has, I've fought with my weight my entire life. I know the simple formula to lose weight. It's calories in vs calories out. Finding asupport group with other banders or wls people may help you get motivated to start eating better and exercising more. And if you don't feel your band is providing enough restriction, talk to your doctor about a fill.. Good luck to you! Weight loss is a lifetime commitment.

Hi. I was banded yesterday,11/23. My incisions are fine.. A little itchy today, but that just means they are healing. I have 5 incisions and the bigger one that the port went through is pretty swollen and sore. Nothing excruciating. The CO2 that they filled me up with was by far the worst. It's much better today. It hurt to breath (still does) because of all the air in my chest cavity. I was also given the breathing apparatus to practice my deep breathing. My surgeon said they they sew the port right to your muscle, so that would definitely cause more pain than the other incisions. Good luck to you.. This part isnt much fun, but in a few weeks we should be all healed and feeling great!

Hi all! I've been home from the hospital now for 4 hours and am relaxing like a champ. The pain from the CO2 that they fill the stomach cavity to work in, really is the worst of the pain for me. It has settled up around my neck, chest and shoulders. My heating pad is really helping with that. My stomach feels like I've done 1000 situps and the muscles are super sore. The liquid pain meds help take the edge off. As with many others, they repaired my hiatal hernia while in there. All in all it's been a great experience. Went in this morning and was home by the afternoon. My surgeon, Dr. Bang was wonderful!! My incisions are all nice and neat.. Unfortunately I have staples instead of glue, but I'll live. I'm so excited to be able to go back to protein shakes tomorrow! I've been on a clear liquid diet now for 3 days eating only about 100 calories per day.. Ugh! I need the protein! Today is the beginning of my new life! Yey!!

I'm on day 8 of my 2 week preop liquid diet. The funny thing is.. and I'm positive I'll experience it after sugery, is the brain hunger. I tried explaining it to my husband last night.. My stomach has shrunk so much over the past week that I'm really not very hungry, but I have these times during the day when I used to snack.. It's not that i'm fighting hunger pains, I'm fighting my brain telling me that I'm hungry. It's crazy! The liquid diet isn't too bad. I had to go to GNC and buy a few different flavors since I got extrememly sick of vanilla and chocolate quickly. I would say that after the first 5 days.. my body has adjusted and it's really not as bad as you'd think.

I received a phone call from my surgeons office this afternoon. They received approval from the insurance company.. I've been working with these same people for two long years for this moment. The coordinator said she got goosebumps when she read that I had been approved. After being denied (including appeals) by Aetna last year, I thought I would never see this day. Two full bariatric surgery work ups, 1 insuance denial and a whole lot of tears.. I will finally receive my band on 11/23/2011.

I have been waiting for Aetna to make a decision on my surgery for 2 weeks today. I have also been calling every day. There isn't anything I know of that you can do to speed up the process. I'm a little nervous.. not sure why it's taking them so long.

My bariatric surgery packet was submitted to Aetna last Friday, so 4 business days ago. Waiting for an answer is driving me insane! This is my second round with Aetna.. First time I was denied for gastric bypass, which was really a blessing. I have wanted a band all along, but felt pressured into the bypass. After my failed appeals, I vowed I'd never do this again.. low and behold, here I am a year after my failed attempts. I had to complete a second workup and now I wait. I've read some stories of other people getting approved by insurance while under a 40BMI with "minor" comorbids. Tell me your stories please.. Anyone been approved without the major comorbids and under a 40 BMI? I am a 38-39 BMI with osteoarthritis, GERD, non medicated high blood pressure and atrial tachycardia (A fib, not heart disease) bad joint pain and depression. Aetna definitely has defined severe comorbities.. I'm just hoping they see that I have enough minor ones to approve me. Ugh.. I pray that they call me soon to set my mind at ease!

My dr requires me to lose 5% before surgery.. I haven't lost much during my 6 month workup. I've completed all my workup, just waiting on insurance now. If I get approved by insurance, my surgeon told me that I'll have to do a 2 week liquid diet to lose as much as I can and to shrink my liver.. 5% for me is 13lbs. They told me at the beginning, if I lose 5% during the nutritional part then I wouldn't have to do a liquid diet.. Now I'm regretting not trying harder..

Hi Kim, I also have yet to be banded. However, I am at the end of my workup and my informatoin has been submitted to insurance. Waiting for the decision is probably the hardest part of the workup! First thing that I did when I decided on bariatric surgery was to make an appointment with my Primary Care. She sent a referral to a local bariatric office. Make sure you do some research on Center of Excellence surgeons near you. My insurance requires that my doctor be associated with a Bariatric Center of Excellence. The same day the referral was made, i received a call from Dr. Loggins office to setup an initial appointment. Through it all, it took about 5-6 months of prep work. Believe me.. this was very discouraging at the beginning.. knowing there was so much to do. Unless you are a self pay, there is no other way of getting around the workup. I had to have a 3 month medically supervised diet. I met with the nutritionist once a month for 3 months. I had to keep logs of everything I put in my mouth. I also had to have an upper GI to make sure my stomach lining is healthy enough for the surgery. (no ulcers) I had a sleep study done that came back negative for sleep apnea. Tons of lab work. I had to meet with a therapist to make sure that I am mentally healthy for this surgery. I had to get clearance from my cardiologist since I've had two heart ablations. I had to have an ultrasound to check the arteries and veins in my legs for clots. I had to have a stress test done on my heart.. I think that's it. HA.. I can't believe I've been through all that.. Also, you should find out what your insurance covers for obesity surgery. All insurance companies are different. I am under a 40 BMI, so I have to show that I have comorbities. Most insurance companies also require that you prove that you have been over a 35 BMI with comorbities or over a 40 BMI for 2 consecutive years. Good luck to you! The journey may seem long.. but well worth it in the end. Angela

Hi All, Wow this has been a long road. I started on my path to WLS 2 years ago. My first round didn't go so well. I am a 38-39 BMI with GERD, depression, atrial tachycardia, joint pain and non medicated hypertension (it's borderline). I went through the entire workup last year for Gastric Bypass, submitted to Aetna, denied for not having been over a 35 bmi for 2 years and lack of comorbities. I had been over a 35 bmi, but couldn't prove it because I hadn't been to the doctors. I appealed, wrote a great letter explaining all my "minor" comorbities and the reason for not providing a weight for 2007. Denied again. I spoke to a nurse at Aetna and she pretty much told me that I'd have to wait until 2011 to redo my workup to have the 2 years of weight history. She also said that I didn't have the "major" comorbities that Aetna requires. I have now just completed my second workup, this time for lapband. The only difference in this workup is that I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my back. I am still a 39bmi. My packet was faxed to Aetna today. I'm on pins and needles. Being denied the first time CRUSHED me. I told myself I'd never do this again.. but once May 2011 rolled around and I was still battling my weight.. I thought, well.. I have nothing to lose. Has anyone here been approved with "minor" comorbities with a bmi under 40? I had a sleep apnea test, negative. I had a stress echo, no heart disease. I do not have diabetes.. i'm borderline high blood pressure and cholesterol, but since it's not medically controlled.. doesn't count. Fingers are crossed.. My surgeons office said they should be in touch in a couple days since Aetna moves pretty fast with their paperwork. Thank you! Angela