bluetigereyes

Well, its too soon for your body to be on full regular foods. You should go back to soft/mushy foods for a little longer while you heal. I was the same way, when I started eating regular food, I could eat anything and everything I wanted. When I went in at 6 weeks for my first fill, the doctor said that was a good thing because it shows you are healing well. I could not get my fill at 6 weeks because my port flipped, so I just had my first fill this past Monday. I can tell you, I do feel some restriction (I am full with 1 scrambled egg or 1/2 cup chili) but I'm not at that 'sweet spot' where it holds me over for 4-5 hours. I am hungry every 2 hours. I have a 14 cc band, and when I got my first fill, the doctor put in 6.5cc, I go back in 3 weeks for my next fill and to check the incision site where he had to go in and flip my port back over. I'm feeling good, and hoping that with this fill I will start to see the scale drop again.

I am almost 2 months post op, the gas pains are the worst the first 2-3 weeks. Get up and walk as much as you can. Heathing pads and a nice HOT shower help too. I still get the intestinal gas, especially after my protein shakes (which I'm sure has to do with the milk and me being lactose intolerant). I just had my first fill on Monday, and can feel a little restriction. I'm not where I need to be yet, but I can feel a difference which is a positive feeling. Good Luck and just remember to keep moving

it almost sounds like you have a hernia at your port site, I would contact your surgeon and have him/her look at it.

Well, I had my port revised yesterday since it flipped, and have to say, that was a truly interesting experience! The doctor did the procedure in his office, just numbed the area really well and opened me up, took out my port, examined it, and did my first fill. He added 6.5cc to my band (I have a 14cc band), then put the new port in, sewed it into place and stitched me up. It was the strangest feeling, having his hand inside my stomach feeling around, tugging, and feeling things move....its beyond words to try to describe. Today I'm feeling good, just have some pain around the incision, but I'm back to work (I went after work yesterday so didnt miss any work at all). I could tell this morning, after eating some scrambled eggs, that I do have a little restriction. I couldnt finish 2 scrambled eggs, but was hungry after about 3 hours...my stomach is growling so loud people walking by my cubicle at work can practically hear it LOL I'm not complaining though....I'm a happy girl today!

I had to have my gallbladder out 2 years ago, at my post op visit, I talked to my doc (hes the same one that did my band-after Gall bladder surgery) about the band, He told me that its better to have your gallbladder out before lap band because about 70% of patients eventually have to have it out after the band. The problem is, when you have a surgery like that, they have to totally empty your band and you have to start over from scratch having it filled after you have healed from the gallbladder

OK, I got my port fixed and my first fill. I asked the doctor how much my band holds, and he said it is a 14 cc band, he added 6 1/2 cc today. I have to admit, having my port turned back over was an interesting experience to say the least. It was NOT painful, my doctor was gentle and made sure if I felt any pain he would add more novacaine. It was strange to feel him moving and tugging in my stomach and to raise my head and see him examining my port. He did my fill before suturing it back in. I am now having my protein shake for dinner. I can feel a little restriction but its a good feeling!!! I'm a happy girl now

I am dying to find out if there have been any new developments on this. I have thought about you and what happened alot. I hope things are going well!

TOPS stands for "Take Off Pounds Sensibly" It is an amazing weight loss support group. I was the area captain for TOPS for several years in Idaho. There are TOPS chapters all over the world, go to www.tops.org and there is a place to find a meeting near you. I wish you the best of luck, I am just starting on my 'band journey' as I just had my band placed on Dec 22nd. I am going in this afternoon for a revision of my port since it flipped. Not a deal breaker complication for me, just a speed bump in my journey.

Well, the first 2 weeks after surgery, you probably won't have an appetite and will be on liquid diet, then you proceed to mashies and soft foods for a few more weeks. But by week 4 your appetite is back with a vengeance. I was told to keep a food journal for 3 days before every fill so the dr can see how much you can eat and that helps determine how much of a fill to give you. Hope that helps. Also, after surgery you will have a lot of gas, make sure to get up and walk....ALOT!!! That helps more than you can imagine

I went in for my first fill on Feb 1st (it didnt happen due to my port flipping over, but thats a different story). My Dr is going to put 4-5 cc for the first fill, then I will be able to go back every 2 weeks for fills until I'm at a good restriction. I go in today to get my port flipped back over and my first fill...so, I am really hoping I feel some restriction at 4cc

KR, I am doing well. I did have a minor complication, my port has flipped. I am going in today to have my port flipped back over and get my fill. I was supposed to get my first fill on Feb 1st, but due to my port flipping, that had to be postponed. I am looking forward to getting my first fill and being able to start to feel some restriction. I am told all the time that I dont look as heavy as I am, I am 5'3" and weigh 250 right now. I am 40 years old....I know what you mean about wanting to live again! I have 3 kids (ages 9-12) and want to be able to have the energy to get out with them this summer and go on bike rides, hikes, and all the active things they love to do. I know that by this summer I should be down a little more and hoping my energy really kicks into high gear too.

What a great idea...I was wondering how many other single people are on this forum. I'm 40 from the Boise, Idaho area. I am divorced with 3 kids (ages 12, 11, 9) Deanna

Congrats on taking the first step towards a healthier YOU! I am a foodie too, I always have been the one to reward myself with food....but I am looking at new ways to reward myself since I had my band placed. I just had mine on Dec 22nd, so I am still a 'newbie' with the band, but can tell you, even though I've had my share of setbacks, I am still just as glad today that I have it. Have you ever had surgery before? Don't let yourself get too worked up over 'going under'. Talk to the anesthesiologist prior to the surgery, they will offer you something to help relax (much stronger than valium!) you while you wait in the pre-op area. I was not nervous at all, so I turned it down, but they came in and offered it to me 3 times prior to my surgery. As they were wheeling me into the OR, they gave me something and I was out...I dont remember anything until waking up in the recovery room. The band is the tool to help you get to the new you. You will have to make changes and some sacrifices as well, but know that it is for the best. You can do this!!!

First of all....CONGRATS!!! My insurance did the same thing (and I have a BCBS plan as well). It all depends on the coverage that your employer elects for the policy. I had my surgery Dec 22nd and did not have an issues with the insurance processing my claims. Everything got paid within a month of my surgery. Dont pinch yourself too hard, this is real, you are one step closer to reaching your goal!

I am going in today to have my port fixed and my first fill, I'm excited and nervous. I know that he is going to start my first fill with 3-4 cc and go from there. I'm hoping that is enough to feel some restriction. I'm nervous about getting cut open, yet again. I just hope that it doesnt hurt too bad since I am having it done at 4pm today and still have to be back at work tomorrow. (and tomorrow I have a day packed full of meetings so I will be sitting most of the day ugh) I wish I knew how or why my port flipped, but there is really no explanation. My Doctor did tell me this was a new port he was using and he is not happy with it as he has had 2 flip totally over and 3 flip sideways...I dont know if he is going to totally replace the port or just flip it back over and stitch it down. I dont care, either way other than I want it to be done and I want to be on the road once again to losing. One thing I have learned about myself though, I need to be more patient and take the speed bumps slow and steady....because going as fast as I can over them is not always an option

I have seen a few people post on the forum that they are in Idaho. I would love to be able to get a group of us together, I know that support is a HUGE benefit and the more support we can get, especially locally, the better. I adore Jamee, she is an amazing person and is in the perfect position as the coordinator for Dr. Anderson. She knows her stuff and is a true testament of success. I'm here if you have any questions. Deanna

I work in Patient Accounts for a hospital, most of your deductible will be applied to the physicians bill since they typically get their claim in to the insurance first. If your deductible is under $1,000, the hospital may not ask for it up front, but to be safe, call the hospital and ask what their policy is.

I am scheduled to have my port flipped back over on Monday the 13th, The doctor is going to do it in his office, and hopefully do my fill at the same time. the end of this speed bump is in sight, thank goodness

Well, I have my date (FINALLY) to have my port flipped back over. Monday, I go in to have the port fixed and get my first fill (again...FINALLY). I have gone through all the emotions, mad, sad, happy, depressed...and that was just in the first day I found out my port was flipped and couldnt get my fill. Well, I'm doing much better now and know that I am in good hands...this is just a minor speed bump. I'm just really hoping my dr does my fill at the time he opens me up to fix my port so I dont have to wait even longer the feel some restriction. I was banded on 12/22, and was really hoping that I could have been able to lose more by now, but since surgery, I have actually gained 3 lbs. I just want to be back on the road to 'loserville' and reach 'goalville' as soon as possible

I know that feeling! I got the confirmation that the port is indeed flipped. But the hospital's procedure room is booked until the end of March. I dont know what is going to happen yet or when I can get my fill at this point. I work in a hospital too, so I feel your pain!!!

I have talked to my dr office quite a bit in the past few days. The x-ray did confirm that the port is flipped, now they have to find an opening in the procedure room at the hospital, and at this point looks like it is booked until the end of March. So, I dont know when I will be getting my first fill...its quite disappointing to say the least!!!

Thanks everyone. I am feeling better today, still disappointed but I know that its just temporary. I guess everything happens for a reason. I am heading out to Sun Valley Idaho for the weekend and on Tuesday my friend is coming to visit for a week, so maybe it was just meant that I have no restriction while she is here. I dont know why things happen most of the time, but I do know everything happens for a reason.

Thanks! I put my head down earlier, had a little cry and got it out, that helped alot. I got a little pick-me-up when I checked my bank account and my tax return was deposited today...I wasnt expecting it until at least next week. So, that gave me a little bright spot to my day....Words of encouragement help and I'm feeling a little better. I guess I just needed my own little pity party for a bit and now the party's over

I'm disappointed and want to cry! I was so excited to get my first fill and finally feel some restriction in my band. I went to the doctor on the 1st for my fill, and he could not access my port. He tried over and over (and my stomach is bruised to show it!!!). So, when he figured my port was flipped, he sent me to get an x-ray to confirm his suspicion. And, yep, its flipped. So, I ask, whats next? He told me if it was flipped, he would get me in today (Friday the 3rd) to open the area up and flip the port, do the fill and have a happy me. Well, I talk to his office today and the scheduler is putting me off, saying he cant do it today (even though he told me he would even do it in the office if needed), I have a good friend coming out next week for her birthday, so I cant go have this done while she is here, and so it looks like I am being put off for almost 2 WEEKS. I'm so disappointed, I'm trying to sit at work and look like I'm fine, but I just want to cry. I keep telling myself this is just a minor speed bump in my journey, but darn it, I dont like speed bumps!!! Why is it that having the port flip is not a common complication, but if its going to happen, its going to happen to me???? UGH can I just scream now?

I went to the doctor on Wednesday Feb 1st to get my first fill. I was SO excited and ready to feel the restriction and see the scale start moving int he right direction. I get to my appointment and give the doctor my food chart for the 3 days prior (like I was instructed to do so he knows how much to fill), he gets everything ready to add 4cc's to my band. The doctor starts the procedure of filling my band, but its really painful. He is pushing, poking, having me do crunchies, all while fishing the needle around. I could feel him hitting the port, but felt more like a scratching feeling inside me (Very odd feeling, I must say), He continues this for a good 5-7 minutes. He tried from every angle to get into my port, all with no success. So, after the doctor is frustrated, I'm frustrated and sore, he tells me that he thinks my port flipped. He was obviously upset and told me that he started using a new port and this is the 2nd one in less than a month that has totally flipped and has had at least 3 that have partially flipped. Now, my doctor has done literally 1000's of Lap bands, so I totally trust that he did things correctly, but this new port is obviously flawed. So, I went in yesterday (Thursday) to get an x-ray to verify that the port has flipped. I am now waiting to hear back to when I can go in, have the doctor open me back up and flip the port over, give my fill, and sew me up again. I was totally devastated and upset that this would happen to me. I know its not the doctors fault, but its so disheartening to have this happen, especially for my first fill. Other than this little hiccup, I am feeling absolutely wonderful. I do still get a little burpy after I eat and my appetite is completely back to normal, but I know once i get some restriction I will be on the road to my weight loss journey once again. This hiccup will set me back a little in my exercise program, but I'm sure I can still do my walking and eliptical without too much worries. I just cant start my water Zumba class like I wanted to...yet.