ready4change2

Wow! I had my band done on june 11th 2012. I just received the dr bill for 5,000 the day of surgery and the hospital fee 19,000 the day of surgery. Almost 25,000 just for the day to be banded. Luckily my insurance covered all but 800 dollars. Just had my first fill it was 531 dollars. Insurance paid that too. I live in minnesota. It must be expensive here.

I am looking forward to going to the Mall of America waterpark with my three beautiful children and actually putting on a swimsuit and not being embarrassed about it. There are just ro many to list!

I was banded on 8/6, so I am 4 weeks out. Ordinarily, I am a rule follower, but since having the surgery, I have been eating with reckless abandon. I followed the liquid diet for the first week or so, but I was hungry all the time. So my nutritionist told me to add in soft foods, like eggs and cheese. I did that, and since then I've steadily gone back to a completely normal (pre-surgery) diet, both food choices and portions. I don't know why I've been so rebellious, but now I'm so afraid that I've done damage and have set myself up for failure. I do not have any pain, but my stomach is uncomfortable most of the time. Please tell me I can wipe the slate clean and how to get back on track to do this right.

About a week post-op, I got so sick I could not eat/drink a thing w/o feeling like I was going to throw it all up. I could not stomach the Protein shakes, so I know I was not getting enough nutrition in any form!! It was a vicious cycle for about a week!
I had about 2cc of Fluid removed on about Day 12...and he told me I could start eating SOFT foods. A by-pass-patient friend recommended Taco Bell refried Beans....= HEAVEN!! lol
BUT, this meant I had virtually NO restriction...so for the past 3 weeks I've been free-lancing!! And like Joann, BOY DID I EAT. Not much during the day (stayed busy) but at supper, when I am fixing for my family - wow.
I got some Fluid put back in yesterday - not as much as was taken out, but we discussed taking this slow to avoid any complications. Today, I'm feeling hungry, but will drink my Water until its time for lunch. Supper I CHOOSE to do what is right.
Its unlikely you have harmed yourself...BUT, like everyone said, TODAY/TOMORROW is a new day. Face your "crime" - and clearly you have done the time (berating and hating yourself = been there/done that!!)...so move forward.
Make a list of your WHYs....why you want/need to lose weight. Here are few of mine - and maybe yours are the same!? -
1. Get off the floor w/o help (or a wench)
2. No shame at the beach - both in my swimsuit AND getting up from sitting
3. Crossing my legs - without havng to hook a foot on something to keep it there!
4. Riding some of the rides at an amusement park (I have not fit into a seat in YEARS - shoulder bar crushes the girls and kills my back - NOT WORTH THE EMBARRASSMENT)
5. Holding my head high at a school function w/ my children
6. Shopping for clothes that do not start w/ a "2" and end with a "W"
7. Making love to my husband w/ the lights ON. (and add shopping at Victoria's and actually BUYING something!)
8. Shopping at CHICOs.
9. Seeing my feet when I look down.
10. Not getting stares in a restaurant, knowing I will no longer be judged because I am EATING.
(these are not necessarily in order of my priorities - just what comes to mind!)
That's the short version...but making a list of my WHYs has been really REALLY helpful. I have not lost a ton of weight (16 to date), but I am noticing some NSVs - rings and watch are looser, pants are looser in the fanny and around the waist (tho not falling off yet by any means)...those COUNT.
I will not give up...and neither should you!! We are all walking the same pathway here...some are a little farther down the road, but there is nothing new under the sun for those of us who've let our stomachs be our god. ITS A NEW DAY.
Now, hop up, look yourself in the mirror and hold your head up and tell yourself "I am worth it"...then go write down your WHYs...and you're off!!
We're rooting for you!!
Kim in IN

Well here is a quick update. I was banded on june 11th. Starting weight 260. Today 210. I have lost 50 pounds as of today! Yay! I have a 11cc band and have 9cc in. I go back on sept. 19th for another fill. I am getting so close to the green zone. I have had no complications as of today. I hope to keep it that way! Looks like everyone else is doing great also! Keep ip the good work everyone!

Everyone seems to be doing great! I was banded june 11th and have lost a total of 43 pounds as of this morning. I have had 2 fills and have 9cc in my 11cc band. Have good restriction and can only eat about one cup of food and feel full about 4 hours.

WTF? I’m incredibly bemused anyone would think I’d make a story up. Why on earth would I bother? As if I get incredible thrills by posting medical scenarios online. If anyone is that bothered, run the story by your lap band specialist to ask if its plausible.
Here is the summary
1. lady gets lapband in Mexico with bmi of 22
2. lady loses weight to reach bmi of 18
3. port head erodes through thin layer of skin as there is no protective fat layer
4. port is situated on outside of abdomen until the lady reluctantly goes to a public hospital
5. the unknowing doctors cut of port head and leave tube hanging out and send patient home
6. lady goes to highly skilled lap band specialist. The specialist adds fill to the tube by ladies request and puts a rubber plug in the tube. Doctor cuts off excess tubing and pushes remaining tube back inside abdomen.
7. the lady is very happy with the result
Unfortunately I don’t have the best photos but this is what I have. I was somewhat embarrassed by the highly prominent port head so never took photos of it.
Here is one photo showing its prominence and where it was situated on my body. The second photo shows my current wound which you can see is in the place where the port used to be if you use the proximatey from my bellybutton as a guide.

Hi Model, I first saw this thread last night & must admit that some of the responses continued to bother me today. 1st let me say that I apologize for some of the flat out mean & hateful responses. I think if you filter those you will see that there is a consensus that you should go see a doc/anywhere you can at whatever price to address your issue. It's always better to be safe than sorry. I would also like to express that I sympathize with the desire to be skinny & stay skinny so I will not pass judgement on your bmi or why you have a LapBand. So many smaller people pass judgement on the obese & i will not do the same on the skinny. Your struggle is yours alone. I will say that whatever your reason for this thread whether true or false I hope you received what you needed.
It has been my experience that when people reach out in whatever form it should be respected as its a attempt to connect in some way. And if indeed this is a real person with a real issue (mental or medical), well some should be ashamed at the things we will saying hiding behind a computer & keyboard.
Good luck model

If it were me i would be doing everything possible to try and fill it. I work in a hospital and have axcess to syringes and all the idems needed. I went to nursing school and knkw how to create a sterile field to work with. So i would fill my syringe with what you generally got for a first fill with normal saline then try like the liquid bandaid or liquid stitches. Or if tubing stickes out far enough i would use the liquid stitches then wrap with steri striped or gauze and bandage. Not sure how long it would last if at all but i wohld be trying everything. I am not recommending this for you only telling what i would do for myself.

My Dr is very aggressive with his fills. It is also done under fluoroscope. I was banded june 11th,2012. First fill 4 weeks after and 6cc, then second fill 4 weeks after first one 3cc. I fell great! 9cc in a 11cc band. I am eating one cup at my three meals and i can tell when full. Best feeling ever. So i am just over 2 months out since surgery and really feel like i just might be in the green zone.

My Dr is very aggressive with his fills. It is also done under fluoroscope. I was banded june 11th,2012. First fill 4 weeks after and 6cc, then second fill 4 weeks after first one 3cc. I fell great! 9cc in a 11cc band. I am eating one cup at my three meals and i can tell when full. Best feeling ever. So i am just over 2 months out since surgery and really feel like i just might be in the green zone.

Ready4change2 I absolutely love your thinking style. That was really the answer i was hoping to hear. If only you lived near me! I will consult with a surgeon tomorrow to see if i can persuade them to give it a try. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

My first and second fills were like that, unfortunately. The last one was super easy though. As you lose weight, it will get easier, because the fat covering the abdominal muscles and port will shrink, and the port will be easier to find.

I just had my first fill today and have the realize 11cc band. He put in 6cc and everything seems great. Hope everything goes well for you.

Hang in Rayanne! Congrats on the new job. You'll do great, look forward to that fill and be glad you have already done the hard part, surgery. Keep us posted.

I am allowed to have mushies 7 days post-op and refried Beans are on my list and pureed meats, pureed fruits and veg, Scrambled eggs, low-fat cottage cheese. I will get to start all that tomorrow yay.

I am allowed to have mushies 7 days post-op and refried Beans are on my list and pureed meats, pureed fruits and veg, Scrambled eggs, low-fat cottage cheese. I will get to start all that tomorrow yay.

I am allowed to have mushies 7 days post-op and refried Beans are on my list and pureed meats, pureed fruits and veg, Scrambled eggs, low-fat cottage cheese. I will get to start all that tomorrow yay.

I am looking forward to feeling better. Not getting winded going up stairs. Taking my kids swimming and not feeling embarrassed. A longer life. More energy! There are just so many. I am on my way. I was banded on monday, june 11. Four days post-op! Yay!

I felt the same way too! I was banded on monday, june 11th. The second and third day post-op was the worst. I took liquid tylenol with codine. Would have never made it through. I am five days post-op today and feel.pretty good. Still some gas pain and soreness where my port it. Hopefully it will get better and you heal fast.

This came up a week ago:
Clip my toenails and tie my shoes without grunting and losing my breath.
Fit into an airline seat without rubbing shoulders with the skinny people around me.
Getting down on the floor and playing with my grandkids and my kitty.
Sliding into a cafe booth and not having to push the table away.
Knees not aching after just walking around the park.
Playing golf again without my gut getting in the way of my swing.
Having shirts without the obligatory stains right where my gut sticks out(all of my shirts are stained in the same spot)
Going to the Water park and not wearing a t-shirt all day because I'm a fat slob.
Going to Mexico with my wife in November and being able to remove my shirt and not scare small children(although the scars are still a little scary)
Getting rid of some of my meds.
And finally(drum roll) Be able to "Ride the Rockies" 6 stage/day bike riding event next year. Woo Hoo!
tmf

I am looking forward to feeling better. Not getting winded going up stairs. Taking my kids swimming and not feeling embarrassed. A longer life. More energy! There are just so many. I am on my way. I was banded on monday, june 11. Four days post-op! Yay!

I am looking forward to feeling better. Not getting winded going up stairs. Taking my kids swimming and not feeling embarrassed. A longer life. More energy! There are just so many. I am on my way. I was banded on monday, june 11. Four days post-op! Yay!

i just celebrated my two year anniversary with my band. This is the first time I have been to this site, tho...I mean, I joined two years ago, but forgot with the meds, I guides.
I have lost between 65-70 lbs, depending on the day. My goal was to get to 150, which is still twenty lbs to go. I was stalled at sixty lbs for a long time, then started working out at a gym. I lost ten lbs. Within a month and now stay at that weight. I plan to hire a trainer in august, which should help with ten of this lbs. I have a big event in September that I want to look fab for...I havent seen my siblings in four yrs and the weight loss should set them back...they made some pretty ugly comments when I was at my heaviest.
I love being able to shop on the Missy dept at stores and have been really pleased with my progress. It is just those last few lbs.....I do wealk three miles every morning, he'll or high Water, which has helped my mood and sleep tremendously.