gabby

Hi Karen, I agree with the other posts as well, but, take into consideration the shoulder pain you may experience as a result of the air used during surgery. I am 49 and was banded 1-13-04, I went back to work 2 weeks later, and really wished I had stayed out a few more days. I have a job that pretty much I can sit when I want and is not hard physically. Best of luck and welcome to future bandland..................Gabby

So it's Friday afternoon and I said to hubby, "gee, wouldn't it be great to have a haddock fish fry just like back home"? and of course he agreed. So now I track down some fresh haddock, not an easy feat in the state of Minnesota. I bring it home and cook it to perfection, then settle in for my feast. Three small bites later it feels like I've swallowed a brick. Done!! and so uncomfortable I can't sit still. I had hubby shake me, patt me firmly on my back and front, which did make it feel slightly better. For over an hour I was very uncomfortable, wishing for my first PB. All the time making some strange noises that could have been in an alien movie. So, I figure I probably ate it too fast or took bites larger than I thought. The next morning still eager to enjoy my favorite fish, I start with some water, then coffee, then after a while my beloved haddock. Two bites, tiny, tiny bites mind you, I feel that same feeling starting again. This time I recognize it earlier and it's only a half hour of mild discomfort. Now, on any given day I can eat any raw vegetable, I could probably pull one out of my garden, frozen solid and it would slide down like water. It seems that the softest food I eat, eggs and fish feel like rocks! Oh, this mysterious band, but, I still love it anyway............Gabby

Oh my Alexandria........I had an intellectual interlude. Yes, I was banded this year (duh) 2004. I opted for a fill as soon as I could, 6 weeks to the day. I have beed watching what I eat, but, felt that I was able to eat too much, I'm so eager to keep losing. I probably won't have another for a while, this seems right. Thanks for your kind words................Gabby

Just had my first fill. I continue to lose weight (30 lbs- banded 1/13/03)but, I felt I was eating more than I should. The fill was painless, although felt alittle weird, I could feel the fluid going through the tube. It took about 15 minutes and a few pokes to access the port. He numbed me first and put 1.5 cc in. I like this adjustment, it feels good. I also joined Curves, to try to become more active and tone up a bit. I love to swim, but, not comfortable showing my skin yet. I find the band truly amazing and so glad I opted for this instead of the by-pass. I thought I would stick out like a "sore thumb" when I dined out but, that certainly is not the case. My only regret is not finding out about the band sooner.

Thanks Donali, I'm gonna give it a try, sure makes sense. This board is so valuable. My doctor suggested I join a support group for lap banders, told him I already belong and I don't even leave the comfort of my home. You guys are the greatest!! Gabby

Hey Misty: Thanks for your kind words. Are you a Minnesota girl? When I started this venture, I had BC/BS and hubby had Aetna Insurance. Both of these insurances are extremely difficult to get the band approved. So, I found the insurance that approves the band, then found a job that offered that insurance. (I called benefits office before even applying for the job). I realize this was extreme but, I truly wanted to be banded, without the hassels. This worked for me........initially I hated my "new" job, as I left the job of my dreams. Now, I really enjoy my job and REALLY ENJOY my band. It stinks that the insurance companies can make a difficult situation worse. It's bad enough to be overweight, but once we've made the decision to do something about it, it really stinks that we have to jump through hoops. Good luck......Gabby

Hello Christa: I was banded in January, this site is the best, lots of great folks who will help ya with anything. Welcome to bandland.......................Gabby

WOW...........what an inspiration! Posts like yours are so uplifting. Congrats..........gabby

You look wonderful...........keep up the great work!!....gabby

You go girl!!! you look great!.......................Gabby

Hello all: I am 4 weeks out of surgery and still getting the shoulder pains. At my job I do plenty of walking, the pains are certainly less often and less intense. I haven't tried the GasX. Good luck....Gabby

Hello all: I am 4 weeks out of surgery and still getting the shoulder pains. At my job I do plenty of walking, the pains are certainly less often and less intense. I haven't tried the GasX. Good luck....Gabby

Wow Ann..........I had tears in my eyes when I read your posts. Talk about how the pedulum swings. Welcome to band land. May the only rollercoaster you ride now, be the one at Disney World. Get better quick. I found those hand held blenders were a godsend for me I pulverized about everything those first couple of weeks, I found it difficult to eat the same food twice, so I basically blended whatever I was in the mood for.......tomato soup only goes so far.................take care.....Gabby

Hey Melissa: I had my banding done at Abbott-Northwestern, in Minneapolis. I work as a night nurse, (supervisor) so that usually there isn't a lot of physical work, but a fair amount of walking. The gas pains came out my first night back, so between the port pain and shoulder pain, my first night back was very long. Also, being without my drug of choice Advil, was a disadvantage. I had my surgery on a Tuesday, but, I was still feeling the effects of the anesthesia on Sunday, which bothered me more than the pain. I took one dose of morphine while in the hospital and one percocet at home and that was it for pain control. I have a rather strong pain tolerance, but, an even stronger adversion for feeling "loopy". All and all the experience was much easier than I expected........the worse part of the hospital experience was that ghastly barium eeeuuuuuu. Please let me know if I can help with anything else. Welcome to future bandland. regards, Gabby

Hello all: So it's day 24. I went back to work 2 weeks after surgery, I wish I had stayed out a couple more days, still had a little port pain. As of today I am down 24 lbs. I can eat anything that I ate before, so far. ( I am a fish eating vegetarian) I am reconizing the signs my body gives me when it's full. One more bite and it feels like I swallowed a shoe box. No vomitting or PBing. I just got done shoveling the sidewalk, a feat that would have left me gasping and feeling light headed, it was a breeze today. The people at work are saying something looks different, most say I look younger. Most of them are unaware of the surgery. Because everything I own has elastic it all fits loosely, but, no change of size yet. So far I LOVE MY BAND!!!!! I can also see it's a work in progress that requires work on my part. Meaning that the treats I love can come back to haunt me if I indulge. I bought some sugar free peanut butter cups and one is the last thing I eat (it's my little reward ). I'm still having trouble getting in all the protein and water, but, Rome wasn't built in a day. I am so thankful for this second chance, somehow I could justify cheating on any diet, because I felt so deprived, it's so different now, I have no desire to sabotage myself. I am going to have a fill soon (2 1/2 weeks). I can't wait for summer........I've started to look at bathing suits and do alittle dreaming, not that Sport's Illustrated is gonna call me anytime soon. It's just that now it's about fitting in......not standing out. Good luck to all.........may God bless .....Gabby

Hey Sheila: I am newly banded (8 days) I'm on liquids and I WISH I had stuffed myself with salads and raw vegetables. Although I blend almost everything, I really miss my veggies. If I were you I'd eat smart, but, eat the last things that will be added. Good luck!!......... Gabby

Thanks so much for sharing Carmen........great story. You'd better wear that suit often cause soon it will be too big on you! Keep it up...............Gabby

I wonder why the lap-band isn't mentioned in the article........I know the cover says it's about by-pass, but, they have a small article about a device similar to a pacemaker that's planted under the abdomen, which they say is promising........but not available to 2006. Although on the flip side.......maybe if they did publish in People the folks who are now in the process of banding may have to wait longer.....hmm. Which would not be good. I stumbled across the lap-band while researching the by-pass on the internet.....how did you find it? Are you pleased you did? I'm newly banded........Gabby

I know exactly what you are going through. I was banded 1/13/04 and I also have a 6 yr old. (4 kids-6m,12m,14m,20f) I was as scared as I was excited. Now only 4 days post-op I'm thrilled. I plan on enjoying the water rides instead of watching. I can't wait for the energy to truly care for my family. It's normal to run the gammit of emotions, we all know the risks of surgery. I told very few folks for that same reason. Good luck and congrats on your date.........wooooohoooooo

Well, It's early I just got up and pulled off some of the bandaids and took a relaxing bath. It felt soooo good. I'm still not hungry but, can feel my energy start to lag .....so it's time to eat. I left the hospital on full liquids and it is starting to get boring. I'm going to the grocery store this morning and I'm going to pick up lemons,limes and oranges and tangerines, so I can squeeze the juice to flavor my water. I'm also going to the baby food isle to get fruits and veggies. Everything tastes too sweet to me that drinking juice got old very fast, and I know many of the baby food don't have sugar. I feel the need to find a protein source, so I'll check them out and let you know. I did eat some cheerios last night, I put them (one or two) in my mouth and let them dissolve then with a drop of water made a paste. I did have some gas (burps) but I found gently patting on my chest really helped. Already I love the band and in this short time I can see and feel a difference. My family all caught that nasty stomach flu and I thought I was getting it yesterday, I had some awful nausea. I called Dr. Schwartz's office and that wondeful man returned my call in minutes, he ordered tigan suppositories and one was all it took. Later that day he called to check on me and also told me that the radiologist at Abbott found that I have a kidney stone. (had some 20 years ago) Can you imagine that! I am more impressed with my doctor and hospital than ever. I must say that it is so different not walking by something and popping it in your mouth just cause it's there. I intend to treat my body like a temple. I have a second chance and a wondeful instrument to help me, I am so thankful. I can't wait to fully recover to tackle life. I can't wait for my energy to surge and I know it's coming. I can't wait to wear clothes not layered to try to cover my weight. I can't wait for water slides, instead of sitting in a chair sweating, watching, wanting so much to be there with my children......I'll be riding with them. I feel my weight has robbed me of so much, and I let it. I have always had vanity, and it has has kept me from so much. I didn't want to be the side-show or the fattest, slowest mom. I have always hid behind my humor ("fat folks are jolly folks") while silently I ached. I look forward to walking by Lane Bryant or Catherines, and into a regular store that will give me the selection and styles I that were not available to me before. Mostly, I look forward to the day my husband will sweep me in his arms ( OK I know I'm getting carried away........the visions of Rhett Butler scooping up Scarlet and carrying her upstairs, but hey, You gotta dream, right?) I'll tell you my secret fantasy..........read on only if your bold and not afraid, fearless and .............. OK........ it's my husband and I riding in a canoe on a moon-lit night across a still water lake.........then I stand and he holds my waist and we embrace..........oh wait, that's the scene from Titanic. Well you get the point and I hope a smile as well. Good luck to you folks with banding dates a coming, I'm here for you. may God bless, Gabby

Well, I did it. Just got home from the hospital yesterday, and for the exception of some post-anesthesia nausea it was easier than I expected. Care at Abbott-Northwestern absolutely first rate, Dr. Schwartz was fantastic. I have to say that I experienced every emotion and almost felt like "chickening out". So glad I'm done, now on full liquids..........life is good. Good luck to all.........Gabby

I live in MN as well, I switched jobs to find a job that carries medica insurance because medica will cover the lapband as long as you have a BMI of 40 or above or have health problems with a lower BMI. Good Luck, Gabby

You look great......you go girl. regards Gabby

Hello everyone: I know Medica will cover the surgery,but, I'd like to cut down the hours I work and go under hubby's insurance Aetna (which will not cover the lapband). So, my question is. Are fills included in the surgery bill? Will another insurance pick up the cost of fills even though they wouldn't pick up the surgery? Thank you all. I read all your posts, and will soon be on the other side in 2 weeks. Gabby

Thank you for answering; !.) Do you take Vitamins? If so what kind? Can you take large pills? What about an advil? Anyone taking or needing Fiber laxaives? (aka metamucil) Seems to me if ya have to chew to consistency of baby food that pills could get stuck. 2.) What about salads and raw veggies any problem there?