2012

I have spent more initially bulking up on foods that I normally did not keep in the house, but I imagine it will turn around in the near future and cost less, especially as I eat less with fills, but then again, I'm only feeding one mouth

I was not charged extra, but I was told upfront that this was automatically taken care of if it was found when doing surgery and I had to sign a paper that said this again. It's been a month and no bill. Although, I read on here recently that some guy got a surprise bill for the hernia repair, so it might be best to just contact them. I found the article, hopefully this link works: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/151744-insurance-wont-cover-hernia-why/page__hl__hernia%20bill#entry1798567

On another post on here someone suggested Pearls probiotics as I experienced constipation the week after getting surgery and I did not want to run into major issues as I have always had stomach issues. They are tiny capsules to take and can survive getting through your stomach and into your intestines better than most probiotics supposedly. It took about a week to a week and a half and I have been regular. They are not too expensive and have been good for me. Before surgery I loved Sustenex, but I was afraid to take it after the surgery as the pill is larger than a "m&m", which is the guide I was given for taking pills.

I agree with SageTracey, it's all about the long term. Yeah I lost 40lbs with adipex, but could I realistically keep up that kind of eating without the pill, no and I ended up gaining a lot more back, so I made my decision to get lapband to live this as a long term change and keep the weight off this time.

Does the stuck feeling have anything to do with me feeling like food is stuck in my throat? I have read on here it is painful, which this experience is kind of, but not that bad. This is new for me so when this happens I run to the bathroom (work in "cubicle world" where you can hear a pin drop sometimes) just in case I'm about to have a problem.

MemphisFan, if you like, send me an email through this website and I will scan my "adjustment" (as they call it) diet for the day of the fill and diet after the fill for you. I had to take a 2 hour nutritionist class 2 weeks before my surgery and this is where I got the information from. Use your nutritionist to their fullest, I have called or emailed them about a million times since my surgery .

Walking around and gas X help, it took about 6 days until all of the shoulder pain was gone for me.

Thanks for the feedback. I thought that you had to do liquids for 24 hours after a fill, 1 day of mushy, and then regular foods again? I believe it's because your stomach is swollen after a fill and sensitive.

How did it go, I go for my first fill in a week?

I have not had a fill yet, but I would like to also know what Shannon was told by her new person doing the fill, would you mind sharing pretty please?

Thanks silly-weasel, the bloating is what is bothering me the most. I've lost 20lbs and can't even tell when I bloat up after eating my mini meal. My dad has colitis and just told me about Charco Caps at Wal-Mart and I'm going to see if these are okay with my dietician and give those a go if they are okay.

I'm glad you posted this, I was actually wondering if anyone wanted to start a regular meeting or something, for example, Sunday's would be best for me, but time of day would have to depend on who would be joining, I'm on EST time in Kentucky. I was just banded 09JUL2012, my surgeon's office only has monthly meetings, and I only know 1 person that has had lapband, which I can drill for questions and believe me I have, but it is still good to get different opinions and a good support group. This website is awesome and has drastically helped me, but live communication is good too. Let me know if there is interest and we can set this up, or even start a new post to get more people.

For you July bandsters, anyone still dealing with gas? I was banded 09JUL2012 and have gas every day, called the nutritionist today and she is telling me it may still be gas from surgery.

Thanks

What is BS chicken?

Sorry I can't make any suggestions, just newly banded myself. But if you don't mind me asking, are you not eating per the plan? Are you eating over the 1 cup portions 5-6 times a day?

Thank you 123crod, I wish I knew about that before because I really need to be on it. Looks like I'm going to the Little Clinic to get back on this again. But hopefully as I lose more weight (just banded 09JUL2012) it will get a lot better. Thanks so much!!

Now if only they would only come out with a generic, I stopped taking it due to cost. I have an HSA account and for 3 months it cost almost $400.00.

I bought the calcium chews and vitaband from them. The chews are good, especially caramel, but then I couldn't believe it was going to take 30 carbs to reach my calcium count each day, so they were sent back. I did receive one of their wonderslim crispy bars as a free sample and it was pretty good.

Same here, my first week I couldn't believe how much I was sleeping. I could take 2-3 hour long naps and still go to bed at night, which is not normal for me . But you are healing, the surgery is minimally invasive, but still major surgery, so let your body recoup, your energy will come back soon.

Congratulations on getting through your surgery! I'm not sure exactly which "pressure" you are referring to, but this is what I experienced, I had mine put in on the 9th of July. First 2 days the top of my back into my shoulders was extremely tight and hurt, I thought it was from laying on the couch (stayed at my dad's place right after surgery), but I think it was gas because by day 3 it was gone (and I had slept on the couch again). As far as the gas pain in my shoulder, that did not go away until about 5 days post op. Some people experience it a lot longer, but this is just what I experienced. Search "gas pains" on this forum and their is lots of information, that's what I did after surgery .

Just some random things my nutritionist suggested and were really good: Ricotta cheese and pizza sauce Pureed tuna salad, no relish Cow cheese (triangle soft cheese) Refried beans thinned with chicken broth

I saw my nutritionist last Friday and she had mentioned the biggest complaint she got from patients is that they are tired and she emphasized that it's because of not getting enough water.

Anyone have any problems with whey protein? I only have 1 shake in the morning each day, Optimum Nutrition, but every afternoon I end up having a lot of gas and it's pretty bad, Gas X doesn't even help much. I'm thinking about trying Plantfusion protein, but was wondering if anyone else had any suggestions? I don't think I'm lactose intolerant as I can drink milk, eat cheese, etc. but something has to give and I know I can't get all my protein from food alone.

Congratulations on your recent banding! I was banded 07/09 and like the previous poster said, it does get better! The best thing that helped me with the gas and my shoulders were tight as could be for the first 2 days, I thought it was the couch, lol, but walk, walk, walk. I also took gas-x, but walking somehow helps your body absorb it faster and this helps get rid of the pain. And the only pills you should be taking is if they prescribed you any, I only got some for nausea that were really small and I fortunately only needed once and the liquid pain killer was very helpful. I was told I could take Aleve also, but always ask your doctor, this is just what my doc said.