catlover602

Hi. I'm in Phoenix too! Welcome. I'm a newbie also. You will receive so much information on this site. No question is a silly question. Ask away. I have. Good luck on your journey.

Be happy! You're doing great.

I chose the lap band because my insurance would not cover WLS and the band was the only thing I could afford/finance. I would have liked the sleeve, but the cost was too high for self-pay. I am doing well. I feel great. I work out 6 days a week and the band has helped me with portion control. I am not in the "green zone" yet, but I watch what I eat and average 1-2 pounds loss per week. If you follow the rules, the band does work. Weight loss is slower than the sleeve, but my goal is to become healthier and get off high blood pressure medication. Good luck on your decision and on becoming healthier.

Best wishes on your recovery.

I had a 1cc fill last Thursday. Four days after fill, I still was having problems with being able to eat solids and drink fluids. I went back in Monday and they removed .6cc. I felt so much better immediately. At first I thought it was just swelling and I had to let it go down, but after not getting liquids down I knew I had to call dr office. Listen to your body, follow your after fill instructions. it is a little uncomfortable after a fill, but only for a day or so. Good luck.

thank you for bringing this to our attention.

The pre-op diet was the hardest two weeks of my life! I have never stuck to a diet for that long but I did it and I am glad I did. My family and co-workers were telling me, "you don't need surgery, you're doing it on your own." What I told them was the reason I am sticking to it is because of MY surgery. And to top things off, my co-workers on the last day of work, the day before my surgery, they ordered me two trays of Mexican food!! Mexican food! I told them "I can't have any of that. I'm on liquids today." They thought I could have my last hurrah. I know they meant well but I told them next time get me flowers. lol. You'll get hungry after surgery too, so this will help you. I lost 20 pounds from the pre-op diet so look forward to that. Hang in there. You can do it.

Sandymom, thank you. I feel better. 2mf thanks, I'll see if I come across the forum.

Hello everyone. Well today I had my first post-op DR apt following surgery. I found out I have a 10cc band and during surgery the Doctor filled it with 4cc. The NP went ahead and added another 1cc so now my band if filled with 5cc. She had a hard time finding my port. She had me lay, stand, finally she had me go in to the x-ray room. she was thinking it might have flipped. I was so scared I didn't know what to think. Once she was able to look at it, she said the port is tilted a bit. So the next time they fill my band, they will have to insert the needle at an angle not straight. I've never heard of this? Does anyone have a port that is tilted? She said it will just finish healing in that position and didn't seem to alarmed about it. I really didn't think I needed a fill. I've been measuring my food and walking. I've lost 42 pounds (that includes pre-op diet also) and I'm not starving. Oh well I guess i'll just see how this goes. I'm relieved that my band hadn't flipped. I do not know what that would have meant, but it sounded scary. I do not know how my port could have tilted? I have been off work, I have not been lifting.. just walking every morning? If anyone out there has a tilted port will you please give me some info on it. Thank you.

Thanks guys. I will wait/ or not even attempt to use a straw. I've gotten use to not using one, so I'll be ok. thanks for responding.

Congratulations on your accomplishment without any fills! That is amazing. Did you have any Fluid put into your band during surgery? Best wishes to you on reaching your goal. Take care.

Hi congratulations on your weight loss. Do you have a shopping mall near by you can walk through? It is so hot here in AZ, I do not even attempt to walk outside. The mall I live near by opens at 7am for walkers. It works out great. There are no shoppers only walkers. I love it. Once I go back to work though I will have to start going in the evening or join a gym. I'm not sure about fills, but I measure my food. I do get hungry. But until I get to the so called "green zone" I'm on a diet and counting calories. But I'm sticking to it. Did you find the green zone the first time you were banded? Thanks.

HI. We are both in AZ and I had surgery through TR also. We should talk sometime.

I'm happy you are feeling better.

Yeah!! Congratulations. I'm so happy for you.

Hi. Look up the "The eight golden rules" by Dr. Paul O'brien on youtube. Then watch "Rule # 4." Hope that helps some. I'm new to this also. Good luck.

Congratulations! That's great. It's the little things that mean so much.

I didn't know we couldn't chew gum? I knew about the straws and sodas... Thanks, I'll have to look that up.

Yeah! I'm so happy for you.

I understand how you are feeling. Everyone's post-op diet seems to be different? I was on clear liquids for the first 48 hrs only then days 3-7 liquids. Weeks 2 and 3 with be thicker liquids and smooshies. Fourth week I start solids... we just need to follow our doctors orders and listen to our band. You'll learn so much from this site though. Good luck. I'm 2 weeks post-op.

Have you had any fills? Was it your first solid meal? Just curious. I'm 12 days post op. Do you have a lap band? salad sounds so good.

Yummy sounds good. I'll have to try it. I'm still on smooshies.

Which ever one you choose, it all comes down to you following the rules! No WLS out there can stop any of us from putting down the fork. Look at Carnie Wilson....

Congratulations! you look great!

Thank you all for all your help. The pain went away about 5p. I've only had 1/4 c yogurt and feel fine. 2muchfun, I did start a new multi Vitamin gummie today? I might just try a liquid vitamin. Thank you everyone. I appreciate all your comments.