Forestcat5

Shortness of breath --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I posted this in the General Lapband forum, but now I think I should have put it in this one......... I had my 3rd fill on Feb 29th. (6.5 in a 11cc band) Not too long after that I started noticing I have shortness of breath on and off throughout the day. I have very, very little restriction, so I've never thrown up or slimed or had much trouble eating. The shortness of breath is worrying me...... However - I've had a lot of stress (much more than normal), and I'm wondering if that is what is causing my problem. I plan on calling my surgeon's office, but was wondering if anyone else ever had shortness of breath after surgery, or after a fill, or within the first few months of surgery? Thanks,

I had my 3rd fill on Feb 29th. (6.5 in a 11cc band) Not too long after that I started noticing I have shortness of breath on and off throughout the day. I have very, very little restriction, so I've never thrown up or slimed or had much trouble eating. The shortness of breath is worrying me...... However - I've had a lot of stress (much more than normal), and I'm wondering if that is what is causing my problem. I plan on calling my surgeon's office tomorrow, but was wondering if anyone else ever had shortness of breath after surgery, or after a fill, or within the first few months of surgery? Thanks,

Hi dmrink - Welcome! I'm also from the Cleveland area and was banded at St Vincent Hospital on Nov 1st. Good luck on the Medicare!!! Let us know what you find out.

I had a similar situation: After the surgeon's office sent in my info I got a denial letter from my insurance co saying I hadn't met all the requirements. I was crushed, and had a second or two where I considered giving up. But I really thought I HAD done everything I was supposed to. I called the surgeon's office and they said I didn't send them everything that was required (which made me wonder then WHY they sent anything??) But I contacted my family Dr (who was very supportive) and she called my ins co, then faxed over the info they wanted - and I got an acceptance letter the next week! So I would say don't give up, take a deep breath and send the surgeon's office what they want, OR maybe see if your pcp can step in and contact your ins co directly. These things happen - the people at the surgeon's office have many, many people to handle, and tons of paperwork. I know it doesn't make the waiting any easier though!!! Good Luck!!!!!

I've lived in Florida and Ohio and I'll take Ohio ANY DAY over Florida. Too darn HOT!!!!!

Tommy O For President !!!!!

Linetta - Hang in there! I also got a headache when I began the Optifast. I believe it's from sugar withdrawal. Does your Dr allow you to have other liquids while you are on the Optifast? I was allowed to have broth. The pre-op diet and the few weeks after the surgery are "challenging" to say the least! And not too far down the road we WILL get to eat those foods we are dreaming about, just in much smaller amounts - and we will be full!!!! You have begun a wonderful journey that will result in better health and a better quality of life. You can do this!!!!!!

Congratulations!!! Glad to hear the surgery went well and you are too!

Welcome ohbearly! I'm also from Ohio and had my surgery Nov 1st in Cleveland. The surgery went well, and the surgeon also found and repaired a hiatal hernia at the same time. Other than dealing with the "problem" of my blood pressure dropping and trying to regulate my meds :clap2: - things are going GREAT! My increasing health issues were the #1 reason I decided to have this surgery, and I'm very excited that my BP is already improving! You are off to a good start - attending a seminar, reading all that you can on this site, and doing other research - is the way to go! You will find that there can be quite a few pre-op tests, especially for people our age who have other medical issues. Even though the pre-op testing was sometimes a pain to schedule, I felt that each one was necessary, and also felt that any surgeon worth his salt would want as much info as possible BEFORE he cuts you open. Best of luck to you!

Thank you to everyone who answered! I will call my PCP tomorrow and leave a message (she will be in the office on Tues). Plus I'm going to have my BP taken several times tomorrow by the nurse at work because I'm sure my Dr will want to know my numbers. I'll let you know what I find out.

kacee - THANK YOU!

CONGRATULATIONS FREEBIRD!!! (from one CIGNA client to another :biggrin1:)

munchkin392 - My Maine Coon is the oldest cat we have, so we call her the "Queen Mother". She has always been a sweet cat, but now when I introduce a new cat to the house she looks sooooo disgusted. She doesn't have much to do with them, but puts up with their antics, and when she's had enough - WHAP! she smacks them up side the head. They soon learn their limits. The cat my friend gave me is a newer breed called a Ragdoll. She paid $700 for it! She was heartbroken to give her up. I offered to pay her something, and she said no - she said she prayed I would take her because she KNEW she would be loved and well taken care of, so she wanted to give her to me for free. So I have 2 very large, very long-haired cats! And then I have one more long hair, and 2 short hair. But they ALL shed, and we must "de-cat" before we leave the house every morning with the lint brush. Any more cat lovers out there??

I'm also a cat lover. I currently have 5, and they are a constant supply of entertainment! 3 of them are rescues, 1 is from a friend that had to give it up due to her childs asthma, and 1 I bought - she's a Maine Coon. I had wanted one all of my life, and when I turned 40 I bought myself one. Happy Birthday to me!! We had a cat that was a thief - he would take our jewelry and stash it away. I found many necklaces in the basement, or rings and watches between the cushions of the furniture. (my husband always said we should let him outside and so he could steal other people's jewelry and earn his keep) Most of our cats have loved to play with the plastic rings that come with milk jugs. They carry them around the house in their mouths, and there have been a few times when they are walking around with them on their "wrists" like bracelettes. When my mother-in-law passed away a few years ago, the day of her funeral my husband kept complaining of his foot hurting. It was a very long day and evening and he was practically limping when we got back to the hotel. He immediately sat down to take off his shoe - and out fell a plastic ring! We laughed so hard - which was good after a very sad day. I love all animals, but have a special connection with cats, and can't imagine my life without them. Everyone who knows me says they will not be surprised in 20 years or so when they see me on the News being hauled out of a house that is bursting with hundreds of cats. Dare I dream? :biggrin1:

I had my surgery Nov 1st, and for the last week have been having dizziness. It's almost always after I stand up from a seated position, and happens at least 6 times a day. I told my surgeons nurse about it and she said to take in more protein, and to make sure I get in 64oz of water. I've done that for the last 2 days, and am still just as dizzy. It's not just a little light-headedness....it's been stop in my tracks and grab the nearest object because I feel like I'm going to fall down kind of thing. :faint: I am on 2 blood pressure meds, and my BP has been normal every time it has been taken. But I was wondering if it could still be low blood pressure - and it only happens when I stand up? I feel fine otherwise - no more pain, able to eat and drink (just started soft foods today). Anyone else have this happen?

Hi buckeye_jc! Welcome to LBT! I am also from Ohio. I had my surgery on Nov 1st in Cleveland, and so far - so good! I've had a few surgeries in my life, and this one was the easiest. Of course there was some pain, but the pain meds took care of it, and I didn't even need pain meds after the 3rd day. Best of luck to you - and let us know how it goes!

Hi Novbeginning - Does your Dr have you on CLEAR liquids, or anything as long as it's liquid? I wasn't on clear liquids after surgery, so I had sugar free pop cicles and fudge bars, cream Soups - tomato Soup, cream of chicken soup (strained), sugar free hot chocolate, and Protein drinks to make sure I got in a lot of protein. (I drank Atkins) I had my surgery on a Thurs, and just like you - I was hungry by the 3rd day. I was really surprised that I was so hungry so soon!! Some days I would 4-5 Protein Drinks, plus other stuff in between. I was a worried that I was taking in too much, but still managed to lose 6lbs during that 2 weeks. Hope this helps!

Longhorn - Thank you so much for your post. My parents and all my siblings are obese. My SIL, who is adopted, is obese, and in the last few years found 2 biological sisters and a brother - and they are all obese. There is so much more research that needs to be done! Thanks again!

NO WAY do I go shopping on Black Friday!!! And what is worse than shopping on Black Friday?? WORKING at a retail store on Black Friday!!!!! I used to work at Best Buy (YIKES!), and every year we would have to call the police because of customers threatening employees or other shoppers, and a few times there were actual fist fights in the store! Granted - it never seemed like we were prepared for the huge crowds that would come surging in, but we would have every single employee we had working every shift, and it never was enough. The things I saw people say and do were disgusting! But then there were also the wonderful, happy people who would be kind and patient, and try to calm down the idiots who were getting furious because the lines were so long, or something they wanted was sold out. And I won't even get into the shoplifting that went on!!! I know there are stories about grumpy and rude retail workers too - believe me we had to fire quite a few during this time of year, but I will never forget the look of greed and hatefulness on shoppers faces.....but also will never forget the funny, helpful shoppers who made me not lose my faith in the human race. I vow to NEVER work in retail again!!

Welcome Twilight! I felt exactly as you have described before surgery - I think a lot of the people on this board have. But I knew I needed the band to use as a tool to not gain the weight back. I've been successful losing the weight in the past - but never successful at keeping it off. This was a big decision for me, but as my health continued to worsen, and my weight was still rising - I KNEW I had to do something different. I was banded on Nov 1st and have worked my way through 2 weeks of liquids and am now enjoying mushies. Reading through the threads on this board (old and new) helps me immensely - during research, pre-op and now post-op. There are some bandsters here that I "clicked" with (even though they don't know it! ) and I look for their postings and get lots of help and encouragement from them. What you are feeling is natural for anyone going to have surgery - but try to think about working with the band and being successful, and improving your health and quality of life. Best of luck to you!!

The XR stands for Extended Release and my surgeon says these meds can NOT be taken, so we'd need to get the tablets that can be crushed. The Extended Release meds are not good with the pouch.

hi mayreee - I had my surgery on Thurs Nov 1st, and was hungry by Sun, and I wondered too if something was wrong. When the surgeon's nurse called to see how I was doing I told her how hungry I was, and she wasn't concerned about it, she just said that my swelling must have gone down fast. So each time I felt hungry I would drink something from the approved list of liquids, plus drank 3-4 Protein drinks a day. I was a little worried that I was consuming too much, but to my surprise - lost 6 lbs during the 2 weeks. So you are not alone - I believe there are a lot of us newly banded people who are honestly hungry!

Hi poodlecamper! I have cigna ins also. It took about a month to get an approval/denial letter from them. I was denied on my first attempt, but it was due to not enough info being submitted. My PCP immediately got in touch with them and faxed what they wanted, and I was approved within a week. I also had to do the 6 month diet. I lost 20 lbs, but cigna didn't seem interested in how much I lost - just that I had followed their requirement of a 6 month Dr supervised diet. CONGRATULATIONS!! on being a 3 year survivor of ovarian and peritoneal cancer!

CTgirl - How HORRIBLE!!!! I can't imagine waking up to a fire in my house! But like you said - thank goodness everyone got out ok. Having to handle everything by yourself has to be so overwhelming, but it sounds like you are a strong person, and you HAVE handled it! So now you need to take some time, even if it's only a few minutes, grab a Protein drink or a bottle of Water, sit down and try to slow your mind, and start taking very small sips. Reflect on how fortunate you are that your loved ones are alive, and that YOU are alive. The last thing you want to do right now is get dehydrated. So if you need to make some phone calls - take a sip before you dial, then take a sip after you hang up. If you have to drive somewhere - take a sip before you start your car, take a sip at every red light, and take a sip after you turn you car off. This may sound a bit elementary, but it helps when a person is under stress to set small "doable" goals. Your kids are with their dad, your SO is in the best place possible to be taken care of, you took care of the cleaners, insurance, contractors....now it's time to take care of YOU! Please let us know how things are going.

Hi Carson_Mommy, I had my surgery Nov 1st and have had to give myself a shot of blood thinner every day since then. Today was the last day. When I had my pre-op consultation with the surgeon he asked if anyone in my family had ever had a blood clot and I said yes, and he said he was sending me to a specialist to be evaluated. So just to be extra safe, and given my family history of heart disease, they decided I should have a week of blood thinners after my surgery. I had never given myself a shot before, but I had a very kind nurse who explained everything to me and sat with me while I gave myself a shot before I left the hospital. There is another bandster I talk with here who also had to do the shots after she got home. It's another one of those things - like the sleep apnea test, or stress test, that the surgeon requests so we have the best recovery possible. So I did it, took a few seconds to be proud of myself for doing it :clap2:, and now onward I go! Best of Luck to you!!