realmccoy

Hi, I had my surgery done in Ypsi, MI at the Forest Health Medical Center. Wonderful place, wonderful staff. Loved my surgeon and follow up doctors! Had no problems with insurance! My paperwork and approval went through very quick- I did have all my ducks in a row! Good luck and let me know if I can answer any questions for you!

I think this site is the best I've found not just for bandsters, but I too, think it would be great for spouses to read........maybe they could start a thread or subject thingy -specifically for spouses of bandsters!

I just got an un-fill yesterday! After 5 days of dealing with exactly what you guys are describing, I couldn't take it. My doc told me I was too full if things hurt! Not to mention the fact that I could only do liquids and they hurt. The liquids I could do was only a few sips. Couldn't keep soup down and even Jello hurt! Dr. said nothing about the band should hurt and he got me in right away so I didn't have to go the long weekend. He only took out 1/4cc and talked with me for about 20 minutes while I drank Water the whole time! Much better! Still a little tight, but not painful! He also said when it's that tight it won't loosen enough with weight loss to feel better over time. Another thing to worry about for you 1st time fills it that he said later in band life it won't cause damage to be too tight because you have a callus built up around the band, but first time fills if they are too tight could start erosion into the stomach because it is so early and the stomach hasn't had time to build up callus around the band! Don't wait around....if you are in pain and can't eat---get an unfill! Better to be loose than tight! Especially for a 1st fill! The restriction should be gradual and slowly build up to perfect restriction! I feel amazing today, after being in pain, depressed, lethargic and no energy for the past 5 days! Did loose 10 pounds in the 5 days---but not worth it and I'll probably gain it back because I basically starved and dehydrated for 5 days! ****Try ice cream! I know we're not suppose to eat ice cream, but it was soothing on the pain in my chest and I could keep it down and I figured if it was the only thing I was eating it couldn't do much damage, better yet the sugar free ice cream and Popsicles! It will put a little something in you! Try an antacid to help with chest pain as well!

That's exactly how it works for me every time I get a fill! Takes a couple of days to kick in and usually a few weeks to adjust!

Hi Guys, how long does it take before a "too tight" band can cause damage? I'm thinking I'm too tight, but just got filled on the 15th so I was thinking of waiting a little longer to see if it loosens. My last fill took me about 2 weeks to adjust. Today, I still can only do liquids.........so far, but since the surgery I've only been able to do liquids only in the AM. I haven't had anything but liquids since last fill and they hurt, but stay down. Probably should get a slight unfill but 2 hour drive, gas prices, time off work etc. is making me think I should deal with it for a few more days and see what happens....will a few more days of being too tight hurt my stomach or start erosion?

I think I'm in the same boat. Had a fill last Thursday- 1cc. As always, they had me drink before I left and I had no problems. Since then, I've only been able to do liquids and very slow at that......a couple sips, wait 5 min, couple sips more. If I take more than a couple, it hurts. Solid food-no way. My chest even hurt for the first day like someone was sitting on it. I was all set to get an un-fill scheduled this week but now I'm debating on holding out a couple more days. After my last fill it took me about 2 weeks to adjust and I always seem to loosen up after a few weeks (which you might too). My only concern is when I drink I feel a burning sensation in my chest and I'm worried does this mean it's too tight? I don't want to cause erosion but don't want to get an un-fill and then a couple weeks later need another fill. I was thinking just 1/4 of a cc out might be the best, but don't know what to do really! I could call my doctor, but they aren't too helpful over the phone! It's so hard to tell if it's really overfill or finally good restriction!?

I'm going in for my 4th fill tomorrow. My first two fills were with my original surgery doctor. He numbed the area first with several injections. The first injection burns a little-then it goes numb. No problems or pain during those fills. When I went for my 3rd fill (new doctor) he doesn't believe in numbing, said 1 stick vs 2 sticks. I was a little nervous, but he assured me it wouldn't hurt. He did my fill and it was no problem. Actually, I think I prefer it this way because there wasn't the burning sensation, just a slight poke. Tomorrow I have a different doctor, so I'm wondering what "style" he uses. I'm always nervous going in for a fill......especially when they just feel and poke. How can they find that thing? My always have, but you hear the stories of how a lot miss. I'm praying that this new doctor for me does as well as the ones in the past!

I had my surgery on Thursday and was back to work on Monday-desk job. No problems with pain or gas, just really tired.........by 1 week out, I was feeling very normal!

No Swedish Fish for me! I haven't tried, but I had a problem with gummy bears and they are softer than the fish..............too scared of the pain it could cause!

You poor thing, that doesn't sound right at all, especially if you are getting protein in.....are you drinking enough water? could you be dehydrated? I know those symptoms you described happen when you don't get enough water and protein shakes don't count! Good luck and let me know what happens!

Ok, weird thing happened to me this weekend-but first, coming up on my 1 year band anniversary, 3 fills, perfect restriction but bordering too tight (only liquids for breakfast and lunch and small dinner) but I'm OK with that...............anyway: this weekend was walking around and crossed my arms over my chest....felt a weird almost vibrating sensation coming from my rib cage. (not my stomach) At first I thought it was somehow my cell phone vibrating in my pocket, but phone was in my purse. I shrugged it off.............. a while later, crossed my arms again over my chest and the same thing happened, but even more pronounced. No pain just this weird "moving" vibrating sensation. Almost felt like liquid squishing around. This happened 2 more times and that's it. I shrugged it off as a fluke then the crazy thing happened!!! The next morning I had no restriction at all!!!!!! Could eat whatever I wanted all day and as much as I wanted! This morning I felt a little restriction, but not the usual. What the heck is going on? Before you all comment, I have a call into the Dr. and waiting for a call back.........but have any of you ever heard of this or had this happen? Is it possible my fluid somehow all came out at my band site? Did my band pop open? I'm not scared because I feel fine, but in the back of my mind I am a little concerned and wondering if something is wrong with my band. I have grown very attached to my little friend and don't want to loose it! please, Any comments would be appreciated! Thanks!

Well everyone, the doctors office said as long as I wasn't in any pain or vomiting come in for a fill.........they scheduled me 2 weeks out and the nurse said my band was probably moving around due to the need for a fill. You know, that whole thing when your stomach shrinks the band becomes loser. Maybe my stomach shrank that day when I crossed my arms!!! I have very little restriction since that day, but I guess some is better than none! We'll see what happens in two weeks! Thanks for all your responses!

Thanks, I hope that's all it was too, but how weird! My doctor never checks the amount I have in already, he says it differs because there is "natural absorption" ?!

is there such a thing- as a leak from the band and not the port tubing? Interesting...........

my brain still hasn't clicked, I constantly have to remind myself of what I should and shouldn't be eating , I guess old habits do die hard!

Putting soup in the blender is a great idea, it helped me a ton because I was starving too........I tried all kinds and sometimes added milk or water to thin it down a little. My doctor and nutritionist said there was no problem doing this at the liquid or soft food stages! Good luck!

I have a hard time with any corn, 1 bite is all I can have and have to chew really well........

My doctors office had me pay $250.00 upfront of my $1000.00 deductible and then billed me for the rest after surgery (in which I made monthly payments). Hopefully yours will be a liberal! Regardless, it's worth every penny! PS -we have a few things in common, I used to live in NC and we're the same age-it's fun to have things in common with bandsters!

I was back to work 4 days after my surgery and boating the week after surgery. I did push it a little and was still tired! Wasn't sore at all. My only thoughts are a vacation to mexico...........you will be on a liquid or soft food diet while you were there....that seems like it would be difficult to find food that would fit your post needs---and you need to drink a lot of water and you have to be careful where you get your water in mexico. My doctor also told me no alcohol for 6 weeks after surgery and no pools or lakes or oceans until my incisions were healed! If it were me, I would have the surgery after.......why take the chance of not having a wonderful vacation and enjoying yourself to the fullest! A few more weeks to wait on the surgery won't hurt and enjoy one last fling!! Have a ball and let us know what you decided to do!

I have BCBS as well and they went by my first initial weigh in only. I lost about 20 lbs before surgery and that put me "under" their weight requirements but they never knew my weight after the first weight was submitted to them. I think you're safe if you already have approval before you start the process of pre-surgical diets! You should be fine! Best wishes!

Good luck! Starting tomorrow you will begin your process of becoming a new person! It's a wonderful journey!

I don't miss-- checking to see if my clothes from last week are too tight and trying to figure out what to wear......now my clothes from last week are too loose and weekly I have to check to see what I have smaller in the closet and I love it! I don't miss being one of my only friends to finish a whole meal and then some when we go out for lunch! I don't miss hiding behind baggy sweatshirts and instead of dreading bathing suit season and family boating this summer........I am looking forward to it! Big huge thing I don't miss is wanting to nap/sleep all the time! I secretly miss "BK Whoppers" !!!:crying:

Hi Shanon, Just wanted to say that I am 8 months out and I can't eat salads! I miss them a bunch. Occasionally, I have a couple of bites of lettuce and I do fine. I know others can eat salads and some can't! Hopefully you will be able to! Good luck!

I guess it depends on the size of the bag of corn! It sounds like you're on the right track. My personal experience is that 1/2 of an apple would fill me up way full. I can't eat any corn! My doctor said in answer to the 1/2 cup amounts, no mashed or smashed in a 1/2 cup, just poured in, sitting in, etc. Not pureed amount but can be, for example: I can have 1/2 cup tomato Soup for dinner with a couple of croûtons on it -and that's it. Or I can have 1/2 cup of lettuce with dressing and be full--yes 1/2 cup lettuce is like one large leaf chopped up! If I have something like chicken breast, I end up with about 4-5 medium size bites, which would probably fill a 1/2 cup. Hope this helps, I know everyone is different with what they can eat and how much of it-depending on restriction/fills........I just know my Doctors and nutritionist keep stressing over and over the 1/2 cup max at a time. I've lost 75 lbs, less than a year post.....so the 1/2 cup must be doing something.

I know what they are, but was wondering why we're not suppose to take them? My doctor never mentioned anything about meds no to take, only to take pills smaller than M&M size. thanks for your reply!