mare5569

Preop is pretty simple. Fill out some forms, listen to Dr. K explain everything, make sure you have your meds already. no exam etc.

ARe you allowed to have Protein drinks? Popscicles etc. Liquid diets are hard but if you give us your guidelines we might be able to make some suggestions to help you succeed.

Want2bmeagain - I wish you were going to be here for RR. I so enjoyed meeting you. If we set up a specific time each month would that help you participate. I know it is quite a drive, but ..... Anyhow, Please anyone on either list please feel free to join us at Red Robin on Tues, Nov 13 at 7pm. Let me know if you are coming and I will keep a look out for you. I know the first time is hard. I didn't know anyone, but the gatherings really help me adjust and to compare notes about what is normal etc. Everyone is very friendly and cordial. Nicknaknut - glad you will be there, Haven't heard much from you since the night before your surgery. Glad all is going well.

I am doing great. A little tight, but, glad I am, because I need to change some behaviours. Really surprised at how much stress affects my band.

My band has a personality all its own. However, I have figured out that the tightness is often in proportion to how tense I have been, if I am under stress, etc. When I had a disagreement with my hubby, it was so tight Water wouldn't go down, it actually came back. Good luck

I didn't have trouble with smells, but my taste buds were off for awhile. I have that problem every time I have anetheisa.

I had to pay $9500. Which included all doctor and hospital costs. Three months of follow-up are included but if Dr. K does your surgery, He only charges $15 for fills after that. I had surgery coverage, but the wait time with Kaiser was over a year. I am so glad I didn't wait. I would have had another 20 lbs to loose and I would have been another year older and sadder.

Has anyone else gotten a second fill? I got mine on Monday the 8th. Lot easier knowing what to expect. I had it filled a little bit tighter, cause I was eating myself out of house and home. Well it is tight. Water and liquids go down as long as I sip. Other foods in miniscule bites and ~100 chews. Now I know I will start losing weight again. I might be a little uncomfortable for a week or so til I loose weight and it loosens up. Or at least that is my plan. Hope it works

Sooverit - I couldn't get the insurance to pay. Very frustrating, However, there are several doctors in the US that have great reputations that are under $10000. You can fly for many fills on the difference in money.

Well I had my first fill yesterday. Everything went well, can't say it was no pain, but it was Ok. Dr. K doesn't routinely use the fluro, so my experience is different than those who have it done under fluro. It amazes me how different we all are in the amount of fills. He put in 1.5cc, tried even .1 more and it was too tight. First he locates the port with fingers and then used the sonogram to verify. Cleans the area well with Betadine. Then sticks the needle in to where he thinks the port is. A little jiggling around with the needle to make sure it is in the port. (That is not bad, but not comfortable). Then when he is sure he is in the port he adds an amount of saline to start. You then sit up with the needle still inserted and has you drink a small cup of Water. If you feel it, (the ole pressure in your chest) then he waits to see how long it takes for the feeling to go away. If too rapidly he adds a bit more until he thinks the timing between drinking and the pressure being released is about right. What I love is his direction to come back in a month, but earlier if it gets too loose or sooner if it is too tight. I really like his flexiblity. Now if I could only stop eating before I am uncomfortable. Can't seem to remember to not take the last two or three bites of something that tastes great until it is too late.:faint:I know I will learn, but ....... Marilyn

<p>Well, I guess I got just a wee bit too cocky. I had scrambled eggs with spinach this am. with no problems. I have had a Protein Bar, yesterday and some other solids. I am suppose to move toward solids slowly this week. Well, I tried tuna fish for lunch, I chewed well about 3 tiny bites, and I knew I was in trouble. Didn't take long til back it came. Hope I never BP again. I went back to full liquids for today and tomorrow. That must mean I am not as open as I thought!! (Gee really, duh!) and there really is a band down there.</p> <p> </p> <p>Hope no one else joins the club.</p> <p>Marilyn</p>

everytime I turn around there are more CrazyAtes. 212 is the current number. Hope I haven't missed anyone. Marilyn

brandymom1234, I am 9 days post op with Dr. K. I have absolutely no complaints. I do have to remember he is not my regular doctor he is just my lapband doctor. Unfortunately, as word gets out about Dr. K they are getting busy. Sorry the secretary was not friendly. I have only had great experiences. Everyone has busy days, and I know that some days I am more sensitive. Good luck with your decision. Join us on the other Dr. K site, over 100 pages of posts. Marilyn

I just updated the list. 198 CrazyAtes. Yeah!!! Marilyn

Hey Phyllser, If you have any questions about Puerto Penasco let me know. We are building a house down there and spend about 4 weeks a year there. Wonderful place, but it has grown beyond reason in the last 5 years. This thread is so encouraging to me, even with the discouragement, because it is real. I am in bandster hell, 9 days post op, no restriction. But I will make it. Sure helps me to enter my food as I eat it on Fitday.com. I see the carbs add up and it makes me rethink my next choice for eating. dinner time is approaching and I need to do some thinking before I head to the kitchen. Why is it that carbs are so much easier to fix than Protein? Interesting thought. I think I need to make a ticker to my first fill. I sure liked the restriction. Sorry to see it go so quickly, but gives me great hope for the band working well. Marilyn