VegasGrace

Great answer WaSaBubbleButt! The only thing I can add is hydration is best with water...cells can use it more redily...but that goes with the above post.

down and grouchy? Sounds like me dieting. Talk to your doc...he/she should be your best resource. Change dosage/meds/ therapy. Good luck!

Wow, bless your heart. Read your owners manual and compel your doc to follow it, too.

Hey hey! Welcome!

Saw this thread and want to ensure newbies or those thinking about the band don't freak out and think they have to have a medical id bracelet. It's not medically necessary. In the event of not being able to communicate there is nothing special about the band. NSAIDS will be given even if they KNOW you have the band as it's NOT contraindicated. Long term doses, yes. But a few days is not. Intubation doesn't involve the esophogas...this is the breathing tube. "but what if they tear the esophogas"...happens all the time to UNbanded patients. It's very common and they just repair the tear. What about feeding.... for the 1st few days (if you are unconcious) they just give the iv. Feeding tubes come in much much later down the road and are usually done thru the stomach if you are unconcious. Friends, family will arrive at the hospital long before the band becomes an issue. Like the bracelet...buy one. If not...don't.

OH...... the port.....sorry. Yes, I can...when I touch the area. My port is positioned...about an inch below my rib...about 2 inches from the center of my abdomen. Feels like a tiny, tiny baby.

You mentioned submiting ins claims.... are you concerned insurance won't cover it? If so, call them and see if they do. are you concerned you'll have to pay out of pocket until the claims are submitted? Nah, you just pay your normal copay And if your insurance won't cover it are you concerned you'll have to pay out of pocket? You may...but the tests and all will be covered.

Same thing has happened to me...for 20 years now! I've never married...go figure... but when out with friends they from time to time will make a comment like...that guy next to the tvs is flirting with you...this while shopping for cds or something. Goes WAY OVER MY HEAD...each and every time. Thus...I shall remain unmarried for the rest of this life...

Yep....sounds like you've reached restriction. And don't worry about the quanity you are eating as you are eating way more than I am able. Congrats!

Sure! Enjoy every thing and every minute!

Hate you are experiencing this. Sounds like the item that got stuck then finally went through the band caused irritation. You did right by not trying to eat for the first 2-3 days after to allow the irritation to die down. The symptoms you are experiencing now could be the result of that item...the damage it did. But not to worry...your doc will know just what to do. Acid reflux is so common these days for those WITHOUT the band...so for someone with the band to get it....nothing out of the ordinary. Hang in and hang on til next week's appt. Good luck.

Scientifically speaking...in laymans terms..... a FAT cell can get larger or smaller but does not disappear (unless it's lypo-ed out) it takes CARBOHYDRATE to change the size of a FAT cell...meaning if carbs are cut out altoghter the cell will not shrink. Ever get to a weightloss plateu and tried everything? Try a KrispyKreme donut w/ a coke. You'll lose 2 pounds instantly!

I consider myself a successful loser because I'm 4 pounds away from my goal; eat normally but less. But...and this is a big BUT...I don't think it's recommended to eat the way I do...I know it's not. I'll get blasted for telling you...but here it goes. Mt. Dew packed w/ ice 32oz Fruty Pebbles w/ skim milk about 1/4 total continue sipping the Mt Dew lunch is Applebee's, Subway...or whatever I want. Today I skipped lunch because I'm just not hungry. Throw out the 3/4s left of the Mt Dew I didn't drink Get another Mt Dew...packed w/ ice Afternoons I make dinner around 4 and eat 2 tsp of everything...rice, potatoes, pie...whatever. The band for me wasn't about giving up fast foods or delicious stuff...it was about giving up potatoe chips/ice cream/pasteries- - - it worked as I've lost any desire for them. And it's about decreasing the quantity I eat. I go to maintenance in about 2 weeks by getting an adjustment. Controlling my emotional (binge) eating may be a forever thing for me...but over time I am certain it will get easier. Once an alcoholic, always.... 'recovering alcoholic' once an overeater, always....'recovering overeater'

Restricted and stuck are not the same thing. You can get food stuck by being too restricted. I'm well restricted and slime often but haven't had but 2 bonafide stucks since surgery.

How do you make him see this? You don't. He is only a BF...and chances are he won't be around long anyways....that's what BFs are for...but once you get a BFF aka fiance..it would be a tad different. Me, I wouldn't have even told him...but since you did. Just don't ever mention it.

Don't know but your surgeon should...breast surgeon that is. FYI...my sister lost all her breast tissue due to weightloss and is having augmentation this week. No, she's not even an A cup... that's why she's having it done.

Wow, you sound like my sister when it comes to her house and car that she wanted so bad... now hates. Buyer beware....is the old addage. Like you I was self pay but I paid less than half of what you did. I'm a 74k year myself but 15k to spend was out of the question. Sounds like you need to fire your current md and staff and find another provider. 'they' don't have time to do what's needed...then fire 'em. There are plenty of docs out there who follow the guidelines on fills.... if you fall through the cracks.... well, it sounds like you are... don't let it happen....take control! Get your fill. If you have a 9.75 band you should have already had a 2cc fill. So go back for a .5-1cc fill and get your restriction. All is not lost...you can do this!

Wow, the esophogas and stomach are supposed to be innards...meaning inches from the surface. You have to go thru skin, adipose tissue, etc well before you reach the band. So to feel it.... I just don't know...and see it under the skin makes me think you are a toothpick. Hope you get answers to these as I am clueless.

I ate normally after being banded...did take a day for liquids/mushies...then progressed to solid foods within a week or so. I continued to overeat until I got my 2nd fill...at which time I got restriction.

Congrats and glad you found the site and are posting.... I'm a recovering overeater and guess I always will be.

Gosh, I so know what you mean. When I went with my sister to RNY support groups before her surgery... we spoke of that so much...not to them, of course. Why are gastric bypass/RNY patients so pasty looking? And will that happen with the band...well, I guess I should know...I'm 4 pounds from my goal.

Wow! Some story. And thank you so much for posting it. Keeps us bandsters in check that pain besides normal healing...is NOT normal and could be indicative of a problem with serious consequences. Not being able to eat much... as long as it's normal is fine...but when it goes against the grain...it's not normal. You know, I may be walking in your very shoes. I've been well resrticted for a few months and am 4 pounds away from my goal. IF I eat a bite and come back an hour later for another...things are fine. But more than a bite or two and I slime. I go for an adjustment in a week or so...and then after that I plan on following up w/ a GI doc within a month or so after the adjustment. I want to ensure I didn't do any damage, either. 'Dying to be thin' should only be a saying...not reality.

I went into ketosis after being banded..... not on Atkins. Sometimes it happens...and many doctors agree that it will not do any harm UNLESS there are underlying conditions w/ the kidney or whatever. I was on Atkins years ago and got down to 136. I'm considering Atkins next month after I reach my goal weight... I'm getting a slight unfill to lose all this restriction and I just don't want to start gaining it back.

CheriCline, I didn't have to lose any weight...but I've heard some do. But I've not ever heard of anyone say just because they didn't make the goal...DENIED. Others will chime in....good luck!

Just wait 4 weeks and go for another fill. During this time if you are going to get restriction .... you will. But that's why it's not 1, 2, or even 3 weeks between fills. Got to give it time to do its thing.