enndee

I realized the hard way to stick to clear hot liquids the first 2 days after a fill. Otherwise I gradually start throwing up more and more 'til even Water won't stay down and have to go for an unfill. I really babied the stoma the last time and it worked!! Then I added broths, and eased into mushies and now can eat most things if I chew them well. My doctor gives a shot of Lidocaine into the port area (just feels like a pinch), unfills the band to make sure there is no leakage, then refills with a little more than there was in there. NO pain at all, but I do feel a full feeling after he's done. I have to drink a glass of water before I can leave to make sure it will go down, but as I said before, even though Soup goes down ok shortly after the fill, I have learned NOT to eat anything for a few days, just stick to clear hot liquids. I guess everybody is different in how thier body reacts to a fill. Good luck!!

Absolutely NOT!! You are probably in need of a fill/band adjustment. My doctor didn't put any fill in when he put the band in. Then he had me come back in about a month to get my first fill and start the process!! You've only just begun!!

I am a giraffe collector. Have been for about 30 years and have quite a few. Big ones, small ones, pewter ones, stuffed ones, brass, glass, ceramic and teakwood. I even have a large giraffe rug attached to the front of my house that people can see from the street as they drive by. I have been known as "the giraffe lady" in some circles. Hey, stick your neck out and make a difference!!! enndee

I had my LapBand surgery with Dr. Fortier in Morris MN last Oct 11, 05. I have had one fill, then an unfill, then a fill again. I am sort of starting over due to some complications etc. Have lost about 50 lbs, 30 since banding. Have over a hundred to go. How are others doing in the area??

I had my first fill about a week ago and was so tight right after the fill that I threw the water back up, so he took some fill out. Now, 3 days later, I have lost my voice. Could these be related? Anyone else have this experience or am I getting some other illness?? I am able to eat more food than I really want to already, but am hoping that will improve with the next fill...???????...

I saw Dr Fortier in Morris for my banding. I had to have a referral by my regular physician, a referral from my Psychiatrist, a pre surgery physical exam which included basics plus a CBC and EKG and a chest xray. That was it.

Wow!! That went fast didn't it!! Yes, the timing will be perfect for the holidays!! Won't it be great to lose weight over the holidays?? I am so glad for you!!! Will you be banded in Morris?

I was banded 10-11-05 and lost 30 lbs b/4 surgery and 10 lbs the first week after surgery but none since. My doctor told me that by the end of this 5-6 week healing phase, that I wouldn't even feel like I have a band, and that is so true!! I have felt very frustrated at times, but then reading about others after surgery experiences on here, has helped to keep me from getting crazy. My doctor said he had put the larger band on me so I am guessing that without any fill yet, the opening is gradually getting larger and larger, therefore why I am hungry all of the time!! I am (im!)patiently waiting my first fill too!!! I am using the goal of "not gaining" as my current plan. It's less stressful!!

Hi: I was banded Oct 11th and was worried about the same thing, I have been coughing and sneezing due to hayfever,allergies etc. I asked my doctor if this would cause a problem with the band and he said "no". Take care!!

Hi: I think you will find that most people who have had the RNY will support that route, but most people who have had the Lap Band will think it's the best. For me, the less intrusive was my choice. Even my own personal doctor (who has never had ANY patients go through the Lap Band process yet, told me "of course the RNY is the BEST weight loss method--the data proves that!")--but of course me being me decided to investigate both and chose the one I felt was best for me. I decided that it's my body and my decision and she (my personal dr.) can have her opinion but in the end I will decide. Now she WILL know one patient who has done the Lap Band method and she will see how it goes. So far, my experience has been even better than I imagined and I am losing weight!! So, my point is, what ever you decide is best for you, go for it and IGNORE all of the judgments others have. Make it a great day!! Good luck!!!

HI: Glad to hear from you but sorry you have been feeling ill. I am doing great-saw Dr. Fortier today in Long Prairie and have lost 10 lbs since my surgery Oct 11th. I am starting to feel hungry now and he said at my next appointment in 3 weeks he will put some fill into my band so I can start feeling full again. Total healing is the first priority. The clinic, dietician, etc have billed my insurance company separately after each appointment. Then Dr. F wrote a letter to the insurance company to get approval for the actual surgery. It took about 2 weeks for a response to get back. Then Sherry called and we scheduled my surgery. Does that answer your question? Who is Bunny? I am anxious to hear what you learn after your appointment with Dr. Fortier. Keep me posted!!!l

Michelle: How are you doing? What's new?

Cloey: I am on the same band wagon as the 2 responders before me. I completely understand where you are coming from though. Without a date of surgery, it too was difficult for me to "get started"-after all, I had been eating the way I was for 10 years at least!! What I did was first of all, "pray to be willing to be willing". Then, I decided I would try eating as much as I wanted, but only of salads and veggies and etc that even if I ate all day long, I would still lose weight because of the calorie intake. It worked and I did finally take off 20 lbs.!! When my insurance finally approved the surgery, my doctor was ready to do the surgery because I had proved to him that I was serious about this. Now, post surgery by 3 weeks, I see the method to his madness. I breezed through my surgery day (surgery was at 11:15 and I was leaving the hospital at 4pm-went shopping the next day and back to work in 3 days) and the liquid diet that's required right after surgery was simple, because I had already been doing it for the past 10 days!! I have communicated with others who had NO pre surgery diet to follow and it took them 4-5 days to just recover from the surgery, and weren't able to go back to work for 2 weeks. Following the liquid diet was awful because they had had "one last big meal" the night before surgery and it was like going cold turkey from something, and feeling tough from the surgery on top of it!! Be glad you have some rules and guidelines to follow--they are for a reason--to make the whole process easier for YOU!! Good luck--we are all behind you!!!