Leena

I am still on metformin, but I take 2 500 mg pills and cut them in half. They seem to be fine that way. My DH takes the 1000mg tablets and they are huge. When the dr put me on it I requested the smaller 500 mg tablets and just have to take 2 instead and cut them in half. Not sure what size you're on but that's an option.

The cold sweats happened to me 9 days out while I was waiting in line at the outlet mall. I found that I felt much better when I sat down. At that point I was also still on clear liquids, so I wasn't getting very many calories either. I didn't even try to drive until about 2 weeks post-op.

I considered the bypass, but the risk just wasn't worth it. I was banded almost 3 months ago and have lost 54 pounds with the band and 71 pounds since my highest weight (pre-band/prior to pre-op diet). By biggest food issue was quantitiy of food, not quality. I'm not a junk food eater, but rather a giant portion eater. The band has helped me control my portion size. And exercising has helped me loose rather quickly too. A friend of mine had the bypass a few years ago and at 3 months out she was 10 pounds lighter than me; we had the same starting weight. But 4 years later she has become anemic and is having problems with b12 deficiency. Considering I have a family history and person history of anemia I stayed away from the bypass and watch my nutrients closely with the band.

When the port is deeper in the layers of fat it's not as easy to reach with the needle (it is a long needle but sometimes just not long enough). Eventually you should be able to feel the port through your skin, and then you'll be able to have an easy fiill. With my first fill there was a problem finding the center of the port. Then the dr commented that I had lost just enough weight for him to get in there, otherwise I would have had to come back when I'd lost more. My second fill was a breeze as I could feel the port myself. My 3rd fill is today and I know it's going to be just as easy. Hang in there and give it some time. -Leena

I had my 2nd fill on thursday, so it's been 5 days now and I don't feel any different. With my 1st fill I felt restriction the same day, just a few hours later. (1st fill was 1cc in a 4cc band about 7 weeks ago). This fill was .2cc, bringing me to 1.2cc. Should I wait to see if something happens or call to schedule an appointment? My dr only has office hours on thursdays unless it's an emergency, as he's in surgery the other days. I have a support group tonight, so I will see him then. But until then what do you all think? Thanks, Leena

Well I'm scheduled for a fill on thursday, and it will be my last free one. They said it does sound like I need a little more saline in me. So until then I'm on my best behavior, using tons of self control to just eat one piece of chicken instead of 2. And I'm staying away from all those "bad" foods. I figure I can deal with this hunger for a few more days. Has anyone filled up on water between meals???? The office manager sugested I try drinking when I'm hungry and it's not meal time.

In my house everyone leaves their shoes at the door. 2 of my sons have severe allergies and asthma, and it's better for them to not have allergens dragged through the carpet. We have a foyer area with tiles so that area is cleaned daily. When we lived in an apartment and had hardwood floor we permitted people to wear shoes inside, as the floors were wet-mopped daily. Our reason for it is purely medical. I can't believe some people would be offended by being asked to remove their shoes. I know DH is from India and doesn't wear shoes in the house, nor did he growing up. It's cultural.

Also check out www.mehtabariatriccenter.com They're in central NJ and Dr. Mehta is amazing. He has monthly support groups and seminars too. The next one is the 4th of December. His office staff is wonderful and very attentive. You'll get an appointment very easily. One of his surgery requirements is to attend his seminar and support group at least once prior to surgery. You can have your PCP supervise your 6 month pre-surgery period with him. I had an initial consultation with Dr. Mehta and then my pre-surgery consultation with him as well. He's an amazing surgeon, and I continue to use him for aftercare. He's well worth the one hour drive it takes for me to get there.

More of central Jersey, but I used Dr. Mehta in New Brunswick, NJ. I was banded 9/10/07 and absolutely love him, it's well worth the drive. www.mehtabariatriccenter.com His office staff is amazing, friendly and very supportive of WLS, the 2 women also are patients of his at/or near goal.

I had my second fill today and it was wonderful. My first one was painful involving many sticks and the dr. ended up bending the needle. I've lost enough that I can feel my port easily, so the dr just poked me once and it popped right into my port. It was so quick and easy and only pinched a tiny bit. Now I'm so excited to have pain free fills from now on, YEAH!

Ok this is going to sound really strange. But I've been working on running lately, doing the couch to 5k. Anyway today I ran at 4.2 mph on the treadmill for 5 minutes, then it all started. I started drooling/sliming and then the puking started. Considering it was first thing in the morning the only thing I had in me was Water. I felt like my band was really really tight. So I stopped to puke and then just layed in bed for an hour and sipped a hot cup of tea. I felt fine afterwards and my band seemed to lossen up. Has this happened to anyone? I've been working out for the past 6 weeks with no problems until now. Cardio is either biking or the treadmill. Thanks, Leena

I am a little over 2 months out and can not tolerate lactose at all. I was told that many people develop intolerance and it stays with 80% of them (as per my nutritionist's statement). I find cheese is fine so I stick with that. I was never a big milk drinker so I don't mind at all. My first post-op milk experience had me frothing at the mouth as I PBed it back up, let's just say something I'm not going to try again.

Hi Amy, I know what this is like. Last weekend my sister was visitting and had a similar response to my weight loss. I'm getting close to her size. I noticed in the photo, you're getting close to your friend's size. Apparently people start to freak out at that point. A friend of mine had the bypass and her mother lost it when they reached the same size in clothes. I really hate to say it, but this is a part and parcel of WLS. I've seen it in a few of my relationships lately (my sister, a few of my friends too). Thankfully I have a great friend who had the bypass and knows what it's like and won't dump the shrinking me. Hang in there, it's only going to get worse before it gets better. -Leena

I was so afraid to have the surgery done. I got everything in order, just incase I ended up dead. I have a husband and 3 sons and run the paperwork part of the finances and make sure everyone gets to their doctors appointments and takes the right meds. I left a 6 page instructional sheet for my husband, just in case. I also made sure all the the prescritptions had refills (asthma, allergy and adhd meds for the sons). When I was sitting there in the surgery holding area I almost backed out. I told dh "maybe I shouldn't go through with this." Thankfully he's the sensible non-overly-emotional one and he said you're just nervous and you'll be fine. So I went to the bathroom about 5 times in the course of 45 minutes (being nervous makes me have to pee). I remember asking my surgeon some strange questions about whether or not the monitors they use were high definition or not, LOL. And that was it. I don't even think I was asked to count backwards. (during my wisdom tooth extraction and tonsilectomy I remember counting backwards). Surgery is risky, but I think the procedure has a mortality rate of 1/2000, which is really minor compared to the bypass of 1/100 or 1/200. That's how I looked at it. Hang in there, Leena

i'm scheduled for a fill the week after thanksgiving and am trying to figure out if I really need one. I had my first fill a month ago and felt amazing restriction for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. That sensation is gone, but I still feel some minor restriction. At time of fill I was 303 and now I'm 287. So I definately needed that first fill. I was also really really hungry before. Now I kind of get hungry, but not like before. So should I reschedule or just get a small small fill? BTW I have 1cc in a 4cc band. Thanks, Leena

I had one inserted after surgery (couldn't pee on my own for some reason those muscles weren't working). Honestly I was on so much morphine it didn't hurt. I actually felt the pain of having to peee and not being able to, but didn't feel the catheter being put in or removed for that matter. I just had a straight cathetar put in, not a permanent one. The next day thankfully I was able to pee on my own.

I never mean for the advice that I receive here to replace my drs. I'll call the office on the monday before my thursday appointment, to see what they think if I still feel this way. I have been loosing 1-2 pounds a week, but I think it's mostly due to working out every day and exercising control when it comes to eating, as well as embracing healthy food choices. Prior to the band my problem with food was quantitiy not nutritional quality. So the band helps with the quantity issues/portion control,

Thanks so much! My hunger isn't too bad. It seems like I don't get too hungry before a meal, but after a meal it seems my stomach empties and within an an hour or two I feel a bit hungry so then I start constantly sipping Water. At this point I feel like there's a lot of will power that I have to use to not eat. I'm starting to think that I do need a fill. At my last fill my dr. told me that eating a whole chicken breast and veggies is normal, but if I were eating 2 of them he'd be concerned. He filled me last time anyway. There was wonderful restriction in the post fill, but it's gone away.

I can eat a whole entire fast food size salad (minus the dressing) which is about 2 cups or so. I can eat a whole chicken breast with veggies too. 1/2 cup of oatmeal for breakfast with soy milk. I work out a lot to be able to still loose weight with eating this much. I can eat 2 egg whites with 1/4 cup of fat free ricotta cheese too. All of these being individual meals. I eat 2 meals a day and have a protien shake for breakfast, since it's easy to drink and fast for the morning with 3 kids.

Thanks so much for that excerpt. It really helps. I'm going to order his book from amazon, as I seem to have lots of questions about how to know if I really need a fill. Thanks, Leena

Just wanted to add I can eat pretty much everything (chicken, salad, eggs, ricotta cheese, etc). So I know I'm not too tight now.

My Dr. is in New Brunswich, not sure itf that's south enough for you. There is a Fill Centers USA in Mt. Laurel too. I have never been there, but it does exist.

I too had my period on the day of surgery, and was given undies similar to the top of pantyhose and allowed to use my own pad. I'd ask for the maternity kind of I were you though (because they're really big and absorbant). I was at the end of my cycle and have a hormone releasing IUD, so have very scanty periods now. Yes, I used to practically bleed to death before, so I know where you're coming from. Just let them know in pre-op-it's very very common. Leena

I highly suggest going with a board certified Bariatric Surgeon for your surgery. One who is trained in bariatrics is going to be much different than a general surgeon. Mine had a fellowship in Bariatrics, an additional year of Bariatric specific training. Afterall it's your body, and you should go with one of the best in the field instead of the one closest to your house. Dr. Mehta has performed over 700 weight loss surgeries ( I think it's closer to 1000 now). Bariatrics has become an area of big money for surgeons, so you'll find general surgeons, vascular surgeons and other ones. Please research your doctors and know who exactly is operating on you. Afterall they only get one chance to do it. Others have gone to Mexico and had excellent well trained and experienced surgeons. The downside is the flight from NJ to Mexico and doing it post-op. Closer to home NYU has a great Bariatric team. Just some things for you to think about. -Leena

I live in South Jersey (20 minutes from Cherry Hill) as well, and decided to go with Dr. Vishal Mehta in New Brunswick (Mehta Bariatric Center). His office staff is amazing, and he has a great free monthly support group. He has also never had a patient mortality in lap band or bypass for that matter (at least as of my date of surgery 9/10/2007). I highly recommend him, he's well worth the drive. -Leena