Leena

I've never had a fill with fluro- but it does sound cool to get to see it go through.

Have you contacted the insurance to see if it's genuinely not covered? I know some policies only cover a certain percent and it varies in network/out of network. Up front did you pay Dr./Hospital/anesthesia/site/equiptment/etc fees?

I'm a vegetarian now, well since April. I was one 20 years ago as well for about a decade. Anyway- I still have milk and eggs, so I don't fall into the vegan category. I find Protein drinks to be a good thing- at least one a day for me. Other than that, eggs (I have backyard chickens so I get fresh eggs). There's a peanut powder, PB2, that's fairly high in protein and lower in fat that's easy to flavor things with. Other than that the standard tofu, tempeh, lentils. In a bind I'll have a boca burger. cheese is another good one for me- cottage cheese with balsamic vinegar and spices. Spinach is good too- but in order to get enough protein from it you'd have to juice a bag or bunch of it.

I only do shakes before work outs- NO SOLIDS ever.

In this case i think your employer has a right to know about your surgery if you're going to be entrusted with potentially saving others lives. Also, you may want to ask your surgeon when you can return to work, ie chlorinated pool, rescuing people. And at work, I'm sure you signed a contract regarding performing duties.

You're doing really great. 4 days I still wasn't driving, let alone out and shopping. Day 9 I went outlet mall shopping and had to take a break and rest in the car.

Things have unfortunately changed with the band. With the 4cc band there was restriction right away. And it didn't take many fills to get restriction. I have to say reading that some of you now take 3-5 months worth of fills or even a year to get get restriction is really a shitty deal (sorry guys 'n gals). I'm so glad I have the smaller band.

Depending upon your size and age you may not be able to tighten up as much as you'd like. My dr has told me I'll need plastic surgery. Last time I was at goal I was a size 2 with lots of excess skin. This was in spite of working out and trying everything under the sun to tighten. My arms did tighten and aren't bat wing like.

I went 11 months without a fill and started gaining- apparently I lost some of the fill in my band went from 3.1 to 2.7, which is significant in a 4cc band. I only discovered it because I went back in to get a fill. At 2.7 I felt very little restriction. My dr puts me on liquids after a fill as well as after a defill.

Bandista- if you're going the thinning out cream of wheat route, just remember it's high in Iron and may constipate you a bit, or a lot. Bandista's list is great. The only thing I'd add is a recliner. I slept in mine the first week as it was sooo comfy. Also a small shot glass. It helped me remember to take small sips in the beginning. The pillow for the car ride home is ESSENTIAL! Hold it on your stomach for the bumps. Make sure you have something comfy to come home in (think yoga pants, sweats, loose shirts, etc) You're probably not going to want to put on jeans. I really overdid it with buying broth, trust me you are not going to need a case of it. A few cans/boxes will suffice. Popsicles however- buy a few boxes of those as they're good. Or maybe it was all the pain pills that made them good. And, after surgery your tastes may change a bit. I went from loving the taste of Atkins shakes to absolutely not being able to stomach them. So you might want to have a backup shake on hand or be able to send someone out for them. At that point premixed ones are good just to see if you like it.

About the leg/foot pain: I'd see an orthopedist to see what's going on. They'll probably refer you for some PT and do some in office testing and such. I hurt my back a few months ago and started gaining then. Walking is painful. But I found I could still use my recumbent bike. I also went through PT. I apparently herniated a disc and have arthritis in my back- so I go in next week for a procedure and then more PT after that. I'm hoping that I can actually get back to the gym in the next month or two. So I went in and got a fill (apparently had lost some of the fill that was in there). Have you been in for a fill recently? Getting the fill for me and coming back to lapbandtalk helped me to recommit to my band. And it's going to sound strange as I'm not in the liquid phase- but buying Protein powder and having a shake at Breakfast. It helps me with eating breakfast (which I'm not a breakfast person at all- never have been) and it adds more protein to my diet. There's also a November Thankful/ Loosing thread that'll help you stay on track. I'm one of those who needs to set goals for myself. Hope this helps

I'm going to start this month. I'm an old bandster- from '07, getting back on the wagon. Mom to 3 boys, 11 chickens, 1 Rooster and 2 goats in suburban NJ (small backyard farming at it's best). I'm having a back procedure next week- so I'm not envisioning a big loss this month. Name, real or screen~ Leena Goal weight for November 30th~ 210 Weight on November 1st~ 218 Age~ 36 City/State~ NJ Dietary goal for November~ Get in my 60g of Protein a day Exercise goal for November~ don't have one as I'm having a back procedure next week- so I'll be happy just being able to exercise Personal goal for November~ Get all my holiday shopping done before thanksgiving Date banded~ 9/10/07 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 132 Favorite Thanksgiving Activity~ Watching the parade with my kids

Go straight back on to liquids- your body is shocked. If you can't tolerate liquids get an unfill. It's going to sound gross, but crying a lot, can make mucus that goes down the back of your throat. Yeah, that in addition to being really upset. You'll make it through, don't forget to take care of yourself now. HUGS

What was your original surgeon's compliance requirements? Mine was structured in the first year- and then after that just once a year or if I had an issue. Did you comply with the surgeons requirements during the first year or so? Being that you're years out I'd think that appealing it would make sense, especially if you followed up in the first few years. I know I'm years out- and I only see the surgeon once a year if needed. If it were me I'd appeal.

I'm 6 years out. And end up back in every year or so for something. Most recently it was knowing I was able to eat too much, gaining weight because I couldn't work out as much due to injuring my back- only to find out that part of my fill was missing. It's something to keep on top of. I have the smaller 4cc band so my fills are all very small anymore. My last one took me from 2.7cc to 3.1 cc so we're talking little tweaks here and there. Although with the smaller bands that's all it takes. 0.1 cc makes a huge difference in the green zone, actually if I added 0.1cc I know I'd be too tight. I see from your signature that you're getting close to the limit of your band, so it would make complete sense that your fills need to get smaller. At 9.5cc in an 11 cc band a whole 1cc makes a huge difference. I'd ask what the smallest fill your surgeon can do is. Maybe try adding 0.2cc or 0.5cc. I know mine adds by the 0.1 in small bands, but I wouldn't see why they couldn't add little amounts in larger bands as well.

Beer and carbonation is a HUGE NO with a lapband. Yes years out you can do it under certain circumstances. Yes I've had beer about 3 times in the last 6 years. At those times I was no in the green zone or anywhere near it. And I have no tolerance any more, 1/2 glass of Belgium beer just makes me sleep- so not a whole lot of fun. Soda- again carbonation and soda is acidic so you have a double whammy there. Erosion, slips, pouch stretching, reflux...... Sorry the beer and soda just isn't worth it. Most of us are walking around with something that costs the same as a cheap new car. Do you really want to bash the hell outta the thing?

Did you let your dr know about the reflux? Were you put on an acid reducer? I was on protonix which helped immensely. And it also helped to heal the ulceration. I've had 2 endoscopies, they;re not bad- I just hate twilight sedation. I'd put a call into the drs office to let them know you're still having pain, and ask about solids/liquids/ and acid reducers.

Does your surgeon have post-band eating guidelines/rules? Mine doesn't permit sweets, pastas and high simple carb foods. Splenda is my friend, in nice hot flavored teas, for a sweet treat. Cutting out the bread and Pasta from your diet you should see some big results this week, especially if you're replacing them with healthy lean Protein.

My work out now is recumbent bike in front of the tv at home as I've herniated a disc in my back and am on restricted workouts. Oh and some exercise at PT. FYI- don't turn and lift 50 pounds of chicken feed, not a good workout.

Did your dr put on on liquids following the defill? Any time I've been defilled, even partially I've been put on liquids while my stomach was adjusting. Were you having any acid reflux/ gerd? The only ways I know of to check for erosion and ulceration is an endoscopy. Not a fun procedure but effective at getting a good picture of what's going on in the pouch.

Did you ask the surgeon if a band was possible? Did you ask about having an open procedure and not laprascopic? After all he/she's been on the inside.

I admit my bariatric team was very bypass focused, even support group wise. (Now I think they're more sleeve focused). And years ago I learned so much here in '07. At the time a lot of people on here were being banded in Mexico so this was their main support group. I remember the first time I vomited. I thought I was going to die- stomach flu. And I was never one to like vomiting ever. And that episode of the flu led to my slip. I knew something was off. And I was in to see the surgeon as soon as they could take me- in that meantime liquids only. And I admit I've fallen off the wagon- well gained weight. But I got a fill- discovered some was missing from last year, and am getting back on track now. I came back to lbt- which has been better than any in person support group I've had. I'm back in the green zone with my fill and weight is coming off again. My BF has a bypass and living with him can be a challenge as he's not had to work as hard to keep his weight in check. He doesn't have follow-ups on a time table and other than one complication has been good. We have friends with sleeves and bypasses and two with the switch who have all done well. Granted one with the switch requires Iron infusions on a regular basis but has been at her goal for two years now. I'm the only one who has to exercise and watch closely what I eat. And I follow up as much as my friend with the iron infusions.

If you watch the video, you'll see she broke so many of the rules of the band. I'm glad she's putting this out there. Is patient education really this bad now?

Trust me you're not the only one. I freaked out and tried to negotiate my way out of the waiting room. Thankfully I stayed. I'm going in next week for minor back issues and getting twilight sleep. And that even has me freaked out. Some of us just HATE being unconscious. I'd much rather be awake through things- I know sounds strange, but it comes from having woken up during my wisdom tooth extraction as a teenager- and being held down and put back under. Seriously weird experience.

9 days post-op I went shopping with my mother who came for a visit. Outlet mall shopping, I was ok for about an hour then I went to lay down in the car. But that was the best I'd felt. Before that I didn't leave the house except for walks to the end of the driveway and to get the mail. So day 9 was a turning point for me. Some people bounce back quickly while others take some time. It was also my first cutting into my abdominal wall surgery for me. So I think my body was pretty darn shocked by the whole experience.