Anwyn

DeLarla, I admire your ability to put your feelings and opinions out there so eloquently. I myself have views on God that skew towards yours, and there's this little corner in my head that has always been very ashamed of it, so to hear you talk so openly about it is refreshing. As for your comparison of the belief in God and the effectiveness of the Rabbit... now that's just priceless...

Maybe the trainer has a waiting list and can get you in if she has a cancellation?... That is a bummer, so feel free to have a good scream. We have to jump through so many hoops to get our bands - it can be a real frustration, but hopefully worth it in the end!

I'd like to lodge a formal complaint about the title of this thread. The old Pointer Sister's song "I'm So Excited" has been going through my head for 2 days now, and I just realized why! Anyways, Just to throw in my 2 cents, I wasn't allowed yogurt on my pre-op diet. You may want to check in with your doctor's office, cause they're all different when it comes to the pre/post op diet rules. Penni, you are so right about the starvation thing. I experienced the same thing because I just couldn't get myself to eat enough food when my only options were Clear liquids. 600-800 cals a day and I didn't lose a pound for a week!

There's a whole area dedicated to fills on this website. Go to the Forum Jump at the bottom of the screen and click on the fills area. The band is made of plastic with a silicone ring inside. The band is placed around the stomach and saline is injected through a port to decrease the size of the band and increase restriction. The more restriction, the slower food moves through your pouch and into the larger stomach. Usually, the band goes on and then you recover for 4-6 weeks before getting your first fill. Good luck with your research. This site has tons of information to help you make your decision!

Thanks BJ - that's what I need to hear! I can live with anything if I'm down 100 lbs in a year.

I was given water over 20 minutes at my fill as well, and it went down fine. I'm just worried because, while I do have slightly reduced restriction in the evening, I always have discomfort when I eat. It's like an air bubble forms in my stomach and I've got to burp to relieve the pressure. It's not a PB, just regular burping. Yesterday went a little better, so I've decided to give it a few weeks before I get an unfill.

Hello fellow Michigander! I'm right down the road from you in Pinckney. I moved here from Ann Arbor 2 years ago. I've been banded for a whopping 7 weeks, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. I didn't know Barix performed the lapband surgery, but I have a friend who had a good RNY experience there. Good luck with your surgery!!

I was also told no soda for eternity. Some docs believe that it stretches out the pouch. I've also heard lots of people say it's really painful when they try it. It hasn't been that hard for me, but I never drank much pop anyways. However, lots of people still drink pop. Probably just depends on whether or not you can tolerate it. Any other eternal bans will be dependant on your own experience. The bread/cake problem that Coyotegirl mentioned is really common. I've only been banded 7 weeks (1 fill a week ago) and I haven't had problems with either. That may change down the road. Good luck, and don't worry - The sacrifices will be worth it!

It's funny Daisybelle - I also had my surgery 7 weeks ago, and my experience was almost identical to yours. I also woke up in recovery with really bad pain in my chest. It subsided pretty quickly, and my recovery overall has gone very smoothly. Vanesa, I was tired for about 2 weeks after my surgery, but if you work in a desk job I think you'll be fine to return to work in a week. Good luck with your surgery!

I think I'd keep the appointment. Maybe stay on liquids a bit longer after the fill to make sure the swelling is down before you eat any real food. You can always get an unfill later. Good luck tomorrow!

Drum roll please... after 2 hours of playing with iPhoto, I finally figured out how to upload a picture. Thanks for the kick in the pants - I probably wouldn't have bothered otherwise. NOW can I go to bed pleeeeeease?

Hi Krissy, I was approved by UHC with no problem (co-morbities were high cholesterol and major back problems). Good luck with your approval! Having UHC seems to be the magic bullet... everyone else has trouble.

Thanks for the advice. It never occurred to me that I might be too tight, but that must have been denial. I guess I just assumed it would change if I waited long enough. I'm going to schedule an unfill. I hope I don't lose all my restriction...

Hi DolphinGirl! I found this site a few months pre-surgery, and I don't know what I would have done without the support of all the wonderful people you'll find on this board. Good luck with your journey, and welcome!

FYI, you may not have to wait as long as you think. I was told that even getting down to the low 200's would drastically reduce my premium, so no need to wait until you're at goal. This was thru Selectquote. They also said that if I lost further weight it was a simple process to rewrite the policy and get an even lower premium. Of course that was before 2 other surgeries. They'd probably tell me to take a flying leap now...

Congratulations! Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a smooth transition into bandland.

Woo hoo! Great job Cyndel!

Hi Sunsett, You're going to want to call your doctor's office to find out which medications you should stop and when. Some medications thin your blood and it's important not to take them for a certain time before surgery. Check with your doc to be sure. I also experienced headaches during the liquid phase, and I wasn't on a sleep apnea machine. I think it was my body wondering where they daily dose of sugar was. Good luck with your prep - the surgery will be here before you know it!

Hi Duckie, I had my first fill last Wednesday, and I was a nervous wreck! Mine was simple, quick, and painless. I hope yours goes just as well!

Having a higher muscle mass means that you have a quicker metabolism and that you burn more calories per hour. You should be so proud of yourself! But, I'm also guilty of getting all my feedback from the scale. Hopefully this will make you feel better... I've been sedentary for the greater part of the past year because of several back surgeries. I have an identical twin sister who weighs 8 lbs less than I do as of today. I wear a size 26 pants, and she wears a 22. The difference is, she has been working out and I've lost a bunch of muscle mass. It's given me the kick in the butt I needed to start working out. You're going to get there! Keep working out - you're doing great!!

I had my banding done at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. My doc was Dr. Genaw. They don't have nearly the experience as the Port Huron docs, but so far the experience has been great overall.

Hi all, I had my first fill 6 days ago. My doctor said that I should stay on liquids for 48 hours (which I did) and then begin eating solids so long as I chew well and take small bites. I feel like I've been doing that, but it seems that no matter what I eat feels like a lead ball sitting in my stomach. I'm not PB'ing, it just hurts for 5-10 minutes until I burp a few times (sorry for the pleasant details). Is this normal? Will it always be slightly painful to eat? What exactly is the definition of eating slow? Does it take everyone here 45 minutes to eat a few ounces of food? Because if so, I'm gonna have to give up restaurants. I got in 3 bites tonight before I had to get up and walk around to try to ease the pain in my stomach. When I got back, my hubby and kids were done eating. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to go back on liquids? Please help!

Terrilen, that is HILARIOUS!! Thanks for sharing everyone!

Hi Barb. Welcome to the board! I've been all over the internet and this site is unsurpassed for information and support. I remember seeing a comment on another thread about Capital One offering financing for Lapband surgery. Good luck!

I just had my first fill 5 days ago, and I was a nervous wreck going in. It was done in the office (not under fluoroscopy) and my doctor palpated my stomach to find the port. Then he pulled out the biggest needle I've ever seen. I closed my eyes and felt a tiny, tiny pain (way less than a normal shot) and looked down to see this thing sticking out of my stomach. He moved it all over the place and I couldn't feel it. He showed me how much saline he was putting in (1 cc), injected it, and had me sit up. I expected to feel a tightening of my band, but my stomach felt the same. He had me drink some Water to make sure I could keep it down. It was a fairly painless procedure, for me at least. He explained that the needle is actually very small at the tip. I know a lot of people swear by getting filled under fluoroscopy (where you drink contrast and they x-ray your band to find the port), but I personally didn't have any problems. Good luck!