shesaidgoodbye

I know patients who did not believe there was fill in their band at the time of surgery. I believe most bands have some fill, a very small amount. Regardless, being thirsty and needing hydration are two separate issues. It is not uncommon though not prevalent either, the symptoms you report. As your physician straight up, how much fill is in the band, how much came with the new band, how much was flushed during the procedure, etc. What anti inflamitories is the physician administering, what other complications could have occurred if the physician feels this is not a normal situation. The lap band is a tool, and you are its master, so be prepared to be inquisitive!

walk, WALK, and walk some more, even if it just in the hallway of your home, but really, you should be out if the weather is nice, even if it is to the corner and back. Believe me, walking is the only nice cure for the gas!

Slow down! don't be in such a rush to take in the fluids, since you may have more swelling than usual. They should have an IV to keep you hydrated, and by forcing yourself on the fluids, you could be causing additional irritation! IF they filled the band in surgery, I would ask the physician to unfill. Some physicians like to start you off bootcamp style. Give it time, your band will become your best friend, but you have to listen to it, take it easy when it stops you!

Dr. Stephanie is WONDERFUL! I've seen her 2 times, and each time has been so worth the travel and the cost. She does have a website where you can schedule online, and get a discount. Unfortunately, I can't tell you at this moment what it is, but if you call, they will give it to you. As for Scott and White, that is a TERRIBLE place. They are not as trained as they may lead you to believe. They attempted to remove some fill for me on 4 different occasions and were never able to accomplish it. They are very picky about working only with patients they placed the band with. I didn't even go to Mexico, and they attempted to bash my physician. I am certain there are people who have reasonable experiences there. As for me, they caused alot of pain, increased my stress because I was concerned they would ruin my port in their futiile efforts to do a simple fill/unfil!

Don't be discouraged....well, it's easy to say, but I know, I felt the same way. Keep this in mind - we did not gain this weight overnight, and we haven't been able to lose it....it is tough to wait that month for the seminar, but you can...and then it can be possible you have to do 6 months of physician monitored weight loss, before you can even see the psychologist....and then finally you can see the physician....so it could realistically be 6 + months before you are in the surgeon's office....so think...where will you be weight wise if you don't start this process in May? I went to a surgeon over 2 years ago, and didn't like what he had to say, because he wouldn't consider the lap band for me...preferred the gastric bypass, which I didn't want. So I didn't go back to the Dr. for weightloss issues for a year! Then I found out about Dr. Fielding. I had to wait a month to be able to attend the seminar. Then I had to do 6 months of weight loss monitoring. I should have gone to the psychologist before the 6 months or during that time, but I didn't realize I could....doh! Then I went to the nutritionist (which is primarily to ensure you know whst to expect for the pre and post op diet), which I could have also done sooner. Ok, so I'm slow...lol! Anyway, after all this, my insurance kicked the paperwork back. Talk about discouragement! The reason for this was my physician didn't do his notes properly. My suggestion, get a copy of each visit's notes to be sure it has basics, such as Weight, diet discussed, exercise discussed, recommendations discussed, etc. because some insurance can be picky about how it is presented, and make sure your physician is making legible notes! After all this, I saw Dr. Fielding only once before the surgery, but was very much at ease with him. I had surgery on November 1, 2008, and am 55lbs less than my highest pre op weight....and losing. I know they use the phrase "worth the wait" for some sex ed program, but it applies to this also....it is worth the wait! Stay positive!

Wow, I'm so sorry to read how so many have had a tough time with recovery. I was banded 11/1 and went back to work today, 11/5. I sat a little more than usual, but did a full day as a teacher, High School! I walked to the local diner for chicken broth on Friday when I got home. Spent an hour or so at Starbucks on Saturday. Went to Wal-mart on Sunday....did use the electric wheelchair for that adventure, though. I think everyone has a different outlook and outcome. Don't be discouraged, have a positive attitude, and you'll be better before you know it! I praise God for my fortunate situation!

My Dr. requires 2 weeks liquid but includes salads, vegies, vegie soup low fat broth...so if I needed to eat, it was into the vegies I dove...and by the middle of the 2nd week, I couldn't even finish a small wendy's salad...those are good cause they have lettuce tomatoes, cukes just a few carrots.... The option from my surgeon was that it could move from being a laparoscopic procedure to an open one....which means more recovery time. However, one surgeon in his group did say that though they call the liquid diet mandatory, it can be done without it. It reduces the complications risk. All that said, I vote for deciding if you really are ready for this, because as was said previously, this is just the beginning of the journey. If you can't be compliant, how will you be compliant after the surgery. Complications could be like the roomie I had in the hospital. She has had the band for a year, and is eating pasta and white italian bread...though she has lost weight, she has done enough vomiting that her band slipped...and she was back in to have it re-set. She stated she didn't realize she shouldn't eat those things...and hopefully will commit to seeing the nutritionist regularly and reading up on the nutritional constraints that are necessary for successful use of this "tool". Good luck to all, and me too!