Keeper

Same with me @@stanpry . I have heard that the band can cause some people to have heartburn, reflux, etc, but since I had the lap-band and hiatal hernia repair, I have had NO heartburn! Yea! @@tw42 good luck with the revision!

disclaimer: not a professional opinion. :-) first question - did you go to a local place or was it a national center (i.e. True Results, which is what I did)? In trying to get a fill, are you contacting your insurance directly, or are you going straight to the office? If going to the office, I would contact your insurance carrier and ask them to send you an 'explanation of benefits,' or to put in writing what they will or will not cover. second question - the hardship papers - who recommended that? If the clinic, it seems like they have the responsibility to follow up with you on this. All this to say, that really sucks that you are having to go through this. I have no idea of the accuracy of my next statement, but I have heard it is $100+ every time one goes to get a fill if they are self-pay or if they did not work in a number of sessions (like 6 fills, etc) added into their overall cost surgery if paying out-of-pocket. You can definitely call another lap-band provider to see what their policy is on accepting patients from another facility. I think it would be wise to do so. I truly hope this works out for you and that you can get it resolved!!

@@CherieRyde today marks the beginning of my third week post-op so I can't ultimately answer your question, but ironically I started my period yesterday. I have always been fairly regular, though. You got banded in July - is this your first period since then? Just curious. I have actually been very curious to see if losing weight would cause changes in cycles. Sorry I don't have any answers! I am hoping some other female vets will join this thread

@@Ldimples good luck going back to work tomorrow! And I'm glad you were able to take those extra days. How much did you lose pre-op, if you don't mind me asking? Having switched to soft foods, I haven't lost anything this week. Little bummed but my first fill is the 9th.

Binge eating disorder = BED

@@My Bariatric Life I totally get it - the mixed feelings aspect of it. I actually do think it is important but only because I think counseling is important. For some people, seeing a psych for the screening is their first contact with a psych. I guess I am most interested to see what it is like "on the other side" - after WLS for someone who has battled BED. I mean, I guess in some ways we all have. ugh - I can't get it out right what it is what I want to say. I am one week/one day post op and all I wanted to do today was eat. It is all head hunger - I get that, but I so desperately want the thoughts to go away, not just the weight.

I am very interested to hear from those who have dealt with an eating disorder. I actually went through a 6 week intensive outpatient program - for me it was to see if I *had* BED, and I found that it helped some, but in a lot of ways left me fore confused and more focused on food than before.

I jinxed myself. Today I have felt no restriction and feel like I can eat anything :/

I appreciate, but am also frustrated with this thread. We all have stories and whether some agree or not, our stories ARE connected to whether or not we ate more calories than we burned off. I gained 40 pounds with one pregnancy and didn't lose it, and nothing (seriously, no weight gain) with my second and then lost 40 right after. I was abused growing up, so I hid in a fat body. I got married and got comfortable. I went to culinary school, surrounded by good and rich foods all day. In my younger years because I was on my feet and working my butt off in restaurants, I was able to maintain my weight eating anything that I wanted. But I was never skinny or thin. As for genetics, one side of the family is all beanpoles and on the other short stubby round folk. I feel like I can relate to a piece of almost everyone here's story. Yes, we put too much food in our bodies. Maybe we did not exercise enough. Yes, we ARE responsible for those actions and more, but that by no means eliminates the "other" reasons we gained weight. I am a food and carb addict. I am at my heaviest weight ever. But I want to change, so here I am on a crazy WLS journey. I will change the way I eat and move but I CANNOT win this battle without facing the psychological reasons for the way I am. Just my 2 cents.

susancae - I totally get it! When I was on all liquids (esp first couple of days post-op), chicken noodle Soup broth was the BEST THING EVER! hahah. beef broth wasn't so bad either but I got a little tired of it. good luck, stay strong!

@@Sophie139 have you heard from anyone else about your numbness? I certainly have not experienced this as a side effect from surgery, but I have experienced something similar - just randomly and it goes away type thing - like if I stand on my feet too long the side of my thigh will become numb, sometimes followed by that jabbing sort of pain. I never knew if it was just nerve pain or what. Would love to hear if/what you learn!

Thanks! Technically it was 7 for the week as I lost 2 in my piddly little one week liquid pre-op diet, but I was still super happy! One time it took me SIX months on Weight Watchers to lose 13 pounds, But having said that, I stepped on the scale this morning and it showed I gained 2 pounds. Ugh. It is magical to watch those numbers go down, and depressing when they don't, and maddening when they go up. :/ And that is why I need to stop weighing everyday!!!! Once a week, y'all, once a week....

My one-week weigh-in: I am so excited to say that I have lost 9 pounds! I am very excited. I am sure I won't loose weight like this every week, but it feels REALLY good to have a decent start. I am the kind of person who feeds off success. I am starting to get hungrier now, but I have my first fill Dec 9th. All in all, I am feeling pretty good!!!

@@Ldimples I am so sorry that you feel regret. I woke up wondering like what the hell did I do, and then about day2 I kind of had a freakout moment. But I am officially one week today and I don't regret it. I have had issues to deal with like head hunger (wasn't expecting that so soon). and one of my issues is that I CAN eat things I don't really think I am supposed to. My satiety is decent, but I want to get really snacky at night. I know everybody's experience is different, but I was telling my husband some the thoughts/feelings I've been going through and he said, "it's kind of like you're learning about your body all over again." For me, it is. I am hoping that if you don't feel like you that this is just a time for you and your body to get adjusted. I am sending you virtual hugs!

Hi AmandaKay, how long ago did you have your surgery? The shoulder pain is common, although I feel lucky to say that i ONLY experienced it the day of surgery. But it was excruciating! There are many boards and posts about the shoulder pain and different options include sitting up when sleeping, walking frequently, using GasX (or equivalent), rotating shoulder, etc. Again, I can't attest to these, but I do wish you lots of health and less pain!

You too!!

This thread makes me happy I, too have only told a few close friends and my immediate family. No one else needs to know, and this really is OUR journey. I have an advantage, though, because I don't work. As for post-op hunger, I was banded last Monday and I am starting to get a little hungry. But, my first fill is Dec 9th, which seems to be quicker than what must people experience (3 weeks). I'm OK with that though.

You go!!! I wish I had a treadmill, to be honest. It is about 15 minutes, sometimes less, one way, and then the walk home. Dallas is nice for now (weather) but it won't be for long. :/ the only good thing about picking up the kids is that i don't have a choice in the matter, lol. And today seems to be the day I have finally turned a corner, as they say. I have *some* tenderness, but not really sore anymore. I finally shaved today, woo-hoo!!

Hi Sophie, welcome! Good luck going back Monday. As for holidays, I feel kind of lucky. Sort of. My husband and I moved to TX from TN nine years ago so we only go visit family either every other Thanksgiving or every other Christmas. This year is Christmas so for next week it is only going to be the 4 of us (hubby and two sons). dinner for is will most likely look like dinner any other night of the week. However, last night I cooked the best beef roast ever and I was not happy that i couldn't enjoy it along with my family. Sigh. I am starting mushies now, though, so I am glad about that.

@@Ldimples I am so sorry about your dog. My family always had toy poodles when I was growing up. I can't say for sure but I am guessing the weight gain is due to swelling or Water retention, etc. It's good you're up and walking. Wishing you a continued good and speedy recovery.

@@susancae, I had to stop reading the bad stuff. It was really starting to mess with my head. And I have enough fears without adding to it! I got banded Monday and had a bit of a freak out moment yesterday - the omg what have I done moment. But everyone here has been super encouraging. I had my little cry yesterday, slept better than I have all week, and woke up feeling great today. Just remind yourself of why YOU are doing this. I know that is a pat answer, but an honest one. This is all about freedom and the choice to do something for ourselves. You CAN do this. You are strong enough and empowered enough to do this.

Glad surgery went well for you. Hopefully you're home now and resting!

@the dude - so glad you're feeling better!

It is a gorgeous 71° in Dallas today - perfect for my first walk post-op. I walk 3 days a week to pick up my kids from school. Walking with my energetic 7 and 10 year olds kept me on my toes, that's for sure!