PATCHELTON

None of you should be intimidated about asking questions of your surgeon. If you are afraid you will forget, write them down, and bring out your list when he/she comes in. Don't be afraid to ask! The doctor can't halp you if he/she doesn't know you are having a problem. I had my first fill at 6 weeks. They make you sit for a while in the waiting room and drink Water. I was burping a bit but that was all, so he let me go. By bedtime even water was giving me indigestion. They tell you to do liquids for 48 hours after a fill, so I hadn't had any solid food. By the next morning I was miserable, with my chest so tight I almost took myself to the ER. Instead I called the surgeon's office, emailed the nurse educator, and ended up meeting the doctor at the hospital after he was finished with surgery, and got an unfill. I originally got 3ccs, and he took out 1.5 to 2ccs. I could feel the pressure leaving my chest. Tried that for 2 weeks then saw him in the office. I told him I was doing okay with liquids and soft foods, but other stuff was bothering me. He took out another .5cc and I was okay. Sometimes you will get stuck no matter what. I had very little restriction after the second unfill, and had eaten ham steaks before with minimal problem (if I didn't chew thoroughly I would feel tight somewhat, but it would pass). This time I ate one, then some green salad, and then the pressure started. I again seriously contemplated a trip to the ER. Then the sliming began. I wasn't nauseated but when something is stuck for some reason you produce excessive saliva that has only one place to go--up and out. I spent about 2 hours back and forth to the restroom to spit up (I was at work) and then I was okay. And that was with maybe 1cc of restriction, if that. The next time I went in, thinking I needed a fill because I could eat more and was hungrier, the surgeon talked me out of the fill. I was still losing (down 7 lbs from previous visit) and was actually losing so well I was ahead of schedule for the band, RNY, and sleeve. He was okay with my eating more because I still was losing (he even said it would be okay to gain a few--okay with him maybe, not with me!). So I didn't get the fill, and went home to work on identifying my head hunger, and making sure, even though I was eating more,that it was good stuff and not junk. Some people need several fills, others not as much. I never would have predicted my success as I have never lost much more than 20 or 30 lbs in any previous attempt. I am really committed to this, so I stay away from most Snacks (I have Kay's Naturals, Protein chips, kind of like Fritos, and sugar free popsicles if I have an urge for something sweet). The band won't do it alone, nor will the fills. You still have to make good food choices. I do urge all of you that have experienced being stuck to tell your surgeon, even if it delays your fill. Less problems in the long run. Good luck on your journey.

I find many of the powdered drinks benefit from a packet of Splenda. The smoothie described above sounds much like what I make with vanilla Protein powder, skim milk, Splenda, and frozen fruit (your choice). For ready to drink I like Worldwide Protein shakes. Cheapest at Trader Joe's if you have one in your area. About 160-170 cal, 4 carbs, 2 sugars, and 1 fat. It comes in 21 or 35 grams protein. Trader Joe carries both in Vanilla and chocolate. In Maryland the 21's are $1.69 and the 35's are $2.29 each. GNC carries the 35's in Vanilla and Chocolate but charges $2.99 each. The Vitamin Shoppe carries th 35's in all the flavors, which include Vanilla, Chocolate, banana Cream, Cookies n' Cream, and strawberry, and they charge $2.79 each. You can order the 35's online at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe.

I found it helpful to get my post-op Rx from the surgeon beforehand, unless you have someone who can go to the pharmacy for you after you come home. I live alone so I did that, then didn't have to stop on the way home. As for Protein drinks, unjury is good (powder that you mix), comes in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and chicken Soup flavors. Unjury.com is their site. You can also get EAS Advantage (powder or ready to drink) in Target or Walmart, an Atkins Advantage (ready to drink) at Target among other places. My sister found a Protein Drink at Trader Joe's called Worldwide Protein shake. TJ carries it in Vanilla or Chocolate in 21 or 35 grams of protein. The 21's are $1.69 (in Maryland) and the 35's are $2.29. GNC carries the 35's but charges $2.99 for each. The Vitamin Shoppe carries the 35's for $2.79 and they have the other flavors of Strawberry, Cookies n' Cream, or banana Cream. I think they taste better than Atkins, have more protein, very low in carbs and sugar. It is milk based in case you have a problem with that. It also is not loaded with Vitamins, since you will be taking them anyway. I would also suggest getting in a supply of the chewable vitamins and Calcium that you will need. Bariatric Advantage.com sells a variety. I take Centrum chewables, and my calcium citrate (don't get carbonate--doesn't absorb as well)with D (should be D3 or cholocalciferol) and magnesium comes from Twin Labs. I got them for around $7.00 for 60 wafers from vitacost.com (much cheaper than retail, even with $4.99 shipping--I got a couple bottles at a time--shipping the same). Whatever your surgeon gives you for the liquid and pureed stages I would try to get ahead of time so you won't have to shop for a couple weeks. And if you can get rid of everything you are not supposed to have or eat. This is hard if you have a family, but the less tempted the better. Congratulations on becoming a bandster!

I am 63 and was banded on 3/25/08. My insurance required a 6 month documented weight loss attempt, and I worked with the dietician on the bariatric team for that. I was bummed initially at having to wait, but then I used the time to educate myself. I read everything I could find, bumped up my exercise by adding walking to Curves, and by the time I hit the pre-op liquid diet my legs were already starting to look slimmer. Only lost 10 lbs on the 6 month diet, another 25 on the pre-op liquids (I caught a cold and my surgery was bumped a week, so I stayed on the liquids for 3 weeks), then 2 more post-op, 2 weeks of mushies, and then solids. I have had 2 episodes of something getting stuck, one small one, and one really big one (PBs and slime, big time). I have days where I would swear my head hunger was real, but I am getting better and recognizing it and distracting myself. Including the pre-op losses, I have lost 80 lbs so far, gone down several clothing sizes, and last week my PCP stopped both my cholesterol meds, one of my BP meds and my reflux med. Around the end of the year she will send me for a sleep study to see if that has resolved. 20 more lbs and I will be at goal. I am stoked! I think bandsters in their 60's do at least as well, if not better than younger bandsters.

Walking is my primary exercise and has been since before surgery. I belong to Curves, but I decided that wasn't enough (pre-op) so I went looking for an interesting place to walk. There is a park near my home that has a 2 mile nature trail that is paved, and I walk there carrying peanuts for the squirrels. I started on weekends in January (the park is technically closed but they don't lock the gate so people walk their dogs and walk for exercise all year round), and when daylight savings kicked in I started going during the week. Post-op they said no resistance training (Curves) for about six weeks, so I just walked. I don't go particularly fast, and I stop to feed the squirrels. I call it interval walking :biggrin:. My legs started slimming even before I had lost a significant amount of weight. A good pair of shoes and a place to walk, that's all you need.

I have not tried the Premier, but I am familiar (and a fan of ) Worldwide Shakes. They come in 21g and 35g versions. The Vitamin Shoppe ($2.79 each here in Maryland) and GNC ($2.99 each) carry the 35's in chocolate and vanilla. Strawberry, Banana Cream, and Cookies n' Cream in 35's are offered by both online. I started drinking it when my sister told me about it. We found it at Trader Joe's for $2.29 for the 35's and $1.69 for the 21's, in both chocolate and vanilla. I buy it there. Even on the mushy stage I was told to continue protein shakes so I had no trouble getting in my protein. I did some of the same things already mentioned (refried beans mixed with a little pulverized salsa, heat in microwave 2 minutes and put Kraft fat free shredded cheese on top when it comes out; runny instant oatmeal made with skim milk; instant mashed potatoes with fat free gravy; applesauce; creamy tuna or egg salad made with light mayo and a little mustard; Lipton noodle soup with chicken broth, not pieces). Even the fat freed refried beans and fat free cheese have protein. Good luck with your journey.:biggrin:

Hi. Welcome to LBT. I live in Maryland so I am not familiar with the center you are using. If you are not squeamish, there is a great program on Discovery Health called Big Medicine (for some unknown reason they put Season 3 on in this area at 1am on Wednesday night--technically Thursday). Drs. Garth and Robert Davis in Houston (Methodist Hospital I believe) are a father and son bariatric team. You get to see the workups, some psych visits, the actual surgeries (RNY, Lapband, Sleeve), followup visits, and even some plastic surgery on patients with excess skin after weight loss. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet attempt for my insurance, so I spent the time educating myself and learning all about the band. I joined here in November 2007 and had been going to group support since July 2007. I was banded 3/25/08. Good luck with your journey.

You need an unfill. Run, do not walk to the phone and call your surgeon. I have had one fill 3ccs and by the same evening water was giving me indigestion. I called the doctor the next day and met him at the hospital where he removed 1.5-2ccs. I could feel the pressure leaving as he withdrew the fluid. Two weeks later in his office I told him liquids and mushies went down okay, but solids were still giving me some trouble. He took out another .5 cc. I haven't had a fill since. I went for one, but he talked me out of it because I had lost 7 pounds since my previous visit. So I went home to work on my head hunger and to continue eating right. I can eat more than a 1/2 cup of food, but I am slowly still losing because I am staying on track with proteins, fats and carbs, minimizing salt and sugar. I just had my first major bloodwork, and my cholesterol is lower than it has ever been since it started being measured. I think I must have been born with higher numbers. Your discomfort is because you are too tight. Call your surgeon.

I can't feel my band, but I do feel the port, and since I have lost a fair amount of weight it is a little more prominent. For me that is a very small price to pay. I have never been succesful at any other attempt to lose weight. I just got my first bloodwork back, and my cholesterol numbers look so good I think I was born with higher numbers! I see my doc tomorrow to see if I can stop the cholesterol meds. Got my fingers crossed.

It could be "that time of the month" since that would cause some fluid retention. I bounce up when I am constipated (I am 63 so the monthly friend is a thing of the past). I feel bloated too. I take a senna laxative (Senokote or a generic version) and that usually does the trick for me.

Most doctors (at least here in Maryland) won't do a fill until at least 6 weeks post-op. You may feel all healed up, but might not be. Don't rush it. I got my first fill at 6 weeks, 3ccs, and by evening even water gave me indigestion. The next day I called and met the doctor at the hospital and he unfilled about 1.5 ccs. Two weeks later in his office I reported that soft foods were okay, but I was having trouble with denser stuff. So he took out another cc. On my last visit, I said I am able to eat way more than 1/2 cup of food and I get hungry before 4 hours, but he talked me out of the fill since I was still losing and he said I was ahead of schedule for the band, bypass, and sleeve. So I have at the most 1cc in my band (a 14cc fill volume), and I am working on my head hunger. I do eat more than 1/2 cup, but I love salads (I put chicken, ham or turkey on it for a protein source) and am still slowly losing. I plateaued for a month or so, and now it is creeping down. I was on liquids before surgery (lost 25 pounds) and I lost 10 during the 6 month diet. The rest has come off since surgery on 3/25/08.

It is possible. If you have documentation for your visits, and your PCP is willing to sign off on it, it may pass. Check with the bariatric team, either the surgeon's office or the dietician. They may be able to tell you more. Don't ask BC. Their customer service people are clueless about bariatrics. I was waiting for approval and I called Maryland Carefirst BC/BS. The idiot there told me I would likely be denied because I used and out-of-network provider for my psych consult and my 6 month diet. I mentioned that they accepted Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem and the like, how is that in network? He couldn't tell me anything but that I would probably be denied. Out-of-network just means you pay out of pocket and your insurance doesn't. Needless to say I was having a meltdown and trying to call my surgeon's office, who was also trying to call me to tell me I had been approved. So word to the wise. Questions? Ask the bariatric team.

Chewable is the way to go if you can't even get a half pill down. Bariatricadvantage.com sells multi's as well as calcium with D in chewable. I use Centrum. I'm old so I got the Silver (doesn't have iron) but it is $10 or so for 60 wafers, and I found them at Target. You might also check into liquids. I was taking fish oil supplements before surgery and they were huge gelcaps; can't cut them. I found a Healthy Options store (Vitamin Shoppe or GNC may also have them) that carried liquid mint flavored fish oil. Pricey, but later I went to Twin Labs' web site and found links to sites selling their products and I found them for less than half of what I paid in the store, like $7.67 for chewable calcium citrate(carbonate doesn't absorb as well) and $6 something for the fish oil. In the store the fish oil was $13.99 and the calcium was $17.99. Even with $4.99 shipping I am saving a bundle. I am pretty sure I saw liquid multi's in the store. I would check them out (check sugar content to make sure it is not too high) then check on the internet. Go to the manufacturer's web site and they will have a where to buy page. Good luck.

Almost. I was banded 3/25/08, and had one fill of 3ccs 6 weeks later. By the evening I was having trouble getting water down and the next day I was miserable. Called the surgeon, met him at the hospital and he unfilled about 1.5 to 2ccs. I lived with that for a couple weeks, and when I saw him in the office I told him I was still having a problem so he took out another .5 cc. So I have next to nothing, and when I saw him last he actually talked me out of a fill (I thought I needed one as I could eat more and was hungry sooner) since I had lost about 8 lbs since the last unfill, and was actually ahead of schedule for the band, bypass, and sleeve. I was on a plateau for several weeks, but it appears to be creeping downward slowly again. I feel the restriction I do have when I eat dense proteins, like shrimp, ham steak, stuff like that. Otherwise I feel very little restriction. But I am only 20 lbs from my goal, so I can't complain.

Hi and welcome to the board. You will find lots of support and info here. My start weight was 252, BMI 37-38, with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, GERD, knee arthritis, sleep apnea, everything but diabetes. I was banded 3/25/08 and prior to surgery I lost 10 lbs on the 6 month diet attempt required by insurance, another 25 on the pre-op liquid diet (there are many versions-mine was 2 wks but ended up 3 wks because I caught a cold and my surgery was postponed a week-I could have a small amount of lean Protein up until 4 days before surgery-I used unbreaded chicken tenders from costco and hard boiled eggs). Since surgery I have lost another 45 lbs. My goal is 100 lbs. My surgeon even talked me out of a fill last time because he said I was ahead of schedule for weight loss, so it was okay that I could eat a little more. I was on a plateau for several weeks, and now it is starting to slowly creep down again. I had my first bloodwork and my cholesterol numbers are fantastic! I am hoping I can come off my meds and see how I do. I am exercising regularly (a big factor in success with the band), mostly walking, not particularly fast, in a park near home that has a 2 mile nature trail. I try to do twice around and I carry peanuts for the squirrels so I stop a lot. I am going for distance, not speed. I also belong to Curves, and in the fall when I lose daylight after work (I go to the park almost every day) there is an aquatic center near me with Water aerobics. BTW, I have gone from Women's 22-24 to Misses 12-14 (kinda 13) in regular clothes, and in work clothes (I wear scrubs) down from 2x to baggy large (not quite a medium yet). Needless to say, I am THRILLED! I wish you the best on your journey. Some days will be hard, but keep your eye on the prize (better health, fewer meds, smaller dress size).

Somehow the ticker got into your signature. Just go to Edit Options, Edit Signature, scroll down to the box where you will see some codes for the ticker, and just delete them. Then save your signature. Hope that helps. BTW I don't believe the sleeve is reversable. They partition your stomach off from the part that produces Grehlin, the hormone that stimulates hunger. After the stapling is done you have a banana-shaped pouch, and the rest of your stomach is actually removed, so all that is left is your pouch. Go to obesityhelp.com for a complete description of the surgery. I saw one performed on Big Medicine (for some reason the new season was put on late at night with like 4 episodes back to back, and in one of them a sleeve was performed). The stomach was removed right through the laproscopic incision.

I don't drink so can't help you there. I have very little restriction but sometimes have problems with dense foods, like ham steak, and veggie burgers. For me salad goes down well but I have heard of others who have problems. It is kind of trial and error once you go on solid foods. Fizzy drinks--carbonation can cause gas so they will tell you to only drink soda flat, don't use a straw, and no concentrated sweets (they go down too easy and you can actually gain weight). For me they told me to stay away from Pasta and rice, at least in the beginning, as they can wad up and get stuck. My sister wanted me to go to a church spaghetti dinner and I emailed the dietician first about it. I gave away my bread, skipped dessert, and ate the salad and spaghetti. I cut it up like I was a 2 year old in little pieces, meatballs too, and it went okay. Felt a little pressure, but all in all it was okay. Hope this helps. Good luck on your journey.

I agree. If you are having problems following your doctor's orders, you need to call your dietician and/or surgeon and let them know. Making up the program on your own could be risky. The liquids to mushies is for the purpose of slowly allowing post-op healing to take place. Also in my case I was told to steer clear of Pasta and rice as they tend to ball up and can get stuck in the band opening. Please don't continue this without checking with your doctor. The fact that you are not feeling well may be a symptom and your doctor and dietician need to know.

I am more concerned over the fact that you were eating solid foods (though instant mashed potatoes were on my list for mushies). You are one week post op and assuming most places do the same, you would be on liquids for 2 weeks, then pureed (mushies) foods for 2 weeks, then solid foods. You need to give your stomach time to heal and rushing solid food may lead to problems, even in small amounts. On my liquids tea was okay. I suggest calling your dietician, who would have the final word on what you should or should not consume. But don't rush the solids.

If it is what I think it is, I was given one in the hospital to use and bring home with me. Mine was a flexible tube I blew into and tried to raise a ball or other gizmo to a certain level. You shouldn't have to buy one.

For those interested in Viactiv (don't know about their multi) the Calcium is calcium carbonate (as my dietician reminded me when I told her I had bought some) which is not absorbed as well as calcium citrate, and she preferred I used the citrate. For a multi, I bought a sampler of Bariatric Advantage, but ended up buying Centrum Silver (I'm a senior) chewable. For caclium citrate I found some by Twin Labs at a Healthy Options store. Pricey ($17.99 for 60 wafers, a 15 day supply) but tasted good. I finally did a search online, going to Twin Labs web site and checked where to buy and found a site that sold it for around $7.67 (big difference). I also use their liquid fish oil ($13.99 at Healthy Options, $6 and change online). I ordered enough for two months ($4.99 S&H) and opted for auto shipments every 60 days. The site is vitacost and the S&H is the same for any size shipment. So even with the shipping charge I am paying half of what I was paying at Healthy Options. It took a little digging to find the fish oil but they had it. It is mint flavored, and if you can get past the visual reminder of Milk of Magnesia, it really doesn't taste bad. A tablespoon give 1600mg of Omega 3's. I found it after my surgeon said I could start up my meds again post-op, and my fish oil was a huge gelcap that I couldn't cut in half.

Same here. I was told no concentrated sweets, and nothing through a straw because of the air, also no carbonated beverages for the same reason. Suggestions for drinks: Atkins Advantage(ready to drink), EAS Advantage (powder- I blend with skim milk and a pkt of Splenda), Permalean (powder), and Worldwide Protein Shakes (ready to drink). Worldwide is sold at Trader Joe's (cheapest--comes in 21g for $1.69 and 35g for $2.29 each) and to me tastes better and has more protein than Atkins. It is also sold at GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe (35s only, $2.99 at GNC and $2.79 at VS). For me liquids included yogurt, f/f jello, f/f popsicles, broths, cream soups (I melted Kraft fat free slices in tomato soup to make it creamy and have a sneaky way to get cheese while on liquids). I could also have skim milk, tea, coffee and fruit juice if diluted 50% with water.

I had apple sauce, Lipton Noodle Soup (with broth not chicken pieces), instant mashed potatoes with fat free gravy, refried beans (pulverized some salsa and mix in the beans, nuked in microwave and put fat free cheese on top to melt), sugar/fat free puddings (Jello), creamy egg salad (hb eggs, light mayo, dijon mustard, salt pepper), creamy tuna salad (same recipe but with yellow mustard ala Pinera Bread), tomato soup with Kraft fat free slices broken up and melted into soup. I can't think of any others, but hopefully this will help. A lot of the above was on a list the dietician gave me, and I just added things like mustard for flavor (yellow and dijon have little or no calories or fat).

Different bariatric teams sometimes give different advice, so I don't know if this is the case. In my case I was told to steer clear of rice and Pasta for a time (not sure how long) after surgery because it can block the exit from your pouch plus it is carbs mostly. I have eaten spaghetti once since my 3/25 surgery and I asked the dietician before I did it (it was a church dinner-I skipped the bread and dessert, ate the salad and cut up the spaghetti and meatballs like I was a little kid-it sat for a bit in my pouch but eventually went down). When I get the urge for spaghetti (or a meatball sub) I take turkey meatballs, cover in sauce, sprinkle parmesan on top and nuke in the microwave for about 2 mins. I make crustless pizza too. Pizza sauce (used Ragu) turkey pepperoni, peppers, onions, cover with fat free (Kraft) shredded mozarella and nuke for 2 minutes. Bread and dough don't agree with me and I would rather fill up on the stuff I like minus the bread. As for the ice cream, you could actually end up gaining weight with that. A half cup could easily become a cup and on from there. May I suggest sugar free popsicles? They are sweet but without sugar or fat. Good luck on your journey.

A word of caution. My approval took 4 weeks from submission of paperwork. Naturally I got antsy and called the insurance company (Carefirst Blue Choice-Maryland). Well the rep I got told me I would likely be denied because my psych evaluator and dietician were out of network. Now they accept diet documentation from Weight Watchers, why would the dietician I choose cause me to be denied? He couldn't answer that and kept repeating that I would likely be denied. I did everything through the bariatric team, even having their dietician monitor my required 6 month diet. But she and the psych evaluator I paid out of pocket, which is all out of network means. If you want to use an out of network provider, you must pay the bill. Needless to say I was having a complete meltdown while trying to call my surgeon's office. They were also trying to reach me, to tell me I had been APPROVED. So the info given by customer service was incorrect at best, and got me majorly upset to boot. Your surgeon's office has been dealing with insurance for a while I assume, so they would be the best ones to call, IMHO.