LSF

I had decent restriction until my first fill (4ccs), then after a week, I realized that I could eat ANYTHING and my portion sizes were getting bigger. I just got home from my 2nd fill (2 cc's) - I'm praying this one works more than the last. I liked being able to eat anything - I just want to be able to shrink my portion sizes.

That just happened to me!! I just got the hospital bill for 17,000. My insurance said that all I have to do is pay my $250 co-pay and that they are contracted to pay a certain amount and that the hospital releases the rest. I'm going to call the hospital in another week to see if my insurance paid some of it -

My post-op instructions said that if my stool was bloody - to call the doctor. Good luck!

I'm a single mom of a 14 year old son - pretty much raising him by myself. My son was very worried also but wanted me to feel better. He chose to stay with my parents a couple of days before the surgery as well as the day of the surgery (that is how he chose to handle it). He also told me in advance that he wanted to stay with his grandparents after I came home as well. My first day home - he needed to stop by my house to get something - he ran up to my room to see me once he saw how "normal" I was, he began to cry out of fear & relief and gave me the tightest hug, then decided to stay home that night. I'm sure everything will work out for you. Good luck!

It's weired - I am able to eat alot more food - yet I can still feel slight restriction. Today, I didn't have it as much as yesterday - yet I can still feel it.

As far as the ticker - someone had posted instructions, I had to print them and follow it - I can't remember how I did it.

Wow - that was fast for your date!!!! I was approved on 10/3 and my surgery was 11/19th. That was the earliest opening (don't forget - that was at Noble). They do not require a pre-op diet but make sure you do not gain any weight or they will not do the surgery. Either try to lose some or at least maintain your weight.

I was scared too - I just took it slow and have had no problems

I'm just envious that you are able to go 2 months without a fill!!!! Everyone here had great advice for you to follow - good luck!!

I brought a water bottle to bed with me while I was recovering and kept sipping it while watching TV. The day I came home from the hospital, I was dying of thirst so I was loving the water (it forced me to have to keep getting out of bed to go to the bathroom) which was also a good thing.

I had the atrangest thing happen today - I had my first fill 12/30 - didn't do much for me - this past week - my appetite totally came back and I was able to eat normal again - then today - all of a sudden I started getting some restriction during lunch. I had to stop after 3 or 4 bites and wait for it to pass - then I was able to finish. Has this happened to anyone else?

I prefer Yoplait Light but I try not to have more than 2 a week.

I officially have no more restriction. I was able to eat a full breakfast, lunch & dinner today. My 2nd fill is scheduled for next week.

Keep me posted - I'm curious as to what happens. I'm frustrated this week because my appetite has totally come back!!! My 2nd fill is next week.

I'm suprised that you were able to eat right after a fill. My doctor told me that I have to do full liquids for 24 hours - then 1 day of mushies, then 1 day of soft foods. I was told at our support group meeting that they have us do this because if you eat foods right away, you can stretch the band back out.

I'm right with you - only had the 1 fill and my appetite is BACK!!!

My nutritionist said that it's ok to sip some water during meals. I don't do it at home, only when I'm out. I just ate dinner and am dying of thirst.

I have only had 1 fill so far (6 weeks after surgery is his standard) and he gave me 4cc's in a 14cc band. I scheduled my next fill for 3 weeks after the 1st. Sometimes, I can tell that if I'm eating something that might not agree with me - I have to stop for about 5 minutes, I burp and then I can continue to finish the meal. But like I said - My meal portions are definitely smaller. Not as small as I it should be though -

I'm suprised it's taking that long for Tufts. I called Melissa at PVS (she handles the insurance) - she submitted the paperwork that day and the next day she called me to tell me I was all set - that it was approved.

oops - the Lap-Band!

That's exactly how I want the laband to work for me!

Good luck with your 4th fill. I'm able to eat everything right now - I do feel the band stopping me at a certain point to I can't overeat but I am eating something every 2 hours like clockwork. I can't wait until I'm full for longer periods of time. I'm not losing very fast - I just started exercising last week. I'm hoping to get into a consistent routine with exercise (it's just hard to find the time).

I have no willpower - that is why I chose the lapband - to at least help me with portion control. I was faced with cake at work 1 day - I had a piece - it took me an hour to eat it - at least all I had was the 1 piece. I don't have the bottomless pit in my stomach like I used to. I am making a conscious effort to choose healthier meals but I can't '"forbid" myself to stay away from the bad foods - it just makes me want them more.

I hope this lasts with my future fills. At work, in our cafeteria, I can eat whatever the entre is but I eat smaller portions. Ex: today I had 2 stuffed shells with a small salad (I bring my own light dressing). And the shells were dry - but it didn't get stuck. We help ourselves to the food so I take a smaller plate so that I can't take as much as I used to.

My port still sticks out (I don't know if it's because my stomach is much thinner than the rest of me) but the Doc just grabbed it and stuck the needle right in!