kdlee

Wow, you're lucky that you're getting your restriction so fast!!! My doctor says he wants to do fills slowly and is conservative. I only got 1cc on my first fill. I've got a long way to go to get where you are on your first fill alone!!! Sucks for me, because my fills are not covered by insurance.

My GYN told me it could take 3 months to get back to a normal period after surgery. My periods have been super light since surgery. I have still started monthly, but that's because I'm on the pill. Now, instead of 4-5 days, they are only lasting 2-3.

My surgeon says no alcohol for an entire year after banding because alcohol can act as a gastric irritant. If you have some, I would limit it to no more than one, especially since your still a fresh post-op.

The charges in total for the band with all the pre-op stuff through my phsyician, including overnight hospital stay is around $18,000.

I had the exact same situation when I went in for my first fill. The Dr. wouldn't give me a fill because I had lost sufficient weight. I tried to explain that it was willpower only, not band. I didn't even feel like the band was in place at that time. I have since went back in and had one fill and have slight resitriction now. I am anxiously awaiting my next fill in September!!

Congrats!!! :thumbup:

I feel it all in my chest, like trying to swallow a golf ball. The feeling is worse in the morning, slight at lunch and gone by dinner.

'Open for business' was the dumbest slogan! Wild and Wonderful is classic!

No arguing here. :thumbup: Just sticking up for her. I may live in Ohio now, but I am a WV girl at heart.

That's surprising. My physician gave me a card which specifically lists the make of my band, the max amount of cc's it holds and his contact numbers so if I were to ever have problems while traveling, another Dr. would know what there and how to get ahold of my surgeon. It is the size of a credit card and I carry it in my wallet. He is also specific about how much is in the band before the fill, how much he adds, etc. As a patient, I would be upset if he didn't tell me. After all, it is my band and my body.

That's why it says a "few hour drive (to Virginia) would be worth it".

Hi everyone. I was just thinking, since we're all right here in the Parkersburg area, we should plan a get together! It would be fun to get to know everyone and compare stories about what we're going through. What do you think?

Good post! I am currently in "Bandster Hell" and getting through on only willpower. My cravings have been bad for soda and chocolate, but I'm making it through without either. I know this stage will past and it's nice to know everyone else experiences it also!

I haven't flown since having the band, so I can't help you there. But, I was given a card from my surgeon, explaining that I have the lapband, the size of the band and contact numbers for my physician. I carry it in my wallet. It's the size of a credit card.

She can not wait until Monday. You need to call the physician's office and find out if he has an associate physician on call or take her to the ER. Besides the fact that acid reflux is not good for her, she could choke in her sleep if she is gurgling that much while sleeping. She needs fluids, whether it be by IV or taking out some fill so she can drink. It's good that you are watching out for her. Don't put it off until Monday.

Good luck on Friday and Happy Early Birthday!!

Thanks. :thumbup: I'm going to insist on a fill this time. When I was on liquids and mushies I had no appetite because everything just kinda got gross after a while. Now that I'm back on regular food, I'm hungry!!!:cool2:

I went in for my first fill and didn't get it because I was losing without it. Jeannie says it is billed like a visit, Lindsey told me the first 3-4 were included in the cost. I guess Lindsey was wrong. Doesn't do me any good to argue about it, I suppose. I have to have it, so I'm going to have to pay I guess. I go next Monday for one.

Jennifer- Good to hear from you! I was just wondering over the weekend how you were doing! My husband goes tomorrow for his pre-op appointment with Dr. Kaplan. He should be having surgery in the next 2-3 weeks. I am on week 5 now. Hard to believe how quickly time has flown by this summer. I went last week for my first fill and he didn't do it because I had lost 22lbs since my pre-op diet, with 7 after surgery. But, this week I seem to be more hungry now that I'm back on regular foods. I have an appointment next Monday, so hopefully I'll get the fill! Froggi- You're doing a great Job! Just think, only 2 more months! Surgery will be here before you know it. :thumbup:

I wasn't trying to be mean. I have just been seeing so many posts lately where people are nagging on those getting the band who don't weigh as much as others and I read your post wrong. No hard feelings!:biggrin:

You must take all metal jewelry off for surgery because they don't want anything on you that can conduct an electric current and burn you. BTTRFLI- If they want belly button rings, who cares? It has nothing to do with whether or not they need lapband. When I worked labor and delivery I would see 300+ lb women come in with their belly buttons done. I personally don't have one, but to each his own.:biggrin:

Wow, based on your ticker, it doesn't look like you have nearly as much to lose as some do. I have BCBS in Ohio and it's interesting to see how each state is different. I was approved for the band without any questions. Good luck to you. I'm glad that you did get approved for GB. I know you must be excited. :teeth_smile:

I have this same issue in the morning. Some people are just tighter in the am. I haven't had a fill yet, because I have some restriction with the band alone and have lost weight without the fill. My Dr. wants me to wait to see how I do first.

It looks like a 2 and then an S. Has to be a typo. There's no way they would keep someone under anesthesia for 25 hrs to do a procedure that normally takes less than an hour! If that's the case, I'll take my 5 small incisions anyday!:cursing:

It's not about the weight loss at all. I am happy with how well I have done. In fact, that is the main reason my Dr. would not fill me, because I have lost well without the fill. I would just like the satiety portion to fall into place. I am exercising and have done so since starting the program in March. I think that has helped me to lose the amount of weight that I have. I do agree with those of you who said to wait 6-8 weeks on a fill due to the healing process. My Dr. does start them at 4 weeks though. Thanks to everyone for the input. I wrote my original post before lunch and I was hungry and grumpy.