NeenBand

This thread has good info. Anyone's throat just feel "weird?" Mine feels odd ,the entire throat, especially at night. It wakes me up sometimes. I had my first fill on Thursday.

Hey all, I'm sooooooooo depressed. I have to go meet my boyfriend's family for the first time at a wedding next month. Not only am I fat as a house still, but i'm older than he is and they will wonder what the heck is he doing with me. I was trying on dresses yesterday and let's face it, when you really heavy, nothing looks good. It was like putting silks over a bag of potatoes. When we first heard of the wedding, I thought I'd be looking good by then. But I have been without a fill since my surgery in March. My band is just sitting there and I'm getting hungry and I'm gaining the weight I lost during the first weeks out of surgery. (You can read the reasons for no fill here:) http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20319 I used to think "Well at least I lost wheat i did" but now I can't say that anymore. I'm so depressed gang.:think

*dances around the thread doing the First Fill Dance** Like this..... OFFICIAL BANDLANDIAN FIRST FILL DANCE Getting a fill in the office without flouro was a bit weird. He had me tighten up my muscles and felt around for it. I could feel my port when he touched it. That felt weird. He numbed it first with a needle and was very gentle doing that. I hardly felt it. Then when he stuck in the saline needle, I did feel pressure and soreness and he said he was sorry, but it wasn't that bad. He was feeling around for the "pop" he said. That is how he knows it went in. Thank god my surgeon is good enough to do fills both ways correctly. He had me sit up with this weird thing sticking out of my port, like a valve, and drink Water as he watched me. I was a little sore last night much not that bad. I love my surgeon, he rocks. He is a good natured Russian dude that makes me laugh. Not only is he highly skilled, but our personalities click and that is why I did not want to leave his practice because Medicare are a bunch of poopie heads.

Thanks all, I drank the old Irish rememdy...tea with milk and sugar and am feeling better. I also had some thin pudding. hope your feeling better as well Kathy!

Hi ALl, I read somewhere in her that acid reflux can cause Pneumonia, and it can be a dangerous form of it. I was reading a poster's ordeal with it, but can't find it anymore. I was wondering if we could talk more about this. I have GERD, always have, and also asthma and want to be cautious about what to look for , etc. as I'm sure others do.

I'm furious!! First I had to wait over 3 months before medicare would pay for a fill. So FINALLY, I have my first fill scheduled for July 13th. I get a call from the doctor's office saying Medicare has just put through a stipulation that in order for them to pay for it, I must get my fill at a center or hospital of "Certified Excellence". My doctor does not belong to a place "certified" with them, and in fact they told me, there are very few in the country. SO NOW I CAN'T GET A FILL!!! I'm sitting here with a band in me that they paid for, and that I'm also paying for and it's doing nothing, NOTHING for my health. Out of pocket would cost me over $650, and if I needed an unfill, that would cost me extra too. Medicare will also not pay for surgery now unless it';s at a place "Certified Excellence", so if you have Medicare and your getting this done, you better look into it.

Weird huh? I have low blood pressure normally. I just read on here it can effect that, make it lower. I'll just take it easy.

Thanks Lisa! :-) I appreciate your support and I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for the people on this board.

One thing I know for certain about this , it is NOT the easy way out.

Thankee!! And thanks for the post fill advice. I'm hungry!

UPDATE: I GOT A FILL TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to see my original surgeon today for a follow up and he gave me a fill in his office! He said he normally does not do this as most of his patients are not on Medicare (or can afford the out of pocket). How nice of him was that?? I said to him at the begining of the visit "I researched surgeons for over a year and chose you for a reason. I'd hate to have to go to someone else". And that was the god's honest truth. Awesome. Questions: I have 1.5 cc's in a 4 cc band. I'm on liquids for a day. Tomorrow full liquids right? DOes restriction kick in right away? I went to the beach afterward to swim. That won't hurt the puncture will it? Infect it? I didn't even think of it till now.

UPDATE: I GOT A FILL TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went to see my original surgeon today for a follow up and he gave me a fill in his office! He said he normally does not do this as most of his patients are not on Medicare (or can afford the out of pocket). How nice of him was that?? I said to him at the begining of the visit "I researched surgeons for over a year and chose you for a reason. I'd hate to have to go to someone else". And that was the god's honest truth. Awesome. Oh, I have 1.5 cc's in a 4 cc band. I went to the beach after ward to swim. That won't hurt the puncture will t? I didn't even think of it till now.

Yup, I'm "mentally interesting" too. I always say without bi-polars in the world, it would not be half as interesting. hehe My drug has been food, because I saw my brothers, who have it too, (it runs in families, if one person has it, chances are more do) use drugs and alcohol and literally ruin their lives and health. They were also brilliantly talented, as most bipo's are in some way and did not want that. Food however, made me as much a junkie as they are and kept me from living my dreams and a fulfilling life as much as smack, crack or drink would have. You go Beachee. Pat yourself on the back for taking that step because the sad truth is, most people with our problem DON'T go and get help.

I did the same thing, and gained 10 lbs. Then I had to spend the 3 days prior to surgery on a semi fast when I learned that if I gained too much they would not do the surgery! It's about the liver being too big. So slow it down so you don't show up the morning of surgery to find out it's off, remember you WILL be able to eat after this, believe me.

Wendy, I have no answers for you , but please keep us informed about how you are and why this happened to you. :-(

BeacheeGirl, nothing is wrong with you, your not bad and your not weak. What you do have is bipolar depression (you mentioned this in your post above right?) and BiPolars or depressive people have a disease and need to be managed our entire lives or we use food, sex , drink or drugs to medicate ourselves. We can be very destructive. It's very important for people like us to be under care. A counselor, medication or both. For most of us it's both. God gave us these people who counsel and the minds to develop these drugs for a reason. Get the help you need before you start to self medicate to feel good again, and when you feel better stay with it. Too often we stop doing what we need to to keep ourselves balanced an on track once we feel better. This includes addicts. It's so very important for anyone who has had a drug problem to continue counseling, support groups or a 12 step program, etc.Whatever works for you. Be well.

You people are really great. I can't thank you enough. Tricia, your a gem. Thank you for taking the time to do all that for me. I do like some of them. I'm going to have my boyfriend take a look too. Good news (and bad news). Good news: I talked to a doc yesterday who will take me on. Bad News: He is a doc I consulted and rejected. So this will be awkward!!! Also, I don't get in to see him until a month from now, and that is just to see him, not even a fill. The fill probably won't happen for ANOTHER month. They said he is busy because all the Medicare patients are scrambling for the only 2 doctors in the state with the "Medicare Stamp of Poo" as I call it.

Hi beacheegirl, I read a New Yorker article before I was banded, it was about the band. It featured several women who had it done and one of the common issues was that some of them turned to drinking or drugs because they could not use food as the drug any longer. They realized they were addicts with the need to alter their moods, escape or just feel different. Normal life was boring or they did not feel good sober. So I would suggest seeing someone about this so you don't trigger a full blown eposode. I have addicts in my family, and anyone with addiction knows when a little start will eventually lead to a major episode again.

Hey all, I've figured it out. It happens when i eat too much or too fast. It must be irritation to the stomach or diaphram referring to the nerve in the shoulder.

Hi Andy Liz...heheh I remember. Thanks to everyone for the encouragment. Meme, check out why i can't get a fill here: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20319 Funnyduddies, I looked into those Fill Centers and there are none near me. I'm in New Jersey and theyseem to be out west and far south.

Thanks Vines. I know you have had your share too. Hugs to you too .

Wow, thank you Funnyduddie!!!!! So there is hope in find a nice dress that won't look like I'm smuggling bags of dough inside it. Donna, your right. As I was saying to Yoda via PM if you don't feel good about yourself, it doesn't matter what others tell you, you know? Hi Telly, I used to work in a spa and I remember those wraps. It's expensive and can't afford it, unfortunetly. And that I think I'm more upset at the fact I don't have a fill and can't get one, which means no weight loss is on the horizon.

Both links are wonderful!! The dresses look beautiful and I spot a couple I like, but how will I know the style will flatter me, you know? I have a Nordies nearby.

Wow FunnyDuddies, thank you!!! I'm sure I'm not alone in that I have not pirchased nice clothes for myself at this weight. I used to know what looked good on me, but not at the current body shape. So, THANK YOU. I'm fitting into a size 20 right now I'm 5'6.My bust is 44, waist 41, hips 48. I'm very fair skinned and a blonde. My boyfriend likes black. Burgundy has always been flattering because of my skin. Also, this wedding will be in September, in Georgia, in the evening. I heard they don't get as dressed up as we do here in the NY/NJ area, but I will need sleeves as my arms look terrible without. My boyfriend is an usher, and they told him to wear a black suit. So I guess it's not black tie? I have to find out for sure. And I'm an apple. Huge gut.

Thanks Barbara and Julie. I'll check that link out. My self esteem is to tied into what others think of me, I know. I also grew up in a family that had a lot to say about how women should look. I'm also very depressed because getting a fill does not look to be happening for me, so I fear not only will I gain what I lost back, but will never lose this weight. That iwent through the pain of that surgery for nothing.