bamagirl386

Hi there I'm 7 mos post op & have my port site is quite painful all the time. So bad that I am looking to have my band removed. Very disappointed. I have not lost any weight & the port has been placed in what I think is a bad place. Up real high just above my left boob. I have spent more on trying to find a bra that didnt kill me than I did the surgery itself (insurance paid all but $100). I am looking for a new surgeon that will remove the band & do gastric bypass. Hopefully that will work. Good luck on the port site, I hear it can be "tender" for years. Its not for me

Hi Mike Welcome! I am far from NY but I was banded 7/15/08 & it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. However, I am on my 3rd fill & have not had much restriction so my loss has been s-s-s-l-l-o-o-o-w. My dr will only add 1cc at a time which is frustrating. Thats probably the one question I didnt ask at the meetings. Anyway, I trust you've done your research & have picked the best surgeon for you. Good luck, I'll be getting my 4th fill the same day you will be having your surgery so I will be praying for a successfull operation. Good luck from sunny FL! PJ

Oh wow...someone I can relate to...Question....my port is about 2 inches below my boobs & I've only had 2 fills that were quite painful, pushing on ribcage, etc. I have complained & will most likely be begging for a revision soon as I am sore for 4 or 5 days after each fill from all the poking & pinching & manuevering. Did you have to "insist" on a revision? I have mentioned it before & my fill person just kinda brushes me off. I keep asking why my port is so high & she said it depended on how big my circumfrance ws when the dr started surgery. I weighed 204 at surgery so I know there are lap band people out there bigger than me that have their portsalot further down. I guess I just never thought to ask "where will you put my port?" All I can say is Ladies, ask your dr where your port will be because if its near the bra line, you will HATE IT! This has been a very frustrating experience for me. My surgery date was 7/15 & I hope to get a revision soon. This is very uncomfortable. I have spent a small fortune on bras trying to find one that doesnt hurt.

Hi there I just had my lap band 7/15 w/Dr. Jawad in Ocala. U will ove the staff & Dr Jawad as well. If you stay in the hospital, it is first class treatment all the way. I will tell you that my policy is BCBS Federal PPO. Insurance paid 100%. I only had a $100.00 yes that is 1 hundred dollar co-pay. I think I have the best insurance in the world. My BMI is 36 & I have diabetes. Each policy may be slightly diff. Lissette at Dr. Jawads office will do your insurance pre-determination. I am down 19 lbs & feel great. My sugars are way down as well. I'm in Daytona Beach. Just holler if u need any info. This is a great site! Bamagirl

Hey that sounds good. I start mushy phase tmrw 8/1/08 Where can I find some of these recipes? Can u give me the refried Beans recipe? Thanks Bama

I ahve BCBS FEP PPO in Florida & I didnt need anything...not even a drs referral. My policy said that as long as I was BMI of 40 or over, OR BMI of 35 with a co-morbidity (such as Diabetes which I have), I was approved in 3 days. The initial consultation was $250 for me, they get u somewhere, but my insurance verified that my surgery co=pay was only $100.00 & they covred everything else 100%. My nutritional evaluation was more than my whole surgery. Crazy!

You are def nota wimp. I was banded on 7/15 & I take mine every 3 1/2 -4 hours. No point in letting it get unmanagaeable, THEN take it. Take it to keep comfortable during this trauma period. So I am 5 days post op today & I still take it every 6 hours. What worked forme is, I would take it, wait 30 minutes, then walk walk walk. That kept the gas away & no nausea away & got my abs moving. Then it would allow me enough time to rest about 2-3 hours then start the cycle all over again. I am doing great for day 5 I think & it has alot to do with not letting the pain get out of hand. Keep taking it is my opinion. Goodluck & heal well! Christine

Hi there. I was banded Tuesday, 7/15. I was more afraid of the gas pain that I'd heard so much about that I was determined to walk myself silly in the hospital. Let me tell you, I walked within 3 hours after surgery, & walked 5 times a day while in the hospital. The nurses were amazed & let me tell you, I have not had one problem w/any gas pain. Just a few burps here & there but the nurses credit it to all the walking. So please just walkas much as u can. It does hurt. I took my liquid Lortab, waied 30 minutes, walked about 15 min. & then rested for a couple hours. Just walk while your pain meds sre kicked in. I have 3 boxes of gas x strips ready & have not had to open any. I am def sore though from the staples. I have both staples & then steri strips on my port site. Good luck. I am on day 3 post op & it does get better. Just keep on the pain meds every 4 hours. dont wait till it gets bad. Anyway, walking works for me. & sip sip sip that water. Sugar free popsicles have saved me as well. I eat them one right after the other between water.. Goodluck & keep in touch.

Hi Buttercup.... I'm 45 & have just completed my last test. I was already approved by BCBS & my surgery date is July 15. I've been a member for a couple months & it is very informative. Plus my neighbor had it done 1 yr ago & she looks great & just yesertday we were talking about different things that may or may not happen after surgery. I will be glad to answer any question I can bamagirl

oh crap, 1st day & I cheated. I feel like I need just one more "eat anything I want" day. I think I'm goingto have a problem. Supposed to start a lo carb for 2 weeks & then 2 weeks liquid shakes. Surgery date is July 15. I hate myself right now.

What I've done is kind of casually mention here & there that I've been thinking about doing the Atkins to jump start my metabolism & my dr has a new nutritionist & work & that I'm gonna be starting his strict program soon. Everyone knows I already tried alot of diets & with having diabetes they know I am ready to get strict with myself. I work in a salon & the last thing I need is for the lap band to issue get out of the bag. Yes its all a big lie but again, its nobody's business. I also told them my sister is coming from out of town for a week of summer vacation & I want tio spend some time w/her. Good luck!

I have tried GNC Isolate Whey Protein in Vanilla flavor. It taste great to me & I am picky. I have also ordered UNJURY brand in all flavors & unflavor & its is just as good. I make fruit smoothies w/the vanilla al the time. Also, GNC has 30 day money back guarantee so if u dont like it, take it back. Good luck! PJ

Got the Wii Fit in the mail on Thursday & just set it up last night. We LOVE it! SO many core exercises that will help after surgery. My band date is July 15 so I am doing the Wii thing everyday with my daughther. Definitely worth the $89!

My dr suggested the Unjury. It all seems so confusing...I guess the Unjury has the best protein from what I've read. I guess if I dont like it, I'll put it next to every other protein-weight-loss-low-carb blah blah blah in my pantry & try something else. My surgery date is July 15th & I am SO READY! Good luck with yours!