micountryfarm

Hi Jacks, Yes this is VERY normal. You are still healing and I would think you have no restriction yet. You do not want restriction when you are healing. Stitches have to heal and swelling has to calm dow. It took me 4 fills to have good restriction. It has only been a few days for you so just be patient. I know it is hard to wait because you are so excited. Just keep chewing and drinking lots of liquid. Don't get too excited that bread can go down. I didn't even attempt bread for a long time. Trust me you will know when restriction is felt. I am surprised you are eating bread. If that gets stuck you WILL feel it! Just relax and let yourself heal and let Mother Nature take her course! Good Luck! Stacey

Hello Everyone, It has been a while since I have posted. I got my band in June of 08 and have lost 60#. Three weeks before my band surgery I had a knee injury. Long story short, I couldn't even walk-sleep-sit without pain. I had a scope done on my knee this past Dec. to repair a torn medial meniscus and found out at that time I need a total knee replacement due to arthritis and being overweight for so long. I can barely walk let alone exercise. I have not had a fill since late Nov. I just got back to work. I have made a Feb 5 appt. for another fill but I am extremely worried about my weigh in. I have been eating ~ eating ~ eating. I am in tons of pain and am quite depressed about everything... I am hoping that a fill will get me back on track. It seems my quality of life is not that great as of late. I am so tired of hurting,..... Anyway, I will be off the Dr for a fill soon. I sure hope I can get some restriction. Thanks for listening, Stacey

Hello, The hospital sent home a bag of pink swabs with me. I do not recommend gum. That is a big no-no with my doc. If you accidently swallow it, big trouble. Try ice chips, at least they will melt if you swallow them. Could cotton mouth be a residual of anesthesia?? Stacey

Hey All, Had my fluoro fill today. What a difference! It took longer to check in. I got to see it on the monitor, which was cool. Doc did take notes as to where he got in and I made a mental note as well. The only thing now is I am VERY nauseated. My stomach is definetly not a happy camper. Hopefully this will abide by morning. sugar free popsicles are all I have had today. Thanks for everyone's advice! :cursing: Stacey

I am going to ask for the numbing stuff. I don't think I could go thru another needle bending, bruising session, geez. Thanks, Stacey

Try this link...recent thread on BM's... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f178/very-delicate-matter-73270/ Good luck! Stacey

Hi Everyone, I went in last Thursday for a fill and after 7 bent (extra long) needles, pokes and stabbing, dr.said I would have to have a fill under fluoro. I am going in 2 days. I am a little nervous. My first fill he did in less than 2 minutes, no pain or bruises. Hopefully he will be able to zoom right in and give me a nice fill. (And no bruises) However, this will be a new experience. I know it is a real time x-ray and I will have to drink some barium. I have had a week to ponder why he couldn't find my port. Could it be flipped? Did it move? Any of you have a fluoro fill? What was it like? Where oh where did my little port go? :confused2: Stacey

Hello My Fellow Bandsters, I need some encouragement. I was banded June 10th and have lost 30 some pounds. I am very happy about that. However, I have not been losing like I feel I should be as I have a knee injury. I had it a few weeks before my LB and unfortunately it has not gotten better. Long story short, I have some damage to the medial meniscus and arthritis. It is very painful and had kept me inactive all summer. I do not have to have surgery on it thankfully, but it is incredibly painful. Walking, driving, swimming and basically any repetitive movement is agonizing. I am so mad and so depressed. All I can do is wait for it to heal. Of course I can't take any anti-inflamatories because of my LB, which would help. I was given some pain meds which does help. I am so bummed. I went to the store tonight and it gave out twice. I have had one fill and am due to go next week for another one. I have lost and gained the same 3-5 # for the last month. I guess I will have to just deal with the pain and deal with the disapointment of not being able to exercize for a time. Have any of you been in this situation? What did you do? Waa waa for me, lol. Stacey

LOL Can ya get your fix on your breaks?

Hi and Welcome, Nancy! Wow, you do have a lot going on! Don't despair, hon. We all have been there at some point in our life. The lap band may be your answer. I have diabetes and asthma so I can relate to your frustrations. I am a teacher and when I got home from school, I would crash. I have a smalll horse farm and doing chores was just agony. Depressed, I researched and found the LB might be my answer. I was scared but hopeful. I did not want bypass because I did not want to be cut up and rearranged. Thankfully, I was a good candiate for LB although if I had waited bypass would have been my only option. Now four weeks to the date, I have lost 33 #. I did have a hard time with the anethesia after the surgery and just got over some type of stomach flu, (that was horrible) I feel much better today! My exercising has been somewhat hampered as I have a MCL tear in my knee. I am going a specialist in a few days to decide what to do... so you see, I can relate to you!! Good luck and keep us posted on your journey! Stacey

Hi Betsy! Everyone experiences different "turn times" depending on your medical provider. Some people wait 1-2 years (unfortunately) for approval, some as short as a few weeks. My time from start to finish was 2 months. Call your insurance and ask! Welcome & good luck! Keep us posted! Stacey

Hi Tairyn! I suggest you surf around this board and read, read, read, especially the post banders. There are lots of success stories and tons of encouragement here! Welcome and good luck! Stacey

Hello! I have not drank one protein shake to date. I can't stand the taste and can't gag them down. I use Isopure already made drinks and love New Whey Protein Bullets. Both products can be bought at GNC stores. You can also get the bullets at Barix clinics. Both stores have websites. Good Luck! Stacey

Hi and welcome Tom! There is a lot of info on this site, along with lots of nice people! There is a forum just for men if you scroll down the left side of the page. I think it is crazy you have to wait for medicare to cover the LB procedure. I am glad you have that option, though! Congrats on your retirement! Stacey Barix Clinic Yipsi, MI Dr. Schram Lap Band Highest weight 378 Consult: April 8, 2008 Insurance approval April 20, 2008 PAT's May 28, 2008 Surgery June 10, 2008 Before surgery 371# After surgery 368# Current weight 347#

Hello and welcome, Buttcha! I researched a whole year before I made my decision to have the Lap Band. I was banded June 10 and have not regretted it. There are a lot of people in your situation who have had the LB and have been very successful. Find a great doctor and ask, ask, ask questions! It is a big decision and big commitment, but there is a better life out there for you! Be brave enough to go for it! Good Luck! Stacey Barix Clinic Yipsi, MI Dr. Schram Lap Band Highest weight 378 Consult: April 8, 2008 Insurance approval April 20, 2008 PAT's May 28, 2008 Surgery June 10, 2008 Before surgery 371# After surgery 368# Current weight 347#