Mommy.ArmyWife

I was thinking the same thing...

It IS getting better today, and I am glad! I actually moved to another area since my surgery, but I haven't had to get a fill in over a year, so I didn't change surgeons. I called a surgeon, really THE surgeon, in the area, and they won't see me!! They need all my history from my previous surgeon, plus a barium test, whatever it's called. Even when they get all that, they have a meeting of the Doctors and Nurses in the practice, and decide collectively if they will take my case on. Ugh! What if I actually had a REALLY BAD problem? SO, I called MY surgeon, and they said it sounds like irritation. Told me to stay on warm, Clear Liquids for the next 2 days, then I'm going in at 9am Friday morning (I live 2 1/2 hours away, and I have training for work the next 2 days). She said it could get better by then, and I may NOT need an unfill, but I want to go ahead and get a little out anyway. Thanks!

Bumping... wanting some input. I have been able to keep sips of water down, but it still feels very tight and uncomfortable. FEELS like it wants to come up, but isn't actually coming up. PBing a bit, though. I am desperately hoping I just need an unfill!!! Thanks!

I haven't had or needed a fill in over a year. Been doing just great! However, I was put on antibiotics and motrin by the dentist. The antibiotics I could not cut, but the motrin I was able to cut to take them. First few days were fine. 2 Days ago, I took my antibiotic, and it must have gotten stuck. I threw up HARD. After that, I was ok. My stomach felt a little irritated, but nothing terrible. Yesterday, my stomach was even more irritated. I guess I tried to push it a little much, when I should have just stuck with liquids. TODAY, I can barely get liquids down. They stay in my pouch forever, and I can feel them gurgling as the little liquid I have taken in is slowly going down. My stomach hurts, too... like pressure from the liquids. I AM going to see a doctor tomorrow (hoping they can get me in). However, I just wondered if my stomach was severely irritated and swollen, or if I might have a slip? I am HUGELY fearful of having a slip. I really, really, really, do not want to loose my band. I have been doing SO WELL... it would be heartbreaking to have to have it removed!

I agree. There are so many different post op instructions. Some people, after a week, can have regular foods, some have to wait until 5 or 6 weeks. No one needs to tell her she's going to RUIN her band, because honestly they don't know that. She was not asking for a thrashing, just experiences. I am still on mushy foods, and have tried to stick to it very well. I have had some things that I probably shouldn't have had, but I chewed well, and I'm sure I'll be fine. I have DAYS before I can eat real food, and I can't wait to be able to eat something I have to chew!

Wow! I'm quite jealous! Maybe having a bit of an unfill? I would first, talk to your doctor about your concerns, then see what he suggests!

I never thought about going to sonic! WOW! That's a great idea! A child's size slush would be awesome!

From what my surgeon told me, you have to have a BMI of 40 (mine was 39.5) or be 100 lbs over weight, or they won't approve. Doesn't matter what else you have, or so my surgeon said. It's stupid, but it is what it is. Luckily even though my BMI wasn't quite 40, I was 100 lbs over weight. I'm sure you can appeal, but I don't know what that process is like. Good luck to you! I know all these insurance hoops you have to jump are so frusterating! I've even heard of people GAINING weight just to be approved, and it's sad that insurance requirements have brought people to that! I really hope you get approved!

Actually, my doctor said it IS to shrink the liver. That is exactly what my doctor told me. The liver absorbs so much fat from our diet, and restricting calories and fat can shrink it to normal size. At least that's what my doctor told me. And, judging by the surgery I watched on YouTube, they aren't as fragile as you'd think! That liver retractor was scary!

Yes, but not everyone needs what you all call "tough love". Frankly, I would take that post as rude, and many other's would as well. It was probably written in haste, because she is most likely tired of all the people wanting validation for bad choices. However, not everyone wants validation. Had she actually thought about it, there would have been better ways to write that post. Yes, the poster should not have eaten a big mac, however, she knew that to begin with. There's no reason to beat her down for it. Goodness knows, none of us are perfect, otherwise we wouldn't NEED the band.

HeartFire- I totally understand! We've been through 2 deployments, and are about to go through a 3rd. Last deployment, our daughter was 6 months old when DH deployed. When he got back, the baby he'd taken care of, and held, fed, and loved was 2! She was a big kid who walked, and talked, and whined! I don't think he quite knew what to do. So, I've been the primary caregiver, because sometimes he just feels lost, I think. We're hoping that after this next deployment we can have a 2nd baby, and he'll be THERE to see him/her grow into toddlerhood. Although, with the military, you really never know what's going to happen!

A couple people asked for experiences, and I just got banded, so I'll share a bit. I actually was nervous about the surgery! Not about having the band itself, but the thought of something going wrong during surgery. Well, I had NOTHING to worry about. The doctors and nurses were so kind, and took WONDERFUL care of me! First, I got checked in, and settled into my pre-op room. My surgeon came by, made sure I knew exactly what was going to happen, and wanted to make sure I didn't have any last minute questions. Then, he went to get ready for my surgery. The nurse came in after Dr. Cribbins, and put my IV in, then the anesthesiologist (sp?) came in. He explained what he was going to do, then gave me a shot in the IV. Basically for nerves, and a precurser for going under. I got kinda loopy, and wasn't nervous any more! I remember being wheeled into the surgery room, and then, the A-ologist put the mask on me, told me to take a couple breaths... the next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room. I was quite uncomfortable, I have to be truthful. Not so much pain, just really uncomfortable. I was hooked up to all sorts of monitors and such, and it really was no fun. I dealt with it, and soon, I was moved to my hospital room. There was a flurry of nurses at first, respiratory therapists, and techs checking monitors, asking if I had pain, and such. Basically making sure I was ok. I got pain meds every 12 hours, and was able to ask for more if I needed them. I did a couple of times. My hospital was as close to a 5 star hotel that it could be, movies on demand, room service (although all I had was som super-yummy apple juice), and internet on the tv. Everyone made sure I was comfortable. I was asked to drink 2 ounces of cold water an hour if I could. I was SOOOOO thirsty! It wasn't uncomfortable to drink, and although I could definately tell a difference with the band, I had no pain or nausea when I drank the water out of my little "shot glasses". I really could have drank more, as I was so thirsty for a while! Luckily, all the fluids they gave me through the IV helped. It was difficult to get up and go to the bathroom, though, with all the wires, and cords, and such! My husband had to help me get the hang of it, lol. I had "puff shoes", as I call them, that were sort of like a blood pressure cuffs that puffed the bottom of my feet to help with circulation. The puffed like twice a minute on each foot, left/right/left/right...Those were annoying as heck, but I got used to them and was able to sleep. I got more comfortable as time went on. My nurse and tech woke me up alot during the night. Checking IV's, and my oxygen levels, and blood pressure and what not... it was bareable. The next morning, They came and wheeled me to X-rays. I got the upper GI done, and all was fine. It was really cool seeing the Xray of my new pouch, and the band and all. Seeing that made it SO real! Then, afterward, the nutritionist came and talked with me. She was really nice, and so much like a Lap Band Cheerleader, lol. She made sure to tell me so many times, "We want to hear about your success! Please let us know! You're going to do so great!" Then, my doctor came in, and checked me out, told me how well the surgery went, and that it was super-fast. He said that it was the picture perfect surgery, lol. Like anyone would like THAT picture! He was really encouraging, and such. Then, his nurse gave me lots of info, most of it the nutritionist already gave me, but they gave me a special calendar that showed when I could have certain foods, and when my appts were and such. It was cute. I did have one unexpected thing. I had an On-Q. It's basically a pressurized, portable IV that has pain meds that are put directly into my stomach area. Now, it REALLY helped control the pain, the only worrysome part was the fact that I had to remove it myself, 4 days after surgery. Not to mention, having to carry the little purse around. It was fine, and I am definately glad I had it! I just wish they would have told me before hand. Anyway, they came and removed my IV, I got dressed, and I got to go home! I'm on day 4, and starting full liquids. Making sure I get my protein, and trying to make sure that I stick to the diet, and don't screw anything up. The LAST thing I want is a slip! In anycase, that's my surgery. All doctors and hospitals are different. And, of course, every surgery will be different, but I hope that all of you who were wondering will realize that it will be FINE, and all will be well! Just know that you don't have to worry, and you don't have to stress out! It'll be great, and you'll be on your way to a new you!! I know I am!! Even through the pain, I know this was an EXCELLENT decision! You will think so too!

Well, I think I'll try it for PREVENTING my hair to come out... I am getting lots of protein, but I'd really rather keep my thick, healthy hair!

Wow! I had to stay over night, but I was at Plano Presbeterian, and let me tell you, that place is the HILTON of HOSPITALS! Free Movies on Demand, Room Service (not that I could EAT anything, though) and internet on the TV! Plus the hospital itself was amazing! I'm glad all is well, and I hope your recovery is swift!

Yes, I had to MAKE SURE I didn't loose any weight before they approved me. I had a BMI of 39.5 which tricare went ahead and approved because it was so close to 40, and I have no comorbities. I have heard of several people who actually had to regain weight before approval. Don't worry, after approval, you can loose as much as you want, and they will still do surgery.