RestlessMonkey

Its funny because I feel the exact opposite. Before I felt like so much of life was taken up with food...what to eat, when, where, who was going to get it, prepare it, clean up after, etc etc. Now it is just so darned EASY! Once you get the knack of chewing your small bites well, this is WAY more "mindless" than the old way, at least to me! No guilt, no "wow I should diet" or if dieting now "wow I should weigh this and count the calories" etc. I just go get some food, eat it, and am done. I LOVE it! I truly feel free, more free than I ever did pre-band. Hopefully you guys can get to this point because it is marvelous.

It's Water retention. Seriously...4 pounds is 14000 calories OVER what you need to maintain basic life function. I know you didn't eat that much in the last 2 days. My doc says to eat Protein first, then veggies. Fruits (not juices...eat the fruit) and then grains/pastas etc IF You have room. So I think you should focus on protein and veggies, not sweet juices and things like Peanut Butter that are full of fat and sugar. cheese is high in fat too. What you're eating isn't necessarily nutritious, just high in fats and sugars. You might want to check with the nutritionist at your docs office but eat the lean Proteins and fresh veggies (get a variety) and take a good multi Vitamin and you should be fine. Add in skimmed milk (good source of Calcium without the fat) and you've got a good diet... oh and water water water. But trust me in 2 days you haven't gained 4 pounds of fat.

Your symptoms sound like low blood sugar...make sure you drink your protein shakes and tell your doc if it doesn't get better by Monday (and if it's really bad, eat something). Don't drive if you feel dizzy, ok? Yes I take a multi. In fact honestly I'm taking a total of 27 pills and only 6 of them are actual prescription drugs. The rest are "supplements". But I won't keep that up for long; the pills take up more room that the food I eat!

What they said. If you're that tight you're too tight and it is NOT NOT NOT healthy to "Pb after every meal" You'll end up with a slip or erosion and have to have the band removed. Call your doc, get some saline removed. THen enjoy the steak.

The first six weeks or so are for healing. Quit obsessing about it and let your body repair itself! The doc should've explained to you that this is a process. The band won't really do much until you have restriction and that takes filling it. So just practice the new way of eating (you are eating a lot of what they call "mushie" or slider foods...but that's because you aren't healed yet I'm sure. Later it will be more lean protein and less cheese, pasta, refried beans etc) and the other band rules and let the process unfold!

Hey! From your ticker you've been doing great! I am doing much better now that I finally have restriction (It took FOREVER!) Good to see you kicking around here!

The Realize band has a low profile port that doesn't really show as long as it's placed well. The lap band port MAY show but as my doc said, it's hard to find it under all the fat (he was MUCH nicer about it but that was the gist) and that once I lost a lot he could switch to a low profile one if the one I have now is a problem.

What are you eating? Are you making smart choices, not snacking, getting your water in? are you keeping up with sufficient fills? Are you exercising? The band is just a tool, we have to use it for it to do anything. Are you eating lean protein, then veggies, then fruit, then grains/pastas? or are you eating a bunch of slider foods? Fifty pounds lost beats 50 pounds gained, but only you know what you may need to do differently!

I was told to eat protein first, then veggies (neither of which you ordered!) then fruit, THEN grains, pasta etc. Have you been banded yet? IF so, I think you're going the wrong direction...if no, then you still are choosing wrong because most of us are on liquid diet then mushie etc. What did your doc tell you to eat? You need to follow that guideline....

Not ibuprofen...it's an NSAID and most docs don't want us to take it. Hard on the stomach. I used tylenol.

If you can't drink tomorrow morning call and get a slight unfill. Don't DONT wait and see if it will get better; you'll get stuck going to the ER over the weekend because you're dehydrated. We need liquid daily; if you wait to see if you magically loosen up (and if you can't drink water, that won't happen) you'll get dehydrated very quickly. A slight unfill will leave you with restriction but able to drink, and will save you having to maybe get a complete unfill while things calm down!

My doc: If you are losing 1-2 pounds a week, no fill unless you agitate for one. If you are not losing, or are gaining, you get a fill.

This is really really not uncommon. I wish docs were more clear about this. Many people take 3-4 fills (or more) to get restriction. I was told that in fact it might be up to 6 months before I really "felt" it. It's a process; it will happen, but many docs think aggressive fills are counterproductive and in fact can cause problems down the road. Hang in there!

As I posted to your blog, I think if you WAIVE coverage that means you have no coverage. Sorry.

Seriously I'd call and ask him tomorrow. I've never heard of the recliner/blood clot thing either (and my husband has been an RN for 25 years, and I just graduated with my BSN in nusring) Not that your doc is wrong, mind you...just that I have NEVER heard of that. Maybe the instructions are old...based on the old style of banding (ie cutting you open) and don't apply now? I never say to ignore doc's advice but I'd almost tell you go ahead. I don't know you or your doc though; he may do something some way that requires a long non-tummy recovery! Call and ask.

I've never heard of this one! I slept on my stomach from night 2 and actually think it helps to prevent adhesions. Did he say WHY?

I don't have anyone in my life who would dare to say those things to me...LOL I guess because they wouldn't like what I said back. I'd say that I have tried diet and exercise and have the intelligence enough to know that if I keep doing the same thing I'll keep getting the same result. I'd tell her that statistically people who DO successfully lose with diet and exercise generally gain back all the lost weight plus more; in fact only 5% keep weight off that way. I'd tell her that while I think it is nice for her that she can maintain a healthy weight without such medical intervention, I'm grateful that the band exists to give me another TOOL in the war on obesity. I'd tell her that she's misinformed if she thinks I won't still need to diet and exercise to lose, but that the band will help supply portion control so that the hormones and chemical signals that trigger hunger for me will not be so overwhelming. I'd tell her that I hope she never has to deal with such a problem as this, but that if she can't help me and support me, then don't bother me with her opinions. Of course, that's just me!

Welcome and good luck! I went to a seminar (my surgeon requires it) but I also bought a couple books and read them. I was petrified of bypass surgery and still am; but my issues with the lap band have ended up being worries with no substance. There are a lot of great people here who will help you! Good luck!

As far as I know if you signed a "waiver" that means that the surgery is excluded, ie not covered. It is not a covered item. You'll need to self pay, I'm thinking

Hmm...I was on fluids for 2 weeks...week 2 was full liquids (protein shakes oh yum) but since I had no restriction he didn't limit how much or when. In fact, after my surgery I drank like 30 ounces of Water in about 5 minutes...the nurse gave it to me! Each doc is different though; how he places the band, if he puts fill in, etc. A different "touch" can make a difference in how fast we heal, how swollen we are, etc. I'm glad I didn't have to mess with rationing my liquids since I could drink easily.

See, my doc hits it without the fluoro. He can tell by the resistance of the fluid in the band. I guess it's just a knack some have! I'm glad I don't have to mess with the x-ray but it's good that it's there for those who want it.

I don't have it but can tell you that you have to be tested because if you have apnea you need to get fitted for a mask/machine that helps you keep breathing at night. Different people require different equipment and the settings etc depend on the degree of your apnea. If you DO have it, the machine can change your life. Many many people find renewed energy, they feel more cheerful, and it can be life prolonging (over time the apnea can damage your organs including your heart) So while I can't answer you about cost etc I can say it's worth it if you have it. On the bright side if you are trying to get the band you'd meet your deductible anyway; might as well get it taken care of. And many insurance companies do consider sleep apnea as a co-morbidity of obesity. Good luck! OH and the doctor should be able to tell you where he'll send you; they can give you a price.

maybe this will help http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

What did they tell you? What are you eating that is "wrong"

This may be obvious...but if you got a post op diet for this (I did; don't remember it now but was to eat liquids for a day or so, then soft etc...) do it. People who have problems post gall bladder removal seem to have starting eating "normally" too soon. Just like post op with the band, you need to heal. Glad it's out; you'll feel much better soon!