RestlessMonkey

That didn't happen to me but I will say odds are if your band slipped over this you'd know it (it would HURT, not feel like "something there") AND...the big thing about eating post op is making your stomach churn to digest food and that doesn't seem to be an issue in your case. Trust Tammy...believe me if she thought you'd done damage she'd have told you. Just chill out and chalk it up to experience. If it doesn't go away by Monday, call your doc back. As long as Water goes down you're ok; and it's possible you're just irritated(and mentally very sensitive because you feel badly and are worried about it!) Just hang in there! You're doing fine!

I don't understand then why you're going to give up on the band, and I gave up on just trying diet and exercise a long time ago (it didn't work for me, not long term, which is why I got the band, which IS working for me)...so not sure why or what you're giving up??? the diet? If so, I don't blame you...

I think you've forgotten that if the majority of us could stick to diets and exercise for longer than a few months, odds are we wouldn't need the band. Are you filling an insurance requirement?

Fills aren't painful for me...it's a shot, but big deal. I don't LIKE them but I've stubbed my toe and that hurt way more for a LOT longer. Just remember...your first fill may not do much! (not to be a downer, just a gentle reminder) My doc is really conservative with fills and I didn't feel anything until # 4....so be nice to yourself and remember it's a process! :thumbup: Good luck!

She needs to ask them directly. Employers can "customize" coverage and some exclude Weight loss surgery. I wish her luck!

The gas is most likely gas they pump into your abdominal cavity to spread things out and make the surgery easier. It isn't in your stomach or intestines and gas x and so on won't touch it. it will subside over time. Just take your pain meds and don't try to make yourself vomit; that won't help and could actually hurt you! If you are still in pain and miserable tomorrow call your surgeon!

LOL I was 53 and had 2 surgeries in August and went home the same day! So no, older doesn't mean you'll stay. :thumbup: But you are 100000% riught we are all different and the surgeon will make the call! :w00t:

It is up to your surgeon. Period. He can let you go early, he (or she) can keep you longer if you need it. He must "discharge" you. I went home the same day, most of my doc's patients stay overnight. Ask your surgeon; that way you will know your game plan.

Once you start solid foods you are supposed to refrain from drinking any beverage with your meals. This becomes especially important as you get restriction. If you're in doubt, confirm it with your surgeon.

Yes, liquids go straight through. You don't need to worry about it!

Yes, people do intentionally gain to qualify (isn't that stupid? That's insurance red tape for you) Some pad pockets with rolls of quarters etc (you get the picture) I think you have to do what you feel is right. If it were me, I'd be working to gain (for a change)...

I've never heard of sneezing or coughing your band loose. If you are worried, though, call your surgeon's office tomorrow and just ask about it. They can put your mind at ease! (or prescribe an antihistamine! LOL) good luck!

Respectfully you need to just chill out. I am 7 months post op. I have 6.25 ccs in my 14 cc band and I have pretty good restriction AND I eat steak, and shrimp just fine. I even eat bread. If you're worried, try things at home first. I honestly have never heard of a person getting something stuck and needing surgery to remove it...except chewing gum, and that isn't surgery, just an endoscopic procedure. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but the odds are very very VERY slim. You may take too large a bite, not chew well, and "PB" it back up (kind of burp it back up) and it isn't necessarily fun but won't require a trip to the doc etc. Seriously discusss this with your surgeon or nutritionist if you can't move beyond it. While it's understandable to not want to try different foods out in public, you shouldn't be afraid to try them at home. Order things at restaurants that you've already tried and know you can eat. And FYI for many (not all, but many) of us...until we get some fills, our bands are wide open and there are no problems eating anything!

Headhunter I really am NOT trying to stalk you and contradict you (but I think it seems that way even to me and I KNOW I'm not! ) so forgive me please.... but... coffee isn't really all that bad, or at least not bad for everyone. In smaller amounts (they are finding) it ISNT a diuretic, and in fact it can help delay or prevent diabetes II (research is ongoing so don't everyone start chugging it) and it also helps with parkinsons. A little caffeinated coffee can help you be more mentally alert (without the sugar high and subsequent crash) and so on. So people shouldn't be knee-jerk about coffee; for some, it is a GOOD thing, for others, maybe not. And of course...ALL Things in moderation..

Try this link: Compare Adjustable Gastric Bands - LAP-BAND vs. REALIZE Band

They are very comparable, I think...and I have the lap band. The realize band has a smaller port I believe so as you lose it's not as likely to stick out. I would be FURIOUS that they put something different that what I asked for without clearing it with me, and I would think the surgeon should come clean with you, (although they are so scared of malpractice lawsuits that may never happen even if they WANT to say ... I messed up, sorry... so you may be out of luck there). Having said that, though, they both work. Many people just let their docs decide; unless you had a very strong specific reason for wanting the lap band over the realize, I'm sure you'll be fine. You could demand that he fix it...but I don't know that I'd want to go through surgery for that because they really are both very good pieces of medical equipment.

I agree, at least a week. It is very personal; depends on how well you handle everything...physically AND emotionally! Some pop up ready to go the next day (almost) and some take longer than a week to recover. A week is a good base guess!

We're all different....I got the band so I wouldn't HAVE to diet and as a good friend of mine says..."I didn't go through this to eat cardboard the rest of my life!" I try to eat healthy and make good choices as I'm sure most of us do; but if I want an occasional food that isn't healthy I'd hate for the lap band gods to strike me dead or something. The point of the band is to be able to eat regular food in smaller portions. If that means an occasional junior burger or part of a corn dog, so be it. We each have to pursue this weight loss thing in our own best way; we of all people should prove the truth of "one size does NOT fit all". That applies to the band, too. There are very few absolutes with the band, thank goodness! :w00t:

Check with your stylist.

Hang in there! I'm shocked it's taking so long, unless you have a insurance-required period where you have to try dieting, under a physician's supervision. I didn't (but them I started out REALLY obese) and from seminar to surgery was just at a month.

Why would the saline just "disappear"? To where? That's not logical! More likely there's a leak or they didn't put any back in or they missed your port...or some other such thing. I'm sure you're upset; I don't blame you! Are you sure there's no way you can get back in before you leave?

Call your surgeon and ask what to take (they all have different preferences). You're smart to do it now! Esp if you've had opiod pain relievers, constipation is a definite risk post op.

I'm sorry that it hurts you to eat. I don't think it should. I have 6.25 ccs in my 14 cc band (I didn't even know there was one that held 12 cc's...4, 9, 10 and 14 but never heard of 12 before! ) and if I eat too fast or too large a bite I feel it, but if I'm mindful I CAN eat anything. (Including a cheddar biscuit from Red Lobster) have you discussed your pain with your surgeon? My doc has been very conservative with the fills...so I've been slow to start losing, but as he promised, I'm now restricted (1/2 to 3/4 cup of food and full for 5 hours) and losing, but able to eat anything. I am sure that doesn't work for everyone and we are all different, but hopefully as you progress it will be different for you. Personally if it hurt me to eat the healthy stuff, my "band would fail" because I'd eat slider stuff. No "anabuse" analogy would keep me going back to pain and anguish. I think of my band as a helpful friend and buddy. Not even a deterrent. It is like my contacts; helps me see how things really are. I don't do well with a taskmaster though..if I felt the way you did I'd go nuts! :w00t: So I'm glad you found a mindset that works for you...I don't really understand or embrace it but that's the beauty of the band, I guess...we really can each use it in a way that works best for us! Amazing, huh?

remember the old saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained"...or lost, in this case! :w00t:

Glad you called and got the "pro's" advice! :w00t: