RestlessMonkey

No it's not normal. Just losing 25 pounds in 1 1/2 years isn't normal. Honestly I do not think she's too tight (just guessing here). In fact I'd think she is too loose. HOWEVER I think also that she isn't following the "rules"...chewing well, eating slow, no drinking. So she "vomits" up because she eats too quickly or whatever, then settles down and eats relatively "normally" but that is an unbanded "normal". I have good restriction and CAN overeat some things (like tacos) but I could no more eat an entire steak than I could eat, well, a monkey! LOL The "wife" needs to get a fill, and embrace the banded lifestyle. Doesn't sound to me like she's done that at all. That's my guess, anyway. But no, it's not band-normal, not once you have good restriction.

I don't know how I missed this, Jennifer. Congrats! You're so cool, I'm glad the band is working for you (because I know You work IT!) :blushing:

Call your pharmacist, let him know what the med is, and ask.

If you have a pain that seems "different" from your other post op pains and is worrisome, call your doc. It can't hurt; best for them to guide you!

If it were me, I'd try doing just liquids (not with broccoli; it's pretty fibrous) for 24 hours and see. If you can't get Water down right now, you have an emergency. If you can get it down, and your doc is open on Friday, you can wait 24 hours and give your stomach and band a chance to settle down, because it's possible you're swollen from being stuck and keep getting "re-stuck" and agitating the band. Also my nutritionist says all Pasta must be well done because it continues to absorb liquid. If you eat it and it swells in your pouch, that will be uncomfortable at least. Of course, do what your doc says; this is just a tip.

I'm tricare standard and it covered EVERYTHING subject to my deductible and copay. I've read some tricare prime patients who don't pay a penny. ?

A fatty liver will shrink in repsonse to a low fat/low carb diet, not a "liquid" one. There are protein shakes that are too high in fat and/or carbs to make them good choices for a "liver shrink". Atkins-type seems to be the "go to" though, for most surgeons who want their patients to drop a lot of weight quickly!

Although it is possible (as in, anything is possible) that a person could be awake through a lap procedure, the odds are SLIM SLIM SLIM to none. Because...you are monitored six ways to Sunday (whatever that means...I know it's like a LOT!) they ck your blood pressure, your pulse, and so on. The anesthesiologist is a pro and the drugs used are getting better all the time. Tell your surgeon you're concerned, and the anesthesiologist. Find out WHAT they gave you and how much, in case your docs ask. Otherwise, try not to fret. Unless you were in total PAIN for the EGD odds are they just gave you something to calm, not totally sedate.

Each doc seems to have a different "liver shrink" diet. Just because YOU are fat doesn't mean your liver is, though of course there is some correlation. Mine was too large and I did my "own" diet instead of the docs and didn't get the band the first time thru. 2nd time (doing what my doc told me and losing another 17 in 17 days, in addition to the 15 I'd lost that first 3 weeks of "my" diet) and he was successful. The thing is; the liver has to be small enough for the surgery to be done laparoscopically, but my surgeon COULD have "opened me up" and done it the old way. He was just afraid he'd lacerate my "thick" liver, trying to move it to place the band around the top of my stomach doing it laparoscopically and he knew I had school starting and didn't want a lengthy recovery (which is what happens when they have to cut you open to place the band). If you are worried, discuss your concerns with your surgeon. He may advise you to do the diet a little longer, or may be able to tell (from blood, ultrasounds, etc) that you'll be ok. Don't just freak out, though, talk to him about it. AND yes, follow the diet YOU are given to the letter, not anyone else's diet.

You know, I think a lot of ya'll who have this "problem" have it because of a different "Problem"...you are nice and polite! LOL Because I'm named Jeff but am (and have always been) a female, and because I grew up in the 50's and early 60's (when people weren't named things like moonbeam and antfarm...that came later) I got a lot of SNOTTY comments on my name. Most often it was "Oh your daddy must have wanted a son". Now, that is a tacky thing to say to a 5 year old girl. :thumbup: But early on I developed snappy comebacks. My best, developed when I was a very pretty, feminine, petite 16 year old was this: "Oh, your daddy must have wanted a boy" me: "Well, I used to be" blink blink So I've learned to counterattack quickly; you guys are polite!

Like Parrothead, I don't ever have diet police. BUT...I told everyone from the start "Once I'm healed I'll be able to eat normally. Then as the band tightens, I'll be able to eat anything still, but my portions will over time get smaller and smaller". Voila! No diet police.

Good luck to both of you! :thumbup:

I'm with Jachut; I don't do sweets that often anyway and when I do I go for "regular". I'd think too much of anything isn't good for you!

Call your surgeon. Sounds like acid reflux and if it is it can, over time, damage your esophagus. Your doc can tell you what may be causing it (eating too late, being too tight) and he can help you fix it. Don't just leave it; it is something that's fairly minor if caught quickly but can be very problematic (esp with a band) if left untreated.

Not to be tacky but on another post you said you were smoking...that's "cheating" too. It's hard.

Drinking isn't the only reason to GAIN weight and not drinking the only reason to lose it. There are tens of thousands of people who are overweight and don't drink. Apparently alcohol isn't the only reason the coworker is obese. Plus MANY people hit plateaus. Perhaps after 40 pounds he hit one. Just because we are getting the band doesn't mean we are diet experts (although I've done so many different diets I often feel like an expert LOL) If he's interested in the band, he needs a check up and then to go to a seminar or two, discuss his concerns with a surgeon.

I'm Tricare Standard and from the time it was submitted (my civilian surgeon's office handled it all) until the time I was approved was under 48 hours.

It depends on your doc. At one year out my doc told me that NOW if it doesn't hurt, it's ok. I'll say this though; I liked beer (probably like you did) and I am unable to drink it "my way". The days of getting an icy cold long neck and taking a good swallow are gone, at least for me. It HURTS. I can drink a beer IF I pour it into a glass and make sure I have a huge head of foam (gets rid of some of the carbonation) Then I can take swallows, but no "big swallow", no drinking it too quickly. There's no "gusto" if you get my drift. So I can drink it but, to me, it's not worth all the rigamarole.

I think it depends largely on your dynamic! If you are a good team, generally supportive of each other, etc, then it can work well (although having a little time in between seems smart because of your daughter. You don't want to both be recovering and her need you for example) I did it, DH doesn't need it, but since we're childless and aren't usually each other's health police or food police we could've done it together. For some, support means "monitor" and that could be problematic.

Ask your surgeon or dietitian. Most foods have a high concentration of liquid, believe it or not. And I've read of people getting stuck w/watermelon, so better to be safe! just found this neat site: http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2682/2 You'll note that a tomato has 141 g of Water in a 149 g tomato (on average) that is a HIGH percentage of water. And it is counted as "food", not liquid. per that site, 154 g of watermelon has 141 g of water...so it would have LESS water than a tomato!

LOL! I really really like the "playground" idea and agree. Things here ARE intense it seems like, either the "I climbed the mountain!" type (with appropriate background music, tears all around, etc) or the "The mountain FELL on me" type (ditto ditto) but life is rarely that absolute. I vote YES on this proposition!

Well it's been a year and I can still drive. (j/k) Once you're no longer taking narcotics, unless your doc advises otherwise you should be ok to drive. Unless it is an emergency I'd give it a few days, just for the comfort factor.

Why not ask your insurance? Rather than asking on here since we wouldn't know what your policy is and what it covers.

Just because your dietitian "brushed aside" any psychological issues doesn't mean you should disregard it. You say you "trusted" your "fill guy" and learned from that; NOT! Your dietitian can advise you on WHAT to eat, not how you do it. Good grief if you think it is likely psychological, go to a psychologist. If you have been medically checked out and there is no reason medically for you to be unable to eat then that leaves the old grey matter! Get unfilled and get your SURGEON to recommend a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. If your surgeon can't recommend one, google it and find one in your area. That may seem like a pain in the neck but it's easier than having another surgery you may not need. AND what if even AFTER the band is removed you still "can't eat healthy"? If your problem is psychological in nature you need a psychological fix. If I were you I'd get unfilled, find a good psych person, and get to work. Once you get the issues that are causing your trouble under control, start SLOWLY filling again. Most of us don't get too tight and then are never able to eat properly again; I think you are very smart to know something more than medical is going on with you. Don't let the naysayers like the dietitian have so much control over you...you were on the right track. Trust yourself; go get help.

You need to check with your surgeon. You're a nurse; I can't believe you're too shy! :biggrin: Just pretend you are asking for a patient...or better yet, ask his nurse. I agree by 9 weeks it shouldn't hurt; maybe he didn't place it properly. If you want just tell him "during certain physical activities my port causes me pain"