chicalynn

I have heard the opposite with my dr's nurse saying she has many people come in FOR a fill prior to holiday or vacation. I know personally I want more restriction during these times otherwise I won't have the will power to "just say no" to that extra hot dog with the bun.

are you having right side pain with your heartburn as well? Do you still have your gallbladder? I suffered for months with what we thought was heartburn related issues using antacids, etc...turns out it was my gallbladder. At the time of my gallbladder removal surgery, I was just at 12 months post-op with my band. Just a thought....good luck!

it may be up to your surgeon as well. My doctor did not want me to fly within 2 weeks after my surgery or any fills. I don't know if that was because of air pressure reasons or if he wanted me close by in case I had any problems. 3 weeks post surgery I don't think I wanted to get on a plane as I was still trying to adjust with my mushy food phase. I'm with DodgerFan on this one, follow your dr's post-op rules. Do not cheat during this time as your body needs time to heal and adjust to this "foreign" band. Side note: I definitely was not drinking alcohol or anything for the first month. :biggrin: Good luck with your surgery and with your holiday. Let us know how it all turns out.

sometimes we have to "woot" our own horn! :biggrin: Good job! Keep up the positive attitude...it goes a long way.

I've read most of everyone's responses to this question. It is nice to see alot of people being willing to discuss this with at least close friends and family. I started this process completely by myself with only my mother and brother involved mostly by the phone as they live in another state. They were obviously supportive. I then started to slowly tell a few close friends, the ones I go out to eat alot with as they were going to obviously see a huge difference in what I order and how I move items to small plates. I am well known in my line of work but unfortunately I may not see some accounts for several months. They results slowly started and the comments were "wow, you're losing weight. You look great!" Next question is ALWAYS: "how are you doing it?" I usually tell them truthfully about Portion Control and small plates, etc....I have told a few close accounts the truth and honestly I have had a few cry with me over it because they were so moved by it and it helped my relationship with them as well because I trusted them with my "secret". I do not shout it from the mountaintops but I no longer feel ashamed for having to have this surgery. It has taken me 16 months to get to this point mentally but I am so proud to have the band and I hope everyone on here who is about to go through this process finds the mental acceptance like I have.

I don't usually measure as I don't have time and am always on the road for my work. I had to learn real quick to "eyeball" portions which my dr and I reviewed by using saucers and small salad plates. I try to always keep the meat smaller than the size of my palm and then starch and veggie together equal the size of my palm. That usually is the right amount for me and I am now 16 months post surgery and 110 lbs lighter. This was the thing my Dr was most concerned about because of my job and wine/dine mentality that comes with my work. I think I have done a great job of sticking to my small plate rule. Good luck on your journey and just do whatever you find works best for you.

I was hoping to meet a psychologist or therapist of some type that specializes in weight loss surgery patients. I am thinking I am going to need some extra mental help obtaining the next phase of my weight loss. I don't want to just get support from my Dr's support group that meets once a month. I want a licensed professional who will help me on a one to one basis. Any suggestions in the DFW metro area?

forgot to add: my gall bladder surgeon actually told me that if I had attack before removal of my gall bladder to go to bland and liquid diet immediately. Nothing spicy the blander the better. That may be a more helpful and immediate tip.

I had my first gallbladder attack about 6 months after my surgery. It was while on vacation and I attributed it to indulging too much food during Breakfast. It was the first time I had any problems with food and throwing up after 5 hours of extreme stomach and pain. It was the worst pain and I never ate sausage gravy again. I suffered from an attack about once a month from that point on (always thinking it was band related and food related even though I am the most strict rule follower in the band world) Until December where I had a 5 day attack that resulted in 5-7 hours cycles of extreme pain resulting in vomiting. We thought it was swelling from band, virus, etc...finally saw a surgeon who was filling in for my actual weight loss surgeon and his first questions were about right side pain, back pain, after eating, etc....he sent me for a Hida scan and sure enough my gall bladder was not "squirting" correctly (his term). I had my gall bladder out before Christmas and I have not had one single episode again. Unfortunately after doing some research prior to my gall bladder surgery it is very common for weight loss patients to have gall bladder issues as well. Don't suffer through the pain, go to the doctor! Good luck!

Welcome PixelSmack. Not a man but wanted to respond to you anyway as I debated with myself for months before choosing the Band. I had to loose almost 200 lbs so obviously the bypass would have been the quicker more immediate route; however, my biggest problem has always been Portion Control. With the band I HAVE to control the portion or I will be hurting. I also wanted something that could be reversed if necessary b/c I have had a couple of friends who have had nightmare medical issues due to their bypass surgeries. I know it will take a longer time to loose but for me it was a better choice. Keep reading around on this site as there is some good info on here. Good luck on your decision, whatever it may be.

How much Fluid are you drinking? You could be trying to drink too much. My dr advised me to be 4-6 oz at a time and take about 30 mins to drink. He also really advised me to stay away from straws. The gas pain initially is mostly from all the air they had to pump into your stomach for the laparoscopy...gasX, tums, and lots of walking around was the only thing to help the gas I had during the first 2 weeks. Now I just get it if I eat too much or forget and drink from that straw.

well i do have a question..can everyone feel there port..im either unable to feel it or im just not pushing hard enough to feel it..maybe its the swelling but idk..somebody please tell me

I can not feel my port right now but will expect to do so when I loose more weight. My dr. finds it by having me lay flat on my back then raise my head off the table and he pushes around till he finds it. He has never had any problems finding it.

Hi new bandsters!

The pain or discomfort is normal and will diminish as your surgery area heals. However I am 5 months postop and occasionally will move a certain way in bed and still get a sharp pain, esp if I have just had a recent fill. The gas pain is bad and the only thing to do is take the GasX strips or chewable tums, and WALK WALK WALK. The tightening, I think, is just part of the healing process. Everyone just keep your chin up b/c it is all worth the slight discomfort.

Well I was very selective about who I told at the beginning. 5 months later I find myself blurting out the truth alot more now to random people. What in the world? I have lost 54 lbs since surgery which is a noticable difference so people are asking. I have to do a better job about saying "watching what I eat, exercise, etc...." vs "surgery". Really no one wants to hear that I have surgery. I think that time will help you, though, when your family begins to see changes from what YOU have been doing and they really truly learn what living with the band is all about. Keep up the good work and time will smooth things out.

The first fill I got did hurt alot but it was because he used a short needle. We used the longer needle for the next 2 fills and no problems. Maybe ask for a longer needle?

I just bought my Wii and WiiFit on Monday and I can totally feel a difference. I know it is not a hard workout or anything but honestly it gets me up and moving. The Wii boxing sports game actually got me worked up and a little bit of a sweat. Plus I'll become such a Wii pro that I will impress my niece and nephews. I recommend it to anyone starting a fitness program.

Hello everyone. I am looking at increasing my exercise activities. I will not go to a gym or Curves so was wanting to invest in a treadmill. After looking in to machines online I am seeing a lot of them have weight limits for 250 or 300:glare:. Does anyone have any information on treadmills for someone 350+? I am not concerned about cost I just want a really good one that will last and can withstand the weight. Any information would be helpful.

UPDATE: Do walk dogs outside but want an inside option as well.

thanks for the words of advice, elayne.

Well I was also mortified and scared when I was told from my sleep study that I had "severe sleep apnea" and had to come back for second study for the cpap. I did this on Sun night and it was horrible. I have never slept so poorly in my entire life. I woke up more than 5 times pulling at my mask when they increased the pressure. there is no way I will ever get use to that feeling. However this is a requirement by my doctor before he will even clear me for surgery. Therefore I picked out my mask and I will *try* to use it at home but I can not promise this will help. I am going through some insurance requirements as well so right now I'm following orders and doing what I have to do to get approved. Good luck and I'm sure you results will go smoothly. Unfortunately it is something we just have to do.

I wanted to tell you to keep your head held high! I stay away from crowds all the time just because of this type of thing. However your courage is inspiring to me so today will be the day me and the dogs get out on the block for the first time in months.

btw-Dr. Felts will be my surgeon. How did you like the experience and what should I expect with this Center? I am in my 6 month insurance holding pattern right now so just getting to know the staff on my monthly visits. Would love to hear more about your experience so will read more of your posts. But Feel free to private message me.

Actually I didn't even start with my primary dr. Isn't that horrible? I have not been to her in almost 4 years for anything and I am fortunate enough to have a PPO insurance that doesn't require me to go to my primary. This whole thing started with a sudden change in my menstrual cycle that scared the crap out of me. For someone who has avoided the doctor for many years, I sure did see a lot of them suddenly. It was enough to send me in to a full anxiety attach to the point that I easily mistakened it for a mild heart attack. I immediately called this Center here in the area after seeing a commercial while in the midst of my anxiety attack. My blood pressure was through the roof, etc.....so that is what started it. I went immediately to cardiologist and did stress testing, etc....I realized I was this close to being a statistic. so no, no problems from my primary doc. i'm not taking my health for granted any more.

Stay strong with your dr. appt! Just remember that your primary doctor is not a specialist who understands about overweight. I draw this conclusion from the statement you made about him saying to get up and run at dawn. I'll be thinking about ya on Aug 7.

Thanks for everyone who has replied to me. I feel so much better after having a *slight* emotional breakdown last night. lol. Today I began my first exercise program in more than 3 years. I know it will get easier and easier the more I go. I am going for my 2nd sleep study appt in a few weeks, as well as a pysch appt which is requirement of my insurance company. Any suggestions for that appt? I have a feeling the appt is only for insurance purposes. I have 6 months of dr supervised weight program before they will approve the surgery. I was just so ready to have it done last month when I went to my first consult appointment. I quickly got my medical evaluations that my consult required (sleep study, cardiologist, blood work) and now have to wait. Kinda deflated my bubble. BUT, now that I'm working through it and starting my little lifestyle change program with small plates at meals and exercise. My PA at the dr's office said she wants to really focus on prepping me for after surgery life these next 6 months. I've been reading tons of posts on here now and know that there is so much I have to change to make this the most successful procedure.

So I'll keep updating my profile as things change and move along. thanks again for helping me last night with your words of encouragement. It's good to be able to talk to people who truly understand. :biggrin2:

I have finally started talking to my close friends and a few of my family about my potential lap band procedure. I have been overweight all my life and I have major emotional issues about it. I struggled all through school as the bigger one in every group I was associated with. it wasn't until I was 22 and I began a Dr supervised weight loss medication program (yes the dreaded phenfen) and lost over 75 lbs that I saw what life could be like for thinner women. I was in size 8 clothes for the first time in my entire life. however, when those medications were stopped, all those pounds and about 100 more came back. After my dad's sudden death five years later, I dealt with the pain the best I knew how. I am now at a VERY unhealthy weight and starting to see that I may die earlier if somethign is not done. I have cheated death many times in the past 8 years because of my reckless and self destructive behaviors due to grief and depression. I have severe joint pain and knee pain from arthritis, with baker's cyst. I now have high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I have been in denial about my weight being the cause of all my pains for the past 2 or 3 years until now. My body is so tired of supporting my denials. I have a very stressful and rigorous sales job that has really taken a toll on me physically and emotionally. I feel like I need to just lay down and die sometimes. I am literally that tired. My friends are all obsessed with their weight but they have no idea what it really feels like to be this size. They all need to loose about 20-30 lbs which is peanuts to the amount of weight I need to loose.....I have totally and completely withdrawn from my social life with them b/c all they do is talk about their diets. I have 2 friends who I have confided in totally (one being my brother) and I never feel like I need to put up a front with them. however I need support from people who feel or have felt like me. I am in a holding pattern for the next 6 months due to the unreasonable demands from my insurance company. i need to be able to talk back and forth to someone who understands the darkness around being overweight (I hate the word obese!). As I type these words I can not stop the emotions coming from me because I have kept all of this bottled up for so long. Even if no one reads these I know that just by posting my words on here throughout my process will be theraputic for me. Thanks for taking the time to hear me today.