barbara465

I am supposed to be working, but you can tell what I'm doing. I just love this site and I've especially missed you Susan. You haven't been on as much. I have followed so much of your words of wisdom. You prepared me for this surgery very well. I am helping a friend plan our friends funeral. She had arranged it all, lived in another state, and now is coming home to Texas. The 3 of us Celebrate our birthdays in September and planned a trip to Hilton Head. Now only two of us will be going. It makes me realize how precious life is and how short our stay is here on earth. I want to make every minute count. Thanks for a wonderful thread.

Same thing happened to me. I got a fill, fluro looked good, and 5 days later PBing and can't keep anything down. I called the surgicenter and told them they had to fit me in. They did and I discussed with his PA how much to take out. She took out .5 and then said how bad was it? I said bad, so she took out another .2. I had almost instant relief. The fluro still showed the barium going right down. I waited a few weeks and then went back in for another fill. We put some more in, but I said not to be aggressive. I'm still less than the original fill. I'm feeling some restriction, but will wait a few weeks to make sure before requesting another fill. Dr. Spiegel requires 3 days of liquids and 3 days of mushies after a fill. Be kind to yourself and take control. Call the surgicenter up and demand that they take you. I have found them to be helpful once you explain the situation. Good luck and PM me if you need more information.

Today is a new day that's for sure. After two days of taking MOM, MOM finally came through. Going to my PCP on Thursday and see what she thinks I should take to keep regular. This is becoming a real problem for me. Let's talk fills for a minute. I'm no expert so this is my opinion and backed from loads of research. Being tight in the morning is OK, but until late afternoon seems to be extreme. Have you tried not eating much at night and cleaning out the pouch with water before retiring? I think a slight unfill is in order. Now I know the desire to lose weight and fast, but the long term effects of being too tight are much more alarming. Also, it is very wise to eat liquids after a fill for a few days and then mushies. It gives the stomach a chance to get used to the restriction and eases you into it. Also some restrictions come later in the week from a fill. Its not that hard to do. With that, I'm climbing off my soapbox! Today was my day to weigh. I lost 2 lbs this week and I've lost what they say I gained (4 lbs) at the last fill. So I'm feeling better today. Now I need to get it in gear. (I need my own private gym too!) I drank so much water yesterday that I thought I was a river. I have almost stopped drinking anything else. I am feeling restriction some, and my left shoulder does tell me when I'm full. I discovered that soon after surgery and it holds true now. I don't get any other signal that I'm aware of for now. Everyone have a great day!

WOW I like the idea of Oprah. I wonder if she would acknowledge us? I also like the Las Vegas idea. We can go there pretty reasonable. There is lots to do and we could still do a spa party at the hotel. If significants want to come they would have plenty to do.

I like to take low fat cottage cheese or ricotta, low fat mozarella, spaghetti sauce (low fat or healthy choice). I layer it like lasagna without the lasagna. Sprinkel parmessian cheese on top and bake in oven. Yum.

I would call them and ask. I don't see why the place that is doing the fill can't see you. I'm not sure they would even know if you didn't make the appointment. They also say to see him every 2 months regardless. I'm not sure I see the value in that either. Guess I'd better decide soon since it will two months on the 13th. Call and talk to Pam. She was pretty good to talk with when I had pre op questions. Good luck

Dr. Spiegel requires 1 day before of liquids, nothing after midnight. Post op is 1 week of clear liquids, 1 wk of thicker liquids, 1 wk of mushies, and 4th week regular food. He does not want you to have Protein shakes that you mix. Everything for him must be premixed Protein drinks like ensure, slim fast. He does not want you to have oatmeal. I came out of surgery with a little pain. By the time I went home I was doing OK. I never took pain medicine. Discomfort from surgery was expected, but no more or less than normal. I bounced back really fast and didn't have any issues. I did have some gas and pain in left shoulder. I used gas x once and heating pad the rest of the time. This lasted about 2 weeks, but I didn't have pain like some experience. My left shoulder pain would come and go and I could relate it to food eaten. After the 2 weeks of liquids he wants you to eat 3 meals a day and no Snacks. He gives a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid. You go back to his office 1 wk after surgery. The nurse looks at you. I thought this was a waste of my time, but I guess you need to do it. You may have some questions or issues with your incisions. I go to the surgicenter for my fills. They have taken good care of me there and I prefer it there than his office. I have had no need to call or consult with his office at this time. I knew going in that I wouldn't be in touch with him unless I had no other alternative. Bottom Line: I feel great after the surgery, feel confident he did an excellent job with the surgery and with placement of the band. If I have any problems I don't think it will be a result of his surgery. I am an older bandster and wanted the best surgeon. I will get my hand holding from my PCP. Hope this helps. Message me if you have any other questions. Good luck.

Keeping informed should not be an issue. Knowing what can happen and what to do if it does, should provide some level of comfort. Remember, most come to the site for information. That is as looking to be banded, newly banded, or an issue they need help with. If we do have an experience, we tend to share it on here to get feedback or warn others. I was banded and little or no pain. I had left shoulder pain now and then and applied a heating pad. I never took any pain medication and was back to work in a few days. I got my first fill and everything was fine for 5 days. Then I got potato Soup stuck and started PBing and sliming. I did not panic because I had read what to do and what to expect. Several days later I went for a slight unfill and gave my stomach time to heal. I have since had another fill and seem to be OK. I thought nothing would happen to me because I knew what to do to prevent it. I did nothing wrong. I was just filled too much. What did I learn from that experience? For me, having fills under fluro are no guarantee that I'm not overfilled. The barium went through just fine. I had little swelling from surgery so didn't expect much from the fill. I don't know what happened. I just know that fluro is no guarantee for me that I'm filled at the right level. Do your research, make your decision, and move forward. It should be a comfort to know what to expect and what can happen. Good luck to all of you.

I went to a party yesterday and saw people I haven't seen in several months. I didn't tell anyone that I had surgery so they weren't expecting anything. No one said anything. A few said I looked good, but they usually say that. Although I didn't expect anyone to notice, it was a little disappointing. I feel some restriction with this fill, but its unpredictable. I don't get any "signal" that I'm full. I just know I need to stop. Sometimes I get a feeling in my throat. Just not sure yet how to read the signals. I didn't eat much yesterday and I can see where I could easily fall into that pattern. I do much better during the week with the routine of work and schedules. Still having problems with constipation. I tried MOM yesterday and nothing. I am now trying another suggestion of Low Carb Slim Fast. So far nothing. This is getting to be a real problem for me. Going to PCP on Thursday for annual checkup. I'll see what she advises. I still have the hard place below breast which I think was caused by the band, but not band related. Its just too weird. I didn't get my water in yesterday. Almost, but not good enough. I need to try better to get all of it in. Today's another day. I am ready to make a big push in this program. I want to start seeing some results. I want to lose 10 lbs by the end of the month. I need to see some results - even if it causes wrinkles. Hope everyone is doing well today. Its going to be a good week.

Oh Randi my heart goes out to you. Take a deep breathe. And another. You have taken a major step. Be proud of yourself, but don't forget to live in the present. You are a wonderful human being, with lots to give, no matter what your size. Stand tall and proud of all you have done and all that you have yet to do. In life there are so many challenges, so many highs, and so many lows. You are on a good road now. Take time to enjoy it, even with its uneven texture, potholes, and curves. There are several of us that celebrate our birthdays within days of each other in September. Two of us will be 60 and one was to be 62. We have rented a condo in Hilton Head and planned on having a spa and beach week to celebrate. One of us died this week. I understand the importance of living in the moment for tomorrow may never come. Not sure how much restriction I have. I feel some, but still able to eat more than I think I should. I may need another slight fill, but will wait a few weeks for that. I want this one to settle before I think about another one. Hope everyone is doing better. Poodles I think you are too tight. Please be careful. I guess you are going to be one of those that are tight in the mornings. I guess that means that night eating could be a problem since you are open more then. Have a great Sunday.

After the swelling goes down from surgery you have no restriction. FOr some that can be 1 day and others it takes weeks. Each person is different. When you are on liquids they go right through the small stomach formed by the band and into the large stomach. You might feel some restriction with mushies as they may take longer to go down. The goal is not to make the stomach work to digest the food and cause motion that may cause the stitches to pull. It is important that you follow your doctor's instructions. During liquids and mushies we tend to eat higher caloric foods, like mashed potatoes, gravies, ice cream shakes, etc. that keep us from losing weight. However, I have noticed reading this board that many, many lose lots of weight during a pre surgery diet and immediately following surgery. Good luck on your journey.

Kimsretro: Do you have the Vanguard band? If so that holds more and is different. The 10cm band only holds 4cc I've been told. There is a difference in the bands.

I have a 10cm band and have been hungry from the beginning. I didn't have much swelling. Had my first fill at 4 weeks and barium just went flying through. I got an overfill and then an unfill and now a little fill to bring me to 1.4cc. The bigger sized band is because of the size of our stomach. However, you are just out of surgery and sounds like some swelling. Hope you keep your restriction, but expect it to go away as the swelling goes down.

It all depends on what you want for aftercare as to which doctor you chose. I think Dr. Spiegel is an excellent surgeon, just not a good after care. I hear Garth Davis is good at both, in UHC network, but hasn't done as many lapbands. He did lots of gastric bypasses I believe. Fills are the real issue. I like the fact that I can go to the surgicenter and get my fill. I don't have to see Spiegel. Davis uses Methodist hospital which is in network. I have UHC and they approved me without anything from my PCP. If they did, they did it without my knowledge. Spiegel handled everything. It just depends. Let the doctor you chose submit to insurance and see. If UHC questions it you may have to jump through some hoops, but they will help you. If you go out of network you just have to pay the out of network deductible and then the % they handle for out of network. Hope this helps.

I'm feeling better today and have a renewed look on this. We can do this. It is going to present challenges, but what doesn't? We have tried all the diets out there. They didn't work for us. We just need to find the right combination of food, water, and exercise. It takes time, but we will get it right. I do think that the older bandsters have a few more challenges. However, my recovery was so quick and easy that it just surprises me. I have many muscle related issues and they have seemed to be minimized over the last weeks. I also bought a Phillip Stein watch in Alaska that is supposed to put the electricity flowing through your body in a better way. Or something like that. All I know is several days after wearing it I started feeling better. I forgot about it until a week or so after surgery. I kept saying how great I felt and it must have been the anthesia. Then I remembered I started feeling better before the surgery. I know sounds crazy, but I'm not taking this damn watch off. Didn't get my water in yesterday, but I'll do better today. Guess I'll also start some fiber tablets. I don't want any repeats of this. Hang in there everyone. We are going to make this and we will see the pounds start coming off. Don't pig out over the weekend!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

I've had a really bad day. I was stopped up in lower region and was having a real tough time of it. I finally am feeling better, but this has got to stop. My activia seemed to be working, but nothing since Friday. I think these barium swings and fills wreck havoc on my system. I don't want to go through this again. This is the second major time and a few not so major. Now you have to understand where I'm coming from. I have a spastic colon and prior to surgery had diarrea lots. To go the other wy is just not in my understanding. Sorry for so much information, but this just getting to me. Now I have to worry about dehydration so need to get back to water. I'm supposed to be on mushies today, but I haven't had much of anything today. I need to go drink some water. Hang in there everyone. We will get through this.

Hey Barbara good to hear from you. Look at my stats I'm not doing much either. Had my 2nd fill after the unfill on Monday. It's too early to tell if there's restriction since I'm still on liquids. I'm already thinking I have to go in for another one soon. I've heard, but don't have any experience with it, that sometimes weeks go by and then wham down some number of pounds. If that's true maybe it will happen to you. I see that you've lost 24 lbs which is very good. I am thinking that some people lose it really fast, and others not so fast. I've decided I'm one of those not so fast. I am depressed about it, but not discouraged. I just have to not expect so much so fast. Easier said than done. Hope next week's fill gives you the restriction you are looking for.

Glad its working out for you. Dr. Davis is doing more lapbands now. Sounds like you will have great aftercare, which I think is very important. I haven't seen Spiegel since surgery and don't expect to. You will soon be in bandland!!

I stay away from anything with seeds, especially small ones. I also can't tolerate salads. It's the lettuce that gets me. What you want to watch for is anything small and hard, like seeds, that can get lodged in the folds of the intestines and get infected.

I have diverticulities and spastic colon. Since getting the band I haven't had diarreah. In fact, just the opposite which is all new to me. Having a spastic colon I was used to having food "turn" on me and heading for the bathroom. I now eat an Activia, a type of yogurt, everyday. It helps keep you regular without having to take Fiber. You might want to give this a try. You must have had a diverticuli get infected and that is no fun. I try to stay away from foods that I know will cause me problems. Hope you are on the mend. PM me if you have any additional questions or concerns. Its something I've had for years, but the band only 7 weeks.

I went to get a fill and the PA said there's nothing there. There was supposed to be 1.3cc in there. When she went to fill it she did something and the aspiration worked. It was like she didn't put the needle in correctly for it to "pop" if that makes sense. Maybe you have a slow leak if your feeling restricted now.

You need some outside help to deal with the "real" issues. Doing the sabbotage thing is so you won't have to face what lies ahead as a thinner you. Go to support groups, for lap banders, overeater's annoymous (OA), weight watchers, phscy. Anything. A fill could help control what you could eat, but you've got to find out what's eating you!

My PA uses the fluro to check to make sure the barium goes down. They locate the port by feeling for it or using a camera, but not the fluroscope itself. I lay down on a table, they find the port, insert the needle and add the saline. It takes about 3 minutes for the fill and 20 seconds standing at the fluro to drink the barium and watch it.

Way to go John. If you want to lose 5 extra pounds then go for it. Do what feels right with you. You are a great inspiration to the rest of us.

You will just love cruising. I have been on about 8 cruises and the one you mentioned. Today's cruising is getting less formal than before. The ports you are visiting are very carribean and shorts and capris are the way to go. Formal nights are less now than prior times so you can get away with a cocktail dress, long skirt and top, or go all out. I've seen it all. I find a good charge card is the best to have. Some of the lines, Princess being one of them, now will charge all your tips to your card as an onboard charge. If not, follow the guidelines for tipping, and bring at least that amount. Most say $3/day for waiter and cabin steward, $2/day for busboy. Some tip the maitre dee. When buying alcohol on board the tip is automatically added to your bill. Most people register a credit card with the ship and all charges go on it, alcohol, tours, gift items, etc. Some ships now have Anytime dining which allows you to dine when you want. If not, you will be assigned a table at one of two seatings - early or late. Look at your port times to decide if late seating will work better so you have more time in port. You can find cruise clothes just about year round. You might have to go online to find them - Land's end and Coldwater creek come to mind. However, at Christmas time you should find some places as that starts the peak of cruising. Hope this helps.