longhornmom

Thanks Travelinsnorkel. Good luck to you, too!

Hi - I posted on the October Bandsters thread, too but figured I would post here too. I was banded on 13 Oct and had my first fill (1.5cc) on 2 Dec. I can feel a little restriction but it is not consistent. Some meals I have to be aware that I am satisfied and stop eating and other meals I can only eat a couple of bites before I feel like my food is stuck in my throat. Is this what I am supposed to feel? My weight loss has been about 2 lbs a week, which I am elated about. I have been trying to exercise more and have been doing okay - could always do better but I will keep working on it! Thanks for listening and would appreciate your comments.

Hi, everyone! I feel like some of the other banders out there...I don't understand my band. I was banded on 13 Oct and have been doing okay as far as weight loss. I had my first fill two weeks ago and I can't figure out if it has made a difference. Sometimes I feel no restriction at all but I make myself focus on how I feel so I don't keep eating past my "satisfied" level. Then sometimes I have a hard time taking more than a few bites - I feel like the food is still in my throat. Any comments?

Hi, everyone! I just went for my first fill yesterday and it wasn't bad at all. I got 1.5cc. My weight loss has been okay but I am a little concerned about my calorie level. Let me tell you guys a little and maybe you can send me suggestions/comments: Typical day - 700 cal; 18 fat; 50 carb; 60 prot I exercise at they gym (eliptical 15 min - treadmill 30 min) 3 days a week. My doc's office told me to keep under 20 gms of fat and 100 gms of carbs and get at least 60 gms protein. They did not say anything about calories, etc. Any suggestions>?

Thanks, Jack - I went in to the doc today and they put in 1.5cc since I seem to be doing okay.

Hi, Bel - your pictures look great! I have a question that I am hoping you (or anyone else) can answer for me. I was banded on 13 Oct 2008 and do not go in for my first fill until 2 Dec. I don't usually feel any restriction - I can usually eat 2-3 cups of food at one time. However, sometimes I can't eat more than 1 cup. I get that full feeling in my chest and feel like I need to stretch myself out in order for the food to go down. I am still loosing weight because I am constantly focusing on only eating when I am hungry and stopping when the hunger is gone. My question is - is this feeling in my chest of fullness normal for someone who does not have a fill yet?

I was banded on 13 Oct 08 and have pretty much the same problem as everyone else. I really don't have any restriction. Sometimes it feels like i do, but other times it does not. I go in for my first fill on 2 Dec. Since surgery, I have only lost an additional 11 or so pounds.

How are you doing, hersheymalone? I can tell you that the gas pain WILL go away! My gas pains finally completely subsided by Friday, so that is 11 days. I know everyone is different so hopefully yours are already gone, too.

Suzieq53, I had the pain ball but only until I left the hospital. My doc makes all of his patients stay overnight. I really wasn't in much pain from the actual surgery but the gas just about killed me! Good luck to you!

I really don't think it will matter - once you are approved for insurance, you have the coverage. Just don't have the doc's office send in your request until after your coverage date starts. Good luck to you!

LoneStarLoser - Well, its been 12 days since my surgery and I am doing great. I am still on liquids - can start the "mushie" stage on Monday. :eek: I had some trouble with dehydration on day 10 and had to have iv's but now I am great! Hope everyone else is doing good, too!

I have the exact same insurance as you (BC/BS federal Basic) and I also live in Texas. I was told that our insurance is a "quick approval" if you have a BMI over 40 or have comobities. I was just at 40 BMI and my doctor's office submitted my paperwork and within 10 days I was approved. I had my surgery almost two weeks later. My doctor required me to do a iquid type diet the 12 days before my surgery to shrink my liver but that was it. Good luck!

Newgrama0904, Not that this is what is causing your tiredness but I was also extremely tired and it turned out I was dehydrated and had to get an iv treatment. Just be careful.

Thanks for all of the advise! Unfortunately the vaseline, baby oil and rubbing alcohol didn't work. The dang hospital went overboard on the tape - you probably wouldn't believe it if you saw it! I am going to see my doc tomorrow for my 1 week post op and will ask him for something. Thanks again

I just had my surgery on 13 Oct and I am just now feeling relief from the gas. I was miserable as well. I walked alot but it really didn't seem to help me and I had a gas-x strip on my tongue quite often. I am now 7 days out and finally feeling better. It got to the point that when I would pass some of the gas, I would feel better but then I had to keep driniking water or broth and it seemed like my stomach filled back up with gas. I guess it just takes time no matter what. Sorry that you are so miserable. I am hoping (for all of us) that it will be soooo worth it in the end! Stay strong.

Nope, not for 7 days. But since I am supposed to see him on Wed., he said not to have any protein until I see him. I am very tired.

Thanks BigMamma1981, I will try the rubbing alcohol and see if it works. I appreciate your suggestion!

I was just banded on the 13 of the Oct and was planning on going back to work tomorrow. I am, however, rethinking that. The reason is because my doctor prescribed that I consume only water, broth, SF jello or SF popsicles until my follow up appt (Wed.). I am feeling fine as far as pain goes, even the gas has pretty much dissipated but i am very tired. I think it is because I don't have any protein in my body. Seriously, just walking up my stairs is exhausting. My physical level isn't usually high but moderate and I can't do near what I could before the surgery. Good luck to you. I am a financial analyst so I am usually at my desk, also (unless meetings, etc.).

I was banded on Oct 13 and everything is going good except that the sticky tape residue left over from the surgery is driving me CRAZY. I have taken a shower everday and tried scrubbing with soap, a buff pad and an exfoliator. What is the trick? My sterri (sp?) strips are fine but the sticky tape stuff wont come off.

Ok, so now its been 6 days since surgery and I getting hungry. I am also extremely tired. I understand why, hell I have no protein in my body. When did Dr. C let you start on thicker solids (like protein shakes?). I called his office yesterday morning and had to leave a VM but they never even called me back. Now they are closed. SO RUDE.:tongue_smilie:

Hello! Well it has been 4 days since my surgery and every day gets better. I am still pretty bloated - even when I empty some gas, it seems like I build up more. Is that normal? Also, I still have diarrhea. I am only drinking my 64 oz water and broth. Nothing else. I am not hungry, either so that is good. How long does it take for the swelling to subside?

lindatatu - I just checked and I have "sipped" my way to 58 oz. The gas x strips are helping. I haven't had many burps but am at least productive when I sit on the toilet (maybe gravity?). When i relieve some of the gas, it seems like there is more made up. I can feel myself getting bloated again. I don't get it! Maybe it will just take time. Hopefully it will get better as the days go by.

Yep - I will be on clear liquids for one week and then the doc will determine if I can go to "thicker" liquids. I really don't mind because I am having enough trouble getting my water down. I love water and usually drink more than 64 oz a day but this taking tiny sips is tough! I hope you are doing well pain wise. I am still taking the loratab liquid every 6 hours but don't think I need it - I just don't want to start having alot of pain. I figure I will take it until tomorrow and see how it goes spacing it out to 8 hours or so.

lindatatu & dcorna - I also had my surgery on 13 Oct and the pain is pretty bearable but I feel like my stomach keeps filling up with air. Are either of you experiencing that? I have been using the Gas X strips and they are helping but it seems like I am just re-producing gas. I am only allowed clear liquids so all I have had so far is water and broth.

Thanks for everyone's replies. I just got out of the hospital yesterday and I am doing fine. Naturally a little bloated and sore but nothing I can't handle! Today is better than yesterday and I am hoping it gets better each and every day. YIPEEEE!!!!