WendyMary

Hi all, I just got my 4th fill yesterday. I had to get an unfill last time (long story), and then I didn't feel restriction, but about a week or two into the unfill, it started getting tighter. It always seems to be about a week or 5 days before my menstral cycle, so I asked the doctor. He said the band will tighten before and during your menstral cycle. I've heard others mention this also, so I wanted to ask the Dr. and he confirmed it to be true. Maybe that is what is going on with you gals??

I have UHC and I have been trying to get the band for over 3 years now. They are constantly giving me wrong info. Once, the Dr. office called got all the info. was in the works of getting me going for surgery and then all of a sudden, they said WLS surgery and procedures were excluded from my policy, so that stoppe it in the tracks 3 years ago. Then, I was ready to self-pay, but had them check insurance once more before I paid and again, they told them I was covered only to find out I was not and I requested to see in writing the exclusion and they sent it. So, my policy must be different from yours, but I would only stress to check and double check that it covers WLS. They are constantly screwing up when I call to get coverage info. I actually ask to speak to a supervisor now. I ended up being a cash pay patient and had my band placed in Jan of this year (2009). I love it and it was the best thing I have ever done. Best of luck and I hope your policy is better than mine.

I just got a fill and am feeling really good restriction for the first time. I am also worried about getting my fluids in. It seems first thing in the morning and after 8pm, I'm not able to do to well with fluids. I find that cold drinks hurt going down, so I've been warming Crystal light a little to room temp or a little warmer and I do fine sipping all day. I can't chug water or drinks like I used to, so I just sip all day. I don't like tea and I usually drink iced coffee, so I've warmed my coffee in the morning and then the crystal light warmed. I think I'll try some water warmed too.

I can't access that web site either. Wish I could sounds like a great site.

I slept on my side. One side was always a little more comfortable than the other and I would hug a pillow and put one between my legs and one just under my stomach for support. I had pillows all over to make me more comfortable. I also put a hot water bottle leaning against my back and it helped with gas a lot. It took me about 2 weeks before I was completly comfortable on my stomach again. I think whatever feels comfortable is fine. If it hurts, don't do it yet. Best of luck.

I was reading some of the posts and just wanted to comment. I was banded in Jan and still don't have good restriction and haven't yet PB'd, but have come close on many occasions. This is something me and a fellow bander have discussed and I'm trying to pay attention to it and see if its true for me. It seems that when I am really hungry (like stomach growling and all) that my band is a little tighter also, when you PB, people have said your band tightens up maybe because you caused a little swelling from the PBing. So see if the days you are tighter might be because of these episodes and the days you can eat anything might be smoother days without any episodes. I'm curious if there is any correlation.

I am a private person and chose only to tell my husband (not even my young children know), my parents & brother. The weight loss will be slow and at times nothing at all until you get fill just right. I don't want people noticing everything I put in my mouth. I have lost 22 pounds so far and no one has noticed except for the few people who know I have had the surgery. Isn't that funny??? I've gone down 2 pant sizes and no one has noticed. When people do start to notice, I am just going to say I've been eating less, eating better choices and exercising and that is not a lie. I don't think I will ever tell anymore people than the ones I have already told.

Hi there, I was banded on Jan 19 and have lost 22 pounds so far. I have been at a stand still lately. I've had 2 fills and am going in for my next on Aprl 14th. I love my band.

Hi there, I'm in SoCal as well, I went to Dr. Owens in Rancho Cucamonga. I had my surgery 1/19 and don't regret a single moment. I've lost 22 pounds so far and down 2 pant sizes. I know its scary, but you'll be so happy after your done.

My husband has gastritus (not banded). The causes of his gastritus are the foods he eats & stress. He shouldn't have spicy foods, alcohol or stress or his stomach hurts and he gets an ulcer that acts up and bleeds a little. He is on Acephex and it helps a lot. He only takes it when his stomach is bothering him and then it heals up and he doesn't need medicine anymore. Maybe its something your eating. Do you eat spicy foods???

Hi all, I just found this link. I have been searching for other Jan 09 banders and couldn't seem to find anything until today. Yeah!!!! I was banded on the 19th as well and I'm feeling good. I lost 12 pounds on the pre op diet and only 7 post surgery. I don't go for a fill until the 24th and I haven't lost any weight for about 2 weeks now. I'm playing with about 3 pounds going back and forth. I'm very hungry and feel like my appetite is pretty big, but not as big as before. I also haven't been very disciplined with my diet during the last few days (valentine weekend and all). I'm going to try to be good this week and maybe drop a pound or two before my fill. Otherwise, after fill, I hope to be on my way to good restriction. I love hearing how everyone else is doing. Is there a name for January banders??? I'd love to keep in touch with everyone. Is everyone eating normal food now??? Has anyone actually had their first fill and how are they doing with it????

That was the worst problem for me. I think it was the pain killers. I have a tea I make that helps me with constipation, but I have to say, when I think about the surgery, the worst part for me was the constipation. Call Dr. and see what you need to do... Hope you feel better soon.

Hi, I was banded on 1/19 and feeling great. I lost 12 pounds pre op diet and only 7 post op, so far. My appetite feels like before. I did 2 weeks post op liquid protein, 1 week mushies and now, regular food. I'm trying to make smart choices and feel like I'm doing fairly well, but the weight hasn't moved in a week. I don't get a fill until the 24th. I'm going to increase my exercise starting this week and hope to loose a little more. I don't feel any restriction as of now. I did the first 2 weeks or so, but not anymore. I'm trying to pay attention to when I'm full. I can't wait to feel that restriction again. Best of luck to all of you.

Hi, I'm newly banded (3 weeks post op) and understand you being overwhelmed. I'll try to answer some of the questions I can. The sweet spot is the perfect amount of fill and its different for every person. Some say it took 3 fills to get to the perfect amount of fill so that you feel good restriction and loose weight consistantly, others take many more fills to get there it just depends on you. Some people deal with many fills and then too much fill and then have to have some taken out to get to that sweet spot. I haven't had my first fill yet, so I'm far from my sweet spot. Everyone seems to be different as to what they can eat after being filled good. A lot of people say they have trouble with most bread products. Right now, I'm at the point where I haven't had a fill and I can eat anything and my appetite is still pretty big. Right after surgery I was on a 2 week liquid Protein diet and the first week, I wasn't hungry at all and had trouble drinkng all of my shakes, then I started getting my appetite back and now its as if I didn't have surgery, but that is totally normal. I'm healing right now and there is no saline in my band. In another 2 weeks, I will go in and get my first fill (hopefully) and then start to feel some restriction. As of the last week, I stoped loosing weight, but my eating hasn't been the best either and I'm going to get back into exercise again. Going back to work. I had to attend my grandmother's funeral 3 days after surgery and I posted a lot on this board because I was overcome with what to do. Well, 72 hours post op, I felt good (taking pain meds) and went to funeral, but was a little uncomfortable with bloating and gas, but nothing untolerable. If you work at a desk job, you might be ok, but if you were able to take a week off, you would be much more comfortable going back to work and you want to make sure you get plenty of rest and you might want you paint meds still and they make you sleepy. A lot of people don't even take the pain meds and feel great, but if it's possible for you to take a week of vacation, I think you will be glad you did. I'm terrified of the stomach flu and am going to ask my Dr. about that when I see him. I have two young kids at home and they come home sick all the time. My youngest just had the stomach flu two days ago and I was freaking out. I washed my hands constantly and was careful not to drink out of the same glass, etc and I think I avoided it. Sorry this is so long. Hope it helps. I only told my parents, brother and husband. I'm not going to tell anyone else. I've been able to be around people and no one has a clue as to what I did. The first day of surgery I was walking around fine and if someone had poped over the house, no one would be none the wiser. I told friends from the school I had the flu and 3 days later was at a funeral and no one knew. Best of luck to you! About being too filled, obviously I havn't experienced that and hope I don't, but I guess you have trouble getting things down and everything seems to get stuck, but after a fill, some people's stomachs are a little swollen and it could take a few days to be sure how the fill really is. Thats what I hear.

I was looking through the other posts from today and came across this link Lap Band Surgery, Your Journey to Weight Loss Sucess I talks about errosion and how years ago it was more common (probably the case of your friend's father), but today it is less than 2% and it gives warning signs to detect if this might be the case. Also says CT scans and other devices can identify if this is a problem. Take a look at it and hope it makes you feel more comfortable about your decision to go ahead with your procedure. I know it made me feel better about my band that was placed just 2 weeks ago;)

I can't help but think that there would be some signs that erosion was starting right??? I would assume there would be pain or strange sensations if it was becoming erroded (sp???) into your stomach. So, as long as your confident in your Dr. and you keep up with your appointments and once goal is reached you still visit 1 - 2 times a year and discuss things it will be ok. I mean, I've heard of errosion and having to have a band removed and even seen video of it being cut away from the stomach, but I've never heard of death as a result. Has anyone else ever heard of death as a result of errosion??

I know you are asking about drinks, but I have a friend who told me about making SF pudding and adding protein into it while making and its great. So, I put chocolate or vanilla protein powder in as I mix it up and sort it into containers and when I eat a yummy snack I'm actually geting my protein. A lot less expensive than the premade drinks too!!

I was banded on 1/19 and by yesterday, I feel I was back to myself. Right after surgery, I thought a heating pad helped a lot with gas discomfort. My most uncomfortable thing was constipation from the pain meds. I was feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Best of luck and hope you feel back to yourself soon.

I too am sorry your having such a difficult time:( Try to stay positive and get lots of rest. Let yourself heal and take good care of yourself. Things will get better.

Hi, I got banded on January 19th in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Feeling good........What type of post op diet was/is everyone on and for how long liquid/mushies/regular food??

Hi everyone, Just a quick post to let everyone know that surgery went well. I had about a one hour stay in recovery and the worst of the pain was the shoulder, but that has subsided. Thanks to all for all your support. I will post and keep you updated and let you know how I do on Wed. Thanks.......WendyMary

I'm glad to hear your feeling better Jill. I will be careful and I feel so much better about my decision to go forward. Thanks for your help. Wendy

Jill, That would be great to let me know how your doing at 72 hours. Thanks for sharing.

Its only a 45 min drive and I can lay down at my uncles if I decide to go on to the after ceremony. My hubby will drive me to the funeral and I can just recline the seat and lay back and get some rest. He is taking the week off work, so I can just rest the first 2 days and take it way easy and I will do just that. I know not to over do it or I will suffer on day 3 and I'm going to do everything to avoid that. I can't wait to get this done. I have a friends from Lap band talk who had it done with my exact Dr. one week ago and she was out shopping the next day, so I have my fingers crossed all will go well.

Thanks all for all of your posts. It really makes me feel better knowing how everyone else did. I know that going to the funeral is a MUST!!! I MUST go or I'll forever regret it. The after party, I would hate to miss, but could if I was feeling really bad. I will be able to find a seat somewhere in a corner and talk with family and I know walking and standing will help the gas. I think I'll say I've been ill with the flu and my stomach is still a little queeze if anyone asks or the hugging gets to be too much. I'm tolarnt of pain meds and I think I'll explain the situation with my doctor before the surgery and maybe he can give me other pain meds that might be stronger if I'm feeling bad. All of your comment have made me feel more at ease about going forward. My brother had Lapricopic Gastric Bypass and he said he was not feeling well 72 hours after, but Bypass is much more invasive and I feel not at all the same. Wouldn't you agree????? Keep the comments coming.... Makes me feel better about my decision to go forward. Thanks for all your kind words about my Granny tooo!!!!