Aurelia

Hey! I'm 32 from South Florida and was banded a week ago (3/18/09). I'm also looking for bandster friends around my age. When do you go in for your first fill??

WOW! It's so awesome that you're doing so well. I wish I could say the same. I am absolutely miserable...in pain all the time and the gas is just ridiculous. The liquid diet has been rough. I seem to get full quickly and the burping starts etc but my stomach burns from being hungry. The constant hunger is literally consuming me. I had to go see my therapist because I've been so anxious about being hungry. He prescribed aversion therapy and I'll let you know how it goes. How was your follow-up appointment? I have mine tomorrow.

I've had my band for 6 days now and I have yet to figure out what's what. I have a pain in the middle of my chest and it burns. I'm burping all the time and I'm starving. Is my band just sore or am I having some serious gas pains. Also is anyone starving like I am. I haven't had any solids since 3/10. I would kill for a poached egg.

Thanks for the responses. It's definitely gas. I thought I was doing well with regard to the gas but now I have that unmistakable shoulder pain. It hurts when I breathe!! I broke the rules too and had some thin mashed potatoes with chipotle. It seemed to help get things moving a bit.

Hey, It's nice that there's a group like this. I'm 32 with nokids an I live in South Florida. I was banded a last week on 3/18/09

Hi Teachergirl! It's great that you're doing so well. I'm on day 5 and I'm miserable and hungry all the time.

What are you having issues with? Perhaps I could help to clarify etc. Of all the programs I've seen out there, they're the best. They really prepare you for surgery and life after surgery.

This is a bullet: NEW WHEY Liquid Protein 42g (fruit punch) Made By IDS for Only $28.95

I don't know a Dr. Bass in SWFL but I do know of one in Hollywood FL and he is pretty good. I used his partner Dr. Cohen and they were pretty upfront about costs etc.

These are the protein bullets that people talk about: NEW WHEY Liquid Protein 42g (fruit punch) Made By IDS for Only $28.95 If there's a Target close to you I suggest getting a Husband Pillow. I bought one and I've been using it since my surgery on wednesday and it helps a great deal. Where did you get your compression cami?

I've been flying as a Flight Attendant for 10 years now. Pretty much everything in the pressurized cabin increases in size. If you take a look at Water bottles, chips etc...they all get extremely puffy during flight. The same thing most likely happens with the band. It should take a few hours for the swelling to dissipate. There's also the issue of dehydration during flight so it's important to sip on some water and try your best to stay hydrated.

OMG! I can't believe how awful I feel. I was doing great the past two days and woke up today in a ridiculous amount of pain. I'm swollen everywhere...even my boobs are swollen. I can't tell if I'm having hunger pangs or gas pain. It just freaking hurts!! Anyone else in this circle of hell with me?

Thanks! Today wasn't actually too bad. I've been walking so it has helped with keeping the gas moving. Right now I'm trying to find a happy medium between just enough walking and doing too much. I think it's great that you're getting the tubal done at the same time as your band. It's knocking out the two surgeries in one go and you'll have less pain in the long run.

Just a tip guys... GAS X WILL NOT WORK! The gas is pumped into your body cavity so movement, massage and heat will get it moving. Gas X only helps stomach gas so try to get moving as soon as it's comfortable for you. You have no idea how even just standing helps with the gas.

My only advice is to walk, walk, walk and use a heating a pad. Forget GAS X as the gas is floating around in your body cavity. If you're moving the gas will move. Also, try not to be fixated on weight loss right now. Focus on healing...the weight loss will eventually follow.

I'm on day 3 of my Pre-Op liquid diet. The urge to cheat is rising. I'm so hungry!!!!

I'm getting banded on the same day too! I'm on day two of my liquid diet and I'm so weak :thumbup:

My surgery is on the 18th as well!!

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow. My surgery is on the 18th.

Yeah I did that this weekend. I had filet mignon topped with Foie Gras, handcut fries fried in duck fat, truffled mac and cheese and a flourless chocolate cake a la mode. I start my pre-op diet in two days. I couldn't think of a better send off.

I haven't done the restaurant thing as I haven't had my surgery yet. However, my doc gave me a special key ring that says I've had stomach surgery and if it's possible to have me order off the kids menu or have a smaller portion. It lists his name and telephone number. I look forward to using it and seeing the looks I get.

Hi Everyone! It's great to see such group on here. I got approved for surgery on 2/13 and have a tentative surgery date of 3/18. Any advice or pointers you can pass on would be greatly appreciated.

I have this same issue with the patient coordinator at my surgeon's office. She went as far as telling me she would submit my paperwork and after a month of not hearing a response I call UHC and they tell me nothing was sumbitted. I called the surgeon's office mad as hell and she said she would submit it but doubts it will get approved and it would take at least 30 days to get a response. Guess what? It was submitted on monday and I got my approval by friday. You can imagine the things I want to say to the patient coordinator.

*WAVES to all my fellow UHCers* I went to my seminar in late october and had my consultation in early november the doctor said my BMI was too low to qualify without co-morbidities and suggested I get a sleep study. Did the sleep study on 11/24/08 and got the results two weeks later saying I had severe sleep apnea. The patient coordinator gave me the hardest time about the wording on the results of the sleep study and I wasn't able to submit the paperwork that was to her liking until 1/5/09. She told me she would submit the paperwork for authorization but said it would take NO LESS THAN 30 days to get a response. I said ok and I waited and waited and waited patiently. I call UHC to check on the status late january and they tell me nothing has been submitted. I am livid!! I call the surgeon's office and no one can tell me why my paperwork wasn't submitted. On 2/9 I get a snarky voicemail message from the patient corrdinator saying she has submitted the paperwork and they should get a response in 30 days. On 2/13 I get a call from the surgeon's office saying I was approved. I went to my pre-op visit today and one of the assistants who had always been sweet to me told me that the patient coordinator didn't want to submit my paperwork because she didn't think I would get approved. You have no idea how much this makes me angry. I should also add that I went to a cardiologist because I was having palpitations. It turns out that I have high blood pressure and a mild form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, I had to do my own research and basically find out if I had co-morbidities that would help me get approved. I suggest that you get a full work up because you may have a problem that you're not even aware of. It took them only 5 days to approve my surgery and give me a date. I have a BMI of 38, Sleep Apnea and High Blood Pressure. If your surgeon's office is reluctant to help you then do it yourself!!