Phranp

Hang in there! And, give serious consideration to finding a new doc. Like Cleo's mom says, many surgeons are not experienced in with lapband from surgery and beyond. My doc, though he hasn't admitted it, obviously doesn't know a lot about weight loss or aftercare for the lapband. Fortunately for me he is a kind man and just wants me to get to my "sweet spot" (I think I'm either there or so close it doesn't matter -- as of two weeks and 7 lbs ago). My doc doesn't give me a lot of info on eating but he also doesn't berate me at all. The first time I even got on the scale was at my last visit and that was because I stepped on the scale myself, he didn't ask me to -- I was banded JUNE 15TH!!! I have been doing my own research and this forum is really great too. My process has been slow but, because of my age, I think that is a good thing. Don't give up, this will get better as you get more restriction. Please do not be too hard on yourself. All the best to you!

I TOTALLY understand stress/anger/bored eating. I have only recently stopped eating before going to sleep. Part of my hunger before bed was head hunger (usually stress) but part of the problem was because I didn't get enough Protein that day. I have since changed my eating habits and keep healthy Snacks in the house for times when I haven't eaten enough protein. But, for me, the most helpful thing I did to stop stress/anger/bored eating was to continue therapy with my obesity specialist. When I looked into getting the lapband I decided that I would start seeing a therapist to be certain that I was doing this for the right reasons. Also, knowing that I am an emotional eater I wanted a therapist to help me manage that problem before I had the surgery. My therapist has been a BIG help. Just having someone to talk to about what I'm going through with changing my eating habits has been invaluable. It is also helpful seeing a therapist because instead of eating over my frustrations, I can talk to my therapist. She even invites me to call in between appointments if I find myself overwhelmed and unable to manage my eating. If you don't want to go into therapy you might try writing about your emotions before picking up that cookie. I know it doesn't sound like it will work and, in fact, at that moment it might not, but when you read it later it can help you stop yourself the next time. I hope this is helpful in some way. You know what they say "different strokes for different folks". Good luck!

Unjury or Muscle Milk get my vote! Oh so tasty! I am lactose intolerant so I use soy milk .. still tastes great.

It is so true that it depends on the doc. My first fill was 3 weeks after surgery then every two weeks thereafter. My doc's goal is the "sweet spot". I got a fill today ... in this special chair for lapband fills ... I won't know until tomorrow whether I am finally at my sweet spot. It is true that the band is a tool, but if your band isn't giving you restriction it's as if you don't even have a tool. Good luck, hope you hit your sweet spot soon.

My gas pain in my shoulder when I woke up from surgery. It was AWFUL!!! I was in so much pain, but I didn't realize that it was gas so I let the nurse give me morphine for the pain. I absolutely HATE morphine. I regretted it almost immediately. So I asked the nursing assitant to bring me an ice pack and pillows to elevate my left arm. It didn't really help. Finally, a new nurse came on duty and she gave me a hot moist pad and I finally got some sleep! It took a couple of weeks before the pain went away. I used the hot moist pad (I took it with me when I left the hospital) on my shoulder when I went back to work. EVENTUALLY the pain went away. A lot of people on this site recommend walking. I am sure that walking is very effective. I hope you feel better soon. Congratulations!!!

Patience is a virtue -- not usually one of mine, lol. I was banded on June 15, 2009 and I have lost 17 lbs from pre-surgery till now. My doctor is very conservative with his "fills". Last week I was just as frustrated as you are. I am a little better now. I keep telling myself that this is a process that takes time. I am at 4.5 cc's in a 10 cc band. Exercising is a problem for me because I have spinal stenosis and have lately been in a lot of pain. This puts me in a kind of "catch 22". If I exercised I would lose more weight, but I can't exercise because I am in too much pain, as a result my weight loss has to come from eating less and I don't have enough restriction!!! Talk about frustration. Now, with my fill last Friday I am feeling some restriction, but before that - nothing, nada. So, I understand your frustration. But, hang in there. Take a deep breath and know that you can do this! My doc thought that this fill would be my last but I will be expecting another fill when I see him next week. This is a process and I truly believe that I will hit my sweet spot soon. You will too!

Congratulations and welcome to the club! I was banded on June 15th. Unless you had a fill during surgery (some, but not many I've heard of, do) you will not feel restriction until your band is filled -- and that may take a few fills, depending on your doctor. I have not experienced restriction with liquids. But I must say that this morning I had a Protein Drink before going to work and had planned to eat a piece of fruit for Breakfast, but I do not have the appetite for it now. Too full. I had my 3rd fill this past Friday. I now have 4.5 cc's in a 10 cc band. It is only with this last fill that I am feeling any restriction at all. Keep in mind what we read on this forum all the time: the time right after surgery is for healing, not for losing weight (although you will probably lose some ). You are very lucky to have the single incision. I have 4! All the best to you!

Thanks for the info. Believe it or not my doc does not give me much info ... I had to do a lot of reading and I use the forums. If I ask a question, he will aswer, but when I go in for a fill I see him for maybe 5 mins. It has been a challenge to say the least. I appreciate the information I glean from this forum. Thanks again.

This past Friday I had my third fill. My doc said this might be the last one. He had me drink Water while filling my band and the water felt like it was bubbling up into my esophagus. I was on liquids for 24 hours and then eased into food the next day, per my doc. Here's my issue, if I take too big of a bite or eat too fast I seem to feel it in my esophagus, but once I slowed down I am able to eat more than a cup. It's not that I can eat a lot, but it is more than I think I should at the "sweet spot". I have an appt with my doc next week to see if I am sufficiently "filled". While I don't feel like I have quite the "right" amount in my band (4.5 cc in a 10 cc band), I am afraid that if I get another fill the pain will be much worse in my esophagus when I eat. Am I confusing two different things or am I asking for problems if I get another fill? Help, please.

okay, makes sense ... thanks.

There are two things I just don't understand about banding (probably more things, but 2 things today lol): 1. If I have a 10 cc band (which I do) and another person has a 10 cc band and we both get a 2 cc fill for our first fill, why would such a fill be a restriction for one person but no restriction for the other. I have heard time and time again that it depends on the individual whether a fill restricts. I don't understand how the same cc's would not produce the same result. 2. Why would a fill take a couple of weeks for one person to feel a restriction and for another person it might take a couple of weeks? Please enlighten me. Okay, maybe I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but at least I seek to understand. lol Thanks. F

I went in for my first fill today and had reddness around the incision where my port is, I was afraid he would not fill. He did, YAY!! Anyway, I am going to buy some neosporin this evening in the hopes that it will be completely healed and the redness gone by my next fill -- in two weeks. Karamel, I also keloid and I am concerned about how I am healing. It appears that only the incision under my bra is showing signs of keloid. Go figure. Good luck to all.

Thanks so much everyone. It is soooo good to know that I am not alone!

Has anyone else experienced nausea after getting your first fill. It's been about an hour. I only had a Protein shake for Breakfast hoping to avoid any unpleasant after effects. Looks like it backfired. Anyone else experience anything like this? Also, my doc has me on solid food after my fill. Most of the people on this forum say they have been on liquids and/or mushies for 1-2 days after their fills. Feeling pretty crappy ... please help. Thanks. f

I have never heard of this card. My doc never said a word! What's up with that ... LOL. I go in for my first fill next week, I'm going to ask for my "card". Don't know if I'll actually use it, but I want it just in case. I have been taking home leftovers lately anyway. A card, who knew? :redface:

I am really glad this forum exists! It is so good to have people that have similar experiences as well as different experiences. Helps me to know the right questions to ask my doctor. Thanks everyone.

I have been reading a number of post and I can't remember anyone saying that they had a fill as early as 3 weeks after sugery ... makes me wonder about my doctor. What's the earliest fill you have had? Do you think that 3 weeks is too soon? For some it seems they waited more than a month for their first fill. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks.

I am glad to hear you are getting better. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I will consider it a cautionary tale. Be well.

I was banded on 6/15 and didn't have a bm until 6/20. Part of the problem was the pain pills, I was taking Darvocet. Darvocet causes constipation. Are you on pain pills at all?

I had never heard of the MMPI test until you mentioned it today. Not sure why. I started therapy before I even went to the surgeon. I wanted to know for myself if I was ready and if I was doing this for the right reasons. I started therapy in October 2008, my surgery is scheduled for June 15th (originally scheduled for June 1 but had problems with my insurance). I chose a therapist that had a specialty in obesity medicine. So, as it turned out my psych eval also covered my 6 month diet/food modification because our sessions were focused on my relationship with food and changing the triggers that caused me to overeat. I am sure you will pass the test with flying colors. I would think that antidepressants would be a help, not a hindrance. Good luck! f

yes, I know ... I'll check with my doc tomorrow.

I am diabetic. My surgery is scheduled for June 15th (finally). I am having real problems with the liquid diet because when I take my metformin, if I don't eat carbs my blood sugar drops low and I get sick. I am tempted to stop taking my metformin so that my numbers will stay normal but I'm not sure if that will help. Any suggestions?

I live in Los Angeles. My surgery was approved by my Blue Cross of California. Both the doctor and the surgery center were contracted by my insurance. The surgery center refused to do my surgery because my insurance does not pay them enough to make it worth their while. I have tried a couple of other hospitals and they, although contracted with my insurance, will not do it because BC does not pay enough. I called BC and they said that yes, the hospital/surgery center has the right of refusal. Is there ANYPLACE that accepts the miniscule payment of BC of California in or around the Los Angeles area? Along with several co-morbitities I have spinal stenosis. My feet and ankles are constantly swollen and my back is killing me. I need this surgery!!! I must find a hospital that takes my insurance.

As soon as this is over I have every intention of calling the commissioner. I also have the BCBS side of my ins getting in contact with the Blue Cross of California to get some answers since they supposedly have been having this battle with Surgery Center of Santa Monica for 2 years. They should never have approved the facility knowing that the Center would not honor their contract. Thanks for the advice.

My surgery was set for June 1st. It has now been cancelled. Why? Because Blue Cross of California refuses to pay what the Surgery Center of Santa Monica asks for, so the Surgery Center flatly refused to do my surgery. I only found this out on Monday when my doc office called to tell me. Blue Cross of California pays less than a third of what the surgical center asks. It was hard for me to phathom how they could be contracted with BC and then REFUSE to fulfill their contract. So, if there is anyone out there that has BCBS/Blue Cross of California be absolutely sure that the surgical center will accept your insurance. I am scrambling to find another surgeon (the surgical center was the only place my doc performs his surgeries) and a new facility. I need to do it fast or I will have to pay to have my pre-op stuff done again. Be warned! Fran