Gigi_Girl

Yep, one week to the day. Thanks Aetna!

Go back to your surgeon and have a discussion. See what he/she recommends. I have learned that whatever you decide, get your head 100% behind the plan, otherwise don't bother with lip service.

It's imperative for you to stay properly hydrated...and if you don't take in sufficient calories, your body will adjust it's metabolism to compensate. If that happens, then it will likely be more of a challenge to loose weight.
You should do whatever works for you. Initially post op, I kept a bottle of Water with me all the time, so I would remind myself to drink because the water bottle was never more than a foot away from me.
As for eating, it's not a good feeling to force yourself to eat...but you do need some calories. Perhaps a Protein Shake would be more palatable for you. I also had to remind myself to eat newly post op, however it was easier for me to manage as I am retired.
I've observed that there are 3 situations which slow/stop my weight loss: not enough Protein, not enough calories, and not enough exercise.
Best wishes...

Congrats to you! You are a role model! As you said, no one is perfect and we all backslide, but can still get to where we want to go.

Although everyone is different and it is hard to compare, I can tell you that my port site is the most sensitive part of my abdomen right now, and I am now almost two days post op. Very tender and sore to the touch with some skin discoloration, swelling and bruising over the area. My surgeon is aware of it and did not express any concern. I would guess that if you are fever free and are not having any unusual drainage that perhaps it will just take some time to get back to normal. I am not a doctor, but I am an R.N., and that would be my opinion based on what you've described. However, if you are going to worry about it, then it can't hurt to have it looked at since you are a few days post op and probably don't have a follow up scheduled for a couple of weeks? Trust your gut (no pun intended) and do what you will feel most comfortable doing. If you just need a doctor to put your mind at ease, then there's no shame in that. Please keep us posted!

I have a second band, but my problem was the first band had a leak. My doc wanted to revise to a sleeve when he took out the defective band, but my insurance refused to pay. In fact, it took almost four months for them to agree to put in a replacement band and not just remove the leaky one.
As for revision after a slip, google for academic quality articles on what to do after a band slippage. You may find that slips are more frequent in a second band if it happened with the first. Also, research the statistics on the sleeve, then find out what your insurance will pay with regard to revision. This should give you enough information to make a decision.

I have a second band, but my problem was the first band had a leak. My doc wanted to revise to a sleeve when he took out the defective band, but my insurance refused to pay. In fact, it took almost four months for them to agree to put in a replacement band and not just remove the leaky one.
As for revision after a slip, google for academic quality articles on what to do after a band slippage. You may find that slips are more frequent in a second band if it happened with the first. Also, research the statistics on the sleeve, then find out what your insurance will pay with regard to revision. This should give you enough information to make a decision.

I am sure that you will take a nap this afternoon. thank goodness for a split schedule! Have a great day!

My thoughts are with today's group of bandsters. Let us know how you are doing.
DeAna, you have done a great job rounding us all up and keeping this thread going all month. thank you!

My thoughts are with today's group of bandsters. Let us know how you are doing.
DeAna, you have done a great job rounding us all up and keeping this thread going all month. thank you!

My thoughts are with today's group of bandsters. Let us know how you are doing.
DeAna, you have done a great job rounding us all up and keeping this thread going all month. thank you!

My thoughts are with today's group of bandsters. Let us know how you are doing.
DeAna, you have done a great job rounding us all up and keeping this thread going all month. thank you!

This is Day 10 and I just walked two miles!!! It feels so good to be building back my endurance!
I am off work for the rest of the week and will continue my exercise and napping routine. sleep and exercise (and protein) heal a body good!

Mwoods, good luck to you and everyone else going in tomorrow! Let us know how you do.

This is Day 10 and I just walked two miles!!! It feels so good to be building back my endurance!
I am off work for the rest of the week and will continue my exercise and napping routine. sleep and exercise (and protein) heal a body good!

This is Day 10 and I just walked two miles!!! It feels so good to be building back my endurance!
I am off work for the rest of the week and will continue my exercise and napping routine. sleep and exercise (and protein) heal a body good!

This is Day 10 and I just walked two miles!!! It feels so good to be building back my endurance!
I am off work for the rest of the week and will continue my exercise and napping routine. sleep and exercise (and protein) heal a body good!

Music teacher, I'll be thinking about you and the others being banded tomorrow. It is soooo worth it!

Music teacher, I'll be thinking about you and the others being banded tomorrow. It is soooo worth it!

So excited about my progress...especially since my goal was 50 pounds in 6 months!
So far, I am loving my band!!!

Any surgery that you have in life will come with some risks...WLS is no different.
The risk of complications is smaller for the band compared with other WLS options. I chose the band because I did not feel rearranging my GI tract was a good idea.
I have followed the bandster rules, and I have experienced some medical complications related to the band but not caused by the band. They did result in 3 hospitalizations and having my gall bladder removed.
Yes, you will read about the problems with band slippage and erosion, and as noted before these are risks associated with having a band. What you may not focus on is that for every individual who posts about the problems they are having with their band, there are many others who are finding long term success with their bands.
Many times (no hard statistics on this) band problems are precipitated by the patient's non-compliance with the bandster diet or other rules we are supposed to be following. As with all things, there will be exceptions to this.
Only you can weigh your options, and make the decision if the band is the best WLS for you, or even if you are sufficiently motivated to make the life style changes for life that you will need to successfully achieve if you want to be successful with weight loss.
The band is no (pardon the play on words) "cake walk"...the band is only a tool that you need to learn how to use to be successful with weight loss. It requires daily focus on diet compliance and a life long commitment to exercise and healthy eating patterns.
Your post reads to me that you are still essentially undecided about what if any WLS you should have, and as such I strongly believe that it's advisable to delay your surgery until and unless you are sufficiently motivated for your own success.
It helps to continue to read and do additional research into the band...it is not designed to be temporary.
Best wishes as you consider your options...

If I were starting over, I think I would choose the gastric sleeve. It has a quicker weight loss than the band, but without the malabsortive issues of bypass and it has less followup requirements than the band. But let me tell you my history and you decide what is best for you.
I just got my second band put in 7 days ago (the first had a leak and my insurance, after much discussion, would only pay to replace what I had - a band) If I wanted to switch to a sleeve as recommended by my MD, I would have to self pay. That said, I understand that some insurance companies are beginning to pay for revision surgery on bands to sleeves or bypass, so check and see what your insurance company will cover down the road.
I feel great just a week after surgery and I feel restriction for the first time and I am determined to make this work. I had been successful with my first band by losing 80# before regaining 30# over the last year. I am determined to get a net weight loss of 100#. Check back in in six months and see if I have made it yet. Attitude goes a long way!

I appreciate everyone's concern. We are here to support each other and to kick each other's butt when needed.
I have had a good day and NO FEVER has returned. My port pain is greater than some, but remember I was a band removal and replacement, so the muscles where the port is attached did double duty getting the first port removed, then the new one clamped in.
My story in brief if you haven't read: banded December 2008. Lost 80 pounds in first two years. Started gaining weight in last two years - gained 30 pounds. Never felt much restriction. Determined thru testng over the last year that I definitely had a leak. Took 4 months back and forth with BCBS of AL (PEEHIP) to FINALLY get them to agree to replace and not just remove the first band. Removal and rebanded on August 20, 2012. The leak was obvious in surgery - the band was leaking, not the tubing or port - so i had a flat tire. I know I am swollen from surgery, but I actually feel restriction now. Don't ever remember this level of restriction! yeh!!!
Good luck to those being banded this last week of August. All of the August bandsters that have gone ahead of you are here to support you! Let us know how you do.

So, had LB on Monday, been an interesting ride. Started liquid diet on the 6th, lost 18lbs. Surgery on the 20th. When Doc went in, he found my stomach completely moved and adhered where it shouldn't have been. Probably a very old injury never detected. However it has had a major effect on me and my relationship with food, digestion. Lotta answers gotten. Anyway, fixed that, banded me. First day/night was hell. Got a lively cathador, sore and out of it. Tuesday much better. Went home. So as of Saturday I've lost nearly 30 lbs, feeling real good. sleeping great, minimal pain. Miss eating but not starving, miss the act of eating and chewing. Start with puréed foods Monday. Follow up visit. YEA!! Wife is doing well, not as well as me, she had a hernia repaired with her LB. causing some issues. Sorry to be long winded. Anyone struggling? Hang in, it gets better then great!

I appreciate everyone's concern. We are here to support each other and to kick each other's butt when needed.
I have had a good day and NO FEVER has returned. My port pain is greater than some, but remember I was a band removal and replacement, so the muscles where the port is attached did double duty getting the first port removed, then the new one clamped in.
My story in brief if you haven't read: banded December 2008. Lost 80 pounds in first two years. Started gaining weight in last two years - gained 30 pounds. Never felt much restriction. Determined thru testng over the last year that I definitely had a leak. Took 4 months back and forth with BCBS of AL (PEEHIP) to FINALLY get them to agree to replace and not just remove the first band. Removal and rebanded on August 20, 2012. The leak was obvious in surgery - the band was leaking, not the tubing or port - so i had a flat tire. I know I am swollen from surgery, but I actually feel restriction now. Don't ever remember this level of restriction! yeh!!!
Good luck to those being banded this last week of August. All of the August bandsters that have gone ahead of you are here to support you! Let us know how you do.