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I was wishing a real pro at this with more than I think 5 years would answer this and she DID!! Thank you Jachut! You have the best advice and knowledge on this subject. I always look forward to reading your post! Cheri

I took a pair of PJs because after surgery I did not want to put my jeans on so I took my PJs and some socks and put them on for the ride home. I also took some foundation (makeup) because I could not have any make up on during surgery. (that is just me I like at least some powder or foundation on) I could not have fingernail or toenail polish on either so you might check if you have to take any off before you go. The most important thing is that pillow for the ride home, not to lay your head on but to hold against your tummy in case of bumps, rail road tracks, I used it for several days when walking outside. Also take your meds that you normally take before surgery as they will not give you these at hospital. You might want to check with you Doctor about this as yours may say something different. I took my anxiety, antidepressant and blood pressure and Thyroid meds in the morning before I left home as per my surgeon. I would also talk to your regular Dr about a prescription of antibiotics for bladder infection. I got hit with a very bad bladder infection just a couple of days later due to things put up inside you during surgery. Then you do not have to go to Dr while you are recovering. My Surgeon said it is very common to leave with some type of infection sad to say. @ of my friends with different Doctors and different hospitals experience the same. Also some people like to take a camera to document the experience. The person that took me brought out a camera and said well when do start taking pictures as to which i told her to had over the camera and I would give it back to her when she took me home, no pictures. but that is just me you may like to do that. Cheri

I have been banded 2 years too and I still need to lose 15 lbs to really be happy with my weight. But I picked up a flyer at the clinic the other day offering weight loss plan, I am always looking for a way to get the last 15 off, but I know the answer, watch my food better and work out a little longer and harder. But that “easy way out” never leaves my mind. I think I have lived with it too long. But I love my Band, it really has been my lifesaver I knew I could lose it if I had just a little help which the Band provided. I would like to hope one day I could change my way of thinking. How about some input from some who are Banded 4 and 5 years and longer. Cheri

I totally agree with Elcee. Feel free to e-mail me or private message me anytime you want to talk. My e-mail is on my profile. We all need support this is an neverending battle, a new lifestyle. Cheri

I had a bruise the size of a baseball and right under that was my port. If you are bruised it should be under the biggest bruise. Hope that helps. I agree it hurts and very uncomfortable for a good week but so worth it so hang in there! Cheri

sorry double post

I would not rule out a couple of sessions of counseling. It will help you to accept yourself faster and deal with any lingering triggering thoughts. A good counselor will not keep you coming back forever. Maybe one session will do it. Counseling is freeing! God luck! Cheri

GREAT! for you! Cheri

That is an old post. Start a new one if you want/ It will be more updated Cheri

So what did they do to fix your slips? Unfill or surgery? Cheri

I am 2 years and a couple of months out. I have vomited on and off since I was banded. Just because you vomit does not mean you will have a slip but you could. I have had fluro with all my fills or office visits and I have never slipped. So vomiting DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL SLIP! But you should avoid it if you can as you could cause a slip. If you have pain or can not keep anything down that is a sign of slippage, but I have also heard of people who had slippage and no signs of it. The best thing to do is avoid foods you know you will for sure have trouble with. And with foods you can eat, chew, chew, chew. The vomiting every morning I do not get unless she eats in the morning she should have no food in her pouch. Some of the vomiting has been my own fault not chewing enough, but some just happens. Dr not sure why but fully aware of it. Not everyone who gets the Band will vomit. I have friends 2 and 3 years out who have never vomited. Everyone is different. Cheri

R,R. I will be praying for you. I hope they can remove it and no cancer, Blessings to you! Blessings Cheri

Wow all of them closed? Why? Cheri

Congratulations Dave! I must agree with everyone you are always so nice, and your post uplifting!! Cheri

When we were in grade school we thought our teacher knew everything too. I would like to believe everything my surgeon says and I am sure I do most everything, but I still research things. In church and your Pastor preaches ( I love him ) and what to believe everything he says too but don't think people don't go home and read the Bible to make sure that is what God said or the Bible says. How come some people without Bands can eat a whole pizza and others just a few slices and are stuffed Cheri

I was also told they the Surgeon decides what you need when you are opened up. I have a 10cc band and only have 3.8 cc, At one time I had 4 cc but was too tight so I had .2 taken out. Now a 1½ later since my last fill/unfill I am going in for a fill again. People with the 14 cc that I know have to have many fills to get some restriction. Just hang in there you will get there soon. Ask for a larger fill when you go in, some doctors will give you more, but my Dr would only give ½ cc at a time. he liked it slow and steady. But if you are self pay and have a large band it could cost a fortune by the time you get there. request a larger fill each time. How does the good medical professional think the Surgeons decide . . just seeing whats in the drawer today, flip a coin, close his eyes and pick one? Cheri

Wow Cindy C you have lost a lot of weight congratulations to you!!!! Cheri

You've wanted the lap band for so long? Me too and I am down 80 - 84lbs depending on the day and 2 years out, no problems really. I do not regret it at all. Am I always going to "feel" the band in me? I agree I DO NOT believe anyone can feel the band. If they think they do they should talk to their surgeon and he will help probably recommend that person seek counseling. Now the port is a different story. I could feel mine in the beginning and now you really can. But I do not feel it from inside my body only if I touch it on the outside of my body. But it makes it easier to get fills. My Granddaughter always wants to feel it Will you be able to eat solid foods? After you go through the first month or 6 weeks you will be eating solid foods as you advance there will be some foods you might not be able to eat. Everyone is different. Some are very limited in what they can eat and some are not. I think people could probably eat whatever if they went very slowly and chewed alot. You are not going to feel deprived as there are many many foods you can eat. Is it bad to throw up? I also agree with this but I have vomited on and off since I got the band. One time so much I busted a blood vessel. I would say 75% of the time it is my fault not chewing enough or eating something I have no business eating. The other 25% not sure why but my Doctor never saw anything wrong on my fluoros that I had everytime I went in for office visit. I have never had a slip or had to have a total unfill. I had a very small unfill once when I was too tight. Can I get pregnant? Do not see why not but I think they like you to wait a while maybe even a year. I have a friend that got pregnant with twins at 10 months post opt and she if doing great. Talk to your Dr about this. Will I be able to live my whole life without this band negatively affecting me? Nobody can tell what the future holds for any of us. Like the last poster said follow the rules. I plan on having mine till the day I die, and hopefully that won't be for a long time I think you should stop stressing about everything it is not good for you. Anything you are not sure of call your Dr. Some people call their Doctor several times a week so they are use to it. My Surgeon was very nice and he would answer any question I ever had. Not sure why some people think they made a mistake right after they had surgery. I woke up the next day and thought I dreamed the whole thing and had to pull up PJs to see if I had scars. Was so happy I did. Just tell yourself you are up for whatever comes your way! You made the right choice I bet. Hang in there and stop doubting yourself. It is done now so just go with it. food is just food, but skinny is great! Send me a message if you ever have a question you can not find an answer to and I will help you find it. Cheri

After I was banded all I wanted was a hotdog and I hate hotdogs! I could smell them everywhere in my house, at the mall, everywhere. But after about a month it went away. Wonder why this happens to all of us. I also seem to watch the Food network more and Cakes Boss, why do we do that? Cheri

I have vomited since I first got the band 2 years ago. I do not slime like I have seen my friends who are also banded do. Sometimes it is a PB like thing. I just have to cough and up it comes. The first year I vomited so much that I busted a blood vessel. But never a slip. I was one of those people (preband) who would suffer with a stomach ache instead of vomiting and getting it over with so vomiting to me was not a happy experience. Sometimes I think do not chew enough, but other times food can hit my pouch and it is total rejection it all comes straight up like a rocket. Sometimes out my mouth and through my nose which is very gross. My Surgeon never found anything wrong with my band or the placement of it. I am not too tight but have experienced it and got a small unfill. I just have learned to live with it as it is not everyday but several times a week. I do not think many people really vomit from the stomach but from their pouch. Sometimes when I vomit I start to get the dry heaves and have to just calm myself down to stop it. Everytime I have gotten a fill or been in for a check up I have been given a flouro (x-ray with barium) and only the surgeon does the fills no nurses. For some reason that is just how my body responds. As gross as it sounds I would rather do that then slime for 30 minutes so much that you have to spit it out every minute as one of my Banded friends does. I am not sure why I vomit except I do accept blame sometimes for not chewing enough or trying to eat something I know is a no-no. Do you really think you can vomit from your stomach below the pouch? I do not see how it could come through the band unless it comes with so much force as like through the mouth and nose. Sometimes when my meds hit the pouch and I drink the Water to wash it through it comes straight up. Just my luck I guess. I am still working on eating slower and taking tinier bites 2 years out, but I am down 84 lbs and do not regret my band at all. Some times it take old dogs more time to learn new tricks. Cheri

I will be happy to talk to you. I am older (50) and my boy is grown up but I do have grandbabies that I keep and pickup from school plus work a job so I know about busy. I am 2 years out and have had no problems really at all. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk it is easier to get me through my work e-mail crodriguez17@comcast.net. If you prefer to talk with someone closer to your age not to worry it will not hurt my feelings. I sure soon many people will want to talk too.. Cheri

Hey, My other group I sometimes meet with is going to have a meeting this Saturday at 1:30 pm at the Cas Ole in Alvin on the corner of Highway 35 by-pass and Highway 6. Most people eat lunch but if you don want to you could have a glass of Water or Tea or a cup of coffee. Please try to come if you can. It is just a few people but they are all very nice. I will try tomorrow and call you and the other 2 who wanted to meet. just in case you don't get the message in time. If you need/want to bring your kids they can sit at the table next to us. When we make our own meeting plans we will find a more kid-friendly place. But they have been meeting there for years. Cheri

I miss Dr Spivak so much. Which Doctor did you see Yu or Scrabrough? I am seeing Dr Terry Scrabrough as they told me he will fill me with Omnipaque which is what Dr Spivak put in my Band since the begining. I go on the 22 of Sept. Dr Yu will not. I will let you know how it goes Cheri

Sorry double post

Everyone go back and re-read her post plese. The only thing most are talking about is eating a hamburger. She did not say they were big hambugers. Maybe kids meals. So forget about that and give her your best advice. She I am sure she knows what she was not suppose eat, But things happen and we all lose control. I do not think you need another fill unless you are feeling hungry beween meals, (not head hunger) but real hunger as you do not think you can wait till the meal. If you are getting hungry before the next mealtime then I think a small fill might be needed. I think you are retaining some Water. Might want to up your water intank. Only you know how you feel. I say get one and if you need to go back for a small unfill most Dr, don't charge for the unfill. think we all need to have out head checked out I am 2 years out and still have trouble with head hunger and emotional eating. Cheri