happy2lose

This is a question you really should ask your surgeon. You may need to call your doctor who prescribed the Lipitor and see if there is another medication you can switch to that is smaller or can be broken or crushed.

Swelling is not fun! You are getting a glimpse of what restriction feels like with the swelling. After my last fill I was too tight for nearly 2 weeks before going back for an unfill. It totally sucks to be so swollen you can't eat or drink. Taking my pills was such an ordeal I would rather not remember. Did your doctor tell you to return to clear liquids until the swelling goes down? This is what you should have been told.

Hunger is very normal at the stage you are at. Not much you can do on clear liquids to keep hunger at bay unless you just keep drinking water. The s/f jello and s/f popcicles help some. Are you able to have clear protein yet?

Any drug store should have them in the Vitamin section. I think even Walmart carries them. You should get some papaya enzymes too for when you have stuck episodes.

Jeff, You definitely should not give up and live this way. At 27 years old I strongly urge you to consider having the sleeve procedure if your insurance will cover it. I have seen several people who went the route of the sleeve and they are doing great. I'm really not too sure that you would be happy with the the slow result obtained with lapband. Please do more research on the sleeve.

I have always taken a multi-vitamin and continued doing so a few days after surgery. Just be sure to crush them if you are unable to swallow a large pill. Most people take chewables after being banded. I highly recommend Viactiv chewables. You will also need to take calcium. I take vitamin D and Biotin as well.

I can totally relate to this. Some people are such assholes. Please forgive the language as this is the only name that comes to mind. I have found some of the most educated people are the rudest of them all. In my case, I am pretty outspoken and generally my thoughts come out of my mouth unfiltered when I am around people like this. I wouldn't hesitate to put them in their place if I were you.

You are not alone in either of your issues. I began losing my hair at 4 months post op. Just like you, I thought maybe I had dodged the bullet but no, I didn't. My hair is still falling out like crazy several months later. The loss is not due to lack of Protein in the diet as some speculate. I eat more protein now then I ever have. I take Biotin and other Vitamins and am not deficient in anything. I also feel your pain in regards to my face looking older now that its thinner. I guess we have to take the good with the bad huh? Save your money on surgery and wait until you are done losing your weight. Perhaps you can find a surgeon that will give you a package deal. This is what I am hoping for. Take care and don't sweat the small stuff, Donna

Don't feel bad about neglecting to name your band........I've had mine for almost 7 months and have never even considered giving it a name. How neglectful of me! Hehe.

My surgeon told me to expect the port pain to last up too 6 weeks. I believe mine stopped hurting somewhere around week 4. Hang in there, it does get better.

Wow! We see many inconsistencies from surgeon to surgeon but the no NSAID's rule has always been pretty common between surgeons. I sure hope it doesn't cause you any problems with your band.

You are not suppose to be taking NSAID's. You need to let your orthopedic doc know this. NSAID's such as motrin, advil and many others can cause ulcers in the stomach. This is why we bandsters are not suppose to be taking them. Call your surgeon immediately and let them know what is happening and contact your ortho and ask them to prescribe something that isn't an NSAID.

You should be feeling pretty normal around 7-10 days post op.

I had many, many fears go into this surgery. You have described a few of them. I think the two weeks prior to my surgery I went through every emotion known to man and woman. What you feel is completely normal. Do these fears mean you will not be a lapband success? Not at all! Just means you are logically thinking it through. I will tell you the band is not a magic cure for obesity but I'm sure you already know this. It takes a great deal of commitment and motivation. It is not a diet. It is a lifestyle change. Think it through and I'm sure you will arrive at a positive conclusion. I can tell you that food no longer has the meaning in my life that it once had and that my only regret is not embarking on this journey sooner.

Welcome to banded life and your journey to a happy, healthier, more confident you.

Ugh! Men! I have a feeling everything is going to work out just great in the long run.

I forgot the most important thing.....CONGRATULATIONS! you are on your way to a healthier, happier, more confident you.

EXACTLY! We are very proud of what you have accomplished. Now that you are so damn gorgeous the women in your workplace are jealous of you.

It will get better in a few days. Call your doc and ask for some anti-nausea meds and start taking Imodium for the diarrhea. What you are experiencing is completely normal.

Hello, Another self-payer here. I couldn't afford the cost $23k to $25k for surgery near my home so I opted to have an experienced and highly recommended surgeon in Mexico perform my surgery. My cost, which included hotel stay, hospital stay (2 nights), anesthesia, two awesome surgeon's and lifetime fills was $7,000. Like many bandsters say, my only regret is not doing it sooner. Donna

PB is when you burp and food comes up with it.

Considering you've lost 92 pounds I'm assuming you drink diet sodas correct? Diet soda has been linked to many health problems. To name a few: kidney failure, cancer and yes, obesity. I guess my assumption that people who get banded are wanting to live healthier lives is completely incorrect.

Ya'll have me convinced I need an elliptical :thumbup:

You too elcee :thumbup:

Hello, From you post it sounds like you are doing great. Why are you doing it without any restriction? Seems like it would be harder then it needs to be relying solely on your will power.