withtheband

Was banded December 2009 but finally filled for the first time 2.5 weeks ago. I vomited a lot on Monday and again on Friday. Now I can eat just about anything, I don't feel restriction anymore, just this dull pain between my port and belly button that become a sharp pain when I eat. Something doesn't feel right. I don't have insurance coverage that will pay for anything regarding removal, revision,etc. I'm scared to death now and not sure what to do. I know that the surgeon stitched the band to my stomach. Maybe a stitch just popped or something? So scared! Please help! Thank you

You asked how long I've been banded. Was banded December 2009 but finally filled for the first time 2.5 weeks ago. I vomited a lot on Friday. Now I can eat just about anything, I don't feel restriction anymore, just this dull pain between my port and belly button that become a sharp pain when I eat. Something doesn't feel right. I don't have insurance coverage that will pay for anything regarding removal, revision,etc. I'm scared to death now and not sure what to do. I know that the surgeon stitched the band to my stomach. Maybe a stitch just popped or something? So scared!

Hi On Friday night I got food stuck and vomited slime for almost 4 hours. Yesterday night I had a meal and felt very little restruction. Issue is that since then. I feel that my band slipped. I have a sharp pain around my stomach area, around where the band would be. When I eat, it hurts worse. Am I bruised? Could I have torn a suture? Has anyone had this? Please help! I pay cash to go ot the doc and get get in for 2 weeks anyway. I'm scared. Hopefully I'm just bruised. Thanks

It's the Protein shakes. It gets better. Try "milk free" or "lactose free" options. I found that Worldwide Pure Protein Shakes worked best for me. Remember, every time you poop, you're losing weight.

This seems to be the hardest part for me so far. How do you guys do it? I'm always so thirsty after I eat, but I know that drinking will just wash down the food. What do you guys do? Chew gum? Ice Chips? Cry and wait it out? I'd love some advice. thanks

I had my first fill on Wednesday. Last night I had a piece of Tilapia and some fat free refried beans. 8oz total food and I was stuffed (physically) however I wanted to eat about 400 more pieces of fish mentally. This thing is cool.

My port is on the left too. Maybe it depends on the handedness of the surgeon?

Not even joking. I tried a search but came up empty. Everything is so specific. I'm hoping someone can help with more general info. In a nutshell, I was banded in December 2009. Lost my job and insurance, couldn't afford follow ups and never had the band filled. Gained 60+ pounds. Finally filed and today is last day of "mushies" before getting back to regular food. My new surgeon told me I should get full pretty quickly but didn't follow up with suggested menus. I know I should eat protien first, then veggies, starch last, but any ideas, suggested meal plans, etc? How much does it take to get a person full? I know everyone is different. I recognize I sound like an idiot, but it's been SO LONG and we never went over the basics. Just 'eat slowly, chew a lot, no liquids 60 minutes before or after eating'. Any help or links to other resources would be helpful. Also, what do you guys do for "mouth hunger"? I'm full in my stomach, but in my head/mouth, I'm ready to eat a cow. Advice would be great. thanks again.

It's a very helpful site and there's lap band people on there. I've only been on for a few days but I think the tool will be helpful once I recalibrate it for my needs. Feel free to add me... "withtheband"

Hi Everyone! I'm Jason and I'd like to join the group. Here's the twist. I was banded in December 2009. Issue is that it was completely devoid of any saline and was never filled until 2 days ago. The surgeon believed waiting 6 months before the first fill and in that time I lost my job and also my insurance. I'm thankful that I found a new job last summer and I love it, but it's a small company and the insurance covers NOTHING regarding the lap bands, not fills, not the doctor's visit, not even the cup of Water they give you when you walk out the door. So, I'm finally filled. I have the "big" lap band (14cc's I think) and he put 5.5 cc's in there under a fluroscope. He said with that, I should feel very uncomfortable if I continue to eat like I've been. 2 nights before I went to a Sushi buffet and closed the place down. I've had ZERO restriction and could eat unlimited amounts of anything. Right now I'm on yogurt and pudding and tomorrow I can start with blended stuff. (or just scrambled eggs since there's NO WAY I'm blending food) Sad thing is that the day of surgery I weiged 290. The post op, mostly liquid and no carb diet brought me down to 251 at my lowest in March 2010. As of 2 days ago I was 319. That's a gain of 68 pounds since surgery. Needless to say, I'm ashamed. I've been able to save up over the last year and have found a new surgon who will take credit cards so I'm paying for follow up myself. This is motivator #2 or 3 for me. So for all intents and purposes, it's like I was just banded but worse because I don't remember the protocol very well. I found a new surgeon. I finally have Fluid in my band, and I'm scared to death of what lies ahead. The new sugeon's support groups start up again in 3 weeks so this site is all I've got. Please adopt me. I have to succeed. I'm 36 years old, fat, diabetic. have apnea and a 3 year old daughter I want to be around for. Help....please. Thanks Jason

Jessica - You and I have almost the same situation but I'm actually 28 pounds more than pre surgery. I had the band in December 2009 but never had a fill till 2 days ago. After getting the band I lost almost 70 pounds but started eating "normally" and found I had no restriction. Maybe we can help each other? I definitely need some, and you and I seem to have a very similar story. Jason

Hi Everyone! I'm Jason and I'd like to join the group. Here's the twist. I was banded in December 2009. Issue is that it was completely devoid of any saline and was never filled until 2 days ago. The surgeon believed waiting 6 months before the first fill and in that time I lost my job and also my insurance. I'm thankful that I found a new job last summer and I love it, but it's a small company and the insurance covers NOTHING regarding the lap bands, not fills, not the doctor's visit, not even the cup of Water they give you when you walk out the door. So, I'm finally filled. I have the "big" lap band (14cc's I think) and he put 5.5 cc's in there under a fluroscope. He said with that, I should feel very uncomfortable if I continue to eat like I've been. 2 nights before I went to a Sushi buffet and closed the place down. I've had ZERO restriction and could eat unlimited amounts of anything. Right now I'm on yogurt and pudding and tomorrow I can start with blended stuff. (or just scrambled eggs since there's NO WAY I'm blending food) Sad thing is that the day of surgery I weiged 290. The post op, mostly liquid and no carb diet brought me down to 251 at my lowest in March 2010. As of 2 days ago I was 319. That's a gain of 68 pounds since surgery. Needless to say, I'm ashamed. I've been able to save up over the last year and have found a new surgon who will take credit cards so I'm paying for follow up myself. This is motivator #2 or 3 for me. So for all intents and purposes, it's like I was just banded but worse because I don't remember the protocol very well. I found a new surgeon. I finally have Fluid in my band, and I'm scared to death of what lies ahead. The new sugeon's support groups start up again in 3 weeks so this site is all I've got. Please adopt me. ...and.... if anyone can tell me if oatmeal and or cream of wheat is a "heavy liquid" or a "mushie", that would be awesome. If anyone has any threads that are favorites, please let me know those too. I have to succeed. I'm 36 years old, fat, diabetic. have apnea and a 3 year old daughter I want to be around for. Help....please. Thanks Jason