sherilynn

As silly as it sounds, what I did to help myself get through the pains of these new kinds of burps; I would 'extend the length' of the burp. Almost like pushed out more air (past the pain part) - do you get what I mean? Almost exaggerated the end of the burp. My biggest fear was the gas - and I was one of the worst sufferers of it!!! ONLY me!!! lol :myscared: ....not really ONLY me. Being here on LBT - I knew what to expect for the most part. Not until you actually LIVE it - do you know it.

Dave, I wish you all the luck in the world. This is so exciting! Congrats on your date! Yes, this is a scarey time - but also a great time to gain the most information as possible. Knowledge is power. And there is no better place than right here on LBT for support of those of us who KNOW - and are going through the exact same stuff you'll be going through. Good luck - and see ya around!!:clap2:

The same thing happened to me. Burps post surgery were not the same as pre surgery. And right after - it was VERY painful for me. Mine lasted like that for 11 days - and it was hell! I think because of all the swelling it was so different. I walked and walked and walked - was the only thing that seemed to help. I did the Gas-X strips - didn't help. Oh lord, I wanted to burp so badly. Once you get onto full liquids - it will come. Good luck, and congrats!

Hey January Bandsters, Is anyone else now experiencing heartburn? I'm meaning those of us who did not have a heartburn issue before surgery? I'm not sure...but yesterday, around 4 p.m., I started with some bad heartburn. And here I am again today - around the same time- feeling some heartburn. Coincidence? Maybe. Foods shouldn't really be an issue - not eating anything crazy either day. Heck, could be stress for all I know - tomorrow is my first day back since surgery. Just wondering if anyone banded around the same time as me is in the same boat. Sheri

Shues!!! Congratulations! I said that if I ever hit the lottery, I'd go back to school for my degree in marines sciences. My passion started years ago with my trips to the islands, swiming with the dolphins and scuba diving. Oh wow...you'll have to get pics!!!!:myscared:

I stand corrected. Now it's SIX days...and I'm sure we'll make it to 7, 8, 9... :drama: :bewaremod:

Hi Kimmie - WELCOME!!! :welcome: You're definately in the right place to get the most information out there - hands down! Definately be sure to keep a really good record of all paperwork, all converstations with folks from insurance especially. Get their name, last initial (if they don't give you their whole last name), date and time you spoke with that person. Just helpful hints that I got - that helped me out a bit. The one thing that I did (that I'm very grateful for) is I started a photo record of myself as well. I am wearing the same outfit in each. I've done the pics every week. Sure, I can't see much in every picture - but even just the way the clothes fit me differently now makes a difference. And I've started a scrapbook of the pics - so months from now, I can look back and be proud!!! Again, welcome and good luck in this CRAZY journey!!!! Sheri Lynn:girl_hug:

I TRIED to give it to my cats - They wouldn't eat it!!!!! lololol:cat: :cat:

I'd like to know the answer as well, as I just got one last week - and started with it this week. But I'm a month out - so it shouldn't be a problem.

I suggest sugar free candies to suck on, you will have a dry throat after. Your hair prob. won't be looking so hot...I wore home a hat. There was no way i would even attempt a bra, so luckily I had worn a shirt/jacket that would cover me well. I even wore my schearling slippers to the hospital.

I just saw my billing from insurance, and it came in at just about $30K.

Not drinking with eating is definately now the hardest part for me. I don't drink for 30 minutes before or after. I'm sure the time will come where I may feel I HAVE to drink - and I will probably pay for it in the end.

Hey Shues, I would say that the thing I didn't 'like', or have much of before surgery was milk. But I've been having at least ONE glass of 'Plus' skim each day. I'll either have it with my protein mix, or even have it as a treat for myself with the Hershey's Light syrup in the evening...warm - to help me sleep. I've also got on this kick with tuna salad with pickle relish. Don't ask why. lol I did try the Bumble Bee Tuna Sensations; Sundried tomatoe and basil....NEVER again. I like the 'small packaging' of items like that; portion controlled for me! But that flavor...UGH...disgusting - IMHO. As for eating chocolates now, with the PMS thing going on....I've gone over to the dark side. Been buying the 65% cacao chocolate. Milk chocolate I can eat forever. The dark satisfies me sooner.

I can eat about 1 cup, or about 8 oz of proteins/veggies. I was 'told' my upper stoma can only hold 1/4 cup....Yea, right! I don't have good restriction right now - no fill. I can drink Water as if I don't have a band - no more sipping for me. But what's funny is that I don't always push it to 1 cup. I am trying to eat as little as possible, to see when I feel full. I take my time to get the brain signal. 20 minutes per meal. I don't eat to see HOW MUCH I can eat before feeling anything. I'm also eating 5 or 6 times a day, higher Proteins.

I too love salads. But our rule is to eat proteins first. I'm afraid if I do salad at my meal, I may not get in my requirements. I'm just now released into week 5 diet - whatever I want. lol So I'm being cautious. Just finished 1/2 tomatoe with some tuna salad.

Fortunately for me, the digital scale I have at home, and the digital scale at the doctor/surgeon weighs me EXACTLY the same!!!! However, when I weight naked at home, and clothed at the doctors - there is obviously a discrepancy. Oh those dreaded scales!!!!!

Wow, thank you for the explanation. I had no idea how horrible of a 'problem/disease' this is for folks! I wish you all well!

Maybe NOW the thread can be killed? It was a three day 'good bye'.

Right now with such limited restriction, if I see that scale go up...it's just not right for me, mentally. It's almost a feeling of diet failure - again! I know right now - I should be all about healing. OH yea, sure, whatever!!! lol I also know that the scale WILL flucuate daily, hourly. But when I weigh in, that fact goes OUT THE DOOR! Ugh. I'll weigh in another week. Then on 3/15 for my 6 week follow up. :faint:

I'm sorry to be so ignorant :embarassed: ...but can someone please explain to me what GERD is? I was under the assumption it was a sort of reflux, but I think I may be wrong. Anyone?

I had an appointment with a General Practice doctor today, first time meeting him. The nurse rushed me in, weighed me - and off again. HONESTLY, don't even know what I weighed in at. However, I think it's a blessing in disguise considering: I have always weighed naked in the a.m. Today I had on jeans, a sweater and heavy leather boots (we've got snow here on the ground). So if I was UP a good 5 pounds, I'd be devestated. So I was thinking I'd get my scale back from dear old Dad and just do a weigh in tomorrow - as once every two weeks is 'healthy' mentally for me. Then I remembered...this is my PMS week. I would simply be setting myself up for tears if I were to weigh in tomorrow. So...I'll wait another week. I will say the clothes are NOT tight; actually now fitting into things I haven't in three years. You're right - the scale is a 'tool'. To me, the scale is torture. I remember my Weight Watchers weigh ins. I would nearly hyperventilate when stepping up.

Ohhhhhhhhh, beware of that "Last Supper Syndrome"!! I had no pre-op diet, just liquids 24 hours before surgery. I didn't have 'crazy' large meals. But...I DID make sure I ate EVERYTHING - varying night to night with dinners out, etc. Luckily, I never gained a pound. Ironic, isn't it!!?? lol Good luck!

The first couple of weeks after surgery, I was obsessive about getting on the scale. Why not, it was GREAT to see the numbers go down EVERY DAY! Then around my 16th day, the scale went UP! I got so obsessive about the weighing - I did it about 4 times a day. My Dad told me that he was going to take the scale away - because I was making myself crazy. I was concentrating on weight loss and not on the healing process. Then the hunger came, and I started to eat - sensibly, and of course my restriction is not what it was the first 15 days either. So now, I have not weighed myself in nearly two weeks. I'm afraid to - b/c I don't want to see any weight gain. Is this a smart thing to do at this point? I don't feel like I've lost, though the clothes are fitting much better. Should I get the scale back and weigh in once a week, or wait until after my first fill - Around March 15? Because it's not until after I start getting fills that I can have restriction, eat less - and of course expect some weight loss. Opinions??

Congrats! Isn't that the best/scariest feeling ever!!!!!!!!!!

I put another call into my surgeon again today. I told them that my insurance does NOT have a 'global' period. The doctor WILL see me for my 6 week follow up; but was told I won't get a fill at that time. What really sucks is having to take the time off from work for separate visits like this. I'd like my 6 we f/u appointment to coincide w/my 1st fill. But, I knew I'd need time off for things this year - so I've alloted the vacation time. I'll see what happens when I get my 'call back'...maybe another 3 days.... Funny, to collect money how fast they are to get back to me. hehehe