5jacks

So is the 4cc band and the 9.75cm band the same thing? I was told I had the 4cc band????? Was just banded a week and a half ago and don't have my first fill till the end of February. My belly is anything but small and I have well over 100 pounds to lose so just wondering. Thanks!

Sounds like you've got it under control! The only other thing I could say is find out from your insurance company how long it usually takes for a decision. When the surgeon sent in my appeal I waited for a long time with no response from the insurance company. Finally after 5 1/2 weeks I called the insurance company myself....found out the paperwork was in the wrong department, that very day they sent out a letter with the approval info. Guess what I'm saying is the doctors office's have a lot of papers going in, if it has exceeded the time usually allowed then check in to it yourself, don't wait.

That was the same pre-op diet my dr. gave.....just drink water every time you would of reached for something to eat. I thought it would kill me but it wasn't that bad!

I had my surgery 1/18.....was tender for about 4 or 5 days. Today, 9 days out, was the first day I forgot all about the surgery! Don't get me wrong, I've been almost pain free, just a little pulling and tenderness so I can't complain.

Find out what your insurance requires. Then, if you've met all the requirements, the surgeons office should file all paperwork with the insurance company for you. Then you wait to see if approved or denied.....if denied the insurance company will say why and you work on it from there! That is the way it was my my situation....some are better, some worse. My insurance co. wanted a psych eval after a 3 month dietician approved diet. After that was complete, we filed and they came back with a denied decision. They said I needed to prove I had been overweight for over 5 years.....got ahold of Gynecologist and regular physician, produced paperwork, surgeon filed an appeal and I was approved about 6 weeks later. Good luck, hope everythings works out well!

It's really important to follow your doctors recommendations. Having said that, I was banded on the 18th of January, was on liquids (anything that runs off a spoon) for 3 days. Then was told thicker liquids, runny mashed potatoes, thicker soups, malt o meal, etc. till my 1 week post op appt.. When I went in on Friday, was released to mushy foods, soft meats like fish, no hard proteins like chicken, beef or pork. My doctor described it as things you could chew a little but that mashed when chewed?!?!? So glad you're doing good....9 lbs. is great!!! I had lost 16, counting the 2 week low-fat preop diet, but then the monthly thing came along and just now getting that 4 pounds back off again! Keep up the good work and good luck!!!!

I would actually like to be a little "looser"!!!! I had surgery Jan. 18th and have only been 2 times since then! Before the surgery I was an every day kind of girl. Gonna try some apple juice today and see if that get's things movin'.....Can't beleive I'm discussing my bathroom routine with everyone.......

Well, I made it through my first day of solids....no hard proteins!!! Had a one egg and cheese omelet for breakfast, 1/2 cup turkey potato soup for lunch, and carrots and potatoes from a stew for supper. We had friends over last night and there was cheesecake.....yes I had a small sliver and yes it was good, but not as good as the omelette this morning! I've made it almost 2 weeks now with no Diet Coke and no sweets until yesterday.....never thought it would be possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!

O.K., had my first week post op appointment! Doctors records show 21 pounds lost.....I show 16, think I'll go with the docs!!! Have also been realeased to mushie foods so that will help this hungry feeling a little bit. Audree....would love to go on the South Beach diet program.....just gonna have to wait another week or two till I can eat meats and more solid foods. Sunshine2....glad to hear your doing better. We were banded on the same day and it scared me when you were in so much pain afterwards! Good luck to all upcoming bandsters! Thoughts and prayers will be with you!

Welcome!!! Feel free to ask any questions you might have....hopefully one of us can get you an answer! How are you feeling?

Cindy, When I first read your responses over the past few pages I was ticked to say the least! I was like, how dare she tell us what we should be doing, we know what our individual doctors rules say. Then I started thinking about what my doctors instructions were and realized I was "pushing the envelope" so to say! I was told runny liquids for 2 days post op, then thicker liquids till the first week appt.(tomorrow), things like soups, mashed potatoes, thicker, runny things, if that makes any sense?!?! I was extremely hungry one night, had only had 530 calories and had drank all my water. I was one who had the micro-ravioli (about 1/4 cup total), since then I've steamed cauliflower till it was mushy, made cheese sauce and eaten cottage cheese. Not much of any of the thicker things, usually only 1/4 cup, but not "following the rules" by any means! So, instead of being ticked, now I'm thankful for you setting me straight and making me realize this isn't something to mess around with. Guess I'm just anxious to get started and wanting to rush things along. SO, thanks to you for making me think about what I'm doing.....now I need to go find some soup for dinner!

Congrats Edieday, don't forget to take pictures too! I'm only a week post op but I've been told that when the scales don't show a loss you can see a change in pictures! Will be thinking of you this week.

So sorry you feel that way. We don't mean to leave anyone out.....and please don't think it's because your a guy! Most of the posts never say the gender of a person. Please ask again, I'll try to answer, went back a few pages and the only post I seen from you didn't have any questions. Please feel free to stay but if you choose not to then we'll still be praying for a safe surgery and quick recovery. Lisa.

You guys are the first people I "visit" each morning and the last ones each night. Even though we don't know each other we are still connected in what we're going through together! I would also like to comment that there is another monthly bandster thread out there that is not getting along at all! There is so much negativity that it can't be positive thing for a newbie wanting answers to look forward too! Thank you all again for giving me a warm, pleasant, honest place to visit on a daily basis!!! Have a good day and congratulations to all the new bandsters!

My doc said he doesn't do a fill until 5 weeks.....I'm going to starve to death by then! I've been really good till today (5 days post-op) and tonight I'm starving! Finally decided I needed something besides soup.....shouldn't have done it but there was some micro-ravioli in the cabinet that the kids wouldn't eat and I did! I only ate about 8 or 10 of them and I mushed them up really good and wow it was fantastic! Didn't think I would ever say that about ravioli!! Good luck to all of tomorrows bandsters.....thoughts will be with you!

Which doctor are you going too? I was banded by Dr. Malley in K.C. Mo. on the 18th!

I hope the gas goes away....that's my only problem right now! I've come up with a less "exposed" way of getting in that position.... We have a recliner that lays all the way back, you know the ones that when the kids jump on you it falls backwards! I've been laying in it for the last hour with my feet up in the air, definitely can feel a difference. Good luck to everyone having surgery today.....thoughts and prayers are with you!

Here's another question that just "popped" in my head..... In that position to release the gasses......exactly which end does it come out of??!?!?!?!?

Thanks for the gas realease idea Audree....as soon as it's out I've got this thing licked!!! Think I'll wait till everyone is asleep before I try it!!

I love the K20 water!! My favorite is the lemon but the strawberry kiwi and tropical punch are good too. Still looking for ideas on getting the gas out of my chest/rib cage area. I hope that's what it is......usually doesn't happen unless I'm walking or standing. Then there is a sharp pain, sometimes I burp and the pain goes away, other times the pain goes away a little bit later. Other than the gas pains and being a little weak I feel great. Any ideas would be appreciated!! Congratulations to everyone just banded, good luck to all being banded in the next day or two!!! Also congrats to the nsv's I've heard....can't wait to have one of my own!

I agree with Gayletx.....I'm 4 days post op and still a little shakey, light headed. Can bend over to pick up things but wouldn't want to linger there for long. I think I would come up with a "sick" excuse just for the one night!

Tulip... My second day home I was really shakey. Started adding up my calories, protein, fat grams and realized I wasn't getting much at all. THe 2nd day home I had 345 calories and 17 grams of protein, 3rd day I got it all the way up to 550 calories and 27 grams of protein!! It's hard when the doctor says only liquids for a few days. I have been eating broth, egg drop soup (blended well), potato soup, protein drinks, k20, orange juice smoothie with protein powder added. Last night I was able to start on thicker things like runny mashed potatoes. Going to try Malt o meal this morning and refried beans and cheese for lunch...... I'm afraid to eat....a first for me.....ever!! WHat are you allowed to eat? How many calories, protein are you getting in?

I was afraid/ unsure of the same things. My surgery was last Thursday (Jan. 18) and all is good. Personally I don't think you would be human if you didn't worry a little bit! I haven't had very many problems at all. Chest pains because of the gas caught in there but other than that and being a little tired I'm good. I keep thinking that I lost all that sleep worrying for nothing! I haven't even had pain killers except right before bedtime...just in case! Relax, trust in your doctor and everything will be fine (I know easier said than done!).

Sunshine....YES! I couldn't focus on anything for a couple of days. The anesthesiologist said that some of the meds they gave me could cause blurriness. We were banded on the same day and I'm finally clear headed today(Sunday). I couldn't even read or see to sign the waiver during the barium swallow. Good luck, but if it doesn't clear in a day or two I would definitely call the doctor.

I'm checking in too Audree! Can't get rid of the gas pains....seems to have gotten stuck up in my ribs or something! Husband thought maybe it was the muscle where the band was placed but there is a sharp pain and then a lot of belching....kids think it's funny! If it wasn't for the gas pains I would be fantastic! I still can't beleive I have a band!!!!!! For supper tonight husband went to a Chinese restaurant and got me some eggdrop soup, pulverized it in the Magic bullet and it was great. Of course there was enough there for about 3 meals!!! This is going to be such a life changing experience.