Mjv013

During fluro they lay you on a x ray bed thing and the person doing the fill can see your port and just slides the needle in. Once its in they stand you up by making the bed move. Fluid is removed to be sure you still have the same amount in that is documented then put more in. You swallow a bit of barium that they can see go down that way they can tell stuff goes down and check to be sure your pouch is good. You'll drink a bit of Water to be sure all goes down. Easy as pie I think. One stick and your done. I dont think it hurts at all.

I felt like that too. Even though your on liquids, Water, water, water!! I couldnt stand drinking water in the morning until something went down first with flavor. I drank a lot of the kids fruitable box juices. But the meds from surgery can play havoc for a few days too. Dehydration just sucks but get 64 oz of water in daily not including juice. It will get better shortly!!

It sucks but its a good time to start having conversations with yourself and relearning to enjoy life without it revolving around food. I dont know how your diet is but I did one week with 2 liquid meals and 1 regular then 1 week of all liquid. Just switch it up a lot and and dont be afraid of spices. You'll figure out flavor over quantity will be your friend.

Good luck your almost there!!

Glad it worked. I've never used it and my fills have never bothered me. But my Dr doesnt do blind fills either. Under floroscopy they can see where the needle is going therefore never miss. I think if I had to get stuck more then once I would opt for it!!

Anything that helps is ok in my book

I like squash and zucchini. Especially spaghetti squash! I love cherries, watermelon, grapes, peeled apples and kiwi. I also love green Beans and cooked spinach. I like most veggies cooked. Im really not a raw veggie eater but I do like carrots and grape tomatoes. Good luck finding some you like and work!!

It is not the funnest thing in world but if you make the right decision, it will be ok. Like any surgery it does come with some pain and discomfort. I personally did not take any pain meds. But I am one of those people who just doesnt unless its bad. Use gas strips to make the gas more bearable, drink lots of Water and I really enjoyed gogurt tubes, Jello and SF popsicles. After a few days you wonder why you were so afraid. Move around as much as you can even if its to the mail box or end of driveway. Moving around helps the gas pressure and that is the worst part. Keep a small pillow around so if you have to cough or sneeze a lot just press it to your stomach and that helps you feel more secure against your incisions. I learned that after a prior surgery. Dont worry too much. Most people have a fairly easy time. It is what you make of it. I think the worst part of everything is the emotional grieving you do the first couple of week. We are all here to help you through as we have all been there.

As for food. You have to get your mind use to thinking about food differently. Plan family gatherings and parties around something else besides food. I personally can eat absolutely anything. Some food are a bit more tricky to eat or some foods I just choose not to eat. bread I can eat but it fills me up too fast. Steak I can eat but it takes so long to chew into a good consistency that its not worth it to me. So far I havent found anything I "cant" eat. Use the resources around you to help. Its a lifestyle change you are committing to not just something that makes you not hungry. Cause trust me, if you eat slow enough, you can still get just as much food down as before.

Good luck and it will be fine.

CJM10- Congrats! I pray everything goes well and you can hold on to both!! I never did IVF but we tried and with "some"help from a specialist but it took us 17 years. I do agree its Gods timing! What an exciting time. I look forward to hearing all about these babies!!

I have to say close to 2 weeks. Maybe a few days earlier but I remember being very aware and being tender on the scars but it was good. lol

I dont think I ever felt just 100% I'd have to say about 4 to 6 weeks post op I felt about 200% better. I just woke up one morning and felt fantastic. It will take a few weeks so hang in there!!

Congrats!! I struggled for 17 years to get pregnant. My band has been great for me through this pregnancy. Ive gained a total of 18 lbs but lost a few recently. My Dr said I am perfectly healthy and my son seems to be on the larger side so he is getting what he needs. Also I was told that it is common to lose a few lbs the last month. That seems to be me. I think I would be miserable if I gained anymore then this. I have not had an unfill but I also didnt have morning sickness.

I hope all goes well for you and you can get comfortable soon. Ill be 36 when this one is born and want 1 more but Ill probably be 38 or 39 if I can even get pregnant again.

Good luck!!

No. I was banded in Springfield at St Johns. Well I guess its Mercy now. I loved going there. I dont have a Dr here yet but I wont see one until after my son is born. Then Im only here for a few more months and then PCS time again!

I left FLW in May! I could of used a buddy too. I hope you find someone local to hang and chat with. Even though none of us here are local, we are always here to lend and ear!!

I could only wish I could sleep on my stomach after surgery!! it took me about a month to do it comfortably. I think I started to roll more to my stomach with a pillow for support about 3 weeks. But one day all the uncomfortablness and pain was just gone. had no problems again until I was 20 weeks pregnant.

I absolutely hated the book. I refuse to read the rest. It wasnt the content it was the writing. It felt like a teenager wrote it. Bad writing from my stand point but that is just my opinion. I do like to read as one called it "book porn". It just better be good writing and a bit more real for me. I agree that judgement and trust play a huge role in how women act. I am not inhibited with people I know at all. But.... upon meeting some one I dont just launch in to a sexually charged topic. Well, not usually but it has happened.

If your only a few days or a week or so out I wouldnt really worry unless it doesnt start to feel better. I know the first few weeks the port area especially can get sore. But you have some trauma to the area due to surgery. Just trust your instincts. If you feel something is wrong get it checked. Chances are its fine but you know your body. Lay down and relax and see how you feel in the morning.

Yep, swelling. My Dr only requires it for 24 hours and then softer foods then regular diet.

You can always try switching it up but your body will only lose what it wants to when it wants to. Lots of Water really does help and remember if you do strength training that muscle weighs more then fat. But if you are staying satisfied for 5 hours why would you want a fill? You still have to have enough calories a day to lose weight too. If your eating less then 1000 you probably wont lose weight. My personal optimum caloric intake for maximum weight loss is about 1400 a day.

I lost weight a bit slower while on them but still was on a steady track. It just depends on your priorities what you want most. Would you rather have a bit slower weight loss (I was loosing about 2-3 lbs a month). or getting pregnant. I know I would rather wait until I was healthy enough to get pregnant so it was worth it to me to take BC. Let me tell you, I stopped taking BC and got pregnant 2 weeks later so be careful

My Dr doesn't do fills under fluoroscopy so guess it depends on your Dr.. I pay co-pay b/c I went out of the area.. None of the Drs in this area would do the band for me. They said my BMI was too high to be successful so I found someone who would but I have to drive a ways.

Too high to be successful?? Really??? Wow!! Glad you found someone who would do it for you. My total amount to lose from surgery to goal was 147 lbs. Not one thing was said about me being to over weight.

I never paid a co-pay with prime. I also got pre-auth for about 4 months at a time no limit on fills. When I passed that deadline, the Dr's office filled another auth and I was approved everytime. I am now under standard but have not needed a fill. But I will need to have it looked at after my son is born to make sure its all good. Ill have to see how billing goes for that.

Oh and all my fills were under fluoroscopy. I had about 12 of them in 14 months.

That is wonderful! I'll probably be able to get off my bp meds as well!! How much did you lose? How long did it take? Thank you for responding!!

I was banded Oct 2010 with a starting weight 297. By Feb 2011 I think at that time I was about 245-250. I came off my bp meds at the same time along with supplements my Dr had me on for swelling, high homocystine levels and cholesterol. That was 4 months time. I did take Iron supps for a while and was off of those by summer. However, I am 8 months pregnant now and back on Iron but 1/2 of all pregnant women are anemic due to additional blood for the baby so Im not worried at all. Also, I have only gained 12 lbs in 32 weeks so it has been a tremendous help. I truly believe that the band is the only thing that has helped me.

I HAD metabolic syndrome. 4 months post op my bloodwork came back perfect and was removed from all my meds. It just disappeared!! Weight just melted off and all my medical issues 1 by 1 disappeared too. Lap band saved my life and helped me get over that hurdle that syndrome X'ers have. Best tool ever!!

Even veteran banders have days that we arent exactly proud of. Just except it and move on. If you just keep in mind that a slip up is not the end of the world it will be ok. We all had fear and doubt. Emotionally it will be the hardest after SX but each day you learn something new and each pound will strengthen your resolve to make good choices. Dont worry you will do great.

It truly gets better. About day 3 I sat on the computer reading only the horror stories crying my eyes out wondering exactly what I just did to myself. I promise you get gets easier each day and one day the pain is gone. It has turned out to be the best decision in my life (except marring my husband). Move around as much as you can and dont feel bad if you need to nap or just lay down.

Yep it sure is!! For a few weeks after you may have to hold a pillow tight up to your stomach to cough or sneeze. It will hurt and feel like your insides may come out!! 2 days ago you had a port stitched to your muscle and it will be sore. You may have a few strange aches and pains but nothing should be so bad it scares you. I did not take any pain meds so I felt EVERYTHING. Its not so bad and one day soon all those weird pains will just be gone!!