Katy517

I've had one fill so far and am due for my 2nd one tomorrow. So far I have zero restriction from the band. In fact, I'm physically aware of the band only because of an unresolved issue with my port sticking out and rubbing against my rib cage causing constant pain and discomfort. My appetite is strong and I can eat pretty much anything if I choose to, but am not doing so. I've lost a fair amount of weight, but it's a result of diet, exercise and will power at this point rather than the band.

I have a major problem with my port placement, which is near the bottom of my rib cage. Any bending at the waist causes extreme pain. My port also sticks way out and looks like a tumor. I'm told that the only resolution is another surgery.

Bump. Really hoping that somebody here has experience with switching insurance coverage after banding. Help please...

I was banded this year under my partner's insurance plan as a dependent. That insurance coverage option will no longer be available to me as of Jan. 2011 so I'll be opting back into my employer's medical coverage. I have two options under that plan - United Health Care PPO or UHC EPO. From what I understand both specifically exclude WLS. I've read conflicting information here though concerning what UHC covers. I've confirmed that my lap band surgeon is not included in either network. Am wondering whether post-surgical fills or follow-up visits will be included? There is no preexisting condition clause so that's not an issue. What I'm especially unclear on is whether the WLS exclusion would also exclude related post-op care. It looks like I should choose the PPO option if I want any portion of visits with my lap band surgeon to be covered at all. Also have an ongoing issue with my port. I'm two months post-op tomorrow and my port is still a constant irritant to me and painful doing almost anything that works my abdomen including bending over, sitting up, etc. It also looks and feels like a large tumor. My surgeon keeps tells me to wait it out and thinks it will get better and be less problematic once I lost more weight (currently 41 pounds down) but I'm not really hopeful. He's said that the only thing we can do to truly resolve it is another surgery. Am now concerned that I need to do that sooner than later if it would be considered WLS to be sure it's covered. Am also wondering though if that surgery should be covered by the surgeon since it's a problem arising from the original banding. I'm unclear on just where to turn to get answers to these questions so am starting here. Thanks.

You beat me to it. I was only allowed low-sodium cream soups post-op and was told to lose the salt shaker too.

If I'm reading the thread/title correctly it doesn't sound like the OP is ready for a fill yet and is still in the healing stage at just three weeks post-op. As others have written this is the period for recovery from surgery and not really for weight loss. There is some restriction immediately post-op from the surgery. Band restriction though isn't likely until you've had a few fills at least. In the meantime you should control what you can, your protein intake, make good food choices and get plenty of approved exercise. Hang in there and good luck.

Definitely wise to wait until you're pain-free from the surgery and healed completely. Be sure to check with your doctor to confirm that submerging in water is allowed at this stage. My surgeon doesn't allow bathing or swimming until six weeks post-op.

Caffeine-free herbal teas were really nice at bed time. Low-sodium cream soups were also a staple of mine during the post-op liquid diet phase. Very satisfying. I also enjoyed mixing natural whey protein with either Crystal Light or diluted clear liquid juices (no-sugar added white grape or apple mixed with 1/2 water). Don't forget your chewable multi-vitamins too.

I was instructed to do no exercise other than walking and also restricted from lifting anything over 10 pounds until six weeks post-op. That was then extended at least an additional two weeks until a follow-up exam due to some port issues. I'm still just walking.

I have a 14cc Allergan Lap Band and had no choice in the matter as to brand name or size. It's what my surgeon uses for all patients.

I'm 5'6' and was 259 pounds on the day of my banding on 4/15/10. My high though during the pre-op six month diet was 276. I weigh 236 now and my goal is 133.

In the meantime though, walk, walk and walk some more. I had no mushy stage, but from what I've heard many do gain during it. I think the key though is that this is your healing stage and not really intended for major weight loss. That will come once you begin getting adjustments and subsequent restriction. Good luck.

Pretty sure it was my 3rd day post-op. I didn't take any Milk of Magnesia to assist either.

Thanks for confirming that I'm not alone Sandee! Gas after a fill sure isn't something that I've seen mention of here. I guess it makes sense though given the procedure.

Thread title says it all. I think that I'm more gassy now than I was right after surgery. My fill was just about 72 hours ago and the extreme gas hasn't stopped. I've been doing a lot of walking and also eating right. Nothing that should be gas producing. Is this normal to have a fairly constant gurgling/rumbling stomach including pretty loud sounds after a fill? I received 6.5 cc in a 14 cc band and feel like I have fairly good restriction as I am getting that full feeling pretty quickly on not a lot of food. Thanks.

This really is a good thread. For those of you reporting breast size reductions, how long into being banded did that take? How many pounds lost and/or length of time? I never had large breasts until I gained weight kind of late in life so am really wondering if I'll ever return to being what used to be normal.

That's another great drink and can be diet-friendly when made from scratch instead of with the high-calorie mixes that most bars and restaurants use. Much tastier too in my opinion.

A nice Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir is my choice. In fact, tonight will be the first time since beginning my pre-op diet on 4/9 that I will indulge in anything alcoholic and a bottle of Cab has already been picked out.

FWIW, my nutritionist and surgeon both allowed decaf tea during both the clear liquid pre-op and full liquid post-op diets, but even decaf coffee was off-limits.

I believe the main reason is that it is known to irritate the stomach so would be especially bad during healing post-op. Best to get accustomed to doing without it prior to surgery. My nut recommended that I begin reducing coffee (and soft drinks) in the six months prior to surgery and then eliminate completely one month prior. That somewhat gradual reduction helped.

The liquid diet actually gets easier rather than harder so hang in there. I didn't like the shake mix that my nut recommended so kept looking and found one that I do like. It's very tasty mixed with Crystal Lite or diluted clear juices like white grape or apple, which were permitted on my diet plan. Trader Joes has a really tasty low sodium chicken broth too that I found to be very satisfying. Just hang in there, it gets easier and the fact that it makes surgery safer as a result of shrinking the liver makes it all worthwhile.

I was banded on 4/15 and had a hematoma and internal bleeding at the port site too. I'm still bruised from it, but when my surgeon attempted to drain it nothing came out. The port itself sticks way out on me like a tumor sort of.

I haven't taken a Nexium since my surgery on 4/15/10. For the prior two years I was on a daily regimen and without it would have horrible reflux. Also haven't taken a daily dose of Claritin since surgery and don't quite understand why I'm not feeling the need for my daily allergy med as I was before. Great idea for a thread.

It depends on what I'm blending, but typically choose between a traditional Osterizer blender and a hand-held blender. The hand-held is great for smaller portions.

I just had my first fill this morning. It was done in a hospital radiology department by a radiologist. I was initially given 4 cc in a 14 cc Allergan band. I didn't report any special sensation at that level and 3 cc more was inserted for a total of 7 cc. At that point I reported feeling tightness in my chest area as well as the urge to burp from the barium and 1/2 cc was unfilled. That seemed to feel OK to me and the procedure was finished. I was asked to sip Water and wait 20 minutes in the waiting room to be sure there were no ill after-effects and there were not. It's about 4 hours later now and I'm having a Protein shake made with Crystal Light. It's going down OK, but I'm drinking it pretty slowly. I'm told not to eat solids for 48 hours, but at this point am not hungry anyway. It would sure be nice I think to (like the OP) get full on 6-7 bites after just one fill.