JMinDallas

Does anyone have an idea as to how much tax credit it is for WLS? I was self pay, paid about $10,500.

I don't get stuck to the point of sliming, but just a slightly painful lodging of food. It's happened with bread, but only when I take a big bite without thinking first. Before my fill, I was able to eat a PBJ sandwich fine. After my 1st fill (now onto my 2nd fill) I can't do bread very well at all. I've had a really small piece of it, and it got lodged for a few moments. I have had pasta and rice, but same thing. Since my fill I have to take sm bites of it and it does ok. I tend to stay away from them.

When I first started eating, I noticed certain foods didn't agree with my tummy. It seemed to take a good 6 wks for my stomach issues to settle down. I would just be mindful of what you eat, and drink plenty of liquids.

Yes, I had the same 'pain'. I think it's the gas still coming out.

I would get into the dr. It's probably an ear infection. Weird, I had an ear infection 3 wks after the lap band.

I notice the fill immediately. I had my 2nd fill yesterday, and drinking the barium stuff felt dift right away. I'm still on liquids, and I have to drink real slow or it kind of gets stuck, almost like a burp that needs to come out. Hard to explain. I did notice after my 1st fill two wks ago, that I noticed a difference after a week or so. I'd have more stuff lodged if I ate too quickly.

I had my first fill almost 2 wks ago. I'm the same way...breads and meats are not working well for me. I do notice if I chew them really really good they get lodged a little in the chest area, and then they release and go down. I too can eat a 3/4 to a cup of foods, I'm just watchful of what I choose to eat. I go for my 2nd fill next week and I'm a little worried it will get worse when eating certain foods.

I had 2 wks of liquids (I cheated a little by eating some mushies), then soft foods for a few days, and then went into a few more solid foods. I noticed when I get full I'd start to get stuck. Nothing bad, but I could feel it going down. That was my sign to stop eating, and I would. I started going out to eat about 3 wks post-op. I have a toddler, so I'd order something and him & I would share it. Or I eat from the appetizer menu. I've gone out to eat many times and haven't had any problems. Also, I've eaten ice cream several times and have had no problems. I've eaten McD's vanilla, popsicles, and other stuff. I don't eat a lot of it. If your family is going to eat, go with them. I'm sure you can eat a good soup there. And don't worry about the scale right now. You're still healing.

I'm the same way. I'll get stuck up high too. I try to remember to take really small bites. Eggs get me too. I don't normally drink when I eat, but if I eat a hardboiled egg, I usually have a small sip of water. Helps to get it down.

NONE! I'm 2 months post-op and love my band! Where else could I lose 30 lbs in 2 1/2 months!

Walking helped a lot. Even just walking around the house. Heating pad at night on the shoulder helped to get through the night. I also used the gas x. I would say about day 5 I noticed a huge diff in the gas pain being gone, or just occasionally hurting.

Glad there are others! I was banded 2 months ago as well, and you've beat me by a few lbs on weight loss. I just had my first fill yesterday, so hopefully I'll continue to lose.

Sounds like you need a fill. How far apart are you getting them? Can you go more often. I've only had one fill (yesterday) and have more cc's than you...so I would think you need more. My meals haven't been all good or elaborate up to this point. Bowl of Cereal in the morning (oatmeal, or regular cereal w/milk) sandwich for lunch (egg salad, tuna salad) w/bag of 100 cal chips, or lean cuisine meal Apple for snack w/peanut butter dinner is a variety - could be chicken and rice, or Pasta, or some meat w/ vegies. I serve myself small portions and don't allow myself to get seconds even if I'm still hungry. I'll have a sf popsicle for after dinner as a treat. Once I have another fill, I'm sure my portions and what I eat will go down.

My butt thankfully! It was practically growing up my back! LOL! My thighs, my waist. I don't notice as much in my boob area, but around it has shrunk. My side boob handles are shrinking! I'm still wearing the same shirts & capris, just with a belt on the capris. Dresses & skirts I've noticed differences. Some are too big and fall off, others that didn't fit, fit really nicely.

From what I understand, in general it's not good to throw up with the band. Yes, I've heard they give you meds to not throw up if you have a stomach virus. What I'd do is tell the anesthesiologist to give you some anti-nausea meds. I had a hyster last yr, and recovered really fast and well. No issues at all with being sick or anything (I didn't have the band though). So I'm sure you'll be fine.

So glad to hear that! Things like this worry me, since I'm also self pay. Take it easy. You've done an awesome job! Keep it up!

I use the dr's, since I don't own a scale. It's been a little tough, since I went about once a month, and I didn't know how much I've lost. I bought a balance board for the Wii, so I used that last week. I'll wait til I go to dr on Monday and then use the balance board to see the diff btwn the two, so I can estimate loss better. I don't want to get obsessive and weigh myself constantly, so I'll do it once a week.

I too was the same as you. I didn't take any of the pain meds besides Tylenol, and just at night to help with some of the gas pains. I did have some left shoulder gas pains, but moved around a lot really helped. By day 2 I was up and about. Had to keep reminding myself to be careful with the kids because I didn't feel bad. I had no swelling at all and minor bruising around the 5 incisions. There are many of us who do well, but most don't post how good it went. It's usually to ask for help on problems someone might be having.

I didn't tell anyone either. None of their business. Don't want anyone judging me. My hubby and my sister are the only ones that know. I even at times regret telling my sister (but she helped finance me!) since she says are you sure you can eat/drink that? OMG! Glad she lives in another state and only visits every few months. I've had people ask if I've lost weight. I say yes, just trying to eat better (which is totally true) and that's all I say about it.

I was really similar to you. I'm now 6 wks post op and nut didn't give me a fill, since I'm doing good without it. I can eat about 3/4 to 1 cup of food. I can eat more at times, but usually later in the day. I don't usually allow myself to eat a lot even if I could. He did say most people have anywhere from 1-3 cc's in their band. Something like when they flush out the line and then cut it, some cc's remain. I would suspect you probably have some saline. Enjoy it while it lasts! I'm hoping mine continues!

I too felt the same way you do. I'm a self payer, so even more so I worried if this was the right thing. I am still worried about it at times, but I don't let it consume me. I read the negative side of things to help me get a better perspective as to how I should be, and that has helped. I read where people say they can eat whatever they want and they're not full. Well, we shouldn't be eating whatever we want...we should try eating better, even if we do feel hungry at times. I've lost 30 lbs in 2 months! I am still amazed that it's happened! What has helped me though is to try and watch for the signs from my body. When I feel satisfied I get up and take my plate/bowl to the kitchen. I'm not stuffed, nor do I ever feel that way any longer because I don't let myself get that way. I never force myself to eat a large amount, I don't even serve myself a large amount any more. I still go out to dinner, and I share it with my toddler. Usually 3-4 bites for him to my one bite. That has helped a lot! It helps me to breathe in between my bites, and also takes a lot of food off my plate so that I'm not tempted to eat. Best to you! Keep us posted on your progress!

So I went for my 1st fill today. Kind of nervously excited about it. Since I don't have a scale at home I didn't know if I've lost any weight this past month since my last check-up (so 6 wks post-op). I lost 10 lbs in the last 4 wks! Nut said no reason to give me a fill since I've done so well. He said to come back in 4-6 wks, but if I felt hungrier I could come back sooner. I know it's hard to judge, but do you think I'll be on of those lucky ones who doesn't need a fill? Or does this staying full last only so long? He said I probably have about 2 cc's in my band from surgery. It's a little strange, but I almost feel a little sad I didn't get a fill. Nut laughed and said he could poke me with the needle if I wanted! I'm just glad I'm still losing. I was so afraid I'd be one of those that didn't lose anything.

I was self pay, since my insurance doesn't cover WLS. I made the mistake of giving the hospital my insurance card, since they told me in case I have a hernia. I just looked at my insurance online and the hospital billed them $63,000!!! My insurance paid $43,000!!! I have no idea what they billed them for. If it was just for the hernia repair, or what. It doesn't give me details. Does anyone know if I can fight the hospital and ask them to give me back the $6000 I paid them? That was supposedly the only amount I had to pay...I can't imagine the hernia alone costing that much money. And my dr billed them for the hernia I think, as well as an assitants fee. Both were not paid, since it falls under the amount for my deductible. Any ideas on what I can do? That seems like a ridiculous amount of money, and darn it, I want my $6K I paid back!

Would you tell me what app you use?

You're comments worry me. I too was self-pay and have insurance, but they don't cover WLS. I had a hernia repaired that I didn't know about beforehand. My deductible is a whopping $5K, so I'm hoping they don't bill me or my insurance, cause I can't come up with more money for that too. Hospitals are usually behind, so I figure in the next month or so I'll know if they billed it out.