saraincincy

Hi All,

I haven't been on in a while, busy with life. I was banded on Jan 11th and just had my second fill last week. I'm down about 25lb which I feel great about (no pre-op diet, lower BMI). I have a question about Sliming v/s PBing.

It seems like since my 2nd fill I am much more restricted and even after 2 bites of oatmeal, I find myself bringing up salavia (I guess that won't go through?) Is that what is considered PBing? I know you need to try and stay away from PBing, and i'm not really throwing anything back up~ no food. It's just like nothing can get threw. I know this may be to detailed but I'm not sure if I should go back for an unfill, the last thing I want to do is cause a slipage but not sure if I'm just going through a learning curve. I know I need to learn to slow down and eat MUCH smaller bites. I feel like it is great that I finaly have restriciton but not sure if it is to much. Is this normal?

Sorry to ramble but any advise would be great.

You guys are the best.

Congrats to all the great losses!

Sara

150$ out of pocket w/ Dr Curry in Cinciny first visit is 300$

I was just banded in Jan 07, so I would by far say I'm an expert on this. Before surgery I was VERY worried about not being able to eat good food and enjoy food ( my husband is a professional chef and we are both very much foodies). I find the biggest difference is I no longer want cheese burgers and fast food like I did, do I still have a bit of "bad" things like pop corn at the movies or a couple M&M's with the kids yes but I find it is still working for me, overall my choices have been MUCH better and I am just now getting to the point of feeling some real restriction. I have lost 25lbs in 8weeks and I am happy with that. Yes many people have lost more and been stricter with there choices but I think you need to find what works for you. If I was only eating 600 calories a day I would not have the energy to be active like I am and there for build muscle back up which then leads to more calorie burning. Any way I don't mean to be long winded but I think that it is possible to lose and live a normal life, I eat salmon, Salad's from McDonalds (grilled chk) Wendy's Chili, lot's of tuna and wheat thins for lunch, lots of fresh foods not processed. I have lost 10% of my body wieght with not a preop diet and very lienent post op diet, I have yet to feel hungry and believe that I made a great choice. I just wanted to add to the mix that there can be a "real" life after the band again I am not saying I am a pro and that I know how everyone is but this is my story.

Nope they wouldn't even send it through ;(

Oh well. Maybe I will be a lucky one and won't need many fills.

Crossing my fingers.

Hello all,

I remember seeing on here that a couple of people that paid out of pocket or even Mexico Bands got fills covered by insurance? Does any one have any info on this, like what insurance companies covered it, and how did they send it through? I am getting my first fill this week and would love to know if it is a possiblity to send it to insurance as a specalist procedure? I have United Health Care which is supposed to be pretty good about covering band ( and would of coverd mine if my company didn't have a discloser on weight loss surgery). I was banded in Mexico, and plan on using Dr C in Cincy for the fills.

Thanks in advance,

Sara

Welcome C.M.

You may want to jump over to the "January Bandsters" (If you haven't done so already) lots of people in the same spot and a great support system. I was banded about 4 days before you but luckly found this board before hand and it has been a great help.

Congrats on the incredible loss, even though I'm sure it's been a tought road.

Sara

Actually, I hope you're doing better than me. I am wide open and have no restriction any more. I going on sheer willpower at this point and I'm not happy about it. I want to get a BIG fill and get this band working. Apparently the stomach takes a millenium to shrink back down. I feel sure my swelling is down (since no restriction) but I have to wait on the fill. How are you doing??

Carole

I am in the same boat, I'm trying to make what I do eat a Protein which seems to help with the hunger but really the only Proteins I can handel is tuna and eggs. I have never liked Tuna and all of a sudden I'm eating it twice a day. I hate to admitt it but I have also been eating way to many illegal things~ Wheat thin crackers with my Tuna, baked lays with my Tuna, handful of kids pop corn. All things that I shouldn't be able to eat but manage just fine :phanvan At least soft bread's (a bite of a soft pretzel, bite of pizza) definatley are a no go, one bite and It feels like a lump which makes me stop.

What are you eating, have you been able to eat ANYTHING or just to much for your liking of legal things.

When are you going to go for a fill? I am thinking about trying to aim for 5 weeks instead of 6 but we'll see. At least I am still losing.

Keep in touch it's good to see someone in the same exact spot.

Sara

Hey Carole,

I had my band done the same day as you and have lost the same amount so far. I guess we are true band twins

Hope all is going well.

Sara

Cindy,

I just wanted to say that there is a huge variety of Post Op diets, some Dr's do allow for meats on the 2nd week. Mine also allowed for tuna and chicken that is very soft. Just saying that to each his own. One does not mean that it is better than the other. I have yet to see any evidence that eating meat to early with hurt your band. I'm sure if this was the case that Dr's would not allow it. As for the emotional attachment I couldn't agree more, we all got our self and if we don't change our steps we won't end up very far i'm sure.

I am 2 weeks Tommorow and really do feel pretty back to normal, yes I have some slight port pain when I pull it or move the wrong way but nothing enough to let others know about. My stomach muscels are much better. I had an easier post op diet, but really by choice stick with Soups, yougurts, oatmeal and very normal easy to get things. I don't think you would have any problems at all. Jump in and do it the sooner you'll be ready for summer :mad:

Hey Amy I hear you on the fiber thing. I went 14 Days! after surgery not going, not fun. I am now a daily oatmeal eater,~ at least until I get burnt out on it. Did you guys know that Cinnamon is a appietiet ( I know I spelled that wrong) suppressent. I have been adding just splenda and Cinnamon to a runnier Oatmeal and I almost have to be reminded about lunch.

Congrats to everyone on the Awesome wieght losses already.

I wasn't going to wiegh in for a while but had a Dr's Appointment today and they kind of made me. I'm down 10lbs (maybe more but I didn't wiegh right before surgery) which I am happy about since I didn't have a pre-op and only really a week of full liquids after. I also had a great drop in blood pressure which I am excited about.

O.K sorry to rambel.

Hope everyone is having a good hump day.

Sara

Susan,

I feel the same way, I (as probably many of us) am and have been for a long time addicted to food. It is hard to get your head around the idea that you will be satisfied with 1/4 of the amount that you used to eat. I think it will come with time and of course we will all (O.K most) mess up along the way, but now when we mess up it just isn't a nother pound or 2 it HURTS! I think in time we really won't have to put as much thought into it, it will be second nature.

I for one didn't want to have to be on once again another Diet, I have been down that road SO many times, I truly am changing the way I eat, if not always the right choices at least it will be in very small amounts.

I also just bought a podometer so I can try and reach 10000 steps each day. It's actually been eye opening to see how many steps my normal day is lacking! and has pushed me, I am not a big exercise person but hoping this will get me moving.

Good luck,

Sara

Ouch, Susan I so feel your pain. I was just thinking that I need to get my work bag stocked with things like Soup in a can and they even have instant oatmeal that is sugar free that isn't bad (Brown Sugar). I am going to have a hard time at work being at at a desk for dinner time, I used to just pick up a subway or sandwich but now, I'm not sure what I'll do when on the run. Is there anything we can eat from a drive through? The only thing I could think of is a Baked potato from Wendy's. It is nice that I am definately going to save some money, but need to have a back up plan always ready.

Hope the rest of the day goes better Susan.

Sara

Just my 2 cents but If you do go to Mexico, choice a hospital not a clinic!

At least for me that was the hardest thing about the trip, the culture shock of the clinic.

Hi girls ( is it all girls on here?)

Just wanted to update with my BIG mistake.

I was given the O.K to have soft foods on Friday, so I've been doing well with mostly yogurts, Soups, shakes, a couple bites of soft veggies. Then tonight hubby (who I will instert is a Chef) decided to beer can roast the chicken (the one I bought to make some soups with!) it smelled so good all day roasting away smelling up the house, and yes even though my little paper says Chicken (moist) is an O.K I never really planned on eating it,

But there I was making the kids plates up and a little nibble here a little there, along with a big cup of Soup (roasted pepper and black bean along with a tiny bit of l/f shredded cheese). Well you can see where this is going, I had a major stuckage (is that even a word). I thought I was going to die, I paced the house for a good 15min and lifted my hands above my head and tried anyting I could . My lesson is learned, I am sure I didn't chew it well enough or slow enough. I am just praying that I didn't do any permenant damage to the band. So my advice is even if you don't "think" you have much restriciton with out a fill trust me you could and probably do!

No more meat for me for a LONG time.

Sorry for rambling.

Sara

Texasiissipi ~ where were you banded, you look really familiar.

I was banded by Dr A Rodriguiez last week.

Sara

Hola,

Well I am just over a week, and started on "soft" food on Friday, I thought I had no restricition since Soup, yougurt, oatmeal, everything was flowing fine and then tonight I decided to try some chicken (roasted very moist) and let's just say found out I definately have restricion! I won't be doing that again anytime soon. I would say I had my first stuck food. Yes my Dr does have chicken as a O.K food for week 2, and I am sure I ate more than I should have. Let's just say I have learned my lesson, you do NOT want to do that! leave it up to me to test the waters ;0

Nicknack,

At day 2 post op you are very much in recovery mode, try to get as much fluids in that you can no matter what they are (besides carbinated) I had a really hard time at first b/c I couldn't get enough fluids in. If you have someone there to help remind you to keep sipping ask them to give you a nudge. Go get your favorite juice and make sure you have it with in reach all the time~ I found the sugar in the juice would help give me a little energy instead of just Water and broth. Do NOT let yourself get dehydrated, that can become very dangerous, and once you get dehydrated it can go down hill quick.

I'm sure Tommorow you will feel tons better and then up from there.

Keep in touch on here, it will help get you through it.

Sara

Hi Donna,

I'm right there with you (even the 3 kid part) I was banded on the 12th in Mexico, and luckly have been given a pretty casual post-op diet, but I have already caught my self many times by spitting out a grape while making the kids lunches or spitting out Cake batter while making the Birthday cake!~ it's habit. Which got me in trouble in the first place I'm sure but still hard to break. I almost went with De La Garza, glad to hear it went well.

If you haven't already done so join us over on the January Banded link.

Take Care

Sara

I am post op one week today and was given the O.K for soft foods~ the list even said chicken on it (??) but I am sticking with mostly full liquids, cream Soups and yogurts in with Protein Shakes. I did just have a couple of bites of very watery oatmeal with yougurt hopeing that it will help get the wheels turning inside if you know what I mean. I have also noticed quite a range of post op diets, I personally feel you have to listen to your body (as long as you don't end up at a Mc'y D's) If you think you need something a little heavier than clear liquids ask if you can at least have one meal with a full liquid like cream Soup or even a Protein Shake.

Take care

Sara

Hi everyone,

I am on day 7 and feeling much better. Although I think that I am finally less restricted, which stinks b/c I was hoping that I would be one of those that doesn't need a fill for 3,4,5 months. I was aloud to move on to soft foods today, which I was going to try and put off for as long as I could but ended up having a couple of bites of yogurt and oatmeal (splenda and Cinnamon only) because I have had a horrible headach probably due to very low calorie intake (like maybe if lucky 500) and felt fine, I probably only ate a 1/4-1/2 C but didn't even get that lump full feeling like I have in the past with even Soup.

I also just realized that I am the giant amung all of you, most of you are hovering around 5ft while I am a good 6" (really 6"1). My BMI was a 35.5 when I started, I am not going to wiegh myself for the first couple of weeks but can tell that clothes I wasn't comfortable in just a week ago are now comfortable. (which I am sure is mostly Water wieght)

Hope everyone has a good weekend,

Sara

I am newly banded but, just wanted to say that you can still take meds, I am on an Antibotic that is cut in 2 for twice a day instead of once bc it's so big but besides that everything else goes down fine, you have to realize that your band is not filled right after the procedure so although banded, and probably swollen you still have plenty of room for things to go through~ hence why I am STARVING right now!~ O.K sorry that was just my head hunger jumping in. I just think I'm starving :scared:

Good Luck,

Sara

Hola, everyone I am back from band land down south. Only five days out and I'm finally HUNGRY! I was just checking in to see what everyone else is eating and feeling bad that I am such a loser I can't take the short time to the next stage since most of you have been on liquids for double what I was told to do.

Also thought you guys would be amused that 24hrs after surgery they (the Dr and crew) encouraged us to walk at the local mall, for some exercise and said we were "aloud" to have a milk shake if we wanted to! I thought this was strange after reading so much on the boards about strict Clear Liquids only for weeks after. I know that we are to be on liquids to let the stomach heal but I'm now wondering how just as pre op diets varied that the post diet could be so different. Thankfully I really didn't want anything the first couple days after being banded and had to force myself to even drink h2O.

Anyone else had such leanant POST op diet restrictions? Am I missing something that makes a milk shake a clear liquid??

Hope to be jumping in here now that I am on the "Band"wagon.

Sara

Sorry to just jump in here girls, I just got banded last Friday so I am a big Newbie, but I was just wondering who you have your insurance through Nat. Beauty? I have read a couple of people who have been able to have fills through insurance and I'm trying to figure it out for the future.

Also a big congrat's on the wieght loss I am about an inch taller and have the same goal wieght. Hope to be sittting where you are in a year or so.

Thanks for the inspiration!

SAra

I am not banded yet but it sounds like you are in the stage that everyone has been saying is the hardest. Stay in touch here on the board. Just think about the long run one year from now life will be much better! I am talking out of my butt right now but since I'm not in your shoes but will be in about one week! I'm off for my band in 2 days! If you need a band buddy feel free to lean on me, you can guide me along and hopefully we can keep each others head above water!

Take care,

Sara