Sabrina0916

I have not heard of an allergic reaction to the band but anything is possible. I would contact the manufacter, whether it be realize or lap band and speak to their customer support system. They may be able to tell you what components are in the band itself and you should then talk to your physician/allergist to determine if this is the case for you. I hope it isn't!

Hey everyone!! I got banded 12/13 and lost ~14 pre-op and 10 post-op. I haven't had a fill yet. I am confused as to when one should get a fill, if I need a first fill and how everyone feels when they feel they have reached their "sweet spot". Am I hungry all the time, my answer is no. I have noticed I am thinking about food more this past week and have to rely on will power more than I had to the first three weeks. I ate a Morning Star Veggie Pattie and tried to eat green beans, a few spoons of yogurt and I was hurting!! What the heck happened?!? I'm thinking I overate but not quite sure what constitutes needing a "fill". I'm in this limbo, any advice would be appreciated!!

Hysterical. I'm an "itcher" too. Not really the incision itself, usually proximal to it. I think it was worse last week and Monday will be my 4th week post op. I think it may have to do with a vitamin deficiency, I am agreeing with protein. I also am noticing that my nails are a little more britte, skin dry. I could be drinking more and am hitting the protein!!

Kim, Post op was rough for me too. I stayed two days in the hospital because of the pain I was having and sooo many narcotics make me sick to my stomach, I almost insisted I stay for the IV pain medication. The following days weren't necessarily painful for me but I did have a great deal of discomfort. I am a stomach/side sleeper and thought I would never get a good night's rest. If I had to take a guess, I bet I could locate the size, diameter of my port because I am so aware of the discomfort. For me, days three and four were significantly better and things did make a turn for the better. Hang in there. As far as shakes, I think they are pretty horrible too but the ones I seem to tolerate best with a good amount of Protein in the Injury chocolate one and the Jay Robb chocolate whey protein? I hope this helps. As far as the hunger, I tried to get out of the house more and that worked to some degree helping to keep me distracted. I bet this time next week, you'll be feeling much better!

I got sucked into an infomercial on Zumba but it looks like a great form of exercise but definitely a skill that one would advance in over time. Just wondering if anyone out there has tried it and if anyone had thoughts on it. Thanks!

Think of it as two weeks behind you! I would ask your MD how to proceed

It's very interesting about the incidence of some of us banders getting sicker than normal. It isn't like your digestion has really changed, and you are taking vitamins regularly. I think one's body can react by becoming ill after a stressful event like surgery. I would consider the flu vaccine. We are also not as young as we once were. As far as sinus infections, have you ever heard of a neti-pot? I highly recommend one.

Amber, I too think you should give a call to your doc (don't think twice about having someone paged, they would rather hear from you then not hear from you). It is hard to say what is normal and what is not normal for you. Not sure if you have any chronic conditions or if you are taking enough in. I don' t think anyone here can reassure you as much as your physician can. Please think about doing so. With that being said, I think my second night was the toughest for me. I wasn't in pain but very uncomfortable. The next day, a lot better!

Just wanted to let IL of Dr Woody Denham's partner who was fabulous. I think he was very innovative, professional and listened to me. He gets an A+ in my book!

There is a post by Read4fit called Ticker Tutorial with pictures. I think it is under pre-op thread from September 2007. It gives step by step instructions and I think this is how I learned. I will try and copy and paste here but not sure if it will work. Here it goes... Well, I decided to make this tutorial because I know a lot of people have problems with it and sometimes they don't understand the text. It is easier to go by pictures sometimes! Click on this to go to the ticker website. Resized to 51% (was 1024 x 484) - Click image to enlarge Resized to 78% (was 675 x 613) - Click image to enlarge Resized to 78% (was 674 x 608) - Click image to enlarge Resized to 78% (was 675 x 613) - Click image to enlarge Resized to 78% (was 673 x 603) - Click image to enlarge Resized to 51% (was 1024 x 495) - Click image to enlarge Resized to 62% (was 842 x 560) - Click image to enlarge Resized to 62% (was 843 x 609) - Click image to enlarge

Thanks When Ready. I average about 2-3 daily so I think I am good to go.

Yeah everyone. I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on sugar free Popsicles. In my mind I think these are free to have as much as you want because it is a frozen 5-10cc drink. Anyone feel differently?

Yeah everyone. I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on sugar free Popsicles. In my mind I think these are free to have as much as you want because it is a frozen 5-10cc drink. Anyone feel differently?

Yeah everyone. I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on sugar free Popsicles. In my mind I think these are free to have as much as you want because it is a frozen 5-10cc drink. Anyone feel differently?

Yeah everyone. I wanted to get everyone's thoughts on sugar free Popsicles. In my mind I think these are free to have as much as you want because it is a frozen 5-10cc drink. Anyone feel differently?

As a nurse I can answer this one! Take advantage of this one because I can't answer many other questions on this site!! It's ok to get the steri strips wet, when you take a shower it's best to use anti-bacterial soaps. No baths until your doc gives you the go ahead. You should not intentionally remove the steri-strips. If they come off before you see your doctor on their own that's fine but don't go out of your way to remove them. Even if they are hanging. One your doc sees you and confirms you are healing appropriately, he or she will remove the stranglers. Even if that's two weeks from now. Hope this helps.

Mandyrae, I think everyone offered great tips here. I don't know where you are in your journey but you may also want to supplement with a Protein bar somewhere. On a completely different topic, you may want to refer to your boyfriend as your fiance for the next 21 days!! Congrats on your upcoming wedding! You must be on cloud nine. Except for the dry lips. Best wishes!!

Hi everyone!! Actually in pre-op just hanging out. IV is in met my nurse and anesthesiologist, saw my doctor coming in but he says he will stop by again. I'm good so far. I did get heparin prophylactically to prevent blood clots and I have special hose on called TED hose to promote circulation. I'll keep everyone posted. Prayers to everyone. Heather, Chris lives down the street from me! Small world, ey??

Hey everyone! Tomorrow is my big day. I wanted to send well wishes to others having surgery tomorrow or later this week. I look forward to the next phase of my journey. Bring it on!!

Awesome. Reference number is a start. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Aetna is sure pokey. Your experience sounds all too familiar. Keep us posted!

Good luck Jen!! Bummer. I have read 2 days, 4 days, and several weeks. I hate the waiting the most. I did everything they required. I called them today still nothing. Anyone know if they process preauthorizations over the weekend?

Sorry Jen, They are closed on weekends and do not do authorizations. Hang in there!!

I have Aetna and it seemed like forever until I got word of appoval. I actually phoned their office after 7 days every other day for status check. Total I think it took close to two weeks (and they told me it could take a month). I called the phone number on the back on my card and phoned and wanted to get an update to my pending surgery. If they say it is being processed, ask if there is a reference number yet and if they do write it down and use it for future calls as reference if needed. I was the first to get word that my surgery got approved, I then phoned my doctor's office with an approval number and they phoned Aetna to verify and then the ball got rolling! Good luck!

AJAMES, I haven't really munched on raw veggies too much. I ate some cherry tomatoes last night and I did have a sugar free popsicle. That's like a crystal light drink or a diet drink, just frozen, right? I'm doing relatively well, not craving suprisingly. I think I just need to focus on what I want, to be healthy. So far so good. I'll check in tomorrow. Trying to make myself accountable.

Congrats on the approval. What a great feeling! I have not quite yet made it to "the other side" but I am on my second day of liquids and I gotta tell ya, for me, I am going through this discovery that it isn't the eating that may be the culprit here, it is the emotion behind the eating. Eating is really a symptom of something; not the cause. I have not had a bad childhhood, or any traumatic event that I am aware of so for me I am trying to find the reasoning to all of my madness. I think this is a big stumbling block for those who haven't addressed those issues so, that would be my advise at this point because though your portion sizes will be smaller, the thought processes you have remain the same. If you know what your issues are, work on alternative ways to deal with them other than food now so it isn't a shock to the system later or so that you don't replace a bad habit with another bad habit. Our journey is only beginning... Congrats again!