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My surgery date is set, and I started two weeks of liquid yesterday. Wow. This past week was profoundly emotional for me. Being a pretty level-headed, stable guy, I found myself a nervous wreck coming up on the liquid diet. Also, got very weepy with my wife, feeling guilty and ashamed of how I had let myself go. :thumbup: Anyone else experience this?? Starting the process (liquid diet) has re-grounded me... I am focused and ready for this new healthy life, sans high bp, type 2 diabetes, high chol, etc...

My first fill was yesterday afternoon. I was excited and nervous and came here to read on what to expect. Well, I arrived and chit-chatted with the PA for a few minutes and then proceded to lay down so he could find the port. He numbed the area and all was good. After a few minutes I was asking did you find the port entry? he said no. Several minutes passed and I am trying to keep my cool and not gross out or get worried. He said he was having difficulty. Then responded to me that he needed to get a new syringe because he had extracted blood into the syringe. GROSS! I am still trying to keep it together. He told me to relax and sit upward, push my stomach out, suck my stomach in, pretend to do a sit up etc. He called for reinformcement and went to the "go to" guy. Which was another PA who had me do the same thing but wanted a new syringe. So this is syringe #3. By this time I was freaking out and I would say it has been half an hour. I asked if this was going to happen every time and he assured me, No that once I lose weight the port would be more prominent. The 2nd PA suggested that I might even have to have another procedure to replace the port. What the...? They saw my fear and went to get Dr. Le Port (Fountain Valley Regional Hospital). Well, they left me alone!! I sat up and noticed the syringe still stuck in my abdomen. The horror! it isn't even Halloween yet. I am trying so hard to keep the tears back and just keep taking breaths and my stomach is falling in sync with my breaths and I can feel the syringe moving. So, the Dr. storms in and gently takes hold of the syringe the PA's are talking at the same time and the Dr. says that he has seen this occur before. That because the Realize band is Low pro and low pressure that it is diffiult to extract saline. What the...? again. So, the first PA had injected some saline when he attempted and the 2nd PA injected some saline into the port when he attempted and the Dr. had injected saline when he attempted and no-one was able to tell me how many cc's I had in my 9cc band. ARGHH!!! I drank 4 gulps of Water and on the 3rd I felt the bubble, the heartburn feeling and I was happy that I did have some restriction. So, the Dr. thinks I might have a kink. I proceded to have X-rays and the Byreum (sp?) drink and sure enough it showed restriction. I hand delivered the x-rays back to the surgeon, ate 5 Wheat Thins sips of water and all is fine. But now I am still scared thinking that in 6 weeks I have to go through this ordeal all over again. (This whole ordeal lasted 3 hours). They said that as I lose weight the port will be more prominent but come on give me a break how much can I lose in 6 weeks? 5-10 pounds. Is that really going to make a difference? What are the chances that I have to get a new port? Anybody else have difficulty the first time and now its easy breezy? :smile:

1) I know the requirements for United Healthcare was a BMI of 40 or higher, 100 pounds over weight, or a BMI of something arouund 35 with some kind of health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes. 2) I met with my doctor on 11/17 and got approved about two weeks later. 3) Insurance covers it. 4) I will be banded on 1/11 and my hospital stay will be at least two days, but most doctors allow patients to leave the same day of surgery. 5)Sorry no babies "yet", so not sure on that question. I hope some of my answers helped, even though I'm not banded yet. Good luck. Be BLESSED!

I have had my band for about 18 months. After several complications in the beginning -bowel resection, 2 major infections and port relocation, I am having another problem. I had a fill last September, NO problems until last week- all of a sudden I am having terrible pain in my stomach. Started as a grabbing twisting pain, ER doctor did a cat scan and a barrium swallow, he removed all of the fluid in my band thinking this would fix the problem. It changed the pain, it is now a stabbing pain but with the removal of my fill I am now having reflux, a problem I havent had since my doctor put the band in a fixed a hiatal hernia. I am a litlle worried about this, has anyone had this. I am probably going to have to go back to the ER because I cannot get a EGD until next week. Sorry for the long post, any help would be appreciated.

I had a fill for half of CC last week, well I got to the point where I wouldnt even drink anything, it was so tight that I went in yesterday and had them remove that half of CC. Well i feel very little restriction after that removal, I feel less than I had before the fill. Has this ever happened to anyone?

If you haven't had a fill yet, you wouldn't have much, if any resistance. My doctor told me that the first 6 weeks are for healing and no losing. Once you have the fill and restriction, the weight will start to come off! Has the walking helped?

I am 3 weeks out and feeling a little lost. I haven't lost any weight in about 10 days but I am only eating fish and veggies for b-fast cottage cheese and fruit. The Dr. wanted me to stay on protein shakes for as long as possible but I felt like I was feeling weak from not having any food. I think that I am feeling a little depressed too! I can sleep all the time. Today I went walking on the beach and I think that helped. It has taken me a while to get my energy back. I thought that I would bounce right back after surgery and that did not happen!! This week my goal is incorp. walking 2 miles a day.

I have posted a couple of times before about having problems keeping any solid foods down. I was banded May 1 and the first month things were fine. Progressively, my ability to eat solid foods has diminished to the point that I cannot eat any solid food without having to vomit. I have no saline in my band. I have had no fills and the band did not have any saline put in it during surgery. I went to a fill dr who did a flouroscopy and said that I had a lot of restriction, but the bank looked good and all was in place. Since then I have continued to have problems with solids. I went to my GP who has set up an appt with a Gastro dr for an upper GI for a possible hiatal hernia. Of course, it's about three weeks out. In the mean time, I am only able to consume Ensure and protien shakes (made very thin.) Is it possible that just the band itself is too much restriction? Could it be too high? Would you recommend something other than waiting this three weeks to see the GI dr? I am losing ALOT of weight, but I don't think this is the best way to do it. :guess Any suggestions would be appreciated.

At 3 weeks you really should not be focused on what you are losing. I know it is hard not to, but the goal now is learning how to eat again. Also, I would start measuring myself once a month and only weighing my self one day a week (if you feel you must) at around the same time on the same day. It is great to see your excitement and dedication, but even during weight loss...the scale can be the enemy.

Didn't get a fill last week since I'm having surgery on 11/6, I'm OK with that just glad they didn't unfill before the surgery.

Well good luck to the both of you! I'm one week post op as well. Friday was an awkward day, but the weekend rest helped me out a lot.

I was scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico, this week! All surgeries for the week are now canceled due to the fires raging in Southern, California. Apparently some of the staff had to evacuate their homes, and the San Diego Airport may shut down preventing patients for flying in (and out!) My surgery is postponed 1 week, and I was bummed about that, however the real tragedy is what the Souther California residents are dealing with!

Hi Helen, Just 3 lb off 4 stone in less than 7 months is brilliant. Well done :rose: I too struggled over xmas with all the chocs around but at least we are not putting weight on and must be excused for the odd hiccup or two. I didnt lose weight for 6 weeks and was getting realy dispondent but as it took me 25 years to put this weight on I guess its not going to dissapear overnight. I went back to the beginning and dug out all my old food records from November to see what I was eating then and gave myself a good talking too.This last fill has definately made a difference. Perhaps you need to review your food choices to get back on track. Good luck to you. Julie

I agree that BMI is a nice tool to have to track progress, similar to the scale---meaning it is helpful, but it does not tell the whole story. My beautiful DD is just like Ceredad, she is tall 5'9", and ACTIVE!!!! According to the charts she would still be overweight, and by more than a simple pound! But this girl is a 36D, on top and wears a size 7 in Juniors!!!! But she has muscle tone that is incredible. She runs marathons! She lifts weights 3 X weekly, and does cardio 2X weekly one week then swaps the next. She only gets this time, as she does it in the company gym---but her weekends she is running with the dogs, she is GO GO GO!!! There is actually not that many pounds separating my DD and I---------but the shape we are in is totally different!! Her body fat is very, very low.....mine is slowly going down! We love having ways to track our progress, and scales, and BMI charts, are great, but a measuring tape, and a good physical cannot be replaced by either! In all honesty it saddens me to think something like a chart can say she is overweight, when ANYONE looking at her, would just shake their heads. You do not see her bones poking through----and you don't see body builder level of muscles, but she looks like I dream of looking! Kat

This same thing happened to me. After the fill I was o.k., then on the 3rd day I couldn't hold down anything, even Water. I was pbing, throwing up, it was terrible! After 4 days I had enough, I finally paged my doctor, and they told me to come in right away. Within 5 days I lost 3.8 lbs, so they knew I was not lying, they took out .25cc's and then a few days I was so much better. Then I was saying I will NEVER have a fill again! Now 3 weeks later I need a fill, I can eat more and I am at a stand still in my weight lost. Corgi

I could eat egg at 3 weeks.

My surgeon gives me a little numbing shot first, so I don't feel the fill at all. The numbing shot stings for a second. Also, he has me lying down on my back while he does the fill, so there's no risk of fainting. Did your doc specifically tell you not to eat solids BEFORE a fill? Every doctor is different, but mine doesn't have any requirements for beforehand. He says to "take it easy" for the rest of the day afterwards. One thing that happened to me after my second fill, I was fine for a day and a half right after the fill. Then all of a sudden the band felt really tight the next day. So take it easy for a few days after a fill. Chew very well, wait a minute or two between bites to see how you feel. As it gets fuller and fuller, you'll start to see what it really feels like to have a band. It's an adjustment, but well worth the small hassle. P.S. I've even suddenly felt very tight TWO WEEKS after a fill! Why? I have no idea! The band can be fickle, but I love it anyway....

flipflop wonderful news you must be so psyched, getting an official date for WLS, to start your long journey towards a healthier, happier life feeling excited, nervous, scared - these are all emotions/reaction to WLS surgery is about 2 1/2 weeks away and counting - you will have many reactions take a bunch of deep breaths - don't forget to exhale good luck on your pending surgery kathy

Rarely if ever do first fills give you any kind of restriction. Usually it's three or four or more before you hit that "sweet spot." I think you did very well with your amount of food consumed and sometimes for some people it's no longer a stuffed feeling, it's a loss of interest with eating, or it's a hiccup or their nose runs or they get a golf ball feeling, it's it sooo different for each of us what satisfied feels like. Read Wendell's post about fills and unfills in the FAQ forum, it's very informative.

Susy - It doesn't really matter if you are in th 200+ or 100+ gotta lose section we all have issues with food. The first 2 weeks that you are to be on full liquids is for the stiches around your tummy & the band to heal - You should not have eaten the beans - you should have ordered Soup - and crackers didn't help - but you all ready know this so I won't beat a dead horse. Your band is only a tool - this is a lifetime lifestyle change - and it is going to take work on your part to over come your issues with food. You really need to follow your doctors eating plan if you want to be sucessful at this. You can do this - it will be harder some days than others - but you can do it - just plan plan plan and be prepared for the bumps in the road - and if you fall down - just get right back up and start doing the work again... Good Luck to you..

I have the lap band in which I was able to find a lot of information on and as far as my support group, I have this website, my Doctor's office (they are great) and my immediate family. That's enough for me. As for the realize band I have just started seeing commercials for this a couple of weeks ago so I don't know. The commercial I saw advertised didn't appear to be exactly in line with the band as far as weight loss statistics but if you have been on this site then you know that the weight loss is contingent upon the individuals diet and exercise so in other words the product can only be as successful as you allow it to be (lap band/realize). If you can't make a decision on your own then let your Doctor do the surgery that he is the most familiar with that way you limit the risk of complications. Good Luck!

I had my band done nearly 3 weeks ago by Prof Toouli at FPH. I was very pleased with everything. He was recommended to me several years ago by a girl i worked with.

I haven't taken measurements yet. I will do that this week. I can tell I've lost some. It's hard to notice. I also didn't take proper before pictures, which I regret big time now.

So mondays are my official weigh days. I try to stay off the scale (I don't own any, work at a doctors office and use those) except for one day a week. I had surgery 12/28 and last week I didn't lose any from the week before. I was on my cycle, and I"m hoping that was the issue... but I'm honestly scared to weigh tomorrow and not see the numbers the dropped. I know that is ridiculous, and that this isn't all about the numbers, but I don't want to feel defeated if it stays the same. I am getting my Protein in, all the Water I can (which some days is below what I should be... but 99% of the time I get it and then some). I also started working out this weekend, I'm hoping that will make a difference. I know this forum is full of "stall" posts and I'm sorry to add to that... I just worry about getting down on myself.