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Hello, I've been banded for over a week now and I pretty much have no incision pains, but I do have a lot of gas pains. At first they were in my back and now they have moved to my left side. The left side gas pains started Monday night and it was soo bad that I almost shedded some tears. I had to leave work early Tuesday because I could barely stand up straight. I've took the gas-x strips and they really didn’t help. I'm now taking Mylanta and its ok but i can still feel the pains trying to start. Are there any other gas meds that you guys have used for relief? What did y'all do to get through the gas pains. I don't think my poor left side can’t take anymore shooting gas pain....its sore now.:thumbup:

Hi all - as you can see I am a recent bandster who is having great success! So much success, that I have gone back to college. And as everyone knows, college is so expensive! I recently applied for a scholarship by sending in a funny video. The catch is that the video with the most votes wins - it isn't judged by a panel, it is just a popularity contest. I am trying to pay for college and the scholarship would make a huge difference to me!!!! So please visit this link, take a look at the video and vote for me - it's funny, I promise! You can also vote once a day, so if you could find the time to vote for the next week, it would be amazing. You don't have to watch the video each time, just vote. Thanks for reading this and hopefully taking the time to vote for me!!:thumbup: Why I Deserve A Scholarship

It is "referred" pain where your diaphragm, agitated during surgery, presses on the phrenic nerve. It is very rare for it to last for longer than a few weeks. Mine happened when I did something that increased my breathing (like walking in the early days LOL) What helps people varies. Some lie on their sides and stretch their left arm out. Some use a heating pad. Some just take tylenol. What helped ME was having my husband rub my neck, because the nerve caused my neck muscle to cramp. When that relaxed the pain went away.

I'm a week and a half postop and I'm also having trouble with my protein shakes but its not the protein its the milk. Apparently lactose intollerence is very common after abdominal surgery. I switched to a lactose free, fat free milk (or light soy milk--whichever is on sale) and my Unjury mixes great and I tollerate it MUCH better. I had tons of gas pain and belching with skim milk. Yogurt and cheese have less lactose than milk-so thankfully they shouldn't bother me too much!

I would def get in sooner than July 11th! My first few fills were only 2 weeks apart. How many calories are you eating a day?

Has anyone else suffered any emotional problems while on the pre-op diet? I did it for 7 days before learning that my surgery was moved back 2 weeks. By day 3, I was a wreck. I cried at the drop of a hat. Really...I started bawling after hearing a song on the radio...it wasn't even a sad song. I had to leave work one day because I couldn't stop crying. I was also very irritable...to put it mildly. Normally, I'm a relatively laid back person...but I was clenching teeth and slamming doors at the littlest things. Last, but certainly not least, I got stupid. Really stupid. I would lose my train of thought mid-sentance and frequently walk into a room without any idea why I'd entered. In general, the word I'd use to describe my emotional state during this pre-op diet is rollercoaster...without the ups. Oh, there were physical effects. I lost 6 pounds in four days. I was shaky, nauseus, and cold all the time. But I expected most of that. The emotional symptoms caught me completely off guard. I kept track of what I was eating and realized that I wasn't eating nearly enough. I know the idea is to lose weight, but 500 calories a day is simply not enough. Although I was really bummed that my appointment was moved, I am seeing it now as a chance to capture the lessons learned and do it right the next time...which starts Thursday, 10/23. Lessons Learned: Buy Protein powder! I picked up Ultimate Nutrition Protein Isolate in chocolate creme at GNC. It was $19.99 for 57 servings. It tastes great and mixes up pretty well. I'm going to pick up vanilla before the 23rd so I can mix it with juice (I'm allowed a few cups a day). Start the day with a Protein shake. Do not attempt to survive on a cup of sugar free fat free yogurt. Eat every 3-4 hours. I ended up going 5-7 hours between "meals" because nothing sounded good to me. I will force myself to consume SOMETHING every few hours to keep myself from getting shaky. Take a Multivitamin. Every day. I bought chewable ones since I won't be able to swallow the traditional, massive Multivitamins. Don't cook for the family. During these two weeks, they're on their own. Not that I cook a lot for them...but making eggs and toast every morning for my son was torture. Coming home to the smell of garlic bread had me ready to gnaw off a limb and eat it. Along those same lines...avoid family meals if at all possible. I will be spending a lot of evenings at the library. Have a plan for how you'll spend your time, when you'll eat, and what you eat. Here's my plan (yes, this is more for me than for you): My son has karate or cub scouts on Tuesday and Thursday evening. Even if I don't take him...we don't eat a "normal" dinner on those nights. It's just sammiches or Soup and we don't usually eat it together. I have therapy on Wednesday nights...which means I'm not home til after 7. That gives the boys plenty of time to clean up dinner. This Friday will be a challenge...but we usually go grocery shopping on Friday nights. On the way home, we pick up fast food (I know, I know). I am planning on picking up a bowl of soup from Panera. That way I can feel like I'm eating out without messing up the diet. We play D&D on Saturdays with a group of guys. We don't snack at the table (everyone has a weight issue) and dinner is pretty solo. This coming Sunday, we're spending most of the weekend at the local zoo "Spooktacular." Costumes and animals...and $8 hot dogs. We never eat at the zoo and you can bring your own food. So I plan on eating beforehand, bringing protein Water, and a cup of Soup at Hand. Next Monday, I've got another appointment in the evening. Which means I won't have to watch the boys eat whatever delicious, carby-goodness they plan on preparing. I am taking off Halloween to go to my son's fall festival at school. I know that sounds like torture, but the parents really don't get to eat much at these things. I plan on eating right before hand, bringing protein water, and eating right after. We're having family portraits taken on the 2nd. That will be a challenge because we're going to a friend's house where there will be food and schmoozing. Thankfully, my husband hates this woman and the visit will be brief. I've never been so happy about his feelings toward her. The following Monday will be the hardest night for me since we have absolutely no plans. I'll have to book a client call or something for that evening. If not, I may go to the library to work instead of doing it at home while the boys eat. Whew...I feel like I wrote a book here. :biggrin: If you made it this far, I'd love to know if you had/are having emotional issues during the pre-op diet and if you have lessons learned to share with us.

My doctor recommends American whey Protein. I get it online at Bodybuilding, weight loss supplements, Protein shakes, fitness supplements, muscle building supplements. I like the Double chocolate. They also have protein bullets. They are liquid Protein in 25grams and 45grams of protein. I am on a liquid diet this week before surgery and have to do 2 protein shakes a day. So, it helps to have something a little different. Alot of people at our support group uses stuff from GNC or Vitamin Shoppes. Good Luck! Mary

Saw a few weeks ago someone posted coffee flavored protein shakes that were awesome!! Anyone have any idea what brand they were and where we can find them??

My doctor's insurance coordinator emailed me and said it will be another two weeks until we hear from the insurance company. She had to appeal due to my BMI for the past three years being from 38 to 41. All you experienced sleevers, is this the point where I start calling my insurance company everyday? I have documentation for 7 years worth of failed dieting efforts with none of the comorbidities they consider, however, I do have degenerative disc disease and bulging discs as well as planters fasciitis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Has anyone else been approved with these types of issues on an appeal? I guess I just need an encouraging word right now!

I wish I had done this years ago. It was a perfect fit for me. I have never been a snacker only a binge eater, my brother had gastric sleeve two weeks before I did and he lost about 30 lbs right away but has struggled ever since because he is a snacker eating often and also drinking calories. If you are a snacker and can't deal with that than gastric sleeve is not for you. I am happy with not having a great deal of loose skin, but I do have some in my lower belly and groin area. Gonna have that skin removed. Skin over my back and arms and legs is just a little loose but not sagging like my lower belly, but I think I am one of the lucky ones with that.,

29lbs in 7 weeks is amazing, especially because you were a lightweight to start...

I am in month two of the three month process with Aenta insurance. It states in the clinical bulletin that you should be losing weight during this period to prove that you are willing to make the lifestyle changes necessary after surgery. My doctor's office does not require me to lose weight during this time but stated not to gain any either. My BMI is at 39.9 with sleep apnea as a co-morbidity. I have lost five pounds and I am sure I can lose a few more within the next month but feel like its a catch-22. I don't want to lose too much afraid they will say if I did that well, I can do it without surgery. But at the same time, want to lose enough that they see I am committed to this lifestyle change. My question is did anyone lose or not lose weight prior to submitting the claim for approval and did that hinder or hurt your approval process with Aetna?

Well I made it through day one. It actually wasn't as tough as I thought it would be. I had four protein drinks, drank lots of water, and had a sugar free Jell-O cup. Not to share TMI but I just started my period so we'll see how this next week goes. How's everyone else? I know there were several of us starting this liquid diet on the same day or around the same time frame. How are you guys holding up?

So, I had the psych eval today and I think she will recommend me for the surgery - at least that what it sounded like. There was an interview and then I had to take two questionnaire tests. But based on the interview she said that she would recommend me. I also found out that my referral letter from my PCP still had not been received. So, I spent the afternoon working on that. Made about 4 phone calls to my PCP's office and finally got them to fax me the letter along with 5 year weight history. I just faxed it over to my surgeon and called to make sure they received it which they did. YAY! One more item off my checklist! Just the EGD now on Friday. I'm getting nervous about that for some reason. I know that he's just basically going to knock me out and put a scope down my throat to get a visual, but still, I'm getting nervous. How weird is that? Then on Monday I get to sign the consent forms, do the pre-op teaching and get the "package" for the pre-op diet that will have to start the next day as that will then be 2 weeks before the surgery. In just 3 short weeks from today, I will be undergoing the surgery and starting my new life! Wow - this is going quick!

I was approved. Had pre-op yesterday and my surgery is scheduled one week from today! YAY!

Yes, very small slice. VERY thin crust and didn't even eat the crust crust BUT ... I haven't had my first fill yet. I expect much of that to change once that happens next week.

It is up to your insurance company how they determine the first visit. My insurance counts the first visit with the surgeon since we discuss weight, diets, and exercise. The only way to know for sure is to check with your insurance company. Sometimes also the insurance coordinator at your doctor's office is familiar enough with your policy coverage to provide an answer. The form my insurance company sent me for completion only has six areas on it to be completed. The visits per my insurance coverage have to be in six separate months but not at 30 day intervals. My first visit was 7/31, and my next appointment is on the week of 8/19. I checked with my insurance company and was told me that this was spread out enough to qualify for two visits. I plan to have my last visit in early December so I can possibly have the surgery before the end of the year. I have a prolapsed lap band and am undergoing some tests right now. Once they are complete I will meet with my doctor to discuss the results. Then it will be decided if my claim will be submitted for a waiver of the 6 month requirement. I am scheduling my visits in case the request is denied. Good luck in your journey.

From my experience, you can say goodbye to once a day movements. Every two to three days is my new norm.

I figure i will wait a couple more weeks before i tell them but i am so tempted now but i will hold off for now.

I have a slightly different story than most here - for the first 2.5 weeks I was EXHAUSTED with fatigue at work and at home. I called my surgeon's office and was told that it was normal. I also got that feedback here. So some of it may not have to do with carbs or liquids, but just normal recovery from surgery.

Just wanted to share some of my NSV's I've discovered within my 5 weeks post op 1. I am not out of breath when I walk from parking garage to my office. I used to have to do that "fake" cough to try to get my breathing normal so everyone didn't think "Damn, she's out of shape!" 2. I had sleep apnea but now my hubby says I'm not snoring any longer! And my sleep is real sleep now! I feel like a full 6 hrs is more than I ever got sleeping longer before! this is a big deal to me! My sleep apnea doctor is on my FB page and is thrilled as well. 3. I actually park at the end of the parking lot when shopping or going to grocery store. NEVER before did I ever think to do this. In 2010-2012 I had a handicap parking pass because of my back surgeries. I'm very proud of this one! 4. My grown children said this weekend "Mom! You have a waist" I almost cried!!!!!! I LOVE MY SLEEVE and want to thank Dr. Illan and his wonderful team for helping me with these victories!!!!!! God Bless you all on this journey! {{hugs}} Sherry HW 326, SW301, CW 273 woot-woot!

Congratulations! That's a wonderful feeling. I am 2 weeks post op and I can't wait to feel that too. I am already seeing slight changes.

Two things. Aetna ( and I think all insurances) go by the first weight. Also, my bulletin must be different than yours because mine did not say anything about having to lose weight to show a lifestyle change. I did decide to lose one pound a week and was approved in less than 72 hours. Lastly, even if Aetna does not go by the first weigh (which I doubt), in my bulletin it says they cover people with a BMI starting at 35 with sleep apnea. So either way, it seems you could lose a ton a weight and not have any problems getting approved.

I'm almost 6 months out and beyond frustrated with the stall and very slow weight loss! I've started using fitness pal and I'm having a hard time staying with I the amount of fat gram I'm allowed. Any suggestions? By the way I don't like mushy foods only once with texture. Please help

I am on a 2 week diet of Optifast.