Littleroo27

I think this is why a lot of doctors prefer more fills at a smaller rate. Yes, they get more money too, but better to inch up then suddenly not be able to swallow!!!

Actually, I think that avatars and other images were disabled because of the high amount of SPAM we've been getting lately. Bummer, huh?

Several posters have noted that it can take up to a year for the port to become completely "unnoticed" in your day to day activities. It takes a while for the swelling and scaring to setting down, and you will still feel some pain when you move certain ways. As long as it doesn't hurt all the time, then it's probably just still healing into place and doing its normal thing.

Oh, I am so happy that you're doing well! But what a way to get there, huh? The minute you said black vomit, I thought "bile" but no one wants to see that coming up. UGH! Like sulfuric acid in your throat. I also have tons of experience with panic attacks and am very impressed with how calm you managed to be while talking with your family and making those phone calls. I think it's a fantastic idea to make sure you have all those phone numbers on hand and I'm so glad that you posted this. While I'm sure it was absolutely terrifying to experience, it might keep someone else from panicing if they are forced to experience something similar. Please keep us updated as your two weeks progress and you get another fill. (((BIG HUGS)))

I think the reason no one has responded yet is that, nope, it's not out there Of course, you could try calling up Discovery Health and telling them that if they pay for the surgery that you'll let them follow you around with a camera for three years, lol. I was in your same position last year (I have good credit, but no collateral, which is just as bad in the end), but thankfully my office changed insurance providers this year and I will be able to get the band done after 6 months of red tape. I also wish I was going to Dr. Ortiz instead, but at least I won't end up $10k in debt at the end of the journey. Good luck with everything!

That is such a good thing to hear. Some people have bad fill experiences, but I think it just depends on who is doing it and just how much you hate needles. I agree with you about watching the fluid move on the x-ray screen! I had to do a barrium swallow a couple years ago to make sure my IBS wasn't anything more severe and it took FOREVER, but I got to stare at the screen a lot as I drank the stuff and watched it go through everything. Very neat. They should give you a recording of it and you could use it as a desktop screensaver or something, lol.

Yup, that sounds like PBing to me. It's when the food can't get past the band, so your body coats the food with mucus and then spits it back out. Yummy, huh? It's not really throwing up, since the food never makes it to your stomach. Since you've been banded for so long and haven't had much trouble with PBing, you obviously eat small bites and chew well or eat the right foods... The other other thing I can think to ask is, have you had really bad allergies/asthma or felt sick lately? It could cause swelling of the esophogous, which would tighten the band. Obviously it is better safe then sorry, so the smart thing to do would be to call your surgeon and ask him what to do. Please keep us posted!

Have you had any pain at the sight of your band? Cramping, trouble swallowing? Not just keeping food down, but PBing?

*Has Warm Fuzzies* Thank you so much!

I think this depends on a lot of factors. Did you stay on the proper pre-op diet before hand? What is your BMI? One woman on the board had her surgery done without even doing the pre-op diet, but she was a lower end BMI to start with. The whole point is to shrink the liver, so I would think that if you stuck with the low calorie pre-op diet like you're supposed to, they would probably do it anyway.

I'd try the prilosec. I've been on it for YEARS and it helps so much. Of course, the other poster is correct that lap-band is supposed to help with acid reflux, but that may take time and doesn't happen for everyone.

About the passport thing - that is correct They are kind of phasing it in with air travel this year and land travel next... I really hope I lose some weight before I have to get a new passport photo taken!!!

IV bags have saline in them though, which keeps your electrolites from tanking.

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this! I too have major sinus problems (non-seasonal allergies) and am thankful to have this information before getting banded. Sounds like a cup of peppermint tea in the morning would be just the thing to help with that part at least.

Hey there, welcome to hell!! Just kidding. It sure can feel like it, though. My old insurance wouldn't cover the band, but I went through all of the pre-op stuff anyway and then decided to go to Dr. Ortiz. But now we have new insurance that DOES cover the surgery so I'm starting to go through an entirely new obsical course. Please feel free to e-mail me directly and I can give you some tips and hints about finding your way through the insurance obstical course. I'm not promising I can make the pre-op any shorter, but at least I can help you keep a few gray hairs at bay! My e-mail is elsolomio at yahoo dot com. I get home from work at 5:45 Pacific time and can check it after then. I look forward to chatting with you Beth

New Update!!! http://www.wcmessenger.com/losingbattle/2007-01-14.php

Kevin and Lori, If you would like a backup "spaminator" I would be happy to help. I usually check the board 2 to 3 times a day during work and could always log in from home as well if it would help to keep things cleaned up. Just let me know. Beth

Sounds like allergies to me...

I have verizon too, but mine stopped working about 5 minutes past the border when everything switched to spanish.

It sounds to me like you already know what the problem is, you just need to be willing to fix it. Personally, I drink TONS of water every day and the idea of not drinking it for an hour after eating freaks me out, but I tried it just to make sure that I could when I have the band it and it makes such a huge difference in how soon you feel full. The best suggestion would be to simply not keep water around you while you're eating. Make your meal and take it into the dining room or living room or wherever you eat, but don't bring a glass with you (or really soft foods like applesauce or pudding). When the food gets stuck - that's your body telling you to stop or take smaller bites or chew more. Listen to it.

I'm sure there are ways to stop this... like if when you hit "post" you were required to read those "fuzzy letter" boxes and type in the word to prove you're not a spambot.

Just a quick update. I met my new Primary Care Physician yesterday and she is really super nice. I will still miss my old doctor, but if I have to have a new one for the stupid CIGNA HMO then at least I got someone good. The doctor and nurse both said I was the most well organized new patient they'd ever had because I showed up with a three page typed summary of my current medical information, including medications and "issues" so that we were able to get through everything fairly quickly. She is going to refer me to a sleep specialist for my non-REM sleep and also she is going to try and convince CIGNA that I already did the 6 month pre-op diet with my old doctor! Now, I think the likelihood of them buying that without documented proof is small, but it's so awesome that she'll try. We went over my weight history and obviously this isn't something that is going to be fixed by dieting. I've done that, I've lost some of the weight and then I gained it back plus 70 of its friends! I'm fully committed to following the band requirements both pre and post-op, but I really don't want to have to wait another 6 months. So, for now I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I can get this done before July, but not holding my breath either!!! Still a little nervous that none of the surgeons are nearly as experienced as Dr. Ortiz

I personally did okay with the opti-fast pre-made shakes. Not sure if it's because there wasn't any powder that doesn't get mixed up (ewww) or because you can't smell it before it's in your mouth, cuz it's in a drink-box, lol. I have also tried the slim-fast optima shakes and the chocolate eggwhite shakes and gagged at both of them. EWWWWW.

From what others have told me, if your band slipped - you would KNOW. there would be some serious discomfort and you would likely not be able to keep anything down at all. As for the shoulder pain, that is very very normal post-op (it's the gas in your body). And, no, you didn't stretch your band out! In fact, that's impossible. You are not supposed to have any restriction at first because you are waiting for your body to heal from surgery. It is more important that you get the nutrients you need and take it slow. It may take 2-3 fills before you feel true restriction. Yes, people do vomit or PB sometimes, but the idea is to avoid that. If you do vomit regularly, something is wrong or you are too tight. It sounds to me like things are right on track for you, but if you would like some more reasurance, I'd recomend ordering "Lap-Band for Life" and reading through it. It helped calm all of my fears and now I'm just anxious to get it done!

Hey there, Just wanted to say that I'm in San Diego, near downtown Beth