Amanda2008

What exactly causes that sharp pain in my chest when eating? It feels like I've been punched in the chest and my throat is about to swell shut. Is it something stuck in the band? Or is it too much food in the pouch? I just got filled so this happened to me a few times today. I'm trying to chew chew chew and eat slowly but it happens each time I eat.

Don't let what other people think affect your decision to get banded! It's nobody's business at all! It is your body and your health, and you should make the best decision for you. Good luck!

Gloria is great. I wrote her about the Lucerna information and I hope she can get them to refund my card asap, or else I will bring it up with the bank. I can't afford that at all right now!

The $279 package includes: Fill Transportation to/from airport or border parking lot Night at hotel Guess what - I thought the Lucerna charged me $90 but I just checked my statement and they charged me $200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so mad!

I suppose it depends on how far you have to travel to get there and back, and whether you will need an overnight. Physically, you should feel fine enough to travel immediately.

what were you eating? is it possible you were eating too quickly or didn't chew a bite thoroughly enough?

I just got my first fill and Sunday is my first official day of eating solids again. I'm quite broke right now unfortunately - what are the cheapest, healthiest foods you would recommend? My old low-budget standby (tuna casserole) is probably a no-no now because of the pasta and broccoli, but it was healthy in small portions and high in protein. Would love to hear some suggestions.... keep in mind I'm cooking for one, I'm sick of soup and I don't own a crock pot! thanks!

WOW what were your symptoms? How could your pouch be enlarged if you weren't overeating?

You pay in cash or by personal check when you are there. Make sure if you get the $279 package that the hotel does not also charge you. After I got my fill and went to the Lucerna, they insisted the clinic was not paying for me and I had to pay $90. I said it was part of the package I'd paid and they said no, the OCC made the reservation for me but did not pay for it. I thought maybe I'd been mistaken about the package so I just paid. Anyway I called Gloria the next day and the hotel WAS part of the package, so now I have a $90 credit with the OCC.

I am exactly in the same place as you, except one week ahead! I had my first fill yesterday. I had actually GAINED weight since surgery - but I had first lost 6.5 lbs post surgery, and then gained 10 back with snacking and the holidays. (That sounds bad but I know if I had not had the surgery, I would have gained 10 lbs on top of my pre-op weight.) I am hoping I will get good restriction with this first fill. I am so ready to start seriously losing weight! Good luck with your fill! Are you going back to the OCC?

I went back to the OCC for the fill. It was so easy. It was cool to talk to people who were having the surgery done/just had it done and answer their questions. After he added the saline, I could see how slowly the barium went through. He said the hole is about the size of a nickel or dime now. How could I not have good restriction with that? Or is the hole even smaller for "good" restriction?

I got my first fill Thursday - 1.8 cc! So almost halfway filled. It was a snap. I have been feeling pretty hungry, I think because the juice and soup are just sliding down in. I have massive stomach rumblies, and the gas has returned to my left shoulder! What's up with that? I also feel a general unpleasantness in my stomach (below the band I think). How does everybody feel after their first fill? Is there restriction right away?

Both times I came back through with my driver's license and social security card. I have NO idea where my birth certificate is. Today (I had a fill yesterday) I also brought a copy of my passport, which is expired (I couldn't find the passport either, but I had a paper copy! hah!). Today it took the guy like 5 minutes to let me through, but he did! Definitely get a passport - I am going to get mine renewed asap.

I borrowed the money from family - does that still count to the IRS? And actually my sister paid her portion directly via paypal, while my brother sent me the money to pay them.

Sure. I took mine with me but was unable to connect to their wireless Internet. Another person had the same problem. However, there are two public computers for patients to use to check email, post messages etc. I just used one of those and wished I hadn't lugged my laptop with me. Very nice service!

If I borrowed the money to pay for it, can I still write it off?

I'm skeptical of how exactly they would help.... But if you won't miss the money, go for it.

I just watched it - a really nice kid and I'm happy he's had so much success. Down from 250 to 130 - nearly half his size!!! But I don't know why he would have it removed. Couldn't he just get an unfill? It seems drastic, unless he was having complications. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A10QP8dVnQQ

I have always wanted to do one of these things ever since reading a story by a reporter who did one, and out came a marble he had swallowed as a kid! Do you need to wait a certain amount of time before doing a cleanse? I am just five weeks out of surgery.

I don't think it necessarily means something bad! I was completely obsessed with food for many years and yet I don't think I ever dreamed about it. I honestly can't remember a dream involving food, ever, and I have had some memorable recurring dreams about other things. I guess because my mind was so focused on food during the day that it needed a break at night!

I'm no expert, but maybe you stretched out your pouch. This can happen from overeating when already full, or eating and drinking at the same time. Carbonated beverages can also stretch it out. When was your last fill? Did it get done under fluoroscope?

that sounds extreme. Did you drink anything when you took the pill to wash it down? Maybe everything was dry and it got "snagged" against your stoma wall...

You also have to roll your shoulders - that helps me a lot! Get up and walk and swing your arms around over and over. That helps break up the gas.

I haven't had a fill yet either - first one is Friday. YAY!

I wish they would tell people to avoid this food... I have the WORST gas pain after eating broccoli! It is a different gas pain than with other foods. Is this forever or only in the first few months? Can anyone tolerate broccoli? I LOVE broccoli, plus it is one of the healthiest vegetables so it's disappointing!