GregNE

I took a taxi and went shopping the day after surgery. No basket of liquids was provided to me. I walked across the street to the c-store across from the hotel (Extra is the name) and bought my gatorade and beverages there.

Have you considered getting your fills at OCC? I know it is inconvenient to travel so far for a fill (it is for me), and difficult to schedule, and pay for the travel. But, I think in the course of being banded, it is well worth it. I had considered finding a fill doc closer to my home, but after seeing all the accounts of bad fills with ridiculous fees, I have decided only to get fills in TJ. I have kept my opinion about this to myself, and some will certainly disagree with me, but from my observations, there are many fill doctors/providers that simply do not have much knowledge about the proper way to do a fill. Most I am sure seem competent, and you may have a good experience at your appointment, but I doubt a fill doctor will admit not having much experience. Almost all reports of the 'lost fluid syndrome' that I have seen are from non-OCC fills. I talked with Dr. Romero a bit about this, and he simply attributed it to inexperience at fills. Being he has done thousands of fills (40-50 on average per week for the last few years), he knows what he is doing, and he said it is rare for him to find any saline lost from his fills. There is a proper technique to inserting the needle, and a proper way to remove the needle, and many providers simply do not have the skill or experience. My understanding is that the saline is lost during the withdrawl of the needle. And some providers do fills without flouro. In my opinion, that is dangerous and irresponsible. Having said that, my other advice is to keep in mind that finding the proper level of restriction can take time, and is very different for everybody. I can't even imagine the added burden of not knowing whether my fills are being done properly. Just my own opinions, and good luck in your journey.

I can report my blood sugar levels are much more controlled since being banded. Another dividend from my $10,000 band investment. Thanks for the info Kevin!

I am kind of frozen as you have been, and perhaps have regained 2-3 lbs. I need a fill badly, but have not been able to arrange a trip due to work schedule. I am now restricted only in the morning for about 2 hours. I hope to get an opportunity to get my fill in the next month.

Yes, I thought you were a lush. LOL....just kidding. I had a sample of beer (about 2 oz) and it went fine. I am not a beer drinker anyway, so I have avoided it. Vodka and Tequila go down fine for me I tried a diet Pepsi a few days ago, and it seemed fine, but the carbonation caused a lot of belching. I am so happy with Lipton Diet Green Tea Mixed Berry or citrus, so I will continue my soda abstinence for the most part. A nice glass of Sauvinon Vouvray goes down just fine too. Cheers!

Kevin- I am curious to hear how your latest fill went. Is restriction improved? Does it feel like this fill will put you back on track?

My understanding is that Tylenol is no problem. There is also some newer research I read about a few months ago that there is not a likely link to NSAIDS and band erosions, but so far I have not risked it. I want to see more data first. Toradol is also okay, but it is prescription only (I bought mine OTC in Mexico).

Dr. Miranda referred to PB'ing as productive barfing, or pre-barfing. PB is used as it sounds much less graphic.

Tickers used to work, but were disabled sometime around the new year.

The hotel deal sounds good. I have been staying in National City and renting a car when I go for a fill. I get my hotel room for free, so I will probably keep doing it that way. Walking across the border is pretty easy. I agree-- Mole has better quality food than the Lucerna restaurants, and the prices were much better. I found the service to be lackluster at the Lucerna restaurant. Tortilla chips were burned, fajitas tough, and the waiter (when he could be found) was rather indifferent. He replaced my burned chips with chips that were even more burned. But, I was not in TJ for food, so did not complain. Mole was recommended by my taxi driver, and had mostly locals eating there. That is a good sign of quality. Service was great too.

I am in Charlotte, NC working this week, but can't find bandsters in my hometown of Omaha either.

I am frozen with my weight loss as well-- the frustration is that I need a fill, have needed it for at least a month, and my work and travel schedule is not allowing me to plan a fill trip to TJ. I am working in Charlotte, NC this week, Greensboro next week, and then perhaps NYC for a month. Arggh!

The old advice was to avoid carbonation forever- as of my surgery date, Dr. Miranda had changed the restriction to 6 months (the post op instruction sheet actually had the words 'avoid forever' whited out and changed to 'avoid for 6 mo'.) But, I am in no hurry to try any soda soon. It is similar to diabetes nutrition information-- in 2001 the ADA had a protein restriction limit. As of fall 2002, the protein limit was lifted, and methods of counting sugar was changed. And diabetic exchanges? They do not even teach food exchange points any longer in diabetic education (as of 2002). But, they still list diabetic exchange info on some foods, even though I have no clue what they mean. The nutritional rules change regularly in both cases-- but unless people keep up with the changes, we only know what we were taught.

17 lbs in 9 days is great! I am curious as to why your recommended weight loss is so high. 36 lbs is 5% of 720 lbs. I was told that 18-20 lbs was my goal, which was 5% of my weight. Do you know why you were given such a large goal?

You should probably start 3 weeks pre-op. What is more important, however, is that you do not gain any weight before starting-- that will make it that much more difficult. Enjoy the food you want, but start cutting portions now. And remember, even after banding, you can still enjoy most of the foods you enjoy now; just smaller portions.

From my experience, the gas in your abdomen from surgery does not enter your digestive tract. In fact, your digestive tract is rather empty after surgery, so flatulance is not really an issue. I did get relief from frequent belching, however. I believe the walking instead tends to distribute the air around in your torso, thus relieving the shoulder pain from the post op gas. The air (gas) slowly absorbs into your system in a few days.

I usually take more than half of a restaurant meal in a 'to go' box. I do eat the leftovers, usually for my next meal, as I hate to waste. Yesterday, I was in Texas to spend the holiday with my father. For Easter dinner, I filled a plate of food like I used to. About 1/3rd in, I had to make a trip to the bathroom to PB. So, it was the end of my holiday meal. Yes, the band did it's job. My eyes are still bigger than my stomach.

Wow! That is the exact same flavor I buy! And I see six more pounds lost for you. You go girl!

As I approach the six month post-op mark, I was wondering if anyone can share their experience with carbonated beverages after surgery. I have avoided carbonated beverages completely as instructed, having switched to diet green tea. If you have resumed drinking soda or beer, have you had any difficulties?

Best of luck! Your long wait gives you the privilege of being more informed about the process than most.

I have often thought about different attitudes from an insurance covered bandster. I wondered if it is similar to a new car: if you get a car that someone else paid for, you may have a more indifferent attitude about problems with it or the care of it. When you pay about $10,000 out of your own pocket, perhaps you expect more from the band, and are more concerned about your return on investment. And there is probably a third group out there--- those who pay out of pocket, but consider the price insignificant due to high income, assets, or resources. It sure is an interesting subject to mention.

Relax. I had less than ideal tests. My cardiac screen was fine, but my blood tests and lung tests were not the best. My blood sugar was high (due to diabetes), and my electrolytes were way off, due to dehydration (my mouth was so dry when they took my blood, that I was having trouble talking). My lung screen was also not great, due to being a smoker for years. Well, they re-tested my blood the day of surgery, and all was fine, and I was given a pre-op nebulizer treatment for my lungs. They also tested my blood sugar regularly, and gave me insulin (no oral meds day of surgery). So, they used the tests to treat me better and safer, not to deny my surgery.

As a male, I should not be anywhere near this topic. Just FYI the ABX given before or during surgery are usually powerful, broad spectrum, surgical strength IV ABX such as Ancef, Rocephin or other similar drugs. You could look up these drugs to see if they have any undesireable side effects that may affect you.

Ooops. So I guess I should stop drinking my chocolate? Are you implying dinking Hersheys syrup before bedtime is a bad thing? LOL

I can relate. I seem to be allergic to dust and mold, and also have constant drainage due in part to a deviated septum. But, were my choice between a cup of coffee or a protein shake, the shake would win. Coffee has little to no calories. It is calories the body needs to start the metabolism fire......and for health in general. Learning the 'sumo connection' to not having breakfast put the morning meal to the top of my must do list. Before being banded, I skipped breakfast often. And, I had the body of a sumo wrestler Just my slightly educated opinion-----I could be wrong.