This might not be related to your band at all...when I was pregnant with my first child, I developed an umbilical hernia and it felt like what you are describing.  I would make an appt with my PCP to discuss it and rule out any big problem.  If it is your port and it has become dislodged (rare with Realize bands) it isn't an emergency.  After seeing your PCP call your Bariatric Surgeon and advise the office of the findings from your PCP appt so they are prepared for you.

If you have been doing strenuous abdominal exercise, you can get some pulling and pain in the port area, since the port is attached to your abdominal muscle facia.

I'm going to give them until about 3 oclock and then start making phone calls.

As for my job, I can't go back any sooner than my surgeon will allow me to lift 50+ pounds is what I'm being told because there is no "light duty" for my job. I'm an x-ray tech...most of my job is lifting,pulling,sliding and turning patients, most of which are dead weight as I very rarely get "walkie talkie outpatients in my hospital". Though I can always get help with those parts the problem comes when I am alone with a patient and they fall or whatnot and I have to catch them, then I'm screwed. If i let them fall to the ground and they are badly injured it could be blamed on me. I asked at my consultation what my surgeon thought about going back, he asked what I did, and said "Ohhh so you move patients a lot i bet?" I replied yes and he said that 4 weeks would be good and that I would not be allowed to lift more than 30 pounds that first month.

My manager is VERY understanding as she just had RNY last month, BUT she had complications and isn't back to work yet and HER manager isn't the most understanding. Though he did say that he wouldn't expect me back any sooner than what my doctor allowed and if that's 4 weeks then so be it...he seems to believe that I should put it off until it's convenient for the department. So the sooner I have a date the better of I will be. I've already threatened to take a day off, have surgery and call and say sorry doctor put me out for a month!! Lol. I wouldn't do that but it's sooooo tempting!!! =)

Call the Insurance company back, get the name of the person you're speaking to (you may want to politely ask to speak to a manager), get the CONFIRMATION INFORMATION INCLUDING CONFIRMATION NUMBER. Call your Doctor back with all this information.

 

As for taking four weeks, while I think great, and I’m all for it – you may want tell your job that you’re willing to come back earlier, and maybe work a modified day until you’re 100%.

 

FOR ME, I could have went back to work in 2 day – but took two weeks because I knew I needed to learn the routine (something I never had) in order to be successful. The 3^rd week I worked 2 hours the first two days, 4 hours the 3rd day, 6 hours the 4th day, 8 hours the last day. The following week I worked a full 8 hours per day, but “took it easy" at the job. I kinda milked it for a bit because I was truly scared about a complication, but my job was wonderful and understanding.

 

Good luck, and can’t wait to know the exact date!! This way I can finish your place on the Losers’ Bench in our Winners’ Circle.

Well I got sick of waiting and called the insurance company on Friday afternoon and was told that my surgery HAS BEEN APROVED!!!! BUT the doctors office doesn't have it in writing yet so I'm still waiting for a date. I'm SICK of waiting. Work is on my back about it because I'm gonna need 4 weeks off...and they/I have to make sure there is someone covering for me even though we have no extra people thanks to "budgets". It's VERY nerve wracking.

I did decide to go to my favorite vacation spot one last time before surgery. So I packed up Friday evening after work and drove to Pigeon Forge, TN...even took my parents along(because I'm such a wonderful daughter). It was exactly what I needed right now to kinda get my mind off the waiting game that the office/insurance company is making me play. I called it my "Last Fat Trip"...as I don't plan on going bac****il I've lost AT LEAST 50 pounds!!! =)

Sorry I just needed to vent. I'm sure I'll be posting a surgery date very soon!! Lol.

REASON: A few of you have mentioned you’d like to get together for a dinner. We can sit around, meet each other, share our trials and tribulations and maybe a few laughs. While we want to help each other lose, maybe we can also help each other gain  … a new friend or two (or 5).

 

EVERYONE is invited to come. It doesn’t matter which operation you had, or even if you haven’t had a procedure yet, or maybe you’re just “thinking" about it !! COME and have a good time !!

 

If your apprehensive in attending, let me assure you – you will have a good time. There is NO JUDGING !! We are tolerant of each other’s decisions. In addition, if it means anything, the Food Police are banned from our gathering.

 

Each time we do this, I will try to “move" the location - since no one location will be convenient for everyone.

 

This time we’re in the “Northern" section of the Garden State !!

 

Place: Park West Diner

Location: 1400 Us Highway 46 Little Falls, NJ 07424

Time: 5:30 p.m.     it is understandable that not everyone can arrive at this time, so come WHENEVER. We probably won’t order until 6:30 p.m.

Menu / Website: http://www.parkwestdiner.com/

 

In the meantime, for the “meeting newbies" here are some meeting request. I hope I don't offend anyone - it's not meant to be that. Just helpful. 

 

(1) If you want a separate check, please let the server know prior to taking the orders. It’s a hassle to ask the server to do this later on. And some places won’t do this if the crowd is too numerous.

 

(2) Usually when we do a group meeting, I like to divide check by the total number of folks at the table, instead of trying to figure out who had what. (If someone brings more than one person, they multiple the total owed by the number of people they have). Now I understand if you only order a coffee and someone else has a Filet Mignon with a 5 lbs Lobster – then we can address that more diplomatically.

 

(3) Please bring CASH (unless you want a separate check). And please make sure you have an assortment of bills. It’s really difficult to make change when everyone brings only 20’s.

 

(4) Bring a CAMERA!! Even if you are like me and camera shy, you’ll still want to take some photos of the folks who are there. I don’t have one or I would.

 

(5) Bring “proof" of your former self. Nothing says “how far you have come" like older photos. Even if you lost only 1 pound, bring your “before" pictures (and at the last meeting we all agree we hate that word only. Be proud of any amount of weight you lost).

 

(6) Please feel free to post and link this on any other forum you peruse (ex. Lapband,  Realize band, RNY, VBG, VSB, etc). The more the merrier !!

 

(7) Print your Obesity Help “Membership" card so we hand them out. If you don’t know how to do this, send me an personal message, and I will send you the instructions.

 

Remember this is a GROUP effort. Please feel free to add your suggestion and/or voice your opinion on any suggestion. AND NO HARD FEELING – this is meant to be a pleasant experience

 

For those who haven’t had the operation yet – you too are more the welcome to come. In fact, you are encouraged to come!! This would be a ‘true-life’ learning experience to see “life after the operation". You will be able to hear what our ups-and-downs are, and you are encouraged to ask as many questions as you want. Other “up-comers" have come, and found it interesting and educational.

 

Significant others and/or kids are also welcomed (however you may want to leave them behind so you can really enjoy yourself  – it’s up to you)

 

Finally, please feel free to tell ANYONE you think may be interested, and since I cannot post on every board, feel free to copy and paste this on the boards you frequent.

 

If you'd like to email me directly, my email address is [email protected]