PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Ok I really don't think I am crazy but..... I went to my evaluation appt on Tuesday. The questions were seriously silly. Are you homicidal, suicidal, do you want to eat clay etc etc after 2 hours of this stuff I go home and have a message that says the test is inconclusive and now I have to go back and take it again. The sheer thought of sitting through that again is ridiculous. Anyone else dealing with this?

I have a problem. I am getting the band on monday, and my mom doesnt want me to tell anyone about it, no family, no friends~ no one! She has told me that she feels like a bad parent for "letting me get this way" but i dont see it that way at all. i have medical issues that cause me to be overweight, and my friends know that, and know they cant know i am going to be healthy. my mom says i can tell people after i get surgery, but i need support NOW! I understand what my mom wants, but i need support in my friends.....what should i do?

I've known for some time that I am considered a "grazer" - many women are. I don't usually eat huge portions at a sitting, but I do feel a "need" to munch every few hours. How has the Lap-Band helped you overcome your grazing habits? What things should I keep in mind to prepare myself for a live w/ Lap-Band and without grazing? Thanks! Nikki

Hey everyone. I am getting so anxious and frustrated here. I know things don't happen overnight and I know how the medical system works (I'm a nurse), but this seems borderline ridiculous. I started the process for the lapband in December. The timeline has gone something like this: Early December: Initial appt. with PCP to ask for referral. Mid December: Referral approved, called surgeon to make appt. Was told I had to attend WLS seminar before I could make an appt. Jan 15th: Attended seminar. Nurse at seminar told us we could call the very next day for our initial appointment. Jan 16th: Called for appt. Was told I had to submit 20-page "application p…

Hi Everyone! I'm meeting with my surgeon Tuesday morning for my pre-pre-op visit. This is my initial meeting since being approved and scheduled. My surgery is on 2/25. I'm putting together my list of questions to ask and am afraid that I will miss something. I'll be reading posts throughout the day to get more ideas, but anything, especially the random ones, that you could think of would be a great help. I want to be sure I know all I need to going in about the type of band I will get and/or options of appliances, questions about fill procedures later and what to expect, etc. etc. My 18 months of reseach is suddenly culminating in this actual visit and now …

Hello you guys!!! I am in the process of getting insurance approval for my surgery and I had a couple of questions I'm hopeing you can help me with!!! What are some of the important things to do BEFORE your surgery? What are some things you WISH you would have done? What kind of equipment did you have to buy if any? What about food? We haven't talked about this in the office as of yet but I'm sill very curious. How do you keep from getting stopped up??? Am I going to get to drink lots of water when I don't eat? Sorry for all the questions, I could go on and on and on! I'm just so excited for my new lifestyle change!

...until AFTER my surgery. I'm going in next Wednesday and despite the amazing advice in here, which I intend to digest later... I've decided to stop reading about all the problems, challenges, and, gulp, agonizing pain from infected ports, food stuck in throats, puking, constipation, diarrhea, weight not falling fast enough, tiresome liquid diets, etc. I want to have a smile on my face when I walk into the hospital and a feeling of gratitude for the possibility of a virtual miracle in my life... Imagine. I can finally be a healthy weight again. WOW Thank you, God. ; )

I'm just curious as to what everyones favorite protien drink is? I'm looking for something that is more like a juice than a shake. Do they make such a thing?

Hi all I am getting close to completing my 6 month supervised weight loss program..YEAH!! I know my insurance covers the surgery for the band but I actually just thought about the fills being covered. For those that have already had fills...does your insurance cover those? Thanks

I am having trouble holding anything down... Fill? NO not yet. I seem to be throwing up after eating. What is going on please help this sucks! :confused2:

HI My surgeon thinks I may have a hiatal hernia. I'm getting the scope down my throat this Wed so he wont have a surprise during band surgery. He said it would be an easy fix if I have one and would do it during the LBS. Has anyone had this? Is it really a no-brainer to fix? Was everything fine after recovery? Thanks

My surgery date was 07/05/2007. I had lost about 40 lbs before christmas...then during the holidays I found myself eating everything that I was not suppose to. I did not get full either. My 2nd band adjustment had been done in October and I missed the one in December..partly because I knew I had been bad... So, I went for the 3rd adjustment about 1 1/2 weeks ago. THIS TIME...well, now I really have to chew chew chew, sometimes the food hurts when it goes down, until it passes ( I guess) and I espicially notice in the mornings if I eat something to greasy or spicy...I vomit!! THIS has never been like that. Although I am glad it is boosting my wt loss...DOES ANYONE KNOW IF…

:confused2: I think i'm going back to work tomorrow. it will be 7 days since banding. i work with patients chairside. no lifting. lots of bending to look in their mouths. what was the experience like for people who went back. i feel ok. still sore in the tummy not alot of gas pains anymore. i can stand if i need to to do some work. just dont know what to expect.? any ideas. tomorrow i start stage 2. so today i start blending foods for tomorrow and the rest of the week to have on hand at work. any thoughts would be appreciated. m.

Hello everyone.. I just got my surgery date...March 7th.. I am soooo nervous/excited. Finally after 6 months of waiting!! I wanted to know, and I realize this is premature. but how long before you actually see the weight loss?? any advise pre-op? thanks!!! ~Destyne~:cursing:

Hi all... I have searched through the threads to see if someone else had posted about this, but I give up and will just ask!!! I was banded 11/26/07 and (knock on wood) haven't had any complications. I had my first fill three weeks ago. On saturday night I ate too much... I hate fish, a little broccoli and two helpings of salad (it was sooooo yummy). I probably ate a cup or so total even tho my doc told me not to eat more than 1/2 cup total. A little while after I ate I started to feel tightness around my band which was a little uncomfortable but not unbearable. So I started feeling around my stomach just pressing my fingers into the skin. I can feel like a really h…

Does anyone have problems with hypertrophic scars. Mine are not terrible, but still wider and raised. Do topical scar reducer treatments work on these type of scars?

Has anyone worn one of these after surgery or heard anything about it. I looked through the posts and saw that people used them after PS but not too much on after the band. Well I have one and I put it on (almost 4 weeks post op) and it seems to be helping my port pain and residual soreness. Do you think there would be any reason *NOT* to wear it??

I was banded on 1/28 and since then I have noticed that most foods and fluids have a nasty taste now. Everything has a bitter taste. I do have a cold with some nasal drainage so I thought that might be the problem but in the past colds haven't had this effect. Even breath mints taste nasty now. Anyone had a similar experience? Teanne

Well I am almost 2 weeks post op and back to normal. I am eating regular food and having no problem. I can tell the swelling is gone as I have no restriction. I am slowly gaining the 13 lbs I have lost. Ugh, I have my first fill on 2/28. Is this normal? I am just sick of being hungry.

I was banded on 2/7/08. Have had absolutely no complications, surgery and recovery have been a breeze. However, today I am suddenly getting hoarse. I am presuming that this is from the tube they use on you during surgery but I expected to feel after effects from that sooner after surgery rather than three days afterward. I have no soreness and my throat feels completely normal otherwise. Anyone experienced this?

Hi -- I am 8 days post op and just started on full liquids yesterday. This afternoon I had chicken and rice soup, blended, no more than 8 ounces in two meals, several hours apart. This is, by far, the most substantive food I have had in 3 weeks. About a 1/2 hour ago, I began having some pain in my lower right abdomen. While I have been active today, I have not done anything too extreme and do not recall doing anything that would have caused a muscle strain or problems with the port. I am wondering if this pain is gas, or just my lower intestine "processing." While it is unbearable pain, it is more than what I have felt for several days. I took some tylenol and gas x…

I am seriously considering the LBS. Is their anyone that has had the surgery and also has Crohn’s Disease, (IBS)? I would really like your input on this, how well you did after the surgery and did it cause a flair up of your Crohn's Disease. Thanks so much for your time.

I am dying on my first of two days of clear liquids pre-op. Any suggestions? I have been having ff broth, diet gingerale, sugar free jello. Am I missing any options?

Hey im new to your fourm here and I had the lap band done last month am 3 wks out yesterday! Last nite I was trying to reach for one ofmy kitty's rather quickly to brush his hair and when I bent over to stretched ,i hurt myself uderneath my breast where my port is! :tongue2: I dont know if i just kinda of spained it or what but it still hurst really badly today! Should i call my Surgeons office and ask them? What do ya'llthink? I Hope since i am 3 wks out that i didnt injury their or cause any major complication?:drool: Thanks very much!

I was banded on 2/5/08 currently on clear liquids and graduate to full on next Tuesday I've gained a pound, anyone have that problem?

Hello everyone and let me start by thanking everyone for their posts. This site is what gave me the courage to opt for the banding. I have read so many posts regarding the liquid stage of the diet but have yet to find anyone who is on a Clear and Full liquid diet like the one my doctor has me on. I do understand all the individual preferences the doctors follow but I am really looking for an ally I guess you could say. I started a Clear & Full Liquid Diet 2 days prior to surgery. I was banded January 9, 2008 at 7:30am and was home by 2:00pm and that included a 45 minute commute! Below is a sample of my diet: Breakfast - 2 oz cream of wheat - 2 oz sugar-free blende…

Hello all. I am in the lap-band evaluation process. I passed the psych eval., pulmonary evals, and am now going through with the 6 mos. nutrition plan as required by my insurance. My dietition says that my BMI is on the lower end. I do have hypertension, knee issues, plantar faciitis, and have been at times, borderline diabetic. A little worried if insurance will approve me with a 38.5 BMI. Has anyone out there been approved with BMI around my number.

hi i was wondering if anyone knows if i must be on a diet from mt dr before im approved for lapband,and how long?someone told me 3 months and another paper told me 12 months,if its 12 months ill be so bummed.means awhole yr from now?plz lmk if anyone knows,waited to hear bk from a seminar i went to and they told mwe theyd find out,seems like so mAny things to do to finally get a approved,not even sure they do but my bmi is higher than most,and ive had knee replacement on both knees,just hope ill get approved i couldnt pay for it,depressed in louisana,my hubby works gm here.thanks:mad:

Ok... did anyone else struggle with the heparin injections (mandatory blood thinner post-op) I am needle-phobic and seriously terrified to inject myself 3 times a day for 14 days... any trick/tips?? When I was in for my pre-op appointment the nurse tried getting me to inject myself (to practice) I went pale and got teary eyed and COULD NOT do it... I know I sound like a total wimp (especially to any diabetics out there) but I just am scared! Surgery is tomorrow...

Hello everyone... I am considering LapBand surgery and have some concerns. I am a very picky eater. There are so many things that I don't like. I have a lot of concerns about the liquid and mushy phases. I am reading through the postings regarding what others are eating and not seeing very many things that I like. If I make sure to take a vitamin, will I be okay? Even now I am rarely hungry. I eat because I'm bored, or on emotions, or because my family is eating and I know I have to have something in my system. Is getting banded going to make me hungry? I'm not really looking forward to feeling hungry when I haven't ever really had to deal with that. …

Ok, everyone talks about it, but I don't know what it is!

Well I had my surgery on 2/7/08 and am back home. I'm feeling pretty good - pain is controlled and so far so good with the liquid intake. I have one question - how hard or easy is it to displace/slip the band? What if I belch or gulp down some air to force a belch (after feeling gas pressure) - can that do it? or does it really need to be some strenuous thing like a stomach crunch or a sudden heavy lift? I figure I'm just trying to get used to having the device. Any thoughts would be appreciated? Than:rolleyes2::rolleyes2:ks guys!

Hello all I have been reading the posts on this site for several weeks now however, this is my first. I had my psych eval today and was told by the therapist that I had to quit smoking at least 2 months prior to surgery. Has anyone else been told this? I was aware that the surgeon I am seeing requires you to quit at least 2 weeks prior to surgery in order to reduce the risk of complications during surgery. I was prepared for that but 2 months?? Arrgh. I am on my 6th month of the weight loss program that I am required to complete and if this smoking thing is true my hopes of having the surgery by the end of March aren't looking to good. Does anyone know if they act…

I seem to be having a bit of trouble with soft foods. I suffered from IBS with diarrhea before surgery. It was really, really bad. I was under the impression that lap band surgery would help alleviate the IBS symptoms and possibly make it disappear forever. This was one of the main reasons (besides my other health issues) I made the decision to have lap band surgery in the first place. The problem: soft foods are going through me immediately. I understand that I don't have a pouch yet, so foods are being processed and running through me the same as before surgery. But why are things worse than before surgery? I won't have my first fill until Feb. 18th, at whic…

:crying:I was to be banded tomorrow, I was oo excited and anxious at the same time, started off my day with fluids only. I got the call today my surgeon is ill. I know it can not be helped, but this is the second time it was rescheduled. The first time was 3 weeks before the surgery. This time I was really geared up! Of course I started eating right away. I just need encouragement on what to eat now that I don't have a new surgery date yet. I certainly don't want to continue to gain weight. :thumbup:

So I hope this doesn't sound to dramatic! LOL I'm deathly afraid of PB'ing and I haven't even had my surgery yet! I have been this way my entire life (literally one of my BIGGEST fears). If I follow my rules to a T am I still going to vomit for sure? It seems like almost everyone does. My mother-in-law had gastric bypass and PB's all the time (unwilling of course). I just don't want to end up like that.. Any advice? Please...

Hi Everyone I am Stacy and I am getting ready for my surgery this friday.. I am excited... and scared out of my mind:ohmy: I am actually haveing my SX by the same Dr that did the lapband for Cassie who was on Oprah yesterday..Dr Ortiz in Mexico. I have no issues with who is doing my surgery.. I am scared to death of pain..and thanks to the movie that came out 2 months ago now I am worried about waking up durring the surgery. Any advice or words of encouragement would be wonderful!!.. I leave on thrusday..... Stacy

I'm just curious as to what everyones favorite protien drink is? I'm looking for something that is more like a juice than a shake. Do they make such a thing?

Hey Everybody! Had my surgery on 2/1 and all went well. Some pain for two days, but nothing I couldn't handle. However, here is my problem. I am a left side/stomach sleeper. Since my port insicion is on the left side I have been told to avoid sleeping on my left side or stomach. So, my sleeping has suffered which I'm sure slows down recovery. I am so beat in the morning from lack of sleep. I was hoping someone might have a suggestion? I've tried the extra pillow thing...didn't help.:tongue2:

Help!! I was banded on 1-17-08, and I am still having a lot of anxiety at times. I know it takes awhile to retrain your mind about eating, but this is making me crazy. I am still of soft foods and the only 2 foods I have tried are mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. I feel like I will never eat real food again. Please someone tell me that I will have a somewhat of a normal life soon. I know that I will never be able to eat a lot, which is the purpose,but please give me some idea of the type of food I will be able to eat again. Also I am very excited. The 2 weeks after my banding I lost 21lbs and now I have gained 5lbs. Is this normal? I do not go for my first fill until m…

I know this might sound stupid to some people but I was wondering. Can you take a shower at the hospital after the surgery? If not, how long after surgery can you shower? Thanks, Chilly

This week when I went for a first fill after 5months under Xray it was discovered the port is back to front and needs another op to correct this so I can have a fill. Just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this and what happens now.

Can you chew chewing gum post op? I am thinking it would be a good way to chew something in the liquid stage but I am not sure if it would get my stomach doing something it shouldn't! Let me know if you have been told either way or have experience. Thanx

I just started on food.... soft food broiled chicken, broiled fish etc. I have only had one episode of "PBing... gagging" it was at home and only lasted a little while. Our cruise is first of April what can I eat? I know chew chew chew... but I really don't want to get that "gagging, slime" feeling on the boat or at dinner. If any suggestions would love to hear them.

Greetings, Just needed to vent a bit! Yesterday was the second time my doctor had to cancel my appointment. I know that emergencies happen, but it is still very disappointing when this is the second time it was cancelled. This time he had a death in the family, no control over that for sure. But cannot get me in until the 20th of this month! Had my physc exam today, it went quite well, only 165 questions to answer and then meet with the consouler for 45 minutes. I feel pretty good about it considering what I have read here in this forum. Do you see an elphant? What the hell is that about!?! Anyway, I didn't have a loon asking me questions. (thank goodness) I will be po…

Hello All, I was banded on Monday 2/4/08, I am still in discomfort, but doing okay. How much time did you actually take - out of office- or out of school?

I just read that over-exercising and weighing oneself frequently are common "transferred addictions." One of OPRAH's gastric surgery guests last week had become an alcoholic. The REALIZE band program includes online support to help with diet, exercise, goal-setting, AND emotions. Speaking of OPRAH, yesterday's was "Does this CLUTTER make my butt look FAT?" Great show!

Hi folks. I am in Manchester UK. I have paid privately for a band which is due to be fitted on 12th Feb. I am 49 and have battled with 'our problem' all my life. I see this as my only option to spend at least some of my life the size I would love to be, and also a chance to give myself maybe 10 extra years. Q1. I am on a pre-op diet that my doc gave me. 2 Yoghurts a day and 2 pints of milk with other fluids. This seems harsh to me but the doc tells me its to shrink my liver. I am just about dealing with it. Is this the norm in the USA? Q2. I have read lots about people being hungry afterwards. I will be so dissapointed if I am after this commitment and having spe…

Hi to everyone!!! OK...I was banded on Dec 19th - I am so happy I did it....... However is/did anyone else 7-10 days after their surgery EAT LIKE CRAZY????? I feel like I have no restriction....I am eating out of control....I am scared I have moved my band, I feel like I have had nothing surgically done. I went to a center of excellence and had a WONDERFUL doctor, nutrition classes, support, etc... I have lost 50 lbs (mostly from liquid diet pre-op) and am doing all I can just to NOT gain before my first fill. I feel like a complete failure because I have not/did not stick to the diet prescribed by the nutritionist/doctor. Is anyone out there like ME????? I real…

Hi everyone, I just found out that I've finally been approved, I don't have a surgery date yet since I just talked to the insurance company this morning, but hope to have a date soon. I have a question, I've been wondering if anyone has gone to the chiropractor for an adjustment after having their band placed? I didn't know if it would be possible for the port or the band to be misplaced by having the chiropractor do his adjustments. I ask because I see a chiropractor frequently for back and hip pain. Any responses would be great, thanks.