PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hey everybody!!! I'm new to this whole band thing and still have alot of questions. I go to talk to my doctor tomorrow. My mom will be with me so I don't really want to ask this question in front of her. So here goes.... I am 21 so I go out with my friends every weekend...this is something i look forward to!!! I was wondering if like 6 months or so after I get the band can i drink with it?? I am not saying for the calorie part of the fat grams part of it...i'm talk about is it safe to drink with the band? I know beer and things are fating but what if i drank like vodka and cranberry??? I was just wondering if anyone knew if it was safe to drink with the band? or coul…

:eek:i was banded yesterday.. not too bad today. here's how it went. i get there 6 am. they bring me back to start . they need blood count? i was stuck 4 times before they could get 2 viles. IV line hurt like hell. differnt gal had to find the IV line twice. So i'm go in. surgery went great. morphine drip all night. up and moving. last night. sugar sticks in three fingers. more blood drawn today. more sugar sticks. started heperin in my belly. more sticks so far. i only gave my self one shot could not do it tonight, husband did it. he was great, it did not hurt at all. i'm home, bruised like crazy, feel ok. started Protein 2 ounces with one ounce of ckicken broth. Oh and…

ok my belly is making noises like crazy. girgling/rumbling like i'm hungry or i have gas but i'm not hungry. my mind is though. i finally understand the difference. i'm sure its normal but just curious what you all have experienced when you were in your early stages of banding. kind of feels full, but not sure if thats pain/gas/ or hunger.?????:confused2:

I AM FINALLY IN THE HOME STRETCH! Got insurance approval yesterday - preop on March 3rd and surgery is scheduled for March 11th - WHOOPEE!! My question is - Has anyone continued to go to weight watchers either pre-op or post-op? I made a committment that I was going to continue to go to weight watchers on January 2, 2004 until I reached "lifetime" and I am still going even though during these four years I lost 49.8 pounds - regained 20 - lost it again and regained 30 this time. (Husband cancer surgery and Daughters wedding) Still going, still paying but is anyone else? They said I could keep coming even after banding but if anyone asks me about it, the leader quickly …

I'm still trying to decide about the lap band but have found a great amount of information here. Thanks!! I am wondering about the gas. How bad is it really? You see, I'm prone to panic attacks where I think I'm having a heart attack. I want to lose the weight so the possiblilty of that heart attack will lessen. My question is, will I be constantly thinking I'm having a heart attack with the increased amount of gas? I hope you all don't think I'm crazy, but I don't want to set myself up for multiple panic attacks every day, kwim?

A question for you mothers... How does pain from LBS compare to Labor, more specifically post-op pain from a C-Section? Just curious! Thank you for your response.

I'm new to these boards and am just starting paperwork for lap-banding. I don't know how it will go with insurance approvals and what not. I'm a short girl 4'10" and weighed in on first visit at 172 BMI of 35.9. I come from a family of heavyweights. My dad had gastric bypass 5 years ago, and my baby sister is needing some medical surgery for weight loss as she's now tipping scales at about 300 lbs. I was told by a doctor, several times, that the dieting I have been doing the last five years has staved off the 250 pound girl in to the 160-170 pound girl I maintain well. I am afraid if I gain any more weight I'll balloon like my sister did. The 170's and beyond are t…

I was banded 1/14 (just over 3 weeks ago) I was on full liquids for 2 weeks faithfully. I saw my Dr at 2 weeks and he said I could move on to puree/mushies. I have been on them for 1 week now. I am supposed to stay on them for the next 2-3 weeks and gradually introduce soft solids. I feel completely fine...And hungry. But mostly I'm finding it hard to get in enough calories eating healthy mushies. I do not want to eat crap just because it is soft. Long story short...I have eaten a meal tonight of a lean ground beef patty (5oz) and about 1/2 cup mashed cauliflower. It was wonderful and felt fine. No pain or even mild discomfort. Not full but satisfied. To be honest I feel …

I am 5'1" tall and weigh 280lbs. My goal weight is 130. I have gone through all of the weigh ins and even got it added to our insurance and was approved to have the surgery and was scheduled to have the surgery on January 21st. I started having 2nd thoughts and was praying that if this wasn't the right thing to do then show me a sign. My surgeon called me from his cell phone on the Sunday morning before my surgery and told me he was stuck out of town and we would have to reschedule it so of course this really scared me. My concern is the fact that I've had 5 (FIVE) major abdominal surgeries in the last 8 years and I'm concerned about scarring and just the fact of having a…

I wish I could say I'm doing as well as the rest of you...but I'm not. I'm upset & frustrated and beginning to realize my greatest fear: This band is NOT going to work for me! I just know it. I had the feeling before i ever got banded that i would be the ONE person who gets the band and FAILS MISERABLY. That's me. I only lost 13 lbs. post-op. I was banded on 01/04. I'm following the rules, sticking to each and every order...and I'm GAINING WEIGHT. I work out, I get in all my fluids...I'M SO INCREDIBLY UPSET. Now I've gained 4 pounds so I've only really lost 9. My Nutritionist said she did NOT want to see me gain weight before my first fill...which I won't hav…

i had my first fill on january 4th(.5cc in a 4cc band). today is feb 6 and ive lost 12lbs since my first fill. i noticed that i can eat like i used to. i dont mean quantity but i eat fast and dont chew well and i dont have any problems. i meet with my surgeon on feb 26 and i was thinking of getting my second fill. as far as loosing i think 12 pounds in one month is pretty good. i did go one week with no weight loss but once i increased my calories from 800-1000 to 1200 i lost 6lbs in one week. i have gotton a little of track though by eating a sweet a day for the past 4 days(im having problems at work and may have to find another job). i need to get back on track. so anyw…

Hello everyone My grandmother got her operation 3 days ago which went well, however, now three days later she is getting serious hunger like pangs (just AFTER she eats) which seem to resonate a bit sorer into her back. Has anyone else experienced such pain leading to there back? Any help would be great thanks! michi

we susan and I are leaving for mx on the 28th for surgery on the 29th. should we bring some pain control with us or do they supply it. also we are 2 nights in hsp and 2 night in hotel. Is this long enough to recover for a 4 hour flight home? any info wud be aprc. dr kuri is our surgern.

If you stretch your pouch will it shrink back down to the right size? Probably a dumb question but idk??

I have been trying to lose weight since Dec. 2007 and I have lost 14 lbs. but no more. I read about others losing a lot more. 1) What am I doing wrong with not losing weight? 2)What should I except after surgery while in the hospital and coming home? I am so scared and not sure if I want to continue with the journey. I am really thinking about saying no but then I think of my kids and I say pain for a few mos. is worth it (I think). Please help. Thanks, Chilly:crying:

My body responds very well to dieting. I have always been able to lose weight with a high protein low carb diet but I have not been able to lose anything in over a week. My diet consists of eggs, tuna, and salmon. All very high protein. I am not snacking in between with sugary foods of anything. HELP! I lost weight with this for the first few weeks but not in the last week. Any suggestions as to why? Thanks

Did anyone have to take Atenolol pre-op? It is a beta-blocker. They told me to take it one week pre-op which I started yesterday but I am not sure why I am taking it. I am putting a call into the office today.

"pre-op procedure for swallowing--the manometry--where the tube with the camera goes thru the nose into the tummy" I was just reading in another thread where someone had this done. Anyone else??

My surgery is 6 days away, and i am freaking out! I am so nervous! I am only 19, and I see people who are older than I am and have had the surgery, but I do not see anyone my age! Is there anyone out there?

I read a lot of resistance to change in here. The band won't make us thin-- it is just a TOOL to help us make the CHANGES in our behavior that made us obese. If we insist of throwing our favorite high calorie recipes into a blender and drinking them, we are not really changing, are we? If we whine about giving up caffeine or carbonation, we are resisting even small changes. I know it's going to be reeeeeally hard for me to eat "like a baby," to chew my food til it's goo, to put my little baby spoon and fork down between itsy bitsy teensy bites and wait an interminably long time for the next bite... but when I took this step, I knew it was the best way for me to l…

Hi All- I am three weeks post op and on my mushy phase. I didnt get enough protein today plus I have not had a real BM since my procedure. This led to me eat tuna fish tonight (fish was on my list of approved mushy food) I believe I ate about 3 oz. I am in pain right now and terrified that I have stressed the sutures holding my band in place. Anyone else have any troubles transitioning to mushies?

I just discovered this board and I am already overwhelmed by the amount of information here. I am seriously considering having a lapband done within the next 6 to 8 weeks. My question is this...since this is an outpatient procedure, can I return to work 3 days later or even a week later? I am a 4th grade teacher. Thanks! CajunDisney

I am just starting the whole process. My insurance company (CIGNA) tells me that i need a letter from my doctor stating that he has been monitoring me for a diet and excercise program for at least six months. I didnt know that they would need this and now I may have to wait until 6 months is up even to see if I can be approved. And then at the end of six months I may have lost a few pounds and I wont be eligible for the surgery. Even though I know I will gain it right back because thats what always happens to me. (lose a few, gain double) I am very frustrated with the process. I am going to see my doctor today and hopefully he will be able to give me a letter sooner. You …

surgery was 2/1 and i know i am to do all liquids but says cream of wheat- is that ok?

I was reading that some people are drinking peppermint drink to help with pain. Was won dering what is this drink. Thanks

Is there something other than surgery to do about the extra skin I will have once I lose the weight? I know losing the weight is way more important. I'm just wanting to know. I'm curious. Are the reconstructive surgeries covered by any insurance or just some? Are there reasons the reconstructive surgery could be considered medically necessary?

Hi there... I was banded on 1/31 and it is now Monday and I am still at home recovering... I am a little suprised by a couple things... How Painful the gas can be- mainly in my left shoulder... when will this GO AWAY?? I am feeling lethargic but too restless to sleep, its driving me crazy... I thought I would be doing so much better by now, heck, I thought I would be back at work today... apparently NOT. Not to be gross, but I have awful diahrreah as well. I feel like I am falling apart... have even had some doubts and fears about this process... please tell me it gets better

So I have been having troubles taking a deep breath. My stomach doesn't hurt or nor does my incisions but I think its because I can't BURP!! I feel like I have to and when it starts to come, it hurts. I am drinking slowly but how do I get rid of that Gassy feeling? I am going to the mall tomorrow to walk....walk....and walk. I need to get out and get some exercise. Is anyone else having the problems of not burping?

Hello everyone! I wanted to introduce myself, I'm pretty new to the board. I got banded on 1/24/08. So I just entered the mushie stage yesterday. My question is have any of you cheated, by having a piece of this or a bite of that? I have not done it, but I have considered it. I am getting very tired of these foods, and if I have to have another Protein drink im going to puke! Thanks for the wealth of information here. Any advice or suggestions for a newbie are appreciated. Thanks! surgery/current/goal 240/231/140

Hello bandsters, Just wondering...I too have been reading posts, I just joined yesterday. I am 4 mths post-op. I have not had my first fill yet, I have lost 32lbs. I am concerned about what amount to eat. I try to stick to 1/3-1/2 cup of food per meal,protein usually. On my last visit to my surgeon, last month he told me that I should only have 3-5 baby spoons of food per meal. honestly, I sometimes feel hungry after that amount. I also feel dizzy sometimes with wierd vision blurriness. My dr. says that he wants to wait three more months which will be May or 6 months out for fill. I don't know if I'm eating too much or not. from what I have been reading I…

Hello - I'm new here and looking for advice. I just got approved and have a surgery date for March 7th. I have a 9 month old and I am a stay at home mom. How long before I can carry him? Can I do it right away? He weighs about 20 lbs (give or take). Anyone else have this situation? What did you do?

Hi, I am on my pre-op diet, although I don't have a surgery date yet. I'm trying to wait at least a 1/2 hour after eating before drinking any liquids. Is this what other people have been told to do? Also, I'm confused about liquid BEFORE eating....should I also try to wait a half hour after drinking anything to eat? Thanks! Margie

Okay I have not been nor do I want to go.... However I travel and this is my question... Is there any fast food restaurant we can go to and what do we order. Thanks for the info....

I am 4 days post op and I am a little panicked and need some reassurance from those who've been banded for awile. I researched the band for a year before deciding to go ahead with it. I feel like it's the only way that I will ever lose the weight I want/need to lose. That said...even though I realize that it will eventually lead to a healthier, hopefully happier me...I can't see that far down the road yet. Basically I am feeling like, what the heck have I done!!! I feel like I won't ever have a normal life now. Does that feeling go away? Or did anyone else feel that way? I need some support!

Has anyone had a fluttery twitching feeling on the top left part of your stomach? It seriously sometimes I feel like I am pg again and I have a kid kicking

I'm getting banded (yea!!) on Tuesday. I've told my doctor that I have a trip on Saturday afterwards. He said he thought I'd be fine as long as I took it easy and wasn't in a lot of pain. So.... my question is this: Have any of you traveled (by air) so soon after, and if so, how did you manage? Is there anything special I need to take? I know the liquid stage is going to be a bit difficult to manage, but I'm hoping I'll be able to get by. I have the powdered Optifast mix already.l Any adivce?

I have another question! I am 5 days post op and I am really thirsty. Can I drink like I always did? My booklet says to sip, but I am pretty thirsty. Don't liquids pass on through the band? Especially since I don't have restriction yet? Thanks!

Someone posted a website the other day that tells all of the Dr. that will do fills in each state. I cannot find that post can anyone help me out? Please!!

Hey guys... I haven't been on here for awhile but I do have a question... My insurance company requires a 6 month physician monitored weight loss program before surgery, which I am doing right now. I'm curious to see who all had to do this. I'm scared to lose weight and try b/c the insurance company may come back stating I can lose weight on my own. My problem isn't necessary losing the weight, but keeping it off and gaining more than I originally started with. I would love to lose weight and become healthy... my PCP also recommended Phentramine (SP?) to assist with weight loss b/c my blood pressure is actually really good. This would be a temporary, kick-off, typ…

Problem 1: Sometimes it feels like somthing is coming back up in my throat?? Is this the band slipping? It comes and goes and usually only does it after I get up from sitting or lying?? Problem 2: My steristrips are causing blisters....can these come off or do I have to let them fall off?? Any tips? Thanks, other than that I am doing really good...not so sore today...no nausea....

I am totally paranoid about medication getting stuck. I cannot figure out why it's okay to take medication/vitamins when you can't eat solid food. I have not taken my Calcium since the day before my surgery (last week) because this is a large tablet, and I hate taking the Vitamin C and the metformin. I have cut the metformin tabs into 4 pieces and that helps, but I am sure one got stuck this morning because as I was drinking my Protein drink a while after taking my meds this morning I became aware of a sensation like a plug getting pulled and my esophogus draining. It was very strange. What does everybody else do about medication and Vitamins?

So I have a question. I was banded on 12/17/07. I have lost a sufficient amount of weight I feel since this time. However my port was put to the right side of my belly button. Certain things I do... makes it feel like its pulling. Or the area that the port is in starts burning. Is this just the healing process? I can feel it if I bend down or squat on my knees. I don't understand. :eek: It's really uncomfortable that I feel it! Do any of you or have any of you had this? How long will it last? It is not enough to go back to the dr but I wonder what the deal is?:frown:

I know I should ask my dr but I don't want them not to give me a fill. I had my surgery 6 weeks ago and whenever I take a deep breath in it hurts a lot in my port site (I think). Has anyone ever experienced this? I though maybe my insides just need to heal, but now it's 6 weeks later and I am getting nervous.

I have not been banded yet (hopefully soon), but I had Strep Throat last week, on top of the antibiotics and all, Alka Seltzer Cold and Flu was the ONLY thing that made me feel better, and I started wondering if the bubbles are like carbonation - and if it would be a no-no after surgery. Anyone know?

I have completed all requirements for my insurance company and surgeon except for one. lose 10 lbs. I've lost 4...not too bad. However I meet with my surgeon tomorrow and then they will submit to the insurance company. I have UHC and through my plan you have to talk to the same person everytime who is a nurse who also with approve/deny your surgery. She said she would have an answer within 3 days! holy cow! anyway if that's the case then by friday feb 8th I should have some sort of answer. so that means I really need to lose the last 6+ lb. So my question is for those of you who went on a pre-op liquid diet...what did you eat? and how often? breakfast, lunch and…

I had surgery 1/24 and the week before I was on liquids and lost 11lbs.Yeah!Dr. told me to weigh daily after surgery and lost 12lb by day 7.Yeah! Weighed on day 8 after starting mushies and sticking to diet plan exactly and gained 1.5lb.Boo! Day 9, gained .5lb.Boo! Today, gained .5lb.What the heck is going on? I could be gaining wt. eating tons of crap like I used to. I am not hungry, but eat three meals a day, no snacking. I am getting in at least 64 oz. fluid, mostly water, and for once am honestly following the plan. Getting 50-65 gr. protein daily.Why is this happening to me? If anyone has had this experience, please give me your insight as to what is going on and how…

Okay! I am so frustrated right now I can't stand it. It seems like I would have the same results if I never had the band. I have to eat the same things as I did pre-op to lose weight. My weight loss is based solely on willpower right now. I know the band is a tool to help but I would like to have something other than eggs, tuna and salmon. Help! Will it get better after a fill? Im so irritated. Any advice is welcomed!

Hi all. Today I woke up to feeling a bit yucky. Luckily it has passed with little effect. It did get me to worndering .... once I am banded, how do I cope and care for myself if I get a tummy flu and or diareia (sp?)? With the new stomach so much smaller, I think dehydration is a major problem then?

I am looking forward to having my lap band surgery - but am curious if anyone knows of any issues with future pregnancy? I am not planning to get pregnant in the next year or so, at least until I have lost the weight I need to. But, I would like to have children in the future and am concerned that the lap band may cause complications. anyone know anything regarding this? Obviously I will be discussing this with my doctor when it gets to that point, but wanted in-put and thoughts here too :party: Thanks everyone, Sara in WA

Just a note to tell you about the Seattle Bash and Band Conference. Now in its 6th year, this year promises to be the very best. Happening in 2 weeks. Twenty speakers- 6 lap band surgeons-300 patients- totally patient sponsored. See our website at http://barbooch2.homestead.com/SeattleBandsterSplash2008.html