PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

i was banded on 01/28/08. i am on clear liquids for next 2 weeks. not able to eat any food yet, but 3 times this week i broke out in cold sweats and i guess i was doing what is called sliming. got very scared. felt like i was going to vommit, but did not let myself do it. what is causing this to happen to me?

its been a rough week this week. my boss has come to me and thinks that i am lying about my hours, i have to go in on sunday to find out whats going on. ive been trying to eat right and exercise but i am having a hard time staying on track. usually when i am stressed i like to eat but i am trying not to over due it. i did eat extra times today but i think my calories are around 1100. i have been there for 3 years and even hang out with my boss out side of work and now this happens. ive never have gotten in trouble before let alone fired. i am shocked. andrea

Ok.. I know I am a bad girl. I took my daughter and her 2 little girlfriends to McDonalds tonight. I ate like 8 fries and 1/2 a chicken nugget. Now I am worried my doctor will be able to tell that I cheated. I have my blood work in the morning, is there anything I can do? Surgery is scheduled for 2/5.

Well, the choices have been mine: 1. I got myself fat; 2. I made the choice to get banded; 3. Despite all of the warnings about eating too much or too fast, I probably erred on eating too much or too fast. The details: I had a 10 cc. Lamp-Band implanted seven weeks ago. I had a 3 cc. fill two weeks ago, and I received another 3 cc yesterday. I was on liquids for 24 hours following my fill yesterday, and this evening I decided to have some salad and grilled chicken. My individual mouthfull's of food, I am guessing, were too large, and the speed that I ate at was probably too fast. I developed: 1. belching (non-propductive); 2. feeling like I was suffocatin…

My mom had lap band surgery on 1/29. She has not gotten out of bed or had any liquids since. My dad said she feels warm... and I told him to take her temperature right away!! Is all of this normal or should she be feeling a little better by now?? I am also scheduled for surgery and just want to be sure I am aware of any abnormalities. Should I be worried???

Did your doctor prescribed medication called Emend? After research this med, help keep you from vomiting and being nausea.

I am about 3 weeks post op. This weekend, I felt a decent size lump where the port incision is located. The lump is about the size of a jumbo egg and is tender around its edges. It's a little warm, but not hot nor is the skin area red. I called the Dr and I have an appointment today. Anyone have this issue? I'm actually pretty nervous about it.

Can ya'll tell me how long you were on clear, full, liquids following surgery. I am suppose to be on clear liquids for 2 weeks post op and then according to the book I was given by my doc, its on to the mushy stage. I am really craving some pudding.

I know this is gross, but I'm having a terrible time with this. Before surgery I ate fresh fruit three times a day. I ate a LOT of fresh vegetables and salad as well, so I was as regular as Big Ben. Daily, matter of fact. I'm 8 weeks out now, and on regular diet. I have been battling constipation ever since I had surgery. Sometimes it's bad. I won't take laxatives as I know these are habit forming. My doctor suggested prune juice. Doesn't help..... Usually, my coffee in the morning had me running to the bathroom. Not anymore. It doesn't do a thing. I don't eat fruit nearly as much anymore because of the high sugar content, and once I eat my veggies, I'm full. I drink tons…

How soon do people usually go off them? I have high blood pressure, but it's controlled with meds. I was banded on 12/27/07. Since my 2 week preop diet I have lost 30 lbs. However the last 2 times I went to the doc my BP was pretty high. ( It could be nerves) I sure would like for weight loss to regulate my BP so I can get off my meds. Thanks! JJ

I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks and I've been rereading my surgeons written materials. For the first week after surgery I'm supposed to be on Clear liquids, but he also says "You should try to purchase a Protein drink and try to consume at least 60 grams of protein per day." I was under the impression that Protein drinks and powders weren't considered clear liquids. At any rate, I'm not sure which Protein powder to buy. I live in a rural town with a Wal-mart Supercenter as my only option for a store and there are only a couple of protein supplements available here. I could wait until I go to Denver for the surgery and buy something then. I just don't want t…

I was banded 1/21/08 and I am currently on my liquid stage. I was advised to eat soups but never advised that they had to be clear liquids. I got tired of eating chicken broth so I got a little creative. One day I purchased a bowl of Broccoli Cheese soup and made 3 meals out of it by pureeing it and then adding water. Then next day I made a pot of potato soup and did the same thing. I watered the soup down and I am trying to make sure that I only consume 1/2 cup at each meal. I lost 10 pounds in one week with my pre-op diet and now I have only lost one pound. Did I stretch out my band already?

Hello everyone, I was banded on the morning of January 29th. I am doing okay. Sore and stiff. My question to you is do you feel short of breath like it hurts to take a deep breath? I am doing great with the diet. I went into surgery at 253 and now this morning 251.4. I am not even hungry at all. But does anyone have any advise with the breathing thing?

Ok, i was banded on 16th Jan and everything went well. I got out of hospital the next day. I had a lot of tearing pain internally around my port, but two weeks on, I am still in a LOT of pain there. All my other incisions have cleared up well. My port incision is clearing up, i did have a slight infection at one end of it, but i got onto it right away and am still on amoxil syrup. I went back to the surgeon a week ago cos of the pain near the port incision and he ordered an ultrasound in case it was a haematoma or something. I had that done tues am and there was no problem they could see. I spoke to his receptionist on wed this week and she said he wants me to c…

I came down with a really bad stomach virus and I was wondering if you get violently ill, can your labband move or dislocate?

Hey everybody out there! I am a 22-year old female from B'ham, AL. I currently weigh 225lbs, standing at 5'2ft, and have a BMI of 40. I recently went to a Dr. for a weight loss program and she prescribed me Phetermine 37.5, however it has been a month and I have not lost any weight. Not to mention I have been having terrible side effects (acid reflux, migranes, moody). Ugh! I am still waiting on my lab results for my bloodwork. Anyway, I started to wonder about the LapBand surgery. I will formally begin my research when I attend a seminar 2/16/08. I have read alot of post about the BCBS of AL and requirements, but I still have more questions, if anybody can help how …

Hi, I'm still in the beginning of getting my approval but of course for work they need to know about when I'm going to take time off. I was wondering how long after the lapband surgery were you back at work? I know that it can vary but just wondering my job is a sit down job no heavy lifting or anything like that. Thank you

:eek: hi all, well in five days i will be banded and missing a gall bladder.. thats going well. pre-op diet goes well during the day but at night i'm starved, and not eating the best foods.:frown: anyway, i have had a couple of bad days at work... working with women sucks, small office (dental) dr/boss not a leader what-so-ever. so i got into with a couple of idiots who i work with about patient stuff... LATER THAT NIGHT, come home panic attack.. small one but still panic attack. tonight another if i dont relax, it will spiral to a big one. i took 5mg valium that my girlie gave me to help me relax.. i'm sure my nerves are showing themselves right now and its hitti…

I cannot stop hiccuping! I called my doctor's office and they told me not to drink anything cold (no way can i tolerate a warm Protein shake) I am 15 days post op. I have also read that it can be from drinking too fast or distension- well when i wake up in the morning the first thing i do is hiccup- way before i have anything!! maybe my nerves are still locally irritated from the surgery- i hope this gets better! The hiccups arent very violent or anything so I dont think they should cause a problem but I guess I am just looking for reassurance!

Ok has anyone started or plans on or already had the lap band surgery through WHMC? I am getting the referral on Monday (hopefully) and I am wondering how long it takes to get approved and how hard it is? Also, how the experience was/is. We should be PCSing this summer and hope to have the surgery done before we leave. Thanks for any info!

I have an insulin pump, which has given me excellent control, but I take a hefty dose of insulin. I heard tonight that my endo will have to help with the pump and I will have to work very closely with her, which makes sense. I am just wondering how that is from anyone who has done it.

I am finally at the end of this long process and went on monday to get my physical done...and of course had to get the dreaded pap....well my dr. called me today and told me that my pap came back abnormal....he said i have what is called severe displasia...and scheduled me for a biopsy tomorrow at 8:30 am...he told me that I have levels that are higer than he has seen....:tt1: I was wondering does anyone know first of all what that all means and if it means that I have cervical cancer or something else does that boot me off the lap band Quest? I know I should only really worry about my test results but I am also terrified that I will not be able to get my lap band....p…

The pre-op seminar at Cedars Sinai in LA says that for the rest of our lives we'll need to take medications/vitamins in liquid form or crush. Especially during the first weeks when on Clear liquids. I take protonix, which can't be crushed and leventhroid which can. Also taking wellbutin extended release which can't be crushed. I'm making myself crazy trying to deal with this. Also metamucil capsules (I'm switching that to powder). The nurse said when I crush the thryoid meds use a littel sf jelly or my Protein drink.....but doesn't she know that that reduces the effectiveness? I feel so silly that this is what I find hardest to deal with- I think I'm maybe using these…

I was banded 10/07. Had no complications. Could eat wayyy too much. Went in for first fill last week. Got spanked for stretching my pouch by eating too much. Dr. told me after my fill that if I did not chew enough, I would be in "painville". Well, of coarse he was right... Now, after I eat that bad thing and the pain shoots through my chest, is there any way to easy it? flush it with water? Barf it? Or do I just have to wait it out???

Hi everyone. This is my first post since surgery. I had band installed wed. 1/23. does anyone have any idea why every morning I have discomfort when i drink my protien shake. usualy I can only sip a little tea. after 1pm or so i do just fine all day. my surgeon told me he gave me a little fill during the surgery. Is it possible the band is too tight ? Does anybody else have any such problem and if so what do you do for it? THANKS :frown:

I am on the mushy stage and I just started. I ate 3 scrambled eggs and a few small bites of tuna w/ mayo. Im not worried about the calories from the mayo or anything, but I wonder if I ate too much. I felt just perfect when I stopped (not too full) but I am worried about wether that amount could stretch my pouch. It was the first time since surgery that I actually felt satisfied. Any thoughts?

This year has been great so far........ I had my lap band on the 10th and things have been going well. I have also quit dipping... that is a little harder, but getting throught it... And oh yeah last Friday I had three root canals and Dang! This has been a tough year so far! My mini goal for weight is 300 by the end of March. My goal for dipping is to stay stopped! And my goal for my root canals.... is never have another one EVER!!

Hi, all! I've been investigating this surgery for a little while now, and wondering if anyone out there has opinions on whether the risk of surgery is worth the benefit for a BMI in the 35-40 range. I don't have any co-morbidities. I'm about 15 pounds away from a BMI of 40, which is the minimum insurance companies usually cover without other "severe" illnesses associated with obesity. Thoughts? Thanks!

ive been eating about a cup of food each meal. last night i ate one small porkchop 1/3 a cup of veg and 1/4 a cup of potato. is this ok? it did fill me up for about 3 hours. i know im suppose to eat 1/2 a cup but im not there yet. i think that a cup isnt bad though until i get another fill. andrea ps i noticed that when i eat less like 800-1000 calories i dont lose but when i eat around 1100-1200 calories i start to lose. its hard to say what is working for sure.

Hi I was banded on January 23. Right before my surgery, my doctor advised me that I have H-Pylori. He said that it is some type of bacteria that lives in the stomach. He also said that if I were a RNY patient, my surgery would have been delayed. Within the next few weeks, I will have to be on a regimen of 3 different types of antibiotics for 2 weeks. Did anyone else have this?:tt1:

I Had A Bulimic Problem In High School With A Short Relapse About 6 Years Ago Which I Immediately Received Counseling For. Has Anyone Had Trouble Being Approved For The Surgery Based On A Past History Of Bulimia? I'm Worried They May Deny Me.

I was banded 6 days ago and I have so much gas in my stomach that I can hardly stand it. It feels like I have swallowed a sponge that has swollen. I can not stomach the idea of taking in anything but water at this point, I even went to the ER this weekend with dry heaves and stomach cramps. Has anyone had this problem? What can I do? HELP!!!!

I Am Having Alot Pain On My Left Shlowder Are You?

I had my first fill today. The dr. had me go eat something to find out how it was working. I went and ate and was able to eat way to much. I went back to him and we realized my stomach had spasmed, so he filled it with more, told me to go eat some yogurt I did, I was full after a couple of bites so I thought I was ok then get home and eat some refried beans for lunch and once again I am able to eat more than I should. Has this happened to anyone else? It is a really long wait to get back in to see him and I really hope I didn't mess up leaving to early..:tongue:

I was told not to drink liquids 30 min before, during and 30 mins after my meals. Is this something everyone does or just something my Dr. wants? That is the hardest thing that I have done.

I was banded on 1/18/08 and so far have been feeling pretty well. I have followed my liquid diet and have not cheated at all. However, since yesterday, after I eat (drink my liquid) I get this bad pain in my abdoman. The only way I can describe it is if there is a belt around my upper abdoman and it's squeezing..getting tighter and tighter. Eventually it will go away but it's effecting my work. If I eat at noon then by 1:00 I will be in pain and have to come home. Anyone else feel this way? I'm starting to get worried.

I'm so upset. I lost 20 pounds on my 2 weeks pre-op and 1 week post-op liquid diet. Then on Friday, 11th, I started mushies and I gained 1.5 pounds. I tried to tell myself it was Fluid (I did notice my rings were tighter), then I tried to tell myself it was because I wasn't going potty like I should, but I fixed that with Milk of Mag and still NOTHING. Tomorrow is 1 week on mushies. I am eating three 4oz meals a day. That's it! No cheating, no sugar, low carb, high protien. What gives? Did this happen to any of you?

Hi. I had my surgery on 1/4/08 and am scheduled for my first fill on 2/12/08. I have just started my soft food stage before I can go back to regular foods. anyway, is it normal to feel restriction before your first fill? Some days I feel like I can eat everything and anything I want to (mentally) but physically I can not. I have lost 15lbs since surgery. Is that normal? Is it normal to fill restriction before the first fill? Does this mean that when I get a fill I won't be able to eat at all? Just a thought. Any input is greatly appreciated. TIA Mikki

I am so nervous, but I know everything will be fine. It's my first official step to getting the surgery!:party::biggrin::eek::frown::eek:

Could you all tell what tests your dr sent you to have before they would allow the surgery? ALso Did you have any of these test prior to going to your appt with your wls dr.? Thanks

im scheduled for surgery on the 28th i want to go alone but my family is worried looking for a lap band buddy that is there for fills or having surgery and has someone there ...im worried they wont let me go back to the hotel alone i dont not want to reschedule for a later date i really want to do this asap ...before i change my mind..if anyone has any info let me kno thanks in advance...

Help!!! Its so hard to not cheat on this pre-op diet!!!! LOL I feel like I am in hell. Today is day 4... I swapped a shake for a salad with grilled chicken that was nutritionally comparable. A few more cals and carbs that my shake but not significant. Did anyone have a pre-op diet that allowed 2 shakes and small Protein rich meal? I know its still cheating but I do feel like I am smart about it. Its not like I ate a slice of cake or pizza or anything loaded in carbs or fat. Maybe I am just trying to justify it to myself.. Come on people!! Someone sympathize with me! LOL

I am 2 weeks out and in the first 10 days I lost 13 pounds now over the past 3 days I have gained 2.5 pounds back.....I have not changed what I am doing or eaten more, still on blended foods. Why would I gain weight eating so very little (less than 1000 calories per day) Maybe someone else went thru this... Help!

i was just wondering if eating sugar free stuff is ok for our bodies. my friend seems to think that artifical sweeteners are not good to eat over a period of time. i dont eat alot of sugar free stuff but i do have jello or pudding once in a while. andrea

I have United Healthcare and they do not cover this procedure. Has anyone had United pay for their procedure? If you had to go thru the appeal process what had to be done? Any information someone can give me would be greatly appreciated.

I am planning to join the YMCA today and they have a hot tub. Does anyone know if it is ok to use the hot tub? I remember when I was pregnant that I couldnt use one bec it wasnt good for the baby. I was thinking that it would not be a good idea bec of the possible heating the band or port. Of course today is Sunday and the doctors office is closed. Any other hot tub users out there?

I'm going a little crazy with the liquid diet thing. I had to do liquids for a week before surgery and now it's more than a week after and I don't think I can stand it anymore. Blended Soup grosses me out. I can't stand the taste of "light yogurt" anymore. I'm sick to death of sugar free pudding cups. It seems like everything on the list of approved liquids is something that's been super-sweetened with splenda or aspartame, except the aforementioned Soups. I am dying to eat just something as simple as a scrambled egg! Anyone have any tips or tricks? I'm supposed to stay on liquids for another week before I can even start pureed foods. I don't feel any discomfo…

Hi, I'd like to know if chewing your food to a mush affects your restriction - what I mean is - if your food is really well chewed - does it go right through the band or sit behind it? or do you have to part chew but not to a complete pulp for it to sit behind the band? I'm hoping to get real restriction after my next fill on Monday and am trying to get my head round how it all works/what's best to do - chewing wise. It's been 14 months now without restriction and I feel like I have to learn how to eat all over again. Thanks for reading Yvonne x

:cry Howdy everyone! I am starting the whole process with a surgical group in Georgetown, KY. I was wondering if anyone has any feedback on Dr. Oldham or his partner, Dr. Weiss? I am going Tuesday (10/16) to do the psych and nutrition evals and blood work and so on.

Hi, I thought I posted this thread already but guess not..........anywho...... I was just wondering why you guys chose lap band over the gastric sleeve? I'm reading a lot about gastric sleeve now and it seems like it has less complications. So confused.....I really had my heart set on the band. TIA