PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I had my first fill this morning. I was a little nervous about what it was going to feel like, but it was just fine. Clear liquids for two days, full liquids for two days, then real food. I can do this.

I was banded on 12/29 and all went very well. Came home an afternoon early on Sunday (wasn't resting well since I couldn't sleep in the bed). Well, yesterday was my no good, very bad, horrible day. I ended up being tested for DVT - the blood test was positive, but the resulting ultrasound was negative. Then had an EKG cuz my doctor (not my surgeon) didn't like the sound of me still having shoulder pain. After 4 attempts, they got a reading which was okay. I was either at my doctors, or traveling to and from the hospital for tests, and then back to my doctor until 4pm last night. All I had available to me was a bottle of Protein Water I had taken with me. I was an…

Where is this found? What does it taste like? I'm really having a hard time getting my Protein in. :eek: What happens if I don't get enough?

I'm a little concerned about what these incisions will look like after healing - especially the large one. Have any of you used anything to prevent scaring on your incisions?

I got my band! Dr. said it only took 30 minutes. I was surprised how much pain I have in the stitches area. It was awful! Im on lots of meds, and hoping by Sunday it will subside. God is good to me-no nausea or anything else! So far so good. Anyone else 'banded' today? Tracey

Hi All, I've read this site for awhile, but have never posted anything. I get the band 2 days after Christmas and I just want to know how bad your pain was after surgery ( I know everyone is different) the part that scares me the most is the actual procedure, even though I will be asleep! I just keep thinking about all of you who have made it through, and that helps me! CJ:confused::eek:

I'm getting banded in a month or so. The more anxious and excited I get as the surgery draws near, I also notice a deep fear perpetuating about the possibility of dying on the table! I feel morbid and strange, but I can't help but worry that once I get put under I won't wake up! Did anyone else have this fear? Can anyone calm me down a bit? :help:

Did anyone have to pay for the cost of the lapband only, was told ins. may not cover it. Will everything else. :help:

I had my surgery 12/3 and I'm still having a hard time sleeping. I don't do well sleeping on my back so I fitfully switch back and forth from side to side. But I have quite a bit of pain when I lay on my side in the area where the band is. Just wondering if others have pain laying on their side.

I'm hoping someone has some advice for me. I had my first fill this week, and when I went in they told me I had 4cc's in my band and the nurse put in another cc. When I drank the water after the fill it sat in my throat and slowly trickled down. Because of this, the nurse said she wanted to take half a cc out because she didn't want me to be too filled. I had my fill first thing in the morning, and I'm always tighter in the morning. The thing is, I only want and can get liquids in up till about 4pm. After that I have good restriction, but after 8 I have no restriction and that is my trouble time. I'm wide open and I need to feel restriction in the evenings. I don'…

Did anyone out there use Dr. Aceves as your Dr. in Mexico? I have read information about him and he is close to where I live.:party:. Please share your experience....Thanks:help:

I am 3 weeks post band, haven't been sick, or had any trouble. I have been on 3 days Clear liquids after surgery, and full liquids after that. Mostly powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury protien shakes, low-fat yogart and lots of soup! Now after my first day starting on mushies and introducing heavier foods, I felt some nausea almost everyday. Just a little for a few hours at a time. Do you think it is from eating scrambled egg, chicken salad, re-fried Beans?? Or maybe I have just picked up a bug? Not horrible, but weird to have problems now.

The ball is rolling for us as of today!!! My DH and I are having surgery together, and after alot of painful, frusterating phone calls, we finally got started with the psych eval today!! The pyschologist saw me at her house today for the interview and I will go tomorrow for the "test" - then on Monday she will give me the "results" of the test and our meeting today. Can anyone tell me if they had multiple visits and what is this "test" that she speaks of? I understand the hour consult where she gets to know you, but what kind of test do they give you and what are the "results"? I am wondering if it is just like a personality test or something like that. I do t…

Has anyone asked their Dr for suggestions for getting enough fiber through our diets. The high protein diet is "clogging" me up big time and I prefer to get my fiber from real food. Before surgery, I accomplished this with whole wheat bread, apples and popcorn. Now what do I use? I plan on looking for some high fiber meal replacement type or snack bars. In the meantime I bought some Miralax. It is a powder that you mix in a drink. I can't taste it, but I know It's artifical fiber and prefer "real" fiber. Any suggestions? :help:

I'm 10 days post op and still experiencing a lot of abdominal pain around the largest incision area which I take to be my port site? (am I wrong in that assumption?) Is this normal? I'm trying not to take my pain meds as I didn't need them for several days but now feel as though I've suffered kick to the stomach from a large animal. LOL someone pleeeease put my mind at ease....:help:

I was just wondering if the risks that they talk about on all of the websites, if these are general or if by chance these happen alot or just sometimes. I realiize that the discomfort is something that everyone will face but what about infections and vomitting Etc.

Well im going tomorrow to get my surgery in hurst :clap2: and was wondering if anyone had any last minute items to take with me to surgery to make it more comfortable. I am taking carmex for the parchness an insulated cup for ice for the ride home a pillow for the seat belt my TEDDY BEAR for comfort:bounce: loose fitting clothes with a button down shirt Has anyone had nausea after surgery I live about 2 hours from surgery location and I would hate to be pulling over every 10 minutes on the side of the road:faint:that would be bad. Thanks for your :help:

I am getting my first fill on Monday. But I am having a weird problem. I can cook dinner and after two bites of my hot protein such as chicken or veal I will get nauseous. The next day I can take the same protein, eat it cold, and have no problem. What is going on?

what are some syptoms of band slippage

Hi everyone I had my post op appointment rescheduled for 11 Jan because I am breast feeding atm and they want to put me on a 2week fluuid diet before op. Do they do this for everyone? Also, did you all get a liver biopsy done at same time? So my appointment is 11jan I am hoping I will get a date for the op, I am going public so not sure when or how long it will take for a date. I am excited and nervous at same time. Any advice for me .

I have a date January 30( i might reschedule), I need a buddy. Anyone getting banded late Jan early Feb that want to share/compare the journey? I cant wait:whoo:

Does anyone have any experience with being so over weight and having bad knees that you are not able to move. I know once the weight starts coming off then I will be able to move but do you have any suggestions on things to do for exercise while I am starting out? :help:

I am wondering if anyone had any discussions with their drs. or insights with excess skin from such quick weight loss? thanks k :eek:

I'm on day five of my pre-op diet and am in full swing with caffeine withdrawal headache's. How long before they go away? I was thinking I had it lucky and was somehow mysteriously not having them until I figured out on wed that my sugar free jello (mocachino expresso) had it in there. Now that I've stopped eating the jello my head is killing me. Any idea how long before the headaches will stop?

in the past few weeks i have been so tired. especially on my days off i take a nap because i get tired after lunch. today was bad i got really tired in the morning then in the afternoon i was so tired that i slept for 2 hours. this is really bothering me that i am so tired lately. it seems like i am sleeping all of the time. i told my nutritionist and my doctor but they didnt seem concerned. i am even exercising now so you would think that i would have more energy. should i make an appt with my reg doctor to have blood work done? andrea

Does anyone have good examples of what to eat pre-banding?

Does anyone get B12 shots? How have they helped you?

Hi all I was banded on 12/18/07 and am down 6 pounds. I've been hovering between 5 and 7 the whole time (I'd already lost 7 after 3 days). I realize it's only been 11 days, but anytime I eat (drink) something and even when I don't, I have this feeling, it's hard to explain, like pain right around my diaphragm, right between my boobs, like at the top of my stomach. I'm just worried that something is wrong. I'm supposed to be on liquids for another couple days, but I made a soft scrambled egg last night cuz I was STARVING and if I have to eat soup for one more meal, I'll freak out. I felt fine while eating it and after. So, just wondering if anyone else has experienced thi…

Mine give me horrible indigestion after drinking it...anyone else?

I was just banded on Thursday and am starving all the time. I am eating clear liquids but just not getting full. Any suggestions??

banded on 12/26. Seems like Im constantly burping and passing wind if you know what I mean! Just started the "creanmy stage of the diet. I use gas_x and have beeen moving around but the gas just seems to always be there. Any suggestions on what to do? I dread going back to work on Wednesday!

Hello, I am scheduled for surgery 2/6/08. I am really kind of nervous/scared about afterwards. MY husband is sooo supportive of me and is going has gone to everything with me. I am not telling my family because they are very unsupportive of me. They are all fat too, but, I guess I am the best to make fun of.:think What do I tell them about my weight loss?? Should I tell them down the road?? My husbands family does not know either. I will tell them afterwords. ( my husband is 55 and his family is old school about things like this. but they will be supportive.) Is it hard to deal/accept all the changes?? I am so sorry about the long post. I just have alot of questions. …

well i have done really well in the first month i followed the rules and lost 20lbs then week 4 i got really nauseas and only could eat about 500-600 calories a day and didnt lose a pound, it was hard to get anything in because i had no appetite. now i am on week 5 and am eating reg foods. i havent gained anything but im not losing anymore. i have to admit something, each day i have cheated and had something sweet for example a handful of m+m or a piece of chocolate from a box of chocolates, i am so mad at myself because ive done so well and now that i can eat reg food ive slipped back into my old habits. i do realize what i am doing wrong i only hope that i can get a gri…

Hello, my surgeon wants me to complete two weeks of Optifast before my surgery at the end of this month. The closest place to get optifast brand is 100 miles from me. (although i've seen some on ebay). I was wondering if anyone out there used something different. A nurse in his office told me that as long as it's comparable it would be fine. Maybe some of you could help this newbie out by sharing with me what you used before your surgery and what you thought of it. Thanks a bunch!

After looking at the photos I really don't know what I am going to look like when I loose weight. The photos are so impressive and wonderful. Good on you all. Is anyone like me now....before they had their surgery? 90 Kilos (not sure what that is in your measuring) and 5 foot 3. So really short and round with a big bum. Anyone close to that have before and after photos I can look at? Great effort everyone. Thanks for the inspiration. Tassie Tiger in Australia

Hey guys, can anyone tell me where to find optifast?:help:

:help:Hello everyone! I am new to the lapbandtalk forum. I am getting banded in one week, and I just got off the phone with my nutritionist for instructions on the preop diet. I forgot to ask her such an important question, and now I can't reach her. I start the 7day modified Atkins diet tomorrow to shrink my liver. I dislocated my shoulder last week, and I am still needing an painkiller every once in a while when my shoulder is really tight - does anyone know if it is o.k. to take these until my surgery in a week?? Thanks, any input would be so appreciated!

i am scheduled to be banded on Jan 7th. I was given no pre op diet, no restrictions at all....i have been saying goodbye to all my favorite foods by eating them, no I am scared i am going to have a liver the size of a small child:eek: I have had one appt with the office/dr., and it was super short...watched the video, dr gave me some post op info and paperwork...and that was it....they didnt even weigh me!!!! I was fine with all this til i have been reading on here....should i put myself on some sort of preop diet....anyone have this same expeirence as me and it was all fine??:scared: cherrie:help:

Hi guys, well went in for my 5th fill this morning after my last one 2 months ago. I wanted to ask if there any australian bandsters out there. my dr. went there i am assuming during the christmas holidays. He now wants me to come in every month for follow ups and possibly a fill if i need one. He said that the australian doctors want to make sure that everything is going well. Since the band promotes slower weight loss, I guess its been proven by the doctors to see that weight loss is no more than 1-2 lbs. Help me out australian bandsters!!!

I'm scheduled for surgery 1/11. I CAN'T WAIT! This is a dream come true for me. Hubby and I are going to have to bring our 6yr old son to the hospital in the morning when I get dropped off the day of surgery. What in the world will I tell him? I don't think he would understand the lap band surgery concept at age 6, and I certainly don't want to worry him.:think Any suggestions out there as to what I can tell him? Why mommy is in the hospital, and why she's staying overnight. Then, once I'm home......how do I explain to him why mommy isnt eating food anymore, just liquids..... I also have a 2 year old son, but he's too young to question anything. Greatly appr…

Can anyone tell me about their first fill? Mine is coming up this Friday, and I know not to eat prior to going, and stay on liquids for 2 days after, but that is all I know. What does it feel like? Does it hurt? Will I notice the restriction right away? How much is too much to eat after your fill? Right now, I can eat anything and yes I've gained back 10 lbs. of the 20 I lost. I'm sick about it. But I"m hungry, so I eat. And with the holidays I've noticed I'm eating sweets and bread again. I'm anxious to have the feelings like I had after surgery, when I did not feel like eating. Please tell me that yes, this surgery really works if you make the correct food ch…

I pulled something in my back yesterday and I am in awful pain. I have loratab, but that won't help with inflamation. Does anyone know why we shouldn't take ibuprofen and has anyone taken it since being banded? Thanks.

Hi, I would love some suggestions on what powder to use? :hungry: Thanks! J

I see a lot of people posting about gas and gas pain etc. I have not yet been banded-right now I am doing the 6 month diet required by BCBS and I hope to be banded in June/July 2008. With this gas that you refer to-is it just after the surgery or is it a "side effect" of the band? When "passing" this gas is it in the form of flatulence or burping ? I hate to sound stupid but I just assumed it was flatulence until I saw a post where a person was talking about constantly burping.

After 2.5 years of fighting my insurance company, I am all set and having my surgery tomorrow at Duke! I'm worried about the post-op diet, feeling like I'm starving to death. Any thoughts? Thanks!

HI All:) Currently I'm waiting on insurance approval and am trying to get all my ducks in a row as the anticipation is killing me:faint:!!!! Curious about protein shakes, I know that there are alot of different choices out there and everyone has their own tastes but I'm curious if anyone has used Isagenix post op? The system is originally intended for weight loss but the shakes in the program have 23g of protein per serving and when I used them before they tasted pretty darn close to a Wendy's Frosty. Tried the Whey protein from the health store before and it made me want to hurllllllll. They also have this liquid vitamin stuff that doesn't taste great but I figure it w…

Hello all. Was banded on December 14th and feeling really great. I was at a New's party and got to talking to a lady who was also banded. She told me about a great place to get Medical Id bracelets (laurenshope.com) I was never told I needed one by my doctor. It does make sense though. What is the thought on this issue? do many of you wear them? She also mentioned she got a card from her dr. to show at restuarants stating she had surgery if they try to hassle her if she wants to order off the kids or senior menu? I had never heard of this. Happy new year to you all and a happy healthy 2008 peace, spiffy

Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone out there had a hiatal hernia and was able to get surgery or was told they should have an open roux-en-y gastric bypass. I have been doing everything I was told and passed all my tests for 4 mos and was just told that since I have a hernia of 5 cm that I should get the bypass surgery instead. I do not want bypass. I am so disappointed and upset. I really wanted to do this. I see my dr. on oct 30 so maybe I can talk him into it. I really want this but don't want to have problems with acid reflux after. Please, please someone tell me they had a hernia repaired of this size and still got the lbs and is doing great. They told me I…

I am just wrapping up my first week of being banded. I am on my full liquids. Can anyone suggest a restaurant that has Soups that I can order? Thanks! JJ

banded 12/26. The gas pain is intolerable, even with walking - from 2am til 5am this morning did not help. I am fust starting now to release a minor part of the gas. Question, I see everyone recommends GasX and I've been taling the strips and chewables. how much should i take per day? It has 4 pills or 8 strils but it's not working!! Thanks