PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I just started my pre-op diet today which includes to myocel protien shakes per day. It tastes so gross to me. I even tried a couple of the recipes the doctors office recommended but it didn't help that much. I figured I would deal with the taste either way but the more I tried to drink it the more I felt nauseous. I am very picky and my stomach doesn't tolerate things that I think are gross. Any ideas or suggestions? I am really excited and I really want to do this right. :help:

I keep reading this, and think I know, but I am not sure. Thanks in advance.

i am convinced that i stretched my stomach, i ate 1 1/2 pieces of pizza ( chewing very well) and it didnt even phase me. before surgery two pieces would have satisfied me. just a few days ago i still would get full on little amounts now in the past few days i can eat quite a bit. i am trying not to overdue it. it worries me that i can eat pizza and have no effect. it felt good in the beginning because i would get full on small amounts and i lost 20 lbs in a month now i havent lost and i am afraid that i am eating to much. should i go back on the diet that i was on when i first had surgery? i ate only protein, eggs, turkey, ham, protein shakes and yogurt. they say that i c…

:help: I have surgery on Dec. 13. I initially lost 15 lbs, on the liquid diet. now I am going through the diet phases and have pretty much eaten what I want just in smaller portions. there are a few things I can't eat like bread, I tried it and it got stuck WOW :omg:. Anyway, my doctor had me watch some videos peridically through Emmi, which has a series on Lapband, they are informative videos, that walk you through the process and tell you what to expect next. Now they say gaineing weight in the first few weeks after surgery is normal. but I see so many people on here losing weight. Once I started adding solids back to my diet, I started gaining. I was just c…

I am having surgery on Tuesday and am going to a halloween party tonight. I dont want to look like a total bore, do you think having one ounce of alcohol mixed with a diet coke would be bad days before surgery??

I keep having lots of pain on my right side, whenever I get out of a chair or bend or twist. My doc thinks it's gallbladder, but I'm not sure because it seems lower than that. Anyone else have something similar?

to pee every hour and a half?

Okay so i'm new, and i'm shaking even typing this... my name's jess.. i get my band done on 14 jan 2008. I am so scared and excited and weirded out... I've done all the pre stuff.. and i'm on optifast at the moment ( i'm struggling - but thats cause my support network is disappeared for the holidays) Is it normal to feel like this. even with the lap band it seems like too much to lose.. like i've done this too late... god that sounds depressing sorry.... anyways, hints or tips would be greatly appreciated.. much love j:eek:

:)Can some one give some idea as to how long it took for their insurance to approve the Lap Band Surgery? (I meet all the criteria to have the surgery) Thanks

Hey all, its been awhile since I was last on here. Lots happening for me. My family Dr was able to get me in to see Dr. Amson in Victoria for Feb 14, (perfect day) and I have been having all the nessesary tests. From what I understand this is quick which is good for me. However I was called into my Dr. after the berium swallow to tell me I had a large Hiatus Hernia that will also need to be surgically fixed and at the same time as my banding. Has anyone else had this and if so how did it go.

What should I pack? Of course, I have thought of the obvious like toothpast and what not, but what are the things that most people forget, or that you wish you would have brought with you?

Finally, I have saved up enough to have the surgery and am scheduled next week on the 4th :clap2:. I have told many people I will be having the surgery, and am suprized at how many people also, have had it. They tell me of their weight loss and I am most encouraged. Anything else to tell me that perhaps, you wish someone else had mentioned to you? Thanks All.

For the last 12 hours, I feel like I have lump in my chest just below the bottom of my breast bone and my stomach is growling for the first time since I was banded, which was 5 days ago. Last night I really felt like I was having a heart attack!! I am still on liquids (can only consume up to 40 or so oz.) and protein drinks, 24 ozs,70 grams. Is there any chance there is something seriously wrong? I admit, the gas pain has been bad, but I finally started passing it yesterday and found some relief. I have done nothing except stayed on doctor's orders but this pain and pressure in my chest won't stop!

Is it normal to be hungry? (5 days post-op) I admit physically I feel better than I have been. Yesterday was the first day I was able to consume 78g of protien (24oz liquid) and nothing else but about 32oz of H20. Today is the same, except I know I'm taking larger sips at a time (maybe a 1/2 tsp?) and I was able to finish the 8 oz protei:confused:n drink in less than a 1/2 hour. Oh yeah, I even had a lowfat yogurt! I think I'm ready for the "mushies" but don't know what to start with. Any suggestions???:scared:

i was banded in july and i have only lost 22 pounds.. i have held the same weight for 3mths i have had several fills but i still dont get that "full feeling". im on a high Protein diet and i also have extra protien shakes during the day. Any suggestions?? Am i doing something wrong?? Please help.. Thanks Ange

I'm seriously thinking I may have stretched my pouch out. I had surgery six months ago and have lost 37 pounds, but I've been at a total stand still for two months. I notice that I get a full/uncomfortable feeling after a few bites, but if I wait 2-3 minutes I can usually eat my full meal, which is usually 1 to 1 1/2 cups, which I know is too much. I have a 10 cc band, which should have about 4 cc in it right now and the doctor said I should be just about full. I'm extremely struggling with the head hunger lately too. My old eating habits are creeping and I'm wanting to eat a lot. I'm going to go back to giving up sugar to see if that helps with the cravings. The h…

How long did it take your bruises to go away? It's been two weeks and I still have mine. The worst one is where they put in the blood thinner shot & around the port incision.

Ok, so if water and any other liquid goes straight on through...how come we have to sip? anyone know?

I keep PBing and am hungry quite often...my first thought would be that my band needs to be loosened, BUT I think perhaps it needs to be tightened. Then the food would stay in place, not be able to get stuck as easily, and I would feel full a lot longer??? Am I totally wrong for thinking that may be the case??? Please help! Thanks so much, Jamie :help:

I just found out today that I have a leaky port. I was banded on 01/18/06. How common is a leaky port? Anyone else out there have experience with a leaky port to share? BCBS paid for my initial surgery. I am crossing my fingers that they will pay to have my leaky port fixed. Anyone have experience with insurance paying to fix a leaky port? I am so disappointed. My doctor tells me this is rare, and he seldom sees this.

I was banded this morning and am home. The only pain is around my port area, and its not really that bad. Haven't experienced the gas pains (yet!). I have a question about the post-op liquid diet. I had bought some Dannon Light and Fit smoothies (sugar free, etc.) I had never had them before. I had about a 1/3 of the bottle shortly after I came home from the hospital. It seemed ok - no seeds or chunks of fruit. Then I opened up a 2nd bottle, and had a few sips and it had seeds and very small chunks. I want to make sure that I didn't do anything bad to my pouch. Does anyone know? Also, totally forgot about the no drinking water! I didn't drink while eatin…

:help:Please share the ways you add Protein powder into your diet. What foods do you mix it with? Do you add it to liquids like Crystal light? What brand Protein Powder do you like best? Do you buy unflavored or flavored?

Hello all. I got my band on 08/31 and am not losing. I've had 1 fill on 10/13 of 1.8cc and it's hardly done anything for me. I can eat anything and still get hungry and can eat nearly as much as before. Am I incompatible with the band? Does it hate me? I thought I'd be able to eat like a "normal" person and have whatever only in small doses and instead I can have whater in big doses. Agh!!!

Thanks all! Just wanted to clarify - I'm f--ting just fine (excuse the language) but I am just do not (nor) have the ability to BURP. I want to so badly but nothing comes out and I don't want to gag myself. I was just reading up on some of the gas bloat syndrome and a main indication was the inablity to burp. I am not taking anything for the gas just Fiber supplements. I'll talk about it with my doctor at my post op appt on Wednesday ... perhaps it has something to do with fixing a small hiatal hernia he fixed while he was banding me, other than this minor issue I feel great! I'm just a LITTLE tired of the liquid diet - really looking forward to pureed foods...

:)Good morning everyone, I am finally getting the process underway:whoo:I went to my first consult with the surgeon on Friday the 28th as well as to get cleared with the pulmonologist the same day and was cleared!!!!!! So now all I have to do is see the pysicologist and nutritionist to get approval. Well I know that will be fine, I am just worried about the insurance hope they will approve soon:confused: I have no medical problems associated with the weight but my family history is pretty bad. I just don't want to end up with all those problems. does anyone know if maybe my insurance will approve me based just on my BMI Which is 48.1 alone? I know my insurance only needs …

Hi there, I was hoping somebody could tell me what exercises help to alleviate the gas pains... I am one day post-op. I walk around, raise my arms up, and pat my chest (also had my husband pat my back). Anything else that can help? Thanks!!!

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had had a band leakage and if so- how did they find out they had one? The last time I went to the doctor and told him I wasnt feeling any restriction, he recalbriated my band- removing all the fluid- and he told me that there was hardly any fluid in my band and that it sometimes "Sweats off" has anyone hard of this? He refilled me and I feel restriction now... but I'm not sure if it feels like it is getting less each day or if I am just paranoid! :help:

Hi chaps and chapess's... I had my band fitted on the 20th Nov 07, trouble is, I've had an infection in a couple of my incisions. The large one on my belly has cleared up after some antibiotics but the port site is still leaking, not much, but never the less it's bothering me. I've got to go back to see my surgeon on the 8th of jan. Has anyone else had this problem. I might add that It's not painfull just leaky. Oh one more thing, I've got quite alot of internal bruising (hematoma) that feels like i've got small rugby ball in my stomach, right in the middle from my belly button right up to the sternam.!! Not having much luck am I.!! I've only lost 8lbs and just …

I am told by the dr. that I need to go on a 2 week liquid diet. I tried a couple days before I need to actualy start but already by lunch time I have a severe headache :cry Can someone :help: I had 3 slimfast drinks by lunch, I thought that would be enough but i guess not

My surgery is scheduled for 1-23-08 and I’m starting to worry about how much pain I will have after the surgery. If you could rate the pain you experienced from 1 to 10 (10 being the most painful) what would it be? Also, what type of pain did you have and how long did it last? Thanks for any info you can provide!

ive been doing pretty good so far but this week i had a handful of m+ms at work and a handful of chips. i have been nauseaus all week everyday it comes and goes throughout the day. should i be worried? i am now trying to eat like i did the week of surgery to get my stomach back to normal. maybe it was to soon to have chocolate, i should know better but its hard when all of that stuff is at work in front of you. overall i have had some self control but m+ms are one of my week points. andrea

Does anyone else feel like their CPAP is adding to their discomfort? I swear, I fill up with gas during the night because of the mask. The last two nights I have had to take it off and sit up the rest of the night in a chair just to catch some sleep. Maybe I'm crazy, just wondering if anyone else was experiencing the same.

Ok, its CHRISTMAS and im on a liquid fast. I actually skipped dinner with my family today and took a nap/bath instead, because last night, at the Christmas Eve party I cried....I have been on liquid for 11 days, and im HUNGRY! Just liquids! So, I cheated last night...and cheated really really well. It was an appetizer buffet-I had 3 potstickers, brie cheese, 2 mozzerella sticks, a taquito and 1/2 piece of Peanut Butter fudge and a truffle. First 'food' of any type in 11 days. How horrible is this, seriously? I feel SO SO guilty I can barely stand it! Surgery is Friday, Dec. 28th-3 days away..I will stay liquid like clock work til then. Should I call my dietetian an…

Hi All, Getting banded on Jan 21, need to be on Clear Liquids for the first week with 60 grams of Protein a day. Of course, the nutritionist is recommending Isopure. I have been told that grape is the best flavor. Anybody have any tricks to make Isopure more palatable? Any other ideas for the first week? I can't eat or drink anything with aspartame (Nutrisweet) in it because it gives me stomach problems. Any advise to make the first week easier would be most appreciated! Thanks!

But here is another one. Does anyone exprience HORRIBLE gas pains after they eat or drink anything. I am sipping my whatever and every now and then gas pains creep up on me shortly after. Thanks!

I was banded Dec 21st. I do not have stitches and my surgeon did not restrict any of my activities--just wondering, how soon after the bandings were you guys able to take a bath? I have showered till my heart content but I really just want a nice long soak in the tub with bubbles.

I am just curious if any of your surgeon have prescribed phentermine to you? If so, how have the results been.

Hi...I am 39 years old and getting banded on 1/10. I am so thrilled, I cannot begin to say. This forum has been so helpful! Just a few silly questions, maybe some Lap-Band veterans can answer.. 1 - I am starting at 218 pounds (5'3"). I keep hearing these big weight loss numbers for the first few months, but that is usually people with a higher starting BMI. Anyone with similar starting numbers willing to share their weight loss experience? Does your starting BMI matter for weight loss rate? 2 - I seem to keep reading about a feeling of food "not going down", or wanting to vomit, and not being able to. People describe it as a terrible feeling (being way too fu…

December 28th yesterday I will always remember this date I had my surgery. The doctor said everything was fine I have not been in to much pain before leaving the hospital I had to have xrays to see if everything was positon right I was able to see that myself the radiologist showed me the band and port I had to drink some white stuff to make sure it went down okay and it did. Now that I am home I now begin to have gas and discomfort in my shoulders and chest. I just want to thank you guys for supporting me God bless everyone Liz:):kiss2::whoo:

I started an antibiotic today and it got STUCK!!! I thought the capsule was small enough to go through but I was soooo wrong. Anyone have any tips on how to help it pass? I've tried raising my arms and sipping a lil pineapple juice but so far nothing. I obviously can't take those so I'll have to call my doc for something else.:help::help:

All, I just need a bit of clarification. When speaking of gas pain, are you referring to gas pain, do you mean gastrointestinal pain--stomach cramps, bloated feeling, etc... OR do you mean gas pain as in the gas used during the procedure? OR Both? Thanks!

:help:Hi Everyone Just banded yesterday and home today. How does everyone sleep? On your back or does anyone dare to roll onto there side? Also does anyone have black and blue marks by there port site? I have the chills is this normal? Thanks

Hi. I've been approved, but haven't gotten the lapband yet. I'm wondering if you can still take baths once you have the lapband? I was wondering if it causes a problem with the port? Please excuse me for asking a silly question... but I do love taking bubble baths! Thanks.

New member. Finally decided in the last month this was something I needed to do. Should be talking with my Dr 1st of the year. Now, the questions: I'm a day care worker & my job involves changing diapers which means lifting them onto the changing table. My job also has no paid vacation time. I have 2 options before May (when school gets out & summer break starts). 1 is a 4 day weekend in February & the other is Spring Break. So, how long possibly before I could go back to work (I know every situation is different) & is there a time frame on when you can begin lifting again (if there is a lifting restriction)? Thanks!

I havent yet had the surgery. I am in thevery very beginning of my journey. I was curious to know how does the port site look? Is it very noticible? Where abouts is it? Thank you! Tina

so now i was dumn and i ate some non-mushie items because they went down with no problem. Now I have a lump of moderate pain under my port/ribcage. any ideas how to get rid of it quickly?

:help:I was planing on using dr kuri in tj Mexico in early jan. I emailed the planet hosiptal which was on an old site though google. anyway they phoned me today "amy" and said he no longer does surgery there and not to go with him. That this is not us certified. does anyone know anything about this, its really upsetting. is this just sour grapes, and a recruiter? any info would be very much appreciated. donna

I had Lap Band surgery on 20 December 2007. My recovery has been great, however I am battling hunger pains on an hourly basis. I drink Protein shakes and fluids every 2 to 3 hours, yet I still have constant hunger pains and stomach growling. I would sincerely welcome any advice on other "food substitutes" other than chicken broth and SF Jello - OR - tools on how to concure the hunger. I really don't think I can do 2 more weeks of this liquid diet!!! :faint:

Hello has anyone ever tried this product called right size smoothies?

What is that? Are there reasons for it to happen?