PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I am having MAJOR problems. My incisions sites are having an allergic reaction to something. I was banded on 9/24/07 and they put steri strips on me. I was fine after the surgery. Then 2 weeks after, I had huge red circles around my incisions. The steri strips had been off for a week by then. Now, almost a week after that the itching is insane and I am about to rip my head off. Has anyone else had this problem? I have used creams and sprays, and the only thing that works is atarax which was prescribed by my doctor, only problem is that it makes me go night night and causes severe dry mouth, which is never fun. WHAT CAN I DO???? I will have to go to my doc ag…

I will be able to start my mushie blended stage on Saturday and was trying to prep a shopping list for my hunny. What blends well and tastes good? what is gentle on a newly banded tummy? what tastes the farthest from liquid ? I am an absolute sushi lover and having been craving that since waking up in recovery (I don't think this would work well blended though, I can wait until the real thing) any suggestions? peace Spiffy

Hello everyone!! I recently read a post, that someone couldn't have the lapband put in because she had too much scar tissue from a previous surgery. This got me to thinking about the huge scar I have from an emergency spleenectomy in 2000. The scar goes from bottom of breast bone to about 4" below my belly button. I did ask the dr(not the surgeon) yesterday about this happening to me and he said ...yes it could be but that it wouldn't be known until they try to do surgery. If it is a problem that I could have an open surgery instead of a laproscopic surgery. Is there anyone out there that has had their band put in and not had it laproscopically? If so, what helpful…

I was banded on 12/5 and have been struggling. I have a post op appointment tomorrow and am looking for some advice. The only time I do not have discomfort is when my tum is totally empty. The doc put me on soft foods right from the get go.... in the hospital. (cottage cheese, yogurt etc) Every time I eat....4oz of anything, even drink, I have pain and discomfort. Feels like a big fist in my upper stomach, at the highest incision location. Not sure if it is heart burn, or other issue. I have been taking the medication (protonix) and gas x. I have also been sliming after eating and sometimes just a Protein drink. Like I said.... the only time I am comfortable is…

Hello, I am scheduled for my band on Jan 3rd and just found out this week that my Dr has moved into his own building and it is a same day procedure. At his old facility it was an overnight stay. How have you all done with same day procedures? Lois

Hi. I have read and searched the threads about Vitamins. I know the multi will either be Flintsone or a liquid. I, however, take more "fringe"/atypical vitamins such as: COQ-10, Ultra B complex,antioxidants,herbal blend etc. Most of these are mini horse pills. Can they be tolerated after recovery/healing with enough Water? Also, what does a stuck pill feel like? Does it pass soon enough to not worry about it? Thanks, Susan

i went for a one month follow up today and have lost 20lbs so far. my surgeon said that is really good especially for a band patient. she said that i cant have a fill for awhile because they had to reopen my port incision 7 days after surgery due to an infection and because it hasnt closed yet she cant give me a fill. she said that because i am losing weight i may not even need a fill at all right now. i go for my 6 week follow up on the 4th of january and she said we can talk about it then. i thought i was doomed at one time because i went 6 days without loosing a thing now i have lost another 5 lbs in a few days so i hope it doesnt stop. it would be awesome if this keep…

Can you sleep on your stomachs post op? Can you feel the port and does it hurt? Thanks Susan

I am getting banded tom at noon! I am so nervous I have been nauseaed all day, and if I had food to purge I do doubt would have done it by now! Is this normal? I feel like something is going to go very wrong. I am sad. I want to be excited. Anyone else?

Hello everyone...I was banded on 12/4 and have no regrets, just a mountain of questions. I have just finished my second week (full diet) and have not been hungry. I drink 2 Protein shakes a day and drink about 60 oz. of Water. I have not even wanted crystal light. I probably ate 4 oz of cream Soup a handful of times just because. Okay, so I was terrified of starting the mushies. Afraid of food. I started with mashed potatoes and did fine. Although, I am still not hungry or even craving food. It seems that I am pretty happy with water and protein. I had lost 18 lbs pre surgery and have lost 8 more lbs since. I wonder if it is too much too soon? Any opinions? I'm a little…

:help: So I'm having a heck of a time trying to find someone to do a Psyc consult by 12/31 and my insurance (Cigna thru Verizon Wireless) stops covering WLS as of the new year. I keep getting different answers from every Cigna rep I talk to, so I was wondering if any of you are in the same boat... Are any of you pressured to get everything started before 12/31? I've already had my seminar, meeting with the surgeon, meeting with the nutritionist, and have started my 6 month physician monitored weight management program. I'm freaking out at the thought that I've already mentally prepared myself for this surgery and now no one can fit me in to make sure I'm not crazy…

Hey everyone, For about 3-4 days I've been getting slight pain (it feels like) in the lower right side of my back as well as the lower right side of my body. I tried to figure out if it was from my port somehow, so I pressed on my port site slightly and the pain got worse. When I would stop putting pressure on my port site, the pain would go back to the way it was before- minor. My port was placed about 2 inches under my chest on the right side. Has anyone else experienced pain in this spot? I'm wondering whether it'll go away with time or is a problem...Thanks!

hey guys So after much convincing, my family and friends are all behind me and excited and im starting the (long and tedious i suspect) journey of getting the lapband. Im going to a seminar at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, FL this Thursday, and im feeling a little lost.... I will (hopfully) be going through my insurance (Aetna) which i have already contacted and they have told me what i need to do in order to qualify. However what i am interested in, is what questions i should ask at the seminar, and also qhat questions i should ask the bariatric surgeon that i will inevitably be visiting soon.... I am having a full metabolic panel done Frida…

Is banding an in or out patient procedure?

I was banded on Thursday, Dec. 13th and I have had diarrhea since last night and a loud gurgling sound in my stomach. Is that normal?

Hi: I'm actually about 3 weeks from surgery, but I was wondering whether you were told to go to all liquids for the 2 weeks prior to surgery. Thanks Howard

I started my pre-op diet today. I'm not sure that I'm making the shakes right! :help: I used 8 oz milk and 1 scoop powder per the instructions. The shake recipes say add 1/2-3/4 cup of ice. But I'm ending up with something that is more like a drink with little ice bits. It's not smooth. Does the ice need to be added first, so its on the bottom where the blades of the blender are? Do I only use ice if I'm making a smoothy with fruit, which would thicken it (I think?) Just trying to make the shakes as enjoyable as possible for the next couple of weeks (and the weeks after the surgery). Actually, the taste is okay, so that's good. It doesn't taste like a chocolate mi…

I have had pain in mmy left side and into my chest for a week now. Thursday nite I spent most of the time in the er. They checked for blood clots and my heart, thank God it wasn't that. But I have an infection on my port site. I have been taking antibotics for a couple of days. I went and seen my surgeon on Friday. They took out 3ccs of my band. I had surgery Nov 26th and this is the second infection I've had. When they drained my band they told me that it usually relives the discomfort. But it hasn't I still cannot take a deep breath in. It is scaring me a little and I was just wondering if someone else has gone thru the same thing???? I feel like maybe they …

I was just wondering if anyone had any issues taking pills. I think that in one of my pre-op classes it was discussed that most people could take a pill about the size of a pencil eraser. I take migraine medicine and it scares me a bit that I won't be able to take it after surgery. My doctor has given me some others that dissolve on the tongue, but they don't work as well. I also take LOTS of tylenol for headaches. Do they make a liquid tylenol??

I posted a similar question already, but can't find it to bump it up. I'm a little over a week out from banding, i'm following the post op diet, i'm at the pureed/mushie stage. I'm eating soups, cottage cheese, soft foods pureed. The thing is, I don't feel full with the doctor recommended 1/2 cup of food. I can eat about 1.5 cups of food before experiencing any fullness. Sometimes I feel too full (but i've never thrown up, or been in pain, just minor discomfort). I'm worried because I've read about stretching your pouch. I wanted to clarify... is this something that happens after being filled? or can it happen before a fill? I'm worried. I really want to do this r…

All, I'm not certain what to do, so I figured I'd check with folks who've been there. I've been approved for breast reduction already and I'm going in for my first appt. with surgeon/dietician this week to discuss lapband surgery. I've completed a bunch of pre-paperwork (paperwork they review even before they'll consider you for an appt.), so I've passed the first step. My breast reduction approval is good until the end of March '08. I know that there's awhile to wait before you can get your lapband surgery, if approved for it. My concern is if I have the breast reduction before the lapband will they turn me away for the lapband? I have upper back problems and, go…

I've been getting pretty bad acid reflux for the passed week or so when I eat ANYTHING! I had never had problems with heartburn or acid reflux before surgery...my doctor puts all of his band patients on protonix for the first month post-op, but a week after I ended that medication, I started getting very uncomfortable (not painful) acid reflux. I know that acid reflux is common when bands are too tight, but I've only received 1 fill so far (5cc's in a 10cc band) and I don't even feel that restricted! I've tried taking extra tums, but it doesn't do too much good. Any suggestions on what to do? What kinds of foods trigger acid reflux? Thanks :huggie:

I have surgery planned Oct 1 in Auna Mexico with Dr. Jose Rodriguez. I am excited but some of my friends and family are nervous becuae I am going to Mexico to get this done. Any thoughts?

I got my band in Mexico on Sept 6 2007. I am 39 years old and weighed 215 at time of lap band placement and I am now 155 lbs. The weight loss is rapid. I can't eat much. I have been in constant pain off and on. I noticed the port began pushing through my stomach. My family doctor here in California told me to go back to Mexico because he does not know how to treat me and my HMO will take to long to find a specialist. I went to Mexico and the surgeon who put in the lap band performed an endoscopy and said my body was rejected it and said I should check into the ER room here in the states. The Mexico surgeon gave me the DVD and pictures of my endoscopy. The doctors here …

So, I have not officially started my pre-op diet yet. That will start on Dec. 28 with surgery on Jan 7th. But here is my question... I have been trying REALLY hard to lose some weight prior to surgery with no success. I have been doing basically the slim fast plan... a shake for breakfast, another for lunch and sensible dinner plus 2 snacks (I usually do a yogurt or a piece of fruit) Is Slim Fast too high in sugar or something? I am not losing anything! Now I'm starting to get nervous! What if I go through with this whole surgery for no reason? It seems like I should be loosing some weight doing this. It has been 2 weeks! What do you all think? Maybe I shou…

:help:I was banded 11/10 and have lost 20lbs in the first 2 weeks. i know its probably cause i was on liq. thens mushies. But i have not lost single weight...im stuck at 224lbs sometimes it jumps to 227 but thats it..I pb at least once a day.....and its my own fault...i dont know when im full....until it gets stuck and comes back up...anyone else have this problem?? my mom was also banded but she was banded a last june and has lost almost 80lbs and everytime i talk to her she makes me feel so guilty that i havent lost anymore weight then then the last time she talked to me...im eating alot less now then i was preband.....why am i not losing weight???? and why cant i feel …

Someone please help. I have had MAJOR hair loss for about 6 weeks now- I mean MAJOR hair loss. It just won't stop. I am lucky that I HAD a very thick head of hair- but I am less than 1/3 of what I had. I'm getting worried. I was banded in July and have lost 64 pounds. Please advise if anyone knows what I should do. :help:

I have a couple questions for anyone who has had a lower BMI and been approved by their insurance. How low was your BMI? Did you have any of the co-morbidities generally required (diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, etc.) Was it difficult to get approved? Did you meet resistance from physicians regarding your desire to be banded? I have my first appointment on Wednesday with a family care physician to discuss my weight and my desire for the lap band. I don't know what to expect but I'm feeling like he or she will look at me and laugh. I have been told so many times to just "go on a diet" by doctors. Well, I've been on just about every diet under the sun, and I…

i am having my surgery done tommorrow morning, and this is about the oddest question, but am i like totally naked in a hospital gown? I am assuming that would have to be true ? or do i get to keep my underwear on? or ? I would assume totally naked as they need access to all of the stomach area, but just wanted to make sure sorry for the silly question..

The time for my banding is fasting approaching and I am getting a little nervous..... never been into hospital in my 41 years!!! Okay here goes... some people after WLS lookpale and sick. I don't want to look sick.... Is it because they lose to fast and too much? I want to look healthy. I am a big guy.... of course now I am a BIG GUY! But normally even in college I played football on the line. I am a big guy. So for me too get too small I would look sick... HElP anyone what do you guys think... or girls.....

The time for my banding is fasting approaching and I am getting a little nervous..... never been into hospital in my 41 years!!! Okay here goes... some people after WLS lookpale and sick. I don't want to look sick.... Is it because they lose to fast and too much? I want to look healthy. I am a big guy.... of course now I am a BIG GUY! But normally even in college I played football on the line. I am a big guy. So for me too get too small I would look sick... HElP anyone what do you guys think... or girls.....

I had my surgery on July 20th and intially lost 24 lbs. I had my first fill on October 10th and have had bouts of throwing up buy have not lost any weight and during the holidays I have put back on 12 lbs. So I have basically gone through all this pain and expense to lose a grand total of 12 lbs. If I had it to do over again, I would just find a good alternative diet and maybe spent my money on Jenny Craig or something. This has been a total waste of money and time...:whoo:

Has anyone had experience using Byetta with a lap band? While lap band is helping me to eat less,the Byetta controlled my blood sugars and helped me to reduce snacking and browsing. I am thinking of restarting the Byetta that I was taken off before the surgery. Any help or advice would be appreciated Ron

Hi I had my surgury Sept 18, 2007. I have yet to have any fill at this time because my doctors office will not do them until 3 months after the surgery. At this point I can eat whatever I want I just have to have will power. I have lost to date 33 lbs with no fill but have not lost anything in the last 3 weeks. To me this is very frustrating because I am eating right and excercising. I have an appointment next week to schedule a fill which my doctor does in the hospital since he wants you to go to radiology once the fill is done (I guess he fills to the max). Will I now start feeling like I ate 3 steak dinners or will I only feel pain if I eat too much. When I had this …

Where any of you naseus or light headed when you first started your pre-op diet? It's a big change in calories. This afternoon, I am feeling light headed, naseus, can't focus on anything at work, tired, and very gassy (maybe from shakes made with milk?). Today is first day of pre-op diet. I only had 2 shakes (breakfast & lunch)and Water today, so that's really only 400 calories. I finally went and got a banana because I felt like I was going to pass out at my desk and also I want to make sure I don't go thru a drive thru on the way home. (I can have 1 cup of fruit per day although they want me to avoid bananas-it was the only fruit available.). I'm still not feel…

Hi have been talking to a new friend I made here and she keeps saying that she is SO excited about our surgeries (we are both Monday) Excited.. HELL NO.... I am so anxious I want eat my fingernails right off (and their fake, so that is something) My questions is... those that are close or have already been banded were you excited about the surgery?

I am constantly starving and on full liquid diet - any suggestions? How long until the pain is gone? When will the unanncounced loose stools stop? I can't seem to post the ticker factory - help on this? Thanks! azallboys - 316lbs goal 155lbs

I just had my lapband surgery - 2 weeks ago tomorrow - have developed fluid around my port site - anyone else have this happen and what did you do? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tara

Hi All, I was banded about a week ago now and I wanted to share my past week experiences. I have been on a full liquid diet (including 2 days pre-op) and so far so good. I'm down a few pounds, but the scale hasn't budged the past few days. I haven't had a BM in a week and I just took something to help that along because I have a feeling that is why my scale isn't moving, and I'm also worried about it. I've been feeling incredibly bloated as well, and have not been hungry. About once a day I have an intense craving, but it's not actual hunger, just "mental" hunger. I am starting to actually get worried I'm eating too little calories, but I'm getting in all my Protein t…

I had my surgery on December 4th. My biggest problem now is feeling so tired! I usually like to stay up late and watch t.v. Several nights last week, all I wanted to do was go home and crash! Are others feeling this way too? will it go away?

I have pain in my right side (near where the port is) when I sit. If I am sitting in a recliner where I keep my abdomen perfectly straight, I'm fine, but if I sit in any other kind of chair, even sitting up straight, I have a good deal of pain. Has anyone else experienced this? It doesn't feel like the port pain after surgery. It radiates from my right side around to my back. I am 5 weeks out from surgery. I also have pain in my left side, but I can't tell if it's from the band, nerve, or maybe a muscle ache. I have not overeaten, and I have never PB'd or vomited, nor have I been nauseous. It usually starts a couple of hours after I eat. Is this pain from gas? …

I was banded on November 20th. I wake up every day feeling better than the day before, but nights seem to have been tough. For the past two nights I have gone to bed feeling very bloated and very down. Has anyone else experienced this? I have read the board about how most people have gone through the bloated gassy stage. I have also read the board that a lot of people have gone through the OMG what have I done stage. I am just wondering if anyone has had the experience where both things peak at night time? Any thoughts why? It is 7:30 AM right now and I am not looking forward to the evening.

I was banded on 12/04 and I have a lot of pain kind of in the middle of my chest (where the band is). I seem to feel like I have to burp a lot but mostly its like silent ones. Not those good belching burps. Did anyone else feel this way after banded? I am assuming the pain is coming from the band stitches. I am hoping the pain will go away as I heal. Any suggestions on how I can burp more comfortably?

Hi, By the grace of God I was approved for surgery. My date is set for January 29th. I am so excited I don't know what to do...LOL..But anyways my surgeon told me I have to lose 20 pounds before surgery date. Lets be real: its the holiday season, parties, goodies everywhere and food every corner. I have lost about 5 pounds since my first consultation. I was told I have to do a liquid diet for 10 days prior to surgery. I imagine I will lose at least 10 pounds doing that. Has anyone ever been denied at surgery date by the surgeon for not meeting his/her weight loss request? Cheri:whoo:

Hi All, Yesterday I started a two week liquid pre-op diet. I am to consume 5 Slimfasts a day. Day 2 is going along however the shakes are so sweet! I can't believe I actually said that! It is going to be a LONG 2 weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions? Are there any other "legal" liquids some one can suggest? Thanks!

I stopped smoking 3.5 years ago when i was pregnant with my son. In order to stop smoking, i started chewing nicotine gum and uhh 3.5 years later I am still chewing, but i havent smoked! I know this has to make a lot of saliva and stuff go into my stomach.. Does anyone else chew a lot of gum on a daily basis? Have any problems with it?

I'm months post-op I have a 10cc AP band first fill was 3.5 felt nothing 2nd fill total 5.5 felt a bit of restriction 3rd fill dec 12th 07 1cc total 6.5 For the past 3 days everything i've tried i've had pain after 2 to 3 bites and had to go visit the bowl !:rolleyes don't think i've had a total of 500 calories in the past 3 days if that, just wondering if this is the way restiction suppose feel? even Jello after a few spoonfuls was tough going down. Been working on a pork chop now for about a half hr with pain! I am to filled? will this go away in a few more days any advice or suggestion would be great. wondering how others feel with restriction looking for opinons tha…

My doctor didn't insist on a pre-op diet but did recommend it and explained the advantages in terms of liver reduction, etc (with comparative videos to make the point!) However, he didn't give me any specific instructions and I didn't have time to see the dietician before I had to fly back to work. I've been trying to stick to it with some adaptations, thinking that I had a bit of leeway because the doctor hadn't insisted I bought the vanilla Optifast option which has 152 cal, 2.3g fat, 15g carb, 17g Protein. The recommendation is 3 x Optifast + salads/low carb veges, giving a total of about 500 cal, 7g fat, 60g carb and 51g protein. This seems high in carbs and low in …

I was just banded last monday, dec. 10. My name is Deb, and I'll be posting frequently from now on. I was only informed of lapbandtalk.com the day I came home, and have been reading and reading since then. My concern is, I was never told about any kind of liquid pre-op diet. My doctor never said a word, and it was not in his literature. I ate up until the day before. I hope I didn't ruin my chances of success now! Yes, I do have a fatty liver, I am diabetic, and quite overweight (285lb). The surgery was done laparascopically, but it lasted 4 hours because of problems he found. It was harder than I thought. Today is day 6 post-op, and am feeling much bette…

Here's a new one. And I know you all can relate. I just had my 3 month post surgery check with the doctor and what he had to tell me just made me feel good all over. He is that I am Obese. Wait, wait, I know some of you are thinking ,"What the heck?". But for me to be told that I am "just" obese and not morbidly obese, or super morbidly obese, is something to celebrate. I just absolutely love this band. No matter the scars, the inability to really embrace a full on holiday dinner, the "stuck" food on occasion. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I Love band land.