PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I got my approval letter from the insurance company today. I'm so happy! I meet with the surgeon for pre-op on December 6th. I'll find out then if I get my gall bladder out then too. My lap band surgery is scheduled for December 17th.

Is the goal to reach your weight and then have your band unfilled? I may have misunderstood, but I went for a pre-op consultation this w/e and mentioned 2 stories about persons not seeing doc for a year and then gaining weight + back, and asked doc what the end result should be, and am I then married to him and fills forever? He said the idea is to get to goal and eventually unfill to dodge erosion issues, which makes sense except that (as a friend pointed out) then your band would be loose and want to slip.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm? What were you told the end result should be and are you married to your doc forever?

I'm having my surgery on 11/26 and am very nervous about how I will feel after surgery. I'm not sure what to expect.

I just had my ultrasound yesterday to make sure everything is okay (Pre-op) and I found out that I have gall stones. I didn't know I had them, never had a problem or pain. My question is, have any of you had gall stones that interfered with having your lap band surgery. I really don't want to have two surgeries, one to take care of the gall stones, and the other to put in the lap band. My lap band surgery is scheduled for December 17th. Thanks!

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Six weeks on only-liquid diet, 2 weeks on mushie and will be on mushie for the next 2 weeks!<br /> surprisingly I am still alive!<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="57" class="inlineimg" /><br /> Now beat that! <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/whoo.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Whoo" smilieid="339" class="inlineimg" /><br /> <br /> No seriously, is this normal? <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/depressed.gif" border="0" alt="" title="cry" smilieid="49" class="inlineimg" /><br /> It's not like I miss food or something (who am i…

I am 8 days post op and the hunger is killing me!!! I don't know what to do. I am able to start introducing potatoes today so I had a whole baked potato from Wendy's! After I ate it I cried because I can't believe I ate it! I know once I get my fill things will be differnt but these weeks with no restriction are going to kill me! I am still staying away from the bad foods but I don't know how long I am going to last!!! I am feeling like a faliure already. This is not good either because I like to eat when I am feeling down and right now I can. Please give me some ideas on what you did durning this time to keep you from not starving plus eating right.

I had surgery on November 6th and had a slight cold going into surgery. Today, I have been coughing so hard and I am concerned about how it is affecting the inside. For the most part, I feel OK with exception of alot of gas but the coughing has me a bit concerned. The cough sounds and feels like bronchitas so it is a hardy strong cough. I feel fine just concerned about coughing. Anyone else with this issue?

Hey everyone, Well, I made it thru banding yesterday. It hurts, of course I expected it to. It's not excruciating, but it still hurts. I'm just sipping fluids and resting...just thought I would check in and let everyone know I made it

I have a 4cc band and I recently got my first fill with 1.2cc of saline. So by my calculations I have room for 2.8 cc's of food or Water at anyone time. I am a visual person so I need to see what it looks like. Is it a cup of food...? I know it's a silly question...but I want to visually make sure I put the correct portions on my plate. :help:

Hi all: Just had the lap band done on 10/30/07 and am a mushy food diet. Has anyone had a problem with physical strength post op? i bowl and when i went out the other day i was exhausted and had no physical strength after 5 frames. what can i do while i am on the mushy diet to get my physical strength back?

Hi Everyone, Just got back from the surgeons office & I have a surgery date!! I will be getting banded on Monday, November 26, 2007 with Atlanta Bariatrics at Emory Johns Creek Hospital!! Yeah! Yippee, I am so excited to get this process started!!! :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

Hey everybody Apples here again with yet another question.... LOL! I wanted to know did your Dr make any of you do a "new beginnigs" or pre op program before the surgery?? And 2ndly if so how long did you guys have to stay on the plan?? And thirdly if you did do the plan before surgery do you feel like you have greatly benifitted from the diet. Like would you have failed your band if you hadn't done the pre op diet ?? Thanks for you time and get back!!!:help:

Tomorrow I will be one week post op. Today has been the first day that I have really been hungry! I want to eat soooooo freaking bad! I keep thinking about all those darn foods that I used to love. I just can't stop thinking about it! I've had some Jello, pudding and some tomato Soup but I still keep picturing a juicy burger and yummy pizza. How to I stop fantasising about food???? Also, is it okay to drink coffee?

i am assuming that it would take overeating on a regular basis to stretch the pouch..is that right? a little background... i am 1 month 1 week out from surgery. we are currently in the process of selling our house and buying another. i am a comfort eater. so i have been incredibly stressed and recognized last night i was eating more then i should. i think i probably have been a few other times. now i am freakin out that i may have stretched my pouch or ruined something. please help! suggestions? advice? oh, i have in this bad time also taken a few sips of something while eating. i know, i know, i know.... and one more thing...i find myself drinkin …

I am form Kentucky and i am finding it very difficult to find a good surgeron at a good price. I have no insurance and will be paying cash. anyone with any info would be great :help:

This may be a silly question ,but are you guys getting colder easier? I started my liquid protein diet in September and have lost close to 45 pounds ( I am hoping that is good. Not sure how others rate against that.) And I have found that I am cold often, even in temps in the upper 70’s. I feel like a cold-blooded lizard scrounging for sun rays to heat up my body. I’ve heard that rapid weight-loss causes this and in the book ‘Passing for Thin”, the author mentions that she is always cold now and has seen this in many of her friends. So, are you getting cold-blooded like me or are you still warm and toasty? :kiss2:

Ok, I have to vent. Anyone who saw my previous post regarding all of my preop fiascos will understand. I am supposed to have my surgery at 7:30 am tomorrow. A week ago, I emailed the bariatric center asking her when and where I needed to take my down payment as I am self pay. I never received a reply. I also called and left her a message and never received a return phone call. Since I work at the hospital doing my surgery, I just figured I would have my husband run the check to the cashier first thing in the morning while I was in surgery. Anyway, at 4:30 this afternoon my cell phone rings. It is the lady from the bariatric center who informs me that if they do not have…

:rolleyes:I am in my 3rd week after Lap Banding. I am on soft diet, yogurt,sf pudding,sf jello, thin creamed soups,protein shakes. I bought a can of pumpkin and would like to make pumpkin soup. Has anyone made pumpkin soup? Help!!!!:rolleyes

So we are officially 1 week post op. How are ya'll doing? I am pretty darn good, and going to work tomorrow for the first time since surg. Still am having a little feeling of stomach swelling from time to time, but overall way less sore. Lost 13 # on my less than 2 week high protein, low carb diet and have lost 3 more since the day of surgery. I'm happy about that, still on full liquid diet, I think for 1 more week. Good luck to you all and I wish you a speedy recovery and great success.

I just had my first fill on November 5th and I am on liquids until tomorrow. For some reason...not only do I not want to drink a protien shake I barely want to drink Water...I am not sick or anything...I jsut have NO desire for food or anything to go in my mouth...I am not even head hungry. Anyone ever experience this???

It seems like so many people have gotten the band without all of this. My insurance company says they require it... I would love to hear what really goes on here...I had a friend who applied for the procedure and had it done within 2 months. Clearly she didn't have the 6 months diet program. Any words of advice?

Hi, I was banded three days ago and am STARVING while on the liquid diet. My stomach growls and hurts so bad I can't even sleep! I have not heard of anyone else complain of hunger during this phase and in fact read several posts that said that after they had surgery they had no hunger at all. What is up, is it normal to be this hungry? I'm paranoid that the band is not on properly. Please advise.

Thanks everyone, I have been drinking 3-4 protein shakes, about 4 ounces of juice, 2 liters of water and coffee (about 4 ounces) I am constantly drinking something. The day of the surgery when I woke up, I was so hungry, my stomach was growling. I am worried that the band is not on right. I can not feel it at all (Some people posted that they could feel it in the beginning) I am not vomiting or in pain and I just burp some after drinking (nothing comes up with the burp.) Do you think I am safe to try some mushie foods? Thanks for all your input!

I had my surgery twelve days ago. Until recently I have been able to trace the outline of my port but now I have a huge knot, about the size of a tennis ball. It's not swollen or red, just under the skin I can feel it. Has anyone else experienced this?

i got banded on 3rd nov.. i had to fly from Dubai(location of banding) to Kuwait (my home) last nite.. so it was a bit of an upset.. however i feel much better today i have been able to sit and walk around too.. just thought of logging on and penning a few lines

Well, I wanted the surgery this past summer (I'm a teacher) but my insurance wasn't going to come through in time...so we scheduled it for December 19 (Merry Christmas, right???). Since the summer I've been almost talking myself out of this whole thing. I got insurance approval in the mail today! Has anyone else gone back and forth with this? One day I feel like I want it and then the next I'm sure I can handle this 'disease' on my own. Please tell me others are as wishy-washy as I am!!! And how do I come to a final decision???

tomorrow is the big day for me. Surgery at 9am. I'm getting nervous but can't wait. I'll be awake all night I know. That's OK, I have to get up at 4:30 am to get ready. Just wish it was 24 hrs. from now. Good luck to all going tomorrow!:clap2:

Has anyone had Lap Band in the Langhorne Barix Center??? I had my consult and was soooo impressed. Had my pre-autorization within 10 days and I'm almost done with my pre-surgery consults (just need an updated stress test). My concern is that the message boards on their web-site is not too complimentary to them from Consult to Surgery. Cna anyone help!! Donna

i am very interested in the lap-band... i have done a lot of research and am ready to go. the doctor who will do my surgery sent me my info packet and once i send it back i can get my first appt .i was just wondering how long did it take from your first appt until the surgery. i am so happy about this and ready to get started

Well I got the lap band I have been waiting for on Nov. 1st. I was in quite a bit of pain at first but I feel really good today. So much so that a little bit of my appetite is coming back and I don't like that. I lost 9 lbs. on the 2 week pre op diet and have lost another 11 lbs. since surgery. I have had a LOT of restriction and absolutely no appetite until today. I still have one more week of Optifast and then one week of TrePuree meals. I don't know how I'm gonna do it. I am getting really tired of the shakes although it's really exciting seeing the weight come off. I am trying to hang in there. Dieting can be quite hard on the nerves and I am going to start takin…

Hello there! Getting banded in January. I've read many posts about hunger...Can someone give me the "detailed" version of hunger? Like is it a "gotta eat something now or I'm gonna pass-out" or a bored type of "emotional hunger"? If it is emotional, how do you get past it? The more details you can give me the better. Thanks!

Hi Everyone.. I was just banded this past monday, 6/25. I'm trying to get an idea of the initial couple of weeks, what to expect, etc. I seem to be having a hard time of it. I wasnt aware that my port incision would hurt so darn much and limit basic functioning such as getting out of bed. I didnt know I'd obsess over not being able to eat like I am. I'm bloated like a pregnant woman, and frequently feel like i need to burp, without success. And the worst thing is, sometimes I just sit here and cry and wonder what the heck did I do to myself???? I'm scared to death to have a fill because I'm so darn uncomfortable already. Has anyone else had these feelings,…

HI ALL, Just having a little trouble with pre op diet.Feeling very sick and shakey.Im only at the end of day two.Just wondering if anyone had similar experience.Im being banded in Murdoch WA on the 12 th of Nov 07....Thanks:sick

Does anyone here have any experience with this? I have cushing's disease and have had brain surgery to remove pituitary tumours in the past. Obesity is a part of cushings. One of my doctors has asked me to consider this surgery. I have been told it wouldn't work on people with cushings from other people. I would appreciate hearing any first hand accounts, or learning anything here from others. Thank you

Well, here I am almost one month post-op and I suddenly began getting headaches in the late afternoon. Then I realized I've been waking up with neck pain and it's been cracking a lot. What this usually means for me is that it is time to see the Chiropractor for an adjustment. Has anyone gone this soon? Has it affected anything with the Band?? I made an appointment for Wednesday afternoon but could cancel if it's not wise...

my date is nov,19 . i am excited and scared at the same time. im in the process of moving this week so ive been a little overwhelmed but at least it takes some of my thoughts off of the band. when i went to the surgeon last week she said that she would do the band but didnt want to. she said that the bypass is better and she is going to stop doing the band in a few months. she said that the fills are painful and i may not lose much weight with the band. its hard because i feel more comfortable with the band but im worried that i wont lose the weight. i am trying to be positive but listening to her made me a little unsure that this will work. i do have to say though that w…

Hi, I'm not having any luck "searching" out these questions, so I apologize if these have already been answered a hundred times already. 1. What tests are needed before the actual procedure is scheduled? 2. Has anyone had any trouble with insurance paying (I have BCBS of NC)? 3. Does Lap-Band help the food addict. If I was a smoker, I'd smoke 3 packs a day, but I'm an eater! 4. Has anyone had their procedure done at the Hickory Surgical Center in Hickory, NC? How was your experience? Thank you so much for your time and attention!!

So, I was told after surgery if I hadn't had a "number 2" I should take a laxative in a few days so I don't strain. 4 days after surgery I crushed a laxative pill and took it. BIG HUGE mistake. I'm not sure exactly what was going on in my guts, but it felt like everything expanded and pressed on my stomach so that I felt like puking. I had to keep spitting into a cup so I didn't puke. I had to keep pacing to get the gas out. It was a two-hour process and was not worth the pain. It felt like how people describe when they've eaten too much and they need to puke it up to feel better. It took all my willpower not to puke. Has this happened to anyone else? Linda

<p>I am freaking out a bit. I tried looking up what it could be. I have left side pain , i guess where the band is placed around the stomach from the info i could find online. Basically by the ribcage. It is all puffy and extends out. I don't have any other side effect, i can eat and drink just fine. What could it be? It looks like a puffy lump, i guess the size of a cell phone sorry thats all i could think of as a comparison and it puffs out about an inch. The area is not warm or does not look infected. I hope I am making sense here. What could it be? I don't want to over react and but i am kinda worried. i have not eaten anything that could be stuck. an…

I am 2 weeks post op and it seems that when i brush my teeth, I gag and feel like I want to throw up. It's the toothpaste. Has this happened to anyone? Does it go away?:help:

I'm not sure if I'm having too much to drink. How many cups of fluids is okay. I've had one cup of sustigan formula, 2 cups of clear soup and some apple juice... very little water, find it doesn't go down as well as the other stuff. Is that too much or not enough? I don't feel too bad but just wanted to be sure that I'm not stretching the pouch.

LapBandTalk and other online weight loss forums are a tremendous resource for anyone who has a question about the Lap-Band. Many experiences are common to people who are exploring this operation, or who have already had the operation. The sharing of our experiences makes us all better prepared for what lies ahead of us. Sometimes I will see a post, or receive a PM or email that asks a very specific question about a person's after-care or medical treatment, and at that point I will advise people "Please ask your doctor about this". I know that everyone here only wants to help other people in this journey, and I know that nobody would intentionally offer advice that m…

I have read some about the AP band that just became available in the US. I read on my surgeon's website that she now has this band. I also heard that she is using up what she has before switching to it. She is out of town and I am her next lap band (Oct 24). I plan to call and request the new band. Is this something I should insist on??? How big of a difference will it make? I just figure that if there is new technology then I want it. Any thought????

I will have had my surgery 4 weeks this Friday. I have noticed that I CAN eat just about anything right now and have been for about a week even though I should be on soft foods for another 4 days. I haven't been over-eating but I have been eating normal foods. I lost a total of 14 lbs from my pre-op and post liquid diet. BUT gained 2 lbs back since I have been eating regular foods. I feel absolutely NO restriction and will have my first fill on 9/14. This is my question: - I know everyone is different however is it normal not to lose weight until after your first fill? - Is it normal to not have any restriction at all before your 1st fill? - And has anyone else gai…

Hi all-- I'm new to this site. I have mostly been reading others' posts. Today I go for pre-admission testing appointments. If all goes well my surgery is scheduled for 10/22. I'm nervous and excited all at once. I've been feeling rather stressed these last few days about a number of things and I'm sure that isn't helping my mindset right now. I guess I just need some reassurance that I can get through this and I'm not alone on the journey. I'm wondering how my age (41) is going to have an impact on this. I've been overweight since I was about 10 years old. It has been a roller coaster and that's kind of how I feel emotionally right now.

I had a pre-op endo test yesterday it showed that I have multiple stomach polyps. They were not bleeding and did not show evidence of past bleeding. The endo doc didn't think it would delay my lap band surgery. I'm just going crazy waiting for pathology report. I was wondering if anyone else has stomach polyps and if it delayed their surgery?

I am new to this, but I am getting nervous. :faint: I am scheduled to get banded Nov. 29 in Bend, OR. I have a sedintary office job, but I am worried about getting enough of everything....water, protien, etc. I have had all of my pre-op tests and all is great. How long can I expect to be out of work? Also, any ideas on post-op nutrition would be great. I look forward to all of your experienced responses.

As I have unintentionally offended someone, I have deleted this thread.

<p>I was banded yesterday and this morning I woke up feeling sore but other than that pretty good. About 10 minutes ago I've begun to get a really sharp pain on my left lower stomach. it's way below where my port insicsion but when I am up and walking around it hurts really bad. It almost feels like someone is pinching me from the inside. Is this normal? I know the port side tends to be more sore but this pain isn't near the port.</p>