PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

ok i have a date and i thought I had the financing for it!!!! but my loan just "fell through" watever thats supposed to mean!! Im so bummed my surgery is in a week from tomorrow!!!

Hi everyone, Need some advice please. I was banded 12 days ago, am on mushies, and unfortunately ate quite a lot of ice cream today - my emotional hunger got the better of me. I really thought I wouldn't be able to do this anymore, and am disappointed in myself. Even when I just eat the mushies, I feel I might be eating a bit more than I should, but I get hungry. Has anyone else had similar problems? Thanks, Jenny:confused::hungry:

how can i stop from throwing up i am literally praying to god to help me not throw up im not even sure why i feel like this i just woke up like this totally sick to my stomach! its very scary i dont know what to do

I was banded a couple of days ago and I came home from the hospital this morning. I have noticed that where one of cuts is that it is now swollen & bruised. That's where it is the most sore. Any ideas of what could be happening??

I am finding it very hard to cook for my spouse when our meals and mealtimes are so different. Any suggestions?:help:

I have a 3 week Medifast diet before my surgery next week and I have 3times that I have broken down to eat. Cheese & crackers etc should I worry? It is so hard not to eat.

I was banded 6 days ago. Today I have a lot of squeezing pain under my breast bone. I feel GREAT other than that. I'm still on liquids. I've been drinking and taking thin soups. Is it normal? Or have I screwed up my band somehow?

I just opened my gifts from my parents and got a Oster Blender and food processor combo!!!!!!!!! Also got a new pink night shirt and robe to take to Dallas for my surgery!!!!!!!!!! I think that they are finally on board with my surgery.:clap2: I hope that everyone is having a great day. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. Rene'

Hello - I am scheduled for my first fill 2 days shy of 4 weeks from band date. I'm a little nervous that it might be to soon. Anyone else get filled less than 4 weeks from surgery? Banded Oct 19 (Fri) First fill Nov 14 (Wed)

In the consult with the doc, he told me he will use the smaller band unless he absolutely cant - his words were that the will always "cheat down" on the size. He felt positive that he would use the small on me. However, in talking to the nurse, I found that I got the larger one. The APL 14cc band. Does anyone know if this makes a difference? LIke will I get more or less restriction with this band. I am self pay, to the tune of 17,400 and I want as much bang for my buck as possible. Thanks in advance for any of your help.

I was wondering if anyone else had Endometriosis. I didn't even think when I had my surgery and they told me they were putting my port under my belly button. I have chronic abdominal pain and I think the surgery flared up my endo I am having really bad pain from the port area to my right ovary. If anyone does share in the pain from endo has loosing weight helped that? Thanks:help: Cindy

Here I stand (lie) before you, with a band of my own. Apparently there was some drama with me in theater, oxygen levels dropped, but its all good now. I feel very tender and sore, but saying that, compared to yesterday, i am feeling pretty ok. Not feeling any hunger, forcing myself to drink Water regularly and have the occasional teaspoon full of Soup. In one week, on my preop diet i lost 9kg. more soon raph

Does anyone know if vomiting is "allowed" after Lap Band? What if I become pregnant and have morning sickness?

This morning was my surgery! Everthing went well and I am feeling pretty good. I was in the hospital for about 8 hours because I had a few neausa spells so they wanted to keep me a little longer. I've sucessfully drank about 20 oz of liquids so far and no problems getting it down or keep it down. I feel like a big weight as just been lifted off my sholder. I know the road ahead isn't going be easy but I feel wonderful knowing that I am making a difference in my life!!!!! Good luck to everyone banded today and in the future. You can all do it!! :clap2:

So, tomorrow is the big day for me. I have all kids of emotions going on right now. Guess I just wanted to see if anyone had any pre surgery advise for me. Anything that is a must have for tomorrow or anything I should do tonight. I've got all my liquids, Protein powder and gas x. Thanks, Vanessa

I'm going for my consultation tomorrow, I'm wondering if anyone can suggest questions or information that I should go over with the doctor? I have a good understanding of the surgery, but don't want to miss anything with the doctor tomorrow. Thanks, Meghan

I'm seriously considering Lap Band and do not have insurance (I'm self-employed) so need to finance. Has anyone out there done this? Anything in particular I should know or be aware of? I'm going to my introductory meeting tonight to get more info.

Has anyone had Dr. Simper in Salt Lake city, Utah. I have my first appt. on Nov. 20th. What should I expect??? Staci

Anyone had any experience in Roserito with the New Life Surgical Services?

Hi I'm self-paying and I have my first appt. with the surgeon on Nov. 20th. I'm 26 yrs old 5'4 and weigh 215lbs. My BMI is 38. I don't have any major health problems. I'm worried they will turn me away. My question is what are the chances they won't lapband me? Has anyone ever heard of someone being turned away for reasons other then medical?

I am not banded yet. I have 13 pounds to lose before I can get my surgery scheduled. So, if I only have 13 pounds to lose, why in the heck can't I stick to my program??? Last week I did great, only cheated twice, and started walking every night. When I got on the scale Monday, I gained 4 pounds. How did I gain 4 pounds??? So, I was at only having to lose 9 pounds, but now I am back to having to lose 13 pounds. The gain of 4 pounds has really stressed me out. It was a HUGE disappointment. I am so close to having surgery, but the scale is going the wrong way. So, instead of being hard-core on my plan, I have been cheating all week (ice cream, cake, bagels, coke, chicken nug…

So I've cheated...several times. But I'm DONE. I have vowed to stick STRICTLY to doctor's orders (yes, as I should have to begin with, I know), but now I canNOT stop thinking about what I possibly could have done, or have done, to my band and stomach. I want nothing more than to move on, but I can't with these terrible thoughts in my head. My band is empty, so I know that's why I feel no restriction, but is that the only reason why? Do I no longer feel restriction because I've stretched the pouch and can now take more in? I followed doctors orders word for word until about 3ish days into mushies (yeah, not long at all), when I decided I was just going to "test myself".…

Today is probably the worst but I have a horrible cold. My nose is stuffed up, my chest is tight, coughing feels like there are razor blades in my throat, I have a headache and overall, I'm just miserable. I guess chances are good that I will be feeling better by Monday (surgery date), but I doubt that I will be 100% healthy by then. Should I be concerned. Did anyone else go in with a cold?

:help: HI, I'M BRAND NEW. I'VE HAD MY PSYCHOLOGICAL CLEARANCE AND CARDIAC CLEARANCE. NEXT WOULD BE PAYING FOR IT. IT'S COSTING ME $16,500. I'M SURE IT WILL BE WORTH IT. NEXT STEP WOULD BE THE 4-HR CLASS AND THEN I CAN HAVE THE SURGERY IN 2 WEEKS. VERY AFRAID OF THE SURGERY. MAY I SAY THAT I AM A MAJOR WIMP WHEN IT COMES TO PAIN. I HAVE FIBROMYALGIA PAIN EVERY DAY SO I DON'T WELCOME ANY MORE PAIN IN MY LIFE. I'M TYPE 2 DIABETIC AND HAVE SLEEP APNEA. ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT COME ALONG WITH BEING OVERWEIGHT. I HAVE 92LBS TO LOSE AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO LIVING A LONGER LIFE WITH THIS SURGERY. DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT WHETHER I NEED TO BRING THE CPAP WITH ME O…

Some other Lap Banders I’ve chatted with in RL tell me that finding a good spot to place the port is key. Example in-line with the belly button for a woman is bad, (well was bad for her), since the waist line for pants interferes. I am considering 1 to 2” above the belly button line and 1 to 2“ in front of my floating rib. It would be great to get some feedback before my surgery. Thank you.

I'm offically freaking out!! So I have enough money to get the surgery I have the surgery date!! I was super excited about going to TJ and to the obesity goodbye center! and then i read all these post on here some of them good some bad!! im totally scared now!!! can anyone please provide me written material not peoples opinion about the obesity center? please i'm like crying my eyes out cause everything seemed so perfect I was almost there and now everything seems to be crashed down. I dont know if my just freaking out cuz its gettin closer to Surgery day. or if i should just back out now?:help::faint:

Hey Guys, I am getting ready for my surgery and getting a tad bit spooked. I have to travel to Colorado by myself and get the surgery done on my own. I need to pack a bag that has everything I need to get by 3 or 4 days on my own in a hotel room. I have heard about GasX and other recommendations but if you had to do it all over again what do you bring in your bag to survive till you can get home to family? What medications like cough drops and what about food since I wont have a chance to get out. I plan to totally stock my hotel room and the bunker down.

Hi everyone, I was only banded 8 days ago and would like a little advice from experienced people as my surgeon has the personality of a rock and I don't find him easy to talk to. As a 182cm (6ft) former basketballer who had tipped the scales at 130kgs(286pds) I felt I really needed to do something drastic. Hence the band, but my second son is only 3 months old and I am still breastfeeding. After a horrendous first few days with the most extreme side flank pain ( ended up at the hospital but nothing wrong) I am now feeling pretty good. However, I am feeling better because I put a little solid food in my stomach. Within an hour the pain had subsided and has not returned. I …

I don't know exactly how to explain this, but I am going to try my best. Ever since my banding (2 weeks ago), I sometimes try to swallow and it is like something stops it right in the back of my throat and I have to swallow a couple times before it finally goes down. This never happens with spit, I just sometimes get this sensation when walking or sitting.....

Hi everyone, I have some questions about what I'm noticing with my port, it seems for the last few days my site where the port is that it looks alittle more swollen than usual (surgery was 9/25) and it is feeling achey has anyboby had any of these problems/

Hello my surgery date is Nov 10, and my mom had hers done in June so we both have a few question for those of you who have had it for a few months now, 1. hair Loss, I know we are all different but wat can she take for it? 2. Pain where the cord is, my mom lost a lot of weight so the cord is now surfaced and at first it was really hurting her, she went back to the Dr and he said that he can staple or stich the cord to a musle in near the stomach wall. Anyone else had this problem? 3. Im very super scared of not waking up after the surgery!!! anyone else have this fear? just thinking about it makes me cry!!! Thank you everyone!!!! and Happy Halloween!!! p.s I ca…

:help:and i was wondering what should i exepect this is the first time that i have spoke to him so i am wondering what will happen

In fact I'm up a few pounds. I'm so confused. I track my calories, carbs, Proteins and I'm at 735 calories for today with 95 Protein. I'm so swollen and still very gassy. I just don't get this at all. I'm having a slight panic feeling, like I'm not going to lose. I know it has only been a day. I'm hoping someone more experienced will reply and let me know what is going on. Thanks a bunch!

Hi My surgery is Nov 10. I just wanted to know am I going to be losing the weight so fast that my skin won't have time to tighten up again? I know everyone is different but has anyone else had this problem?? I dont want to do this then later have to have a tummy-tuck to get ride of the skin?:help:

Aoha everyone, I was banded on August 29, 2007, and the journey has been awesome. But not as awesome to make it to my first mini-goal of being in onederland ( under 200 pounds ). I felt like I was plateau(ing) soon after surgery and I had gotten a fill at my 1 month post-op appointment, then lost 5 lbs, then nothing again, so I went back 4 weeks later and got another fill, and I really feel like the band is working like it should. I have restriction, like I have never felt it before, and it really, really, does work. I am so excited that I had to share my good news. Good Luck to all of you out there, and I wish you all the best on your journeys. Oh by the way, I star…

Well in 15 minutes my mum will be here (im 35 and she still insists on these things when it comes to hospitals) to drive me to hospital. Being banded at 3.30pm today. Will post about my experience when i get back from hospital in 2 or 3 days. nervous as all hell, but glad the pre-op diet phase is over!!

Can anyone share with me how they deal with the fills (with having a needle phobia?) I watched Big Medicine this week and it showed a lady getting her first fill and you would have thought I was getting stuck. I hate this phobia because I feel so embarrassed. It has affected many parts of my life. I did hear someone saw they wanted to know if the doc used ultra violet lights to locate the port...cause they had a doctor that was using them for a pin cushion. I KNOW I COULDN'T HANDLE THIS. I checked with the Nutritionist with Dr Weaver and she stated if Dr Weaver can't locate the port she gets the light. At 56...want to overcome such terror. Any help would be appre…

For some reason I thought I would only be getting three cuts but I woke up with five. Of course I didn't notice this till after I was home so I didn't ask the nurses or my doctor. Is five cuts normal?

Hi I'm a newbie to this forum! I finally have my surgery date and was wondering if anyone else having their surgery around my date NOV 10. I wanted to see if I can find a Lap band buddy....anyone???:clap2:

Hi, I was taking fish oil and flaxseed oil pre-op for high tryglcerides. I am now five days post-op and would like to resume taking them or perhaps cut them and put the oil on something. Any suggestions?

Ok, so I am supposed to have my surgery next Wednesday, November 7th. This has been a long process from the start because the hospital doing my procedure just started doing lap bands, and they didn't really have their shit together to begin with (pardon my language). I went to my seminar at the beginning of August, and they just finally finalized the surgeon fees 2 days ago, and finalized the hospital fees last week. They also made a mistake on when I wanted my surgery, when I told them from the beginning that I wanted it the week of the 5th because that's the only time I have off work. (Did I mention I have also worked at this hospital for almost 10 years and have never …

I am waiting on approval from the insurance company and I am very nervous about th pre-op and post op diet. I feel like I won't be able to follow it completely. The pre-op won't be that bad, considering it is only about a month, but post-op is my main concern. There are some things I just don't want to give up. Do you have to completely modify your diet or are you able to eat some of your favorite foods on occasions? I catch myself thinking at times, I really want this and I can do it, I will make it work, and on other occasions, I dont think I will ever be able to follow the diet. Did anyone have these feelings? And do you allow yourself to enjoy some of your favo…

*I posted this on the general discussion board also, so if you read that one, it's the same thing.* I'm on the fence about whether I would like to have a lap band or a bypass, and I wanted to know how others made this decission, and how it has worked out for people in a similar situation to me. I have a BMI of 43, and weigh 287. Technically my ideal weight is probably 150 according to the charts, but I would be more than perfectly happy at 175, even 200. I am healthy otherwise, and I'm only 27, so the risk with either surgery is not high for me, and is about the same for either surgery (according to my doctor). I think I would prefer the lapband over the bypass si…

I was adjusted last Wednesday and have not really been hungry ever since. I was wondering if I should still eat even if I am not feeling hunger. When I get up in the morning I am not hungry at all. Sometimes by lunch time I still have no desire to eat. I'm worried that if I don't eat three small meals a day then I won't be giving my body what it needs. Is it possible I have too much restriction? My nurse told me to wait about a week and call back if my appetite doesn't come back. Just curious if this has happenend to anybody else and what I should do about it. :help:

Hi all, I couldn't find this info anywhere here - but I'm sure it is. I was banded 10-16 and just started Stage 3, mushy foods. I am consciously chewing my food, and today I had fish twice - and each time shortly after starting eating, I felt a horrible pain, I imagine where the band is, right at the breastbone - a combo of nausea and squeezing - what did I do wrong? am I not ready for soft foods? I'm totally scared now that it happened again...any suggestions? Thanks, MLS

i met with the surgeon today. she was very straight forward. first she said that seeming how i have a kid and work that i may not have the time to eat slowly or exercise and either surgery may not work, she also said that she doesnt like the band and may stop doing them in a few months. she said that there isnt enough long term data and they may cause irrotion, she said that there is definite success with the bypass and not with the band so why not choose the right thing the first time around. i told her that ive been in the program for 1 year now and have been adimit on the band, she said that she will do what i want but doesnt think that this is the best choice for me. …

When my stomach gets empty (which it basically has been constantly between liquid Protein shakes), I feel nauseaus. I even start to retch, but there's nothing in my stomach to come up. This worries me because I don't want to dislodge the band or do myself any harm at this time. I'm about 2 weeks post op. Anyone else out there feel this way too? Thanks!

Hi there I am new to the forum, I'm 23 and I am getting banded on Nov. 7 2007. I have been reading some posts and I am shocked at some of the things I have read. My doctor did not share these things with me and i guess maybe I won't find this out until the pre-op appointment, but I read on a couple posts that you are intibated (sp) and that you have to have a urine catheter(sp) put in...YIKES! do they put these things in after you are out?? I have other psychological problems with my womanly parts that I would never let anyone put a tube in me while I am awake!! Do they take it out before you wake up?? OMG I am super scared now!! Someone please help me understand what I…

Hi, I just recieved approval for my surgery, my Dr. said it will be sometime the end of November. This site is great and has pretty much answered any question I have except one. When you have the inital surgery, they just put the band on and it's not filled at all. Is that right? Then once you've healed 3 weeks later, that's when you go for your first fill... is that correct?

Hi guys; Well its been 4 1/2 months since surgery and from starting surgery of 225 and now I am almost at the below 200 mark:). Its been a wonderful ride and believe you me, I know without a shadow of a doubt, this is just a tool!!! I just went to get my 4th fill and I wanted to know how many fills are we required to have?