PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was born with one kidney so i was worried about the after affects of the lap-band. Anyone else have this problem?

:help:ok i am wanting the lapband done i think my selection where to have done is going to be southampton spire hospital ( as it is only 1 hour from me ) and the price is not to bad so can any one tell me before i make the appointment on monday to see the consultant how long does the whole process take from that 1st visit are we looking at months or weeks i will be going self funded not sure if this makes a big difference or not i am just so fed up now and i am longing to have this done all i think about is this band none stop looking things up about it but i cannot find no anwsers about waiting time , there is alot of advise on this site thank-you to all please do not …

I am 2 days post op and I havent been able to shift the nausea feeling all day (in fact I think it is getting worse). A couple of times I actually thought I was going to be sick but it ended up being wind. In my pre-op world I would normally nibble on dry biscuits to ease this. Has anyone got some good options of how they have been able to ease the nausea blues.

I am so nervous! I have my psych eval. this afternoon. If anyone could tell me what its like, what types of questions do they ask?? I guess its one step closer to surgery,( I am still 6 months out) but its one of those realities that are setting in! Alyssa

Seems everyone has a different regiment to follow, so was wondering how everyone is coping? What's your program? My program is this: two Meal Replacement shakes, two Snacks - one is two pieces of low fat string cheese and the other one is a piece of fruit (which I save for dessert) and one meal consisting of 4 ounces of lean meat, poultry and fish, a cup of raw or steamed veggies and two slices of whole grain pepperidge farm veri thin bread. It's about 800 calories a day. This is day 9 for me. It hasn't been too terrible because at least I get to chew something for one meal (and believe me, I really look forward to it!). One thing that helps me with the meal repla…

My surgery was 2 weeks ago tomorrow. I did great and recovered nicely. This morning I could hardly move. My shoulders and upper back ache and it hurts when I breath in deeply. I do not have a cough and other than that I feel fine, able to eat, etc. I wonder if it could be from the gas everyone is always speaking of here, I really never experienced any of those pains after surgery and wonder if I am having them now? I do have a Dr appointment in the morning (not lapband dr., regular primary care Dr.), I see the lapband Dr on Tuesday.

was anyone else scared of dying from the general anesthsia? for some reason i am terrified! also do they intubate you?

Hey I am 3 days post op and having trouble getting the protiens in. They said they want me to get in 60 gms of protiens per day. So far today I have 16! I had carnation instant breakfast for morning, 1/2 cup of cream of potatoe soup strained at lunch and 1/2 cup of sugar free pudding. I am full. how can i get them in??????????

Hi! I was just banded last Wednesday. After first my pain was extreme. It has definitely settled down, but I still have some really sore spots and trouble moving - how long will that last approximately? Second, I am having some chest pressure right behind my breast bone - is this normal and how can I alleviate it? My body is doing just fine taking in liquids and holding them. Is it okay to puree the veggies and meet in Soup and eat that this quickly after surgery? Please help! Thanks a lot! Jamie

I'm on day 9 post surgery. The surgery was much less painful than expected - sore though. The gas pain was aweful and took nearly 7 days to completely go away. chest pain, shoulder pain, etc. My doctor has me on 2 weeks of liquid with 3 shakes daily. My liquids can be clear, but also tomato juice, etc. So on week 2 of liquids I started with blended Soups put through a fine strainer. So far I haven't even really felt any hunger. I've had an appetitie periodically but no real hunger. Will really need to learn the difference between appetite, or wanting to eat versus being hungry and needing to eat. Cravings kicked in around day 4 and 5 but went away around day 6. Won…

Ok sorry for the graphic but I am having terriable diarrhea since day 3. It doesn't seem to be coorelated to any paticular food, I even went back to clears to confirm this. I am wondering if this may just be a side effect that some have for a while? I spiked a low grade temp earlier. I have spoke with my phycision, he's understandably more concerned about the fever. Have any of you had the diarrhea during your healing process???

Hello everyone I am scared right now, and I am 4 days away from having my lapband surgery.

I discovered this by accident. I didn't think I needed a fill, but my husband did so we went together to the new doctor (we moved here from another state) and when he got our records they neglected to tell him our fill levels. He got an authorization to do our fills under fluoroscope, hope I spelled that right. Under the scope he saw my esophagus was dialated, and enough that now I have to have an upper GI done next week and bring him the report and films the following week. He says in some people ( I may be the some) the band with it's restriction (and mine is placed kind of high) causes food to back up in the esophagas which causes it to enlarge. If the film show…

As I read these posts I am really concerned about hunger. (my surgery date is 12/17) I don't deal well with being hungry. I have gotten myself to eat three meals a day and I don't eat unless I am hungry/when I am hungry. (big step for me) BUT.... sometimes it is really hard not to eat, especially between lunch and dinner when I am starving. Have most of you experienced being hungry after surgery... and is it really intense? I don't want to go through surgery (especially a week before Christmas) and be starving anyway. :help:

I am in day 3 of my preop diet--Carnation Instant Breakfast 6 times a day...my ankles are swollen, has anybody had this problem?--Should I be concerned?

Hi All Just a question, as I fell really abnormal, does anyone else get funny throat noises like tummy rumbles in the back of your throat after drinking or eating? I had my first fill on the 6th Septamber(4.5ml) and it obviously was too much as I didn't eat or drink much after that and so I had (2.0ml)removed on the 22nd October(Long Story-remote location vs doc Location). Since then I can now tolerate food & Water without puking or stuck pains but the throat noises are still there and they are louder than my tummy rumbles. EMBARRASSING!!!!!! Outback Jo

Hi All,<br /> <br /> I am getting banded on Wednesday this week. I have been on optifast diet, which is like hell on earth really. I have been desperately craving carbs, but hey only another 2 days and then i guess i will be on liquids.<br /> <br /> But on to my questions. <br /> <br /> 1. If drinking softdrink or the like, is burping normal? or what does occur with burping?<br /> <br /> 2. I have read that eating rice is a problem, is this all rice? Brown rice? Rice in a handroll (sushi?)<br /> <br /> 3. what sort of weight loss rate is normal? I am currently 170cm and weigh 170kg does the initial weight come of…

I was banded on October 24. On the 2nd day post op my doc said that I could eat "Soup at Hand". It is a soup made by Cambells that you can sip. On the first day I could only drink about a third of it at a sitting. Now I can drink 3/4 to 1 whole container. 1 container is 10 ounces. Depending on which one you get, the calories range from 80 - 140. It is very thin. Definately could be sipped through a straw. Can liquids stretch your pounch in the beginning??? The only other things I am eating are sf jello, sf popsicles, and water. I just don't want to stretch my band out before I really get started!!! Advise please.

...I think it's the whey that's bothering me anyway. I FINALLY found a GREAT tasting Protein shake (Body Fortress in vanilla from Wal Mart), but have been getting bad tummy aches every time I drink it (I've been using lactose free or soy milk with it) . I am so disappointed cuz I thought it was so good I looked forward to the next serving. Anyone face this problem? Is it common? I'm not into Isopure's liquid Protein Drink, so I would really prefer a shake-like alternative (must be DELISH!). Thanks everyone!

:thinkHi I am a newbe and reasearching where to go to have surgery. I live in Philadelphia, PA and sure there are many HOSPITALS in my area that are preforming the lap band but at astronmical prices. My insurance does not cover any wt loss surg. So I am looking for a reputable sugeon that is not $50,000. There is another problem my BMI is only 32. I had my fat% done and it is 52% but that is not a consideration for some surgeons. If I am not 35 BMI or higher they dont even want to speak to me despite my yo-yo past and the DAILY despiration for a solution :cry. I am open to all comments. Thank you for your time!!!!

im 5 days away from surgery and been on pre op diet for a week, i have good days and ive had a few bad ones, but not the whole day though,,,i feel so guilty and scared that my liver hasnt shrunk and the surgeon might not be able to operate key hole,, anyone else stuff up on pre op?,,, please there has to be , make me feel better guys! have i already failed?

My Wife Had Lap Band Surgey And Almost Died,looking To Find Dr.kasper

Has anyone had problems with a high reading on their c-reactive protein level and with lapband surgery it was reduced?

Mine is driving me crazy. .....It is stretched and swollen....and feels like something is stuck when I swallow. I called the nurse and she said that it could happen and is from the tubing during surgery....Has anyone ever experienced this and if so what did you do to make it go away and how long did it last.

I had my band place on Wednesday the 24th. I am feeling great! I still have some gas, but it is improving everyday. Last night I started having some bloody/watery drainage from my port incision site. It doesn't look infected or anything like that. It is a little puffy and I'm starting to see some bruising. I have a call in to my doctor, but was just wondering if this is pretty common or should I be concerned. Otherwise, I just feel like I am doingg great!!

Today was my big day!!! I got home about 5 this eventing. I had to stay a few hours post of because when I would fall asleep my O2 Sat would drop(even with oxygen and my cpap). I feel much better than I thought I would. I received the new ap lapband small. It was the first one my doctor had placed. She had to make that incision a litle larger and said that I had a little bleeding so I may be more sore there. She said that the band is pretty snug and has about 3cc of saline in it. I am drinking Water without any difficulty. I also had a popsicle. I haven't been brave enought to try anything else. My left shoulder hurts a bit, but I know its just gas. The heatin…

I'm currently on Optifast until my surgery on Nov. 6th in order to shrink my fatty liver before they go in. The problem is, even though I'm only getting 960 calories a day, I haven't lost yesterday, although I did lose the four days before that. Is it possible that my body thinks I'm starving and went into total shut down? I am pretty weak and tired. Has anyone gone on Optifast before surgery and have some advice?

Hi, I have everything set up - date on NOV 1st pre op, even insurance approval, days off, transport etc etc... I am so concern about the weight loose before surgery. My doc said 15pounds and I had only 3 weeks to deal with it. Whats gonna happened if I wont be able loose all of it? did they cancel or reschedule my appointment? did anybody had a problem with that? Please give me some clue how it work?!

I have been working a lot lately and eating and going directly to bed. I sleep fine and then suddenly I am awakened. Something is coming up my throat and even my nose!!! and I'm RUNNING to the bathroom!! I'm calling it slime, because I'm not throwing up.... Has this ever happened to anyone? Is it acid reflux? Might it be because I am eating and going to bed?

I don't know what to expect on the actual day and then for the next few days. When Can I drive?

I'm on the liquid stage, am about 6 days out from being banded. I'm supposed to start mushies next week but am getting nervous after reading about people getting chicken stuck. It sounds painful and now that the hunger is going away, am thinking maybe I should just stick with the liquids... Any thoughts anyone? Thanks. Becky :ranger:

I tend to be a stress or boredom eater..... I realize that this is something I will continually have to be accountable for even with the band. What tools have you used to help with these behaviors?? I appreciate all responses!!

I was banded on Oct 16 and everything seems to be going fine except for the fact that I can't burp. Sounds petty but I feel the need and if I try I do this strange hiccup and it really hurts. This happens all day. Just wondering if any one feels like this. Bekkie:help:

It has been exactly a week since surgery.... thought I had more gas in my side today was in tears... it was so bad.. turns out I am passing a kidney stone! When it rains it pours doesn't it!!!:omg:

Ok...I am on mushies and I was eating my dinner and I couldn't stop myself I just wanted more and more. I was so hungry. I had 1/2 of blended casserole, 1/2 cup of green Beans, and 1/2 of blended chili. On my meal plan I am only suppose to consume 3/4 cup of blended food per meal. I doubled that. I am so full. (FINALLY.) I don't plan to make a habit of my slip, because I paid too much money for this band. Can messing up one time cause damage to your pouch? Is there a pouch? Can you stretch it? Did I stretch it? Did eating this "massive" quanitity of food cause damage to the band? I was banded on October 3rd. I know there must be a million of these questions a…

I'm getting ready to go to my first meeting with the Nutritionist this am. Very anxious to see what she has to say and what she wants me to do. One step closer to being banded. Have almost all pre surgical requirements filled:)

Hi everyone, I am being banded Wednesday November 7th, and my doctor requires that I be on a diet consisting of 3 cans of Slimfast Optifast per day and Clear liquids. My question is this- does anyone have any good ideas on how to make Slimfast more palatable? Has anyone tried blending it with ice in a blender? I think the taste is just sooooo gross. Thanks! Heather

i usually go on this website at least once a day but havent been on for a while. i have been going through alot of emotional stuff lately. it first started going down hill for me when i got my surgery date and had to change my surgeon. ive been eating like crazy ( not gaining any weight which i am shocked) i feel overwhelmed and kind of depressed and tired. in the mean time my friends have been trying to talk me into the bypass and i even considered it for a while. i noticed that the days that i am really down on my weight i want it to come off fast and i want the bypass but on other days when i feel ok i want the band. ive decided that i need to stick to what ive been fe…

Hi everyone, I was banded on Oct 3 and I am loving my new life! I have dropped 2 pant sizes! Total lost so far 31 lbs. from beginning of the liquid diet until now. (6 weeks total) Problem is I am getting tired of refried beans and cottage cheese. Anyone have ideas for me on what to eat? :clap2:

Hello, My name is Raynae' and I just got my surgery date and am so excited and a little nervous. I am going to Dr. Cywes & Dr. Baptista in Jacksonville, FL. I was fortunate to go to the seminar with Kaliah Ali and hear her story and receive a autographed copy of her book! A close friend of mine had the lap band done in Dec 2006 and has had great results. Well, tomorrow I go get the blood work/EKG/x-rays, I live 2 hrs from my surgeon so I am doing all of that at my doctors. I am self pay. I was told that if I opted to have the surgery at the Doctors out patient center that I would save $5,000 The only thing is I have to lose some weight prior to surgery. Good …

Hi All, My tenative date is January 21!!! I'm excited, but now have more questions than ever. It seems like a lot of posts lately have been talking about intense pain post op and feeling hungry. I can handle the pain, but if I'm going to do this I don't want to be hungry!!! Question: I live on a 2nd floor condo. Did anyone have to deal with stairs immediately post op and if so, how much did it hurt? Also, when you say you were really hungry before your first fill, was it like low sugar "gotta eat something now or I'm going to faint" hungry, or just wanting to eat hungry? How much time did everyone take off of work? I have a desk job and would like to go back…

i am 5 days post op. i was not what i would consider a sweet eater, although i should have probably evaluated that further because i was a sweet drinker. i was also glucose intolerant, so the few weeks before being banded i craved sweet drinks like crazy, and drank them. so this is my problem. my blood sugar has been very low, so my doctor told me to drink some juice yesterday. well, i had juice again today and, unfortunately, i think today i will exceed 800 calories (most of it on gatorade, juice, etc.). no, i am craving things. i cheated and had 2 mini sweetarts today. ugh!!! i never realized that the calories added up so fast until today after i had already had m…

Hi All! I was banded last week and am able to eat more and more..... Will I be able to eat as much as used to until I get my fill or will about 1/2 cup be it...???

Does anyone know how much bouillon we can drink on the pre opp liquid stage????? Rick

I am wondering about protein. Everyone seems to talk about it being hard to get enough. I am three days post op and I make a shake with carnation breakfast (sugar free) with 1 cup of simply smart milk and one scoop of whey protein for a total of 38 grams of protein. My doctor said get at least 60 grams of protein a day. Two of these shakes gives me 76 grams. Am I doing this right ? I drink chicken broth and water in between. I don't want to screw things up so soon. I also want to know if it is ok to add benifiber to my liquids??. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Bekkie:confused:

Hi I am being banded next Weds, Oct 31. Any advice as to what to buy at the store in advance to have on hand after the surgery? Or any other advice, checklists, etc? I am on the "fast-track"....just met the Dr last week and will have surgery next week. Sort of a little overwhelmed!!! Anything you did or wish you did prior to surgery that helped your recovery go smoothly? Thanks so much!

I've been inhaling on the spirometer that was given to me last month and I can't get it to what the nurse said it should be. I can get it up to 1750, but it is supposed to be around 2000. Also, I've really struggled with quitting smoking, making it for two days in a row, then relapsing and having start over. Today is a startover day...again. My surgery is one week from today. I really don't want to damage my recovery period with lung issues, so can anyone enlighten me as to whether you had no problems post-op or if you had problems, what they were and how you handled it? Anything at all you think would be helpful is appreciated. I'm pretty stressed out about it.

Did anybody gain weight while in the hospital? I actually gained 6 lbs! It must be retaining water from the IV's cause I was only on liquids.

I am 7 weeks out and I was losing well at first and now I am at a stand still... I had a fill last week and I feel no different and my weightloss still is stalled... I believe I am eating right and I am going to the gym for 2 hours 5 times a week.... :-( Is this bandster hell and will my weight loss start going again?

I was just wondering if you had to quit taking it so long before the surgery and how it would be taken post surgery. Any information will be appreciated.