PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

In the six months prior to surgery, the nutritionist had me make sure I got in at least 60 grams of protein a day. So-o-o, when I began my liquid diet 10 days before surgery, which I had October 9th, I kept up with that belief, using protein shakes @ 20 grams each, chicken broth protein, and using unflavored protein in other liquids. Now I'm in Phase II, pureed foods, for five weeks and have continued watching my protein intake--so now I'm taking in even MORE protein. However, I just looked in the food guidebook provided by my bariatric center and I see that my actual goals for Phase II are 600 calories and 30 grams of protein. No-one is in the doctor's office today…

How do you (or did you) deal with the excitement, impatience, fear, and anxiety before your surgery? It seems like this is all i think about! i just want it done! :whoo: For anyone who has any advice for me that would be great.......

I was banded at the end of August and really haven't felt any restriction. I just had my first fill last week of 1 cc. How many ccs does it take to really feel full? I am working on listening to my body and my fullness but it is seriously hard. I am worried I am not losing weight fast enough.

Ok so I posted this on the other board too, thought I would see what answer I get here. People keep saying to me that I won't be able to/I will have difficult climbing stairs (thus I need to stay with my mother for a few days instead of my house by myself) Did anybody have problems climbing stairs? Thanks Kelly :mad: Band date: 12/17/07

Has anyone else started loosing hair? I am 4 months post-op any i have started loosing hair is this normal and do i need to increase my vitiamins to keep this from happening? Does it last very long? :help: Banded June 21st at OSU Medical Center Columbus, Ohio By Dr. Needleman.

Anyone out there have to grind up their meds to take them? They are SO nasty I almost have to hurl getting them down. Any idea how long I'll have to do this until I can start taking them whole again? Thanks. Becky

I had my surgery on Oct 2 and have been doing fine until yesterday I started having pain in my stomach and right side of my back. It is really painful when Im walking or sitting. Sometime I feel like I have a constant stomach ache. Do you think this is gas? Has anyone else had this problem.

I am now 8 days away from surgery (if you don't count sleeping tonight). I am excited and can hardly weight (HA HA) to get rid of this wait (HA HA again) and it on with a healthy life. I have a very good support group and even when I tell someone about the upcoming surgery they seems to be excited for me. The biggest reaction I have is that "Why would you do that you're not fat". Well personally I call 103 pounds overweight "fat". My health problems have gotten to the point that is not about wearing smaller jeans anymore, it is about being around to see my granchildren's children. The Pre-Op diet is not as bad as I thought it was going to be although I do get hungry. Not …

Ok, people i am 15 days post op and i totally had a gross feeling this AM. I have learned that there is a reason why you must eat slow. I haven't changed that behavior totally but now i must. My shreded chicken got stuck and nothing i did could make it go down, and 10 mins later it all came up. Sooooo gross!!! It was like barfing but i guess thats what they call sliming. I was on my way out the door for work, and decided to come back in and wait it out. Good thing I did, because that would not have been bad at work or at my desk. Grossed out in Hawaii... Miriam:faint:

I am two weeks out from surgery and having back pain high on the left size. Has anyone else experienced this? What may cause this?

HI!!! I love this site! It has helped me make up my mind on what I need to do. I am looking for a surgeon. I live in Philadelphia PA and in my area only the major medical hospitals are doing the surgery at the aprox cost of $20,000 and up. Obiously I am a self paying pt. Cost is not my major deciding factors but it is something to be considered. I see SOOOOO many places on the net. I dont mind traveling. And there is Mexico. The Drs at Temple U told me I would be crazy to see anyone in a 3rd world country. Yet Dr Ortiz has done over 4000! There is also Toronto. AHHHHHHH! I am sooo at a loss. Would love some help! THANKS!:help::angry

I have a bizarre story and frankly I feel alot of shame. I was a thin kid, but as an adult have gained and lost 70 lbs several times. The last time, I was very healthy...had dieted well and exercised every single day. I was proud of myself so I had a tummy tuck and got rid of bludder from weight gains and losses as well as three pregnancies. Soo...I felt great. Then the next year I had brachioplasty (arm lift) and breast reduction. I never was happy with the arms, nor the breasts. But then in the last 12 months, I have gained 50 lbs. Breasts of cource look trerrible, and arms do too. I feel shame that I did these surgeries to my body and then basically threw aw…

Ok, Im still in the pre-op stages, and trying to figure out what exactly to expect with the diet, both pre-op and post op. I have had two seperate meetings with a dietician, and in both of those meetings, she has stressed low carb and high Protein. Nothing has been said about counting calories. However, I've noticed in a few of the spots that I've visited that alot of people are. Is this something that has to be done, or is it just something people do? I would think that with the limits on the diet that the lower calories should be pretty much be the norm, unless you're eating stuff you shouldn't be eating. Am I right, and is it just the carbs and Proteins I should …

what does the diet that you are supposed to be on about 2 weeks before the surgery to shrink your liver consist of? I heard its all liquids but exactly what did you have to do? Im thinkin i can start it now, im waiting for my initial visit.

Help! I have 11 pounds to lose before my surgery in December but I've had a really difficult time losing right now. Can I do a liquid protein diet for two weeks prior? Can I just use the protein powder twice a day and one moderate meal or does it have to be something like Medifast? I might have to resort to Atkins, which works but is so bad for me! Thanks Aimee

ok, so.... anyone told how long to wait to resume sex? or any tips? i mean, well, you know what i mean... certain position that didnt hurt your stomach? i have been thinkin, and for right now, missionary would be out...lol...please dont be offended! this might could be a kinda fun thread??!!??

Hi guys, I've had this pain in my back and it seems it's almost directly across the port in front. Is this a coincidence or is it safe to assume they're related? I can't really explain the pain. It's by no means unbearable, perhaps it's more of a soreness, but it makes sitting up comfortably impossible. I either have to stretch my torso and sit with amazingly perfect posture, recline or lay down; and when I lay down for too long it starts to hurt again. I can't pinpoint it when I ask my husband to massage it. Just weird... Just wondering if anyone's experienced this. Thanks all!

Hello ppl Ive got band on 10/1/07 and Im starying to feel more and more normal wish is good but Im starting to get hungry and I notice that Im able to eat everything that ppl say that I they cant eat could some one tell me if this normal and not why do I feel this way.:help:

I'm getting ready to go to bed. Today I spent quite a bit of time at Target walking, walking and slowly walking. Now my Protein intake is 60-70 grams and my Water is 1.5 litres. I keep down my broth, sugar free popsicles. About an hour ago an area on my back has just reared up on me. It is at the bottom Right rib cage and feels very very sore. It's pretty localized. I'm just feeling blahhhh. My urine output has been kind of funny. Has anybody else had orange-tint like output the first week or so after coming home? I'm calling my surgeon tomorrow morning and report this. I hope I don't have to go back to the hospital but will if I must. My mother was really surprised…

Hello! It has been a year since my op. I have lost about 20 kilograms and i seemed to have stopped with the weight loss. I also find that i will have a good day with food, then for the next two days i cannot get food down and have to keep going to the bathroom. Does anyone have advice on whether this is normal and what i can do??? I'm also experiencing a lack of energy. Can someone advice a good multi vitamin? :help:Thank-you.

I wonder if anybody else had had anything similar - the original port site was just on my bra line and would not heal properly, therefore I paid to have the port resited. Now where the port itself is is fine but I had terrible pain in my side and swelling, after the swelling went down it turns out that part of the tube from the port to the band has broken through the surface of the skin, you can actually see the port. I am having to have a procedure done on Weds under a local anaesthetic to push the tube deeper and then stick me back up again. Has anybody heard of this happening before?:help:

I thought once I got my financing approved and my surgery date set that I would be SO excited. I can't help being a little nervous. The thing is, though, I'm not worried about the surgery - I know it's going to go great. I know I can succeed on the band, stick to it and exercise and that I'll end up looking awesome in a swimsuit. What I'm worried about is leaving behind this comfort zone. That's exactly what it is. I can eat when I'm sad, I can eat when I'm worried, I can eat when I'm bored. After the band, I get to change all that. In addition, I conveniently use my weight to keep from having to engage in life too much (major introvert). Too much of my life ha…

I was banded on October 3rd. I had the usual symptoms during my first week of recovery, but by the end of the first week I was feeling pretty good. Now I am on day 18 and I am feeling crappy again. My port is very bothersome. I am back to taking my pain meds. I am tired during the day, and have to nap quite a bit. So needless to say I have little energy. I am back to being bloated, and uncomfortable. I am drinking my Water 64 oz + a day. I do get my 60 grams of Protein. I get some carbs. I am consuming about 1000 calories a day. I am walking a least an hour a day. I just can't understand why I feel so crappy.

I have a tentative date of Dec 5th and can't wait!!:clap2: I still have one more weigh in on the 30th of this month and then will submit for the final approval from insurance, so hopefully all goes well and can finally get this under way Brooke

What I am hoping to get out of this thread is some people to share their experience with how their pain felt after surgery. I mean did it hurt to wipe your butt, or was it hard to tie your shoes because of the pain, could you shower, how different did you feel? I mean was setting up hard to do or were you afraid to pick up your child. Was it just sore or was it very painful did it feel as if something were ripping loose inside you. And like how different does it feel to eat now does it feel like food it stuck just below your throat or do you feel like ur belly is full?>? Any how for those of you who don't know me I'm Chris 23 years old from TN my surgery will be done b…

:help:Ok, somewhat an embarrassing question, and I know I have seen similar questions but here goes... as with others here, I am constipated - had BM last night that was a fighter and I am worried I strained too hard. I used my splint however after all was said and done I had a piercing pain right in the area of where I would imagine my band to be - may be muscle spasm, don't know. It lasted rest of the night and then this morning the pain was gone and my stomach feels pretty good, too good in fact...almost like there is no restriction now. Any suggestion, words of wisdom before I freak out and call the doctor? Thanks soooo much!

I have a question what if I am not getting enough protein and what if I get to much protein. How bad is that? Or is it a bad thing? HELP pLEASE...THANKS:help:

Hi all i had my surgery on the 10/10 had a few minor set back i had low blood pressure and low respritations! the gas was killing started to subside a little though i still have chest pain is this normal is this gas or from the band/? HELP I ALSO FEEL SO WEEK IM NOT SURE IF IT IS LACK OF NUTRRIENTS THE LOW BP OR WHAT BUT I FEEL LIKE THE WALKING DEAD ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS HELP! IS this normal for lap band surgery and if so when will i feel normal again HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111:help::phanvan:rain::notagree:cry:confused::help::help:

My surgery is this week. I just have two last fears left to deal with. I think it's mostly because my surgery is so close. I just need some reassurance. My first one is about a normal diet after the lap band. What kind of food will I be giving up. And if I do have to give up certian foods, is it forever? My doctor told me I would be able to eat anything as long as I can chew it well enough. It that true? My other question is about P.Bing. I FEAR throwing up. What does a P.B. feel like? Is it more that just coughing up flem when you are sick? Is it scary? My doctor told me that since I am so worried about it I won't let myself B.P. I will go into surgery feeling a lot bett…

Ok my surgery is 9 days away.....and I am so excited about becoming a bandster....lol.....but I am also starting to question what I am doing..... am I doing the right thing....I am chalking it all up to nerves and I assume that is what it is and everyone has experienced this......let me know how you dealt with this

I was just wondering how long this post-op chest ache is suppose to last. I feel relieved when i am standing but as soon as sit I feel like I have the band stuck in my chest or something...I can breath, but deep breaths hurt like hell. Is there anything anyone did to relieve this tightness?

Was banded yesterday at 12:30 pm and home by 7pm. All in all, not nearly as painful as expected. More sore than anything - and the gas pains started right away. That was worse than the incisions! Hate sleeping on my back! Hardest part is actually keeping my cats from laying on my stomach. All in all - going well!

im curious on the long term of the band. has anyone had it for a long time and were there any problems andrea

Hi fellow banders, Well it's been 16 days now and I feel as though I'm wanting to eat more than when I first was banded errr! Has any one gone threw this? I know my band is so new and I haven't had a fill or anything.......but I want to feel that full feeling like I did in the first week after surgery....:rolleyes

:help:My LB surgery will not be til maybe April next year. I had my consult with the cardiologist and he wants me to take a beta blocker for a month before and after surgery. I already take bp medicine. Has anyone else had to take a beta blocker? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks

I was banded three days ago, and while I don't have any hunger ( I actually have to force myself to eat 2 oz) I do have a lot of stomach rumbling. It happens every few minutes all day long, and it is so loud both my mom and my husband can hear it from across the room! Has anyone else experienced this? Does it go away?

I ate lunch and then I ate a little something else sweet (I'm not going to say what for risk of being flamed). I knew better and now I definitely know better and it wont happen again. Afterwards, I was sitting at my desk typing an email and I burped and then a little bit of (sorry, it's gross) vomit came out my nose. It was just a little bit but it was awful. I went to the bathroom for fear of what was next to come but nothing else happened. Was this a PB? Now I can't get the smell out of my nose and it's making me want to really vomit. Any advice on that? I tried putting a little bit of scented lotion at the edge of my nostrils but that didn't really help. Do yo…

I've looked around and found no references to what must surely be an issue with addictive personalities....there must be at least a few of us in here. I've gotten used to crushing a couple pain pills, mixing it with fruit juice, and following it up with a stiff drink in the evenings. I feel stuck in my tracks. I'll be calling my shrink on Monday and making an appointment. I know what's happening but I feel like I'm watching it from a distance and can't interfere. I tried the indulge in the old "bingeing" routine last night and I ended up a pound heavier. That pound attached itself to my heart. The steps to crawling out are imprinted on my brain. I need t…

I have to confess, I have the "new band" whatever that is and I have cheated. I was banded 8/23 and have had a terrible appetite. I have had no problem with vomiting, or actually anything, axcept soreness, I have to cook for a big family and I have tried a few bites of things and now the guilt is killing me. Have I messed up everything?

Okay if I sound completely ignorant about this it is because I am lol. Okay 1st off does your doctor have to recommend this surgery to you or can you just go see a doctor who does this surgery??? Sorry but Im a smoker and just wondering if the doctors make you stop that before they do this kind of surgery? also what about pregnancy and the lap ban? I mean can you get pregnant with it or how does that go???

I need to vent:mad: Remember my last thread http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/doing-well-day-14-a-41660/ ? Well, I visited my new dietician the following day, was excited, waiting to hear mushie recipes! I was so excited that i bought a brand new blender, just for the mushie stage just for meeeee me: *grin* So this is my last day on liquids! Can't wait for mashed potatoes!:hungry: Dietician: oh:rolleyes me: what? D: two more weeks, dear me: but my dietician back in Dubai said only two weeks! d: naah. I know its hard but you're losing more weight this way!:clap2: me: ok:think So ladies and gents, Bloo is feeling a bit blue but you know what? I lost 9 kgs…

I long to sleep laying down but when I try it, I feel very uncomfortable and I'm afraid of moving something around or smashing it for that matter. I was banded 10/9/07. Is anyone else sleeping in a recliner like me? LOL

Does anyone know if it's OK to go swimming? I'm 3 days post-op. Walked Target yesterday for over an hour (they missed me!), and have the treadmill ready to go in the house. I just had ACL knee sx 4 weeks ago, so I'm afraid to hit the pavement and walk too far from the house. I don't have stitches, just band-aids and steri-strips. They said it was OK to shower, then pat dry. Just not sure if it's OK to have my tummy immersed in Water for that long? Any suggestions? Thanks!

I think I have decided on the lap band procedure. How did you decide to band over the bypass? Sometimes I think that I won't be happy with the slow results and worrying about the fills. Any advice?

Went to my primary care dr yesterday and he was amazed at my results. I was real happy till he returned with a needle full of B-12. WOW, what a shot. To top it off, I had to drive all the way home and the shot wasnt in my arm.....LOL Then he added more meds to my already long list......Folic acid, B-12, and potassium chloride. I joked with him saying the reason to go thru the surgery was to get off the meds, not to take more. He reassured me that this was temporary until I start eating more regularly. I did tell him I do Protein shakes 2 times per day, but anything else I have to force myself to eat. Anyone else going thru this ????????

I am a little over a month post op and I have not had a fill. However, I swear that if I go to long without eating I can feel something. It is like a sticking sensation in the back of my throat and some chest discomfort. I have seen this sensation mentioned in relation to overeating, eating too fast, PB'ng or pre-pb'ing. But I have never see in mentioned when there is nothing in your stomach. Sometimes burping helps relieve it, but it seems to come back afterwards. I do have a history of reflux and I am taking Prevacid, but this does not feel like reflux. I was just wondering if anyone else had this experience before I call my surgeon. Thanks!

Hi all, I had my consultation with my surgeon on Friday. Things went great, but 1 question went unanswered, well, kind of. I asked him several times about drinking alcohol, but all he had to say is that it is high in calories, stay away. I am not a big drinker but, one of my favorite hobbies is planning 3-4 "theme parties" a year to get all of our friends together. People come from all around, and it is surely a blast! On these occasions I usually like to get a "buzz" or maybe go a little further and *gasp* get intoxicated..lol. I want to know what happens if you drink (non carbonated) alcoholic beverages on the band?? Or rather crudely asked... is it possible to get d…

Help I am getting mixed signals!:heh: As you may know from previous posts, I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. (Yipee). I will not start using my CPAP machine until Tuesday or Monday night (waiting for prescription from pulmonary) MY SURGERY IS OCT. 24TH. The paperwork provided to me from the hospital states you need to have used your CPAP machine at a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery (or your surgery may have to be re-scheduled). Apparently, they like you to get used to the machine, and make sure that it is working for you. Here is the catch, On Friday I went for a pre-surgical interview at the hospital with the bariatric nurse coordinator…

My name is Rose and I live in NC.. I have been to Asheville & Hickory Doctors and they are driving me nuts with wanting money from me. My Insurance ( Blue Cross Blue Shield) covers everything . But these Doctors with their so called programs dont want to report to insurance companies they want the money out of your pocket.. Like $758 for a Psc.evaluation..That is crazy when my insurance will cover it . But they use a Dr that wont take insurance.. It's a scam.. I am looking for a better program if anyone can recomend one to me.. They want to charge me out of pocket for a medically supervised diet when my insurance will pay for it..You can email me @ wrestlersmom125@bel…

I was band on oct 1/07 and Im on my 3rd week out-post im trying so hard to get down my protein and do drink 64 ounces of water a day I only get 2 bottles of water if I get that because of this sipping that they say I need to be doing.Im scard Im starting to caught headaches I dont know why and I hate that whey protein mix so I just try to drink milk which Im lactose tolerant so when I drink milk I pay for it.Could someone please help me and let me know some thing I can do.PLEASE:help: