PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

ok, so i was banded on the 4th. today i am extremely nauseated and have dry heaved a few times. i am freaking out. i am so scared that i am gonna hurt something. i think i am nauseated b/c i took some pain meds this morning....what can i do? i have a call in for my doctor. please please if anyone has any advice!!!

I am still a couple months pre-op and have just started drinking ISOPURE 0 CARB. I have to drink it for 2 weeks prior to pre-op & my nurse said I could go ahead and buy a canister and see how I like it and find things I like to mix with it. Well I have been drinking it 3 days and have extreme gas and have noticed that I am bloated. I feel really full drinking it and am only drinking it at breakfast so far, but want to drink it at dinner but I am afraid I will explode with all the gas.:help: Is this normal with ISOPURE has anyone else used this product?

Hi Everyone!! I am just starting my journey to being a normal weight person! I am scheduled to be banded 1/18/08 by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. Because my BMI is 52.6, I need to lose 30lbs. Makes me a little nervous to know I have 3 months and 3 holidays to go thru to do it. How did everyone else do it? I really don't want to start the protein shakes now, but I will if necessary. Did anyone lose this amount of weight? I CAN NOT FAIL! Also I am flying in from PA and am a little worried about the plane ride home and the post lap gas pains. Really need to try to fly home 1/20. THanks for all the advice!!!

Hello Everyone: My papers were just sent into insurance this week. I am worried that I will fail at this band change of life just as I have failed for the past 20 years. Is there anyone else who shared my feelings before surgery and who has had the surgery? Any advice is welcome, Thanks, Shawna

I was banded in 9/19/07 and I went did Clear liquids for 1 week, 1 weeks for mushies...but the moment I was off mushies and on to soft foods I was off and running. I figured chicken is soft...but so is eggs with cheeese and cheese dip and ranch dressing etc.... Basically I have gained back the 10lbs that I lost while on the liquid diet. I just want to know why I am still so hungry after being banded, I am due for my first fill on November 1. Why isn't the weight coming off quicker? I figured I would gave lost more than 10lbs. My friends are expecting me to lose a ton of weight and I feel like I am letting them down... HELP! :eek:

Greetings all, and certainly congrat's on the great stories. I have a couple of questions, I have diabettes (type 2) and am on an insulin pump, my BG's have been averageing 130 in a 30 day period. I would like to know how the band and weight loss may affect my diabettes, obviously it will lower my insulin use, but I am looking to hear some real world experiance. Second, I have read that some insurance companies make you diet before they approve the surgery. Is this correct? and if so, doesnt this just promote "yo yo" dieting that we all have experianced through out our lives? Is this a standard policy among insurer's? I know my Doctor is making me attend a seminar on…

:help:Alright, so my nurse said that I will only be able to eat minimal amounts of food then I will be full. Well, I can eat more than minimal amounts of food THEN I get full. I am two weeks after my surgery and I am feeling really good. I pretty much feel normal. The only thing that isn't normal are my scars on my tummy to remind me I had the surgery. So here is my question. Is my band working? I have lost 20 lbs since Sept. 14 and the way I can eat to get full is scaring me thinking I might start to see the scale creep up! Has anyone else had this problem? One more thing, my friend is coming to visit. (I havn't and don't plan on letting her know I did the surger…

Hi folks, Im banded a week and 2 days. I was advised to start on mushy foods so i gave it a go. Now i have a pain in my chest where my band is. Im dizzy (seeing double) and have alot on nausia. Is this "dumping" ? What did i do wrong ? :Banane30: 3na.

Hi guys, I was banded on Sept.7th. I've been surprised that I haven't had any headaches. I used to get a bad one atleast once a week. Anyway, The other night I had my first one and I couldn't sleep. The though of swallowing some liquid tylenol made me wanna heave. I considered some advil tablets, but I thought I remembered that you weren't supposed to have it???? Is that just in the healing stages?

Ok, I had my first fill on sept 29th, My surgery was in April 07. Been doing great, when I feel a little pressure sometimes I know that is all I can eat. But tonight not sure what happened, maybe too fast or too much at once. But it felt like the food was stuck, my chest hurt, I broke out into a sweat, was spitting up, burping and then finally kind of threw up some mucus.It was terrible, i felt terrible, it really hurt. It felt like I was foaming at the mouth I am scared I may have done something to my band, I feel fine now, it took about 20 min to pass. How do I know if I am ok, if my band is ok? Just want to make sure , I am going to start timing my bites afte…

I still have an uncomfortable lump in my chest that makes me hate to drink. My surgery was Oct. 5 and I did have a hiatus hernia repair during the surgery. My surgeon said my stomach was small and the band was loose. I am not getting much fluids in. Shouldn't it be better by now? I don't feel well because of the low intake.

Does anyone have information on this band. I saw it somewhere on here but now I cant find it...I used search but its not very sensitive and doesn't really help much. I found out that I will be having this band put in on Monday the 15th. Appreciate any info or redirection.:help:

HI. I exercise regulary and have for the last couple of years. I do not have any stretch marks at all . Can anyone tell me if i am going to have to have PS after i lose all my weight. I can not afford it so i sure hope not. Right now it looks like i will be ok without any surgery, but i do worry about it. Donna:help::cry:guess:whoo:

Hi I am new here. I am waiting for my consultation for banding. I have got permission for funding for banding from the PCT / NHS. I live in the UK. What I really want the truthful answer to is when you have had the banding are you hungry? I am hungry all the time. I am on insulin so I think that that does some of it. Would think though that if you are hungry and can't physically eat anything it must be terrible. Jackie :help:

Hi, I'm 2 weeks post op and have been on mushies since day 10. I have totally stopped losing weight and am fluctuating between 264-267. I'm still only eating 1,000-1,200 calories per day but am no longer losing. It seems most bandsters average around 1,000-1,200 calories per day after being filled. So, if I'm not losing now on this amount of calories, how will I lose on this amount of calories after being filled? Any insight? Thanks.

I used to love cheese. Its a good source of Protein that is especially important to us banders. On my list from the nutritionist is skim mozzarella string cheese. To me it would seem too chewy and not easy to breakdown to the mushy stage needed so it doesn't get stuck so I am a little afraid to try it. Any advice? :hungry:

Anyone out there having problems with fluid retention since being banded? I have always experienced water weight gain around that time of the month (usually results in about 5 pounds of water weight gain) but now it seems to be happening any time except for like the week after my period. This means that I usually have one good week out of the month were I have optimal weight loss and the other weeks I struggle to lose a pound. My feet sometimes hurt at night but they/ankles/legs are not swollen. I am trying to figure out what the problem is. I am in my range for calories and I have increased my exercise to four times a week at Curves, ride bike and do cardio at home at …

I had my first weigh in 8-1-07 274lbs went on optifast lost 20lbs in 3 weeks had my went for my pre-op labs (including blood Preg. test) on 8-20-07, proceeded to have surgery on 8/23/07 1 week later I was in the ER dying from vomiting and abdominal pain they told me I was pregnant!I was so sick between morning sickness and trying to heal 2 weeks later I lost the baby, I couldn't even find an OB it was terrible last time I weighed was Oct 1 236lbs at thius point I had been on less than 500cal a day now I am on solids still no fill yet but am experiencing symptoms that sound like what PB's are? what does that stand for? I don't want to sound ignorant but this term is new to…

Hello, I was just diagnosed with mild sleep Apnea, and my surgery is scheduled for Oct. 24th. What kind of annoys me is that my surgeon did not order the sleep study! I had to ask him to include a sleep study on the Preoperative testing orders even though during the initial consult I told him I snored, and was seriously tired all day. I know the surgeon has a strong reputation in the community, however, if I had not asked for the study then I would have had the surgery anyway and the doctors and nurses caring for me would have not idea that I have sleep apnea :omg: Glad I was persistent! My pulmonary doctor is recommending a sleep titration study…

Has anyone had any problems residual carbon dixide in the abdomen and Big problems with ANESTHESIA? I had suurgery on oct.1 and my hand and leg are stilll num from anesthesia!!:help:

Here is the question, I am really worried that my band has slipped! I do not feel anymore restriction and I am pretty much eating the same amount I was before my band. I am gaining weight and feeling like I don't even have a band. I am able to eat everything which has not helped! :cry How easy is it for someones band to slip? Is it something that is very common or not? Also, how does it slip, and how can someone prevent it from happening? I am sooo paranoid right now and I can't see my doctor until October 27th when I get my fill! I am really worried that I am going to have to get the band replaced and to have surgery all over again! Please help... anyone who knows anythi…

My sister was banded the middle of July (a couple of mos before me) and since almost day one she has thrown up almost every meal. She is down to about 3-4 days a week of PBing but still does it. She can eat one thing on one day and the same thing the next day and will PB. She doesn't eat any carbs (or very few) and no sugars and very little fats. She also walks about 5-6 miles a day and I am worried she is going to get malnurished. She has seen her doctor and he has looked at her band and has said everything was fine. She even had her first fill at 5 weeks and when she went back to get her 2nd fill her doc wouldn't give her one since she was still losing weight! Of course…

I am 12 days post op and this is what my incision looks like. It's not even close to closing up and its all gooey looking. I put some new steri strips on it but I have not used any type of medication on it because they originally told me not to. I am also keeping it covered with gauze. I have emailed a picture to my surgeons office but I think he is on vacation right now. Does this look bad? Do I need to go see my regular dr about it? Thanks.

Has anyone had pain in there upper chest when eating or drinking something? I have had my band for 3 years and never had this problem. I haven't been throwing up and it all of a sudden started. Sometimes I feel it if I breathe real deep or exhale too much, but it always happens when I drink or eat. It's not that I am eating too much because that's a different pain and I have had that before . I made an appointment with my doc, but I wasn't hoping that some one has had this problem and might be able to help. I have tried gas medicine and ibuprofen and that didnt touch the pain.

Hi folks, i was banded on wed 3rd of oct. Ive been in agony since i got home. ive only consumed Water but every evening it comes back up. Im having alot chest pain but the gas pains are becoming totally unbareable. im just sipping water - so slow infact that i only get through a glass a day. Is it normal to experience such bad gas without consuming any food and having very little water ? im worried i'll become dehydrated ;i havent had more than 2 or 3 hrs sleep any night and im exhausted and dilerious. Its very painfull to stand, walk, sit or laydown. When i was discharged I was given Solpodine as pain relief (Might as well be taking gelly Beans !) and Diafine as an …

Haven't heard from you since about a day post-op. We want to know how your progress is. How are you doing kiddo? Keep us informed! We care!

Hello fellow bandsters! Good news *drum roll* Today is the last day of my "only-liquid" diet! Yes! I am two weeks post-op! time flies! :whoo: I was drinking Water, slim fast, ensure plus shakes, milk and tomato soup! Yup DRINKING! The first week I was sipping, it took me 30 min to finish a glass of water! :cry I got tired ;/ I was thirsty! I emailed my dietician, she said NO! you have to sip, take your time! The 2nd week I couldnt do that anymore! started drinking bigger amount, like finishing a cup of milk in 10 min only! is it dangerous? I started craving food the 2nd week, when I came back home! Not that i'm hungry but I miss food in my mouth Mu…

I was banded a little over a month ago- I though this feedback might to be helpful to others getting started. I was on a liquid diet for about 7 weeks total-cut back on all the sugar and carbs-haven't had soda since April and have had little coffee- I have not had a headache in about 3 months- I used to get headaches at least 5x a week- I am telling you that cutting down on the carbs and sugar really does work- I was a little concerned intially about not being able to take anything but Tylenol for pain but I have to say I have yet to need it. This goes to show that there are so many benefits besides the obvious, losing weight, that the lap band has to offer. I am grateful…

ok. this prolly sounds stupid, but i never really had heartburn before. what does it feel like? right now i get this incredible pain in my chest that takes my breath away for a few seconds and then slowly subsides. i had some pain like this when i did the fluoroscope (sp wrong, i know, sorry). it really really really hurts. gas x doesnt seem to help. would tums or something like that help? i am not sure even what the pain is. anyone else experiencing/ed this? thanks!

Did any one else feel nausea a few days after their surgery? I woke up once last night and once the night before feeling like I was going to puke. I woke up this morning feeling miserable. I am still on liquids - slimfast, broth and whatever else I want that is non-carbonated.

Aloha from Hawaii, I was banded three days ago. Im doing well and have some pain but not much. I'm trying to get the liquids in me and yesterday I had chicken broth twice, 2 oz of sf Jello, 2 cups of Water, and a cup of tea. I woke up this morning and feel like my eyes are sunken, my face is sunken and my hands well swirveled up. I use to drink at least a galllon of water a day because i was breastfeeding up to a month ago. Any thoughts?> Oh, i had a half bottle of my Isopure too. I plan on getting in some of those today. Miriam PS what to do about the stomach swelling..

Hey all Iam new to this site.. at the moment I am considering lap banding.. however I am part excited and part scared.. not sure if this is "the answer" to my weight loss struggle.. but it gives me hope too.. I am 26yrs old and have had to battle my weight literally all my life! i have a BMI of 39 and the doc says that if i dont get it down i look at some serious health issues down the road.. years of dieting and exercise have got me no where.. hence this surgery.. i am scared about altering my life forever this way.. but i dont know if there is another option! sigh! so many questions! is there anyone who could give me some advice? i guess im just scared of the idea…

Hi there, I was banded on 9/20/08. I feel great! Except the gas is getting old. I walk, take gas ex, etc. Just lots of air bubbles in my tummy with nowhere to go...I feel them popping all day.When does it stop? Thanks! :nervous

Has anyone with ADHD had surgery? I am curious how difficult it is to focus on everything you need to do after surgery?:help:

Well, I got my insurance approval for surgery and I was all excited. Then, the Dr's office called me today and let me know that I am not approved because my psych consult result was that I have Major Depressive Disorder. They are requiring 3 months of counseling before the surgery now. That means that surgery will be next year and will cost twice as much since I'll have to pay my deductible twice. How lovely! Makes me so much less depressed to hear that great news...

I have a quick question..I think anyway. I am on the 2 week pre-op diet consisting of liquids and some proteins. I went away camping this weekend and found myself cheating due to circumstances and lack of "healthy" food that I was allowed to eat. :car: Does anyone know if this will need to postpone my surgery?

I've had my LapBand since 1999 and have one of the old bulky access ports mounted on my sterum. It is SO OBVIOUS I was considering having it moved. Since I've never had any problems with my band, I'm reluctant because I'd hate for anything to screw up. Has anyone ever had a band moved? If so is it a big deal or an easy procedure?

I am two weeks post-op, and I can eat ANYTHING. Is this normal?:help:

Hi guys..I just have a question out there.. For those of you who have had the lap band surgery...what foods have you found that you are no longer able to eat e.g. red meat, bread. I haven't had the surgery yet and am interested to know which foods I'll need to avoid.:hungry:

Hi I was banded on the 3rd of October...and I am miserable. I have been walking, but I get out of breath easily. (Which is something that I am totally not used to.) I feel like there is a lump in my chest, and I have all these weird gurgling noises coming from my lower stomach. I have been following my doctor's orders to a T. Yesterday I had only water and ice, which is what was ordered. Then today I had some apple juice, flavored water, and 1/2 cup of protein ISO-PRO mixed with water. I been either sleeping, sipping water, or walking. I am frustrated because when I walk (SLOWLY) I feel like I am having a heart attack, which my doctor warned me could happened and told m…

I am only just beginning my lapband journey but I am ready now and wanting to get headed in the right direction. I have my first consultation on Oct. 16. It seems like I am gaining even more weight lately. Could you give me some suggestions on a diet I could start on now so that I can start to lose a few pounds? Should I just try to start eating as if I already have the band? Am I trying to jump the gun too much here? I am just feeling LOUSY about myself and my weight right now and I really need something structured in order to lose any weight.

I am 10 days post op and up until yesterday, I haven't had much gas at all. I have belched a lot but it was not painful gas like air bubbles trapped in my mid to lower abdomen like it is now. I started mushies yesterday....do you think that's what is causing it? I've taken gas x and walked but it doesn't help a lot. Oh well, it's the price we pay....

I was just banded and I want to lose 72 more lbs. :help:Can you please share how you did it. How were you eating? How much exercise were you doing? I know everyone is different, but I want to hear how you did it. I want to be just like you!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all, I was approved for the surgery yesterday but I have to have a sleep study because I snore every night. Did anyone have to do this??? What the heck do they do to you there???/ Help! :help:

I was banded 2 weeks ago today. The large incision just under my left breast started to "ooze" a little today. The steri-strips are still on it and have not fallen off (my dr. said to leave them on until they fall off on their own). When I noticed the bottom corner of the strip was lightly blood tinted, I pulled it up a little just to see it, and it's not looking good. It should be pretty much healed after 2 weeks, shouldn't it? It's been very painful, as a week ago, I stretched one morning without thinking and it hurt pretty bad. I've only been able to sleep on my left side for 2 nights now, as it was too painful to lay on. I've put a call in to the dr., but haven…

Most of our time is spent over the toilet!!! I am 3 days post 1st fill, and here I go with the "getting to know my band" period all over again... I hope this period is over quick, because it is very inconvenient. When I'm out and eating (which isnt often), the first thing I have to find is the restroom, just in case I have to visit it on an emergency basis. I'm terrified to eat anything except Soup for fear that its not going to go through. Is it just my band or most bands that dont like any form of bread??? I just had a lean cusine panini (well, 2 or 3 bites) before I had to visit Mr. Toilet and I have been suffering since. Agghhhh!!! It gets better, rig…

I am only 5 days post-op. My DH has been trying to tempt me to eat pizza and banana bread. He tells me to chew it and then spit it out. I reminded him that digestion starts in the mouth. I won't do it. I would be mortified if I accidently swallowed and something got stuck in my band or I vomited! And....to top it off, I had a dream about chocolate chip cookies...that I ate one and was chewing it in my mouth (tasted so good) and then realized what I was doing and spit it out. Has anyone else experience their significant other not being supportive? He knows I am on liquids only!!:faint:

Hi everyone I have a question I would like to throuw out to someone that might be able to help mke here. On the day I had my surgery I did not have this problem however once I got home the following the day I found that something was a bit off about me. On the top of my right foot in the area where your last two toes are and if you run your finger from the toe area to the top of your foot inbetween the toes and front on top of the foot I can feel sensation if I run my nails across it however if I apply pressure even a light pressure I cannot feel the pressure it is like numb and if I prop my right foot up I can feel like a nerve pulling from the mid part of the calf runni…

<p>Hey everyone! </p> <p>I was just over on the FAQ's pages, and read through the Shopping List ideas. Thanks to everyone who provided some good ideas on what to have. I compiled everything together on a Microsoft Word document, and thought, hey, why not share it?</p> <p>I hope you all can find use for it!</p> <p>Good luck and lots of loss fellow bandsters!!</p> LAP BAND SHOPPING LIST.doc

Hi Everyone! Just thought it would be interesting to get a poll started on where your surgeon placed your ports. My surgeon didn't place mine on my stomach. Mine is on the left side of my chest, above my breast. My bra strap covers it up. Just wondering about everyone else. Pamela Banded on 9-20-07</p>