PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

I was banded 9/11/ and since i moved to the mushie stage i eat something around lunch time and i dont eat anything else the rest of the day is this a good thing i do drink off and on all day . just wondering if i need to try and eat more or just enjoy it for know it is usually about a half cup of whatever i eat.

im a little nervous that i wont lose much weight, ive heard from quite a few people on here who say that they have lost a lot of weight but i dont have much confidence in myself i guess. my friend who just had the bypass 4 months ago has lost 60lbs. i just want something that will work and i wont get discouraged. i have been in the program for 1year now and know alot about the band and have only really focused on getting this done. its hard when you see bypassers lose so fast it makes you want to do it. my friend and my surgeon agree that i should get the bypass but theres a fear deep down when i think about it. i just dont want to have the band and not lose much weight, …

Hello Forum, Question??? I had my band done on 9/19...up until Friday the only pain I had was sharp pains in my left shoulder...does anyone know what would have been causing this and will this be a recurring thing? Tammy

I've read a lot about not taking pills after surgery, but is that even after months or just in the initial stages?

Does anyone know what happens at nutrional evaluation? I have to do one for my insurance and what everything to go smooth so that I will not be denied. :help:

Good evening "banders"! I am new to this website, so be patient with me. I am scheduled to have my band surgery on October 2, 2007. I am so nervous! I don't know what to expect. My biggest question is what was the pain level right after surgery? This is the first time I have ever had to go under the knife so, I am a little scared! I have been on my post-op diet going on two weeks now, and ready to DO THIS!! I am ready for my life to change! Just some support or advice would help! HELP! :help:

Hi you guys!! Thanks for all your help!! Got banded 9/17. Suffered a lot days 1 and 2 with gas/bloating and a general feeling of what in the world did I do to myself. I was off my pain meds...but the bloating and discomfort was HORRID!. Ok so now its been a week...forget liquids i've been eating normal (well not steaks and chicken etc) but like rice and went to chipotle etc...no problems. Eating a little less..chewing a lot more but still do I already need a fill..??am i going to strech my pouch...?? I ate some pasta...and it went down fine. I am ready to start eating less.... I went back to work today...just dont want to get back into the same old mode of eating.…

twenty four pounds down. Do you think this is good? I lost nine pre-op. So that's 15 since august 24th. Honestly I still have restriction but not as much but I am often afraid to eat sometimes. I hope I'm eating enough. I walk three miles 4-5 times a week also. The only habit I am trying to master is no eating and drinking. I'm fine until dinner with the eating and drinking rules. I often lay down too quickly too. I do so much during the day I just fall out most days. But when I eat lay down the food is still there hours later.(chicken) I love chicken and I really am trying to keep eating it but it takes forever to go down! Or if I drink anything close to bed…

I have the worst time with red meat, not matter how much I chew it still gets stuck. Sick of chicken and fish :-( Does anyone else have issues with red meat? Hala

I'm almost 6 weeks post op and I am having a really bad time with constipation. My PCP told me to take mineral oil. Has anyone else taken this? Any advise would be helpful.:help:

it's been about 6 wks since surgery, i'm on regular foods now, but lately everytime i eat anything i get really bad pain on left side, a little below my port. I thought it was maybe i ate too much but it happens even with 2-3 bites. I haven't even been adjusted yet.

I started eating solids 3 days ago. (I am 3 weeks post-op) The problem is that I had lost about 30 pounds and in the past 3 days I have gained 7 pounds! I was eating some sweets, but way less than I would of before! Is this normal? Do most people gain back some weight after transitioning from liquids to solids? Should I be worrying??? :nervous

I am 4 weeks from surgery. 1 month before surgery I was put on a Water pill. My blood pressure was borderline. Going into surgery and first few weeks after my blood pressure was excellent. Went back to the doctor a few days ago and my blood pressure is too low. Now I am feeling light headed, the room is spinning. Anyone else have this experience? I am going to see my doctor soon but wanted to know if this is common. Val Starting weight 319 7/5/07 surgery weight 314 8/30/07 current weight 291 9/25/07:clap2: 1st goal 40 lbs by 12/25/07

Hello, I just got banded set 12, 07 at a start weight of 260 The first week, i was on Clear liquids, i lost 10 lbs and now my weight shifts between 248 - 251 daily! i feel like i am going to just gain weight once i start eating! I am supposed to start mushy foods this week, but as hungry as I am, I want to remain on Protein shakes! (But Im too hungry to do so) ALSO --- I got sick the other day and felt like throwing up. It was like dry heaves (sp??) but nothing would come up.. is the band blocking the junk from coming out?? thanks, Lisa

It's been sitting in my throat for an hour now. Will it go down? Should I drink warm liquids! Lord what was I thinking about! I have chewed it before and this never happened.

I just had surgery this morning and I am hungry. Did this happen to any of you? I am sipping some broth so maybe it will help. I was just wondering...my doc said I could have broth, gatorade and water only today.

This is kind of a strange question, but, will all the water banders are required to drink, are you finding you're in the bathroom all the time? I must have a small bladder!:cry

My doc originally told me 3 weeks liquids...3 weeks mushies....then progress to solids....today I went for my one week checkup and I have lost 22 lbs ( YIPPEE !!! )...but now he wants me going right from liquids to regular food.....no mushies....not sure I want to...I think I need that progression...not sure what to do ....( I Know...follow my surgeons directions.....but since they are all different that means none of them are right...or wrong.....).....my friend's doc is very strict on the mushie stage....maybe he's right....kinda confused....

I go in tomorrow morning at 9:30 to be banded....all sorts of emotions running through my brain......a whole new lifestyle starts tomorrow...and I feel totally unprepared to deal with it....my doctor didn't require a liquid diet pre-op except today and while it hasn't been a joy it really hasn't been that big of a deal....what it did do though was point out just how different my lifestyle was going to be the next 6-8 weeks and then for thereafter...I know this is a good thing....and I know it's something I need to do....it still scares me....

Hi again - its me with the interesting questions! My friend who is also considering surgery has Hypo- Thyroidism - does anyone know if she is a candidate for surgery or not? kind regards M:)

And i have lost 40 lbs and have plateaued... grr and craving sugar so bad......help all i can keep down is salads and soup and very soft foods portein bars buti want that sugar.................help and is 40 lbs good for 14 weeks????? feeling low

Hi! I was banded Sep. 6th and have not had my first fill yet. I can eat pretty much anything right now even though I am sure that will change after my 1st fill! LOL :rose: but... my question is, can we ever drink soda's again or is it completely non existent? I used to drink Pepsi like it was going out of style and have been off all soda for over a month now. I don't crave it anymore but the though of NEVER having one again seems pretty sad :cry So, if we are allowed to drink soda's when are we allowed to??? Also, I have drank with my meals a few times and nothing happened. Are we allowed to do that if it goes down fine or are we NEVER allowed to drink with a meal??? I wa…

Do you have to cut out caffiene completely or can you just cut back?? I know diet cokes are a big nono but was wondering if a few glasses of ice tea would be okay.Thanks I am a lurker waiting to have my first appt on oct 11 with the surgeon:)

<p>Hello to all;</p> <p> </p> <p>I was banded on 9/14. My first appointment wtih the place that did it was about 8/14 and they didn't weigh me before surgery. My weight loss from my initial visit through 9/21 was 48 pounds. I have a long way to go, but am excited about thos results.</p> <p> </p> <p>My question is this. I am doing really fine since the surgery. I was tired and had a difficult first three days, but then I a came out of it good and am probably 90% at this time. The only thing that is giving me any problem is I can feel what I describe almost as a "lump in the back of my throat'. It is similar to symptoms …

:help:I was banded 9/17/07 and am going on my fourth day now. I was told to drink lots of fluids for my first two weeks, but I have not been able to hold anything down. My doctor mentioned that if my chest hurts, then I'm drinking too much too quickly. I have constantly been vomiting since the day of my surgery. Since the surgery, I have had very thick saliva and spit continuoesly. If I swallow it, after about an hour or so, I end up vomitting all of the thick saliva. Is this normal not to be able to swallow any fluid for the first few days? Please let me know if any one out there is or experienced this. I am not in any pain, but was given liquid loritab. I tried…

Hello all, I have my first appointment today and it just hit me that I am finally going to take my first step. What should I ask my doctor? I know many of you have already asked some qeustions before you had your band. I just wanted to learn from you and see what you thing I should ask upon my first visit. Any help would be a big help. Nervous to say the least....but determined to go tonight 6pm. EST Thanks, Fish

I had a fill (1st) on Friday and the Dr. had a hard time finding the center of the port - poked me 3 times (thank the Lord it didn't hurt) but with all the pokes and the prodding to find the fill spot I am very sore and have a hard lump about the size of a golf ball that I feel at the port site. Anyone else ever have this problem? Also no restriction either

I had been suffering from swollen feet for about 6 years pre-banding (one doctor finally told me it was because of my weight). I was taking diuretics and it did the trick for a while but then about 6 months prior to banding it just stopped working. No matter what I did, decrease salt intake, increase water, they still would swell. Well, I am 4 wks post-op and according to my diet tracker I am taking in only 1/4 of the recommended daily sodium so why are my feet still swelling? I'm drinking sometimes well over the 8 glasses of water, I walk about a mile 4 Xs weekly. I've lost 25 lbs. Has anyone else had this problem before banding and if so how much weight did you lose be…

I am 2 days post op and starting to get worried. My incision where the port was placed is turing red and warm to touch. There is no drainage and no fever. I am supposed to go into the office tomorrow and have the nurse look at the wound. Has anyone else had this happen before? I hope this doesn't mean that I have to have the band removed. Kat

I know it's a long time away but I'm really excited that I got a date for my band. It's tentatively sceduled for January 7th. :clap2: I'm in the process of completing my six months of a medically supervised diet, which will be completed the first week of December. I've done my echocardiogram, psych eval, nutritionist consult, ultrasound, and sleep study. I am only missing my standard pre-op tests, which have to be done no more than a month before surgery. I also have to complete my endoscopy. In all, I am really excited. I feel like I'm a few steps closer than when I made up my mind in June to have this surgery. Well, at what point did you get a date from your sur…

Hello, I'm having my surgery on Thursday and have some questions. 1. Did you have to take off your panties during surgery? Sorry if that's a dumb question. 2. Did they give you something as soon as you got there to calm your nerves? I know I will be a nervous wreck and so my blood pressure will be high. I don't want them canceling my surgery because of that. 3. Did you only have Water all day after your surgery or did you go ahead and have broth, Jello or something like that? 4. How much weight did you lose on your pre-op diet and could you tell a difference? I've lost about 12 pounds but there is still a LOT of fat around my upper middle where they …

I am scheduled for a surgery with the SAGB lap band. Can anyone tell me if that lapband is as good as the Inamed ??? Are the complications rates the same ??? Thank you !

I had surgery in May and have been doing great. Lately, I noticed a lot of hair in my brush, hands or towels. Last night, clumps were coming out.........huge amounts, not just little bits here and there. It's a little disturbing. I've heard of this happening with by-pass patients but not lap band. Does this mean not enough Protein? I know GNC has a "hair formula" Vitamin, but it's a huge pill and there is no way I could take that. Any one had similar experience, and what did you do, does it stop and will my hair fill back in? I getting a little scared because it's huge amounts of hair. My husband said it looked like a dead animal in the trash can after I took …

my surgeon needs two people in order to become certified in maine seeming how he is new here and he only has me right now that wants the band, he said that he is meeting with someone in october who wants the band but there is no guarentee. he wants me to meet with the other doctor in the same practice to see if she can get me in sooner. i was suppose to see her in the beginning but chose not to because i heard that she was difficult and also preferred the bypass. now she is my only option if i want to see someone here. in the end i may have the choice of who i want but talk about overwhelming ill have to pick which doctor i want to do the surgery. im not feeling to good a…

Hello All, I'm 25 days post op and still on full liquids until 10/02/07. Its crazy I'm don't have an appetite but I'm craving french fries and pizza.. I know the band helps with my appetite but how do I deal with the cravings. Any advice would be greatly appreciated Thanks, Lulu

How soon after surgery can you dye your hair? I don't want it to not take, or take to dark or break off or fall out but I need some serious root help! Roxy

Just curious, how are you moms and dads are making out with young kids post op. I have a soon to be 10 month old and i will be banded the day after she turns 10 months. She loves for me to pick her up, hold her, and its mostly dad taking care of her in the day. My job is after work and into the night. Any thoughts?? Mes

Dear All, I have a question that I'm sure has NEVER been asked on the forum before? I am a Muslim by belief and practice and it is a requirement that I fast for 1 month each year called Ramadan.(29 to 30 days) The sick and insane are exempt form the fast. This means that I eat and drink in the morning before sunrise and then don't eat or drink anything until sunset - after which I can eat and drink whatever I like. (this can mean up to 16 hours without food or drink) I am wondering if after surgery I will be able to fast int his way. My surgery is planned for after the fasting month next year so I will be banded 1 year before the fasting time comes around again.…

Aloha All Well sports fans it's offical as of 9-17-07, 1120 AM HST. As per my PCP I'm off ALL my Meds, no more High Blood Pressure Meds (That should make my DSW Happy) no more diabetes med. and no more Chlesterol med. I'm so happy this was my goal to get off my meds. So from now on any weight I loss is just for show. Thanks to everyone that has sent me support e-mail and above all I owe so much to my DSW Beverly for her contuined support, I don't think I could have done it without her. She is the Best. And also big Mahalo's to Dr. Fowler and his staff and The Castle Medical Center for there care and support. Well got to run, sorry for the miss spelled words and wo…

Hello fellow banders. I had my lapband surgery 3 weeks ago and everything is going fantastic and I am following the routine- resulting in a 20lbs loss. My question is that before surgery my spouse never complained about me snoaring or stop breathing. As a pre-surgery test I took the sleep tests and my Pulmonologist said that I had a mild case of Apnea and I should get the C-PAP machine. She has aggressively pursued pusued me to get the C-PAP machine even after the surgery. I really don't feel I need it and see it as just another expense....and I sense that there is more here than a true medical need. Have any of you experienced problems if you didn't use the C-PAP but wer…

Here's my story. I started my lab-band journey three months ago. I've been approved, and I've had all my tests. My lap-band surgery was supposed to be Sept. 18. Well, during the tests, I found out I had gall stones. I had gall bladder surgery last week. At this point I had been on a liquid diet to perpare for the lap-band for about a week and a half. After the gall badder surgery, the doctor told my family that I should have a grastric bypass instead. He also told them that my liver was still too big and that I would have to lose more weight before I can have any surgery. I saw the diet person today to try to get help about losing weight fast. She also told me that I shou…

Does any body know if Dr. Schram (Barix in Holland) wants his patients to be on a pre-op diet before surgery? If so, if you would be willing to share that information. I am waiting on pre-op testing and was wondering if anyone on the board went to him for surgery? :ranger:

So I begin my 10 day pre-op diet and it only lasted a couple of hours. I feel a little pathetic, then again I am living on LIQUIDS! You have got to be kidding me. I tell myself I am doing this for my health and sanity...but DAMN this liquid thing sucks. Now I am second guessing my decision to go through with this. I need guidance and a little motivation. Does anyone have suggestions to make the pre-op diet easier? BANDSTERS UNITE..sista in trouble :help: Thx, Dee Dee

i wrote on here about 2 weeks ago to ask for advice because he wanted to do the bypass. so many of you were shocked and told me to find another doctor. as i stated before i only have one other choice and shes the same way( likes the bypass better). anyway ive been emailing my doctor. i made the mistake of asking a few questions about the bypass vs the band. i did tell him that for one year ive only been focusing on the band and that the bypass scares me. he wrote back today not answering my questions but stating that in my situation the bypass is the best choice and that i would have better results. now the only situation that i have is that im overweight 140pounds accord…

I can now eat mushies, but I am looking for some creative suggestions! I don't want to get burnt out on the basics (i.e. mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, etc) too fast. I have three weeks to go before I can move to the next stage. All suggestions appreciated! :hungry:

My name is Josh and my wife and I were banded on 9-20-07. Last night I took my pain meds around 9pm. From 1030 to 6 am this morning, i was violently dry heaving every 15 to 20 minutes. Is this normal? I am calling the doctor to see if she can change the pain meds. I also have not slept more than 4 hours at a time since I have been home. Other than this dry heaving problem, everthing else seems to be going ok. If someone can please help me I would really appreciate it. Thanks Josh

Hi all, a quick question for you... I had surgery on the 23rd of August and ever since then my thighs burn and hurt like heck. I am getting about 45 to 50 ounces of Water but my thighs burn and they cramp up at night really bad, wakes me and I have to put on the heating pad. anyone else have this issue? if so HOW DO YOU MAKE IT GO AWAY???? Roxy

My insurance requires me to put in 6 months weight management prior to surgary. The problem is that I am having trouble taking off weight like the dietician wants me too. I am walking alot and I have started Yoga but the food is still the issue. Now the dietician wants me to see the Shrink so we can discuss my "issues". Last month she, the dietician, made me cry. She keeps asking me what I am getting from overeating that makes me continue the habit. I told her that this is a question I have asked myself millions of times and that I would not be in this condition if I knew the answer to this. Now, I am worried that my "Issue" may keep me from surgery. What do you…

Seven days to go before my surgery, i have a few concenrs my doctor put me on the lquid diet i was to start three days ago in order for my liver to shrink. I've tried the liquid and i make it all day then the next day a cheat ( now instead of 10 days liquid i have seven), is it ok/ Also my doctor said he would not do the surgery if i smoked ( which i have for 15 years and i told him i quick i am now going only on day 4 with out a cig.) Justt alot for me to give up with no help, i am certain it will be much easier after the banding. Last and least does everyone after being banded still crave their goodies, and do you have them does weight have a difference on the co…

I am 6 days post op, and I ate half of a pint of egg drop Soup for dinner tonight. It went down okay, but I swear I can look down at my stomach and see a bulge right above my navel about the size of a small balloon. I feel STUFFED. I know, I know I should not have eaten all of that soup with egg. The egg was in tiny pieces, nothing to chew so I thought it would go right on down with the broth. I feel okay but am freaked about the bulge. Has anyone else ever experienced this?:help: