PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Most people who are morbidly obese do not like having their picture taken. They avoid the camera because the photographs don't lie. That fact can be put to good use before and during your weight loss. Simply put, the best way to document weight loss is not a scale graph of pounds lost, or a size chart of inches lost. The best way to document weight loss is to take photographs before and during the process. I advise people setting out on this journey to take three initial pictures. The recommendations that I give are these: 1. Take three views, front, side and back (That means you need a automatic timer camera or a friend to help you) 2. Take the pictures i…

:help:Today the surgeon told me that since I have lost about 60% of my goal within the first year, he wanted me to slow down my loss rate to about 1/2 pound a week, instead of the previous 1 to 2 pounds. He said that at the lower rate, I had a much greater chance of keeping it off permanently. He said that my goal should be eating about 4 oz. of Protein over 30 minutes at a meal, chewing carefully, and not drinking for 30 minutes after the meal. I needed to relearn how I was supposed to eat, and that if I did that I would have the loss I want long-term. Has anyone else heard something about slowing the loss rate down?

Has anyone been to Dr. Simpson? What did you like about him? Was there anything you were unsatisfied with?

Hello All, I was banded 8/8/07 by Dr. Emma Patterson in Portland Oregon. I followed pre-op and post-op instructions fairly closely. When the first two weeks P.O. were over and it was time to experiment with real food( sort of)...something with a little taste and SOME texture. I expected to FEEL the small ouch. At 4 oz./meal I was starving so I went carefully to 8 oz. ( not counting soups where I sometimes had as much as 12-16 oz. to get comfortably full)...what I felt at 8 oz.( and very occasionally a bit more) was absolutely NOTHING...no pressure...zero..If I didn't have scars to prove it, I'd believe there was no band. I found the as yet unfilled 10cc port. Does anyon…

About 10 inches under my port scar I keep getting a stabbling pain, then it feels like a burning sensation. It is very painful and I immediately have to try to straighten up to relieve the pain. This has been going on for 3 days now. I am 11 days PO. Does anyone know what this is? could i have nerve damage? It is quite bothersome and hurts when I am sitting or bend a certain way. It also happens first thing in the morning when I wake up and try to get out of bed. Today it happened when I was driving and I almost had to pull over.

Ok this is really wierd, but yesterday I developed pins and needles in my thigh. The day before that I had some soreness in my knee pit (if that's a word). It almost feels like my thigh has fallen asleep. But I can walk around just fine. It's been like this for 24 hours. It's only my left thigh as well. Has anyone else experienced this? In all of my life I've never had my thigh fall asleep, feet yes, even momentarily legs, but never a thigh and never for over 24 hours. Any advice? Leena

I was banded on 8/27/07 and just entered Phase III. Can I stop crushing my medications or is that something a bander does forever? I hate having to crush pills and open capsules. I can always taste them no matter how hard I try to hide them in yogurt smoothies. Does anyone have a better idea of how to take them crushed?

Well ppl i want to know why the doc want to srink the liver.I want to understand why ever doc is diffrent with there plan why some put there require you to a optifast diet why some just tell there patients to lose weight before there surgery and some say they wasnt told to do anything I dont understand cold someone please help me understand is it a money thing.:eek:

I SOOOOO want to get started and feel like I am moving forward. Monday was my seminar and I have taken the information and run with it. I looked at the check list in my information package and burst from teh starting blocks. I called my Ins. and confirmed my requirements. I set up my physical exam and contacted my psychologist for his evaluation. (surgeon said to use him since he has my history). I have had my labs and Friday will consult with PCP for referral. I signed up for the My Health Manager web page that we are required to sign up for and filled out the two hour history they asked for. My program coordinator has not yet given me the post-seminar call. I realize …

OMG... I was approved for solids and holy moly my swelling must be gone because the hunger is BACK with a vengance! How long should I wait until my 1st fill. Please help me I'm eating everything but the kitchen sink and even that is starting to look good! Agh!

yesterday I had my frist appt with the surgeon I am so excitied. He put me on a 1200-1400 calorie diet for six weeks, and I have to excersies 4 days a week for 45 min. ANd then I go back in 11/1 and see how I do I am so emotional and happy to start my new life. :whoo:

I had my consultation with the doctor who will doing my lapband today. He seemed very nice and everything is a go. I don't need any test run and as soon as my insurance approves the procedure I will be on my way. I am shooting for November 1st. I am really excited! I can't wait! I've read on here that some people were put on pre op diets but he said that I don't need to be on one. Please tell me your suggestions about this. Thanks! Vanessa

Has anyone else had discomfort in the upper back and also in the chest after surgery? This, along with the port being sensitive are the only problems I am experiencing thus far.

i got approved on the 14th but may have to wait. my surgeon who is new to the area needs two lapband patients to operate because he needs a proctor to supervise his operation to become certified in maine, so i will be his first patient here. the problem is there is no one else who wants the band right now and my husband will be losing his insurance in a month or two so i dont have much time. ive come this far and now i dont know what to do andrea

Anyone have this problem? Was told today my gallbladder is borderline and the doc may remove it but if he does have to, then he won't do the lap band at the same time because it will/can cause an infection and then he'd have to go back in and remove my lap band anyway! I am very upset!! AND to top it all off, I won't know until I wake up. *sniff-cry*:cry:cry Anyone had anything similar??? Anyone had both out at the same time?? Any percentages of infection? Geez. I'm set to have my surgery this Monday morning. So I need info fast. :help:

Hi I Just Had My Surgury Yesterday And Am In Alot Of Pain Especially By My Port. How Long Does This Usually Last?

i have days once in awhile where i snack all day. does this mean that the band wont work for me? i used to snack all of the time now it usaully happens on my day off if im home all day. i know this sounds like a mental probem and i try to think before i eat but sometimes i just feel like snacking. i have improved alot from how i used to eat but im just wondering if its normal to have days where you eat like this?

I'm newly banded, but I read a whole lot more than I ever post. I have spent hours and hours this last week doing a lot of reading here. I have read a lot of posts that its obvious that the people recognize that this a just a TOOL to help in weight loss. I have also read many posts where people were banded 2 or more years ago and have only lost 40 lbs. How in the world is that even possible? The physics of weight loss are simple. MORE ENGERY EXPENDED THAN CONSUMED = WEIGHT LOSS... Are their really people undergoing this operation that don't understand this? I am not judging anyone, please don't think this. But its like I see people FREAKING out if they dont…

Hi! I am going to Dr. Ortiz in TJ to get my first fill on Friday, Oct. 26th. I need someone to split the ride over there either for going for surgery or a fill. Let me know ASAP if you are interested! Thanks!

Hello all, I am brand new to this...I read some of the posts but not exhaustively. I am just glad you guys are there going thru the same journey and helping others along with your experiences. I had my lap band done, on 9/17 and its now the 19th. I am I would say doing fairly well, but gosh the bloating and discomfort is really making me scared. How long will this last? I took Gas X..but no relief. When do bowel movements happen. How long were you on pain medication? I feel my pain is bearable. Although where the port is hurts the most. But its the bloating that's driving me crazy....any help will be appreciated.:help: Thanks. Megan

Hi there! I am going to Belgium for my banding on Monday 24th (Arranged vis Elyzea - Op on the 25th) and would be interested to know if anyone else is going then? If you are you must be doing the yogurt too Yuk! Yuk! Yuk!:help: Get in touch and maybe we can chat before we go? :nervous Love Chelle x

from my surgery coordinator at the doctor's office delivering the news that I am approved. Surgery date is scheduled for October 9th at 1:30pm. I have to go to my pre-op appointment this coming Thursday. I have to say part of me is excited and part is scared to death. I really really want to lose this weight yet a part of me keeps thinking that this is so drastic and I should as a person be able to control myself and do it on my own. I know others have had the same feeling and we all go through a bit of anxiety. Having a date makes it much more "real" if you will. So much to do so little time. I am going to need to start my pre-op diet right away my packet says three…

Hi All, I am scheduled for my surgery on August 25 and this past Saturday I started my pre-op diet to shrink my liver. So I've been doing my nasty shakes, Soup and a "sensible" dinner which has mainly been Protein and veg..absolutely no carbs and starches other than whats in the shakes they gave me. I just got one of these high falootin' fancy scales at my office that I ordered. It measures BMI and weight in every form according to height, etc. So all excited I step on the damn thing only to find it says I have lost ONE freakin pound since my consultation. I'm ready to just puke. All these headaches, weakness, nausea and no cheating for one pound. I called the hubs an…

I have no delusions that the LapBand will get me to 110lbs, but I'm 5'3" and currently 224. The doctor set my goal weight at 175 and said that average weight loss is 50% of your excess (ie. I'm 100 pounds over my ideal weight so I can expect to lose 50 lbs). She also does gastric bypass which she says you can expect to lose 80-90% of excess weight. I'm paying alot of money, time and pain just to become less fat? I want to be a healthy weight. Is she just trying to sway me towards the bypass? I need some band veterans to tell me the real deal before I give up.

Hello ppl Im on my 4th day of my of my liquid optifast deit where I can have 5 800 drinks of optifast and 2 opitfast bars a day.Well I work night and I started on monday which was my off day I was off monday and tuesday night so came wensday night I had to work so I did take all my drinks during wensday morning I thought may I drink 3 during the day and eat one bar so wensday night at work ill have me two drink plus a bar and I want be so hungry at night time.Well I made it I didnt get hungry and when I got home I had me a drink before I laid down for bed but I notice I was feeling alittle week so I got a bottle water and start drinking so i fell asleep my body got me up …

Hi Everyone- I just wanted to introduce myself. I had the lap band surgery three days ago. The surgery was quick and now on to the fun part. The thing I am having the most trouble with is the gas pain in my chest. Any one else have this very bad? thanks, Dorit

I had my band put in 4 weeks ago. I just found some Mederma (for scars) and started using it today. Do you think its too early to use scar cream or is it ok? I am going on a vacation soon and wanted to go swimming. I also miss taking baths. When is it ok to do this?

I have posted my pre-op diet below. I am taking in around 100-120g of protein per day. I have been having (sorry, gross) watery diarrhea for 2 days now. Do you all think this is due to the diet? Is it normal and will it continue after surgery? Thanks. The protein diet prepares you for surgery and reduces the fat in and around your liver. ØTake 2 scoops of the Myocel 2-3 times each day mixed with 8 to 10oz. of skim milk, water, fruit juice or fat free yogurt. You may add fresh or frozen fruit (stay away from bananas, they are too high in sugar), fat free/sugar free Jello or pudding to vary the flavor. Try extracts and spices too. ØYou may also have 1-2 h…

Hi! I noticed many people after surgery are complaining about nausea so I decided to write and tell you what worked for me. When the anesthesiologist came to talk to me before surgery he asked me what kind of side affects I had before with anesthesia so I explained to him I got very nauseous and vomited so he said he would give me something for the nausea right in my IV during the surgery. After the surgery I experienced no nausea and all the nurses thought I was doing very well and my color looked good. The nurses said that many of the girls get very nauseous after the surgery but my experience was good so I thought I would pass this along. Good luck to all with your…

under my 5 bandages are something called STERI-Strips. i'm only guessing that the "steri" stands for steroid? my question is this..... about how long did it take for ya'lls to come off? the doc told me not to take them off but to let them come off on their own. a friend of mine told me that as lil by lil pulled up on its own she cut away the tiniest pieces that were no longer attached to her body w/a pair of lil cuticle scissors. has anyone else done this? and, how long does it take until they are completely gone? also, and i know this is crazy...but what about scarring? i know that scarring should be the least of my worries...afterall, i'm sure they'll b…

I take several medications (as I'm sure many of you do) and I've always read that you are supposed to stop taking metformin (aka glucophage) before any surgery. Well, I just emailed my surgeon's office and they told me the ONLY meds you have to stop before the surgery is blood thinners, if you are on any. But, she is just the office manager so how does she know. I'm just wondering if any of you were told to stop taking your meds prior to surgery. I don't meet with my surgeon until the day before my surgery so I can't ask him until it will be too late. This is what Medline Plus says about it. "If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, any x-ray procedure…

Did anyone have to have their surgery rescheduled due to their liver being too fatty? Or did you have to have the open surgery? I'm so paranoid about this. I am doing the pre-op diet my surgeon prescribes but I keep thinking "What if it's not enough? I should have started earlier" (although I started 2 weeks prior as they told me to). I guess I'm just panicking a bit. Everyone talks like it's such a big deal but has it really ever happened to anyone? Thanks.

I am on day 2 of doing my 2 week pre-op fasting - 5 slim fasts per day, chicken/beef broth, sugar free ice pops and Jello, diet/caffiene free soda and iced tea, Water, decaf coffee. I am shaky from head to toe, I'm not starving, just a little hungry, and very shaky. I have a slight headache and I am extremely lethargic. Did anyone else feel this way? :cry

Ok, so I hope this doesn't come up when I do my psych eval, but I feel like I just got the best news yesterday - I went to a sleep disorder Dr. and he pre-diagnosed me with sleep apnea. It was all I could do to hold back a big, beaming smile! He has to do the definitive sleep study test, but he was pretty sure I have it. So why am I happy to be diagnosed with something so serious? I'm a low BMI-er (36 right now) and I'vve been sooo nervous about not being approved. My ins co will, however, approve me if I have sleep apnea. There is some seriously messed up psychological stuff that goes with this banding thing...yowza. Very strange, but real. I'm reading al…

Ok, I know I am about to sound like a hungry hungry hippo.... but..... I am 8 days PO. I am so hungry today and I think I am eating/drinking too much. Today I can start on mushies, but have mostly only had liquids. 1. 6 am, I drank a danactive yogurt at 6am (3 oz). 2. 8am, I drank a Protein shake (8oz) w/ 30 grams of Protein. 3. By 9:30, I am hungry, wondering when lunch will be. Soooo I eat a cup of broth w/soft vegetables. 4. By 11:30, I am hungry again! I make ANOTHER protein shake, hoping this will curb my hunger. 5. Now it is 3:00 and I am hungry again and want something. Am I out of control??? I am hungry every 2 hours. The good thing is that I am track…

I want to have the lapband done, but I am afraid. I was set to do this a month and a half ago, and my husband asked me not to. He was talking to his friends about it, and they told him horror stories of people that had it done. I cancelled my surgery the night before I was schedulled to have it done. Please tell me how anyone has felt emontionally before the surgery and after. Lynn

I had my surgery 8 days ago. I had 3 days of the clear diet, followed by pureed foods for the last 5. I have about 3 more weeks of pureed foods to go. I accidentally ate a solid food once so far--I was offered a muffin and simply forgot my restrictions. It hurt terribly, but but after a few minutes of pain and choking it finally went away. I won't be making that mistake again. I know I have a long way to go before my solid food stage, but today, I can't even imagine being able to swallow solid food. Does it get easier? Does the opening ever get any bigger? Right now it feel like it's about as wide as a pencil. I really am committed to this and want to lose weigh…

I am having my lap band installed on October the 3rd, but I am not as thrilled as I thought I would be. In fact it is the opposite- I am depressed. I want to stay in bed all day, I have no focus, I want to cry, and I feel hopeless. I was fired up about getting banded during the summer but during the waiting period I lost all interest. My doctor did not put me on a pre-op diet, but after reading the posts on here I decided that it was best to put myself on a pre-op diet, and so I did. However, I did not stick to it. I just did what I wanted, ate what I wanted, and then beat myself up as much as I wanted to. I don't recall being this type of person, but now I am. You kn…

Hi everyone! Could those that have had a hernia repair done at the same time as the lap band placement give me some insight? I have a medium sized sliding hiatus hernia in my esophagus and will have it repaired at the same time as my band placement. What am I in store for recovery wise? Did anyone have to stay overnight because of the added procedure? How was the pain? I'm just trying to get my self prepared for the extra procedure, since I just found out a little over a week ago about the hernia... Thanks for any help you can give me!!

On the 6th Sept I had my first fill of 4.5ml and I still feel really uncomfortable. At the time I was suffering from an asthma/flu and the Doc just thumped the needle it into me. The band was tender for the first 24 hours but ok. Since then I have had a lot of tablets. On Monday 18th I ate a small can of tuna with olives and had my first blcokage at work. I was refluxy, gaging some salvia and had immence pain in the chest area. I had a little Water which didn't help at first but the second settled it down. Ever since I am now unable to tolerate more that 100ml of fruit puree or yoghurt. Have I really stuffed it? Any suggestions? Cheers Jo

Someone please tell me how to get all the terrible sticky redisue left from the tape off my stomach. I can't seem to get it to go away no matter what I try.

the surgeon i saw today said that i would probably only lose 50lbs and it would take me 2 years to do it. this is so discouraging. he said that i need to lose 140lbs and that it wont happen with the lapband. help i need some feedback? andrea

I went in today for my pre-op and my surgery was scheduled for next Tuesday, 9/25. Well it turns out that my doctor has had a family matter that came up and he will be out of town! When they told me that I started to cry. They told me they would reschedule me for 10/2. Then another nurse tells me it won't be until 10/9! More tears. The doctor walked by and saw me crying and he put his arm around me. He said "We will get it done, don't worry." The nurse called me a couple of hours later to tell me I was scheduled for 10/2 so I guess it's the best we can do. I'm not a September bandster anymore!

Ok, this is an imporant issue for me! Is it ok to wear makeup during surgery?

I would like to know if the port where we get the fills is stitched in place or does it float around. Sometimes I think it's in one place and other times I feel it in another. Thanks, Jane

I just got off the phone with the insurance company(aetna)And After all the hard work and the waiting I have finally been approved. I am now happy but also nervous ... !!!!!!!!! what things do I need to do pre op?

Hi i just had surgery sept. 11, 2007 i just wanted to know how could you tell if your band has slipped or not.

Newbie/Lurker who was banded in Raleigh NC on Sep 12. Things have been going fairly well on the clear liquid post-op diet, but on Sep 14th, a Civil War was declared inside my body between the long-time Republic of Estomago and the newly-formed Territory of North Bandonia. What the hell is going on? I feel like I have swallowed a Nintendo...there are noises that I have never heard emanating from North, South, East, and West. I'm familiar with hunger noises, and gas-related sounds, but am having trouble figuring out the rest. I don't really understand how the CO2 that they pump you up with (in the body cavity) 'works its way out'? Does it find an underground tunn…

Hello everyone. My name is Susan. I was banded on August 28th. So far I have lost 26 lbs.(I lost 18 two weeks before surgery) I have followed my Surgeon's instructions exactly He put me on a liquid diet two weeks before surgery. Liquids only for the first two days after surgery Pureed and Soft foods the first week after surgery I had my followup appt. on Sept 7th, and He told me I could try to eat all foods. He said, If I begin to be able to eat a full size meal, call him and he will tighten the band. I have not had any problems at all so far. I feel great! I have a very little appetite though, so I make sure I drink protein shakes to get that protein in. …

for those of you with around that much to lose, how much did you lose before your first fill. i have found lots of posts about how much people have lost to begin with. i was just wanting to narrow it done to people with about the same as me. i have been told that the more you have to lose, the faster your loss is to begin with. thanks!