PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

This is me with my new band headed to SKINNY LAND Had surgery this AM - things are looking good - all in all not a bad experience - little sore and the gas from the surgery isn't fun - but small price to pay for my new life ahead :clap2:

I just had a call from the nurse and she said I could take off my dressings and strips. All are fine except my port site, it is still quite open and a bit wet. I am 10 days post op, do you think this is normal? It doesn't look inflamed or anything but I would have expected it to be closed! Shall I leave the dirty strips on?

I haven't had lapbanding yet, and if I do, I can't decide if I am going to tell my kids about it. My daughters are 7 and 10 yrs old. The 10 year old has a weight problem, and I don't want to send either of my children the wrong message about being overweight. However, I don't want to feel like I'm lying if I have the surgery. The kids will wonder where I am the night that I stay in the hospital. They will also notice that I'm not eating the same kinds of foods that they are eating during meals. What has anyone done in this situation?

:faint:I'm so scared!!! Encouragement please! Not only having surgery but doing it in TJ, Mexico.... Agh!!!!! Does everyone get scared/nervous at the last minute? I was cool until today!

So.. I had my surgery on May 9th, had my first fill around a month afterwards and ever sense I've lost no weight. Stuck at a 24 lb loss for 2 months now. At work recently, I had noticed I was short of breath so I went to my doctor yesterday and found out I have high blood pressure. I'm 25 years old, how could that be possible? Luckily, I go for another fill on Sept. 11th but I think what it all boils down to is I need to fit in more exercise but when you work all the time and have to come home to household chores.. where do you find the time? Anyone have any suggestions on how to deal or what helps give you a boost? Thanks Shannon

I am scheduled for my surgery on Sept. 21. I was told to get on a protein shake diet week before my surgery an drink lots of water. Okay,well I am like a eating everything in sight as though I will never eat anything again for the rest of my life. What is up with that? Did anyone else have these feelings? I read somewhere here that this type of feeling is common, I'd like to know how to turn this off. It could be a hormone surge, it feels like "oh, I'm feeling low blood sugar, I need to eat" LOL

I am scheduled for surgery on Fri the 31st with Dr Lopez in Mexico. Any information?? Also I have a slight cough, not too bad mostly a tickle. Is that going to be a problem? I sure don't want to reschedule as I am all mentally ready for:help: this. Help!

Hi All - I was banded on Tues 8/28 and still have alot of pain in the port area. The only relief I get from the pain is when I'm laying down in bed. Sitting and standing hurt sooo much. I'm going back to work on Tues 9/4 (desk job - lots of sitting/standing) and I'm freaking out! I'm keeping up with the pain meds but that doesn't seem to help much. Should the port pain last this long and be this intense?

I had my first fill on July 31. A week after my fill, I felt like a piece of food was stuck in my throat and I could not get it to move. I started eating slow and measuring my food to 4 oz. the food stuck eased up but now I feel like a lump when I swallow, like mucous or something? I tried to search the site, but could not find an answer. Does anyone know what this may be??

I was reading how some people recover quickly. Not me though. I have diarrhea every other day with pain beginning shortly after I wake up and have any type of liquid for breakfast. I spent 4 days back in the hospital last week (all tests were normal) but nothing has changed. I can't get more than one shake in a day with about 8 oz of the recommended soups. I try to walk a fair bit too. The pain makes my stomach and abdomen feel like they will explode. I also have that lump in my throat. I'm due to go back to work Sept. 4 and am worried I won't be able to handle it. Has anyone else felt like this? What did you do?

Hello My Friends: On a not so pleasant subject. I am 2 plus weeks post op -- all of a sudden I am finding myself going to the bathroom a lot (see subject line); and I wonder if you guys have experienced same? I mean, better out than in but still, since I am eating so much less than pre surgery, I am curious about this activity and whether it is common amongst bandsters. thanks! /nilsa:wacko:

I am being banded in less than a month. I am getting very scared. I've overeaten all my life, and many times I eat when I'm not even hungry. The food just has to be there, and I'll eat. My question is, how can you tell when your full, when you are used to not noticing? Is there a strong full feeling, like all of a sudden you just can't eat another bite?I usually don't even notice I'm full untill I'm stuffed! I'm really afraid of throwing-up. What does "full" feel like with the band? :help:

Hi all, First off I want to say that these message boards are so informative and I am soo glad that I "stumbled" upon them when I was researching the procedure. ( I am still waiting for my cardiologist referral so no surgery yet) That being said, I am scared!!! At first when I was collecting info and reading some posts I was psyched and couldn't wait for my paperwork to go through, and I still feel that way mostly..lol but the more I read and learn about the procedure, post op etc, I have to admit it is making me very nervous! I am afraid of being under the anesthesia, afraid that I will not be able to stick to the post op diet, etc.... I know these feelings are nor…

Hey all, Has anyone out there had their surgery canceled or postponed due to high Calcium in their labs? I am sceduled for thurs the 30th and have had my labs drawn twice for high calcium. The dr is not in the office today and nurse did not know if he would cancel. thanks for any help that anyone can give me. Tomorrow am is a long time from now :think Lois

<p>My PCP is requiring a stress test before she will approve me for surgery. She is not anticipating that I would have a problem since my EKG's and Echocardiograms have been normal. She said my lack of mobility has not challenged my heart so she doesn't know how it will perform so she sent me to the cardiologist for a stress test. I will be having a chemical stress test on Friday and I am a bit concerned about the test and what it might uncover. I know that if it does uncover anything, it will be a blessing is disguise as I might not have found out about it otherwise. It is my last hurdle in getting approved for surgery.</p> <p> </p> <p>My qu…

Hi can anyone help, i was banded six weeks ago, i lost 8lbs 2 weeks after my op but nothing since, i have tried everything, i am now on solid foods and feeling i could eat more my surgeon says i shouldn't need my first fill till around the six months stage. I have a sweedish lap band can anyone advise what to do next. thanks

Thanks to Wendell for posting this in another thread. I think it deeserves a thread of its own. Great information for all of us (I'm three months out and learned some stuff from this as well!) This may help you in understanding the restrictive mechanism of a Lap-Band. The INAMED protocol for Lap-Band fills calls for a six-week delay after surgery, prior to any fills. The purpose for the six-week delay is for the patient’s stomach to heal from the surgery, as well as allowing time for the Lap-Band to “Seat” or “Nestle” into the fat pad between the stomach wall and the interior wall of the Lap-Band. Prior to receiving an EFFECTIVE fill, it is VERY uncommon to have any r…

I was banded on August 21. Still doing mostly liquids and soft foods. I don't over do it because I'm scared of doing damage. I constantly have pressure in my chest and that lump in my throat.I can feel the burp "roll up" and then stick there in my throat. It is soooo painful.Not sure what I can do or what is causing this. Do I have a slip in my band? Or is everything just still swollen.Noy really sure how to tell or really what i"m supposed to be feeling ?HELP:help::cry '

Hey eveyone, I had my surgery on August 7, 2007. I am on solid foods right now and can eat almost anything...kinda getting scared. It was my first day back to work today and I ate cake today and could just step on my big toe! I am getting my first fill on September 4, 2007, I can't wait. I am supposed to get 4 cc's. I am very excited but I don't know what to expect. I have a 10 cc band. Can the more experienced bandsters tell me what to expect? I did have 3 cc's in my band after surgery and had a lot of restriction but that was in combonation with a hernia repair and swelling. How does the weight loss work? What will I feel if I eat too much...will that be enou…

What is the difference between Inamed, Vanguard, and the Swedish Band? I've heard them all mentioned but am quite confunsed! What about the different capacities? How do the Doctor's decide on what is the right "size" for you?

I know this might be a really syupid question, but I am really needing to know. My husband bought me a few pieces of sugar free chocolates, My surgery is Sep 6th and I have been on my pre-op diet for 6 days now (protein Shake Breakfast and lunch, Lean Cuisine for dinner) anyways, my question is, would I be able to have at least one of these chocolates now or do I have to wait till after my surgery? I just keep thinking that it will be 4-5 weeks after surgery before I would even be able to try and eat them, UGHHHH Hopefully someone can help me out!:omg: If it is a definate no no, I will not but sincew it was sugar free I thought I would ask:nervous

Hi, I had my band 7/20/07. I weighed 241 at surgery and am now 225. I actually fluctuate 1.5 every few days, so I am 223.5 or 225. I got my first fill on 8/20/07 and lost 5 pounds within a few days. Since then, it has been only 1.5 pounds! I am frustrated. I feel like I am not losing very fast. I wonder at what rate other people are losing the weight. I exercise 4x per week at the YMCA for 1 hour, walk on alternate days and my daily calories average about 800 per day. HELP California King Size

Ahhh, I am SO happy right now. I went to my PCP at 8:20 this morning and told him all about what was happening, that I wanted to do the lap band and a bunch of other things. He actually recommended it to my mom (for her) about a year or so ago, so luckily he knew all about it. We talked more about it, about the diets I've tried/failed, how much weight I've put on each year, and that he wants to look at my thyroid. Then I pulled out the sheet that had all my blood labs on it and he said one of those was testing for it, so it was okay. Anywho, he ended up saying that I was a prime candidate for it and he hasn't worked with UT Medical Center yet, but is very much looking for…

Hi all, how long does it take to get rid of the fluids they put in your body at the hospital before and after your surgery? I was up 8 pounds when I came home and want to lose that fluid asap. thanks, shelli:ranger:

Hi, I was banded Aug 17/07 and my port site is still quite tender if I slightly press on it. I guess I'll just stop pressing on it for now! What I would like to know is if anyone recalls approximately how long their port site was tender/sore. I sure hope it's better before I get my first fill as I can't imagine right now I'd be too happy getting prodded and injected! Please let me know your experience. Thank you. :girl_hug:

Does anyone else have problems with hiccups? Since I've had my band (5/4/07), I get the hiccups really often. Get them after waking up, off and on through out the day, while I'm eating, after I eat... it's a real pain... especially while I'm eating! So much so that I usually have to quit eating until they subside, because if I don't they can sometimes trigger me to throw up. The doctor says I'm getting air in my stomach -- even through I never chew gum, drink carbonated beverages, or drink through a straw.

September 19th! Excited and scared.:whoo:

Hi: I was banded on Aug. 6, 2007, I have lost 23 lbs. so far. I'm doing great however the last few days I have eaten some things that I probably shouldn't have ex. torilla chips/spinch dip. Every day since I've had diarrhea. It's not immediately but approx. 12 hrs later. Do you think this is from my diet or should I be concerned about something else? Thanks for help. Marcy:)

Hey today is my one month bandiversary!! Down 34 pounds!! I have noticed sometimes when I eat, there is a lump in the back of my throat. Not painful just a lump. Am I eating to much?? I am a little hungrier lately and my first fill is in a couple of weeks. I know someone knows what this is HELP:help:

I had my surgery on August 2nd 2007 and am doing so well. Lost 8 LBS in the 1st 12 days and more now. I go to the Doc again on the 11th of September to talk about a fill and will be weighed again . I do not weight myself at all at home or at any other Docs office but my surgeons, because I tend to overreact and :)become a bit obsessive. Tee Hee, but thats just me.

Hello All, Okay, so I had my first fill yesterday (1.3 ccs). I am going to be on liquids for 3 days and I have a couple of questions. 1- How soon do you start feeling the restriction? 2- Why do I have to be on liquids for 3 days? Hala

michelle is the only doctor in the area who does the lap band and i want to know if anyone has had her as a doctor and what do you think?

I was banded friday august 24th at 830am. They said I did very very well. I was out by 930am. I was discharched 12. I walked around and even went to get my pain meds perscription at cvs. Later that night I started my menustration(talk about a double wammy) I have stuck stricktly to the liquids. No nausea or vommiting. I have no appetite. I can barely get in all of my liquids. It takes me forever. My port site is still very sore. I took my bandages off and left the steristrips on like they said today. I have major major gas!!!!!!!! When does the gas and port site pain go away. I'm walking like a old lady already. My scars are healing very nicely though. An…

I am not banded yet but hope to be in the next month. A co-worker that is banded told me her port is almost dead center in her upper abdomen. The dr that did the seminar I attended said it would be on the left side. I didn't realize there were different places it could be. Is there a reason to prefer a specific spot? Did you have a choice where it was?

Any comments about pre Op and post Op care would be appreciated.........

I was suppose to have lapband in August, but got really weak the first day on the pre-op diet. Slimfast, soups, and one small piece of chicken breast. I got home from work and had some soup, then went straight to bed(weak). I work with a punch of women ready to see me fail but i decided to have the surgery9-5-07 and I just need some idea of what to substitute with the slimfast because it gives me so much gas!!:help::heh:

Just wondered if anyone knows if you are allowed to have communion wine at mass, and I suppose the wafer in phase one after the op?? Would love to know if you have done it. Also today I did my first burp! (4days post-op) and it was a frightening experience!! Am I allowed to burp? I know it is the gas going which is excellent but all the rest went out the other way! It hurt slightly but felt ok-I know this is a stupid question but do you still burp with a band???!! I am analysing every little twinge, I have no idea how my band feels! At least I am not hungry just constantly sipping. I can get down about 200mls in 25 mins now which I think is ok, I am terryfied of stre…

I had my 2nd band-fill about 10 days ago. Ever since, I've belched just about non-stop. I don't seem to be able to eat the same as before that last fill. And - most of it comes back up. Can a fill cause slippage, or was there too much fill put in?:sick:help: What should I do - or, will it level out in a few days?:cry

I was banded Aug. 15 and I am starving! I ate an entire can of tomatoe soup for lunch and fear this behavior can be harmful. Is cream soup counted in the liquids I need for the day? Three oz of food is just not enough. I get all of my protein in, but still hungry. My stomach makes horrible noises. I also drink a lot of water 1 hour after eating. I tried ground tuna fish and chicken and it made my stomach hurt. When will this pass?:help: JP

Am I normal.... Life got in the way of having my first fill and I am very nervous, I'm scheduled for 9-12 . Surgery was 4-10 by Dr. Ortiz. and I have gained back 5lbs of the original 20 lost.in the first month. I continue to have Bling even when I think I am chewing small bites. What will it be like after the fill? Does Bling have acid and can it hurt your esphogus. How does one adjust. Do you start to lose weght again once it's done. I need some encouragement. :help:

Scheduled to band Tues.Sept11. Will I be able to sing in the choir 5 days later on Sunday? Thanks!!! I have learned a lot reading all your posts.

Dear fellow lapbanders, Well, I am doing it - getting banded tomorrow. I did not do well on the liquid diet, I did still to the caloric limit and very low fat, but I had to eat some solid food like an omlette with egg beaters and fat free cheese. I will post my progress in a few days. Cheers! Mary:scared:

My Dr. said he used the 10 cc band on me. What is the big difference? Does mine just hold more? :help: I was banded Aug. 15. JP

Ok, so I got banded on the 15th. I am doing great, losing weight, and feeling pretty good... with one exception. I SWEAR that I can feel my band through my skin! Right under where my biggest inscision is, theres like a hard ball, and I don't know if thats just my muscle healing over, or if its my band. Can any of you feel your bands? Am I nuts? Let me know!! :help:

Hi, I have an appt for a psych eval on Sept. 6. What kind of questions can I expect? Also, does everyone have to go on a preop liquid diet? I think after the psych eval, the dr's office will submit my paperwork to Cigna. Any replies are appreciated. Thanks, Dixie:nervous

So this is what i feel sometimes, i feel like i have a pill stuck in my throat, but today its in my chest not sure if its thight or do i have food stuck? Its not in between my two friends its just a little big higher please help

I've never been so excited about seeing doctors before in my life!!! I saw my primary care doc last night and he's very happy with my decision. Whew. I was expecting a little bit of flak. My insurance needs a letter from him so I'll be picking that up today. Then this afternoon I have my psych eval! After tonight I have to wait until Sept. 18th when I have an appt. with the surgeon. I'm not able to schedule my nutrition appointment until after that. Once all that is in...everything gets submitted to my insurance and I wait.... (I've never been good at waiting) But... this is still an exciting time!

I just got banded 11 days ago. Most of my incisions are healing really well, but one of them is causing me a lot of problems it really is uncomfortable, it isn't my port incision, but I am starting to wonder if it is infeected. Any advice?

<p>As a self-pay I'm well aware of the financial impact but I am still planning to get banded in Januaery (new tax year...). The poll on whether or not you are glad you got banded was great-- very informative. I'd like to come at it from a little different angle. Clearly, like most everything in life, there are pros and cons to the lap band. Many are the same for most/all and many are different. My question--</p> <p> </p> <p>What is the best thing about being banded (better health. appearance, conffidence, etc.)?</p> <p> </p> <p>What has been the most negative thing you have experienced?</p> <p> </p> …

I was banded September 9th. So far so good. I was on liquids for the 1st two weeks, then I saw my doctor and he said that it was okay to go straight to Solids. He said slowly return to normal foods. I have and have not had any problems so far. I don't eat much at each sitting because I get full quickly, but have had no problems with any food. I even drank a small glass of Pepsi and had no problem. Is this normal? Or will it all change when I get a fill?