PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hello Everyone, I was wondering what are the pros and cons of the different port placements.. From looking @ at the before and after pics there are a few different places that our doctors are placing them. Could some of you guys share where you port is located and some of the pros and cons? Thanks for sharing

Good morning all!! today is my big day , i'll be on liquids with one meal today. i can do it , i have to , i'm a little concerned with having alot of gas. slimfast always give me gas and that is what the dr. has me on. ANY SUGGESTIONS???:hungry:

Got the word - Tuesday 8/28 - get my band :whoo:- can't wait - the waiting at this point I think is the worst Had gallbladder surgery about 9 years ago - no trouble - so am not expecting any trouble this round Can't wait to get this journey started - it is kinda - but ready to roll down the hill to being myself again:whoo:

I am reading these posts and freaking out! I am scheduled for 9/6 in TJ. I need to know if I am ruining my life by doing this. My impression when talking to my weight loss Dr. and reading about lap band surgery was that, after all the post-op dietary restrictions, that I would be able to lose weight, then maintain that loss by eating small portions of "normal", healthy foods. Chewing slowly and thoroughly as required would change my "fast gulp--more is better" eating style. Eating just a small amount and feeling full would re-train me. I thought I could go out to dinner, avoid certain foods, but fake it that I was just a reformed fatty. But now I hear about sliming…

I am very proud of myself! I am done with my whole last meal syndrome and honestly, I am not that bothered by it. Isn't that good? I looked at the food and thought, I can either this or know I'm not committed to my losing weight. If I eat now, what is going to stop me once I have my band? I would try to eat still. Anyway, the point of this! I am going to finish all of my paperwork this week (in the next two days) and make my appointment with my PCP. I need him to sign off for me and have him fill out this little thing for my team of Surgeons. I also am going to have all my labs done. Fun fun! :car: I also went grocery shopping today and bought everything with high Pro…

I am planning to have my lap band surgery in Mexico in October. My fee includes pre-op tests that are done the same day as surgery. I mentioned to the patient coordinator that I was a bit concerned about paying the fee and travelling to Mexico and finding out from the pre-op tests that they can't do the surgery for some reason. She said that's very rare and that since I have no heart problems and no medical issues (that I know of) that it should be fine. Should I consider having tests done here before I leave just in case? What sorts of tests should I ask for?

how can i be such a failure i keep telling myself. i am 17 days out and i cheat everyday for the last 4. days i ate 2 mozzarella sticks, yesterday i ate some party mix, day before pringles, and cant rember,oh yeah i pureed some chicken and even ate a wing. how stupid am i and i pray and try so very hard. i just hadn`t had food in a month and i wonder why i only lost 8 pounds. i pray all day and night, read the thread that holds me for a while and then hunger hits so hard. i got my surgery in mexico but i`ll be in trouble and dissappointed if it slips. please anyone i need support because now i want to just cry because i`m so weak. what is wrong with me. others have a hard…

I have been working out for almost a year now, slowed down during summer, but now I am working back up to what I was...I am able to do 60 min on the elliptical plus I am doing weight machines. My husband asked if I should stop for now, and after I am banded, start back up again...kind of like re-reving my body. I know that you start out slowly, walking etc...but how soon can you resume vigirous activity? I know that it is weird, but I honestly enjoy it. I NEVER in a million years thought that I would say that! Thank you~ Brandy

i havent met the surgeon yet so i am not on any preop diet but i feel a little disappointed with myself. i went 1 month without any fast food and only had 2 sodas, well i just slipped again, i had mcdonalds last week and i had it again today. i was doing so well and now i am worried that i am headed down a bad path. even though i have slipped i am trying not to eat bad and am trying to be positve about what is ahead for me. any feedback? thanks andrea

I finally have my insurance approval and I want to have surgery mid-January. I have my psy eval on 10/23. What should I expect? Does anyone ever fail it?

This is my first post!!! I have SPHN/php insurance. I am right now enduring the horrid optifast program LOL. No it's not really that bad but my question is if anyone has this insurance how long did you have to wait for your approval? Will

Maybe I am jumping the gun but I am wondering about Dr Kuri's pre-op diet. I just scheduled yesterday so maybe there will be information forthcoming. Also - did everyone get :nervous from family/friends when you told them you were going to Mexico to have surgery? I have for sure. I have had the benefit of reading all of the information on the boards and feel very comfortable with my decision. 16 days and counting it down:car:

I had surgery Friday, August 17th and I am having painful gas pains. The surgery sites are fine except for a little sore when I try to lift up or turn my direction. Does anyone have any suggestions. Also, the morning of my surgery I weighed 230. I weighed this moring and I weight 231. I haven't hardly drank anything yesterday because of the tight feeling I get. I am going to start on my protein shakes today. Can anyone help me?:help:

I had lap-band surgery back in late April.....in June, I had to have my port re-attached because it broke away from my stomach wall. I have only lost 20 pounds give or take. I have had two fills and I am still eating too much food! I'm beginning to believe that this isn't gonna work for me. How many more fills do you think I must have before I get ample results? I'm getting really frustrated. Plus, it costs me $100 everytime I get a fill. Anyone have any insight for me? Michael V.

I think I am sick I have white blisters on my throat. I am on my pre-op diet and funny enough I always get sick if I am stressed and not eating-----Funny but true-----I am going to my pre-op testing on Monday--at NYU----Does anyone know if this will cause my surgery not to happen?--I don't know if I can do this diet again!:help:

I had surgery on Monday August 13. I feel pretty good a little tired and blurry vision. Not sure what that is all about-scarey. But I occassionally feel something "pop" or maybe "kick"on my left side. If I put my middle finger on my belly button and lay my hand down the feeling is about where the palm of my hand is. Also, I feel uncomfortable when I sit for a while. I get achy in my back area. Any input will be appreciated.

Started my diet on wednesday and everything is going well, have lost 7lbs so far. The diet consists of a minimum of 4 Protein shakes, 2 soupd and 5 portions of fruit and veg. Since that is a minimum my question is do you think you can eat too much fruit and veg?? I stick to the shakes etc but I am eating tons of the other stuff!! I don't want to ruin my diet! Any thoughts greatfully recieved!

I was reading about the band and I saw that some people get a surgery after their bands slip etc. It involved removing a large portion of the stomach and not removing the intestines etc. and was wondering what it was called. My best friend had RNY surgery. Im 280 nearly 300 lbs and exercising hasnt worked too well at all. Thanks for this.

Okay -- banded two days and doing pretty good, except for occasional bouts of what are almost hiccups, not quite burps. Am I drinking too quickly? I'm trying to take teeny sips and space them. But I'm afraid that in concentrating on everything so much I'm unconsciously swallowing more air than I should be.

I posted a thread about a week ago when I was struggling with my pre-op diet. I couldn't find it again, so I started a new thread with my update, to share my good news. :whoo:I lost 14 lbs in 8 days! :whoo: My Dr put me on a two week Medifast diet to lose 10 lbs before surgery. The Medifast was so bad that I had to reform the diet. I didn't want to share the details until I could confirm it worked. So, now I can tell you. I was supposed to have 5 Medifast things (shake, oatmeal, Soup, bar or pudding) and one lean and green meal a day, totaling 800-1000 calories. Here's what I did to improvise: I choose from one of these 3 to 4 times a day: 8oz iced V-8 jui…

Hello my name is Stacie and I am looking to get the lap band I have seen my pcp and he has started the paper work and said he would send it to DR. Ali. I have Health Net so I have to go to someone in there group My Qustion how long does it take for this all to happen does any one elese have Halth Net if so did they give you a bad time. I'm live in Camino, CA Any info would be great. :help: Thanks for your time Stacie

Do you think crabcakes mushed up with my fork could count as a mushy? Going out to eat for first time so I checked out the menu in preparation. My doc says soft fish mashed but not sure about crabcakes.

i found out today that everything is a go and will be meeting with the surgeon in a couple of weeks. his name is dr.louer. he is new this month to emmc in bangor, maine ,i was going to go with dr.michelle toder but i thought that i would try him. he used to work at the weight loss center in cleveland and also worked in miami florida. i will be one of his first patients here in maine. i hope i made the right decision to see him instead. my husband just got home and said that i am taking the easy way out and that i should just eat better. can you imagine the easy way out what is he thinking this is going to tough for awhile. hes been ok so far about me doing the surgery but…

How much weight did you lose while drinking liquids?

I had surgery on Aug. 1, 2007. I have done pretty good until the last 3-4 days. I am able to eat just about anything and I do not fill very restricted. Is this normal? I have been told this is normal until you have your first fill. Is this true? How often do most of you have to have a fill?

Hi! I am 3 weeks post operated and I am on muchy food. This is what the dr. given me... Soft Diet after Gastric Band Surgery {Non-veg} [2-4 weeks] General Principles 1.No liquids 15 minutes before & 1 hour after a meal. 2.A meal means 4-5 teaspoonful of food to be eaten slowly. 3.You may remain hungry after a meal but please wait for 20-30 minutes & then you should feel full/satiated. If you still remain hungry, then please contact us. 4.Average meal interval should be 4-6 hours. 5.Avoid sugars & use sugar substitute 6.Minimum oil to be consumed /day 7.No soft drinks [even diet ones] / Tea / coffee 8.Always eat Proteins first. 9.Eat siow…

Anyone else not banded yet find themselves practicing how you will chew with the band? It sounds ridiculous but I have been! When I eat something I try to chew it as much as I think I would need with the band, just to do it. I have my insurance approval, have been to the seminar, but haven't scheduled a pre-op yet. I have been on the fence about whether I really REALLY want to do it but I think I have finally made my decision. So now I am going to practice my chewing! LOL!

Hi! Okay, so I've survived one week. (no pb-I think that's the term used here- thus far, which I'm happy about). And although I'm sure this has been covered before, I was wondering exactly what I can have as I approach my 7th day since surgery aside from... Clear broth Tomato creamy Soup Gatorade/diluted juices sugar free juices/jellos/popsicles Water The first 3-4 days after surgery I barely had anything. I was in a lot of pain and couldn't handle much. Now that I'm doing better, I feel like I'm starving. Of course, I'll resort to broth for dinner (with some mild spices to give it some flavor) if nothing else is allowed...but does anyone have any other ideas …

Dr.Lalor is now at emmc in bangor maine and he used to work at the cleveland clinic . i am trying to find out as much about him as i can seeming how i chose him over someone elso who was suppose to be my surgery.

I went for an endoscopy before the band, and was diagnosed with severe gastritis. The doctor said that I need to wait at least 6 months and possibly a year before I get the band. But definitely 6 months. The scary thing is, I used to feel the acid reflux, but after a year off meds and a c-section, my stomach went numb for almost a year. I mean, I thought I was cured. The Dr. said that my gastritis is so severe, there's a possibility it will never heal. Is anyone else dealing with something like this? What does it mean for the Lap-Band? Also, what kind of diet are you on? The dr. told me no caffeine, no decaf coffee, no alcohol, no spicy foods and told me to look up …

hi, i had the lapband placed 12 months ago. I now am in the position of needing to obtain my own medical insurance privately. my question is has anyone had difficulty getting their own insurance after listing this as a procedure that you have had done? Have any of you obtained insurance and not listed it. Thanks for your help. tina

I lost 25lbs in my first two weeks after my surgery. This week which was my 3rd, I lost NOTHING. I was very excited, but now I'm kind of disappointed.:cry My doctor told me to start working out after my 15th day. I started bike riding for an hour, but that hasn't helped. I'm eating very little and I'm still not losing. Can anyone help?

Hi All, I just want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers. It is 4 pm and I am in the hospital. I had my lapband surgery this morning 7:30. I am feeling pretty good. I walked aroung the floor where I am about 5 times total so far. Pain is not too bad except getting up and down. I had to cough a few times also which really did hurt but the pillow over the belly tight really does help. The band I got was the AG? I think that is what Dr. Patel said 14.5 ccs. I will ask again when I see him tonight or tomorrow morning. Valerie:clap2::clap2:

I know I know, this is a really awkward question but... Can you feel the port under your skin? I mean... Like, a little hard spot? If you get skinny does it stick out???? Sorry to ask, but I felt sheepish asking the rep 'cause she's kinda...zealous and I didn't wanna offend her......:confused:

How many of you lost a friend because of your weight loss? Now I know we can argue that they weren't very good friends if you lost them, however it is a question that has been nagging at me. People get used to me being the chubby girl, and they sometimes are not comfortable with change. Hey and when I get a hotter body then they have (which I will) I wonder if there will be some bitterness? I know my true blue friends will stick by me...but will they? Change is hard on every body. What is your experience?

I had to share this with someone. I just got off the phone with my insurance and they said that my plan does not exclude wls as long as I meet the criteria (note form the doc, psych, BMI...) They said once they get the info from the dr. office they usually give thier response in a couple of day. Sometimes even the same day if everything I is in order. Tomorrow I finish all my pre-testing and then they can send everything off begininng of next week. Looks like I'll finally be getting my date. :whoo::whoo::whoo: Since most of my friends and family don't really approve of getting the band, or know about it I had to share this news with someone. (they all think I sho…

I go to my info session tonight, and being the meticulously need-to-be-informed-of-every-little-thing-I-can-think-of person I am, I made a list of questions to ask the doc that are left unanswered after the info session. I'm driving 3 hours to get there, so hopefully he'll take pity on me and answer my questions! So here's my list, if you can add any others in the next couple of hours, I'd love to see them!!! Questions for Lap-Band Info Session 8/14/07 What kind of co-morbidities do insurance companies look for? What has your experience been with insurance denials? Do you help appeal? What do you do to help with insurance? Do you work to find loopholes in insuranc…

Hey everybody! Well so far I have been doing pretty well, I have lost give or take a few pounds of 25 lbs so far (sometimes its -23lbs, -25lbs, -22lbs it varies). However, for the last week I have not lost one pound at all. I have been eating more although am not eating over 800 cals but I continue to stay the same weight. DO you think it is what I am eating? I have been eating more carb rich foods like potatoes and sometimes I eat low fat crackers. I am 3 1/2 weeks post-op and I am grateful for what I have lost so far but I feel like I am cheating or something because when my hubby asks if I have lost any more weight I am embarrased to say no.

I posted this somewhere else too. I had surgery on 7/30/07 and have my first post op tomorrow. I don't even feel like I have a band right now. Any chance he might fill it tomorrow. The instructions I have say they fill it at four weeks, but I really need it now. WHEN DID EVERYONE GET THEIR FIRST FILL?

Hi all, I am two days post op and am having trouble getting in all water/clear Protein liquid that is required. According to the nutritionist I am suppose to dring a bottle and a half of the liquid Isopure along with water/ crystal light totaling 64oz a day. Did anyone else have trouble with this at first? Any suggestions? I drink little sips at a time but soon after feel uncomfortable. Any one else experience this? Thanks Val:help:

Hi Folks: I had my surgery on Monday. Didn't sleep a wink at the hospital because my roommate was a serious case! She called everyone under the sun until at least 3:00 a.m. I'm doing ok but the gassiness is something. feeling a little constipated and its hard to sleep flat. I feel like I can't breathe when i'm flat. I'm doing better sleeping in a sitting position. Hope this isn't for always. Thanks!:ranger:

Is it possible? I had a big sneeze and then a searing pain. Is it possible I ripped something? Feel free to laugh at me if I am wrong.

I was suppose to have my surgery in august, but then decided to wait after starting the pre-op diet. I realize i could be having my surgery sooner if i would have just continued the pre-op diet. but my dr. but me on slim fast and soup. the slim fast gives me alot of gas, does anyone else have a different diet??:help:

I've been dying to ask this question and have been trying to look at old posts to find the answer, but no luck. Was worried it was a silly question, but what the heck. I know what PB is -but can some one explain to me what is going on when I don't PB, but get that "slimy", " phlegm-y" thing that makes me need to swallow a lot. Lasts about 5 minutes then goes away. What does this mean and what is going on? Thanks in advance!

I love to eat fresh fruit, like grapes cherris apples pears ect. Can anybody tell me if they have problems with fruit or the skins.

I take glucophge for my diabetic condition. As those of you that take the same medication, they are very large pills. Will I be able to swallow them after the surgery. My surgery is scheduled for Aug 27th. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Jeez...this pre-op weight loss is hard! I'm on 800 calories a day. Found myself feeling exhausted and upped my caloric intake to 1000/day. Doing 30 minutes of walking on 610 calories does not work for me. Can anyone say, "Abandon ship! Darragha's going down!" Today I ate some chicken for lunch snip snap snop. It was gone. Did I chew? I don't think so. Did I even notice or enjoy the food as it went from plate to gob? Nope. I am more full right now than I have felt in over 2 weeks because I snarfed my food! At least it was lean chicken and not a vat of pasta--but I snarfed my food! I'm supposed to be working on NOT blinding shoveling and performing serious snarfage ritu…

I had to go off my birthcontrol for the surgery and my period of course started today and my surgery is just on thursday just 2 days away. SO ill definatly still be bleeding then... Do they let you wear underwear in surgery??? What do I do???

I am scheduled for the 31st and was supposed to lose 10 pounds. Instead I am quickly gaining it!!! Agh!!! I can't seem to get it together. Any advice?

I was wondering how long it took for the discomfort around the port area to go away. I am also feeling a pain now and then like a stitch pulling inside when I turn certain ways. I was wondering if this is normal. This is the only time ever that I wished I didnt have breasts, between my bra rubbing and them "resting" on delicate areas without the bra.