PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

ive been banded 18 months my band has always been tighasht and it never had any more than 2 mls in it ,and yes i did lose the weight but recently a doctor discovered my band is to high and my astrophogus has been stretched because thats were the food was going ive now been advised to have the band removed and im not happy i dont know if i can keep the weight of without my band has anyone had this problem:help:

Hi: I keep seeing references to pf, what is this? Thanks. Marcy

I've been reading posts all over this website and others and I've come to the conclusion that I'm a failure. I have only lost 15 lbs since I was banded. I lost 5 lbs with my pre-op diet I've gotten to the point that I'm not really measuring my food and I know that is a big no no. I'm not eating nearly the amount I was before surgery but the big thing is our lifestyle.. we eat out at least 1 meal a day. I do not drink any calories as recommended by my doctor..I have absolutely no restriction but I do get my 1st fill tomorrow and I hope it will give some restriction. I try to only eat 3 meals a day and I walk 2 miles every other day but still no real weight loss. My ques…

Hey evryone I am getting my band Sept 1st (selfpay) by Dr. Kuri in Mexico I was wondering if I will be able to have scrambled eggs for breakfast:hungry: because I love them:whoo: and when I eat them I dont get hungry till lunch now so after the band it should last longer. And I also want to know if you can still drink beer everyonce in a while? Thanks

I was banded yesterday morning! I spent the night at the hospital and came home today. I'm having a great recovery so far with just a little soreness. I'm so excited to embark on this new life with my new lap band! I just wanted to thank the forum and everyone for helping me get prepared for my big day and helping me through this new experience. :clap2:

At my 2 week post op check up, the Dr said he would see me in 6 weeks and likely get my first fill. I asked if this is an automatic thing and if not what determines if I get a fill or not. He said about 75% of patients get their first fill about 8 weeks post op. However he said if weight loss continues to be OK then he might consider not filling at all. By the way since I began this "journey" in June I have lost 42 lbs; 20 lbs in the 2 weeks post op. When did you get your first fill?:ranger:

I was banded yesturday, my doctor was very excited when he came in and advised me his "new" bands had come in on ?Monday and i would be one of the 1st patients to get it?!? I havent heard of it he called it the AP (advanced performance) band...doen anyone know anything about this? and i know i will ask my doctor, but on post op diet are we supposed to be drinking the high protein shakes? someone told me i could put a little shake in my coffee ?:ranger:

Hi ya'll, I'm new to all of this. Once you have the band in, can you drink soda? I love my diet coke!! Thanks, Kathy

I am coming up on a month since banding and ready to graduate from the liquids only phase to my mushy solid foods stage. I have a list of recommended foods from the nutritionist, but was wondering what other lapbanders (is that what we are now?) ate when you transitioned? Just a hint of how I may go. I have been craving egg salad finely chopped with low fat mayo. Do I dare try it with crackers or just stick with it plain?

I had my surgery yesterday.......I'm home recovering today.....all went well and I'm feeling very good..........

Greetings everyone from Western NC. Been lurking around the boards for a little bit and I was just wondering (or haven't looked hard enough) what I should expect at the history and physical exam. All I know is that I am pre-approved for surgery and I should leave this visit with a date for surgery. Thats really all they told me when she scheduled my visit next week? Just curious about questions and tests if any that I should know about. T I A Have a great day!

What I am about to tell you guys is the absolute truth... Once upon a time before I was approved for a lapband I was a fairly conservative consumer of food. I usually ate until I was full; the problem was I was hungry often. (The hungry part is how I gained the weight.) Since getting the news that I am getting the lapband I am over eating. I can`t get enough food. Even when I am full I can`t stop eating; my tummy is yelling at me to stop, but I keep shoveling it in. Last night I wasn`t even hungry and I got out a super-sized bag of peanut M&M`s and cookies and proceeded to binge on them, and I NEVER would have done that in the past. I think I am going insane....Can a…

I am 99% sure I have a hiatal hernia. I have never actually been diagnosed because there comes a point when you are big when you get tired of hearing that the pains you are feeling are simply because of your size. The pain, for me, is occasional, usually when I am in some sort of crunched stomach position, like getting up from a chair or doing a sit up (LOL right, like I've done a sit up lately). Anyway, it feels like something just under my rib cage rolls out of place and it hurts like the dickens for a few seconds and the only way to make it stop is to try and relax and straighten up and whatever is "misplaced" (my upper stomach?) seems to slide back where it belongs…

:help: Aloha My Dr. said that my band is a 7.5 cc VG band. But I see other people talking about there band being 10 cc VG band. Has any one heard of a 7.5 cc VG Band? Looking forward to getting you feed back Aloha BWD

This has been such a long journey, finally I will be on the band-wagon, I can hardly wait, I have heard and seen so many good things from having the surgery, I too am tired of being the fat person at get togethers with friends, My surgery date is set for 8-7-07,wish me luck my surgeon is Dr. Richard Carter in Arlington, Texas and will be at USMD Hospital, any tips and advice will be greatly appreicated, Michelle Holmes <newbie>

Hi all: I have heard that it is important to be hydrated because there can be complications with the surgery if you are dehydrated on that date. Does anyone know anything about this?

I just had my first fill still dont feel that restricted. I dont wanna feel like i cant eat anything but i should feel a little more restricted. How many fills did it take to get you guys really restricted?:hungry:

I was just wondering if there are any bandsters out there who have had the band for a year or more and have found themselves gaining weight for any reason. I know that if you do everything the surgeon advises and have proper follow up care (AND FILLS!) then things should fall into place. However, I also know that sometimes this just doesn't happen. :rolleyes

Geez I hope they don't think I'm too crazy to get this proceedure~! :rolleyes Can anyone tell me if they ask any of those trick questions like "Why should people in glass houses not throw stones"? I hope they don't make me feel like a "caveman!" I am curilous to see how they handle this. I am guessing they ask questions as to how realistic our expectations are about this proceedure. I feel at this point I don't have too many anymore. Any weight loss and no more gaining would make me very happy!

I went today for my psych eval, my stress test, and my nutrition eval. I took the day off from work because the stress test had to be done in the morning according to the center. So I get there and they make me wait an hour and then they call me to the window to tell me that someone made a mistake when scheduling me!!! They said that I needed to make an appointment with a Cardiologist outside of the center. So they wasted my time. On the brightside, when I figured out that I needed the day off for the stress test, I scheduled the psych and nutrition appts so I got those out of the way. AND, I found out late last week that the COMPANY that I work for (not the insurance) r…

<p>Does anyone else have a codeine sensitivity? Did you get another kind of painkiller after surgery and if so, what kind?</p>

Just wondering.... if you change your mind before the surgery, do they have to give you your money back? I know some is a non-refundable deposit (here in Canada at least) but I was wondering if they have to give you back the rest? Does anyone know?

Has anyone had thier gall bladder taken out at the same time thier lap was done? If so, what was your recovery time and were there any complications?

Hi Everyone, I'm a new bander, just banded July 21. Today (which is 5 days post-op I feel WIERD......is this what restriction is: -feeling like I have to sit straight up (when I slouch it feels like I ate too much) and I only have had small amounts of liquid today. -feels like when I would eat too much before being banded -feels like I have to burp -feels like if I did try to eat dinner (liquids) I couldn't -I guess I feel full, but really have not had much! So Expert banders what is restriction supposed to feel like....the above???:confused: and when should "restriction" after you eat (liquids) get back to normal "restriction" so that you can eat your …

Well, I just heard from my insurance company and they approved me!!!!!!!!!!!! They didn't have my stuff for even a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I met with the surgeon next week!!!!!!!! :whoo::clap2::bounce::bounce::wow2:

Hi All, I am new to this forum and have just started the preliminary steps to getting banded. My insurance WILL cover the surgery (yeah!!) and I am going to the information seminar on Friday. Has anyone on this Forum had their surgery done at Duke University Hospital? I did a search and didn't come up with anyone, but I maybe didn't look hard enough! Thank youuuuuuuuuuuu!! :nervous

still on optifast and i have lost 8lb i still have 5 days before surgery but should i be losing more? i go walking every day i do 4k and sometimes 8k im trying really hard not to cheat.

So i'm 7 days post-op - and i am getting so bored in the "full-liquid" stage of my diet. Dr said i could eat clear broth soup, cream soup, jello, popsicles,pudding, milk, farina, fruit/vegetable juice. That's about it. Anything else you guys ate during this stage of diet?? I miss moving my teeth in an up an downward movement. I think it was called chewing???

HI! :nervous I had my surgery on 7-24-07- 6days ago. I am absolutely miserable. My whole stomach is so swollen like a beach ball,very painfull and uncomfortable- im so nausiated i cnat handle this clear liquid diet. I dont know what to do. the doc just says stick with it but i feel so week and tired -- any advise????????????:help:

Hi Everyone... Another question for the experts:), When does the port pain end? I have had surgery 5 days ago and I still feel pretty good port pain.... -hard to roll over, stay on side, either side -area feels tender sort of swollen Am I jumping the gun thinking I should be Super Woman on healing or what??:confused: Thanks again!!

hey i was jus wonder what everyone took as a daily multivitamin which contains b-12???:help:

All, how are you getting the necessary Water intake during the day? I sip from the moment I wake up, until I go to bed and I'm still not getting no where near 60 oz!!! And when I do drink too much, of course I get that awful pressure in the middle of my chest and shoulder/back pain. Can you help??

A few months ago I posted a thread concerning my sleep study. I did both of them and have just gone for a follow-up last week. I won't even go into how ticked off I got for having to wait 2 hours only to find out they didn't have any of my readings. What I did want to say is that when she did finally look them over she called to tell me that although my apnea was considered "moderate servere" she did not feel like I needed to use the CPAP machine. She said my weight loss has been extremely good and at the rate I was going she didn't feel like they could keep the pressures adjusted since part of its based on weight. She basically wants me to keep her posted on my weig…

I have read some posts on this website about surgeons who tried to "pressure" patients into having the Gastric Bypass procedure rather than the lap band. In my case, I have to have the lap band, because I am a self pay and just cannot afford the gastric. I just want to know what I might be in for when I meet the surgeon.:omg:

:confused:A question for those of us that have made it past "the day"! I will have my surgery on a Thursday, and my boss is leaving Friday for a week long vacation and I'm housesitting for him. He doesn't know im having any surgery. His animals are old and won't jump on me or anything.... It's an easy job, Ive done it a zillion times and it pays well! My question is.......am I going to need someone with me? How soon can I drive after surgery? I was counting on my younger sibling to stay with me and help me, but his job is sending him out of town last minute durning that time! My mom was my other back up, but she has had some recent health problems and isn't driving…

Grant it I am just 2 days post op and am just taking liquids but I have yet to have the first bout of nausea or pain at all (except for some discomfort with gas). Every liquid I have tried has went down well and without problem. So does the "getting to know your band" period only start when you begin taking in solids?

If your not losing weight fast on optisfast , does that mean your going to be a slow loser with the band?. I see some people who lose 20lb on optifast, just curious. thanks

I was banded on 7/25 and e'thing went very well. But post-op, I discovered a blood vessel that burst in my right eye. I called the nurse and then she called anesthesia. A nurse anesthetist came up to look at me. He thinks it may have come from the change in blood pressure from the anesthesia. Anyone else have this problem? And if so, how long did it take for it to go away? Mine is pretty big and very, very obvious. My vision isn't affected, but it looks horrible. Sometimes I feel a bit of pressure on that side of my head/eye and a slight headache. If it doesn't clear up soon, I'm gonna call my doc again about it. (He's already aware and said that it's normal.)

Did any of your doctors put a mesh lining around the port to prevent it from moving?

My husband made me a sturfry, and i cant eat it I'm sick and tired of veggies I just want to go and trow up:faint:Im going to stick with optifast tonight.

I had my surgery yesterday, so I am officially banded :clap2:. I've had my fair share of pain, but still left the hospital yesterday afternoon after a few doses of IV pain meds. Today I've been really sore, but of course I expected that. I wanted to make sure that this gurgling/sensation that I need to burp is normal, though. I don't feel like I'm going to throw up and nothing ever comes up but air, but it worries me. I'm just scared there's too much action going on down there and it's going to affect my band. I feel like it's me trying to get out all the laparoscopic gas, but it's such a strange sensation that I figured it warranted asking the pros on here. It's just kin…

There is a new Lap band in town people I was told about this earlier today while at the clinic, it is supposed to be a lot better that the ones that are out there. It is called the AP Lap band I just looked it up go to I just typed in AP LapBand and let the computer do the rest, it sounds very promising for us future bandsters my Dr. will be using this on me and his other patients.:clap2: my ticker does not work now what do I do?:help:

up until two days ago i thought that i had only one choice of who would be doing my surgery. there is a new doctor coming to Bangor,Me starting in august. i dont have any info on him yet but i heard that he does the lap band also and is good. i.ve heard good things about michelle toder the first doctor but have also heard that she is hard to get along with. i need to find out more about the new doctor before i make any decisions but i am worried about which one is the better doctor and who will be a better choice for me for the sugery and after.

I am having trouble quiting smoking, but I let the doctor know that I have been smoking a little bit, and she told me that it was important to quit for post op. I am wondering if anyone smoked the day or days before their surgery? I know it's bad for me, but I think I have to give up one thing at a time. HELP!!

So I was diagnosed with sleep Apnea several weeks ago and have since started using a CPAP machine, I have the mask that just covers my nose and I find that I get a lot of air swallowed each night, so in turn I burp a lot in the morning. I have not been banded yet, so I am wondering does anyone else out there who is banded and has sleep apnea have this problem or think this is going to be a problem for me? Any info is appreciated.

My band hates everything except Soup...maybe I am too tight, I dont know..but the only other thing that hasnt come up is salad... Any suggestions? So far I've tried broccoli, chicken, corn, tuna...oh, and bread...that def was a killer... None of these things went through... What do you veterans suggest? I had my 1st fill on Monday...

1st fill a few days ago..and still playing the get to know you game with my band...seems that after I eat anything besides Soup, i get real lightheaded, get that salivary taste in my mouth, then off to visit the toilet.. Anyone else get those feelings??

7 weeks after surgery have been walking 30 minutes 4 to 5 times a week. Planning on joining a gym with a personal trainer. Has anyone done weight training and found success with it? I have an option to work out 2 or 3 times a week. Don't know which to pick.

so did anyone cheat on the diet before surgery and what did you have?

Steak, I love you, you been good to me, I'm gonna miss you!!! I have my surgery next week on the 31st. I'm excited, nervous, scared and everything in between. I've been noticing that I've begun to talk to my food. I go to eat a sanwich and I tell it I love it, I'll miss it and then I tell it goodbye. I'm crazy! I never knew how much food ruled my life. I can't wait to be able to control my hunger and feel full for once! :clap2: Tomorrow, I'm going to have my last steak dinner at my favorite restaurant, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I'm going to tell my filet that I love it and then tell it goodbye!