PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Well, it's done. I paid the 1000. deposit to secure my surgery date at the Healthier Weight Centre in Manchester (UK). I'm all set for August 25th with Dr Franco Favretti. I am excited and scared to death too. I have researched this for over 3 years and finally decided a year ago I really needed to do something. It's so easy to put things off and wait for the perfect time but the truth is there is NO perfect time. There will always be work and family stresses. Every day that I wake up feeling utterly grim and unable to function normally is a day lost. Even now I spoke to Judith at the centre saying that now that I've committed to this suddenly I want to sit in a troug…

hi I have not had my fill yet and my surgeon has said to do it when i return for holiday 18th August. I was 1 month post op yesterday and slowly over the last week or so have been starting sold's I can eat anything and for luch can easily eat 2 small rolls, I do feel full after but is this too much? is this right? I am so scared I have streched my stomach. How was everyone else before their fill? I am just scared my whole op and everything was a walk in the park and so far I have lost 2 stone (28lbs) it all seems to easy so far. Am I being stupid?:cry

I know this may sound strange but when I drink my protien shakes my teeth hurt. I do not have sensative teeth and nothing ever hurts them. Or maybe its ALL IN MY HEAD. Anyone have any ideas. :eek: Thanks,

Sheeez, what a day it was yesterday. I made the down payment for my surgery via credit card. About an hour later the lady at the doc's office calls me back at my office to tell it'd been declined. I was stunned because I knew darn well the balance was way below the limit. Sooooo, I get off the phone with her and about 10 mins later mh dh (who is also my boss) comes upstairs to my office to tell that Morgan Stanley just called him to get his PERMISSION to put the charge through. The f*****s informed on me!!! Then they proceeded to clear the charges I'd made this week with him too. Like it's just some big freakin secret when I spend £6.00 on amazon. So I had to call the o…

Yup......only four more to go......send me good energy please!

2 1/2 WEEKS POST-OP AND DOING GREAT! BUT HAD A QUESTION ON SCRIPTS... MY DOC. STOPPED ALL MEDS AFTER SURGERY. AND I WAS TAKING 4 DIFFERE NT ONES. HAS ANYONE DONE THIS OR HAS NOBODY HAD TO DO THIS. I SEE THE DOC. THE 31ST FOR MY 3WEEK CHECK-UP. LET ME HEAR FROM YA' :car:

Hello - this is my first post. I am scheduled to have my surgery on December 6th and I am so excited. My friend just had her surgery on Wednesday. She is really sick with diarrhea and can only eat Jello. Has this happen to any of you? Do you have any suggestions that I can give her? Thanks - I'm looking forward to learning from all of you! Patricia

HELLO ALL, I WAS BANDED ON 6/21/07 SO FAR I'VE LOST 29 POUNDS, I JUST GOT A FILL ON MONDAY 7/23/07 - MY FIRST FILL. I HAVE A 5 CC BAND AND MY DOCTOR PUT 1.5 CC FILL IN FOR MY FIRST FILL. SINCE THEN HE TOLD ME TO STAY A FULL LIQUID DIET FOR 3 DAYS THEN START THE SOFT FOOD. I'VE BEEN DOING THAT BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE ACCUMALATED GAS. IT FEEL LIKE WHEN I GOT MY SURGERY THE PAIN IS IN THE LEFT SHOULDER AND I'M CONSTANTLY BURPING A LOT. I CALLED MY DOCTOR AND THE NURSE TOLD ME TO DRINK BROTH AND TAKE TUMS. I FEEL RESTRICTED WHEN I DRINK WATER BUT NOT MY PROTEIN DRINK. IS THAT COMMON TO HAVE GAS AND BURPING ALL DAY!:confused::grouphug:

I have heard from some that not everyone needs to spend the night in the hospital. How many of you had to spend the night?

I am new here. I was banded 1 week ago on 7-18-07 and have had severe left shoulder pain ever since. I will wake up and there is no pain and 2 hours later it starts and by 3-4pm I'm at a 8-9 out of 10 on a pain scale. All I can do is drink this Lortab and it doesn't really help the pain. No one ever mentioned this to me as a possible side effect. What is causing this? Also I've had esophageal pain and had an upper GI test yesterday. The X-ray MD said it appears that the band is too high and that there is NO pouch. She did not say if it was on my esophagous or not. My surgeon's office has not called me with the results yet and I have called and left messages. I'm so fr…

I know I'm probably just being INCREDIBLY paranoid, but I would rather get the consensus of more experienced lapbanders (ps, LOVE YOU ALL FOR YOUR ADVICE, INSIGHTS, HUMOUR AND RECIPES!:clap2:) I was banded early Monday morning, ridiculous amounts of pain- I do so much Nia and Yoga that my core muscles were 'the strongest' my surgeon had ever encountered and ended up with a seven, instead of three inch incision...:sick I'm finally starting to feel better though, being very babied by my nearest and dearest. I followed my doctor's orders to the T, first day, nothing but sips of Water. Second day, Clear liquids, third days back to Optifast. Only I cannot STAND anoth…

New to the board and have found tons of great info, thanks to everyone who posts here. I have been diag'd w/ a fatty live, does this generally exclude a person from this banding proceedure? I know it more than likely a "DR" decision, however the combined knowledge of this board surley has the answers I seek. Thanks

I will be seeing my doctor tomarrow for my first post-op visit. I'm a bit pivved at him over my surgery time and wonder if I should say something to him or just let it go. I was told to arrive at the hospital at 10:30am so best estimate to my family and friends was that I'd be out of surgery by 2:00 or 3:00. I was not planning on staying the night so I figured I be home early in the evening. As it turned out the nurse told me that my doctor does not like to wait on patients so he has everyone arrive in the morning, the nurses have to prep them then we just wait like cattle. So I arrive at 10:30 and they put an IV in then I had to lay on my back til 5:00pm for my surgery. …

Ok so I am 1 day post-op and really uncomfortable but everything that happens (grumbling in stomach, pinching feelings, tightness in chest) makes me think there is something wrong. I have been eating Sugar free popsicles, broth, so forth but will those liquids make me feel full, because I am afraid to keep drinking thinking the liquid is gonna fill up my pouch..have any one ya'll worried about these things or am I just nuts?

Well the good news is that I am going to get a lapband:clap2: The weird thing is that the doctor was very doubtful that I would loss weight. He suggested that most patients only lose about 20 - 50 pounds and that most people get frustrated and give up. He suggested gastric bypass. I need to lose about 120 pounds and I feel discouraged. I am a self pay and I don't want to pay thousands of dollars to lose 20 pounds. He also said that there is a high percentage of "failure" with the band. I want to stay positive, but I hate to say this but I am having a bit of a case of "second thoughts". Can anyone share some of their personal experience with me, and give me first hand adv…

Hey Ya'll it's been awhile since I was one here I got alittle discurged with the whole pre-surgical stuff you have to do but I'm finally done. My surgery is scheduled for 07/23 and I'm starting to get alittle nervous. The biggest things are if you be succcseful at it. I have my whole family behind me and I don't want to let them down. I know I can do this but I'm just scared. I have been heavy all my life and I'm (this might sound funny) scared to see how I will look thin and how people treat me LOL. I'm really excited about being more healthy but that is the one main thing that scares me. Has anyone else felt like this? If so how did you handle it? God Bless Bill:whoo…

I'm considering banding and have tried eating the lap-band way and never realized what big bites I take, how little I chew, and how mindless my eating is! Does this new way of eating ever become habit so that you don't have to totally concentrate on every bite?

Hello... Just got back from my second fill (surgery 6/7 first fill 2/9) I get my fills under fluoroscopy. Initial fill was 3.8 had restriction for about 3 days. I noticed i could eat more then i should be able to bumped appt from 8/9 to today. nurse says I am missing 1.5 cc and that i might have leak. :omg: She told me to call them in a few days if i dont feel restricted when eating. She says repair is not as bad as original surgery. Anyone going or have gone through this? I am bummed anyone have stats on prevalence of leak I have a AP small.

Does anyone know why the liver has to shrink prior to surgery? What complications can you have as a result of the liver not shrinking?

I just had a baby 3 months ago and also had my banded tightened 2 months ago. I have a soreness and building pressure in my upper part of my stomach. Not sure if it's my actual stomach or my belly. Since it has been so long since I had my band tightened not sure if it is the socalled "gas" or air that you have in your stomach or something that is going on bc I had a baby. I called my dr. and he didnt really give me an exact answer. Can anyone describe what kind of pains you get from the air in your stomach with the band tightened? I remember them telling me to take those chewable gas X pills after I first had the suregery.:help:

Ok I am not a big YouTube fan but my son was on there so I got curious and typed in Lap Band.. wow there are lots of videos on there. Not all are positive but there are some short ones to watch that show a fill being done and even some partial surgeries... very intresting!

Hey bandsters, I am a teacher and I'm concerned about returning to work after surgery. Unlike most business folks I can't go to the restroom whenever I need to I have to wait until class is over. How have you handled returning to work, what about the PBs? I just getting nervous since this actually seems to be getting ready to happen. :help:

Hey all, Just wondering, how much does age affect weight loss? All I have heard is that a 19 year-old male (like me) will lose more weight usually than a 50 year-old male. Can anyone add on to that? Thanks Tim

I am so confused. I feel like I have to literally "pull teeth" to get answers from the Dr.'s office. I went on Friday to get some Protein supplement for the 2-week pre-op diet. I am scheduled for 7/26 so I will start this diet on Wed. 7/11. What am I supposed to/not supposed to eat during this two weeks? I'm really stressing over this. I met a very nice patient of Dr. Collier's in the waiting room on Fri. and she recommended a book, which I have ordered and will be here on Tuesday. She said it will be like my "bible" during this period of pre and post-op. Can any one give me a sample menu for a day of pre-op dieting? Thanks in advance for any advice.

:phanvanMy surgeon only prescribed me 1 does of hydrocodene w/ no refills, which barely does anything for me. I have been trying to conserve it the past few days- but the pain whenever i get up is so intense. It's been 5 day and the pain has not decreased at all?!?!?! Is this normal to feel this much pain still? What did u guys take for pain? I think i need to call the DOC tommorow and tell him i need something stronger. They said to switch to liquis tylenol when i run out of the hydrocedene - but i cant see how that will work at all???

As I look forward to moving on to solid food, one question pops up....How big of a bite do you take? I know you have to chew, chew, chew.....but how big should the bite be to begin with. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question...but I really am curious. Thanks!

What do you suggest taking to the hospital? What kind of clothing for post op?

:clap2:.....of my 10 day pre-op fast (ish).....I'm allowed protein shakes, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, chicken broth everyday and on every second day I'm allowed all that plus a small plain chicken breast and spinach salad with balsamic vinegrette.......I'm actually not feeling that hungry as I have a cup of protein shake when I do feel hungry....BUT....I'm getting terrible headaches.......I don't know if it's from the low calories or not?........I'll keep at it....... only 8 days 'til the "band".........

I want to purchase a scale before my surgery, but sadly I need one that will read over 300 pounds. Does anyone have a brand that they particularly like?? Thank you for your help!

So I've been on the pre-op diet since July 9, with one MAJOR cheat... and I've lost 24 pounds. That does NOT seem okay. I mean, I've been battling the demon known as Optifast, and most days, I only get down one. But STILL, 24 pounds in 10 days seems a little... excessive. The patient co-ordinator said I was fine; that it's probably because I'm young (22) and very active (I do cardio at LEAST 10 hours a week- not even the skinny girls I know can keep up with me:biggrin1:). But I'm still worried. I never thought I would be stressing about LOSING weight. Maybe I just like to worry. Anyone else experience the same thing?

I am three days post-op and have always been "regular," but have not had a BM since surgery. When should I start to worry? What should I do if I "can't go"? TenGal:help:

I have my psych evaluation next monday in Tampa, FL with Dr. Dsurney. It's strange, but out of everything I need to do pre-op, this is the only thing thats making me rather nervous. The receptionist said to expect to be there for about 2 hours. What in the world am I going to be doing for 2 hours? Any idea what I should expect? Has anyone seen this guy specifically? I realize they want to be sure I know what I'm getting myself into, that I'm not being pushed and that I have a good support system. Additionally they'll want to be sure I'm doing this for the right reasons and that I'm not surgery-happy or drug seeking or something ..I understand that.. but how indepth are …

Hi all, I am struggling with the fact that I have twice contacted my clinic to ask about what guarantee I will have - in writing - as to what is covered by the 16K I am spending. I was told it would be faxed to me. Instead, I recieved a one page consent that didn't specify anything that was included. I know the website states that lifetime fills are covered, and the nurse told me that removal would be covered, but shouldn't I expect to have this in writing BEFORE I send in my final payment? The nurse told me what was covered, but 4 years from now I don't want to be arguing with someone on the phone about something a nurse told me years before. I am not a stupid woman, …

I am scheduled to have my Lap-Band surgery 08/29/07, however I have to have a blood filter installed on 08/20/07. To be honest the filter installation scares me more than the actual surgery. I am freaked out about someone messing around with my arteries! Do I really have anything to be worried about?

Hi there, I see a lot of discussion about plastic surgery (lifts etc) after surgery and I am just wondering if that is a given? Does everyone need plastic surgery to deal with loose skin, or does it vary from person to person? I assume I will always have stretch marks, but I guess I just thought that since many women have children and their skin goes back to normal, I had hoped losing weight could potentially be the same. What are people's thoughts/experiences on this issue? Thanks!

I was able to eat mushy food for lunch today like my DR said but when I tried to eat my mushy dinner just the smell of food alone made my stomach hurt. I decided to just drink some water and go to bed. I think that I will just try my soup in a can tomorrow. Any suggestions you have will be appreciated.

:help:After I eat a bite or two of well chewed, moist, solid food I get this feeling of this is just not gonna go down and I have to go and cough it up. I can eat soft foods fine and sometimes solids but most of the time not. I don't have any trouble with liquids. Having this problem is very frustrating. I get agrevated because I can't eat and end up eating something that is soft and high in sugar or calories instead of protein. I think this is why I haven't lost as much because I can't get in my protein, not to mention I am so tired all the time I don't want to exercise. I know this is not a restriction issue because the food is not getting down far enough and I is…

I am so happy I decided to have the lap band surgery. I cant remember the last time I lost that much weight on any diet. I am feeling so great, and looking much better. I have so much energy and desire to lose weight. I am worried about my loose skin, I have heard lots of exercise should help the skin tighten up. I need help with any suggestions of the best type of exercise to do. 10 weeks since surgery and down 60.5 pds YIPPIE I started at 325. Thanks Lost_secret

Hi - can anyone tell me exactly what you can have right after the lap band surgery? i know there is a liquid you have to follow for a couple of weeks, right? What exactly can you have for this liquid diet? Thanks

I am having the band Aug 15. I am also having hand surgery Aug. 9. I have discussed both surgeries with the HR dept. and have permission to take the time off. The problem is telling my boss. She is a very negative person and gets very very upset when I am not here. I have skirted around the subject of getting my hand fixed and she got pissed. I do not plan to tell anyone here about the lap band (other than the HR lady). They are not supportive. I plan to use the hand surgery as an excuse to be gone. I don't know what I want you all to say, I guess I just needed to tell someone. She is in such a bad mood today I just do not know when a good time would be. She ha…

I'm having trouble opdating my tickerfactory signature any sugestion anyone

Hi all, I am in Clackamas, OR and had my surgery on 6/26/07 w/ Dr. Neil in Olympia, WA. I was wondering if anyone knows of or would be interested in putting together a local group to get together for moral support, ideas, whatever? I have heard that people who are part of a support group have the greatest chance of sucess! And believe me, I really want to make it work! my email is cquirino@yahoo.com, please let me know if your interested! Thanks, Chris

Can a milk shake count as part of a liquid diet?

ultrasound? i've already seen my pcp and my ekg and echo are scheduled for august 23rd, my sleep apena study is this thursday and my cbc-tsh is ausgust 16th..i'm one of those people that wants to schedule all of my own appointments instead of WAITING for the nurse to do it, b/c sometime they are rather slow beings with all of the work they have to do with other patients that are just as important as me and i know this, so i like doing some things on my own.. just out of curoisity what doctor performs that test? oh and i also need a VENOUS DUPLEX, thats another doctor i suppose... and o already scheduled my own diet course that the suregon wants all his patients to att…

I have seen this referenced several times on this board- i.e; people excited about getting their 1st fill. Please explain? Thanks Brad

I know from reading some posts that I should have chapstick, book or magazine to read, pillow for car to pad the seatbelt. I have already purchased Gas-X strips. What other suggestions do you have? I will be in the hospital over night. Thanks

:help: I am 4 days post-op and still on Clear liquids (for 3 more days). Every morning I awaken with terrible nausea and with a horrible taste in my mouth. The bad taste I can deal with, but the nausea is too much! Does anyone have a clue as to why this nausea is occurring? Will it ever go away? I have suppositories for nausea, prescribed for me before the surgery, but I haven't used them yet. I also hate to start out the morning on suppositories. Should I go ahead? Thanks, TenGal

I was banded on 7/18/07 and I was informed by my doctor that no insurance company will pay for the first fill before 3 months from the operation. Is this true? Have most of you had to wait 3 months for your first fill? Thank you, I look forward to being a member of this community. Bruce

I had to be on antibiotics which has been hard on my tummy with no food so maybe thaTS part of the prob along with dirinking to fast But besides feeling as though I am healing great I got very nauseaus and woozy this morning so off to the ER as doc's orders all test came back ok but now I am afraid to drink anything How fast should I be sipping?:car:

I was thinking about ordering some more and maybe drinking one or two a day after my surgery would that help me lose more weight? after your back to solid food. I was thinking about ordering some myoplex but optifast is just as good.