PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Oh my gosh I cant for the life of me figure out what I did on the 19th!!! Why am I such a weak person to have to have something put in my body THAT I CANT TAKE OUT!!! I am freaking out hourly crying and bawling and I cant control it. I know the lack of sleep does not help but COME ON!!! Surgery went fine and I really had no pain that was higher than an 8 on the pain scale but it wasnt even my stomach that hurt it was my back!!! I was nauseated ALOT and several times spit out my spit in order to try to control the feeling. My oxygen levels went really low when I went for walks so I had to stay the night. Which was fine with me. The gas pain is bad at times and just…

I have a question concerning how do you feel in between finding your sweet spot (I think thats the term) and being too tight. I see post where people talk about being too tight and having to get unfilled. If you are too tight and cant eat or drink, are you hungry? Is that the reason for being unfilled? My thought is this and please let me know if Im wrong, I would love to be so tight that I cant hardly eat anything. This way I would not beable to get down things that I shouldnt. But on the other hand if Im too tight and still hungry that would be a problem. I know you have to get in enough food to get all of your nutrients and things, but couldnt you just take a muti vita…

my insurance will not cover lap band for anyone over 50 bmi but will cover me for the bypass - I need to lose 43 pounds to go below 50 bmi - next hurdle is that my insurance may change in July so I really only have about 6 weeks to lose 43 pounds and still have time for surgery - anyone have advice - is this doable????

Has anyone tried going "Vegan"?. this is the term used for vegetarian diet. I try it for a week and gained 4 ponds ! Crazy..! Has anyone else try this. it is basically no meat and lots of grain, fruits and vegetable. It's not hard to do , but it is not being effective for me ...Hum.......B4U

Hey all, I'm nearly three months out, and I've been rather lucky - I think - with my port. I had pain the first few weeks, but now I can comfortably sleep on my left side, etc. However, every now and again, I feel sort of a 'click' in my port location. Not quite a click, but a 'feeing', sort of a pressure, or even a tug of my muscle. It's so hard to explain. In a way, it's my port reminding me 'Hey…I'm in here!'. By no means is it painful. Somedays I seem to feel it much more often, a few times a day. Sometimes I go days without feeling it. Can anyone else relate?

So, here I am, three weeks out from surgery. I start my liquid diet a week from today, still no problem. My boss calls me today and tells me I have to be in Las Vegas for three days, the week before my surgery. I explain to her that I have a pre-operative class and a pre-operative appointment that week, and I'm told that I have to move them. On top of that, I'll be into week two of a liquid diet.. and not just liquids, but protien shakes, Water, broth only. How the HELL am I going to do that? I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to discreetly be able to mix shakes when I'm tied up in meetings all freakin' day! Any suggestions? Someone know of a travel blender wort…

Hey guys I keep reading people taling about sliming ( I think it is slime ing) What is that? I tried to do a search but i'm new to the boards and I don't really know my way around. Please tell me what that is?

I have finally been approved for the surgery. I'm a little nervous because i don't want to be a failure and not lose the weight that i need to reach my goal.Please someone give me some encouragement i really need it :phanvan

Does anyone know about the use of charcoal capsules to relieve gas? A friend shared that they are very effective and natural opposed to using gas-x or other products?

Has anyone had hives after having lab band...I broke out into hive 1.5 weeks after my surgery. I was outside in the yard when I first started feeling them. Thought I got into something, and waited one week then went to dr. was put on prednisone and they lightened but came back full swing after I finished taking med. I also have tried to adjust my bp meds as instructed by dr. but no luck....I just started on zyrtec to try and relieve some of this redness and itching, but I don't know what I'm allergic to....I pray its not the band, but I havent seen any documentation anywhere that it can cause hives.....but I'm miserable ithching HIVES to legs, back, sides, stomach. PLEAS…

eating boullion AGAIN... is this normal to "eat" all the time the first week. I am getting in boullion, water, sf popsicles and sf jello. I feel like I am doing it ALL the time!!! Not that I am worried about weight gain, just wondering if anyone else "ate" all the time the week after surgery. I know I am suppose to be getting my water in and I have been so far. :clap2:

I am 12 weeks post-op today and I am not losing! I can't eat that much food, I exercise 3-4 times a week, I TRY to drink 64 oz of water. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I have lost only 26lbs since my surgery(46 total sice pre-op diet). Maybe I am expecting too much too soon. I don't want to feel that I wasted my money (self pay), and I know that it just takes time, but I just feel discouraged! Maybe I am eating the wrong foods....What are the right foods??? Any encouragement or advice would be aprreciated!:help: :think

The Doctor put me on a low carb pre op diet, it is supposed to shrink my liver to make it easier to band me. They said if it doesnt shrink they would have to cut me open to put the band on rather than doing it laproscopitly (sp?) has any one had to be cut rather than the "lapro" way? I have to admit, I do surgery 04-26-07 and havnt stuck to my diet at all. is it too late to try now? or does it really matter?

I am considering getting the band. I've seen references to slippage and people having to have their bands removed. How often do slippages occur? Erosion also sounds scary. Is erosion common? I must take ibuprofen for arthritis and back pain. Will I be able to take ibuprofen after surgery? For reasons I won't mention, I must also take Metamucil daily. Will I be able to take Metamucil after surgery? When I can once again eat solid food, what can I expect? Are certain foods bad to eat? Is it true my portion will fit into a shot glass? Is it true that you can swallow air with your food and experience horrible pain and nausea? CatherineA:confused:

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I'm scheduled for banding on May 14th. During my initial meeting with the dietitian, she told me to begin a 1200 calorie diet for the 3-4 weeks prior to surgery. (only liquids the 5 days immediately before surgery) I did OK during the first week when I just had to eat 3 meals, small portions, extra chewing, and no liquids with meals. But as soon as I was supposed to drop to 1200 cals, I felt ravenous and unable to stick to it! I'm kind of panicking because if I can't do this for a few weeks, how will I be able to eat the right stuff after being banded?? I'm not worried about the healing period, because I really believe the fear of messing up the band will keep me in line…

I saw something on the internet that showed after you have your band for so long then the stomach heals up over it and it showed a picture that you couldnt even tell where the band was it was covered with scare tissue...THAT scared me into thinking that it would be very hard for the doctor to get it out it that were the case.....I realize that they can get it out and I am relaxing a lot since alot of NICE NICE ladies on this forum replied to an earlier thread I had and gave me a TON of wonderful support and encouragement!! Did anyone else see anything in particular BEFORE or AFTER you had the band that caused a big ole FRIGHT to run through your body that you could not…

i know im not supposed to lift them until 6 weeks...but it is getting harder and harder to find somoene to put my mkids to bed EVERYNIGHT and get them out EVERY morning, as dh work night sometimes...what did u guys do, did anyone lift b4 they were supposed to?

Two quick questions- Hope someone can help!:help: My husband just had the surgery and his breath is, well.., just short of UNBEARABLE! ( It was not that bad before) Does anyone know why that is? Does anyone know if it is safe to get pregnant after surgery? My surgeon said yes. I want to hear from someone that maybe has gotten pregnant after surgery. ( I mean after healing!! and loosing weight.) THANKS!

I was banded last Thursday and am flying to New York tomorrow. It's about a 3 1/2 hour flight. I tried looking on the boards to see if anyone has had any problems flying after being banded, but couldn't find a proper thread. Any thoughts?

Hi guys! I'm seriously considering lap-band surgery, and my insurance won't cover it. I've been looking into Tiajuana (sp?), and I've only heard glowing reports. Does anyone know anything negative that I should know? Thanks so much for your input.

I fell off the band wagon! Pls help me get back on. I lost 13 kgs in the first 4 months. Gained back about 4 kgs within the first year. And now approaching my year 2 I have gained back another 3-4 kgs. Whoops! I know my mistakes. I drink too much liquid with calories (lattes, coffee mixes, Cereal drinks) and I ate too much too! I find comfort in food so I guess whenever I am emotionally unhappy I am back to eating again. I puked a lot, too. So I know the band is working! I found sometimes if I chew really well, I can still eat a lot like going out to fine restaurants (ie. eat 3 courses of food (sharing dessert)). And I am so done with working out. I am so unmoti…

1 week post op. Following all the rules. How do I know this thing is working? Nothing feels different. I know I should feel full but I don't think I have even eaten enough at one time to feel full. I am scared. How do I test it? Do I test it. I can have pureed food now so I had a purreed egg with mayo took me 40 min to eat eat small bite at a time. Then had some purreed meat later in the day same way. I didn't feel any different. I think I am loosing my mind. Depressed today. Please tell me what to feel. I need some experienced advise. thanks :faint:

I Have been doing a lot of reading on this site and getting quite the education . A lot of people are talking about pb and sliming. Do most people pb and slime? is it normal or the exception? Is it something i should be prepared to live with if i get the band. Would also like to know what you "losers":) are eating after you are all healed (Like past 6 mos). Can you sit down to a meal with family and eat a small meal with out a lot of special preperation? Sorry if i missed this in a previous thead still learning to navigate this site Many thanks

Lately I have found myself chugging vs. sipping. I stop when I catch myself but I hope I've not caused any damage. Can this stretch your pouch and cause problems? I was banded almost 3 weeks ago.

Hi everyone, I know this is a gross question, but is it possible to barf with a lap band. I don't mean from something getting stuck. I mean from the lower part of the stomach like with a virus or food poisoning.

Ok I got for my consult on the 1st of May. I will also be meeting with the Dr that day. So what sorta questions should I ask him? I have been :frusty: an I cant think of anything to ask...

Is anyone else telling yourself....."I will never get to eat/drink this again, so I'd better do it now!" before your surgery? I only have 19 days to go and I'm really doing bad with the chocolate, etc. :hungry: I do have to do an 8 day protein shake only diet before surgery....is that going to be enough to keep me on the right track after surgery??? Am I totally screwing up, or is this normal? thanks everyone!:help:

I am in a fast paced job and considering lap-band. Work has asked me to be a special transition team because we are moving to a brand new high tech state of the art facility. I will be the only clerical person on the team and be repsonsible for re-writing policy and training a lot of new people. This begins the end of May, the only thing is I want to have lap-band before then, but I am going to need to feel great and be ontop of my game at work to keep up the fast pace of the tranisiton team. I don't know if the lifestyle changes and body changes at this point and short notice are something I should post-pone until the end of the year, once the move is complete. I jus…

I had some nutella and ice cream after my Soup and cheese this evening. I am 5 weeks post op tomorrow and I know that I didnt do perminant damage and i certainly don't even feel THAT full but I feel so guilty! i haven't been perfect this entire time but I also haven't gotten sick and i have lost over 20 pounds so far. I make sure to eat my Protein first as much as possible and try not to eat and drink at the same time. But how come I feel so miserable now? I had a bad evening and found out I owe 600 bucks to the government for my taxes so I came home and had the lapband equivalant of a binge. No sickness but I just feel like I may never unlearn my habits. Does the…

Hello everyone. I am Barb from Oregon. I have worked at the Good Samaritan Hospital(for 19 years) here in Portland that is the National Institute of Health's center for excellence for bariatric surgeries. We have insurance coverage for the bariatric surgeries. However, it only covers person over the age of 25. I joined this site to try to get help for my daughter who has decided she would like to have the surgery. Does anyone have words of advice for me on trying to get our insurance to cover her surgery? I will try to appeal approach and have already emailed our VP. I heard there was a lawyer out there that works for the lap banding manufactor that helps people w…

I just had the surgery Thursday and have not had a lot today, just some Soup and Jello, maybe 800 calories at the most. I know we're not supposed to drink our calories, but has anyone had a glass of wine or a cocktail so soon post-op? :cry

how long till you should have sex after getting banded?

If you are self pay, does the surgeon give any guarantee that they will fix the band if there is a slip? Is that a stupid question:confused: If I have any complications that the doc won't fix for me, I'm in a heap of trouble...we have saved like crazy to have this done and this is it. I really hope I don't have any trouble because I may not have the money to fix a major problem if there is one....man, there is so much to worry about!!!:faint:

I was banded 4/12/07 & as I undressed to go to bed I noticed that one of my incisions is not glued together anymore. NOthing is coming out of it. It's just open, I can see the stitches some. What to you think I should do?:help:

Hi All, Just wanted to know if there is anyone on here that goes to support group meetings? I live in the Woodlands Tx. , and my dr. is down town. Cant' always get down there, let me know please. Thanks !

I won't be back so you don't have to worry about that but on my way out please consider this. I am shocked at the number of persons who have only been banded days giving advice to others. There is even advice from those who are not banded yet. My Dr. required me to attend a seminar I remember a large man there intrupting the Dr. with questions that were or would be answered if he would just listen. He finished by anouncing to the Dr. and the room that he would be the first there to undergo the surgery because "after all I have folding money" (big laugh) After the Dr. left the room he advised us all to "hit the nearest buffet and eat all we could while we still can"…

I was banded on 04/09/07 and I am still in pain:cry . Oddly enough my Doc said my port site would be the sore spot but it is the other way around. My band spot is killing me (not to mention lump underneth). Anyone else experience this? Not to mention no bm yet. Again anyone else have this problem? Thanks!

Hi everyone! This forum is great! I have learned far more than just with my dr alone. He's not the most forthcoming individual. :phanvan I was just banded Thursday, April 12 and am still pretty sore. I had a friend who was banded on a Thursday and was back at work Saturday. She just thinks I'm a bigger baby than she was. :notagree My question is: How soon does the soreness go away?

I was banded on March 29th so I am about two and a half weeks out. I have noticed that I have a regular ache on my left side. It feels like a slight side ache that you sometimes get when you run. My port is on the right side so it isn't related to that. Has anyone else had this and if so did it go away? I don't want to call the office if it is something that everyone experiences.. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the forums, but I'm so glad I found this site, the information from everyone's experience is invaluable. Anyway, I had my surgery this past thursday (April 12) and I just want to make sure that what I'm experiencing is normal... I've been having a lot of gas, not really coming out the rear end, but feeling the need to burp a lot without really being able to, which gets quite uncomfortable and almost constant gas-y noises coming from my stomach area...Just had my first BM today, and took some gas-x, which has helped a bit, but I just want to see if everyone else has had these issues. Thanks! Erica

I am getting the band on Aug 9th from Dr Drahn at san bernardino CA. What I would like to know is, how much help I am going to need post op. I am 25 and single and the people I use for help is going on a cruse the same week of the operation. I got friends that will take and pick up form hospital but I would like to leave it at that and do the rest myself. I am still kind of young and in ok shape (besides form being 300lbs) I think I could do it but I would like to see what everyone else thinks.

Has anyone experienced hiccups during the healing process? I know laughing and coughing is painful, but hiccups might be unbearable! :embarassed:

Ok, so I go out to eat Saturday night and I was very good. I am 4 weeks post op and have been very careful to follow the band rules. I am on mushies and so I ordered egg salad without bread. I have had egg salad at home and didn't have any problems. The egg salad at the diner was huge chucks of egg so I made sure to chewed very well. After I ate I didn't have any problems, but later that night I started having a sharp pain in my upper left abdomen. It comes and goes, but most of the time it feels as though someone is stabbing me. Did I eat too much? I only ate about 3/4 cup. I have been on liquids since then. Will this pass or should I call the DR. I have to g…

I don't like this "lapband hell"! I'm 3 weeks post-op and can eat just about anything so far...which I'm not liking. I have a terrible time with will-power! I don't have much! Just out of habit I grabbed a handful of goldfish and ate them. I don't know what I'm going to do between now and my first fill.

I'm 3 1/2 weeks post-op. My family is having pizza tonight. Do you think I could handle a thin crust slice of pizza? I've been able to tolerate crackers and the 100 calorie pack cookies. Could I handle pizza?

I have a friend who is nine months pregnant and she tapes her bellybutton down because she hates how it pokes out under her shirt. Is it possible to tape your port site down if it starts poking through your shirt? I hear that when you lose ALOT, it start to protrude....just a crazy thought!

Well, I will be banded two weeks from today (4/30) and I started my Optifast this morning. It's going to be very hard. I didn't like the taste at all, but I am determined to stick to only the Optifast. Did anyone else have a problem with the Optifast? I had heard that strawberry was the best, but so far I think the chocolate tastes a little better.

Hi - I am just starting the whole LapBand process at Washington University/Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. I haven't gone through any of my evaluations, although my initial screening seems to indicate that I will qualify and it's covered by my insurance (or there is no way I could afford to do it!). I have a silly question. Can you FEEL the band? I mean, can you actually feel there there is something squeezing your stomach, or that there is a foreign object in your body? I just wonder if the sensation of it would bug me to death. Thanks, Lynda

I am 4 1/2 weeks post op and am eating all foods. I don't seem to have restriction because I can eat just as much as I did pre-op, at least most of the time. But because of this I forget to chew thoroughly or I eat to fast and a few times I've done that I get a serious chest pain that lasts anywhere from 1-4 minutes then it passes. When that is happening my eyes water from the discomfort and I feel like I want to burp but am unable to. There isn't any "slime" involved. Just intense chest pain but once it passes I am still hungry and can continue eating. What the heck is happening to me? I don't understand how anything can get stuck since I don't seem to have any re…