PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

Hi all.. I've been trying to do some research on Lap-Band and came across this forum. I'm about to get in depth into the threads, but there are a couple of questions I tried to google and could not find an answer for.. I'm 23, 6'0 and 330lb. :confused: I did the yo-yo dieting, my best success was with Atkins, but gained it all back plus some.. and then as of the past couple of months I went to a dietician and was put on a diet, and actually GAINED 30lbs. I don't know what's going on. So gastric bypass was my last resort, I've thought about it for some years now. It seemed so drastic, so I kept hmm'ing about it.. So last night I just can't stand the path I'm going despit…

Hi, I was banded on 2/28. It has been six days since my surgery. The first couple of days were horrible, but it has been getting progressively better as time goes on. Yesterday I woke up and felt great. I decided to clean up the house a little, did the dishes, dusted, vaccumed. Then I felt horrible the rest of the day and was up most of the night last night. How much is too much? It didn't seem like I was pushing myself too hard physically. I just get tired of sitting around the house feeling useless. But at the same time if I do something I hurt afterwards. Walking only goes so far. What other activities can I do to keep me busy without the pain?

Today was my companies March Birthday party.... I'm still in the soft/mushie phrase, and for what I've read cake is not on the list. So I'm standing there feeling awkward, as everyone around me to talking about how good the cake is. Then my boss notices I'm not eating, and decides to annouce his findings to everyone, like I'm a art exhibit. I've managed to stay on my plan, but it was really hard to stand my ground when everyone is looking at you, expecting you to eat. My excuse, while true, was that I didn't want to ruin my appetite because I hadn't eaten lunch yet. Lord, that cake looked good. Any advice for future situations???

I am 7 days post op. The gas pains from surgery have been really unpredictable (not bowel gas). First they were in my upper chest and were tolerable. Then they moved to my shoulder and were a little less tolerable... And now they've moved south to the lower chest and I can't take a deep breath without being in a LOT of pain. I tried to sneeze this morning and ended up crying! :faint: I am walking 2-3 times a day for at least 15-20 min a walk. Is there ANYTHING else I can do to get these pains to go away faster!?

Just wondering, from the time you started looking into the lap band and you decided to get one how long did it take you to get your surgery? I am pretty sure I want to get one however I still have a lot of research to do. But I am just wondering what the normal time span is. When could I expect to be able to get surgery if I decide to do so?

What are you guys using on your incisions to help them heal? I still have the glue on mine. Should I be putting something on them now, or wait? What works to help heal them nicely?

A good question here. What does the preop diet consist of? And how much do they want u to loose before surgery? Does it prepare u for after surgery? nan

Hi everyone! Today I filled out a pre-op medical questionarre that was sent to me by surgeons office. I came across a question about my sleeping patterns and behaviours, I ticked that I snored and after looking up what somnolence meant, ticked that too and then we came to sleep apnea which I assumed I didn't have but when I looked that up discovered that I may be suffering from it as it appears to be a possible cause of the snoring and excessive daytime tiredness. In a way I am relieved that there is a reason why i get sooo tired and that it's not down to laziness but at the same time I am worried about my health and concerned that this may affect surgery. Anyone g…

I've been reading this forum for a couple of weeks and decided to register today. There is a lot of good information here, but some of it scares the daylights out of me! :omg: It was recently recommended by my Endocrinologist that I consider this surgery as my diabetes has progressed rather rapidly. Those of you who are diabetic and on insulin know the weight-gain that accompanies insulin. I am at my heaviest ever, and I know that losing weight is the only way to reverse the path I am on. The more I read about side-effects, the more leery I become about trying this technique. I have a delicate GI system to begin with, and don't want to spend the rest of my life vo…

I called UHC today to ask about lap band coverage, and they said they do not cover it at all! Has anyone ever appealed something like this with their insurance... and won?

Need help from any banded International travelers out there. I received my band on Feb. 12th, so far so good. I'm very anxious for a fill since I know I can eat almost anything right now, and 2/3 cup of mushies does not last till next meal. I have my first fill scheduled on the 19th of March. My Dr.'s OK with an early fill due to an upcoming trip to China mid April. I'm nervous that there won't be enough time to adjust to the first fill, possibly add more, to travel overseas? I keep reading about bloating during air-travel and am worried that I'll have trouble on a 14 hr. flight. Also, what can I possibly take with me to eat if I have trouble with airline food?…

When your insurance requires you to be on a diet for 6 months, do you have to visit the doctor every month? Can you go every 3 months and they will consider this a doctor supervised diet? Thanks in advance for your answers.

Hey y'all OK so I've been banded since 1/24/07 and lost 25lbs to date. I've had one fill a week ago today 1.3cc. Things are going OK, I guess. I wish I could be loosing more weight but, according to my doc I'm right on schedule. I've learned what foods to avoid bread, Pasta, tortilla's etc. My whole way of eating is so different then before I was banded. There aren't really any foods that I miss. However I feel like I'm so limited in what I can eat. Maybe someone can give me some suggestions on good foods to eat for taste and that are healthy. I eat lots of Soup, fish, Vienna sausages, eggs, mashed potatoes, crackers, low cal puddings and sugar free pudding …

Hi all. I'm so upset because my surgery is scheduled for March 18 and DH just called the insurance (which isn't covering the sugery) and found out that any complications won't be covered in the future, since the surgery isn't covered. I understand that and was willing to pay for surgery for a slip, etc. if absolutely necessary BUT DH is worried about even greater expense--like what if I end up in a coma or something???? What to do? How have you reconciled this? DH seems to feel that it is a risk we shouldn't take but should wait 3-4 years until we have insurance that will cover it. I'm almost 58 and don't want to wait. We're using retirement money so I understand this is …

Having my first fill on monday can anyone tell me what it is like and how long it takes. All i know is that it is done under xray .

Can someone give me advice on what multi vitamin to invest in? I originally thought I would just go with the viactive gummy chews but the nutritionist thinks they will get stuck so I need to find another option. I am worried because I really hate that chalky/grainy texture in my mouth. I am already dreading it and I don't have surgery scheduled until March 20th. Someone please help.

Hello, I am one week post op and I have had a really funky taste in my mouth since I left the hospital. I'm quite sure it is giving me bad breath too. My mouth has been super dry even though I am drinking about 60-70 oz of water every day. Let me know and congrats to all you newly banded beauties! Nicole

:faint: Okay I have been doing very well (after my first few days:sick ) I am feeling good with the lapband not any problems with my outside no pain I can feel my port that is kind of freaky but I think the swelling is going down does not feel as hard. Here is where I need some help. I have my good days and bad days yesterday I cried all day. I was just feeling sorry for my self and I don't know why I am loosing weight 14lbs in 2 weeks I think is great. I know alot of my problem is the mushie diet I am not doing great with I am eating things I do not like just to eat. I am tired all the time which I am sure is do to my food intake. And bless me I know this will all chan…

HI, I have purchased air fare and paid the deposit for the lap band surgery in Mexico with the Dr. Kuri Team. I have studied this particular team for the past 2 years. Anyone else have any experience in Mexico lap bands? Trana :clap2:

:help: I was wondering what kind of vitamins to get. Pharmacy recommended liquid Centrum. Should I start taking them when I start my pre-op diet?

Hi all, did anyone else have the hungeries before surgery? I feel like I just want to eat all the time. I'm scheduled for surgery 3/14/07 and as it gets closer the hungerier I seem to be. I lost 23 lbs for this surgery and I'm so afraid of them canceling me if I gain before but the hungeries are getting the best of me. :help:

I started my 2 week pre-op diet yesterday and I've messed up a few times. A couple of crackers here and a couple of cheese-nips there. Will this totally mess up my pre-op stuff?

Hello, I haven't been banded yet. Getting ready to start the whole process rolling and have to say that this sight is a great tool! Now back to my question... I am a Diet Coke Addict. I was told at a seminar that carbonated beverages and the band are just not a good combination. That would mean I would be having to curb food and Diet Coke addictions when I get the surgery. Anybody else face this dilema and what happens when you drink carbonated beverages?

I was banded on 3/1/07 and came home from the hospital yesterday. I feel great with the exception of EXTREME neck pain. Almost like a kinked neck - but worse than I've ever felt before. My nurse told me it's excess gas from surgery. Did anyone else have extreme neck pain and if so - what did you do about it? HELP!

Hi again everyone, My question this time is this...How many people are telling friends/family/work/etc. about getting and being banded? I have told many friends at work, my partner, her family, and mine. Everyone has been supportive (I am blessed), but I have read some threads where ppl mention they didn't tell work and some even said they didn't tell family ( I assume this meant family who do not live w/ them). Just curious about people's line of thinking on "full disclosure" or not.

I got my surgery date!!!!! March 8th!!! Thanks to everyone for all the questions answered! I have learned so much!

Hello, I am new to this site and have really learned a lot about what to expect when I have surgery on 3/27. I do have a question. I do not have Type II Diabetes, and have read about non-healing incisions. Those that have had non-healing ones, did you have Diabetes prior to the surgery? Thank you in advance for your answers.

I had my 1st fill last week 1.3 cc. I did the liquid diet for the next 2 days. Did fine w/ that was very hungry but, managed to get through it. Yesterday I was so hungry and I was busy w/ the husband, and kids I just grabbed a piece of cheese and ate it. I chewed it up pretty well but, obviously not good enough. I got the worst pain in my chest I thought I was going to die. I couldn't even swallow my spit. I couldn't stand it any more so I made myself throw it up. After I got the cheese out I felt so much better. Then again today I had a bite of an enchilada (which I've been eating since lap band) and the same thing happened again. I had to go to the bathroom an…

it's what they used to seal my incisions. i've been banded almost a week and it's still going strong... i was hoping to put that scar reducing stuff on my incisions, but can't b/c of the superglue. i was wondering if anyone know how long it lasts? and if there is any chance that dirt/bacteria can seep through - i worry about infection. thanks!

i feel ridiculous asking this, but the band has made me uber paranoid about normal bodily functions... i've been suffering from some allergies the past 2 days and have been sneezing up a storm. now, that's annoying on the best of days, but can that slip the band? it hurts my incisions, but i can live with that... am i totally ridiculous or what?! :tired

Hi im a first timer... Im getting banded by northwest wieght lost by dr. montgomery. Im a lil timid about the operation, anyone have an words of wisdom for me??

I don't know if I'm crazy or what but ever since AFTER my surgery (I was banded on 2/16) my libido is going through the ROOF!! I was wondering if this is something that anyone else has expereinced or am I just going through that whole "peak in your 30's" thing? i'm thinking that since my mind is no longer on food so much my mind is on...well, you know. I was also wondering if with increased weight loss with the band...is this something that carries on? Like the more weight you loose the more you wanna get it on? I'm sorry I'm not meaning to be blunt or rude but my mind has been in the gutter 24/7 post op and I'm wondering if this is part of it.

Has anyone had problems with a rash around the incisions? I had surgery in late January, and things were going fine until two weeks post op. I came down with a bad case of kidney stones and had to have them surgically removed. Shortly after, I began noticing a rash on my belly, but it got really thick around all of the incisions. The doc has given me a steroid cream to use, but I'm not sure it's helping...Has anyone else had this type problem?

I'm 4 days post op and I'm having problems getting in a lot of fluids. I'm thirsty and want to guzzle down my crystal light but I know I can't and I've been trying to take small sips every 10 minutes, this has become a chore and makes me feel bloated....especially the protein shakes! How much fluid can you handle at once? What should I do? Thanks everyone!

Hi All, just wanted to get some feed-back on how long the abdomenal swelling lasts. I was just looking at the scare stages page, and there was alot of mention of the swelling. My band date is 3/14/07 so I'm just trying to get prepared for the after effects. LOL. Thanx

I just found out this morning after being hooked up to all those wires last night (sleep study) that i have severe apnea and restless legs syndrome..ughhhh yikes nan:help:

Hi everyone! I am not yet banded but I have been researching the band and reading this board for quite sometime and was wondering if I could get some help. After what seems like forever I am finally going for my first consulation with the doctor on 3/7/07 (:dance:YEAH!!). I am trying to come up with a list of questions to ask him (i.e. pre/post op diet he recommends, fill costs, type of band used...etc). The problem is, I have read so much information, I think I have become super-saturated and just can't think straight anymore and I am not sure what to ask. What questions did you ask your doctor, or wish you would have asked your doctor, about the band and the whole …

After you get your first fill, how much was everyone eating? were you full for a long time? did the eating consumption go down? I'm paranoid...again lol.

:help: My surgery is March 13. I am on a capsule medication that, once opened, contains "beads". I must take this med with a small amt. of applesauce and lots of water in hopes the med will stay down nor cause any other problems. Has anyone else who has been banded had to take a med with "beads"? Have you had any problems with it??

I am 20 day post op and I was wondering what other people were eatting at the 20 day point. I can pretty much eat anything I want. I have stayed away from chicken, raw veggies, bread, and anything that would be really hard to digest. What were you eatting at this point? I am so over soup!!!!

do i bring my tooth brush? , for my surgery tommorrow. should I wear my makeup or go with a clean face? can you please help pack my bags for tommorrow thanks

I have my surgery in less than two weeks. I do not have to do a pre-op diet - Dr. Spivak just said to not gain any weight before surgery. But I have the strangest last meal thinking. I have been thinking about all the things I want to eat before my surgery. Almost like I used to do on Sunday before I started a new diet. For all of you already banded - did you have the same urge?

OK, I'm staring at a great big bottle of chewable Fiber Choice. Before I actually open it, is there any reason I shouldn't use this?

I am 20 days banded everything up till now has been perfect. I woke today with a pain in the area where my port is. It a sharp pinching pain. I have no idea what it is. Is it the stiches pulling? I hurts when I touch it. It's not the port itself because that doesn't hurt when I push on it, it's the incision. I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow so I can ask him. But I was wondering if this ever happened to anyone else? If so what did you do?

Hi everyone, I'm doing my research on a couple of the Lap Band options in the GTA and wondering if anyone out there can share any (pos or neg) experiences that might help me decide which one to go with.

I have my date now for March 27th. I am both nervous and excited. It is a big deal for me as i have chosen not to tell people and I am going to be travelling on my own from the UK to Belgium to have the op. oporation I was wondering how sore I will be immediatley after the op? This is probably a daft question, but can you actually feel the band wrapped around your stomach? Dave

What are some of the testing done for this? I have no history of any pulmonary issues, no smoking, no history of sleep apnea, etc--will I *have* to have a sleep study? I've heard of many physicians requiring a sleep study for a bmi over 45, mine is 39.1 . I am self-pay so no insurance requirements--has anyone been cleared pulmonary-wise without a bunch of unnecessary testing? TIA!

I just got back from pych evaluation and Iam good to go.He said everything is fine , no trouble with anything..Iam so excited!!!! Now tomarro night.. i have a sleep study done.Then i got one more thing after sleep study and thats get recomedation from my doc send to the surgeons,and ill wait to hear from them for the dates. nan

I need advice--I hate the Protein shakes! Can I eat the Protein Bars instead? :hungry:

Does it hurt to get a fill? is it a big needle? are you anesthetized? Thanks..my banding is on Monday...I still have so many questions!!!