PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

i am 4 days post op...my friend found the best protein ever! it is called isopure and it comes in glass bottles...tons of flavors...i've liked all of the flavors except passion fruit...they are about $4.50 a bottle...each bottle is sugar free no carbs and has 40 grams of protein and they are very easy to drink and very good. i'm thrilled! i bought mine at akins health food in tulsa...

I had my surgery on Tuesday (16th) - so far, so good with stomach pain - I was up and going by Thursday morning. The only problem that I am having is with extreme shoulder pain which I understand to be gas pain. (It feels like my shoulder is out of socket) I do notice that it tends to be more intense when I drink my liquids, but I really don't see how I could drink any more slowly and get the 64 oz in. I am taking gas ex and walking to shake off the pain. Any suggestions?:cry

Hello all, Its been 10 days since I have had my surgery. I am following their directions to a tee and exercising but my weight loss is very slow. How much should I be losing in the first two weeks and how many total calories am I supposed to be eating. Do you all see a dietician to guide you or just eat a set amount of calories? I need to know since I really want this to work!

today was the first day that i felt really depressed. yesterday i was told to start the phase 2 diet, well one bite of puried chicken and i felt as if i was going to die it was so painful. so today i put myself back on the soup and liquid diet. been crying some today i was really looking forward to some different kinds of food. i read on here of people already eating regular food and heres me getting sick on one bite, i know we are all different but i feel as if all ive had is difficulty. first the bad swelling now this. yes i know its sounds as if im having a pity party but im not asking to eat myself sick i just need something more than broth and tea. im happy about the…

OMG...I'm on day 2 of Optifast! Oh boy..the things that are running through my head. I want spaghetti and pizza like NOW! I start talking myself out of this surgery because I feel like I'll never get to eat again. I will won't I???? I want this surgery so bad. My date is Jan 30th, but wow...11 more days of Optifast is going to drive me nuts!! Did anyone else have feelings like this before surgery??? How did you get through the liquid prediet?? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!! I hope I don't get too grumpy! :phanvan

OMG! :cry LB Dr. just called and said my chest pa showed an abnormality in the lower lung field and says it may be the onset of early pneumonia. Okay, 1st off, this x-ray was taken 12/26...wouldn't I have developed full blown pneumonia by now, or some sort of symptoms? I'm freaking out about what this could be. The thing that really ticks me off is the Radiologist. This x-ray was taken 12/26. The results should have been forwarded to my Primary Care Dr. and my LB Surgeon, he's the one that ordered it. I think someone dropped the ball on getting these x-ray results to the Dr's in a timely manner!:angry Nurse at surgeon's was putting my chart together …

Hi! Hope everything had a nice weekend. Thinks are starting to move along little by little. I am a little worried about the psych. evaluation. I am worried about being completely "honest" as far as all the questions. Wondering how others dealt with this issue.

Hi all. I just had a question about eating at restaurants. I've been banded for three weeks now and am on mushy foods. As you all know the next step is regular foods. My problem, well not a problem so much as...well I'll just let you guys judge. My family-in-law celebrates everything with a trip to a restaurant. Coming up is my mom-in-laws birthday. I dont mind going but Im confused as to how to order at a restaurant. I've heard the whole "order an appetizer" thing, but even the smallest appetizer is going to be more than 2oz. I guess my question is, how do I eat just 2oz? Will my body stop me? I dont want to be bad but Im not sure I can stop myself from overeat…

i am 21 days out and have no restriction. i have not had a fill yet. but i can eat almost anything that i have tried and have not felt full. is this common. i hope i have not hurt my band.

I got banded on the 17th, we are now Friday the 20th I believe and I'm still in sooooooooooo much pain. I'm home now (got home today) and no matter how I position myself, I am not comfortable. I'm starting to wonder if I did the right thing..

Can anyone give me some advise quick......I was given a third band (5 ops as all incorrect) on 20th Dec and was told to have the usual 4 weeks liquid, 4 weeks mashed food and then re-introduce normal food. By 28th Dec I felt so ill from not eating even though I was taking my protein shakes and soup etc that I decided that enough was enough. I had already spent 3 weeks on my liquid pre op diet and couldn't take a sip more! Anyway, I started to eat some very soft fish pieces and managed 4 and felt fine. Over the next few days I continued to eat soft food but mainly stuck to the liquids. I did try some toast and did initially feel a little restriction and to the point that…

:help: I am going to a lap band seminar on Feb. 5.....Would you provide me with a specific list of questions that I should ask, but may not know to ask? Waiting.....

Hi Everyone, This is my first post and I am very glad I found this website. I am seriously thinking about having the lap band surgery. I wanted your opinions. I am considering either going to Dr. Oliak in Orange County or in Mexico to Dr. Ortiz. My insurance will not cover the procedure so I will be paying for this myself. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Thankyou!!

Thought I'd post some thoughts about Optifast here for anyone who has to go on it. I've had to do 4 weeks of Optifast for my pre-op diet, and ordering was kind of scary because I had never tried it before. Shakes: Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. All three flavors were pretty good. Nothing out of this world, but nothing too gross either. I added sugar free almond syrup to the vanilla and to the strawberry. As far as preparation, I mostly just mixed with a spoon and downed it. I'm sure it would've been better in a blender, but I am too lazy to wash out the pitcher every time I made a shake, and I seem to be completely inept at using a stick blender. I made a couple m…

I've noticed a few members have had their bands removed because of erosion--what causes it and how do you know you have it? I am going to my first seminar next week, am looking forward to being banded, if all is approved. Also, I am 50 y/o, will I have to have a colonoscopy:embarassed: , mammo, etc.?? Thanks, Dixie

I have no Pre-Opt Diet - anyone else? My Doctor said its unnecessary and they dont do that in their practice..... weird or not weird?

Hi! Just had my first appointment, I am suppposed to be eating like I had a band already. Tiny bites, chew to mush, take 1/2 hour to eat, no liquids, no reading/TV etc while eating. Can't imagine doing that for the rest of my life. Can longer term bandsters tell me what it is like with those restrictions after 4 or 5 years? Also, what is PB? Thanks for your input! Bonnie

:help: :help: My insurance BCBC-TRS requires that I do 6 months of managed weight care under a doctor. As of last month I have lost 11lbs and my BMI is 40. When the doctor wasn't around the nurse whispered not to loose a lot of weight because the insurance won't pay if the BMI is under 40 without a co-morbidity. (and I don't have any) Is this true????:cry Should I do the minimal and show only a little weight loss or should I really try? When I left, I went straight to McDonalds:hungry:

Might Be A Silly Question But I Dont Know The Answer Do They Give You Pain Medication After The Surgery? While In Hispital And For Home? Thanks Being Banded On Feb. 7th

Finally after eight months of planning. I get banded tomorrow (Friday 1/19) @ 7:30 a.m. I am rather nervous. I have lost about 8 pounds on the pre-op liver shrinking diet.Just a bit of info that I did not consider in my journey. I made the mistake of binging as my date got closer (last suppers, so to speak). Eating a bunch of stuff that I should not have been because I was anticipating the procedure and I wanted to enjoy my favorite foods prior to. As a result, my blood sugar shot up and three weeks ago, I found myself having to have more doctor's appointments and put on medication to lower it for surgery due to diagnosis of new onset diabetes. The doctors anticipate that…

Do any of our insurance gurus know what the diagnosis code is when you talk to your insurance company?? thanks

i was just banded on Monday. I am feeling pretty good except for having back pain on both sides (mid to lower region). Has anyone else had this problem. Also, tightness in my chest.

I had my surgery on 1/10, and now the area where my port is hurts even more than it did after surgery. There is a lump directly under my incision site that is a little bigger than it was before. Has anyone else experieced this?

i had my band 4 weeks ago. just wondering what most people are eating at this stage. it seems like every doc has different rules.

Hello all how much can you eat in one sitting? i was told pre-op that i was looking at about the size of an egg cup!!! Well its a lot more is this just me or do you eat more Thank Cherie x

Hey looking for input out there in cyberland.... I will be covered by my insurance BUT I will have to pay 20% (Hospital Side) Does anyone know what the bill from the hospital was to the insurance company???? Looking for ballparks not specifics.... One night stayover, no hernia repair...... Thanks

I am new to all this and i will hopefully be having the procedure done in January and i am trying to find out someideas on who to go to for the mental evaluation I live in citrus county, fl and will be having the op in Ocala, fl by dr. Jawad so if any body know of any Dr. please let me know thanks

How do you take your medicines after surgery? There are several I MUST take, some you cant crush or split, how do you take them without them getting stuck? I havent had surgery yet so I have some questions and I havent seen this addressed. Thanks

Hello, I hope you can help me with this question. I was banded about 4 days ago and they told me liquid diet for the first 48 hours and then soft mushy food for about 4 weeks. I was just wondering if there is a calorie limit you should be on in the soft mushy food phase. Do I need to see a dietician about this. What did you all do to be successful on the lap band at this stage. Am I supposed to eat only three meals per day and what is the caloric limit? Help!:help:

I was banded at the end of October and had my first fill two weeks ago. I lost 10lbs on my pre-surgery diet and 3lbs since I was banded and that is it. It seems like I should be loosing more... I am eating so much less than before my surgery. Am I being impatient? Liquid diet time? Can you help out a fat girl who wants to loose weight??:help:

I understand that the issue would be extra air being swallowed, but that would only happen if I'm careless. I use a straw for everything, trying to break myself of them now.

Hi Everyone, I just found this message board and all I can say is WOW! What a great source of information. I am seriously thinking about lap band surgery and am getting prices ranging from $17,500 to $13,500. (Kansas City area) The cheaper price of $13,500 doesn't include fills. They are telling me that there is approximately 4-6 fills the first year at $175.00 each which is not covered under the $13,500 price. The other places that range from $16,500 to $17,500 include the fills and they tell me that you could need 18-20 fills the first year. I would appreciate any input on this dilemma. I'm not sure that the cheaper one is the way to go if I have to pay for all thos…

was your surgery? I finished my evaluation on January 9th.. I've done all the other requirements demanded by insurance.. the 6 month documentation, I've had blood work done, went to my seminar, all that good stuff.. but I was wondering how long was it between finishing your requirements until your actual surgery date? I'm sure it differs, I just want a general idea.. i'm getting so anxious.

Hi everybody, I was banded about 4 days ago and I have a question about water. They say that I should be drinking 64ounces per day. I heard that you should sip it slowly and take one hour to sip even 6 ounces and if you don't then the pouch will stretch and become too big. Is this true? Also, after the first fill, is it more diffficult to drink water? I take certain medications which require me to stay properly hydrated and I need to drink a lot of water. How much and how quick should I be drinking water. I am confused!:help:

Did any of you take anything to suppress your appetite to get you through the pre-op diet. I'm sure I have to ask my doctor about this, but just curious if anyone did this?

:help: I just got my surgery date of 1/31/07 and it is reality time...I am secretly freaking out. :omg: People are bombarding my family with horror stories and one is the level of pain involved. I have had several women tell us that it was much more painful than the gallbladder surgery they had..ok I can handle that...but they are saying that their C-Sections were nothing compared to the pain of this surgery. Now, I have had 3 C-sections and have a really hard time believing that much is more painful than that, so can someone please give me the truth? Not only am I low threshold for pain but I have to go back to work soon after...:help: ???

i was banded on dec 26th i have been eating mushy foods since january 8. i feel full quicker but not much restriction. if i eat to much i get a pain in my shoulder and that is how i know to stop. do you think something is wrong. or is it that i don't have a fill yet?

My surgery date is this Thursday Jan 18th, I've been on yogurt and cottage cheese now since last Sunday. I haven't told my Sis and tonight she made a sit down Sunday dinner. I actually ate approx 5 oz of pork, a few carrots, and a very small pototo, other than that I've been extremely rigid for the past 8 days. I find it's easy at work, evenings are tough, and this weekend was tough. This won't screw anything up will it? That food should be out of my system by Thursday right? I feel there's no harm done, but of course the surgery notes state 'strict compliance' Arghghg.:help: DB

Okay, so I have been doing my pre-op diet for 6 days now. My pre-op diet is nothing but liquids. So, this is the embarrassing part: I have not had a bowel movement in what seems like forever. Is this normal or should I "do something about it"? :help: :faint: Thanks for not laughing and thanks for helping me out.

I've seen reference to having a filter put in before banding surgery. What the heck is a filter and what does is do?

Hi Everyone - I was banded today and feel pretty good! Other than kind of of feeling like I got kicked in the stomach, my most obvious pain is gas (I think) under my left breast. I have been walking - just got back from a walk around the block - and have taken Gas X. It really hurts when I am laying down. Does anyone now if there is way to spot target this gas pain? :help: Thanks!

I'm scheduled to get banded Jan 26, and am having second thoughts. From what I have read on the board so far, it seems that many people still follow a "commerical" diet (e.g Atkins) and excerise 2 hours a day to achive weight loss. I don't expect the band to be a miracle cure, and I realize there are some things to change in my life, but if following a commerical diet and excerising 2 hours a day is needed, then why bother with the band? I guess I am looking for responses from those of you who don't do those things and still have some weight loss. I don't expect to lose extreme amounts of weight quickly with the band (nor do I want to), but nor do I have the time to wo…

Hello, I was just wondering how the weight came off on everyone...did it come off your stomach first...or your butt...or you legs...etc? If I'm going to visualize myself losing weight, I want to do it correctly! Nicole :biggrin1:

Hi friends, My 4cc band is currently filled at 2cc's. Dec 15th I had my last adjustment (a .25 unfill). I believed I finally was at the so called "sweet spot". :clap2: However, I experienced a few occasions where where it felt like I could eat almost like prior to banding :hungry: without much problem and I wondered if my band was restricted enough. Knowing there are tight days and lose days, I felt I was probably at a at a good restriction point. BTW, I'm down 25 lbs in 3 months and 3 adjustments. :huggie: Things have really changed for me this past week. :think I have been in pain and cannot eat or drink at all. The last few days I have been really so…

I was banded on Wednesday afternoon. I felt like myself when I left the hospital and when I got home. Then the gas... I'm grateful to the forum that I knew about it. But I also have been having dry heaves. :dizzy: That worries me because I know that excessive vomiting can cause the band to slip. The last time it started was when I dissolved my one daily pill in a 1/4 cup of apple juice. That was it for my whole night. Now this morning I'm afraid to "eat" even my yummy turkey broth. Tomorrow I can have yogurt. Yeah! I had a food dream last night. Mushie tuna sandwich on a whole wheat bread and diet chocolate milk. I could've done better than that before I was banded! …

Gday everybody. On the Optifast brochure it says you can't have caffeine. I love my coffee in the morning. Can I have decaffeinated coffee, or is that a no no? Please need help with this.:huggie: :biggrin1: Susannah

I have to be on the pre-op diet for two weeks starting monday how much weight did most people loose during this time:)

I called on Monday to speak to Dr Ronnie Keith in Norman, OK. His staff scheduled me for his seminar this Thursday...which is right around the corner! Anyway, things are moving pretty fast and I have a few questions from people who have experience with seminars. What should I expect from the seminar? For example: Will they weigh me and send my information off to UHC? My BMI is about 2 points (10 pounds) away from the 40-BMI requirement and I dont think I am going to gain that much weight in such a short amount of time...and I dont want anything to go wrong with my approval. My co-worker (she just got her approval letter!) did not go to a seminar but she told me that …

Good Day to the group....I can call myself a quick starter. I got my information packet in the mail on Jan 9th. I've already done the Psyc evaluation and had my Dr to fill out the other info. My next step as many know--would be a stress test, a upper GI exam.....Once that's done--I'll be ready for my dietican. Although I have 2 insurances--they want me to shell out $350 for the entire year visits. What's strange is-I am a Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Sheild person. The medicare will not give zip, zero of the money back. They will pay up to 80% and BC/BS will pay the rest. I guess I will have to swallow this--entirely. If BC-BS was picking it up--I could get my $350 back. …

Today was my initial consult. It went well...I was told that after 3 months they will send an approval request to my insurance company (aetna POS) and I should be approved. Because my previous doctor has notation of my weight loss attempts and such like in my records. I'm still straddling the fence however; while the presentation was being made I kept wondering if I could live with a band and port for the rest of my life. I am reconsidering RNY...but am I willing to take the risk of RNY? I am reconsidering WLS. In my mind I am thinking...my problem is not always overeating...it is the cake and ice cream. If I can just stop with those two things I will be okay. Dumpi…