melzie_99

As soon as I clicked on your post I got an ad for them; lol. Here's a link to the page that popped up when I clicked on it. Hope this helps... http://www.curvesinformation.com/?campaign=ZUMA&Referrer=GCD&Subreferrer=ZUMA

I'm a bit curious to see about this myself as well. I lost 10lbs on the presurgery diet and have lost another 8 since surgery (8 days ago) which of course I'm HAPPY about, but also leery. I'm having a very hard time making myself eat because I'm not hungry and a lot of smells are making me queasy. I'm trying to compensate by adding extra protein to my drinks because I know I'm not getting in enough calories at this point. Not sure if this is normal or not. My rational mind is telling me 8lbs in 8 days is WAY too much, but is it normal with the band? Am I doing myself harm at this point by losing weight this quickly?

I had surgery the 10th and doc said it was fine to shower (no soaking in tubs or pools) after the 1st 24 hours. I also have Dermabond on my incisions. Took a long (20+ min) hot shower on Thurs with no probs; just didn't scrub the incisions and didn't let the water on the spots directly (the hot water was a bit uncomfortable with direct contact with the incisions).

I had 4 incisions including where the port was placed; closed with Dermabond. They're all an inch or less in length, and since I have no intention of running around in anything belly baring I'm ok if I get a bit of scarring. I feel SO much better today; the gas is almost all gone! I'm still having trouble getting in all my food and fluids but am doing better (and I'm not having the terrible "rumble" followed by the swift 'evacuation'). Down 5 more pounds since surgery which is crazy to me, but also worrisome since I don't think I've had 1000 calories total since surgery. Any old heads out there have some advice I'd be more than happy to hear it, and good luck to those just starting out!

Yes, the gas is evil! My incisions are fine but that gas...OUCH! And to make matters worse, I can't even belch; it's like I feel a bubble stuck under my band and it hurts like hell trying to push it up. Gas-X helps a lot but unfortunately the pain seems to be lingering (I had surgery Monday 1/10). Heating pad helps a lot for the shoulder pain, and if you're comfortable sleeping on your non port side that seems to help me push out some of the gas as well. Think I will try walking on a treadmill for a bit; WAY too cold and icy outside to be running around out there. Hey, is anyone else having trouble getting in their food and fluids? I REALLY don't want to end back in the hospital from dehydration, but have no desire to eat and was told not to drink more that a medicine cup's worth every 10 minutes which takes FOREVER. Any help would be appreciated!

I had my surgery Monday as well and gas is my biggest issue, too! I'd be fine if it'd go away; haven't even taken any pain meds today. Gas x has helped me when lying down but whenever I stand up or my stomach gets jostled it starts all over again. Wish I had a deflate button on my side; that would be heaven lol.

Back from the hospital, and word to the wise: hydrate, hydrate, HYDRATE the day before surgery! Took 4 tries and a mini panic attack on my part (I hate needles) to get the IV started because I was so dehydrated and have small veins to boot. Very glad they had me spend the night in the hospital; the staff was wonderful and with my husband having to work a night shift I got everything I needed and more. Relatively sore and tired today; the gas pain is horrid. Hurts worse than the incisions. Never wanted flatulence so badly before in my life lol. I haven't been hungry and drinking is a slow process. Definately walk if you can as it helps a lot. Good luck to everyone!

About to leave for the hospital; couldn't sleep at all last night and the nerves have finally gotten to me. *deepbreath* Wish me luck!

Well, today is the last day of my old life; surgery first thing tomorrow! I'm still much calmer than I thought I would be; my family's more worried than I am. I have to say I look forward to be able to eat semi-solid foods again...applesauce sounds like heaven right about now. I've been on a clear liquid diet all day, and I'm tired of it. I'm even craving those stupid protein shakes! (lol) Good luck to everyone, and I'll let you know how things go as soon as I can!

I use non flavored Unjury (it's what my dr likes); depends on what you add it to how much the flavor is affected. I was eating it with non fat Vanilla yogurt and it's fine (of course, you get used to the flavor after awhile IMO). I mix in a little at a time and stir thoroughly to avoid the clumps. Oddly enough it seems to thin out the yogurt as opposed to thickening it up.

Yay, another Montana person! I get banded Monday the 10th in Great Falls at Benefis. Good luck!

No worries; I had surgery previously and was informed I wet my self during the procedure because they gave me 2 full bags of saline beforehand (and 3 during surgery I was told) and didn't give me a catheter. At the time the nurse told me I was too groggy to care but pretty embarassing now thinking back on it. I'm sure worse things have happened...

Well, all my labs came back normal (and I'm not pregnant) so surgery's first thing Monday morning! I'm #1 on the list; have to be at the hospital at 6 for a 7am surgery. More excited than nervous at this point; I'm just ready to get started! I have tentatively met my first weight loss goal of this journey; I wanted to be in the 250's (started my diet at 267) and as of this morning I was 259.8! Can't wait to see what else I can accomplish. Good luck to all!

I have Tricare Prime; after my final paperwork was submitted it took less than 48 hours for them to approve surgery. Just make sure you get all your authorizations before you do ANYTHING so they'll cover all the cost. Good luck!

Surgery's Monday; got all my pre surgery lap work done and filled my pain/nausea meds yesterday. Fingers crossed all my labs come back normal! Apparently my stomach has shrunken during this diet as I'm finding it harder and harder to eat; as I write I'm sitting here staring at this 6oz cup of yogurt I mixed with 1 scoop protein powder and I can't finish it. My dogs have been more than happy to finish food for me (lol). I'm just ready to get started on this journey and be a happier, healthier me.

I'm on day 7 of the pre op diet (7 more days to go); first few days were awful for me...lots of cravings and head hunger. As of today I'm finding I don't want to eat and definately have not met my proteins or calories for the day. I'm not hungry and the thing I'm craving (a burger) I can't have, so my brain is saying "what's the point"? On a happy note, I've lost about 5lbs already and it's my TOM to boot so who knows how much weight I'll lose when all is said and done. If you slip up don't beat yourself up, but don't throw in the towel, either. It's a big transition but I feel confident in saying it will all be worth it in the end.

My doc's office said no pills over the size of a dime. I bought some of the gummy vitamins (hate the taste of regular chewables) and being on this pre op diet, their sweetness is like a treat! LOL

I'm on day 7 of the pre op diet and I'm not gonna lie; it SUCKS in the beginning. At this point I'm not even really hungry anymore and pretty much have to force myself to eat. However, the pounds are falling off and I'm excited to see how things are once I have surgery. It feels good to be starting off the new year doing something for myself I can finally stick to. Know that you're not alone in this journey, and welcome to the club!

If you have Tricare prime, just go see your PCM and let them know you're interested in surgery. You will need an authorization to see the surgeon. Don't let your pride get in the way; it's not as bad as you think. I also have Prime and the whole process from referral to approval only took 8 days. As we don't have surgeons here on our base (Malmstrom AFB) I'm seeing a civilian surgeon, and Prime is covering everything 100%. Just make sure to get all your paperwork squared away, and good luck!

My surgery is the 10th, so I'm suffering right along with you. I'm allowed things like sugar free pudding and Jello as well as 1/2c no sugar added apple sauce, sugar free yougurt, and low carb veggies. If you have Protein powder, try mixing it in with some sugar free pudding; it's a godsend when you feel like cheating and makes it much more tolerable. I'm not a fan of veggies on their own most of the time, so I've been eating some 0 point WW Soup I froze awhile ago; no fat and taste great! (And I don't think it breaks any of my rules...) I also got some Isopure tea from GNC; it's not the greatest but it's a break from the shakes. Only downside is you have to drink the whole bottle(20oz) to get 40g of protein as opposed to 8oz of the stuff I have to get the same amount. Hang in there, and know you're not alone!

My psych eval was just a short conversation with a licensed addictions counselor; I was actually kind of disappointed it was so brief. No one has discussed with me the emotional/mental side of the surgery, which I think is probably the hardest obstacle. While I agree 16 pages sounds excessive, be glad your doctors are being thorough!

I also had a reduction and still have nipple sensitivity; however, I do have some numbness in the surrounding tissue of one of my breasts. That being said, I would gladly have given up sensitivity for the 6 pounds I got off my chest!

I'm 29 and get banded on the 10th; better now than later!

No CPAP during surgery, but they will most likely intubate you. You will need to take it to the hospital with you if you're staying overnight, however.

Most surgeons prefer one or the other; haven't heard of any that offer both. That being said, I think the 2 biggest differences between the two are the band sizes and construction. The Lap Band has I believe 3 band sizes available as opposed to 2; if you look at pics of the 2 bands the Realize is one smooth tube that goes around your stomach as opposed to the Lap Band, which actually has smaller 'divisions' if you will in the tubing. My dr will be using the Lap Band.