mommycld

I'm being banded tomorrow morning at 7:30 am! Any last words of wisdom? Is there anything you wish you had known before your surgery day?

HI Chic!

I would like to tell you to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst... that is, in terms of post-op pain and/or nausea.

I wasn't adequately prepared for either... after reading all the posts (on here and elsewhere) that everything was 'rainbows and unicorns and I went home 5 hours later' WAS NOT my experience.

I had tremendous post op pain and nausea... and although I PLANNED on going home, I had to spend the night... and even though the pain/nausea med was prescribed IV ( but in a low dose) it JUST took the edge off.... I was disappointed in myself... and angry at my doc for not preparing me for MY reality... granted, I was home 24 hours later on oral pain/nausea meds, but I was really bummed out about the surgical day itself.... that's why I say hope for the best, but prepare for the worst... have a 'back-up plan' for staying overnight, just in case. And make sure your doc won't be 'stingy' with your meds.... I don't tell you this to scare you... just to prep you for the possibility:)

I hope for rainbows and unicorns for you big day..... stay strong

These day all I seem to do anymore is wait. At least now I'm looking into days until my surgery and not months. I thank God for that. My doctor said he would mke sure that he would see me on that operating table in 30 days or less. He would personlly see to the insurance company since I'm so young and he feels that I'm in desperate need of this surgery. It all shocked me but I'm definitely ready for this surgery. I'm just sitting around waiting and wishing it would come along and I could start my life anew. How long did it take you to get an insurance approval? and then how long did it take you to get your date? I need some help with all of this waiting left to do.

Hi Kourtany,

I totally understand... although I drug my heels FOR A YEAR after I received authorization (I got scared)......

Most insurance companies have mandatory requirements: seminar, meetings with nutritionist, psych evaluation.... have you completed any such requirements?

Whatever you do... don't get scared like I did... I feel like I wasted a year of my life!

Good luck... good things come to those who wait

Hi everybody!

As it turns out, I will have my band as scheduled on 02/10. I spoke with my doctor, and he was happy with my pre-op diet results, so he is definitely getting me in that day. On the flipside -- at the pre-op consult with him, I got to meet a few other future bandsters (all of us are getting banded in the next week) and it was pretty eye opening. The other bandsters ranged from people that have read a lot of information, talked to friends/coworkers/family who are banded, and have started to really mentally prepare for change -- to -- people who didn't even know what a BMI is (???...that really confused me). The woman I was sitting next to is paying out of pocket and she told me that she is doing this on a whim because she hates dieting...it kind of blew my mind. Plus, she admitted to hardly following the pre-op diet. I spoke up about maybe getting together a local support group and none of them seemed too interested.

Anyway, I am excited and ramped up about my band date! I'm starting to gather post-op supplies (chicken and veggie broth, unflavored whey Protein to mix into things, sugar-free Jello, etc.). I am a little nervous, because the doctor is also going to replair my hiatal hernia and the nurse said it will probably cause me the most discomfort. But, I guess my new life begins 02/10!

I hope you are all doing well!

Texas Mama ~ Boo! About having to change your date. But it does give more time to prepare. (((HUGS))) to you!

Hi Elle!

I had my surgery on the 28th of Jan.

I was expecting to go home the same day; however, I needed a hernia repair as well, and I was having a LOT of pain post-op @ the hernia repair site AND the port site. I was also very nauseated and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep pain medicine from coming back up... I opted to stay overnight... and believe me, I took the IV pain/nausea med EVERY chance I could!

Are you prepared to stay overnight if need be?

I felt silly and disappointed that I needed to stay... but I just swallowed my pride!

Good luck... keep us posted

Any other January bandsters have their first fill yet? I'm nervous about tomorrow and hope it won't be a difficult process. I have the embarrassing situation that I didn't even know where my port was...I thought it was in one spot but when I went for my 2nd nutritional session, the dietician said usually they are in a different spot and when I started feeling around I realized she was right! Oops! Anyway, would love to have some of you to share the experience with so let me know when you are getting your fills.

Julie

hi julie!

my first fill is scheduled for the 28th (i''m nervous already)!

Consider yourself lucky that you were unaware where your port is~~~ I DEFINITELY know where mine is... and it hurts like the dickens!!! It 'smooshes' when I bend over to get dressed/put on shoes/pick things up... and I hate that part!!! A bit disturbing that I can feel it so well... but hey, hopefully that means that accessing it will be easy!

Let us know how it goes!

I'm 4 days out... LOL... I JUST told my son that I'd give GOOD MONEY to be able to let out a burp 'like I used to do'.... i'ts killing me that it's all just stuck in there :mad3:

Hello,

I have Tricare Prime, and i have already gone through my PCM and got the referral (which was a breeze by the way), I am scheduled for my Orientation on Feb 10. I was wondering has anyone already completed the tricare prime orientation and if so what did it consist of?

Hi Shandra!

I'm Tricare Prime (south Texas) After the referral for the bariatric consult was obtained, I needed:

1. Initial evaluation by the bariatric surgeon

2. three meetings with the surgeon's nutritionist.

3. psychologist's evaluation (is your motivation justified, are you likely to comply)

4. Attend one hospital based support group meeting.

5. Demonstrate ability to start conforming to controlled diet, ie... LOSE 5% OF CURRENT BODY WEIGHT AT TIME OF REFERRAL (in my case, about 15 pounds)

6. I believe the BMI requirement is pre-determined by Tricare, but a lower BMI is considered, IF you have co-morbidities (high blood pressure, cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes, etc)

Hope this is helpful... and good luck

Hello.

My name is Melissa and I am a 34 year old mother of one. Six years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and since being medicated for it, I have gained about 100 lbs. I have recently started doing research on the Lap Band surgery, and I am going to talk to my dr about it to see if it is a good choice for me.

Right now, I don't have any insurance, but my husband just changed jobs so he should be getting insurance for us both in a few months. I can't wait until he gets it so I can call them and see if they would cover, or even partially cover the procedure.

I'm worried about the bipolar disorder though. Not so much the moods, which I know I need to be concerned with, but more if the medicines will just make me gain the weight again.

I'm also concerned about eating after the fact. I know it's terrible, but I'm already imagining craving foods, and I wonder if I'll ever be able to eat the foods that I sometimes indulge in now.

I understand the process is different for everyone, and I can't really ask about the surgery because of the differences each of us will have. So I won't ask about the actual procedure, but if you feel like sharing your experience, I'd love to hear it all.

I'll stop blabbing for now, but please, anyone feel free to share your experiences, insurance issues, etc.

Thanks!

Melissa

Hi Melissa!

I have depression... no bipolar, no mood swings... but I've been dealing with the condition and the meds for 12 years now (started out as post partum depression).... I, too, have gained 100# over the last 12 years.... undoubtedly, somewhat related to meds.

Incidentally, I've had a few "panic" episodes in the last few years... typically related to starting new meds.

I was authorized... and scheduled for the procedure over a year ago.... and did tons of soul searching to psyche myself into it.

That being said, I was just banded last week.

My first morning home... when it was time to take all my morning meds... and I was fretting about getting them all down... (I used to take up to 10 at a time).... I had a little 'episode'... racing thoughts, rapid pulse, short of breath, dizzy.... but being that my husband lives and works in Japan (and I'm alone with my 12 and 10 year old sons)... I put myself in a time out and 'went to a happy place'...eventually, I came out of it (I have NO anxiety meds ordered... yet) !! The few days since are getting better, slowly, but surely.

There are a couple of points I'm trying to make: 1. You don't get banded overnight... 6 months to a year is typical time to 'jump through all the hoops' of getting authorized. 2. You have plenty of time to meet with your psych provider(s) and discuss possible 'worst case scenarios'... and how you would respond to them...

I also thought about ALL those delish foods that I probably won't be enjoying any more (at least not indulging in)... Well, those images got flushed when my 4 year old niece told me, "MOVE... BIG FAT LADY".... out of the mouth of a babe... THAT was my final straw... I HAD to do this for ME... I want to see my kids grow up (and be healthy enough to enjoy it)!!!

This afternoon, I was regretting it when I almost tossed my Tomato Soup.

This evening, I'm back to being happy.

Give yourself credit where credit is due; however, be realistic in knowing (and acknowledging) your emotional limitations.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck!

So I am 1 week post op today and am on liquids for 2 more weeks. I am not hungry at ALL and know I need to eat when I get weak or dizzy...so, my question is...is 500-600 calories too little, just right, for this phase? I am counting them because I can't be accountable for everything I put in my mouth if I don't and it's good practice for later...plus I have been doing it for a while anyway.

Any suggestions? I am eating basically 1/2 cup of creame of whatever Soup, yogurt, cottage cheese, tea, Protein shakes...occasionally coffee so I am following the list the doc gave me...I just am not in the habit of making myself eat when I am not hungry. I started to a little bit when I realize the first few days I was only getting 300 calories and would get dizzy whenever I stood up. 600 seems to be helping with energy but should I add more on purpose or just enjoy the lack of appetite for now?

Hi happy girl!

Like you, I'm trying to be conscientious of what I'm downing... and last night, the day's total was only 300 cal

Today is my first day on full liquids, and I'm READY!

In all of the literature given to me, NONE indicate a calorie goal/limit... but I can't imagine that it should be less than 1,000/day... how else are we supposed to recover from surgery?

The trouble is that it's difficult at this stage to consume 1,000 'good' calories.

My list: **** all are 'diet, fat free, sugar free, etc***

THINNED full liquids: applesauce, baby food, diet veggie juice, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, cream soup, cream of wheat.

My shake alone is 200+ calories (I add a banana, 1 scoop frozen yogurt, 1/2 cup milk)... 2 of these/day is how I get my 60 g Proteins.

Hope you're feeling well.... I'm getting past the nausea and weakness... but the gas pain in my left shoulder is KILLING me. Figures, it's gotta be something!!!:!:

Good luck to you.. I dont even have my surgery date yet and I'm getting cold feet lol. I have pleantly of before pictures and I look at them everyday to remind myself why I'm doing this. You will be fine!

Hey Amanda!

Don't get cold feet!

I was scheduled for January....A YEAR AGO.... and I chickened out.... finally had it last week.... can't believe I wasted a whole year fretting !!!

Good luck to you!

So i start my all liquid preop tomorrow and should really be enjoying today- but sadly, the past four days i have had the FLU and been a nasty sick mess. nothing has stayed in me. today is my first day NOT being sick. so, my toast for breakfast and crackers for lunch- looks like my ''exciting' last meal with my family will not be so exciting afterall.

sigh.

i wish it didnt go downt this way- but at least i have lost a ton of weight in four days having the flu!! LOL... gotta look on the bright side ...right?

I am ready for this. but its scary when its right around the corner.

right?

I'll be thinking of you!

Best of luck... and let us know how you're doing post-op!!!

I was banded on 1/25 and I am doing pretty good, I had a set back that put me back in the hospital for another night but my recovery is moving right along now. I do find that my chest feels really tight and I have a hard time breathing (beyond the hurts when I take a deep breath), this is worse when I lay down. Has anyone else had this issue?

Some degree of difficulty is expected... however, you've got to keep ahead of bronchitis/pneumonia by faithfully practicing your respiratory hygiene.

Every hour, use the incentive spirometer from the hospital (if you don't have one... slowly/deeply inhale and exhale through pursed lips) use a small pillow/rolled towel to splint your abdomen. In addition, breathe deeply and cough a few times... try doing this after you've had a pain med, when it's not as painful.

Walking around will also help loosen secretions and aerate your lungs.

I KNOW it's some unpleasant stuff, but it sure beats getting pneumonia!!!:juggle:

Best of luck... let me know how you're doing

I was banded on 1/25 and I am doing pretty good, I had a set back that put me back in the hospital for another night but my recovery is moving right along now. I do find that my chest feels really tight and I have a hard time breathing (beyond the hurts when I take a deep breath), this is worse when I lay down. Has anyone else had this issue?

Some degree of difficulty is expected... however, you've got to keep ahead of bronchitis/pneumonia by faithfully practicing your respiratory hygiene.

Every hour, use the incentive spirometer from the hospital (if you don't have one... slowly/deeply inhale and exhale through pursed lips) use a small pillow/rolled towel to splint your abdomen. In addition, breathe deeply and cough a few times... try doing this after you've had a pain med, when it's not as painful.

Walking around will also help loosen secretions and aerate your lungs.

I KNOW it's some unpleasant stuff, but it sure beats getting pneumonia!!!:juggle:

Best of luck... let me know how you're doing

Hi Carollee,

I was banded same day as you, I still have quite a bit of pain and swelling.

It is a little worse than I thought it would be. I don't have any nausia just sorness.

I'm mostly drinking Water and chicken broth in small sips.

Tomorrow I will try some V8 or maybe cream of chicken Soup put through the blender and then strained.

Lori

That's great that you get to advance your diet already...

My doc insists on Clear Liquids for the first week... then full liquids for another, PLUS another week of full liquids because of the hernia repair :confused3:

not too sure if I'm going to be able to hand for that long...

Let me know how your diet is progressing :wink3:

Hi January bandsters!

As I read through your posts, I feel like a big cry-baby!

I was banded Friday, the 28th... along with having an unexpected hiatal hernia repair. I was having too much pain and nausea to go home (12 and 10 year old boys... hubby living in Japan)... so I stayed overnight. In my opinion, the meds ordered for pain and nausea were less than optimal... and I had a mean-spirited roomy that kept her tv blasting all night :cryin:

I've been home for less than 24 hours now... STILL a good bit of nausea and pain.

By the time I got all my usual morning pills down (one at a time), the thought of consuming any more liquids completely freaked me out.:hurt:

I'm not typically one to 'panic' in the face of adversity, but I definitely could have used some Xanax a couple hours ago!

I just crawled back into bed and prayed. A lot.

Feeling a little better now (Thank God for Phenergan and Lortab), but I can't imagine driving myself to the doc's office tomorrow to get this local anesthetic drip device removed :eek:

And to think...when the doc came into my room yesterday to discharge me, he said "seriously, you should be able to drive yourself home today and resume your normal activities."

I wanted to punch him in the kisser :cursing:

He was not very sympathetic...not at all, actually. I guess he's into the "tough love" way of doing things. I'm not. I'm not like 'everyone else'... I guess I'm special :ack2:

Thanks for listening!

:rant:

One thing I wasn't prepared for was after losing 12 lbs on the pre-op diet, they put several bags of fluids in me for the surgery. I came home 4 lbs heavier. It was a little shocking. I mean, it was logical, but a little heads up would have been great! lol

I'm 6 days post-op and completely pain free. I've been back to my regular life routine for 4 days now and feel fantastic! Every morning when I step on the scale is like Christmas. The liquid diet has been easier when I remember that "I eat to live not live to eat." This comes from a confirmed foodie, too. I watch cooking shows, I cook for my family and others, too. I'm known as a cook. I'm having to figure out who I am now. This is really an exciting journey in several ways. I'm so excited!!!

Stacy

Hi Stacy!

So good to hear that you're progressing well post-op!!!

Today's my big day.... I'm out the door in 10 minutes!!

Here we gooOOOOoooo

I'm finally getting to leave the hospital in about an hour. Just wanted to mention that I have had NO signs of hunger. Pretty cool. And walking really is best for the pain, even if its just a 2 minute walk. The rest of you going this month will do great! I am so thankful that its been a breeze so far.

Hi Amber!

Thanks for checking in... it helps to hear from someone who is 'fresh'.... I'm so nervous about tomorrow... hope I sleep tonight!!

Congrats!!!

Hi Calibander!

How funny... I lurked for a few weeks myself!

I have to say, I'm nervous about tomorrow, too.... my greatest anxiety revolves around the immediate post-op period... when they've just extubated... and you're not asleep... but not awake... yet you can TOTALLY feel pain and nausea.... hate that with a passion

Do you live in Southern Cali???? My husband is Navy... we've lived in San Diego a couple of times.... and will be back there this summer for a couple more years.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow... best of luck... meet you on the other side

Good luck Raven and Carollee! You both will be fine. I'm a bit sore today, I think because all the "good" meds have been used up. I'm now just taking tylenol. It's not really pain it's more just soreness. Too many sit ups kind of sore. I can feel how snug I am because when I take sips of Water I can feel it go down. I think I'll be one of those that in the mornings wake up snug. It's not as tight now. Warm tea (not hot), chicken broth and Water today. I have gas bubbles in my tummy and every time they try to go up for a burp that hurts something fierce. But it goes back down and now I feel it working the other direction. Yay! How weird that I would rather,...well you get the picture. The stomach cavity gas is still there, but I can usually alleviate it with a heating pad and walking around. So day 2 post op and I'm still feeling great. See you too on this side very soon!

Thanks for the pep talk, metime!!!

I've been really brave and pumped all week... but today... not so much

I went out today to pick up a few *sugar free popsicle items... yum

I get nervous that I'm going to freak out on the Clear liquids... how pathetic

Now to finish the house cleaning... this will be the last for quite a while

I feel like one of the last ones to be banded this month lol.

Im glad I read your stories and thank you so much for sharing. I do believe reading them is a blessing but a curse for me. Im scared beyond belief but at least Im fully aware of the worst case normal scenerios, more of an idea what is ok and what is not normal. I spend tomorrow packing, getting last minute items, etc. and then leave at 3am and from there...my journey begins. As my facilitator said to me today "Tomorrow you are one day closer to a whole new you"!

Hi ravendays!

I'm right there with you! I'm a 'first case', so I'm checking in at 630am.

Hope all goes well with you... see you back here soon!!!

Hi guys! I'm doing great! No pain. Although the gas pain was really bad when I first woke up. I got up and walked a couple times and that did the trick. Just wanted to update you!

three cheers for amber!!!

let us know how the 'clear liquids' are coming along

my dr. ordered me to stay overnight, the pain about 24hrs later is better than it was yesterday The gas is pretty rough but it seems to be getting better, good luck on friday! Any questions let me know and keep me posted how ur day goes!

thanks for the well wishes, justine!

So i was banded yesterday the 25th! After surgery i woke up in recovery and was just in a lot of pain! As the day went on the gas was pretty intense it almost takes my breath away when i get a gas pocket. The surgical sight is just very sore and a tight feeling in my stomach like I did one to many crunches. Im hoping the gas and tightness gets better as the days go on. Any thoughts on the first few days after the surgery?

Hi Justine!

I'm not being banded until Friday, but I wanted to check in with a 'fresh band'... and that's YOU!!

Good to hear you made it to the other side

Sorry the pain was/is rough... that's not something I look forward to

Did you spend the night at the hospital??? I'm planning on coming home, but I don't know how often it is that an overnight stay is necessary....

I am leaving for surgery in about a half an hour!

Best of luck Amber!!!!

Try to update us whenever you're feeling up to the challenge!

I've said a prayer for you

Hello January Bandsters!

Just joined the site... looking for words of wisdom

My surgery is scheduled for Friday, the 28th... and despite being VERY ready, I AM nervous ...primarily about waking up in pain and nausea and that general 'post anesthesia' feeling that I hate

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences... it really does help