JourneyGirl

Try to remember that there is negativity about everything that people do whether it be WLS, exercise, the kind of car we purchase, etc... 1) What is this "nerve pain" people talk about that the band can cause? I have not had any of this. So far everything is going great. 2) IF you could pick your band, which would you choose...Realize or Lap-Band? Do I ask for a low profile port? Can I ask where the port is going to be located? My doctor uses both bands. We went over both of them and they are both good, so I told him whatever he had on hand the day of is fine w/ me. I ended up having the Lap-Band brand. My port is located 2" above and to the right of my Belly button. I have ABSOLUTELY no pain, and haven't from the moment out of surgery at my port site. I even started sleeping on my side that afternoon while in the hospital and have ever since. 3) What do you wish they would have told you before surgery? Do you ever feel like you were mislead? I know this is a "tool" and it needs to be worked, I'm not asking for an easy out, but I also want to be deceived with false hope and promises, know what I mean? I need a tool that is going to help me, not hinder me. I was going to get the band 2 years ago then read some "bad" things people were saying and switched to the bypass. I didn't want my organs redone so I canceled surgery 1 week before. 1.5 years alter I got banded (last week) and I am so very glad that I did. I wish that I would have let my doctors office know of how I was feeling and talked to them, if I did I may have done the banding 1.5 years ago. The LRD was hard to do! And I"ll admit that the first week I cheated at times, I had a few bites of chicken, or peppers. Nothing "bad" for you but some veggies. My diet consisted of Protein shakes and liquid only. I wish that we (doc and I) would have gone over this more. You know what you want to do. Don't let what you read scare you off. There is a chance in everything in life we do, driving, walking, going to school/work, etc.... If we didn't do things we wanted to because of the "what-if's" what kind of a life would we have? it sure seems that once we start seeing posts on what could go wrong then all of a sudden they are popping up everywhere. I don't know why that is, it happened w/ me too. Keep your chin up, think positive, and you will do great!! In your heart, you know what to do, go with that!! Good luck, Wendy

Faith, My banding went AWESOME! I have an amazing doctor and the practice he is at is great too. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I am sure that this added to my great experience. I have read that many can't sleep on there sides for days after surgery. For me that wasn't the case. From the day of surgery I rolled over to nap on my side and was fine. Just a small about of "uncomfortableness" but not "pain." The only thing that bothered me was the gas pains. UGH! I still have some discomfort with it but it is, slowly, getting better. I meet with my doctor this Friday (1 week 3 days after surgery). RIght now I am on a Full liquid diet which includes low fat/ fat free cream Soups, Jello, pudding, cream of wheat along w/ the "normal" liquids. I am really hoping that he moves me along to the next stage at the appointment. I have no problem with anything so far. I pray it stays that way. So on the 11th . . . is this your first meeting w/ the doctor? Do you have your surgery scheduled yet? Forgive me but I forgot. It is hard to keep up with everyone. lol I have tried a few different Protein shakes and I could barf!! They are all so gross with the exception of the fusion Protein Shakes. Those are to die for! But it is pricey, which is why after the first container I tried others. I wasted more money trying other shakes that stunk when I could have gotten another of the good stuff. Now I have to finsih this gross one because I refuse to waste the money. Keep me updated on how things are going. My e-mail should be on my profile page. Please feel free to e-mail me at anytime. I am certainly no pro, but am learning more and more. I am always here to lend an encouraging word!! Wendy

Same thing here. Milk of Mag for me. It works pleasantly.

They all sound so good. I will have to try them all. Can't wait to get to the mushy stage! Thanks for posting.

4 day post op and every time I burp or hiccup I have this wonderful pain. I have been thinking that it is air and hoping that it is because it is a rather unpleasant feeling. Mine is also on the left side and seems to also be right in the middle of my chest. I completely forgot about gas x strips. Going to send the hubby out to get them asap. I bet that is what it is. How did your surgery go? Other then the lovely gas pain how is everything going?

I am only 5 days post op so I can't really help you. But the nutritionist told us that if we notice that we are not losing then to check our protein and fluid intake. She say 9 times out of 10 it is because our protein intake isn't where it should be. HTH, Wendy

There isn't any need to feel concerned. You won't feel any restriction or lack of appetite until after you get a fill, and even then it may take more then one (fill) before you do feel some. Right now it is about getting your fluids and protein in and healing on the inside.

Good luck on your journey!! How exciting! Hope all went well and I look forward to hearing how it all went.

I was banded 2/22 and doing great!! No pain meds, nausea or anything. Couldn't even tell I had surgery, but that is normally how I am, I bounce back like a rubber band. lol To all those coming up for surgery, GOOD LUCK!!! Can't wait to read your surgery story!

I am only 3 days post op but the nurses told me to have 40 ounces of fluid a day. As long as I have that I will be fine. 64 oz is ideal but 40 is good. I know that everyone doctor/ nurse is different. That is just what mine is saying and I am just making it to 40 ounces at this point.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I have wondered why we are on liquids again for so long. This makes total sense to me and also helps me not want to "cheat". I am 3 days post op. Day of surgery and the day after I had broth, tea, juice, Jello and popsicles. Now I am on to a full liquid diet. This includes the addition of pudding, yogurt, and cream of wheat! I did cheat last night. I had a small bite of pork chop, chewed until it practically melted in my mouth. I think it was the moistest pork I had ever made. Also a small bite of rice, talking few grains here, and a teeny tiny bite of croissant. It all went down just fine but then had some minor pain, and decided that there was a reason why the doctors say to wait. So I am going to have to deal with it. lol I just wish that I could have some cream Soup. I love tomotoe soup, slit pea, etc... If it was pureed very well with no lumps and very runny can I please, please, please have it?! lol Wendy

I know 4 people who have had RNY. One nearly died from it. One has lost all her weight and started gaining some, 20 pds,back, one can only have liquids 3 years out, and one has gained 50% of the weight lost back. I know 2 people w/ the band very well. One has lost 80% of HER goal weight. One had to have it removed but was loosing and doing well. Bottom line is this: Weight loss is work! With the band and RNY. You may not have to work so hard initally to loose weight w/ the RNY but 3 years out you will. You will HAVE to eat good, low fat/low calorie meals, and workout to keep the weight off. JUST LIKE THE BAND. We have to be ready mentally and emotionally to succeed at WLS, whichever one we choose. We can't go in expecting it to do the work for us. Rules are there to help us succeed. And only you know if you were giving it your all. Even with GNY you are going to crave foods. It isn't going to stop that. You are the only one who can control what goes in your mouth and if/how often you work out. To tell others that the Lap Band won't be there for you in the long run isn't fair to those looking into things. Where is the back up. It wasn't for you for whatever reason. But to say that it doesn't work for anyone, come on. RNY nearly killed my Aunt, but that isn't to say that no one should have that type of WLS. Maybe one day the band will be obsolete, does that mean that it wasn't "good?" Not neccesarily, research may come to find something that works better. To those considering WLS remember that many people have been EXTREMELY successful and YEARS later they still are. Do your research and make whatever decision that is best for you. llcarlos48 - Good luck w/ the RNY. I am glad that you are happy with your decision.

Welcome to the board! There is so much information here it is amazing. I didn't think that the 2 week liquid diet was that bad until today. My surgery is tomorrow and I am just so done with it! lol The Protein shakes really filled me up. broth helped as did popsicles. Jello makes me gag but I did try it sometimes. Your mind definitely plays games with you. I was never truly hungry but I thought I should be if that makes sense. I just did something to take my mind off of it and that worked for me. I was on 4 shakes @ 27 g of protein daily and 64 fl. ounces of clear liquid. The waiting until the day is finally here is worse. lol Good luck and again, Welcome. Wendy

I just want to say good luck to everyone this week!! I will be praying for you all (us all) and to have uneventful surgerys! I got a call this afternoon that my surgery has been moved to 11:30. That actually works out good, now I can see my children before I leave which will make them feel better. I will talk to you all when I get home. Again, GOOD LUCK!! :welldoneclap: Wendy

I was just wondering who is scheduled to be banded this week? I just wanted to say good luck! I am being banded on Tuesday @ 9:45am.

I am on liquids for the first week after surgery and Cream of Wheat/ MaltOMeal is on my list (and my doctor is strict)! We are told to make sure it is real runny w/ milk or water. Also the nutritionist suggested putting a scoop of protein powder in it so we can get our daily protein in too. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

I will be banded Tuesday but wanted to tell you that your post is encouraging! It is nice to read of someone who feels good after surgery and who is liking what stage they are at w/ the food! Thanks!

CONGRATULATIONS on your big step!!! :party: When people talk about "I know 'x' number of people who failed yada, yada " Think of the THOUSANDS that succeeded!! Do YOU want to succeed at this? That is all that is important. If you want it bad enough you will do what you need to to succeed. Maybe tell those 2 people that you need to hear encouraging things at this time, not discouraging. So if it isn't encouraging and uplifting then keep it to themselves. I will be on 1 week of liquids after my surgery. But I at least can have cream of wheat and pudding in addition to broth and Jello (which I gag on), popsicles, etc. I am really looking forward to that. lol Before you know it you will be eating "normal" food again!! Hang in there. You can do it!!

double post

Congratulations on the big decision. I, too, have been deciding this for a while now. I started with the Lap Band then switched to bypass and canceled the morning of my Pre-Op. Then 1.5 years later decided to do what my heart told me and that was the Lap Band. I have three children and a husband and have to be healthy to be around for a long time. Finally I am here, not scared and so very excited. My surgery is this Tuesday (22nd) :bananajump: Who is your doctor? I am in WNY as well. You will do fine. All the emotions you are feeling are normal. Good luck!!

Have you ever made your own laundry detergent? Very inexpensive and works great. GREAT for those allergic to scents, etc... If you are interested I'll give you the recipe or website. Good luck!

Have you ever made your own laundry detergent? Very inexpensive and works great. GREAT for those allergic to scents, etc... If you are interested I'll give you the recipe or website. Good luck!

Have you ever made your own laundry detergent? Very inexpensive and works great. GREAT for those allergic to scents, etc... If you are interested I'll give you the recipe or website. Good luck!

I will be banded this Tuesday (22nd) by Dr. Pham. I have a dear friend who had him as her surgeon and has nothing but wonderful things to say about him. Her surgery went great and has lost 70 (or very close to) lbs in one year. The staff is wonderful and very supportive. Are you having surgery?

My nutritionist said above all else make sure you are getting your daily protein, fluid and vitamins. If you are still tired then it could be something else. But the majority of the time that is what it is. Hope this helps.