TX_Kimmie

I was banded by Dr. Spivak on Feb 5th. I have only wonderful things to say about him and his staff. I go for my first fill in just a few weeks. I requested Dr. Spivak for the first one and his staff accommodated me with no question. They are very supportive. I am self pay also. Get ready for the first couple of weeks. They can be a bit rough. This board has been a life saver for me. Wonderful people who know exactly what you are going through. Best of luck and hope to hear back from you.

I could not agree more with the above. I planned on taking just a week, went back the following week - BIG mistake. Was just too much and I was misreable in pain. Take the time to properly heal. I would definately ask your doctor about lifting and any other repeatative functions you have to perform. Just to make sure you don't injury yourself. Best of luck.

The thread subject is: Post-op Checklists - Things to have before surgery. Excellent source of info. Good luck!

You might want to do a search... but I believe someone posted a checklist they put together in preparation of surgery. It was very helpful to me. Congrats and good luck!

Excellent input from everyone. Anyone else want to add suggestions re: fish? I need to acquire a taste..... soon. I will be graduating from some of the mushies. Thanks!

Nonni - I was banded on 2/5 and it seems as though it was about day 11 or 12 where I can say I felt as though I really turned the corner. It took much longer than I anticipated and I too was very frustrated with the recovery. But I think it is because I was doing too much and pushing myself too hard. I came back to work way too soon which hindered the process even more. My best advice would be to listen to your body, take it easy and walk when you can. The Water does indeed help, but there are days were I find it is difficult to do. By the end of the first week, I think I was able to take a bite or two of cottage cheese, I think that is high in Protein. Since I was able to tolerate it, that was a protein source for me. If you mix it with sugar free Jello, it helps. And for the pain, my heating pad was my new best friend - ha! Each day does get better. Congrats on being a bander! Wishing you much success!!!! :-)

I love him! I have had a great experience with him and his staff. Hopefully that continues. Scheduled for my first fill on March 15th. I am still fairly swollen and feel tight. I have started on soft fruit and that is going well. We will see when I get brave enough to try something else. Regarding my goal weight... well, I would love to be 130#'s, however, I would be thrilled just to be in a size 8/10 again! So I am trying to see how it goes for me. My mind fluctuations on the actual goal weight. Not sure that is normal, but I want to keep it realistic and obtainable. How did your first fill go???? Keep in touch...

Hey Enterprise01. I am a patient of Spivak too! I was banded of Feb 5th. The day of surgery, I weighed 218 as well. Small world. Best of luck to you! Wish you much success. I am preparing for my next stage of foods. Still on creamy Soups and mushies for now. Fish might be an option later. I have to think about it. Best wishes.

Thanks GayleTx!

I was able to tolerate french onion soup (strained out the chunks) and tomato basil. Those helped me through. I banded on Feb 5th. I was able to eat sugar free jello in my first week. Was nice to have something with flavor. Hope that helps. I am only a little bit ahead of you and I can promise it gets better. But will mention, my first two weeks were quite difficult. Hang in there. Lots of support on these boards. Take care.

OK, fish is one food item I know I should have, but have never included as a menu option at home. I am prepared to acquire a taste for it, however, need suggestions on the best tasting fish (other than salmon). I guess I had a bad past experience where it just tasted too "fishy" if that makes sense. LOL! Any suggestions on a good quality, yummy tasting, and satisfying fish???? If so, where did you buy it? Did you buy it fresh or frozen? And if you ordered it at a restaurant and you loved it, which restaurant? Also, I am searching for yummy fish recipes too. Feel free to share your ideas - they are all welcome!!!!! :hungry: Kim

Yep, I was banded on Feb 5th, this week is the first week I am not misreable. I am sore, but at least no pain. Don't rush back to work like I did. I probably made matters worse. I was not good at listening to my body. Take care, Kim

HeatherGurl - P.S. I noticed your before and after pic's. You look great. Another success story. Congratulations. Keep us posted on your progress. I am a newbie of Dr. Spivak, just three weeks post-op. But I am hopeful! Take care, Kim

HeatherGurl - do you work for Dr. Spivak?

Welcome Mdrai. I understand exactly what you are talking about. I felt the exact same way and question that on a regularly. I did ultimately decide to get banded; on Feb 5th, so only been a few weeks. Here is what I came to the realization.... since my weight problem was derived from pastas, breads, rice, etc. I knew I had issues anyway. So either I was going to have to come to grips with putting these items in moderation on my own or I was going to need help. I decided on the band - I needed the help. Keep in mind the band is simply restriction, therefore, eventually I will be able to eat the bad food along with the good. However, it will help me manage the quantity. What I am finding since I have been banded, is that I am making better choices. Granted I am not at the stage where bread is really an option, however, I made the commitment for a lifestyle change because my weight was out of control and I could not do it on my own. With that being said, even if you decide to get banded, you will still need to have discipline, the band is merely a guide. Trust, it is not a magic wand where it is all easy, but it has been very helpful. You are doing the right thing by researching it further. Make sure it is right for you. It is surgery and there is recovery involved. I have two small children, and the recovery has not been just a matter of days for me. I just feel as though I have turned the corner. Giver yourself plenty of time to recover if you do go for it. And get involved with this board or another support group. You will need it to stay on track and other "banded" folks are super supportive. And you will continue to have lots of questions. This is a great place to come for information. You are truly getting it from those who have experienced it all. Best wishes in whatever you decide. Take care, Kim

I will need to take a look at the piece of paper I have. Seems like it mentioned something about going "upstairs" for the meeting. Like you, I was uncertain about the atmosphere of a meeting if it were held there. That was another reason why I was hoping to hear from someone who is participating at this location. Hopefully they can shed some light on what to expect. Anyone out there attend this location?????? We hope to hear from you. Kim

Is there anyone out there that attends the support group at Central Market in Houston, Texas? I think it is the 3rd Saturday of the month. If so, can you give me some insight on the meeting? I was recently banded and feel it will be beneficial to me to participate in a support group. Hope to hear from of you Houstonians!:mad:

Congrats! I was banded on Feb 5th, so I am a newbie too. You will do great. First week is a bit rough, but it gets better. I am just now starting to see the light. You will grow to love broth - oohhhh yeahhhh! Best wishes, Kim

Thank you EVERYONE who has posted with such kind words of encouragement. Today was the first morning I woke up with no pain (still uncomfortable), but no pain. However, after an hour commute and being bounced around in the car and a few hours at my desk, I am back to being in pain. Oddly enough, I was optimistic that the morning was much better. I assume I will probably have a few more rough days, but at least the improvement is apparent. Monster hugs to my fellow bandsters! Your kind words mean a great deal in getting through this. Joy - welcome to the board. Please message anytime you need a boost. Everyone is so darn nice. Best of luck to you. Kim

Thanks Joan! This support is awesome. I think I am still pretty swollen. And I did return to work today - but think I could have used another few days off. But boss isn't feeling my absence - ya know. I commute about 40 miles in - which is SO difficult, but I brought my pillow with me. Mostly I feel weak and the internal soreness today. Just not 100% me yet, know what I mean?

Thanks Sherilynn! I guess I thought it would be rough for 3-5 days max. Boy was I wrong. I think I might be more like you...it might take two weeks before really seeing the turning point. I feel VERY restricted. Just to drink water takes forever. I have to take little bity sips about 30 secs apart otherwise it hurts. Maybe that is it, I am simply swollen and need more time to heal. I will keep in touch. Thanks for your kind thoughts. -Kim

Ok, coming to the ones that can really identify. I was banded on 2/5 (one week ago), and I am struggling with the recovery stage. I generally feel week, but the worst seems to be the soreness and tightness in my belly. Probably port site. Feels fine to walk or lay down, but to sit at my desk, it feels awful. I have had laparoscopy before and two c-section deliveries. Didn't expect to still be struggling thru the recovery part one week out. I realize this sounds terribly whinny, but I am so frustrated. Still haven't come to terms with the band... I refer to him as "Bandit" for now. I am sure in time I will grow to love him, but for the past 7 days, not so much. I am also still attempting to adapt to the food. At this point, still on soups, broths, and liquids. Cottage cheese is as thick as it gets. I tried a few smashed beans the other night - and that was a no go! Could my stomach still be swollen after a week? Come on, when does this get a little better? NEED SUPPORT!!!!!! KIM

Hello all. Surgery in the morning. Fingers crossed all goes smoothly. I will be back on line with an update as soon as I am up and running. Take care, Kim

I am self pay, my surgery is Monday 8:00am at the surgical center. Wish me luck. I am so darn excited. My procedure had to be rescheduled once, so it is go time! I will be back to post again once I am back home and rested.

Through earlier conversations in a separate thread, it was suggested to have a specific thread for Spivak's patients to share experiences. Please feel free to join in. Lynn, Terry and Deb hope to see your updates here. Take care, Kim *To be banded Monday, February 5th