Corrigan

I can't think of much I would change. My PCP suggested I undergo WLS to mitigate problems with diabetes and sleep apnea, and suggested Cedars-Sinai hospital. It's in Beverly Hills, about 150 miles from where I live and a horrific drive, but It was worth it. I didn't know it at the time, but it's a Center of Excellence, accredited by the American College of Surgeons and probably the best place in southern California to have Lap band surgery done. To date I haven't had a single significant problem. No pain except for the incisions and port and that was minor.

Aside from dehydration, lack of fluids can lead to constipation so you really should drink all that you can, and as a previous poster said, all liquids count. I had a problem with a sore throat from the intubation tube that made drinking more difficult and hot liquids seemed to go down easier. Our nutritionist suggested mint tea.

I can't imagine they would send you home without proper nutritional information. You definitely need at least 75-100 grams of protein a day. There are many pre-mixed drinks on the market, if you have a Walmart or costco near you, they both have drinks and Protein powder you mix yourself in a blender. These should be sugar free of course. What you're drinking now is fine as long as you get about 64 oz a day of liquid. You'll get a lot more advice here, this is a very helpful forum. In my opinion, you should be taking a chewable, Multivitamin w/iron and a lot more. If you really don't know what else you need, please ask, everyone here will be glad to help. All the best.

I think you're really pushing it, Your body has just been through major trauma and needs to heal. At Cedars-Sinai in LA, we were told the first week should be clear liquids, the second week, full liquids, week 3 & 4, pureed and mashed foods, week 5, chopped foods and week 6 and later, solid foods including eggs. I'm sure you know all this and to have your surgery be successful, you need to allow yourself to recover completely. I hope you have access to a nutritionist to help you through this. Good luck.

It sounds like you should be talking with a good nutritionist. I'm sure weight loss is still just as important to you as ever, you have just put it on hold. Don't forget why you started this to begin with, your kids, the way others look at you the way clothes fit. There are many people here on this forum that can help you get back on track, so good luck and I hope you can continue to keep losing.

Like the old joke goes:" Doc, it hurts when I do this." "Well, don't do that". I guess I shouldn't be smart, but our nutritionist told us that when an activity bothered us, not to do it.

I had exactly the same thing for almost a week. It was the worst part of my banding. it was the intubation as the previous poster said. If it really bothers you, a little Lortab will fix you right up : > ).

Trying to get in shape for the prom next year, Cindy ; > ).

Before surgery, I had been taking fish oil caps on recommendation of my PCP. Before surgery, my surgeon asked me to discontinue them but now, after LBS, he said to begin them again. Right now, without fills that shouldn't be a problem, but after fills, with restriction I was wondering if anyone was taking these and how they went down. I'm sure not going to open them, they're nasty.

With all the time, trouble and money you've spent on this journey, you certainly are strong enough to resist the pangs of of a little hunger so as not to jeopardize your surgery before its had time to heal. Grit your teeth, eat a Popsicle and three weeks will be gone before you know it. It's not easy, but really important things seldom are.

I really don't think I'd get Lap band surgery done by someone advertising on a billboard. Done by a properly trained surgeon, LBS is just as safe as any other surgery. If there is any way you can get yours done at a Center of Excellence, I think you should. You'll never regret it. Whatever you decide, good luck.

From reading these forums you'd think almost everyone undergoing WLS had major problems with gas, pain, etc., but It's probably that most people who don't have problems don't post about their boring recovery. In my case. I had no problems at all, except for a little site pain.

Almost everyone who's undergone Weight loss surgery felt exactly the way you do. Take a deep breath, think about the clean house you'll have when you get home and relax, you'll be fine. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

If it's in your throat, it's probably from the intubation device, and it'll go away in a few days but if it's behind your breastbone you probably should contact your physician.

My hospital asked me to bring mine, but you'ld need to ask yours if they need the machine or just your mask, which you can get on ebay for not too much. Medical supply places sell the machines for 1200 to $1500, but you can find the same ones online for about half that, if you ever need one. Weight loss will help or even cure sleep apnea, but it takes time. Good luck.

Lisa, I've had sleep apnea for some years and I wouldn't know how else to describe it. The problem with sleep apnea is that it interupts REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and you never really become fully rested. IMHO, you need a CPAP machine and i hope your Dr. will prescribe one for you. Best of luck and make sure you get help with this.

If you don't absolutely have to have a face to face support group, I don't think you'll find a better one than right here. Folks here have been through the entire range of experiences and can give you the best non professional advice and support you'll find anywhere. This is your life and you should be the one to make decisions concerning it. Best of luck and let us know how things turn out.

I've likewise only been banded a short while, but I'm really tired of sweet stuff, I want bacon and eggs and hash browns. No problem keeping stuff down, cream of wheat and oatmeal just don't do it any more, maybe if they're cooked in beef broth, yuck. I guess I'm just going to have to wait. Guess my willpower isn't what I thought.

I think everyone felt the same way before banding. If you can get to a Center of Excellence, you are likely to have a wonderful experience. I'm ten days out and had absolutely no problems. Whatever you decide, Best of luck and let us know how it goes and don't pay any attention to rude people!

I'm speaking from very limited experience, having been banded just 10 days ago. I was starving to death for the first few days, but now I seem to be full all the time. I really don't feel like eating anything, I keep my protein up, but just do it on schedule. As far as I'm concerned, I don't see any fills coming until hunger returns or I quit loosing weight. I'll keep my appointments, even though it means driving through 150 miles of LA traffic, (worst in the country). I'm loosing three lbs a week and if it continues, I see no reason for fills.

I'd like to know how you made out. I'm a week out and my experience couldn't have been better. My doctor was Dr Burch with whom I had a great repore. The room was like a large motel room with a couch, large table and four stuffed chairs. The view was of the LA skyline with the ocean in the background. DW spent the night in a large cot they brought in. I had no pain except for a little site pain where my cuts were. I wasn't able to sleep so at two-thirty am I walked up and down the hall, about a mile (did I mention this place is huge!), When we left, it was all hugs and kisses, I have never had this pleasant an experience in a hospital in my life. For anyone contemplating WLS in the LA area, I can't recommend Cedars-Sinai ( a ACS Center of Excellence) highly enough.

Hi Haley, I'm only 4 days postop so take that into consideration. My surgery was so successful I had no pain, very little discomfort, I walked almost two miles two days after surgery. The only reason I mention this is that I went to a American College of Surgeons Center of Excellence. If there is any way you can go to a COE, please do it. You'll never regret it. Look around this forum and others, for patients who went to COEs, and see how they did. Whatever you choose, the best of luck to you.

Kriis, If it bothers you bad enough to be worrisome, I'd go see my surgeon. I'm only a few days post op and have no tenderness around my port at all. I'd think 3 months should be plenty of time to heal. Good luck and I hope you're able to resolve this. Let us know how things turn out.

I don't know about never getting hungry, I was banded three days ago and although my stomach feels full, my brain is like the plant in "Little Shop of Horrors" screaming "FEED ME". It is going to take a lot of will power and self discipline to make this a success. I know it will get better, but right now I'm hungry. No weight loss surgery is automatic, it takes work, but if your health and appearance is important to you, let's go for it! This forum is one of the best places on the net for support and it really does help What ever you do, good luck and ask for help if you need it.

If you have a Costco near you their protein powder isn't bad, someone suggested putting sugar-free jello powder in it and that helps. there are a lot of protein drinks on the market. Sugar-free jello and pudding is OK. It's not fun, but with a little imagination you can make it tolerable. There are a lot of Smoothie recipes on this forum and a Google search for WLS liquids has a lot of ideas. This is a very helpful forum and I'm sure many will chime in with great ideas. Good luck and be assured it'll be worth it.