jsea

Yes I agree, the heating pad has been my absolute best friend. I am still experiencing some pain in my stomach area. Is this normal? I believe it when you say the first two weeks are Bandster hell. There is no way of getting around this, it is absolutely no fun, but SO WORTH IT

Hello Everyone. Well I’m 5 days post op, I was banded on 8/22/11. I must admit, it was a lot more pain than I thought it would be but the hospital was wonderful. The second and third days were by far the worst and everyday I feel better and stronger. I am only able to eat (or drink I should say) 300 calories a day. I should be getting 400 to 800 but my stomach is just still to swollen for any more. I have been making sure I drink all my Water and I walk around as much as I can. The Gas X have really helped with the gas. This journey is an amazing one, I’ve learned the past week that it’s going to take work because although your stomach says one thing our brain says another. I am looking forward to my new lifestyle and I wish you all the best. To all the Pre-Op patients, all I can say is give your body time to heal and remember to drink/eat slowly. SO very important!!!

Hi plumpdude, I am schedule for lapband with plication on Monday and very excited about it. My mom's best friend has been doing this for a while and with the studies they have done people are losing an average of 40-50% of their weight within the first six months with the plication. I wish you all the best and hope you continue to do and feel well!!!

Thank you for the information. I know how good they are for you which is why I wanted to know if I could continue to have them prior to my meal at least once or twice a day if I wanted too. Thank you for the reminder that they do have calories, I will be consious of that and will include those calories in my daily intake as I continue on this journey. You guys really are all so very helpful thank you so much!!!!!

Yes that's how I feel too. The only plus side to self pay is that it can happen within weeks. I met with the doctor on August 9th and two weeks later I'm getting surgery. I hope all goes well for you and you can make it through the insurance process with ease My BMI is just a little above 36, I am a little worried it won't come off as quick as I'd like it to either but I just keep reminding myself that a little at a time is better than none and certainly better than gaining more weight!!!

I took out a personal loan through my credit union.

HAHA well that was a wonderful anniversary present!! My birthday is tomorrow, Aug 18th so I am considering my band to be the greatest birthday present to myself ever!!

I hope all goes well for you. i am getting banded on Monday 8/22. My insurance doesn't cover weight loss surgery so i am a self pay. but i know every single penney that I am paying for this will be well worth it!!! Best of luck to you!!!

:rolleyes:Goodluck to you too Seabee Chief!! Thank you all for taking the time to comment. All the best to you all!!

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. I decided to try Unjury and see how I like it. My other question is am I suppose to stop drinking protein shakes after I am allowed solid foods or can I continue them if I find one I really like? The reason I'm asking is because I know how much protein fills you up, so can I continue to drink them before my meal or is it not suggested?? Thank you all for your comments you have all been so helpfull.

I need help deciding which Protein drink is the best tasting. I see many people say that GNC's Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 tastes great but I am only required to have between 50-60 grams of protein per day. I would only be able to have one drink and that would be my total protein for the day and I would much rather spread it out with 20 for breakfast, 20 for lunch and 20 for different. I looked at Carnation Instant Breakfast and the calorie count seems aweful high. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Thank you all for your responses. I had a c-section before so I know it is extremely important to walk and move to heal quickly. I think I will take off until Thursday and if I'm feeling OK I will come to work Friday. I can always leave early if I am in pain.

I am getting banded on Monday and my surgeon told me she will put enough in to "prime" the band that way when I do come in for my first fill it isn't all sitting in the tube, instead it will go right into the band.

I am an Office Manager so I do not have to be on my feet and I have no heavy lifting. I guess it's best to just see how my body feels and not rush things. Thank you for your reply!!

Hello everyone. My surgery is scheduled for Monday, Aug 22nd. I have only taken three days off of work (although I can certainly take more if need be). Is it realistic for me to return to work on Thursday or is that pushing it? My doctor has not told me how long I will/should be off.

Hello everyone. I am a Type 1 diabetic and am scheduled for surgery on Aug 22nd. I am currently taking 21 units of Lantus in the morning and evening. I'm just wondering from those of you who are also Type 1, were you required to take any long-acting insulin the night before surgery and how much did your units go down the first few weeks of post-op while you were on liquids only?? Thanks!!!!

I was scheduled for surgery on August 29th and my doctor's office just called and there was a cancellation so my surgery is now scheduled for August 22nd. I am sooooo excited and anxious to start on this wonderful journey!!!! I can't believe it's 7 days away!!!!!!!

Yes, for me this includes the anesthesia, surgery, over night hospital stay and three fills. I have Health America. Prior to me landing my doctor, I priced out other doctors for lapband (without plication) and the cost ranged anywhere from $18,000 - $20,000. There is a bit of leg work you need to do on your own but since you are paying yourself it is obviously worth it to find the best doctor with the best pricing as well.

Hello TIA. Unfortunately my insurance doesn't cover any weight loss surgery so I am a self pay. I am getting lapband with plication surgery and the total cost for me is $16,500. I am sure the cost will vary based on the doctor you go too. Although part of me was extremely angry that my insurance didn't cover it, I was almost glad in a way because I didn't want to wait 7 - 10 months going through everything insurance requires to get the surgery. I saw my doctor on August 9th, completed all the testing on Aug 11th (including meeting with the nutrisionist), was cleared for surgery on August 12th and am scheduled for surgery on August 29th. Hope that information helped answer some of your questions. Best of luck to you!!!

I agree, what a fantastic article Dave. Thank you so much for sharing the link. I too have saved it for future reference. That may in itself been one of the most informational pieces I've read about Lapband thus far.

I have had Hypothyroidism for 10 years and have also not lost any weight. All the medicine does for me is help my numbers stay where they should be. Goodluck!!!!!

Thanks everyone for your input!!! My doctor told me there was no need for the liquid"s because she doesn't make people with less than a 40 BMI lose weight prior to surgery. Nonetheless I didn't know if I should do it anyway but you are right, I will be drinking more than enough liquids post-op so I am going to just wait until after surgery to begin with the liquids.

I met with my Doctor today and she scheduled my surgery for August 29th!!! I am beyond excited. I have an Upper GI, EKG and Nutrisionist visit scheduled for this Thursday. I would appreciate any input around things that you would suggest I do to get ready for surgery because I am not required to be on any diet prior but wonder if I should put myself on a liquid diet just to prepare for post-operation. Any input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Everyone. I am a Type 1 Diabetic and was just curious how other Type 1's did after surgery with regards to their insulin. I know my long-acting insulin will have to be decreased after surgery but did you find you had a lot of low's until it finally was adjusted to the amount of food your body is currently intaking?? I'm just a little nervous about it because low's are the worst!!!!

I have had mixed emotions from my family. I am a self pay so a number of my family members think it's rediculous for me to pay $18,000 to lose weight. My mother however, has been extremely supportive and says "it's what makes you happy that counts". And she knows that being thin and healthy is the most imporatant thing to me right now. I am 5'8" and have a BMI of 35. I have decided that regardless of what my friends and family think and/or say, this is all about me. It's my life and my choice. I know in the end it will be so worth it. It's time to get healthy!!!!!!!!!! Try not to listen to everyone else's opinion, all that matters is how you feel!!!