manybeards

Surgery 03/27/12,and I must say that my post op course has been pretty uncomplicated. I've lost 30 lbs,with what appears to be a 3 lb weight gain over the past two weeks. I've been so hungry and it's taken all the self restraint I could muster to control myself. First fill yesterday morning bringing my total to 4.6ml......Very simple process,and totally painless. Liquids yesterday without any problems,and I just had a cup of crab chowder(pureed) and I feel completely full. Very optomistic!

Well congrats Liz..... I was banded at 7:10am on the same day. Dr. James Harris in Wilmington,NC. No complications,and have'nt needed any pain meds at all since the second day. Had my first post op visit yesterday and my weight is down from a pre op of 288 to 264. My first fill is scheduled for May 9th. From my point of view shakes have been OK supplemented by clear low fat chicken broth and lots of Propel water. Yesterday I got the go ahead to start some low fat cream based soups(blended smoothly in my bullet) and apple sauce. Mentally,I'm still pretty upbeat. Hope you continue to do well,and if I can do anything to help you....just sing out!

Of course,you'll want to consult a tax professional,but ALL out of pocket medical expenses are deductable. Total amount deductable may depend on your business situation too. I own my LLC,and even deduct my health insurance premiums. Good luck to you.......

Banded on March 27th,and my first week has been about what I expected. Very little pain after the second day. My first post appointment is tomorrow morning and I plan to ask my surgeon when I can get back in the gym. If he tells me to wait another 4 or 5 weeks.....that's exactly what I'll do.

Congrats to all on your success. By far,my overarching reason for going ahead with my surgery was to try to head off future health concerns. No doubt,I'd like my clothes to fit better,but I'm sure that will come.....

Driving was not an issue. I did'nt take any narcotics after the second post op day. I drive a Chevy Z-71 Pickup though and getting in and out was abit of a problem. I drilled a small hole in the end of a plastic step stool and attached a lenght of parachute cord. Once I get in the truck,I just pull the stool in with the cord. Made my life alot easier.......

You'll likely get a preop dose of Lovenox and then start on Plavix appx one month after your surgery. Unless you've had a DVT or PE in the past,your worries should be minimal. Best of luck......

Love to hear stories like that.... Banded this past tuesday,and I'm ready to get healthy!

Banded at 7am on tuesday March 27th. Quite abit of pain the first post op day,but I have'nt taken any of the liquid vicodin since mid day on wed. Plain liquid tylenol seems to working just fine,and don't need that very much. I have a great fear of narcotics causing constipation,and don't want to have to deal with that..... My surgeon instructed me that I should NOT attempt to swallow any pills untill he tells me it's OK. I'm on a couple of routine Rx meds,and I'm dissolving both of those in water........

.... Surgery at 7:30 in the morning(doubt I'll sleep much tonight),and once I'm back on "real food",I plan to simply avoid most complex carbs. In addition to a couple of protein shakes/day,I'll get most of my protein from lean chicken,turkey and fish. The list of simple carbs is lengthy...don't think I'll have trouble making healthy choices. No white bread or rice and NO refined sugar. My surgeon says no "doughy bread".....EVER! And I'm going to use this as an opportunity to eliminate red meat forever......

My surgery is tuesday morning. I had a very large inguinal hernia repaired laproscopically 2 years ago,and had virtially no pain with it. I experienced a little gas pressure,but never needed to take anything for it. Hoping for a similar experience......

Beginning my final 24 hrs. Surgery tuesday morning,and I must say that I'm abit suprised by the preop diet so many of you appear to be on. My surgeon is a "Center of Excellence",and his dietician instructed me to just eliminate most carbs beginning to weeks preop. Of course,I'll be starting my liquid diet tomorrow,but up untill now,I've eaten veggies,meat,and protein bars. I just concentrated on leaving off the carbs as much as possible,and I've lost 11 lbs in 2 weeks......Lots of different approaches I suppose.

Very timely post! I just got the call today,and my Lap Band is scheduled for March 27th. I'm a medical professional,and admit freely that I'm really concerned about Esophageal Dilatation. I guess I'm over analyizing the whole thing,but I know it's time...... I just turned 60 and eventhough I have no co-morbidities, it's just a matter of time if I don't do something about this weight. Thanks for the positive vibes!

With your co-morbidity,a BMI of 36 should get you qualified without any problems whatsoever. I live in Wilmington,and NC BC/BS initially turned me down,but my BMI was only 39 and I have no Co-mobidities. Sadly(or happily depending on how you look at it),I gained a few more pounds and was approved. Best of luck to you.......

March 15th(or maybe a week or two earlier),and the journey begins. I'm really ready to be thinner and healthier. Specifically,I am really anxious to get into the gym postop and start working on my flexiblity and stamina. Looking forward to everything I hope to learn from this site....... Thanks in advance!