Sojourner

All surgery has some risk factors...and being obese and not loosing weight also has risk factors. I don't have any hard statistics, but we all know someone who has high blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease, and the list goes on... The odds are well in your favor to have a fast and uncomplicated recovery. It is totally normal to have pre op anxiety...especially if you have not had any previous surgery. Have faith in the expertise of your surgeon and his surgical team. The band was my second abdominal surgery...and it was a (pardon the choice of words...) cake walk compared to my first surgery. Keep us posted on your progress...Best wishes.

I had this discussion with my doctor this afternoon...I'm still recovering from fractures sustained in a bad car accident. And, on top of that I also have arthritis. Tylenol does nothing to reduce inflammation...and in the words of my son the pharmacist, "pain generally has 2 causes; inflammation or infection. For infection you prescribe antibiotics, for inflammation you prescribe NASIDS." The concern my doctor (internal medicine) shared was for GI tract risks for irritation leading to the possible development of stomach ulcers and bleeding. It does help to reduce the risks if you are on a stomach protector medication such as Prevacid or Prilosec. The pain and swollen joints have significantly restricted the type and duration of my exercise. Pre op while on meloxicam I was able to walk several miles a day without any discomfort...now, I could not walk a mile without significant pain and increased swelling in my knee. So, I was given permission to take meloxicam on a very limited basis...a reduced dose, and not every day. You have to listen to the medical instructions given by your doctor; I know that my bariatric surgeon would be less understanding of my situation, and just tell me no NASIDS...but he never saw me during the weeks I was confined to a wheelchair last year. Discuss your concerns with your doctor...I really hope you feel better soon!

I stayed mostly with my shakes...and mixed them with 1% milk and ice in the blender to make them thick and take longer to drink. I also made an effort to continue to drink healthy amounts of water. I ended up having a craving for salt several times, and plain clear chicken broth was a great choice. I was not allowed to have any pudding or soups (only the clear broth), and I have an intense dislike for jello... Take a day at a time...and it helps alot for you to stay busy with projects! Best wishes...

I had resolved that I would not give up my coffee entirely post op...though I did take a 6 week hiatus from it while on the liquid diet and the 2 weeks until I began to eat solid food again. I still enjoy my coffee every morning...but I have limited myself to the once a day maximum. My surgeon's concern post op for drinking caffeinated coffee was that it was a stomach/pouch irritant, and needed to be avoided. Though it may very well also act as an appetite stimulant. Different doctors have different opinions...

The people who deal with the insurance companies know first hand if the paperwork looks adequate for approval before they submit it...and also if the documentation is borderline. You have to trust in them... Aetna has changed their guidelines since I was approved...and perhaps their BMI/comorbidities requirement has also been changed. I know that I had to prove with 3 years of medical records the existence of a minimum of 2 weight related comorbidities for approval, as my BMI was 38 when my paperwork was submitted. Try to focus on what the people who deal with insurance companies have told you... Good luck and best wishes...

Every surgery will have some risk factors associated with it...and one does need to weigh the very low rate of complications and mortality from band surgery against the very real risks to one's health and well being if the obese individual does nothing to loose weight and improve their health. That being said, one will continue to lower their odds of having significant complications if they follow their surgeon's post op instructions, and the dietary rules which come with living with the band. I've been banded for just over 4 months...and have no regrets for my decision to have this surgery. I have had band related complications since then, but that was more from the systemic effects of weight loss and not the band. Relax, follow your diet, drink plenty of Water, and get your exercise in. You will not regret this journey... Best wishes...

So surprising to read how many spouses are not supportive of a life improving surgery for someone they "love". The core issue is usually their own insecurities about the relationship...and then they project these feelings onto their significant other, and expect you to understand and cave. Ultimately, you have to make a commitment to do this for you...try to involve him in as much of the pre op planning as possible. If you have been motivated to the level of going this far in your anticipated weight loss journey, let no one stand in your way. There will be another emotional support system to turn to... Any relationship which dissolves as a result of band surgery was not healthy enough to put in the effort to maintain it...IMHO. Your mileage may vary...

I use the Wheybolic Extreme Protein powder from GNC; I have never felt a sense of bloating with it. I only use 1.5 scoops per 8 oz of 1% milk, and tolerate it well. Everyone is an individual, so we won't have the same experiences. But it is important to find a good quality Protein shake that you are able to tolerate. Perhaps this is a topic to discuss with your surgeon or their staff... Best wishes...

Portion control, and getting enough Protein are necessary to maintain weight loss. I know that if I am not getting enough protein, my weight loss stalls. Try not to get angry at yourself; the scale will fluctuate. You're doing the right thing to look for the reasons and the solution for the weight gain. Follow the rules, measure everything, exercise, and the weight will come off... Best wishes...

Congratulations on your post op status! Yes, this is the time for healing, and taking care of yourself. There will be some pain and discomfort, but the way you feel will improve rapidly. It's important to stay "in front" of the pain...and pain management will help you to feel better. I only used the prescription pain med 2 times, and the rest of the time for the first several days used liquid Tylenol. Best wishes...

For many of us, eating carbs, especially white ones, leads to craving more carbs. Craving more carbs leads to possibly eating unhealthy sized portions, which then may lead to less weight loss... For post op, I was given detailed instructions about which foods I could have, and which I needed to avoid. Mashed potatoes, even yams, were on the "avoid list". Post op is a time for healing, and we still need to focus on having adequate Protein as a priority. For carbs during the mushies stage, I was advised to have choices like (all vegetables were well cooked and everything was pureed) cauliflower, spinach, carrots, strawberries, blueberries, and my all time favorite pureed cantaloupe. Best wishes...

That's good to read, and we all need to have the best nutrition possible, especially post op. But be careful with reading the ingredients. I keep some Atkins shakes in my refrigerator, but they are only for when I am traveling or on the boat, and don't have a way to mix my regular shakes. They don't contain 100% whey isolate Protein. Nutrition is quite important, and 100% whey isolate Protein Shakes are the best choice for bariatric patients. My surgeon stressed this to all of his patients. You have many options to choose from, but your search criteria should only include the whey protein. Proper nutrition is key, and with my shakes mixed with 1% milk, I am able to get 37g of protein per shake. As you return to solid foods, shakes will become less important in your diet, but periodically you will need to go back on them (ie immediately following a fill) so you will be needing a good one for a long time! Best wishes as your journey continues...

Yes, I have been able to eat all of the healthy foods which I enjoyed prior to my surgery...there are some which I have no desire to try...like a blueberry muffin or a pecan waffle. The only exception is that I have not yet attempted to eat steak or prime rib. Since being banded, I have become much more aware of the limited amount of food I can eat before getting full...and I know that we really have to focus on making all of our meals count high in nutrition. I still prefer lean Protein. I have enjoyed an ounce of rice, but it was brown...and taken a bite of rye bread. I also tend to be conservative when it comes to experimenting with food; I have no desire to have stuck episodes...and many of the foods which were not healthy from prior to surgery I just don't want anymore. Best wishes on your journey...

Definitely choose Protein shakes which contain only 100% whey isolate protein...they are the best choice nutritionally for bariatric patients. Especially when first on the liquid diet and just post op, it's important to get the most protein possible per shake to meet your daily protein goals. I purchased mine at GNC, not inexpensive, but close and convenient. Keep searching, I had to go through several brands before I found one which I could tolerate. Best wishes...

Serious comorbidities are the only way that my insurance company will even consider a patient for WLS if their BMI is under 40. You have to stress the medical rationale that having the WLS will in the long term end up saving them money with fewer medications, fewer hospitalizations, longer life expectancy. In his letter of medical necessity, my physician included all of the language the insurance company required, such as the long term savings to the company and the causal relationship with the condition to the weight. Also, you had to prove, though 3 years of medical records that you had repeated attempts to loose the weight without surgical intervention. Only the more serious of the comorbidities will rate consideration, such as weight related osteoarthritis (requiring joint replacement), GERD, hypertension, and insulin resistance/borderline Type II Diabetes. I believe it also helped that my physician had done the required medically supervised diet for several other of his patients, and is knowledgeable about the insurance requirements and what to include in his letter.

Pills can also be cut, instead of crushed. Right after my surgery, I did have to crush my pills, as several were not available in other forms such as chewable and liquid. The taste was unbelievably bitter, enough to make me gag a number of times. You have to use your best judgment with knowing the size of the pills you can tolerate. Cutting them is better than crushing them, if that's an option for you.

When going through the appeal process, it's important to stress the causal relationship between your weight and any co-morbidities which you may have. Also, emphasize the now well documented types of chronic illnesses which drastic weight loss helps to avoid. Good luck...I hope you will be successful!

Do your best to try to avoid vomiting...check dates on everything, and only eat at places where you know they have high standards for cleanliness. This might not be the best time to experiment with new foods either... Also, it is best to give your stomach/pouch a rest of several hours before trying to eat again. You need to be careful not to allow yourself to become dehydrated...I ended up in the hospital due to severe dehydration when I did not recognize the symptoms for it.

As others have mentioned...drink plenty of Water. If you don't like water, there are many SF and FF options for the free fluids we need every day. Another strategy is to distract yourself with getting involved with a project or exercise. Every closet, drawer and cabinet in my house is in perfect order now with lined shelves...

Yes, I had just returned from a family cruise the second week of January to have a letter waiting for me with my pre- op appointment, and the specific "number" on the scale I had to be under in order to have my surgery scheduled. That just after the holidays...I went into a panic mode. I had less than 3 weeks to loose 6 pounds. I became more strict with portions, and walked several miles a day with the intentionally fast paced music on my iPod. Because my surgery had to be postponed for over a year, I was determined not to fail. I ended up loosing 10 pounds, just in case the scale at the doctor's office and mine at home were not in sync. The motivation helps so much...it becomes a driving force for success. Best wishes to you as you begin your journey...

It seems to me that only 1 month between surgeries is a bit too soon. I had to have abdominal surgery unrelated to the band before I could have the band surgery. My bariatric surgeon would not schedule my pre op appointment until the other surgeon gave his medical clearance, which he did at 3 months post op for my first surgery. He told me at the time that 3 months time between surgeries was the standard he followed to allow for proper healing. Hope you feel better soon!

There is some logic to the term "bandster hell"...but the band being the tool that it is requires something called portion control also to work. And it does require development of awareness of everything you put into your mouth and will power to manage your hunger between meals. We are also supposed to make healthy food choices, with lean Proteins and Fiber carbs. The only real tool I have found which works for me is to drink the free fluids (FF & SF) we are supposed to have every day. Doing that helps me stretch the time between meals to 4 hours, sometimes longer. Again, as others have previously mentioned, some surgeons want us to measure our portions, some advise to count calories. I have been advised to measure my portions by volume for every meal. Either way, all the exercise in the world will not make much difference if the amount of food you eat exceeds the number calories you burn. Best wishes to you as you continue on your journey!

Yes, we have had a rather heated discussion on this topic before, and there are differing instructions given by different surgeons to their patients. My surgeon has advised not to drink while eating, and not for a full hour after finishing my meal. I have not found this practice to be a hardship for me, especially if I hydrate myself properly prior to taking my first bite. If you keep your mind aware about eating, as I have also been advised to do (aware to take small bites, chew every bite well, etc) it became an adjustment that was not difficult for me to incorporate into habit. "Mindful eating", as mentioned above, also helps to avoid many, not all, of the stuck episodes that many forum participants have posted about. I find that my level of stress may occasionally create a sense of temporary increased restriction with my band...so I make an effort to identify what the stress factor is, and take measures to de-stress and relax my mind prior to eating. IMHO, I do feel that it is important to thoroughly discuss this issue with your surgeon. I would not recommend going against their medical advice without the knowledge and approval of your physician. Other's mileage on this topic does vary...it's an informed choice you have to make for yourself.

I had something similar to what you are referring to...and was told pre op that this would be most likely scar tissue. I used Mederma on my incisions after they had closed with initial healing, and following the instructions, massaged the gel into my skin. The knots did eventually resolve, as the healing and massaging over time helped the healing process. I would ask your surgeon about this before using the Mederma or massaging your incision sites...