JillDisney

I think you should call your doctor. If you are just getting started and already can't drink things, I think you will be miserable. Talk to your doctor. Also, does your doctor know you are drinking Slim Fast? Mine said it's not a good choice because it has too much sugar. Try to stay at 5g or less of sugar or 5g or less of protein. It will help you form new habits. Hope all goes well for you!

I have to say I an very happy with my decision to get the lap band, but it has been a lot of retraining my brain. It is very different than I thought it would be. You still have to make good choices. Believe me all the stuff that's bad for you and is tempting (to me anyway) like frosting, cookies, m&ms, cream cheese, dips, and chips all go down fine. The thing is if you eat those you won't lose the weight. The lap band really is a tool to help you. It has taken 4 fills to feel any restriction. In the beginning I would get frustrated because I thought I should have felt more, but I really have had to change my thinking and form new habits. For me it's one day at a time. I'm mastering my eating lifestyle and soon I will begin the fitness part. I knew I just couldn't take it all on at once. I formed new habits gradually. The biggest one that works for me is that I don't eat after 7:00pm. When I used to stay up late preband, I could probably snack 1000-1200 calories nightly. Thats like my daily intake now. Of course there are special occasions or situations that are out of my control where I have to eat dinner past 7:00pm, but if I am home or at the movies, etc I just don't eat after 7:00. If I get hungry and I'm up super late I may have a protein shake. I also used to be a huge diet Coke drinker 6-12 cans daily. Yikes! I never drink it now. I drink tea (usually herbal) and water instead. Once you replace old habits with new ones, you really don't miss them. It is still hard at times to stay away from the bad things, but it's a choice. Would I rather lose weight or eat this ------- (insert whatever there)? Most days I'd rather lose weight, but on occasion I let myself have a smalltreat. Its life. The difference is I may share a dessert if I even decide to have one with my entire table, where I used to have my own and then maybe stop at the drive thru on the way home to have something else. I also try not to eat fried or fast foods. It's still all about choices and forming new habits and letting lap band be a tool. It isn't going to be a cure all and it probably isn't going to be the "magic" tool you think. I think I thought it would do more. But if you do your part you will lose. I am actually greatful now because I know my choices are helping me live a healthier lifestyle. My sister, mom, and I have all done it and are all successful! My sister has lost a bit over 100lb. in 2 years. I have lost 57 lb. in a bit over 4 months and my mom has lost 33 lb. in 3 months. None of us deprive ourselves or do the drastic 500-600 calorie diet, but we still continue to lose. My sister looks fabulous and it doesn't matter that it's taken her 2 years. She's happy and eats things she enjoys, just less and healthier most of the time. Good luck!

I have Aetna. I started the process in June of 201i & was banded Dec 2011. Same hoops. Dietician, nutritionist, psych., then I was sent for a bunch of preop stuff, then a cardio because of something on my ECG, etc.... Sometimes it takes a while to apt. Etc... Worth the wait. They paid for everything. I'm in California. Oh, I have sleep apnea, so that may have helped me qualify. I'm also pretty big, but 53 lbs less big.

Best of luck. You will be happy you did it, though it is different then I thought.

Mine is on the left, near large scar, left of belly button. If you just got your surgery, it will be the area that is the most tender to touch or push on. Mine was sore to push on for about a month..It was still tender for a few months. It's only been in the past month or so that it doesnt hurt at all if I press on it. I was banded Dec. 2, 2011. Hope that helps. Oh I was also told with mine, it was the nurse's preferred side.. That's why mine was on left and not the right.

You really need to do the shake pre-op or the doctor may have a hard time getting passed your liver. It needs to be pliable to move to get to the area he/she needs to work. Did your doctor give you the meal supplement type from Bariatric Advantage fir the pre op? I really like the orange one. It tastes like a creamcyle. Sorry if my spelling is off. I'm in the hospital and sort of out of it. Getting my gallbladder removed in a couple hours. Anyway, make sure you get the protein drinks as cold as possible. It helps. The other protein drink (again very chilled) is the chocolate flavored Pure Protein. They sell it at Target and Fresh & Easy. The other flavored are nasty, but this chocolate is drinkable... Some have such a nasty aftertaste that I can't stand them either. Good luck!

Thanks Larraine. That helps me! I'm sitting here not knowing what the heck is going on. Haven't seen a doctor since yesterday afternoon. Nurse this morning now says its gallstones... I questioned it because last night they said kidney stones and she said she just got on and she just read what was on my paperwork. I'm getting anxious not knowing anything. I was asking which doctor was performing the surgery and she said she didn't know... Hello! I also do t know what time.... Weird!

I have had similar issues and I'm currently sitting in the ER waiting to have kidney stones removed and I also have pancreatitis. The pain, feeling of passing out, light headedness, shaky hand would come and go, but when it's bad it's sooooo painful. They found it through bloodwork and ultrsound.

Went to the ER yesterday with intense pain and fear that my band had slipped. After ultrasounds, bloodwork, and an upper GI I know that I have kidney stones and pancreatitis. They admitted me to the hospital and I'm having surgery in the afternoon. I didn't even think they did surgery for kidney stones... All I can say is TG it's not my band slipping or eroding!!!! Has anyone else dealt with these issues. Waiting until morning to talk to the doctor and to get more information on causes, etc... It makes it s little difficult to sleep!

Sorry! Do they say how this happens or how to avoid it next time?

In not sure... Sorry for your pain. Ask your doctor if you should be using the protein so soon after surgery. Mine didn't want us to use protein after the surgery for 4-6 weeks until we were cleared from mushy foods. Maybe try to stick with the soups, etc... I know it gets boring, but it will get better! Promise!

I know people like the Costco one, but I can't stand it! I prefer the pure protein (chocolate only) the other flavors are nasty. It doesn't taste as good if you buy the powder either. Fresh & Easy has one with 35 grams of protein. They're low in fat and sugar. My favorite is from Bariatric Advantage orange cream or one scoop of vanilla and one chocolate mixed with ice. It's expensive, but my favorite! My doctor recommends at least 80 g of protein and at least half of it from food each day. I don't eat after 7:00 anymore, but sometimes when I'm up late I'll have a protein shake. I also have one for breakfast on the way to work. I had my surgery Dec. 2,2011 and Ive lost 42 pounds as of today.