Lisserlou

Hi gang! So, I'm currently sitting 11 days post-op. As of today, I've lost 5 post-op pounds. At first, I was discouraged thinking, "wow! all this for nothing!". But the more I'm on this site, the more I'm finding out that this is completely normal. The first 6 week time period is supposed to be our healing time. Anyone else notice the same things? Anyone having struggles with constipation (gasp!)? How are your first weeks going? I'd like to hear...

hmmm.. probably... I've had problems with the site on my phone, but have been totally fine with the computer.

Hey there! I also did a lot of research before I "took the plunge" so to speak. The first thing I can tell you is that you need to trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right -- don't do it. We have those instincts for a reason. I'd also do research on the success rates of the lap band. 47% failure rate seems a little high, but I also know that we, as lap band patients, are the ones mostly in control of the success of the band. It's a tool, not a cure-all, but I think you know that already. I went for the band over anything else because of the minimal invasiveness of the procedure, the ability to have it reversed if there were problems, the flexibility of the band size, and the fact that band patients don't struggle with mal-absorption issues like bypass patients do. I, like you, wasn't comfortable having anything bypassed or cut out. It doesn't also help that my father almost died due to a botched gastric bypass surgery. That was also over 20 years ago. Please know I'm not against the sleeve or the gastric bypass. I believe there are certain instances where those procedures are the best choice, but they just weren't for me. Now, I'm only 11 days post-op, so I don't have a lot of experience with my band yet, but I can tell you it was definitely the right choice for me. I would recommend getting alternative opinions. You should never feel forced or coerced into a procedure -- especially a selective surgery such as this. As far as the band size, that's something else I would be concerned about. Starting out with just a 4 cc band is a little too restrictive in my opinion -- there are a lot of people with a 10cc band who never even have a fill because it's just right for them. Again -- something to do research on. I don't know if anything I've written has helped, but really, just trust your instincts and do research. You'll eventually find the best procedure for you! Good luck!

Thank you so much, Patty!!!

Go back through your medical records for the last 5-10 years. See if you can get access to your doctor's (any doctor you've seen) notes that document your weight, or better yet, your BMI. Showing that you've had a long history of obesity will help. I also documented all of the weight loss programs that I tried and eventually failed. Like, with Weight Watchers, I even sent in copies of my weight trackers. My insurance company approved within a week -- and I have absolutely no co-morbidities (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugars, etc. are all excellent), but my BMI was just over 40%, and that's what helped. If you can get a letter of medical necessity from your primary care physician, that would be great. Good luck!!!

I love this site, since there is a lot of great advice. I am 11 days post op, and I've lost 5 lbs since surgery. The last pound came off after 3 days of nothing. I too have been told that the first 6 weeks is your healing time, so any weight loss is just purely bonus. If you think about it, our bodies have been put through a pretty shocking experience, and now we're not eating/drinking as much. It's going to hang on to everything it can and heal. Don't get discouraged! It will come off! Good luck!!

Today I'm actually feeling GREAT! I still have some pain in the abdomen around where the port is. I still get those gas bubbles, though they're not nearly as painful as they were initially. It feels good to start to feel normal again. I'm still in stretchy pants though -- don't think I'm quite ready for jeans! LOL! Now I'm on the "full liquid" portion of my diet. I'm finding that everyone has different post-op diet instructions. Kinda wierd. My first week was clear liquids only, now I can have full liquids -- though the dietician wants it consisting of 3 protien supplements (I use Premiere Protien shakes. You can find them at Sam's Club and Costco) and 2 snacks (I have been drinking a lot of tomato soup). Next week, I move to pureed foods, so then I will get 2 protien shakes and 2 pureed meals each day. To be honest, I'm really struggling getting in all the food/liquied I'm supposed to eat now. I'm just not that hungry, which is AWESOME in my book! I'm usually only getting 2 protien shakes and 2 cups of soup in, along with whatever liquid I can drink throughout the day. I definitely know I need to drink more. How are you feeling?? The 2nd and 3rd days for me were kinda rough...

Best of luck! Prayers and happy thoughts coming your way!

I don't believe so... I just selected "join group" and it let me right in. I've been able to make posts.

Hi December Buddies!!! New here -- banded Dec. 20th and FINALLY feeling good! I also woke up a pound lighter after 3 days of not moving. That makes 5 lbs lost post-op and 25 lbs total since pre-op diet! WOOHOO!!! I can definitely relate to everyone's stories on this thread, which is so nice. It's really interesting to see how everyone's post-op diets and instructions are different. My doc wanted me drinking a minimum of 200 oz (yes, 200) on the 1st week post op. Yeah right. LOL! I'm now on the 2nd week -- full liquids -- so now I'm supposed to have 3 protein supplements (I drink Premier Protien, available at Sam's and Costco) and 2 snacks daily (been drinking campbell's tomato soup). They want me to intake a minimum of 120 oz daily, which again, is REALLY difficult for me. I'm lucky to get in 64! I guess I'll do the best I can. Anyway, it's so good to see everyone's success and struggles. I wish everyone the best New Year (and New YOU) ever! Also, just an FYI, I noticed somebody started a Community Social Group for those of us banded in December -- I think it's called "December 2012 Bandsters". It may be a good idea to check out so that we're not all just replying to one comment thread -- just a thought HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hey there! New here -- banded 12/20, so I'm 10 days post op. The surgery went great for me, though there was a little more pain than I had anticipated. The incisions were no biggie at all -- easy peasy. The biggest pain I had was with the gas (from when they fill your body cavity with air to do the surgery) and with my abdominal muscles. I have slept with a heating pad every night since. It's been a LIFESAVER! I had a lot of pain in my left shoulder and chest from the gas. I also noticed a lot of pain the first few days when I needed to burp... it seems the bubbles get trapped where the band is, so it's a little painful, but it's gotten better. Gas-X strips have also been very helpful. Hiccups plain suck. LOL! I was really surprised to have gone up about 10 lbs after surgery -- but all of it was water weight. It took a little longer for my system to wake back up, so to speak. But I lost all that water weight within a few days. I've lost 4 lbs since surgery, and haven't moved the last few days. I'm reading up on it and I guess it's normal because your body is trying to heal and it's hanging onto everything. Admittedly, I'm also probably not drinking enough fluids. Gotta get better about that. The cool thing is that I'm not really hungry! Maybe that's why I haven't been drinking enough. Gosh, I hope the info I shared isn't discouraging at all -- overall, I'm extremely satisfied so far and really excited for the future. I just thought I'd share a few things I wish I would have known. GOOD LUCK!!!