Lawrence Baxter

I chose Pure Protein product...I found that the vanilla was too sweet for me so have stuck with the chocolate. http://www.pureprotein.com/products/natural-whey-rich-chocolate-16lbs/# Click on the ingrediants link and it will show protein isolate.

I'm 12 weeks out from having lap band and my stomach gurrgles and the gas is constant. I heard a good one..."I was riding the bus and farted. I thought I was on THE VOICE when 4 people turned around!"

I totally agree with JustWatchMe! Use a laxative that dissolves in water; add to your flluid intake. Also, GASX taken as often as recommended will help disapate that gas buildup which can be part of the cause of your pain. Be prepared for flatulence and stomach gurrgles. Most important, keep moving. I had my surgery at 8:30 AM on Dec. 23rd and I never took a nap or laid down until I was ready for bed. If I became uncomfortable when sitting, I got up and moved about: hand washed dishes, rearranged/cleaned up 2 shelves in my pantry [arm movement], and even walked 3 doors down and visited with a neighbor for 30-40 minutes. Of course, I DIDN'T have a hiatal hernia repair so my shoulder pain was minimal. I also tell people that I lost my appetite on Dec. 23rd. I really haven't hungry since I had the lap band surgery. My stomach feels empty but it's not a hunger sensation. Use that "full" sensation to your advantage. The hardest part of my journey is to remember that "full trumps an empty plate." I was punished as a little kid and had to sit at the table until I finished what was on my plate...even after everyone else had left the table. And, I didnt have a dog to help me eat!! If you are a chef and in the food business, you are really ahead of the game as you know what it takes to flavor food [herbs and spices] and can adjust recipes to keep your new life of eating from getting boring. It's not that you can't eat or enjoy food: It's just different!!

How many weeks between your last fill? I was doing 3 weeks but it will be 4 weeks this round. You may still be in the yellow zone. Share your concerns and see if they can be aggressive with the amount of your fill. I had 2 CCs primed at surgery and then 2 CCs at 3 weeks, but ONLY 1 CC at the last fill. I'm hoping that I get at least another 1 CC [hopefully 2 CCs] on Mar 4. Have you been monitoring or having feeling challenged with your food intake? Sometimes, it may be that the body is plateauing and just needs a jump start to get back to the losing weight. But, when you think about it, a 2 week plateau is miniscule compared to the years of weight gain. Plus, look at it as a VICTORY++++....YOu haven't gained weight. Patience. Be well...

Great! How did it go? My nurse practioner at True Results said that of all the surgeons, they like Dr. Riley the best. He's good and consistent. She said they always know exactly where he put the port which is at the center of the largest stitch and then the width of a finger just below. They never have to search for the port with Dr. Riley! I'm on week 9 and have now gone down 2 pant sizes and had to change to another belt. My guess is that I've lost 40 lbs. now. I had lost 36.1 at week 6. Hope you are doing well and making progress. Be well...

My niece and a colleague at work have not had problems with acid reflux. Have you talked with your MD? Each person is different and you are going to hear a variety of stories...those are the ones that have a had challenges, might not have followed the dietary guidelines. My niece has 3 children and has had to learn how to cook and prepare meals that are for her family and can be part of her guidelines. For example, she said that whenever they get a pizza, she will eat the toppings that she can eat but forgoes the dough and cheese. Or, if she eats off the diet she gets back on track with a Protein shake...which is what I do. My colleague has gained back some of her weight but she said it was because she likes maragaritas and not because of the band. I have read lots of stories on this site that are frightening and wondered what was wrong with me because my surgery was great, my post-op was great and my current weight loss is great. My only fear that I had to contend with was that I might not have lost enough weight during pre-op and that they wouldn't do the surgery. Useless fear.

I can only speak for myself and for the 3 people I know that's had this done. I have not had any problems 7 weeks now with a band. In fact, I have STOPPED taking my acid reflux medicine because it's no longer needed. The band is only a tool. Just like any other tool, if you don't follow the game plan, the tool doesn't help. Ask yourself if you are able and willing to eat in smaller portions, give up rice, bread, Pasta, etc. and make wise choices when you eat at restaurants and other places where you aren't the cook. In the 7 weeks, I've already lost 37 lbs. My fills have been moderate: 2 CC's at surgery; 2 CC's at 3 weeks and 1 CC at six weeks. I have the large band which can go up to 14CCs. I may be an anomoly, but it's working for me and one of the best decisions I've ever made. I wish I had done it sooner.

Congratulations. You are taking an important step. And, one of the first is to read all you can with the pre-op posts; there are great ideas and advice. -Do what you can to to follow your MD's pre-op diet.' -I also started to edit my refrigerator and pantry [single so it was easier for me.] -Get the fat free ice pops. It makes a great alternative to Water and it soothes the dessert cravings post-op. -You may get some saline in your band at surgery [priming]. Ask your surgeon if they did afterwards. -Your post-op diet is important because your stomach is healing and you don't want to challenge the operation with regular food. -I started 2 weeks out cutting my food into nickel or dime-sized portions and starting counting chews up to 30 with each bite. I started practicing sipping instead of big swallows with water and the shakes. -Be prepared for some shoulder pain if you have a hernia repair. I didn't so my pain was minimal. Buy the GasX strips NOW and be prepared to take after surgery. Be prepared for the "action" those GasX strips produce...especially the 2nd day!! -Take a pillow with you so that you have some cushion with your seat belt post surgery. I did but didn't have to use. -If you don't like the prescribed shakes, check the protein/sugar requirements from your pre-op requirements and then go to a store and buy something close to it. I did the Pure Protein powder. Some people cannot do whey protein. -I also started preparing the house. I made certain that the house was cleaned, closed washed, etc. -The day of surgery and at home, I stayed active...sitting when I needed but then get up to fill up my water cup; doing dishes [no dishwasher]; I even re-arranged a shelf in my pantry [no heavy lifting]; and then walked across the street to visit with my neighbor for 20 minutes. I didn't take to the bed until I was ready to go to bed. STAY MOVING. My neice had her band 2 years ago and she said that she dusted the afternoon/evening after her surgery. Last piece of advice...remember to breath!! Take deep breaths; It gets oxygen to the brain and keeps you calm. Pre-op includes a shot so that helps you relax and prepare for the surgery. Good luck. Be well and enjoy the process. It's a new life!

I think it depends on if they've had a hiatal hernia repair or not. I didn't and didn't have any pain except for a slight discomfort on the 2nd day of surgery; there was no significant shoulder pain from the gas. I stayed active after surgery and didn't lie down until 8 PM [after a 8:30 AM surgery]. I even did dishes that afternoon and took a small walk to visit my neighbor. My discomfort the 2nd day was due to the abdominal gas after all of the GASX I took. Talk about relief [and be prepared for an extended period of gas !!]

Totally on point!! We all are different bodies and different metabolisms. I lost 26.1 pounds at my first fill which was 3 weeks after surgery. I found out at the first fill that my band was primed with 2 CCs at the time of surgery. While I lost the weight, it was due to the liquid diet and the caution required for recouperating after surgery. But, that period also was a time to re-learn how to eat, how to chew, what to avoid, etc.

I, too, have had a port "bump" about 5 inches above my navel. I also had a major hematoma at the port incision site about 8 hours after surgery. It was so large I couldn't cup my hand over the bulge. As I approach 4 weeks, the blood from the hematoma is finally disapating and the swelling has really diminished. Based on what I've heard from my nurse practioner, I was lucky to have Chris Riley as my surgeon [Houston]. He's an artist about placing the port and is consistent that staff doing the fill know exactly where the port is -- no searching to find. It's right at the middle of the incision and about 1/2 inch down towards the navel Hopefully, your pain will go away with each day. But, and I know this is dumb to say, make certain that you stay in touch with your after care staff. Best wishes...

I had my first fill on Jan 13, just 3 weeks after getting the lap band. To my surprise, I was told that the surgeon had already placed .2CC's during the procedure. I know I received the larger band but don't remember being told that a fill had already been made. Has this happened to anyone else? I wonder if the fill was done because of the larger band? I was also surprised that my FIRST/second fill was only 3 weeks after surgery. And, my next fill is in 3 weeks. BTW: I had no problem with the 1st fill. My nurse said that Dr. C. Riley [Houston] was very consistent in the placement of the port. She knew exactly where it was and did very little searching. No deadening prior to the stick. I barely felt the stick and didn't hear anything after that. She was done in less than 2 minutes [taking out the first 2 CCs and then filling with the 2 plus an additional 2. A simple bandaid and I was out.

I'm scheduled to get my first fill 3 WEEKS after surgery! The appointment was made when I made payment prior to the LB procedure. I'm a bit anxious because I'm have not had any direcdtions for what I am to eat/not eat prior to my 8:30 am appointment [Jan 13th]. Do I take my meds and drink Water before or am I supposed to have an empty stomach / no food for x number of hours before the fill?

Just continue your pre-op diet and remember to breath!! I received my dietary tool on Dec. 23rd. The two weeks prior was my time to EDIT my pantry and refiterator. If you have a family and are responsible for OTHER meals, you probably should start preparing for how you want to handle your diet vs. preparing for others. I'm a single guy so it was a bit easier for me. I wish I had stuck with my pre-op diet instead of succombing to my LAST What-a-Burger, Popeye's chicken or Mexican breafast. While I lost weight, I just barely lost the required 10 lbs. Quite frankly, I enjoyed the 7:30 am call and the period of time prior to going into surgery. The staff can be very good at calming your nerves and they do start a pre-op IV to help the body prepare for surgery. Post surgery was great, too. No pain. That wore off around mid-Afternoon but was manageable. If you are having hiatal hernia, be prepared for a bit more pain [i didn't] due to the repair and the gas that they use to inflate the stomach. GasXX strips should be on hand and take as needed. I did one about every 2-3 hours and it helped. Also, I didn't lie down until that evening. Sitting, walking and do minimal activities. My niece had her's 2 years ago. She started dusting after her procedure. I did dishes and then a minimal rearragement of one the shelves in the utility room. Most of all...make it a celebration of what is to come. You are taking a great, first step and the medical staff are really there to make it happen. Be realistic...it will feel lilke someone punched you in the stomach but they will give you a perscription for pain. I barely used 1/4 of the liquid Tylenol. The strangest thing is that you will begin to feel liquid hitting the bottom of your stomach about 5 minutes after taking sips [or when the operating meds wear off] of Water. The craziest thing is I LOST my appeetite on Dec. 23rd and I still don't have it. The biggest thing I have to learn is that a full stomach trumps an empty plate. Good luck!

I still haven't stepped onto scales and I'm two weeks and 1 day post surgery! I know I have lost inches because I am cinching up my pants and my belt is now 1 hole from done before I have to added a new one. Fortunately, I have some dress pants from an earlier weight so I can quietly move to the smaller size for maybe a month or more down the road. I've had to be very intentional in my thinking and reconfirming that the "lap band is only a tool!" and that I have to make better decisions about food and staying hydrated. Many times what I thought was hunger pangs were only a signal that I was thirsty. The neatest thing now: I have not had an appetite since the operation. The worst thing so far: I have to remember that a full stomach trumps an empty plate. It's tough buying and preparing for one person. It just means now I have to plan better. My brain has to be another tool that I use better and in conjunction with the lap band! You are doing great to be walking 4 miles a day.

I, too, was nervous prior to surgery because I thought I hadn't lost the required amount of weight. [somehow, my brain didn't remember my starting weight or even my weight on the day of the surgery]. So I asked. They didn't know of anyone that had been denied due to not loosing. My op team said they would like to see at least a loss of 10 lbs. which helps the surgeon when he/she has to flip the liver to get to the stomach. I think the important thing, which they also said, was that a person really attempt to stay on the prescribed pre-op diet since it is good training for post-op diet and beyond. What better way to start learing to re-order your thinking about food intake with a liquid diet and a sensible meal each day.

You will do fine. I, too, had a similar situation with State of Texas insurance having us jump through hoops for 12 months and then they weren't paying that much. I started in October 2013 and was 3 days from the procedure when my insurance wouldn't pay since I didn't have a hiatal hernia. I spent the next 11 months figuring a self-pay approach and had the LB procedure on Dec. 23, 2014. For some, the hardest part is the pre-op diet. I didn't have any problems except for thinking that I had to have my LAST Popeye's chicken or my LAST What-A-Burger or my LAST Breakfast miga's! I did all three but made certain that i got some walking and stuck to the shakes. Procedure went well and really no post-op pain because of the meds the provide for the procedure. MD prescribed Tylonal with codein for post op and I really didn't take but 1 1/2 days. Since I didn't have the hailtal hernia repair, I didn't have the post-op pain that some people describe. The solution: DON'T lie down, but stay upright, walk as much as you can and stay active. When I went home after surgery, I sat and sipped Water, then did the dishes, and rearranged a shelf on my back porch. I also walked a partial block to visit a neighbor and then home. I really didn't lie down untiil that evening. Good luck and stay positive.

I'm scheduled to report at 6:30 AM on Tuesday, Dec. 23rd. I've waited for more than a year having started this process in October 2013. Due to medication, I had to hold off for my initial appointment. Several hurdles later - nuclear stress test -- I was scheudled for a December 19, 2013 procedure. Then the last hurdle showed that I DID NOT have a hiatal hernia. State of Texas insurance would not pay so I had to cancel. 11 months later, I sold some of my Roseville pottery collection and was able to get the funds I needed to cover the out of pocket expenses. Once again, I had a road bump and was quickly able to schedule a cardiologist to review my EKG and give his/her "blessing." I'm 5 days and counting. I have a wonderful niece who went through the lap band process 2 years ago and she's been providing advice and serving as my mentor. [she's the one who recommended this site; it really helped her!!] A colleague also gave some advice: TAKE A PILLOW WITH YOU FOR THE RIDE HOME...so the seat belt doesn't hurt the stomach. She also said to sleep with two pillows on either side at night so when turning you have some support for the incision area - at least for the first couple of days. My enthusiasm is measured this go around. Even though the financing is in place, it's hard to believe that it's going to happen. I will really believe it early Tuesday morning when I gently sip a bit of Water for my BP medicine and my ride shows up for the journey to the Texas Medical Center.

Thanks for the advice. I take 8 meds of which two are capsules. I got them crushed and then dropped them in my shake. Egads! The taste was aweful!! I'm on DAY 5 with band so am still in the clear liquid phase and Protein drink. I am looking forward to other means of disguising the taste at week 2 and 3!!

Congratulations! Being aware of the possible challenges is probably the best first step. Spend these next two weeks reading pre-op and post-op entries and comments. While each person is different, you will be able to glean information that can be very beneficial in helping answer questions, identify challenges and develop strategies for success. I am now on DAY 4. I found that the pre-op diet [i had 2 Protein shakes per day with 4 oz of protein/veggie at a 3rd meal] and constantly had a glass of Water nearby to make certain I was re-learing how to stay hydrated was somewhat challenging. I had to have my "LAST" Mexican Breakfast, my last Whataburger, etc. Do your best to stick with the pre-op diet...including learning to eat in small bites; chewing 20-30 times before swallowing and taking time to have a meal. I also edited my refrigerator and pantry [gave to friends or donations] to make certain I was preparing my space to support the post-op diet. And, then I read, read and re-read during the two weeks before the procedure.

Well...into Day 2... Had a GREAT post op. Did alot of moving around when I got home. Didn't have the shoulder pain; probably since I did not have a hiatal hern ia. However, around 5 PM I started noticing a major swelling at one of the bandages and then BLOOD! It was running down my sides! I was able to get in conctact with my surgeon. He explained it was a hematoma and happens with some patients. It was the larger incision for my port placement. He described how I could get items for compression. So with a belt and old CD containers and pillows, I fashioned a compression and wore it the remainder of the night. It worked! Boy, I had visions of a trip to an emergency center, ER or even surgery to remove it all! Day 2 is a bit slower and it really does feel like someone hit me in the stomach. I'm beginning to feel sips of Water hitting the bottom of my stomach [wierd feeling!!] in a 2-minute delay. Still moving about without much problem. Just trying to figure out how to take meds by crushing.

Admiring your come back skills!

Did any of you have to do a Hibacleanse prior to arriving?

Good luck, anewme6380...

MPeter...we are LB twins! I,too, have Dr. Riley and am scheduled to report at 6:30 AM on Tuesday, December 23rd!! I was 4 days away last year at this time for the procedure but didn't have a hiatal hernia and my State of Texas insurance plan wouldn't cover. I'm on week two of the pre-op diet and doing ok. Daytime isn't a problem; it's night time. I spent last weekend "cleaning" the refrigerator to further reduce temptations.