gilta

I am still not able to lay on my left side yet. I get nauseated when I lay on that side. Someone on the site mentioned that it is due to the way the stomach is positioned when laying this way. I hope you both are feeling better. It did take me until day 5/6 to really feel that I had gotten past the worst of it. Gilta

Hi ~ I had a horrible amount of pain for the first 5 days. I could barely drink anything because I just felt so full and nauseated. Make sure you take your pain medication on schedule, that will help. I kept walking as much as I could and that did help some. I used a heating pad on my shoulder as well. It does get better and you will be happy with your decision once the pain and swelling goes down. Gilta

Hi All, I had my surgery on 8/1/08 and I am still a bit bloated. I tried on a pair of pants that I wore before surgery and they are still a bit tight. I have lost about 11 lbs since the surgery so you would think I would not have a problem. Did anyone else have this? I will be going back to work next monday so I need some pants to fit! Thanks, Gilta

Teri - I did not really sleep in the overnight stay, but it gave me a chance to get started on the walking. I walked every 1/2 hour and according to the note by the nurses station, I walked a mile and 1/2 that night! Good luck on your journey Gilta

Hi All, I had my surgery on Friday. Luckly no colon cleanse! I have heard that my come with the liquid phase I am in now. Liquid in, liquid out. My surgery took a bit longer due to previous abdomnical surgery. I was in surgery for 3 hours instead of the planned 2 hours. I went in at 7:30am and woke up in my room about 3pm. I was up and walking by 3:30pm. I had pain in my back and shoulder. I had my barium swallow and was told all is well. The MD informed me he put in 2 cc's into my band. He said he has some patients who say they don't ever need a fill. We shall see. I am having a bit of a hard time getting all the protein and liquids they want me to. Right now I can do about 20 oz and they want 40. I am sure with time I will get there. The only pain I have is at my port site (more of pulling when I get up) and the pain in my shoulder/back. I hear that is from the gas. I am still sleeping in a recliner because I cannot lay down flat yet. Hope all is well with the previous banders and welcome the newbies. Barbie you are on your way. Gilta

Good luck to both of you! Things are about the same, except I think the gas is finally moving. My shoulder is still very sore, but I have heard it can take up to a week to get ride of. Gilta

Thanks for replying. It is nice to know this is normal!

Hi Moe, Glad to hear that all went well! Since you shared your story, I will share mine here as well. I went in at 6am as well. The hospital I went to do the band all the time, so they had all the right equipment ready for me. The IV was painless and I don't remember anything after they gave me the versed until I was in my room. My surgery took 3 hours due to a previous abdominal surgery. He had to cut around scar tissue, but at least he was still able to do it with the lap version. I finally got out of bed around 3pm. It took me about that long to wake up. They had me on morphine, but asked to switch because it knocks me out too much. I was given fenergyn, but stopped after 2 doses. I did have severe back and shoulder pain. I could not lay down in the bed because of this. I ended up walking every 1/2 hour during the night. I did have a barium swallow so they could see the position of the band and it was fine, so they started me on Water and pudding. I really could not eat very much. Yesterday I came home by noon and other than the pain in my shoulder and back, I am ok. I just cannot seem to pass any of this gas! I have tried eating and drinking the Protein, but I am just not able to get much in me. I try to wait 1/2 hour after drinking before eating, but I am just not feeling like it. I guess that is a good thing! My surgeon put in 2cc into the band, so I am sure it is me getting used to this. I am glad that I have it already so I am on my way. Gilta

Good luck to those who go tomorrow! Gilta

Hi, I was banded on Friday and I still have no hunger at all. I am still waiting for any gas to pass, no burps no nothing. My port site pulls when I get up, but other than the pain in my shoulder, I don't have much. Today I had 3 oz of Protein drink, 3 tsp yogurt, 1/2 popcycle and then another 3 oz of Protein Drink. I know this is not enough. I don't drink anything before I eat and I wait 1/2 hour after. It takes me almost 1 - 2 hours to drink the protein. Any suggestions on getting me moving? I know I should appreciate not being hungry right now, but the gas is awful. Thanks, Gilta

I am there with the gas pains too. I am 2 days post op and my left shoulder is killing me. I have not had any noise/movement, so I think I will need to take something. What do you suggest? Gilta

Hi All, I was banded yesterday. It went well, but due to a previous surgery there was a lot of scar tissue the surgery went for 3 hours. I am home now, but have a bit of pain in my back that I think is due to the gas. How did the rest of you do? Gilta

Will do! I had not heard about the "colon" cleanse, so we shall see. Gilta

Moe - sounds good to me! I will post when I get back. I stay overnight in the hospital so it will be Sat/Sun before I am back on. Gilta

Moe - we have 2 things in common, band date and ;love of the Red Sox! See you on the other side. Greg - good luck on the 14th. Gilta

My surgery is tomorrow. I live in upstate NY with my husband. We have a 19 year old son. I have been overweight my entire life (well except for a few years). I gained a tremendous amount of weight, about 70lbs, from trying infertility treatments. They unfortunately did not work and I was left with all that weight. I was already about 40 lbs overweight so it did not help. I have been considering lapband for about 1.5 years and decided this January to move forward. I am very excited to meet others having the surgery this month too. Gilta

My surgery is schedule for 7:30am tomorrow. I am excited to start on my journey. Gilta

My surgery is tomorrow too! Good luck. Gilta

Hi All, Sorry I have been MIA. I am trying to get everything ready. My surgery is only 2 days away!! I start liquid tomorrow am. I won't find out until tomorrow afternoon what time my surgery is. I found out I have to stay overnight, which will be ok. During my pre-op eval, I gained. I was not happy about that. I am sure I will lose it tomorrow since I can only have clear liquids. I will let everyone know how it goes either sat or sun. It just depends on how I feel and if I remember. Good luck all. Gilta

Pre-testing was very easy. The hardest part was waiting to get called! I had bloodwork, an EKG, a mini physical (BP, HR, Listen to lungs) and my instructions for surgery. Very painless! I was weighted and I am up 5 lbs according to their scale and am sitting at 225 which I was hoping I would not see that number again. Oh well, it will be off within the month! Gilta

Hi All, I go tomorrow am for my pre-surgery work up. I was told that I would be in the hospital overnight. It is what my MD prefers. I guess that is ok, but I would prefer to go home. I heard that I need an upper GI prior to being discharged to make sure there is no blockage. I cannot believe that it is only 14 days away. I plan on starting the liquid phase a few days prior to surgery. I am breaking it down by days so it goes a bit faster. July 18 - presurgery work up July 20 - stop all advil and any other types of blood thinners July 30 - start liquids only July 31 - no more food or liquids after midnight Aug 1 - surgery! Gilta

Hi Kel/Barbie, I think it is just the 3 of us now! I am just 18 days away and getting a bit nervous. I am not nervous about the surgery, but about being able to lose the weight. I have started to gain a few pounds (3) and am just worried after the surgery I will continue to gain. I know I probably won't, but that is my major concern. I go this Friday for my pre-surgery work up. Kel - I have heard very nice things about Dr. D from this group. I feel like the odd ball out here since I went to Highland. Oh well. Hopefully you all will still let me stay. Barbie - you will lose those 8 lbs quickly when you do your pre-surgery liquid phase. My MD said that I don't need to do it, but i will about 2 days prior just in case. Is there anyone else still on? How are the people who have had the band doing? How much have you lost so far? Any words of wisdom? Chat with you later!

Hi All, I hope you had a great 4th. I really need to get into the swing of the new me. I have not been watching what I am eating and I am eating way too fast. I am only 25 days until surgery and am getting a bit nervous. I am going to start putting together a list of "supplies" to have on hand after the surgery. Gasx strips liquid tylenol broth jello protein shakes lactose free milk Any other suggestions? thanks! Gilta

Kel, I don't have any statistics about band vs the bypass except that after 3 years the weighloss is the same. Things I was told when considering the two was that bypass is typically for those with higher amounts of weight loss. I decided with the band because I needed the continuing evaluation, such as the fills. I know when I lost weight with WW, when I would get close to goal I would fool myself. With the band, the restriction is there. With bypass, your pouch can stretch. My one friend who gained back some, did do a recheck and was able to lose again. My other friend is back to the same size of meals. Look around at a bunch of forums. More people may have the statistics than I do. Gilta

Hi Kel, Welcome! We are all in different stages of our journey. I wanted to let you know that I am going through Highland. I have so far had a very good experience except for my surgeon went out on disability! I guess no control over that. The team has been very responsive and helpful. I have 3 friends who have gone to highland and 2 to RGH. The 3 that went to highland recommended them highly and the 2 that were at RGH, one loved it and one was so/so. It sounded like an RN had a really bad day and took it out on my friend. Of the 5, only 2 have had the band. The other 3 are struggling with gaining back some of the weight, one has gained back almost all. You need to feel comfortable with wherever you go. Some here absolutely love RGH and will be able to give you more information on their program. You are more than welcome to contact me directly for my experience and any questions. My surgery is slated for 8/1! Gilta