horseygirl

The night after my surgery the stitches where my port was placed came completly open. I was terrified when I looked down and saw all the blood. I was still in the hospital because I had an allergic reaction to the hepurin shot. It looked worse than it really was. The nurse and doctor just helped me change my gown and bedding and put a new bandage on. My advice is to just take it very easy. Good Luck on your journey

My surgeon said that after 6 months I could try to drink soda. I leave it out in a glass on the counter for about 20 minutes before I take a sip...drink it slow because it will cause air bubbles. I try to stay away from soda because there is no benefit from drinking it..try Crystal Light with a splash of ginger ale if you want something fizzy.

I drink a full glass of Water before I go to bed. I used to have problems with hunger the first month or so after surgery but after my first fill i have actually had to set a timer to remind me to eat regularly. I feel pretty silly but it has worked out great for me. I wish you the best of luck.

I also have the same problem. I had surgery in Jan. and had no problems until about a month ago. I thought it was because of calories and my activity level but it was not. I went to the doctor and they did some blood work. It turns out that my Vitamin D level was not even registerable in my blood and my B12 was really really low. I am now going daily for 4 weeks to have a B12 injection and I take 100,000 units of Vitamin D a week to get my levels all back up. The lack of those two nutirents will cause you to be lethargic and have some dizziness...among other issues. Make sure you are taking the correct Vitamins and that you see your doctor regularly to have those levels checked.

There is very intense pressure in the center of your chest. I have the most problems when I eat meats or toast. Just remember to chew chew chew and when you think you will be good chew once more. Over chewing is the answer to everything. Also I have never just had the stuck food pass through..PBing has always been the outcome. Its not fun but it relieves the pressure immediatly. Good Luck

You need to tell your surgeon so that they can monitor you a little better. They will not cancel your surgery. I know this from experience. I also agree with everyone else about quiting.I have only indulged a couple of times after surgery and I will tell you honestly that is was not worth it. I coughed so hard that I reopened my incisions and then got an infection because the stitches would not dissolve. I now have a very large and raised scar. I already scar badly because I am VERY fair skinned but this one is very ugly. The pain and infection were not worth the experience! I know this sounds stupid but going for a really good walk in the morning has me feeling just as good and there are no munchie side effects! Good Luck.

I have had Hair loss since May. I had my surgery Jan. 22. Luckily I am blessed with very thick hair. I don't know how I am not bald. There is hair everywhere and my family is starting to really complain about it. I went to my doctor and he is checking to see if my thyroid was overstimulated by the drastic weight loss. I have lost 107 pounds in 6 1/2 months. Also, talk to your doctor about having your B12 levels checked. I was told that lap band patients do not have to take the b12 dots but my levels were very low so now I am getting daily B 12 shots for 2 weeks. Good Luck!

Hi, there is a support group at Virginia Mason at Federal Way. I know it is a little far from Whidbey Island but that is the only one i know about. You can get their newsletters sent to you if you don't want to drive out there.

Hello,

I just wanted to say hi and see how your surgery went. My surgery went really well but I had to end up staying the night at the hospital. My poor fiance had to sleep on the tile floor because there were no more cots in the hospital. I am really really really sore around the port site. Well I hope everything is going well with you and that your surgery went well. Good Luck ....we both are on our way to a brand new life!!!!!!!:thumbdown:

Me too, My surgery is on Thursday also. I am so happy that the last two years of waiting and planning is finally going to pay off. It has been a rough road but I keep on focusing on the end result. Good Luck on your surgery!

Thank you so much for posting this thread. I also have surgery on the 20th and my pre op appt on Wed. I was supposed to go to the dietician but have hard time getting the appointment. I have also not been put on a pre op diet and was wondering if that was normal. I am so excited for my new life to begin but am TERRIFIED at the same time. Good Luck!

My surgery is Jan. 20th at Virginia Mason Hospital with Dr. Jeffrey Hunter. I have been waiting so long for this that I am driving everyone around me crazy with excitement. Good Luck to all of you and best wishes for the New Year!!!!!:laugh:

I have been waiting since last year to have my surgery done. I FINALLY have a date for Jan. 20th. I am so excited. The only stinky thing is that my step daughter's 9th birthday is on the 26th of January....Oh well I will manage. This is the best way to start the new year. Yippy!!!!!!:laugh:

These are the things I am not going to miss:

filling the bath tub up with only 3 inches of Water knowing that the second I get in the Water will nearly be spilling out the sides.

trying on clothes that my friends pick out only to never leave the dressing room, claiming that all of them just don't look right and not saying that really I couldn't get the pants on past my calves or my boobs are falling out of the top of the shirt

of course my thighs rubbing together

feeling that the only way to meet men is online for fear of rejection

not being able to walk up a flight of stairs without needing an oxygen tank at the top

not being able to get on my horse without having to climb in his feeder so that all I have to do is slide over

not having people looking at me like I am going to break my horse's back when I am riding and having them tell me that I should only go at a walk or I might break his legs

not being able to run around with my neice and nephews without my boobs hurting from the bouncing

not being able to sit in the drivers seat without the steering wheel touching my legs

not being able to climb in the truck without help

worrying what my date thinks when he meets me for the first time

hearing that the only thing I shop for at the grocery store is chips and Cookies

feeling guilty about eating in front of other people and always pretending

that I am not hungry

being told that I just don't have what it takes to lose weight

never having experienced being at a normal weight

fearing death

I can't wait to feel like the confident and beautiful woman that I know I am

I had my sleep study in July to see if I had sleep apnea. Have you ever startled awake with the feeling like you are falling? My doc says that is a symptom of sleep apnea. I had that almost every night. I finished my sleep study and found out that I did have apnea but I DO NOT snore. I thought that was pretty weird. Anyway it got me approved for a November 6th surgery date. Good Luck!:biggrin:

When I went for my slep study my doctor gave me a list of things to bring. The only thing that wasn't on the list was SHAMPOO!!!!! Bring this for sure. They are going to put glue in your hair. I woke up the next morning looking like I had not taken a shower in years and had been sleeping under a cardboard box. I did not bring a book or anything because by the time I got into the lab and changed and all the paperwork done I was so tired that I asked to start early. Good luck!

Stephanie

Tell your doctor that you may have sleep apnea and he will probably schedule you for a sleep test. I had to come up with a co morb. for my insurance also. I didn't hink that I had sleep apnea and it turns out that I did. I don't even snore but there are other factors that will play into your diagnosis. Just let them know and I am sure they will work with you to get you approved.

Congratulations!!!! I have been waiting for my approval for 5 weeks so consider your self blessed! Good Luck

My doctor is having me take a sleep test in hopes of finding a way to have my surgery covered by medicare. Has anyone else had to work with Medicare? Any advice? I just want to get going. I have been reseaching this for a very long time.:confused2:

Hello,

I am scheduled to go to my seminar on Thursday. I live in Washington State and am on Medicare. Does anyone know of a surgeon in Washington that accepts Medicare? My BMI is 48 and I have had an increase in medical problems in the last couple of years. Also, has anyone sucessfully had Medicare pay for the surgery and is there any tips on how I cna make this easier on my life. Thank you in advance for all of your help.

Horseygirl