kat72

OK so today was the the day that I was SUPPOSED to start my liquid diet (5 days before surgery). I'm tellin' you guys that there is NO way that I am going to make it! I caved in today and ate a piece of chicken, a biscuit, and a low-carb slim fast. Do surgeons really expect the patients to be successful at this diet? I hope not. What exactly is the purpose of this diet? Is it only to shrink the liver as much as possible before surgery (which I have been told), or is it also for other reasons? I was so weak, dizzy, and grumpy today that I truly thought that I was going to have to go to ER if I continued to go without food. I do not think that my body can handle chicken broth, decaf. coffee /tea, sugar free popsicles, jell-o, and water for FIVE straight days. I need to know if any one else out there struggled with this part of the process, and, if so, what did you do to get you through? Were you honestly able to stick to the diet? Did you eat a bit and have everything turn out okay? I NEED HELP!!!

Don't worry, LJB! The time flies by, and Jan. will be here before you know it! =)

WOW! I haven't been to Mimi's in so long that I had forgotten all about it. Nice to know they're still keepin it goin. So far, I have only lost about 60 pounds. Due to insurance changes, I have been having tons of trouble receiving an adjustment from a well- qualified band surgeon. So, I have taken it up with the managed health care department in Sacramento. The last fill I had was in December. Although I have managed to maintain my weight due to extreme physical activity, I am more than ready to start losing again. It's time Despite all of this, I love my band. Overall, I have been having a fantastic journey! Hope you've been having a great journey with yours as well

Hi, everyone! I'm a Cali bandster too. Congratulations to all of the new banders as well as the future banders. I was banded in Nov. of 2005 by Dr. Bhoyrul at Scripps. He's the BEST!!! So far, so good. I live in the San Diego area. If anyone needs any encouragement or extra info., just let me know :-) Holla back to ya', Kity!

I was banded on November 7 of 2005. I was 253 prior to surgery, and now I weigh 180 lbs. While I am not yet where I want to be as far as my weight loss goal, I am happy that I have lost the weight that I have

Claudia, hang in there! You're on your way. This is the beginning of a beautiful journey for you. I also reside in San Diego and was banded Nov. of last year. If you need anything, feel free to contact me at this email address kat72@cox.net. Remember, we are all rooting for you!

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR title="Post 334725" vAlign=top><TD class=alt2>just wanted to let you know that your message was a great inspiration to me today, on this day of thanks. Although I have not lost as much as I have wanted to, I have continued to lose weight since my surgery last Nov. It has been a tough journey for me, personally, since I am an emotional eater. I have wanted to eat my way through many difficulties, and this was not possible due to my fills. Your words have made me realize that I should be more thankful for this gift that I have received, rather than complaining about not losing enough weight, and I realize just how far I have come on my journey thus far. I am so very sorry to hear that things have not gone better for you, but it is my hope that things will gradually get better for you. It seems as if they already are :-) With the support system that you have, and your healthy new attitude, there is no way that you can fail!!! Please, hang in there; everything happens for a reason. All the struggles you have gone through this past year will pay off. You just wait and see. Take care, and I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving! </TD></TR><TR><TD class=thead colSpan=2>Today 10:57 AM</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I really appreciate all of the info. My current lap band surgeon is working on trying to make something work out for myself and the other patients who are experiencing this dilemma. Thanx so much for this extra info. I will definitely take it into consideration and pass it on to others :-)

As of Jan 1, 2007, I will not be able to continue to see my present lapband surgeon any longer. I just wanted to know if anyone knows any other lapband surgeons who are affiliated to with SHARP health care (in the San Diego, Ca. area) that I can start seeing. Thanx! <!-- / message -->

thanx so much Amy! really appreciate the info. i will look into that a lil more

As of Jan 1, 2007, I will not be able to continue to see my present lapband surgeon any longer. I just wanted to know if anyone knows any other lapband surgeons who are affiliated to with SHARP health care (in the San Diego, Ca. area) that I can start seeing. Thanx!

As of Jan 1, 2007, I will not be able to continue to see my present lapband surgeon any longer. I just wanted to know if anyone knows any other lapband surgeons who are affiliated to with SHARP health care (in the San Diego, Ca. area) that I can start seeing. Thanx!

Penni, I am so sorry to hear of your ordeal. I'm sending good thoughts and lots of caring your way. Get better soon.

I had my surgery on Nov. 7th and am scheduled for my first fill this Friday (Dec.2). It has not even been a month yet, and it will only have been 26 days since my surgery. A couple of days ago I felt that this was too soon, until I ate a bit too much today. I was hardly able to eat anything yesterday. Then, all of a sudden, today I was able to eat more. Of course, it was not even close to what I used to eat, but it was a lot compared to what I have been able to eat since the surgery. I have heard from several different band patients that the soonest I should receive a fill is anywhere from 6-8 weeks following surgery. Has anyone else here had a fill so soon after surgery? Should I cancel my appointment and reschedule? I NEED some advice. Thanks in advance for any feedback )

I have one of the cards. I received it from one of the nurses during my pre-op visit.

I am scheduled to have my first fill in a few days (I will be 1 month out of surgery). However, I am still not able to get much food down, only about 1 cup to 1 1/2 cup of food a day, about 4 ounces at a time (if that!) I'm thinking that if I get a fill, I will probably be able to get only a few bites of food a day, let alone water, and this really freaks me out. Is there anyone out there who just never needed a fill or did not need one for a long time? Also, how do I let my dr. know without being to pushy or bossy about it? Any comments would be appreciated. thanx

Clementine, I am so jealous!!! I am 2 weeks out of surgery, and I can still barely get enough food down. I am definitely getting more down than I did a week ago, but I can still only eat about 3-4 ounces per meal, and right now I am only eating about 2 times a day (3 if I am really doing good). I make 4 ounces, but I feel as if I will burst if I try to consume it all. It has been tough, because I am sure that I should be getting more nutrition, but it just will not fit. I have my post- op tomorrow so I'll ask the doc about it. I am due for my first fill in 2 weeks, but if I keep going at the rate that I am currently going, I will have to cancel it. I am sure that you are okay. According to what I've read, new band patients should strive to consume 3 cups of food (1 cup 3 times) a day. So don't worry. I am sure that you will be just fine. Besides, enjoy it while you can, because once you get your first fill you will not be able to eat the amount that you are currently eating. Take care

I have pacificare, and I did not have to do any type of documentation with dieting.

Jini, sorry that you are not feeling so great. I had my surgery on the 7th of this month, and I started to notice that I was feeling a slight bit better about the 7th day. Each day I feel better, but I honestly do not feel 100% yet, and I cannot wait until I do. Tomorrow will be 14 days since I've had my surgery, and I have my post-op. I think I'll ask the doc when my port scar (the big one) will stop hurting (if ever). It burns so bad like I bust the stitches or something. Take care, and I hope you feel better soon.

WOW! Congratulations, Spydr.

Debra, I too was banded on Nov. 7th. my first question to you is why were staples put in? Did you have the open form of the surgery or the laparascope version. Second of all, from what I understand, you should not be able to consume a cup of food so soon after surgery, but who knows? I am so fortunate if I can get my full 4 oz. down about 5-6 times a day. I have been told several times on this board that you will not be hungry after surgery, and I have found that to be untrue in. Several new bandsters, including myself, have been having an extremely difficult time with being so hungry after surgery and not being able to eat anything. It has been so difficult for me that I honestly thought that I would go insane from it. I feel that people who are considering having surgery for the band need to know about this critical stage. Don't get me wrong, I still would have had my surgery done, but I also would have known to expect to be hungry afterwards and would have been more prepared mentally for that challenge. I have had a difficult time emotionally after my surgery due to the fact that I cannot eat enough or drink enough to nourish my body. I even started having panick attacks and kind of regretted having the surgery. However, each day has slowly but surely gone better than the next. Yesterday I went to see a therapist who specializes in working with weight loss surgery patients, and that made a world of difference for me. It is possible that you may need to seek therapy. Of course it is your personal choice. Also, it is possible that you just may be at the point where you need a fill. As for me, at the rate that I am going, I may not be able to have my first fill at the appointed time. I may have to wait a bit longer if my current restriction keeps up. I think that we all go into surgery gun-ho, expecting certain things to go a certain way, and when we realize that things are not going to be the way we expected (at least not in the beginning), we become afraid and concerned and we panick. I am sure that everything will be fine for you. We've only been out of surgery for a little over a week, and it is going to take time for our bodies to heal and recover from the shock of what has happened to it. Hang in there, and don't worry too much. From what I have read, our goal is to work our way up to 3 cups of food (1 cup at each meal) a day. Maybe you have just reached your goal earlier and some of us may reach that goal later. I'm sure everything will be just fine. Take care.

Congratulations!!! I hope all goes well with your surgery and recovery. Keep us posted.

I have gone through some of your exact concerns. My insurance was ready to cover the RNY, no questions asked. However, the lap band was a totally different thing. I got the run around for what seemed like forever! but, in the end, it was covered. I had to wait a few months, but I was more than willing to do that, and I am an impatient person. Do you know anyone who has had the RNY? I know about 4 people with 4 different experiences. It HAS worked for them, but 1 of them had surgery a few years ago, and she has been gaining a bit of her weight back, and she has complained to me about her dumping experiences and how she was all of a sudden one day able to eat more food due to her 'pouch' stretching or being able to hold more food. Also, each friend was off from work for quite a while for healing, unlike band surgery. No one can make the decision for you, but YOU. However, I had my surgery 1 week ago, and although I have had some difficulty, I have to admit that I would still choose this option over the RNY. When you reallly think about it, Feb. is not a long time to wait. I consider myself EXTREMELY fortunate that I only had to wait a few months considering some people have had to wait a year or longer. Hang in there, and take this time to do more research and more soul searching to make sure that it is what you want to do. I hope that whichever decision you make, that it is a successful one. Take care.

rpaniagua77, Thanx so much for responding to my questions. It is encouraging to know that I am not just imagining the things that I am going through and that what I am experiencing is common with some patients. I started to think that maybe something had gone wrong during my surgery. I too am a bit paranoid as far as the band slipping goes; I am constantly watching how I move and which position I sleep in, because I am so concerned that my band might slip. I guess that it's normal. I also am constantly hungry, regardless of the protein drinks, my stomach is always growling, and the hunger pangs are simply AWFUL! I can't wait until I am able to eat real food in a normal manner. I am also concerned about the small amount of water that I have been taking in on a daily basis. I look forward to being able to increase this amount soon. Well, take care, and I hope all goes well with your weight loss journey!

JohnDeereGal, welcome back!!! By the way, you just had your surgery on the 9th, and you are already at the mushies stage? I am so jealous. I wish these doctors would all follow the same guidelines for the after surgery diet! I am still on liquids until the 21st, and I feel as if I am going to die. Well, CONGRATULATIONS on your surgery as well as your BIG weight loss!!! I've only lost 7 pounds since my surgery. I suppose everyone is different.