Tricia K.

I am the same way. I am very restricted in the morning and then by the time the evening rolls around, I am able to eat more.

Congrats on your upcoming trip. I flew for the first time when I was 23 and I absolutely love to fly now. I was never scared but rather very curious. Below is a link for things to do in San Francisco. I've never been but I typically google for information and go from there. http://www.thingstodo-sanfrancisco.com/ As far as having restriction after flying, I flew in October and didn't feel any different. This was before I had my first fill. I'm not sure how it would have felt if I had a fill prior to flying. Just remember, everyone is different.

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. I hope his hearing comes back.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear of all your recent problems. I have never read anywhere about spleen problems as a result from being banded. I hope you're better very soon!!

Here's hoping that you don't get the stomach bug. And, good luck on Friday.

As long as your incisions are healed, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't go to the Carribean. I think it would be wonderful for you to get away after such a huge decision. It should definitely relax your mind. Now, I want to talk my Husband into taking me on a cruise!! LOL

Cheri, Congrats on being banded. I'm glad to hear that although things aren't exactly hunky dorey, you're still in good spirits!

I went the self-pay route and the total for my outpatient surgery, including hospital, surgeon fees, anesthesiologist and 1 year of follow-up care/fills was $12,900.

After my fills, I'm told to stay on liquids the rest of the day and then mushies the following day. After that, it's back to normal food. If I were you, I would see what you can tolerate after a few days and then go that route.

Once you're banded and have proper restriction, you won't be able to eat anymore once you're full, otherwise you'll throw up. Throwing up while banded is BAD, BAD, BAD!! By throwing up, you run the risk of having your band slip, which is not good at all.

Below is the link for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) BMI calculator. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm

You're welcome as well. Cheri, good luck to you. Let us know how everything went.

I'm no expert, but I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge. I firmly believe that being banded was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was a bit nervous, but not at all terrified beforehand. I'm not even the slightest bit worried even with some of the recent erosions, etc. mentioned on the board. If you didn't lose weight the first month, I would be really shocked. I lost 17 lbs. the first month. My surgeon said that people lose an average of 15-25 lbs. the first month. If you follow the rules and exercise at least 1 hour, 3 times per week, you will most likely lose more than 20 lbs. in the first 6 months. As long as band isn't too full, you should have no problem drinking 8 oz. of water. Go to the following Inamed site and search for a doctor on your area (or close by). http://www.lap-band.com/lapband2/locator.jsp See above Should this happen, you have too much of a fill and need some removed. Therefore, the nearest fill doctor needs to be notified and a date scheduled for an unfill. You should DEFINITELY check with your current insurance to find out of they'll cover any complications/emergencies that may arise from having the band placed. I hope this helps to alleviate some of your fears. Tricia

The following is what I purchased prior to surgery and haven't needed anything else: Chewable Gas-X Liquid Immodium Liquid Adult Tylenol Liquid Milk of Magnesia Chewable Flinstones Vitamins (take 2 daily) Chewable sugar-free FiberChoice Nature's Bounty B-Complex sublingual Liquid (found at any Walgreens)

Maybe get an unfill?

My suggestion is to register here and search for a local doctor. http://www.lap-band.com/lapband2/locator.jsp

I'm happy to hear that your acid reflux is gone.

My surgeon said for the first 6 weeks that walking was fine. After 6 weeks, he had no restrictions on any type of exercise.

You're very welcome. Good luck!!

My surgeon requires that you take their 3 hour nutrition class BEFORE you have surgery. I've scanned a copy of their post-op diet and included a link to it below. I followed this post-op diet to a T and didn't have a single problem. Remember, this is the post-op diet recommended by my surgeon. It seems as though every surgeon has a different post-op diet. I hope this helps. http://www.geocities.com/tricia_kutz/misc/post-op-diet.JPG

Debra, You're very welcome for the feedback. I can completely understand why your doctor would choose replacement rather than fusing due to your age. My Mother was 56 at the time so it was the only option for her. Thanks for the kind words about my Mother. From what I understand, she has no pain when it's cold or when it rains. - Tricia

My Mother had back surgery about 4 years ago to fuse some herniated discs. She's much better than she was before but still not 100%. She's had to go through some cortizone treatments since the surgery but as long as she doesn't over-exert herself, she's fine.

I was never a big ice cream eater but I'll play along. I've lost 356 scoops.

Congrats!

LOL...that's hilarious. My 7 yr. old step-son recently hopped up on my Husband's lap to read a story and says to him "Whoa. Talk about halitosis. Get a breath mint or something."