MrsFlipFlops

I was banded 2/11. I had a lot of nausea too, but my doctor gave me medicine that I just rubbed on my wrists and it didn't make me tired. Is this the kind that you have?

I have a large bump too... I was banded 2/11. I'm concerned something happened, because it's so big. I can't even lie on that side, not because of the pain, but because of the lumpiness. Anyone else had a large lump? It sticks out when I lie on my back.

I found out about my approval and called to schedule my surgery on the same day. I had surgery two weeks after my approval came in. (since I had a preop diet)

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply complications only happen in Mexico, just that that was this gentleman's story. Sorry about that.

I am SO sorry to hear that! There was a gentleman on this site about a week ago warning people about getting surgery in Mexico due to his wife having severe complications. But I don't know the exact cause. I don't have any help to offer, sorry, but I wanted to write to express my sincerest sympathy! Good luck.

I'm 9 days out too. I had pressure in my chest, but the doctor told me if was due to the gas they use during surgery. I've gotten rid of it through walking. I tried sleeping on my left side last night, it was so sore that I turned back around. I tried again this afternoon, and it seems to feel a little better.

ha ha I had that same thought! In fact, moments before being wheeled into the surgical room, I was thinking, "you can pull out of this thing any time you want!!" I went in, the had me put on a gown and take off everything else. They had me pee in a cup for a pregnancy test then I laid on the bed. They hooked me up to an IV, checked my vitals, and gave a heparin shot in my stomach (it amazingly didn't hurt) to prevent blood clotting. I sat there with my husband until my anesthesiologist came in. She asked some questions then asked if I had questions.... I didn't as I didn't know what to ask. Then my surgeon came in, made sure I was feeling okay about the surgery, shockingly I said yes. My anesthesiologist came back in, she gave me a "margarita" in my IV. I got to the room, they placed me on the table, and next thing I know I'm waking up in recovery saying to myself "Oh my gosh, I went through with it!" The recovery nurse was not one to baby me, she made me get up right away, get to an Xray, had me drink for a few moments and I was out the door! I don't know if you're religious or not. I had prayed about making the right decision about whether or not to have surgery and felt good about it. The morning of the surgery I was extra anxious and scared. I said a prayer to myself that if I made a right choice, that the Lord would help calm my fears. Seconds later I felt so much better. Hope this helps and good luck!

It seems to me like the concerns you have about having to care for your son following surgery are feeding into your bigger concern of "Holy Crap, I could die!" I will admit, I had the same feelings. I hate the thought of being put under and having no control, and willingly letting someone cut me open. I don't know what your weight is, but mine is terribly high. I kind of told myself I could die in 10 years without getting help, or I could die on the table getting help. Of course, these are worst case scenarios. After doing the research, I found there are so few deaths. The most important thing is to find a doctor that you're comfortable with, that you trust, and that has done so many of them WITHOUT having a high complication rate. I don't have kids, so I don't know the concern about not being able to care for them immediately after. I did feel a lot of pain for about 2 days after, but then was able to move around and care for myself. I did have my husband who was incredibly helpful and supportive. If your mom is willing to come down for a week, then I wouldn't worry. My doctor said while you can't pick them up for a couple weeks, they can climb into your lap. :wink2: Don't know if this helps... good luck.

You are singing my song. I'm feeling frustrated, but I know I just need to calm down. I'm scared that by not seeing results as quickly as I want, I'll get discouraged and fall into old routines. What is your daily eating routine? I've been moved to soft foods, but don't really know how much to eat or even what to eat. I have been having a Protein shake for Breakfast, some tuna for lunch, and then tonight I had mashed potatoes and some cheese. This isn't my ideal of healthy... but don't know what else to eat. All in all, ug. :wink2: I guess the biggest thing I'm learning now though, is how to slow down and chew!

Everyone is different. Mine require a supervised diet unless you have significant weight complications and a history of being overweight. Best thing to do is just call the insurance company and ask them. I have UHC and all I did was have the doctor submit the request, it was approved within a few days!

You definately have a right to be upset!! I would be pretty angry! Sounds like you should shop around. If nothing else, no one should treat you like that. I need a doctor I trust and whose staff is polite and out of their way caring... Good luck. Heidi

Hey Tony, congrats!! I had my surgery last week... After getting on the scale, I finally said to myself "Okay, this might've been worth it." The first couple days were rough due to soreness and not being able to eat anything... but I get excited as time goes on!! Congratulations!! Heidi

This has been my fear! I'm just starting the process, got banded last week. I'm scared of surgery, so I promised myself I would never hove plastic surgery. As I meet more and more people who had as much weight as me to lose, I'm realizing that it's important to me not to have skin weight hanging around! I can understand why you're depressed about it. I have a friend who had 35 lbs of skin taken off in plastic surgery. He started the process at 500 pounds though. I heard that seaweed wraps help to temporarily tighten the skin... maybe give it a try and see the difference to determine if the surgery would be worth it. Just a thought. :biggrin: Heidi

Hey BigGuyChicago, I just got surgery last week. I started the process with 210 lbs to lose. I can't say what it will look like in the end, because I haven't yet hit it... but from the people I have known who have had it, 230 to lose isn't unreasonable if you're dedicated. The one thing I've learned about the surgery is that the lapband isn't an easy way out. (Much to my dismay). There's still willpower and self control, dealing with the emotional aspect of eating and what not. I know someone who had the bypass as well... I guess I'm more into the band because it's reversible and less recovery time. It depends on your own preferences and desires. I don't know if this helps or not...

I had my surgery Monday Feb. 11, 2008. This whole week I feel I have been in mourning, just truly sad. I feel like I have given up my best friend... food. Food has been there happy, sad, bored, excited. It didn't matter what emotion I had, food was there. It sounds bizarre I think, that I'm really upset about missing food, but I am. This week has been hard... so hard. This morning I woke up at found I lost 21 pounds since starting my pre op diet. A HUGE SMILE went across my face. Everyday is a struggle, but that few moments of looking at the scale made it all worth it. I am actually excited, for the first time ever, for exercise and being active! I can't wait to do things with my husband, travel, play, explore! This is all! Onward to freedom! Freedom of food!

I had my surgery Monday Feb. 11, 2008. This whole week I feel I have been in mourning, just truly sad. I feel like I have given up my best friend... food. Food has been there happy, sad, bored, excited. It didn't matter what emotion I had, food was there. It sounds bizarre I think, that I'm really upset about missing food, but I am. This week has been hard... so hard. This morning I woke up at found I lost 21 pounds since starting my pre op diet. A HUGE SMILE went across my face. Everyday is a struggle, but that few moments of looking at the scale made it all worth it. I am actually excited, for the first time ever, for exercise and being active! I can't wait to do things with my husband, travel, play, explore! This is all! Onward to freedom! Freedom of food!

My dad volunteered for Mitt, making calls and such. All he could talk about was Mitt! He was crushed when he suspended his campaign, but now he's talking Mitt 2012! :wub: I mean... I really thought Mitt was just getting his name out there for the next campaign anyway. So, this morning I got on the scale and saw I've dropped a total of 21 pounds since the beginning of my preop diet. I had such a hard time not nibbling everything yesterday, but today IT WAS SO WORTH IT! I have my post op in a couple hours. My stiches are SO ITCHY they're killing me.

Hey, thanks mistrnice! I'm LDS, living in the DFW area. Got banded 5 days ago! I was wandering around this site and thought surely there was an LDS link and bam, thanks for letting me know!

Hi all. Banded 2/11! Just got some general questions and thoughts. I had the gas pain after surgery, I feel like I still have some though... anyone know when this will go away? I'm really trying to listen to my body a little better, make sure I don't over drink or have anything too thick. I'm worried about drinking too fast or too much. I am having these chest pains that kind of move up... no burp. I can't figure out if it's being caused by digestion or drinking too fast or if it's gas still escaping. Anyone have a way to discern between the two? Also, I'm craving everything. Today I cheated and turned my chocolate Protein shake into a yummy shake by adding some chocolate syrup. Bad I know... but I am really struggling to like any Protein shakes. I think I'm hitting a point where I'm scared I made a bad decision. Maybe I'm going through a period of mourning... I don't know. (You know, mourning the loss of my best friend- food!) I saw a commercial today for unlimited enchiladas (my favorite mexican food) and I thought, How come that didn't come out earlier?? I can't take advantage of it! Does this sound stupid?

I'm amazed at how you're able to be up and around! I read posts about people who get up and type or what not on surgery day! I'm amazed! I was pretty much passed out til the next day, then sooo sore, I stayed laid down except for bathroom trips! My husband says I'm a pansy for pain... so maybe that explains it.

I'm almost one week post op and am in mushies stage. Sunday is coming up. Our sacrament is bread and water... is it okay to take the bread? It's a small piece, so I would figure it would be okay... but just don't want it to ball up and get stuck.

I had my surgery on Monday... so I'm 4/5 days post op. The pain the first couple days were so bad. I couldn't even get up from a chair without my husband pulling me up gently. I don't want to scare you, but the first couple days were very painful. I couldn't take the pain medications because it made me so nauseous, but I recommend liquid tylenol, extra strength. It is my best friend! Yesterday I felt good enough that my sister took me to a store to buy my husband a VDay cake. I have a sit down office job, so I took a week off and go back to work on Tuesday. Lifting things is difficult, I would take more time than that if your job is stressful. Do you have FMLA or short term disability? I had a preop diet for two weeks, but it did help with post op because throughout the pre op I was craving things. Now I'm used to not eating how I normally do. I would recommend trying out Protein shakes. Some of them are truly disgusting and you wouldn't want to be stuck with them post op. (Believe me, you'll want something tasty by day 5!) :thumbup: I'm only 25 and have been battling with weight since about age 5. Last year on this day my uncle died of weight related issues (very young) and that's when I started thinking about this surgery. I told my mom and two sisters and two close friends, who were all very supportive. When I told my dad, he had the same reaction you've been faced with, saying I just shouldn't eat so much and exercise (as if I hadn't thought about that the past 20 years). He was upset... but I think mostly he was ignorant about THIS particular type of surgery and scared for his baby girl. I talked to him at length about it, showed him a video of the surgery. Think about taking them to an information session. I don't think he realized how little cutting and less intrusive it actually was. Going into surgery I know my dad didn't agree with what I was doing- I realized I didn't need him to give his okay. He's been here several times since my surgery and is supportive now. I think all in all my dad was just worried. I don't know your family, but I would guess they just love you and are scared for you. But to be honest, they're scared for you overweight too. Good luck at your PreOp consults! Sorry this post is so long!! Heidi

I am 4 days post op and couldn't stop "eating"- really drinking yesterday. I had 2 things of baby food, 1.5 cups of soup, cottage cheese, popsicles. The hunger pain just wouldn't go away. Today I'm doing protein shakes... so hopefully that will help. It's nice to just vent about the hunger... it is painful!

I had surgery on Monday and am in the Clear liquids stage. I don't think I'm getting enough in and am worried, but I just don't feel like drinking. Yesterday I had about a cup of broth, a cup of watered down apple juice, and about 4 sf popsicles. Thoughts?

Indyguy- Okay, I'm officially one day post op. I'm shocked I'm able to sit up and type. Yesterday and this morning were pretty much pain filled... but I've stopped taking the narcotics they gave me and had my husband get me some liquid tylenol. It's better because it doesn't make me nauseaus (however you spell that). The nausea was worse than the pain. I'm shocked at how often I use my tummy muscles! It was hard finding a position that was comfortable to sleep in. I finally found sitting on the couch with my legs on the coffee table comfy. If you have a lazy boy, it might be your best friend. :scared2: Anyway, all in all, I guess I'm okay. The pain today is less than the paid yesterday. Oh, and after surgery, don't laugh, cough, sneeze. They all hurt too. :wink2: It will go just fine!!! Let me know how you are when you're up to it!