Dody

I have not heard of either of these procedures, and wonder why a lapband would be needed with the sleeve surgery. I am a retired nurse, but I've been retired a number of years now and am not up on the newest things out there. I thought Gastric Bypass took quite awhile to complete, but I'm no expert. I think you will be better served by others on here that have more knowledge of present operations.

My experience so far since being banded on July 18 amounts to not much of anything, except some port pain and knee pain (completely unrelated). I can take my pills; drink any amount of anything; and I have absolutely no restriction. I have heard on here that some dr's. put in some fill at the time of surgery and perhaps that is the difference. I have a 10 cc Vanguard band with absolutely no fill, yet I've read on here about people having some fill put in at surgery. I guess this is simply dr. descretion. I feel like I don't even have a band except for the port pain which is getting better by the day. Last night it allowed me to sleep on my side. I'm still taking liquid Lortab, but mostly for the knee pain and will soon be going to just Tylenol. My recovery has been completely uneventful and although not hungry I have to admit I cheated one time with some refried Beans and nachos. I had nothing happen to me because of it, but I do know it was wrong and I won't do it again. I wish I had some indication the band was there, because I can chug Water down and also grape juice (which came highly recommended). I mix some Crystal Light with my water as I'm no water lover, but I don't have any worthwhile experiences to share...not even a gas pain. Is God good to me or what???? I guess he knows I'm in endless pain with my knees and is going easy on me with the band. For those having problems make sure you get all your water and Protein (especially protein). I still drink my protein every day. I am still a PB virgin, but I bet after my first fill I will relate to what you are all talking about. Best of luck to you. You've done a wonderful thing for yourself.

3 Loves is one of the most liked people on here and would never slam anyone. On the other hand the other person is a whole nother ballgame which I don't want to get into to. Thank you though for your concern.

Thanks for the help Elizabeth. I appreciate it.

The first step is always admitting there is a problem, and you have done that. I hope God will guide you every step of the way in getting the help you need and deserve to live a wonderful life. You sound like a great person. Remember you always have support here. Good Luck.

I'm thinking after a fill things could be completely different for me. I take nothing that is time release and have been swallowing them with a lot of Water with no problem. I just wondered if there was a specific reason for crushing them I didn't know about. I will continue taking them as I am, but I will be aware after my first fill I may not be able to do so. I also wonder as I read on here why some doctors put in fill at the time of surgery and others do not. My surgeon puts no fill in at the time of surgery and I have a 10 cc Vanguard band. I guess I have little restriction right now, but know that things could change. Thanks for the answer.

Elizabeth, I asked this question in another thread. I take no meds that are time release and can swallow all others fine. Is it OK to swallow them if you can. I guess that is my question. Someone said "you should always crush them" and I don't know if there is a reason for this or not. My dr. told me I would be taking my meds with no trouble down the road. I can take them with no trouble now, but not sure if I'm doing the right thing. I have liquid pain med and the rest of my meds are not time release. Do you think it is OK to simply swallow them. I haven't found anything good that crushed pills taste good in yet

I can relate to pain, but it is KNEE pain of all things. I am having problem with the knee I had surgery on. I haven't had one bit of gas pain related to surgery...no shoulder pain or diaphragm pain so I consider myself among the very lucky. I had no pain when I had my gall bladder removed either, but this is no picnic. I do have quite a bit of port pain, but that I can deal with. I had my surgery last Tues. so I think if I was going to get the gas it would be here by now. I feel soooo sorry for you. I wish this didn't happen to so many after surgery and I'm thankful with my knee pain I don't have to deal with the pain of gas too. Hang in there, they tell me it gets better. I hope within the next couple days you will be on an uphill course and the gas will be gone....me I'm stuck with the bloody knee

I lost 10 lbs. on my post-op diet and thought I would drop a huge amount afterward. I haven't lost what I thought I should, but the nurse had told me that the IV fluids would prevent the weight loss, and to just roll with it. I bet one of these days you just wake up and poof some of that weight is gone. Good luck to you.

For the most part there are nothing but terrific people on here. I guess in any forum or anything else there are going to be people you don't always get along with...that's just life. We are all different, but for the most part I like everyone. Just wanted you to know why my mood is not always great...been laying down today with this knee and dreading the road ahead to get it better, but with friends like you and God by my side how on earth can I fail. Again, thanks.

Yesterday I ate some refried beans and nachos. I know I shouldn't have and I won't do it again, but sometimes real life gets in the way of our good intentions and things happen. Tomorrow is another day for both you and me. Family can be tough. I'm staying with family right now and love them to death, but there are days enough is enough. Keep your head up high. You have lots of friends on here.

There is a world of difference between these two people. 3 Loves I adore...the other is on ignore and was merely being a smark alec. Easy enough to ignore those that know no better, and it is done. Betina, go back and read that post again if you will. Perhaps you will pick up what the rest of us did from it.

Telly, don't ever leave here. You are a great asset to this forum and I personally love you to death.

It has only taken me one time to learn a valuable lesson. I ate mostely refried Beans but there is no good reason for that either, even though it is allowed. There were some nachos in there....I was bad. Fortunately I got no gas and just had the misgivings that wow I can eat with this thing. I thought I would be able to swallow little and was surprised. I won't make the same mistake again, and except for one person you are all extremely supportive and I thank you. I see the dr. in 5 weeks and I'm sure from there things will begin to work more like they should. 3 Loves, you don't have to come and kick my butt I will adhere to the rules. You have my word.

Thanks Elizabeth for an informative post. I'm not a "junk food eater" at all. I prefer meat and potatoes. Most of my problem relates to not getting enough excercise because of severe knee problems. I have to lose some weight, but in the end will probably need knee replacement anyway. I think you make some very valid points. I don't care for sweet things....just the basics, but they do add up without much excercise. Hope you do great.

My post-op paperwork calls for one tsp of Metamucil in one glass orange juice if needed...the key word is if needed. I add Benefiber to all I cook or puree and don't even taste it. It seems to be doing the job by itself. I am convinced starting out with a clean colon has prevented the gas people speak about, because I have had none. Regardless of what people have to say about colon cleanse post-op I would do it again in a heartbeat. I credit it with absolutely no gas pains of any type. Hope this helps. I'm sure all dr's. recommend something else though.

I would never try a colon cleanse post-banding Alexandra, but my paperwork does state once a week Metamucil one tsp. in one glass of orange juice, so not sure all docs are in agreement on this one. They also suggest adding the powered fiber to everything we cook which seems like a great idea. I think the Metamucil is only if you absolutely have to use it and not much at that. What problems do you think it causes. I've so far stayed away from anything except the fiber added to the diet. I would think the Metamucil would be far easier on our body than say a laxative like Ex-lax. Your opinion is appreciated. I will remain adamant that the colon cleanse helped me not have any gas in my shoulder or diaphragm. I could be wrong, but something certainly prevented it.

There is a very good reason why you are one of my favorite people on here. I didn't attack anyone. I was just absolutely in disbelief that they don't have a post-op diet to follow in Mexico. I didn't realize for quite a while I had landed on a "yeah Mexico thread". Enough said. I did know better 3 Loves...and I will make sure it doesn't happen again even though I ate mostly the refried beans. I guess I was amazed I could swallow pills without crushing them. I'll be more careful in the future where and when I post. Thanks for always having my back girlfriend. It was a one time thing and it won't happen again. I am still feeling stuffed from that experience, and still believe I had absolutely no GAS because I did the pre-op diet and the bowel cleanse. People are entitled to their own opinion, but I know what helped me.... I'll no longer respond to anyone on this thread but you. I'm very glad I had the surgeon I did, and he would be disappointed I didn't follow the rules exactly, but I tested the waters and they didn't feel good. I'm no different than anyone else.

I'm no good with this type of thing but my daughter is a computer genie. Give me the info you want on there and she will do whatever you want to help you out. She says she would be happy to help anyone out if she has all the info.

I got a heparin injection in my tummy right before surgery and the day I came home. I didn't have to give myself any at all. I guess all doctors do it differently. I can tell you though I didn't even feel it. It's a "blood thinner".

I used that useless old colon cleanser too and I didn't have a bit of gas, shoulder or otherwise after surgery. My thought...and purely mine...the colon cleansing helped. Hey, whatever floats anyone's boat is alright with me, but we are big girls and can make our own choices and so we did. Glad you were also happy with the results of yours. Thank God...we can really move on now

Crushed ice is the first thing I received after surgery and for quite awhile afterwards that day. It is water by the time it reaches your tummy, and water is good for you.

When I had my open heart surgery Ihad staples for both the chest scar and both legs. To this day I have huge keloids. With my lapbanding I told my dr. about it and he used absorbable sutures and steri-strips and I've had no problem. Talk to your doc about your concerns and good luck to you.

The lapband surgery is nothing to worry about. I just had mine done last Tuesday and it was a rewarding experience. The first few days I wasn't hungry at all. The only residual affect of any type was kind of a "beaten up feeling" that lasted all of a day. I have had no gas pains whatsoever. My surgeon was incredible and I think you can look forward to this surgery. It is always common with any surgery to have some qualms, but look at it as a new beginning. You sound like a super nice guy. One of my best friends is a gay guy and I find them to be compassionate and sympathetic and most of all trusting to a fault. It doesn't matter to anyone on this forum what religion you are or what your sexual preference is. We are all here to help one another in any way we can and give support. Feel free to contact me anytime and good luck to you.

I personally did a colon cleanse the day before my surgery. I've had no gas, and I credit it to that. OK, some say it's a scam and I'm cool with that, so if they feel that strongly don't do it. No one makes anyone do a colon cleanse or makes them believe in it. I personally don't care if anyone downs Mineral Oil or whatever they choose....I just don't care. Thanks Telly for setting it straight. This got so out of control. Hey, if you like colon cleanses they aren't anything that is ever going to hurt you, and my feeling is it was my money....same goes for anything anyone chooses that is best for them. This has become like beating a dead horse on some people's part. Let It Go!! I don't believe the innocent person that asked the question owes apologies to anyone.......