Long2BFree

Ericalyn - I hope you were able to go home and relax. Have a good nights rest and know this is the right thing to do. Let us know how you are doing when you get home from surgery. Take care!

My surgeon tells people they must stop smoking at least three months before surgery and hopefully permanently. He says since this is an elective surgery to get healthy he feels a healthy lifestyle is a must and that smokers have a greater chance of complications after having surgery.

I would also put No NSAIDS and a phone number on the ID bracelet.

Congrats on your upcoming band date. I am like you in the way that I'm afraid of failure once again. I know when I get my new tool that I will finally make it. I have a great support system with my surgeon and nutritionist that I know she will really help me if I need it.

I see there is a lot of posts on this thread and I think this is a topic that needs to be talked about even though it is difficult. Statistics show that 1 out of every 2000 LB surgeries will result in death. These statistics are the same as with gallbladder surgery or any other minor surgery of this type. The major cause is from blood clots. This is why it is important to follow your doctor's orders and disclose your medical history. I just lost my step-dad in February due to pneumonia that he caught while fighting cancer. I can see why the original poster felt like she needed to post the original post. When losing someone it helps with the healing process to talk about it. My mom and step-dad never talked about death and my mom has been left with having to not only grieve but has been stuck with a lot of legal stuff to deal with which has been very overwhelming. She swore that when she passes that she doesn't want anyone else in our family to have to deal with the emotional, legal hell that she's dealing with therefore she's made sure that everything is in place for when that time comes. If you are going to have surgery, make sure you understand the possible risks because there are some. Have all of you legal matters in order, and let your loved ones know your wishes.

I'm sorry for your loss.

I agree that you should tell the truth. If you ate healthy all the time then you wouldn't have weight to lose weight. They are there to help you.

Where are you flying from/to for a 7 hour plane ride? In addition to pain meds, make sure you get up and walk around so you don't get blood clots in your legs.

Call your doctor, NOW or go to the emergency room. Don't wait until Monday. Don't feel like you are inconviencing him... his job is to take care of you and he knew he would would be on call 24 hours a day when he went into this profession.

Sorry that you had to go through that with a fill, but glas to hear you are feeling better. I've never heard of anyone throwing up blood so that must've been very scary though you had an idea why. It's amazing to think such a small amount would of saline would cause such a big problem.

Congrats on being banded and for doing so well!

Someone mentioned that they used a social worker. Just a word of advice...make sure you check the requirements that your surgeon needs the professional to have. When I tried to use someone other than who was listed on the list my doctor gave me, he said they had to meet certain guidelines or else it wouldn't count. I don't know if this was his requirement or what insurance companies required.

During my pscyh eval I was asked if I've had suicidal thoughts or ever attempted it so I know it's probably a question you too will be asked. If you've seen a therapist for your previous attempt and cutting, the pscyh will probably need to talk to them about it. If anything, you might need to go have a couple of appointments with the psych for him/her to be able to determine if you are suitable for the surgery or not. Hang in there!

Give them to a homeless shelter or a home for battered women.

My surgeon said that Lap Band surgery hurts much worse than Gastric Bypass because they cut the muscle and sew the port there. I can see why you hurt. I hope you feel better soon.

Many people say that they can't drink milk after being banded. You might be one of them and may have to try soy milk or milk for those who are lactose intolerant.

I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this. Don't be hard on yourself, you just told those that you love and care about and didn't expect them to respond the way they did but to support you. You need to do what is right for you.

My psych eval was $300. The first doctor I called wanted to charge $400. Your surgeon tells the psych what they are looking for and will ask you questions and do testing based upon those guidelines. I would look for a different psych as that price seems extremely inflated.

How did your doctor know that you had a Hiatal hernia before surgery? I'm asking because my surgeon didn't order an Endoscopy.

Most people don't feel any restriction until getting a fill. It does happen but not likely. Your tummy is still healing so it's good that you are doing liquids, and no, it doesn't look like you are eating too much. I doubt you have more than 800 calories a day from the looks of it. Not until you get restriction will you get that full feeling that people talk about. Hang in there. I looks like you are doing great!

Thanks for the well wishes. I just got back from having my bloodwork (and feel like a pin cushion), chest x-ray and H.Pylori test. I'm waiting for my PCP to get back with when I will get the echocardiogram and EKG. SueAZ - I'm supposed to have same day surgery. How about you? Your day will be here before you know it.

I had a minor arm surgery in a surgical center and felt it was just fine, but it is different than having major surgery. Have you called the surgical center to find out how they handle emergencies?

I haven't tried their unflavored which is probably good but I didn't care for their flavored powders. They didn't satisfy my hunger like some of the other shakes that I drink.

I FINALLY got my paperwork showing which tests and bloodwork I need to have done pre-op. I'm surprised that I don't have to have an Endoscopy (EGD) and treadmill test, but have to get an EKG and Echocardiogram, plus some other tests. Hopefully I'll be banded the last week of May or the first week of June... I am so ready.

In the beginning of exploring the idea of getting banded I had many doubts that I would fail one more time. Now that I'm so close to getting banded I know that I will lose the weight. I have to because my health is at risk. Plan each day and stick with it! You deserve to be healthy and look great!