RestlessMonkey

I didn't have any doubts, but that's only because I wanted the band since 2003 and had LOTS of time to change my mind (back and forth and back and forth) before Aug 2008 when I finally got it! :frown: What you're feeling isn't uncommon and is kind of smart, actually. It is a big thing; it's good to think it over and be a little anxious. I can tell you at one year out I LOVE my band, have no issues, and would do it again in an instant.

Welcome and good luck! :frown: Sounds like you're doing marvelously!

Excellent point, thebandedgirl!

The pool girl is very wise, especially for someone who doesn't even HAVE any type of WLS going on. :frown:

Several reasons. One, as most of us lose weight, fat around our stomach "goes" and so the band loosens. Also some fill is just "lost" over time...I've forgotten what it's called but it happens.

Is that picture of you, Carlene? Or just of someone dear to you? (I'm also a nosey Monkey!)

Carlene, you may want to finish your SRS surgery before you get the band. Just a thought. Check with your surgeon, to be sure.

Don't they have an elevator? You'd think they would for handicapped access. Use that until you heal, and call again on Monday if the swelling hasn't gone down.

There are forums for specific US surgeons, and surgeons and hospitals; if you'll scroll through them on the home page you'll find the listing. You may be able to find the info you seek there.

Welcome and good luck!

Dumping is associated with Bypass (and the fact that a portion of the small intestine is surgically removed) If you have that with the band, it's a mental issue, not a physical one. :frown: And yes if you would need plastic surgery with bypass you'll need it with the band. Take me. If I lose 200 pounds, whether I lose 200 in 1 year, or in 3 years, at the end I'll weigh 200 less and need some stretched skin removed. I think people assume you need it more with bypass because they initially lose more quickly. But then, they also recommend you maintain your loss for 1 year to allow the skin to shrink. So whether you lose it fast or slow, much like letting the air out of a balloon fast or slow, the end result will be the same. Loose skin depends on many factors; age, genetics, weight, health, etc. So you won't really know your situation until you get there.

It's the FAT that causes the liver to shrink, LOW FAT. If you want, find a shake that has comparable nutrition but less carbs. Some think the diets are to prepare us etc, but while it does depend on the surgeon (s/he knows his motivation best) mine wasn't for any reason but to shrink the liver so the lap surgery would be possible. I will say (and you may have read this; I'm pretty out there about it) I was given a 3-week diet, read on here about how NO ONE but me had such a long diet. I read poster after poster who only had 5 days, or 2 weeks, or 3 days, or none, and about how it was just to "get our head in the game" etc and so on. Since what I was reading was what I wanted to hear, I did my "own" diet that 3 weeks, lost 15 pounds, and guess what? My LIVER was still too thick. I then did exactly what my surgeon told me for 17 more days, lost 17 MORE pounds (much to my astonishment) and got the band. I drank 2-3 shakes a day, 64 oz (minimum) of Water, and was allowed 3 oz of lean chicken turkey or fish and green veggies. It worked. If you think that's too many carbs (and I kind of agree, but am not a doc nor am I a nutritionist!) I really would just find a shake with similar vitamins/minerals/fat (or less fat) but less carbs. My EAS Carb Control advantedge have less carbs and fat, and have a good 17g of Protein. They might be a do-able option. Overall of course you should probably discuss your concerns with your surgeon. He may have a good reason why he wants you to have the carbs and feel that they are needed for you to have energy, for example, since he's not allowing you any "food". Check with him first and if he approves, find a different shake. Don't be a "maroon" like me and do what YOU think best; you may not be right! :w00t: And if you think "well maybe RM's surgeon just wasn't skilled, that's why she didn't get the band the first time"...not so. MY doc has a nick name among other surgeons (he didn't tell me this but I found it out) they call him "boy wonder" because he looks young (he's closer to 40 than 30) and is so darned skilled. If he couldn't band me laparoscopically, no one could've. He told me he could've "opened me up" and placed it the "old" way but thank GOD he didn't. WAY longer recovery etc. So listen to YOUR doc. AND share your concerns about the carbs.

hey Gary! Surgery is amazingly easy. They'll give you something to relax you before they roll you in. If you've never had surgery, being "out" isn't like sleeping; you won't really have a sense that time has passed. You'll be "there" and then "gone" and then "back". I find it helpful when in recovery to find a clock (they all have big clocks on the walls) and re-orient myself to what time it is. You'll probably have a mask on, with oxygen. Don't flip! It helps clear the anesthesia from your lungs. Once you're alert enough to concentrate, take several deep breaths (in and out) and it helps clear your lungs and your mind. Deep and slow. Once you are oxygenating well, ask them to remove the mask if it bugs you (it does me) They'll remove it and see how you do on room air. Again deep slow breaths really make a difference here. The soreness, to me, was reminiscent of too many sit ups. I felt a little "odd" but nothing excruciating. Again, breathing deeply helps expand everything, helps you feel normal. If it hurts a little at first keep at it; things will loosen up. A big secret I can share: The sooner you act normally, the sooner you'll feel normal. Walk as soon as you feel able (with the nurse's help, and of course once you're out of recovery LOL). Don't be a fool about it, don't try if you're still dizzy, but walk ASAP. When they give you something to drink pick Water first; less likely to nauseate you. Let the nurses know, in fact, if you feel nauseated or "funny". Surgery is scary. The nurses all know this, the docs know it, so don't feel badly because you are petrified. No mentally healthy person ever says "Surgery? Oh yeah baby bring it ON!" LOL The medical staff will help you through it, and the tips I've given you give you a degree of control to optimize it for you. You will probably be dreadfully thirsty, too. They give you a "anticholinergic" to dry up your mucous membranes so anticipate that; it's normal. A mild sore throat is normal too. Take some chapstick and that helps with the dry lips. I agitated for ice chips and got some before I was cleared to drink water; that helps a lot too. Post op take your pain meds if you need them; liquid tylenol may be enough for you after your first 24-36 hours or so. Or not. Just be aware that if you take your prescription it MAY constipate you so be alert for that; ask your doc what s/he wants you to do if that happens. And follow your doc's post op diet and instructions TO THE LETTER! You'll be through it in no time! :w00t: Hope some of this helps!

I've always heard them called "Fourest", "Threedom", "Twoterville" and that most special of all "Onederland".

Call your doc. You have "horrible pain" so whether it is a slip or something else you need medical attention.

If it bothers you enough to scare you, but comes and goes (not tied to eating) call your surgeon tomorrow and ask about it. Better to be safe.

You know yourself best. Hopefully ins. will do as they say...go by your starting weight rather than current. If so, you'll have a GREAT start! :thumbup:

Ok...have you tried to diet before? Have you done as well on those diets as you did on this? You do realize that 82 pounds in 6 months is a GREAT loss and you may be one of those few rare people who really can lose with just diet and exercise! Do you have a history of dieting/losing/regaining more? Or is this the first time you really gave it your all?

Agreed. I don't have kids, and am not a teacher but I was lucky to get to go to several different local schools (private and public) during my nursing school as parts of "community" and "pediatric" experiences and they are kids down here, not little robots. I didn't ever see any food fights but lots of laughing talking happy youngsters acting like kids. (ok maybe they WERE little robots LOL) What you describe sounds just short of abusive if you ask me. I wouldn't like to have to do that and I'm a grown up.

Generally no, the band gets looser, not tighter, as you lose. Unless you were dehydrated (dry person = tight band). That's why I think you should check with your doc ASAP. You've had a change to the status quo, and it's not what would be expected, and GERD can do damage if left untreated. Even if your band has slipped, the sooner the doc catches it, the less damage that will be done.

How do you know it's in your pouch? If you feel you just haven't fully digested, that's one thing. If bits of food come back up into your mouth that's another (just info gathering here!) Either way though, unless you went to bed really soon after eating, I think you need to contact your doc. That shouldn't be happening (pouch OR mouth!) You're right to wonder; get it checked out!

When I need a meal replacement I just drink a protein shake...I never found a meal bar that I felt was palatable that wasn't too sweet. The shakes are fast, too. Love the convenience.

You may have reflux; you need to contact your surgeon. Don't delay; if you DO have it and catch it quickly it can be a non-event, but if you let it go on it can do damage (but your surgeon will diagnose you) As to the lying down, it would depend on how tight you are, how long food lingers in the pouch, how long it takes you to digest. I'd "guess" 2-3 hours at least. I try to give it at least 4 hours myself.

Good for you. I will say you can have steak, and veggies, and some baked potato, and even cake if you want it; but the portions will be MUCH smaller and you won't vomit! :blushing: A "good" dinner for me is 1/2 of a small baked potato and 3-4 oz of a good steak. Delicious. And then I'm full; no need for cake. Not that one has to NEED cake, you know...but it's easier to pass on it when you aren't hungry.

God bless anyone who has bulimia, and God double bless anyone who has it AND the lap band (esp if it is well restricted) Besides the fact that frequent vomiting (even if it's a PB) can cause a slip, for me at least being stuck HURTS. Sometimes it hurts like HELL! I can't imagine trying to make that happen. That's like cutting or something; beyond my understanding. I guess it can happen, but wow. Ouch. and danger danger....