RestlessMonkey

Hold a pillow over your abdomen when you belch; the counter pressure should help ease your pain some too.

I agree, your surgeon will give you guidance. It will partly depend on his skills and how quickly his patients recover, how conservative he is, and so on. You'll learn one truism for lap band: each doc is different. They all have different diets, rules, outcomes, philosophies, etc. So find one you "click" with! (aside from being skilled etc)

Nothing did it for me but time.

:thumbup: I used you as an example for the "other" girls and boys who may read this; in case they don't know. The biggest danger isn't slow healing, but not recovering completely from anesthesia. AND I am glad you're ok. It's hard to quit smoking but I gotta say it's easier than losing weight. Doing both together is almost unhuman I'd think.

Just FYI...at least locally, sedation is the "default". If you don't want to be sedated (and some don't) you have to clear it. So check w/the doc who will be doing the test and tell him/her you want sedation (assuming you do). If he won't accommodate you, find another.

What Cherishthepast did was actually just short of life threatening. Smoking severely diminishes your oxygenation etc; things could've gone south for her because of her lie. (I'm sure she knows this). Odd are your doc will test you (as Cherish's should've done) but if you quit now, you should be ok by 9/3. They did used to operate on smokers, but then people died while under more often too. You know the reason isn't to punish smokers, but because it would almost be malpractice to do an "elective" procedure (as this is) on an obese smoker. I used to smoke A LOT so I'm sympathetic. But it's immediately dangerous. Tell your doc you smoked but quit, let him decide. And Cherish, you were very lucky. I hope you know that. It is so silly to lie to someone who is trying to sedate you, cut into you, keep you alive, and return you back like they found you. Anyway OP you'll probably be ok depending on your medical history etc. So smart of you to tell your doc! :thumbup:

You'll be sedated; don't worry. It won't hurt you or traumatize you. :thumbup:

Ask your surgeon! That's your safest bet.

Sorry you're perturbed but if no one who's been to Tripler posts on this site, then you are out of luck. I've never been there, I can't help you.

Thank you Mickey 527. I love the Mouse too; in fact I have a Mickey Mouse door bell.

Sounds like you're doing what you're supposed to then. I think our pouches are all slightly different sizes (in fact, they'd have to be! LOL) and my doc says 1 cup of food; but some feel that is too much. As long as you and your doc are watching it, then, I'm sure you'll be ok!

Amen to that! But that only has happened to me since I got good restriction. I was banded 6-7 months before I felt that way. And the Water thing...CAN work (I've tried it) but I would use it as a last resort, after you've tried stretching, retching, and the beloved papaya enzyme (I thought the stuff HAD to be bogus but one night in desperation I tried it and within 2-3 minutes the pain went away. It was wonderful)

As to being stuck (which again doesn't usually happen until you get pretty good restriction. It CAN happen before then but usually doesn't) some people DO drink a little warm beverage and say it helps them bring the bolus of food back up. I either "cough" and bring it up, or use Papaya Enzyme (love that stuff) and it breaks down and goes on through. Chewing VERY well, smallish bites, eating slowly all help prevent it.

For me it was very different post op vs "good" restriction. Post op (once healed) because I had no fill, and then very little (conservative doc) I ate less than before, but still a lot. Sometimes I got uncomfortable, others not so much. At the "sweet spot" it's VERY subtle, for me. It's like I'm hungry and then between bites I'm NOT any more. If I push it from there I get miserable. So it's like a hungry/not hungry switch.

I'd say get direction from the nutritionist who works with your surgeon. I've read people who say they eat 1/2 cup and then wait 15 min, if still hungry have more (I think that's Parrothead Cathy) My doc says about 1 cup max. However, WHAT are you eating, that you can overeat and not PB? It's possible you're choosing softer foods? (don't know, just guessing) Your doc should've given you some direction here. If he didn't, you may want to call Monday and pin them down on exactly WHAT you should do!

I don't know about everyone else but I was FULLY clothed when they took my photo. And in the OR they don't take pix, or if they do, it's of your "innards", not your "outards" LOL BUT by all means, wear the "good" panties; they can give you confidence as you start this new path! :cursing:

Yes, get a fill. The lap band requires maintenance or it won't work. May I also suggest a therapist to help with what you call "emotional" eating? You may think you don't have the time, but a little attention now can save you a world of grief down the road, and eventually give you more life. Remember the band is a TOOL, not a solution. Just like a hammer never did a thing without a person swinging it, you need to work your lap band for it to work for you. Good luck finding your way to that place!

It does depend. I had to answer what seemed like reams of questions (part of the MMPI) and then had a quick consult "So you just can't lose weight" me: "No, I can lose, but I can't keep it off" that kind of thing. "Do you drink to excess?" me "Not anymore, not since my wild misspent youth. Now I get too sleepy" LOL It does really vary widely.

You probably know that your safest best course is to just discuss this with a surgeon. Hopefully you'll find a skilled one who will be able to advise you! Good luck!

Thanks bristlecone! but, darn, now I feel like I need to at least TRY to be nice again. pffft. LOL

It's entirely possible that no one who has had surgery at Tripler has read your posts. Have you tried entering TAMC and/or Tripler in the search engine?

I'm just sleep deprived. (even "restless" monkeys need a little sleep!) LOL AND exasperated at people like your sister's friend who are so cavalier with their health, AND exasperated with the enablers who tell them it's ok. Sometimes things aren't ok. BUT Thanks for the congrats! I was very pleased! Now, I have to get a real job! LOL

When I read this I thought you meant "during surgery". LOL They did at my office. I'm sure if you really really DO NOT want it they will pass, but it can be a great visual aid

Shoot Jennifer just tell her to post on this board. There'll be plenty to just electronically "pat her on the head" and tell her it's no big deal, that we all slip up. Ok that was catty but I couldn't resist. Hopefully she'll call the doc and they will scare some sense into her.

Glad I could help lift your spirts...your happy face always lifted mine!