RestlessMonkey

It's really important that you breathe VERY deeply several times an hour...to keep your lungs clear, mostly, but there are other benefits. It should "loosen up" if you keep at it. If it still hurts tomorrow, call your doc. Did you get the incentive spirometer from the hospital? IF so, use that. Really...it's a pain, but very good for you

Please click on the "HOME" page, then scroll down through the forums to "Surgeons and Hospitals". You may find something there. You can also enter your surgeon's name in the search area...and at the bottom of the forum lists is an area "How to research a surgeon in Mexico" (or something like that) That should help you access the info you are looking for.

It depends...on your insurance, on how quickly they approve and what they need, on how busy your surgeon is, on how busy the hospitals are where he performs the surgery, etc. Mine was 4 weeks start to done, or would've been if I had followed my preop diet instead of doing my own thing.

Osteoarthritis won't reverse. It is a wearing away of the cartilege and that doesn't magically come back with weight loss. BUT...losing does make it much easier to get around on weight bearing joints, it causes less wear and tear on the bones and cartileges, and can help keep you from getting worse. So it is totally worth it to lose weight if you have arthritis in the knees, hips, ankles, etc.

Why don't you trust your fill nurse? (just curious) Call your banding surgeon and ask.

HI and welcome. If you'll go back to the HOME page and scroll through the forums you'll find 2 different areas that might have the info you want: Surgeons and Hospitals, and then an area with the 50 states listed. Click on Georgia and you may find reviews of surgeons in your area. If neither area has what you need, re-post this thread in surgeons and hospitals and you should get an answer, if anyone knows of a surgeon in your area. Good luck!

Yes it's normal! And while Rosie1 is trying to help, just make sure you follow your doc's orders. They all have different post op diets. I was on clear liquids for 1 week, then regular liquids for 1 week (that's when I FINALLY got protein shakes and that helped), then mushies for 2, then "soft" foods, then regular. I sat during week 2 and cried over a can of refried beans because I was so hungry. It wasn't "head hunger" either. I came to in recovery feeling great but starving, so I feel your pain. Just hang in there. It passes, and you need to heal right now so it's REALLY important you don't cheat. You'll make it!

I'm Tricare Standard and I had my answer in under 48 hours.

Honestly? The ONLY difference I have found at almost 1 year post op (and finally great restriction) is that I have to chew better and I eat less. No kidding; no bowel problems, no nausea, no "upset" if I eat this/that/the other, etc. I'm lucky, I'm grateful to my doc, and mostly wanted to post just so "newbies" and those just lurking will know that not everyone has problem foods, digestion issues, etc. I've eaten the occasional super fatty "unhealthy" food and it just tasted good. Usually that type of thing doesn't keep me full as long as the healthier things like chicken and some green Beans, for example. Since I want to lose weight, I make the healthier choices about 99% of the time, and that satiety helps me make the healthier choices. But nothing makes my stomach rebel (not like you mean!) Things HAVE gotten stuck a time or two but it's MY fault for not chewing well. When I focus, the food all goes down fine, what little of it I need to hit "satiety". So far I just think it's wonderful. I can't drink beer like I used to (it makes me burp) so I guess that would count, but I don't really think that's a negative. If I just HAVE to have one, I could.

Then you may certainly read plenty on here. Also asking some questions like "did you turn to alcohol to replace food?" might get the info you want.

Seriously, are you complaining because you weren't in pain? You don't mean that, do you? I never had any pain either. Until you get restriction, the band won't do much.

Papaya enzyme just helps digest protein. (different enzymes digest different things) so papaya won't help if it is a pill that is stuck. And it works but it takes it a while...as long as what's stuck is protein.

That's a pretty general question! May I suggest your friend buy a book or two and read it, as well as doing some online research (like on this site, the site for the realize band, the site for the lap band, etc)

The concern isn't that you might stretch your band, but rather the small pouch formed BY the band. Unless you really overeat right now, you don't need to worry about it too much.

Sure! We were all new at this once! :thumbdown:

You'll probably have a bigger response to this question if you post it as it's own thread under the "surgeons and hospitals" forum. Click on HOME. Scroll down through the forums until you find "Surgeons and Hospitals" and click on that. Then in the upper left area will be a "button" that says "NEW THREAD" Click on that and post your question. Also lower down is a forum on how to research surgeons in Mexico.

I had almost no pain. A little soreness, that's it. No trapped gas to speak of (love my Doc for that; I think he must have removed it, which they all can, but not all do) I've had dental procedures that hurt more.

Each post op diet is different. I was told not to have caffeine; but I asked WHY! (I've learned to do this! LOL) and was advised by the nutritionist "because it makes some people hungry". Well, it doesn't make me hungry, so about 3 months out I started having my 1 cup of coffee in the AM and my sugarless iced tea throughout the day (although I get 64 oz of Water too) It doesn't really dehydrate you after all, they've found, and it is actually good for you in moderation. If you're told NO, maybe ask why, and see if the reasoning applies to you? As to being an appetite stimulant, be aware that for some it is actually an appetite suppressant (and it was an ingredient in OTC weight loss products for YEARS).

Panda check with your doc, just to make sure it's ok to drink so soon after banding. One big thing, of course, is if anyone overindulges and vomits .... REALLY not good for the band and REALLY REALLY not good just 2 months post op!

There's no physiological reason for you to feel the effects sooner...yes, if you are bypass because of the malabsorption issues, but not with lap band. So if you do, it's in your head, and that's not a bad thing...that means a quicker buzz on less calories! I don't really like liquor without a mixer (too many empty calories for this woman) but in fact tonight at almost 1 year out I did drink 2 MGD Ultra (64 cal each) beer. I poured them to get rid of carbonation and took it slow but I just don't enjoy them like I did. I guess I could drink bloody marys or something...then at least I'd be getting tomato juice. I would say check with your doc to find out when s/he feels it's ok for you to drink. I wish I liked wine, but it just makes my rosacea flare up. !!

YAY! You sound great; glad you're done! :thumbdown:

Everyone IS different. I went into this assuming I would be able to eat anything, but in smaller portions. My doc agreed, said that was his goal, and said a good positive outlook was very important. I don't mean to imply that those who can't eat bread have a bad attitude, ok? LOL Just that my doc encouraged me to be positive. AND...I CAN eat anything. I have always been able to since I healed. I've had pizza, Pasta, bread, popcorn, salad. I have good restriction (3 oz of steak keeps me full 6 hours) and can STILL eat anything...the other day I had a bean burrito for lunch. WITH the flour tortilla. I have half a ham sandwich sometimes...And I don't even have any dressing on it (hate mayo and mustard). I have eaten fried chicken, and fried okra (THAT is a fibrous veggie!) So...while there may be something you can't eat, maybe not. Keep the faith.

Some surgeons are great "cutters" but have lousy bedside manners....I am lucky with my Dr. Cavazos. He ran the seminar (and lord that man was patient, answering every question, some more than once! ) and I've seen him for every office visit, plus before and after my surgery. Shop around; find someone you're comfy with.

Preop tests...take a good book to read, and an MP3 player! :thumbdown: Otherwise, good luck; it's exciting! :biggrin:

Just wanted to say welcome! I just told everyone; it wasn't an issue for me. But then I weighed 405; those who loved me and cared knew I needed to do something.