RestlessMonkey

Honestly I don't think I could've modified my eating until I had the band. That's kind of why we need it, isn't it? Only you know the answer for you of course but if you had the band in place would you be able to do without your diet sodas? I personally couldn't or wouldn't have done it, though. Not the diet soda part, but things like "not drinking while eating" Until there was a need, I just wasn't one to "pretend". I get exasperated with that type of mind game. Do you think you'll be able to follow the rules when you need to? The thing is many many of us cannot tolerate carbonation and it can do you damage, at least the first 6 months to 1 year out. So while you don't have to give it up NOW, you probably will have to give it up. Will you be able to?

I think it's partly because I was SO big! BUT it's possible your surgeon has a psych person he uses (and not all require that actually) However most insurance policies, if you have a BMI of 35-40, require a comorbidity or two like sleep apnea, diabetes, etc. (not sure exactly which; it depends on insurance and didn't apply to me anyway) ZBefore you panic go to your primary, see is s/he will recommend you and then on to the surgeon. Don't borrow trouble, as my granny used to say. That therapist and nurse may not have any say in the matter.

I found out my surgery was covered by my insurance, and I found out which surgeons were in the "network". I picked one. I went to his seminar. I made an appt to see him the next week. I went back a week later for psych and nutrition consults (all at his office). I had an upper GI done. Then they submitted my paperwork. Insurance approved within 2 days and I had preop tests done on a Friday, banding date that next Tues. It was super easy!

I think gallbladders issues are generally tied to rapid or large weight loss more than just getting a band. I had mine out in 2003 after I'd just lost 40 pounds on WW...losing weight seems to trigger the problems. That's why often for gastric bypass surgeons just remove the gall bladder while they are "in there", because they know odds are it's coming out anyway. (at least they used to do that)

I think you're smart to find another surgeon if you can. Your doc is too hard to reach and the aftercare of the band is just about as important as the band itself! They should accommodate you and be apologetic, not defensive! Good luck. I hope you find a better doc! :eek:

Brian...If you think I'm the band Nazi, well right back at ya! :eek: No name calling please. (If you didn't mean me, then never mind! LOL) The point I was trying to make is that with the band it becomes more important to try to choose healthy stuff (quality over quantity) not that anyone will go to Hell for eating pizza. Obviously I didn't get up to 405 by eating carrots and sprouts all day. I got the band because I want to eat "normally" like other people. Most people I know don't eat only carrots and sprouts all the time either. But for most of us, we have to think and choose. I was told that the band will work if I make healthy choices. I don't know what your doc told you. I am a firm believer as I said that to think you'll NEVER have Pizza again (assuming you like it in the first place) is assinine. Most of us can't consistently eat pizza and lose, however. If you can then more power to you and I mean that with all my heart! Lucky you! I've eaten a hamburger (or at least part of one) post banding, too. And I haven't lost that well, as you can see from my stats. The bottom line is I think we all have to work the band the best way we see fit.

I love Pizza! But I'm finally at the point where I can't eat enough of it to get good nutrition (like pizza ever is good nutrition! LOL) And since the band is for life...I can't imagine NEVER eating Pizza again. Just remember to chew it well! :eek:

Why not call Tufts and ask? Call your PCP and ask his nurse or receptionist for a contact number, if you aren't sure who/where to call.

Well you PB'd because 1. you are eating doughy bread stuff (I know; I love pizza, but not a good choice for weight loss!) and 2. you didn't chew well. The point of restriction is that you chew well, eat small bites, get full on a small amt and stay full long. Honestly since you scarfed down a bit of pizza and it came up...that's not shocking. Only you and your doc can decide if you need a fill or not but I don't think the "pizza incident" (LOL) is a good indicator. Can you eat lean meats and poultry and fish? If you have 3-4 oz of say, chicken, chew it well, do you get full or can you (and do you) eat more? And are you happy where you're at or do you think you are eating too much? Those are the things you should use to judge, IMHO!

Call your doc. It may be nothing, it may be something; let the pro decide! And if it is "just" pain maybe he can give you something to help it! Don't just sit and suffer.

I agree that pain killer makes me vomit, so I just used tylenol. Call your doc! He can give you something for the nausea if he needs to, he can give you a different pain med if you need it, he can HELP you! Don't sit and be miserable. Call him now...you'll be glad you did.

I don't think it will prevent your surgery. There are steps they can take beyond the standard precautions of "ted" hose, lovenox or heparin, etc...precautions they can take, as well as drugs they can give you (they may even go so far as to have you give yourself injections of a blood thinner for a few days or so!) Just be honest with your doctor and I'm sure you'll be fine!

This is a common concern...understandable! But common! Here's a link to a post just the other day about it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/5-reasons-94316/ And here's a link to a web site about weight loss surgery that compares them in a "table" form: Lap-Band vs. Gastric Bypass Surgery And I'm not from MN so can't help you there!

You know, about drinking and eating together...I was worried about that too but once I finally got good restriction it became a non-issue because I am usually hungry at meal times and I want the food; and if I drink while I'm eating it either hurts or fills me up and hurts. It has become a non-issue for me as it is for some of us. Originally I had to work at it like keeping my water or tea away from the dinner table etc but now you couldn't PAY me to drink while I'm eating. It's funny how many of the things we worry most about become unimportant as we get our bands filled and adapt. :eek: Even if you aren't one of the lucky ones who can't drink and eat, like Donna you find ways to cope and it is all worth it!

I don't think you can generalize and pigeonhole people this way. If someone did that to you, I'd have to know the person to comment....people are all different and motivated by different feelings. It's just as likely to be fear or love as it is jealousy.

I had a 3 week long preop diet; I read over and over on here about people who didn't have to do one, or had one and cheated, so I figured I could too. NOT! I didn't get my band the first time because I hadn't followed the diet (I lost 15 pounds but not by following the diet my doc gave me) and my liver was too thick. I followed the diet precisely for 2 1/2 more weeks, lost 17 MORE pounds, and got the band. SO the take-home from this is to clarify with your doc and do exactly what s/he tells you to do. If you don't have to have one, good for you. If you do, follow it!

Ill effects DO happen (they do with any surgery...they do if you stay obese, too!) but they are rare. Slips are about 3%, erosions about 1%, 1 in 2000 die on the table (odds of slipping and dying in shower or bathtub are similar) I think the odds of bad outcome with the band are way less than the odds of developing heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, etc if you do nothing.

Your pre and post op diets depend largely on what your surgeon wants and what s/he includes in the diet; once you get your info from him, you can post for more help if you need it! But you don't want to get a bunch of stuff he may not let you have! :laugh:

It's up to you. I don't think it would hurt you to delay a little. I know the "official" lap band site says to stay on liquids for 2 weeks, but your doc SHOULD know what he's doing! I think if I were you and I had the fortitude to hold off a little, I would, just to make sure! :laugh:

If you can read something through it, it's clear. I was doubtful about coffee but I could read through it when i poured it into a glass! Of course some surgeons say no caffeine so it may be moot. :laugh: Good luck!

Try this tutorial: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Congratulations!

Welcome and good luck! The preop and post op diets are tough but just hang in there with them! :laugh: You'll do great!

Don't use protein post op until your surgeon gives the ok. Mine was adamant about the first week...clear liquids ONLY no add ins, no protein powder, etc. Just follow your docs orders and you'll be fine! If he just says "clear liquid" and doesn't address protein, ASK him. It may or may not be ok for you! (I hope it is; the protein helps you feel better....but don't have it until you get the all clear!)

A clear liquid is just that...anything you can see through. That includes tea and coffee. Sprite is a no no on lap band post op because of the carbonation...which you probably know Jello (you can see through it! and while it isn't really liquid have you ever tried chewing it? LOL) and so on. Protein shakes aren't, creamed soups aren't, lemonade isn't, (unless you can see through it...mine is kind of murky so it's a no no)