Jonnycat1

Thanks for the message Izzy and hello to all you crazy bandsters out there! Well, have I got a story to tell you all! Had my Lap Band surgery on Friday, January 2nd. Everything went well and I was released on Saturday, January 3rd. As I was recovering at my friend's house, I developed a RAGING case of the hiccoughs the day after surgery. That coupled with the fact that my stomach swelled up quite a bit, caused the opening between my stomach pouch and my lower stomach to be completely closed off. Sunday morning I started vomiting up anything I drank or swallowed. I came down with a nasty cold while in the hospital, so all that drainage didn't help. I knew something was wrong when the hiccougs wouldn't go away for about 5 + hours. I called the doctors and they told me that they thought I may have overdone it and to back off eating and let it pass. The hiccoughs did finally subside, but I was left with violent wretching vomiting for two days. I went back into the clinic on Monday, where they told me to back down to just small sips of liquid as I could tolerate it and that if things weren't better by Tuesday they would go in and take some of the saline out of the band. Tuesday rolled around and I was in no better shape. After being under the x-ray machine for about 25 minutes and poke after poke after poke trying to get to the port, the doctor was successful and finally able to pull about 3 CC's off of the band. I felt immediate relief, but after an upper GI, the doctor and radiologist noticed that there was more stomach above the band than was there on Friday directly after surgery. Yes. I am part of that 10% that experiences Band Slippage. The doctor admitted me immediately and they went in Tuesday evening and repositioned the band and placed a few extra sutures around the back side of my stomach where the band went around to ensure that it would not slip up in that location again. I am not a dainty vomiter. When I hurl, I hurl HARD! That combined with the hiccoughs and two days of nonstop retching is what they believe caused this harrowing experience. It was dreadful and for an hour and a half before going under for the second surgery, I just sat on the bed in pre-anesthesia dry heaving living a nightmare! My worst fear was that I was going to wake up and still feel nauseous; however, I woke up feeling right as rain. I was kept in the hospital for an extra day to ensure that everything was okay and that no more nausea returned. After a mid-day upper G.I., I was able to swallow normally and got to go home. I have been recovering quite well. I am experiencing restriction and am learning how to eat and recognize my body queues now that I am on the road to recovery. It's AMAZING! I'm SO grateful for having had the procedure done. I am learning to have a new relationship with food, the way it tastes (my sense of taste and smell is heightened), and when my body tells me that I've had enough. It's a bright new day out there, my fellow bandsters! The difficult road I walked was well worth it! I'm sure you all will find the same to be true when it's your turn! In the meantime, feel free to ask me any questions you may have. Every day is something new for me! I'm also down about 45 lbs.! And to answer your question, Izzy, I did lose about 25 lbs. on Medifast and have dropped another 20 - 25 lbs. post surgery. What I end up losing from week to week has yet to be determined, but I'm aiming to take the weight off slowly and safely, but off it will come!

Hello all. Was just banded on Friday. Can't keep a single thing down. Water comes up shortly after even small sip. Am still making urine, so the doctors think that some of the water is being absorbed in my stomach, but they are speculating that I may need to have some of the Fluid taken off of the band today. Anyone else experience this? I'm tired of throwing up and don't want to have slippage or band erosion from wretching so hard. Help?

Hello all! Just wanted to report to you all that I was banded yesterday! So far, so good. A bit sore today. Discovering my new eating limits. Had a strange bout of hiccoughs that became quite painful and annoying. Doctors attributed it to eating a Protein shake too soon and had me switch back to clear liquid. That coupled with the CO2 needing to work it's way out, were the probable culprits. Bbeal4Me - just go with the flow with OHSU. Be sure to ask plenty of questions, and ask for everything in writing. That goes for your inurance as well. I had an exceptional experience at OHSU for the surgery, but was very firm with my expectations of them, and really had to advocate for myself. OHSU was by far my best choice. I believe you will feel the same. Getting the pain meds dialed in this first few days. Challenging. But worth it! Feel free to ask quesitons if you have them! I'm fresh off the table! :tt2:

Thanks so much! Are you close to getting there, or are you just getting started? It's been a long road for me, so if you have any questions that you are struggling with, please feel free to ask away! I was astonished at how little comprehensive information there is on all of this. I really do want to write a book after this is over about this whole process. A "Lap Band for Dummies" sort of thing with relavant information about the whole process starting from consultation, to working with insurance, self-pay, surgery and post-surgery information. There are so many people out there that are totally in the dark and can easily be discouraged and give up because they don't know how to move to the next step.

Anyone else out there in Oregon getting banded on the 2nd? Soon? Anyone want to chat about it? Getting excited/nervous here. Perhaps a support group out there that I might attend! Let me know! Would love to hear from others in the area!

Hi Izzy. Dr. Wolfe did not prescribe the Medifast, although, I did speak with Shannon about it and she said it's a great program to follow. Today went pretty well. I stuck to the program to the letter and so far, it doesn't seem to be very difficult at all. Just trying to get as much weight off as possible before the surgery. I'm also considering sticking to it after the surgery when I'm all healed up. The foods are pretty benign, and mostly consist of Soups, puddings, shakes, etc. Pretty soft stuff, and low in sodium and fats. I can't see much harm in it. Shannon said that it should be okay to follow the program post-surgery as long as I get in about 70 grams of Protein each day. We'll see how much weight comes off before the second. I plan on going to one of the support groups. Not sure if I'll make the December 16th one, but the January one I'll try to make for sure. Perhaps I'll see you there!

Sweet! My surgery date is on January 2nd! I start Medifast tomorrow until surgery date, so today is my last hurrah. Pizza and beer for my last nasty tonight before cleansing everything for a new life! YA-HOO FOR 2009!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, BELLA!!!! So excited for you! Do they have any ideas on a date yet?

Thanks for saying that, Izzy! I read messages from those poor souls that had this procedure done in hopes that they could keep on deluding themselves by eating the same as they did before and still lose weight. People who are eating blizzards and french fries and complain because they don't feel full after eating entire orders of fast food and blame the band and claim that it's not working for them. I want to bang my head against the wall and say "DUH! You spent all that time and MONEY getting this procedure done and THIS is what you do? You have the privilege to have insurance cover this and you cheat it away by wronging yourself?" I just can't imagine what some people think is going to happen. Furthermore, there are people out there who would do fabulous with this procedure and are DYING to have it done, but they can't afford it, or their insurance won't cover it, and I hear about these people who just don't put forth the effort and then blame the surgery, or doctor or band for their shortcomings. I'm starting Medifast on Saturday up to the surgery to get my metabolism jump started and take off as much as I can before surgery. I'm no stranger to exercise and hard work! I love working out, so that won't be an issue for me. Working through my eating disorder is my biggest challenge, but am working on counseling and really focusing on only having the food that I need in the house at all times. Took a large amount of weight off in college and kept it off for quite a long time, so I know what I need to do. Just fell down for a few years and lost track of what was important. I'll keep you posted as I move forward. Do you ever go to the support group that is offered at OHSU once a month? Was wondering what that was like and if it was worth hitting up.

29 more days for me! I'm more excited about the banding than I am Christmas!

Sometimes, your hair and nails become brittle or have a different texture after having undergone a surgical procedure. It could be the mix of drugs that you were given or just the fact that your body suffered trauma from having had invasive surgery. It will probably grow out with time and be replaced with a stronger nail bed. In the meantime, be sure you are taking plenty of vitamin supplements and are getting enough Vitamin D and Calcium!

Hello Netti. I'm getting banded on January 2nd, so I don't have any first hand experience. Congratulations on your weight loss! That is an accomplishment worth celebrating. But from what I have learned through all my research and with talking with numerous people is that you need to go in and have your doctor thoroughly unfill your band to evaluate how much is really in there. Once that is known, it can be refilled with greater accuracy. Guessing and making a mistake like that is an inexcusable blunder on the part of your doctor in my book. This is a science, not a guessing game. You need to be sure to be your own advocate in the health care game and tell your doctor what you need rather than let them "guess" as to how much is really in there. My second word of advice to you is that you need to be mindful of the foods you eat. Making nutrient dense choices in your foods will make a world of difference. French fries, no matter how many you eat, is an eating pattern of the past that needs to change. Rice, while not entirely bad for you, is probably not the best thing to eat if you have a choice between that and some easy to digest Protein in the form of a Meal Replacement shake or piece of broiled chicken breast. I recognize that my current eating patterns are going to be a thing of the past, and am beginning a Medifast plan up until I get the banding done in January. I have to do something to jolt my metabolism and get as much weight off as I can until then. My eating habits change now, and will never be the same again. Occasional treats for rare special occasions is totally acceptable, but please remember that you are on a weight loss journey. High calorie, nutrient poor foods are not something that you should be including in your new way of living. Remember the goal of this surgery is not a "miracle tool" that will solve your problems while you continue to eat the way you used to. It's just a tool with which to make better choices and live a healthier lifestyle! You've gotten this far! Keep up the good work, and I know you'll be successful!

WOW! GOOD LUCK! Tell us all how it went!

Getting banded on January 2nd here. How are you feeling? What's it like? I'm anxious to know how your recovery is going. Are you up and walking around to prevent the shoulder pains from the CO2? How is the pain? They give you pretty decent pain management drugs? Inquiring minds want to know! :cursing:

Thanks for the info, Izzy. May I ask how your weight loss is going thus far? Are you satisfied with everything? Would you have done anything different?

January 2nd, 2009 here! It's taken me from July of '08 to get all of the paperwork, testing, poking, prodding, fighting with insurance, etc... to get this date. If I've learned anything, I've had to be my own advocate for this whole process. If I didn't keep on top of the insurance, the doctors, the physicians group, etc...I would have never gotten where I am today. We can do it! I'm really excited! Any bandsters have any advice for me! Our offices are closed golbally from the 19th through the 5th, and I'm taking that first week after surgery off to recover, so HAPPY THREE WEEKS OFF TO ME!!! :cursing:

If anything I've learned, is that Doctors don't know you. Be sure to be vocal about your treatment. It sounds like you're very much in tune with your body and knew that he should have only taken out 1/2 cc. Next time, be honest with your doctor about your course of treatment. You're in your skin. Your docotr isn't and sometimes that open dialogue will help them to make a better informed decision with you. Good luck! I'm getting banded on January 2nd and can't wait!

Hello all. I'm in Lake Oswego here. Getting banded on the second of January at OHSU with Dr. Wolfe. Everyone doing well? Happy with the procedure? Happy with OHSU? Let me know!

Lake Oswego here! January 2nd, 2009 banding date. OHSU. Anyone else out there go to OHSU, or care to give me any advice?? Doing the Medifast until the surgery date to take off as much weight as possible! I'm so excited!

I'm having my procedure done at OHSU by Dr. Wolfe. January 2nd, 2009. They seem very thorough and have been a pleasure to work with. Anyone else have information?

Update for everyone. I finally have a date! January 2nd, 2009! It's nearly here! YAY!

Hello all. I'm a 34 yo male in the Portland, OR area. Found out recently that my insurance will cover the lap band procedure if I meet the criteria. I clearly meet the criteria, have had the initial seminar required, filled out all of the necessary paperwork, met with my doctors and had them send over all the information. My file is currently under review by the Bariatric Surgical group at OHSU so I'm in the waiting game. I have scheduled my psych eval. for tomorrow to get that out of the way to expedite this process. Can anyone give me any advice on how long this may take? I have been told that my case will pretty much be a slam dunk through the insurance, as the surgical group has a premiere relationship with my insurance company, once the file has been approved and they start scheduling me, what's after the nutritionist and psych. eval? A meeting with the surgeon? Then scheduling the surgery? I don't know anything about how this works, so I'd like to find out from someone who has done this and roughly what kind of time I'm looking at here. I just get up every day wishing this was all over and I was on the way to getting back in shape and dropping weight. It's so hard to keep trudging on at a snail's pace. I know it fill finally come, but seriously. How much longer??!! Thanks.

Have you considered going back to the post surgical all liquid diet for a week or two adding protein powder to your liquids and starting a very basic cardio plan such as walking? Your body may just be reluctant to letting the weight go, so you need to be sure to increase your exercise to get your metabolism going again. Once you do that, I'm sure you will start dropping the pounds.

I totally agree with this. I was just talking to a friend about my upcoming surgery. He asked how much I have to lose and I told him, and he looked at me with dinner plate sized eyes and said "You weigh 360??" I actually weigh 376, but I didn't tell him that. I just said "close!" He couldn't believe it. I just carry it/hide it well with smart looking clothes, I guess. I've got to lose about 180 lbs. Even then, I'll still weigh about 220. At that point, if I get below that weight, my rib cage and collar bones start to stick out and I start looking sickly. (Took off about this much weight back in college by working out about four hours a day, living a vegetarian lifestyle and having the metabolism of a 21 year old!) I was caught in the mindset that according to the height/weight charts, I needed to weight about 175. I just couldn't let it go. I was getting emaciated and looking very gaunt. Finally, after much urging by my friends, I had a hydrostatic dunk test and was told by a nutritionist that I was far underweight at 212 (8% bodyfat) and that I needed to put just a little weight back on in order to be where I needed to be. Still, to tell someone you've never met on an online dating service or over the phone that you weight 212 instantly turns a person off and makes them think that you are an overweight slob. Far from it. I look at pictures from when I was that thin and feel ashamed that the man in those pictures never saw himself as he really was. He only saw a number and that number meant that he was grossly overweight according to societal standards. I wish I could be that weight right now and as fit as I once was. I don't think I would have ended up back where I started nearly 15 years later. Oh well. Banding date of January 2nd! 30 MORE DAYS, FOLKS and I'll be on my way back to a much more appreciative, healthy individual!