hdsantoni

I was banded with the Realize system on the 24th of November. They put the port right between my breasts, right on the breast bone .....ouch!!! This is the only place that hurts and stings sometimes. No gas no nothing....just that pain. I am not sure if it is because of the way they secured the port, location of the port with the lack of fat in the area, or something that is normal feeling with all ports that are new. Anyone else with their port located in the same location? How long did it take for the sensations to go away? I can't even wear a bra!

I will pass on what my doctor told me about post-op diets. I have a good reason to believe him as he is a professor and travels to Europe and America to teach doctors there. So everyone should REALLY follow their doctors orders. I am on Clear liquids, no Jello even, for a week. Then can go to full liquids for 3 weeks. So only liquids for a month!!!! The reason behind it is that they don't want your stomach to contract for at least 4 weeks post-op. There is FAR less chance of your band slipping. (They no longer recommend stiching the stomach around the band because it has a better chance of erosion.) After the 4 weeks of fluids we go onto pureed for 2 weeks. Then onto mushies for 2 weeks before going to solid foods. When we start solids we have to go up for an test on how it passes the band for restriction purposes. He also told us that after you stomach hasn't contracted for a while, since it is a muscle, that it will hurt like if you started exercising any other muscle you haven't used in awhile. Hope this helps you as it really help me understand why all the food restrictions.:grouphug:

Mine is right between my breasts directly on the bone:w00t:. I have the low profile, so I can't see it at all. It is my sorest one and the only one that stings a little.

Nadda for me. My insurance paid 100% of everything, even the travel back and forth to the hospital. That even includes all follow-up care and fills with travel between my house and the doctors office. Gotta love insurance.

I add Benefiber to my shakes so that helps SOOOO much with keeping you feel full.

I was surprised at how easy the pre-op diet is. I have 2 shakes, tea, water, chicken broth, SF jello, tuna, then I am able to eat a small salad and a protein. Since starting 4 days ago, I have lost 7 pounds! I am sure it is water. I drink a ton and am in the bathroom round the clock!

Not all doctors require pre-op diets. It is their personal choice. My surgeon doesn't, however, I am doing one to get my body ready for liquids after surgery. I was told that it has a lot to do with your BMI. A higher BMI suggests a fattier liver and they want a less fatty liver to have to move around.....less likely to bruise or make your liver bleed. I am on day 4 of my pre-op and I don't think that the protein shakes are that bad. I have one in the morning after tea. Then I have SF jello for a snack, then another shake for lunch, then some applesauce for an afternoon snack, and for dinner I have another shake. For a night snack I have a small salad with either tuna or an hard boiled egg. I am totally not hungry. Drinking water between, I feel full up to my nose!! All that is 900 calories and well above my protein need and way under carbs. Good Luck!

Too Funny.....My birthday is the 10th. I am getting more excited by the day. I can't wait to be at my goal. It is really hot here (120+) in the summer. So my big goal is to go down to the sea and not be so worried about what people think. Like Erurope, there aren't that many fat people here either. Luckly my surgeon is one of the best in the world. I had to wait awhile to get my date, but I am sure it will be worth it. Are you on a pre-op diet?

Thanks. It is always nice to know that there are people out there that knows exactly what you feel. Yes, everything is free. Even the transportation back and forth to the hospital. Nice!!! Both c-sections were so easy for me I went home the day after both! I will pray for all of your up and coming bandings. Good luck and best wishes!

Hi Everybody: My name is Heather. I currently live in Israel and am 36. I was born and raised in Washington State. Also lived for a time in Vegas. I have been married to a wonderfully supportive man for the last 12 years. We have two boys, 10 & 9. I am being banded on the 24th. I have pre-op on the 16th. I started the liquid diet a few days ago....yuk!! My hospital is about 3 1/2 hours away, so I will be spending the night before surgery and will go home the day after, because of the drive. I have been heavy practically since birth! I spoke to my PCP here and she and I made the decision together. There are no insurance requirements here. Everything is free. I am just getting nervous for the surgery to be over. I have never been under general before so scared about that and recovery pain. I have had two c-sections and breezed through those.....so I am hoping that this will be just as easy. Good luck to Everyone!!!

Hi, I am looking for someone to support me on my journey. Being in a foreign country, it is hard to find the support that I really need. My husband is somewhat supportive, but I don't get to see him as much as I would like. He works 18 hours a day, mostly 7 days a week. I do have a sister-in-law here that is supportive but has a family of her own and doesn't know how I feel, she is a "skinny minny". I am the mother of 2 very active boys, 10 and 9, and I will be turning 37 in February. I did start a pre op diet, however my doctor doesn't require one. I would love to have a buddy that already knows what I am about to go through as I have never met anyone that has gone through this procedure.....Thanks!!!

I am having surgery in Israel in 2 weeks by Prof. leo. Lantsberg, MD. He is supposed to be one of the best. He teaches in the States and in Europe. I am not sure of the cost, mine is covered by my insurance here, however, I have been told by other Americans that it is realatively low. That they purchased the airline tickets and paid for the band and still had money left over for their mini vacations around Israel. There are other doctors in Israel that do the procedure as well, but my doc is the best as far as I am concerned. He is the chief of laproscopic surgeons in Israel, let alone top bariatric doctor. He is a little hard to get to see, but I am not complaining. If I need him I have his cell number. If you haven't already made up your mind of where you want to have it, check out Israel as an option

November Bandster too! My date is set for November 24th. My surgeon sent pre-op test for my PCP to do. So I have an appointment with her in the morning. Blood test, ekg, x-ray, etc...... I have an appointment on the 16th for final pre-op, with the surgeon and the anesteciologist, since I have never been under general before. I have had c-sections before so I know what to expect with gas pains. Not fun!!! I don't have a pre-op diet, however, I will be eating higher protein meals during the 2 weeks prior. I do think that everyone that is pre-op feels the same emotions at some time or another! Good luck everyone! I hope that you sail through your surgery quickly and come out in good health!

Hello everyone, I am being banded on the 24th of November. I have a 3 1/2 hours of a ride home. Very curvy and bumpy. Any suggestions on what to bring to ease the ride?

I have it and use it when we go out or for pictures, stuff like that. It is great for full coverage. If you have them explain to you how and where to apply it then you shouldn't have a problem if you like a lot of coverage. You really need to have a freshly washed and scrubed face to start with. Then apply lightly, you can always add more. I have a few wrinkles around my eyes and it will go in and crease if your not careful. So if you want day wear, I use a tinted moisturizer and LOVE it.

I am getting banded on the 24th too......So many of us are close to the same time. I can tell you that I believe that everyone feels the same way during this time......the waiting game. My doctor didn't order any diet restrictions before surgery at all. That really surprised me. They said it had to do with the BMI really. I have pre-op on the 16. The bad thing for me is that I have to travel 3 1/2 hours to the hospital. That isn't going to be much fun coming home after surgery. Good Luck everyone!

I have been on a waiting list for surgery. I got a call from my doctors nurse. November 24th is the date. I need to go and get my physical finding from my PCP and then see the surgeon and the anasticiologist to give them the report and get their clearance for surgery. I never thought that I could feel so excited and scared at the same time. His nurse said at my BMI pre-op diet isn't needed. However, I think I will go for at least a week on 2 protein shakes a day and then a low carb meal in late afternoon. Has anyone heard of not having to do the pre-op diet? I just think that it would be easier to do to start because of the diet after surgery. Anyone else around my date?

Heck yeah!!!!!! If I were at my goal and got into one, I would be so happy you couldn't get it off me. I would even wear it to the grocery store in winter!!!!!:thumbup:

Hey......I live in Israel.....were neighbors. I am waiting for my surgeon's secretary to give me a date. I am on a waiting list for now. They said within 2 months. He told me that if you don't have a lot to loss then it may take a while to get off. But, every body is diffrent and your body will shed the weight on its own pace, depending on how you eat and the restrictions of the band.

I had my meeting with the surgeon. I am on his waiting list. He said within a couple of months. I am kinda hoping for the middle to end of December so my kids will be home for winter break. It kinda sucks to have to be "fit in". He isn't only a bariatric surgeon, he is the cheif of laproscopic surgery as well. So he is a very busy man. I am alright witht he waiting if I am getting the best. He also gave me a run down of the diffrence in how they do it here and in most places in Europe compared to the States. I was a little surprised. He actually goes there to train other drs. It's all good. He also said that my pre-opp diet is 10 days long.....is that normal? I also have to meet with his anasticiologist because I haven't been under general before and that I am a red head and can be more sensitive, it is best that we meet before the surgery. OK.....as long as I don't feel a thing.....I will meet with anybody. :crying:

Hello everyone - I have my first appointment with the surgeon (Prof. Lansberg) on the 6th of October. Things are a little diffrent here, once your GP refers you to the surgeon you are pretty much done. So, I could be having surgery sometime in the very near future. I am very nervous about some of the procedures. I am wanting the lap band, but he will tell me what he thinks is best for me. I have been over weight most of my life and am ready for a big change. Just wondering what are good questions for the surgeon? Thanks, Heather