Elisabethsew

As long as your MD monitors your renal function and everything is OK, you should be fine to have the surgery. Have you seen an MD who specializes in kidney disease? If not, you might want to consult one before the surgery. I am assuming that the 1.5 value is your creatinine level... since that's normal and has not increased since your last pregnancy, I can't see that your kindeys would be a contra-indication to surgery.

I don't know about THAT gym in particular but I can tell you that I was scared to death to walk into a gym just knowing I would be the largest person there. Well, I was right. I was the largest person in the place but did not receive any negative comments. In fact, most people went out of their way to assist me with unfamiliar machines. Go for it!

I love cereal for breakfast but find it does not keep me satisfied for very long. I've been eating 4 oz of lite ricotta cheese (140 cals) and find the high protein does the trick in satisfying my hunger.

As the muscle that the port is adhered to heals, you can expect to feel discomfort. Any activity beyond the "usual" will strain the muscle a little and cause some discomfort. My surgeon told me this is a normal event but to not limit my activity beyond the first 6 weeks post-op. He said it's good to walk, bend, exercise, etc. to strengthen the abdominal muscles and lessen the chances of developing adhesions. I planted flowers the past 3 days for hours and my entire body is SORE.

The nursing assistant is ignorant and when you ARE in a 10-12, she'll eat her words. What's really impressive is that, despite all the negatives going on in your life right now, you are NOT comforting yourself with food. BRAVO!!!

UGH! You have to work after that incident? I will certainly be VERY suspicious of paper in the toilet before I decide to flush and go about my business before it refills. LOL. I hope the rest of the week goes better for you.

I also had a BMI of >60 but was not considered higher risk than someone with a lesser BMI. Surgeons and anesthesiologists are concerned about smoking history, type of birth control used (the "pill" is associated with a higher risk of pulmonary embolism), previous surgeries, age, prior experiences with anesthesia, sleep apnea, etc. BMI alone means little, it's the total medical/surgical history and physical assessment HAVE to be considered.

Most surgeon's will tell you that it takes 6 weeks to heal. Since you had a fill at 4 weeks, it might be that this is a normal reaction. Eat a full fluid diet for a day or so and then move to a soft diet. GRADUALLY work up to solids and contact the MD if you feel worse or no improvement at any stage along the way.

It's great to hear that you had such a good time at your reunion. I was banded on 3/30/06 by Dr. Geiss and live on Long Island also. You're doing wonderfully. Congratulations.

I'll have my first fill on 5/25... exactly 8 weeks post-op. That's the earliest he'll do it. Like you, I have NO restriction.

Congratulations! You're one of the lucky few who achieve restriction from the band alone and you're weight loss is testimony to the fact that it's working for you. You might also still have a little bit of swelling as you're just about 6 weeks post-op so give the port (and you) a rest, see how it goes, and re-evaluate the need for a fill in a few weeks. I hope you feel better.

You'll have general anesthesia which involves inserting a tube down your throat and into your trachea once you're asleep in the operating room. The tube will come out when the operation is over and you're throat will feel very sore and very dry. The first thing you'll get is an ice chip that slowly melts in your mouth and feels WONDERFUL!

If dieting worked, nobody would be fat. Obesity is a chronic disease with many components to it (genetic, familial, psychological, emotional, etc.). Scientific research is defining "fat" genes and hormones and slowly advancing treatment options. If someone you loved had a terminal disease that could only be cured by a $20,000.00 cash payment, wouldn't you do everything in your power to get that money? Well, obesity is a disease and, eventually, the complications associated with this disease will cause death... a premature death. We are all someone and we all matter. We have a right to be healthy. We have a right to treatment. Obese people are notorious for always GIVING to others. Well, now it's time to give to ourselves, to help ourselves become healthy and happy because WE DO MATTER and WE DO DESERVE TREATMENT.

I was banded on 3/30 and felt like I was run over by a truck the entire first week. On day 9 I had a complete turn-around and felt human. After that, each day got better. Force yourself to walk, bend at the waste (use a pillow for support) and drink as the others suggested.

I am a side sleeper and it took me 4 full weeks before I could sleep on my left side and about 2 weeks to sleep on my right. Try placing a pillow under your side before you turn so it's fully supported. Getting a fill might have made the port a bit tender.

My surgeon and dietician were very upfront with me and stated that "you can beat the band" by not following a healthy eating plan or binging on empty carbs (processed foods, junk foods, etc.). I eat healthy but I eat too much (volume eater) so I was considered a good candidate for the band. Had a been a junk food eater, my surgeon advised the roux - n - y procedure. YOU know YOU the best so take your time, do a lot of research, and decided based on your research and personal insight.

I'm glad that you are feeling better. I have yet to have my first fill but can see from those who post here that the band is highly individual. One person experiences an overfill while others take several fills to achieve restriction.

I was wondering if anyone here gets adequate restriction on one fill and if so, how much saline was instilled? From what I am reading here, it seems very few people achieve restriction with one or even two fills. Since I am getting my first fill on 5/25 (exactly 8 weeks post-op), I was wondering if people feel ANY difference at all with a first fill. Also, what is the average "wait" time before you had a second fill? :help: Thank You

CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT VICTORY!!!

Congratulations on the one year anniversary and good luck at the surgeon's office.

I was banded on 3/30 and will not start on solid foods until this Thursday. It sounds like you have some restriction from what you described in your post but gaining a pound is nothing to worry about. You stated that you're afraid to eat because you're afraid you'll gain weight but what is the outcome of that decision? You "graze" and eat things you shouldn't. Having the band requires that you eat healthy, small meals at least 3 times a day and most surgeons advise eating every 3-4 hours (3 meals and 2 snacks). Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to make an appointment with the dietician? Good luck, you're losing wonderfully.

My surgeon told me ALL forms of exercise are fine after 6 weeks and only to limit abdominal exercises for the first 6 weeks post-op. Since you're 6 weeks out, you should be fine.

It's time for you to go back to work. You state you're bored at home and MOST obese people eat out boredom and as a coping tool. Work on building friendships. Is there someone who you might enjoy going to a healthy lunch with? having over to your place to enjoy a lunch you prepared? Check out what's happening in your community for the summer and get involved in an activity that you enjoy. You'll meet new people. Instead of visiting fast food places, go to a book store, a garden center, the park, etc. You need to think "outside the box" and shake up your routine. You already took the first step by having the surgery.

Welcome, Tina. The surgery lasts an average of 1.5 hours. In your case, it would be wise for the surgeon to consult with your doctors to determine the best intra-operative and post-operative treatment plan for you. I have a friend who had type II diabetes and sleep apnea. He had the surgery last July, is down 100 pounds+ and did not need any diabetic medications 4 months from the date of the surgery.

I am 4.5 weeks post-op and can tolerate all foods, including bread. I have a fill scheduled for 5/25 and am hoping to get SOME restriction. As it stands now, I wouldn't even know I had the band if I couldn't see the scars and feel the port. LOL.