MissCheryl

Congrats on your surgery! From everything I have read and what I've heard from every doctor you should NOT be drinking carbonated soda, EVER! It will stretch the new stomach area, kind of wastes why we do this surgery to begin with. I think it's probably even most dangerous as you are healing, ask your doctor.

Congrats on your surgery! I had mine on the 3rd and was able to sleep on my side on the 4th day, I think. Try putting a bunch of pillows under your knees when you're sleeping on your back, it will take the pressure off the stomach muscles and maybe you'll be able to sleep longer. I read that it's really cold liquids that make you hiccup, and that seems to be true with me. Also don't drink a bunch of Water and then lie down, or don't drink when half lying down, this will bring on the hiccups, too. Don't worry, these things go away pretty quickly and they'll all be a distant memory soon!Cheryl

Miss Can-Do, Yeah, It's been pretty easy, but each day has been different. The indigestion thing was no fun, it's like I needed to burp but couldn't. Chewable Pepcid AC has made a big difference. My stomach looks huge, even more huge than normal, feels like a balloon, guess it's the swelling around the stomach. Hardly any pain at all, just a twinge now and then. Put in a full day at work, it's a home based business so that's nice. I'm still catching up from being gone 6 days, worked hard but got through it. What a great tool, I'm very excited about the coming year!

Great, see you there! Anyone else want to join us?

Bernadette, Congrats on your surgery date, it will be here soon! As far as the pre-surgery diet, all doctors are different, who knows why. My doc, Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver CO has his patients go on a low carb diet for one or two weeks before surgery, the time frame depends on your starting BMI score. The goal is to get your liver less fatty before surgery, with laproscoptic surgery they need to move the liver out of the way and if it's too big they can't move it without doing an open procedure, which noboby wants. I think some surgeons don't think we have the will to stay on a low carb diet so they make them do the liquids instead. Hope that makes sense! Cheryl

Miss Can-Do, I'm SO glad to hear that your surgery went well, sounds like they gave you the liquid Versid early, good! Yeah, I'm 5 days out now and still feel a bit sore but nothing like I thought I'd feel. I do get indigestion, mostly in the mornings, I have to learn to drink my liquids more slowly. Yesterday was the first day I felt any hunger, had a 1/4 cup of tomato soup, boy was that yummy! It took away the hunger, hope it will always be this easy!

COOL! My fill is at 4:00PM on the 7th, my flight gets in at 12:20PM that day and I leave at 9:00AM the next morning. For this trip I'll be staying at the Red Lion (I reccomend the Comfort Inn for long stays like when you have the original surgery) because they have a free airport shuttle, still decidng, I might rent a car anyway. This will be my first fill so where we eat isn't important, guess I'll be on mostly liquids for a day or two. Is that how it goes, I never thought to ask about eating before or after a fill. Also, can anyone tell me how to get the photo I uploaded to show whith my enrties, I only see it on my info page. Well I hope we can get a little group together for dinner that night, I'd love to meet you all and compare notes. We should give ourselves a name like "Dr.K's Kuties"!

I got pretty nervous a few days before my surgery, we go through a lot of emotions, all totally normal! I did ask my surgeon for a Valium for the day of my surgery, you don't want to go under when you're that nervous, it REALLY helped.I had surgery yesterday and it was a breeze! Take some Gas-X strips in case you have gas pain, and walk around as soon as you can, it really helps. Bring a pillow so you can put it over your lap to keep it the seat belt off your belly. Be sure you have your house stocked with lots of juices and broth, enough for a few days so you won't have to go shopping. Most importantly is to think good thoughts, keep your mind clear of negative emotions. You'll do great, I'll be thinking of you!

I got pretty nervous a few days before my surgery, we go through a lot of emotions, all totally normal! I did ask my surgeon for a Valium for the day of my surgery, you don't want to go under when you're that nervous, it REALLY helped.I had surgery yesterday and it was a breeze! Take some Gas-X strips in case you have gas pain, and walk around as soon as you can, it really helps. Bring a pillow so you can put it over your lap to keep it the seat belt off your belly. Be sure you have your house stocked with lots of juices and br oth, enough for a few days so you won't have to go shopping. Most importantly is to think good thoughts, keep your mind clear of negative emotions. You'll do great, I'll be thinking of you!

Hello all! Had my surgery yesterday with the wonderful Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver. I have very little pain,mostly when standing or sitting down. Be sure to bring Gas-X strips to the hoppital, they really work, and get up and walk if you have the gas pain, it's scary at first to walk but right away you'll feel better. My doc does it out patient which is great, we're from 2000 miles away from Denver but have a great mini suite with a kitchen and sitting room with a sofa and dining table. It was nice to get into bed here without all the hospital noise. I suggest bringing earplugs if you spend the night in a hospital, you'll get much better sleep. So folks, this is easy-peasy, you can do it and think where we all will be next March!

Hello all I had my surgery yesterday, and I feel great! I can't believe what little pain I have, mostly when I stand up or sit down. Slept most of the day yesterday but feel more alert today. I've been drinking water, cranberry juice and pear juice. The pear juice is really yummy and good to take after taking a nasty flavored liquid medicine. I had pretty bad gas pain in my upper abdomen yesterday while still in the clinic, gas ex strips worked right away for me, make sure to take some with you to the hospital, and walk as soon as you can. It's scary at first but the more you walk the more you stretch your tummy muscles and that really helps with the gas, it was gone after only 5-10 minuets walking. You guys can do it, easy-peasy! I can't recommend my Doc, Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver, I'm self pay and he has a great rate of $9950.00 and the BEST hospital and staff I have ever encountered. Good luck to you all, just think where we all will next March!l

Hello all! Had my surgery yesterday! I am feeling remakably well, sore belly, mostly when I stand up or lay down. I thought I'd have much more pain like when I had my gallbladder out. Finally got to meet Dr.K and his staff, just as sweet as I thought he;d be, If my husband had any doubts he felt much better after meeting him. The hospital staff was fabulous, never had that kind attention before surgery. We had a terrible time getting here, first the Atlanta airport was closed so they rerouted us through NY which was closed after waiting around 5 hours. Had to spend the night in Raleigh, then missed 2 other flights because Raleigh had snow that morning, Finally got into Denver half an hour after my appoint with Dr. K. So much for a little relaxing sightseeing! We're staying at the Comfort suites in Engelwood. Great room with a min kitchen and a large sitting room with sofa and dining table. I would highly recommend it to anyone from out of town, Well, I am so excited about the next year, thank you all SO MUCH for your encouragement and great advise!Lap-Dancer, I'll be back for my first fill on April 7 th, I'd love to meet you gals, keep me informed! Cheryl

ljlluv & addelapp5, WELCOME! We are all on our way, too cool!!!!

Thanks so much, it means so much to hear from others! I tell you, no one understands what we go through with this decision except those of us in the midst of it. I really knew it was an addiction when a girlfriend, who was an alcoholic, said "I would watch you when we go out and you'd nurse one drink all night, it amazed me! to which I replied "yeah, and when we go to lunch you automatically order the healthiest thing on the menu and then don't even finish it!" The big difference, of course, is that you can live all of your life without alcohol, gambling or drugs, but we have to face the table each day. Here's too we brave folks that have made this choice!

Hello everyone! Well, I'm packing today for my trip to Denver tomorrow for surgery on Tuesday the 3rd. I'm excited and nervous. I am SO glad I found Dr. K, what a sweetheart! I had a question about a time release medication I'm taking so I called the office. He called me back HIMSELF! I can't get my local Dr. to call me back at all, even the staff takes a few days to return a call. I know he's the guy for me. Thanks to you all for your support and great info. Think good thoughts for me, I'll check-in soon.

Yes! I keep thinking about where we March bander will be this time next year, it is very exciting! I'm a self payer going to Denver tomorrow to see the wonderful Dr. Kirshenbaum, so I'm packing today! Think good thoughts for me, I'll check-in soon.

Hello all! I'm just a few days off from surgery on 3/3. Has anyone experienced sadness about this whole thing. I guess I'm sad that I'm addicted to food and have to resort to surgery. I am also sad that I didn't have this done a long time ago, what a waste, so many diets, so much misery when you gain it back. I'm not saying that I regret this step it just makes me look back at all the time and effort put into weight loss over the years. Well, I do truly think this is the correct answer, it is the right tool for me. Guess there are all sort of emotions that come up. Anyone else feeling this way?

Hello all! My March 3rd date is coming up fast! So glad I found this forum, it's really given me lots of important info. Just think where we all will be one year from now!

My husband was against it, too. I started to talk about it over a year ago. He went on line and read about it. After a few days he said he really wished that I would try again, maybe try hypnosis. Let me add that he is overweight as well. He rarely puts his foot down with my wishes so I respected his opinion and gave it a year. Went to two different hypnotists, nothing. Lost some on my own but we all know that story, gained it back. I brought up the subject again a few months ago and told him that I tried it his way and now I want the band more than ever, he agreed. My surgery is 3/3 with Dr.Kirshenbaum in CO. It's sad but our spouses have as much baggage with our weight as we do, all different kinds. In the end we have to do what is best for us. Stand your ground and good luck!

Hello all, I have my surgery on March 3rd! I'm a self pay, too. I'm going with Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver CO., his website is: www.LapbandRockies.com He only charges $9999.00 and free fills for 3 months, after that I think they are $15. There's a huge section about him on this forum. So far everyone at the office and been really wonderful, I have had my phone consultation with Dr. K and will have one with the nutritionist next week. I know many of you have had a hard time with your insurance companies, check him out before you decide on Mexico. I'm in NC but it will actually be cheaper for me to fly to CO and spend the night than to go to a local Dr. for my fills. I'm reading a wonderful book on banding that I found on Amazon, it's called Weight Loss Surgery w/the Adjustable Gastric Band by Robert Sewell MD. Dr K. want his patients to read a book about the surgery before hand. Just think of where we will all be this time next year! So March Melters, here comes the best years of our lives!

MissMom, Thanks! I'm very excited! Cheryl

Jamie and all, Thanks so much for your input, it has really helped! Guess we can book our anniversary trip now! Congrats on your 1st anniversary Jamie, may you have as happy of a marriage as we do. Jamie, I'm new to forums, not sure how to IM but you can write me directly at poodlemom77@aol.com. I'll follow what Dr. K says and have my first fill 4 weeks after surgery. I know many of you fly to Denver for your fills, I'll give it a try, too. This is the busy time for my business (I sell lingerie) so I put off surgery until after Valentines Day but now wish I could do it sooner! Thank you all for your support, so glad I found this forum. Cheryl

Hello all, I've been reading these posts for weeks now and have scheduled my surgery with Dr.K for March 3rd. I'm very excited and a bit nervous. I have a couple of questions for you veterans. Do most of you think the first fill at 4 weeks is too soon? Most Drs. seem to wait longer and since I'm flying from NC I don't want to waste a trip if it's done too soon. It also seems like getting the fills right is the biggest problem with the lap band. Have any suggestions? We are celebrateing our 30th anniversary on May 6th and a planning a big trip, do you think I will be up for it or should be postpone it? I'm so thrilled to have found this forum and all your great advise, can't wait to hear back from some of you old pros! Cheryl Kirchner Morehead City NC