Stephanie1972

I am 37 and smoked for 22 years, so like you, I was a bit apprehensive about undergoing weight loss surgery AND quitting smoking! There was not 1 surgeon I could find that would operate if I smoked within 2 months of the surgery. The reasons are as follows: 1) Smoking present a much larger risk with anestesia 2) Healing is much slower as there isn't much oxygen in the blood 3) Smoking can cause ulcers. Ulcers create serious problems with any weight loss surgery, specifically erosion with the band. 4) You're undergoing a major procedure to get your life back...and yet you're still doing things to sabotage your health... So...to make a long story short...I am an asthmatic...yes, a smoker with asthma. I walked around for years with my albuterol and a cigarette. What an idiot. By the grace of God, I was driving to work one morning and felt tight in my lungs so I decided to NOT have a cigarette that morning. That morning was December 1. I used Commit losenges to help but my last cigarette was November 30th. Good luck. I know this is a tough deal, especially for a smoker. Be an advocate for your health though. You won't regret it.

I walked twice for 30 minutes each slowly the day after my surgery. I did this everyday. My gas pains lasted 3 days max.

It sounds like gas to me.

Excess skin is going to be a problem if you are obese and you lose weight regardless of how you lose weight. As for the pre and post op diets...I'm starting week 2 of my post op diet. It is not fun, HOWEVER, it is such a small price to pay if it means getting my life back...for all the times I stuffed my face, I'm a little hungry right now and will be for another week...After that, the band will be my friend, it will be a part of me for life and it will comfortably help me control my portions, thus my calorie intake. I hope you stick with it...dieting doesn't work for 94% of people long term.

Yes Jim...I do remember! Great point. By the way...I went to college in De Pere! Not too far from you...

Did someone say heating pad? Yes!!! Have it ready...you'll be amazed how much comfort it will provide you.

Sugar Free Popsicles!!! Seriously...they are yummy after this surgery (i was banded last week). You'll do great! My biggest piece of advice is to walk around Friday...even if it's down the driveway and back. You will feel groggy possibly and not up for it, but it will help you get back on your feet sooner and it will also work better than Gas-X at alleviating the gas pains.

I was just banded on Thursday. I had researched each of the surgeries for 5 years and obviously concluded that the band was best for me. Quite frankly, over a 5 year period, they yield the same average weight loss, so with them being worlds apart in terms of complications, safety, etc...it was a no-brainer. The clearest difference to me is that the band patients have to work with their tool moreso than bypass patients. Feel free to fire any questions away...

ok, that's funny because I'm walking my 2 80 lbs dogs 2 miles daily! (1 mile intervals). The only thing that gets me is when the 18 month old Chocolate Lab sees a bird and thinks it's time to hunt! The 7 year old Yellow Lab could care less. Walking is GOOD. I used to HATE it, but now I just LOVE breathing in the smells, looking at flowers, and appreciating the fact that I have legs that move...if you have dogs, it's a huge plus. My dogs are so high energy yet were so deprived of daily exercise...

I am holding up well! The toughest part is keeping track of drinking all 60 oz of Water daily, drinking 60-100 g of Protein daily and walking 60 minutes a day. Aside from that, I am having pain where the port was attached to the muscle, but nothing that's keeping me from getting around. When is your date?

I had surgery April 16th and on April 17th I was walking twice a day for 30 minutes each time. I have done cardio for an hour a day since the day after surgery...I also did advanced step aerobics on wii fit, but afterwards got a little nauseated so I will hold off on that until 2 weeks out.

I would start making small changes in your life. It will make the transition much easier! Start taking a 20 minute walk everyday. You'll need to do at least that after surgery. Start drinking 60 ounces of water and start experimenting with different protein shakes. Find one you like. You'll need to consume 60-100 g of protein each day. If you really want to get crazy, learn how to take small bites. It really does take practice.

I was just banded on the 16th and mine hurts too. It will get better daily. My suggestion is to try to avoid getting up and down and get yourself a heating pad. It has soothed a lot of my discomfort.

Hey! I got the Realize. Why, am I eating something I shouldn't?

I was banded on the 16th as well. I am still very sore and bruised but have been able to get around. The sharp pain you are feeling is most likely gas (they fill your belly with gas during the surgery to make room to work). The day after surgery, I walked an hour (broken into 15 minute increments. Yesterday, I did the same thing...I promise that if you're active you will find relief soon. You can't sit on the couch. The gas will have no where to go. Take it slow, but get up and move. You made the right decision. I would avoid the pain meds. They will make you tired and will mask the pain, not resolve it. Good luck to you!

I like the Wheybolic powder found at GNC. I get the chocolate and vanilla and mix 2 scoops (40 g of protein) with 8 oz of skim milk. I throw in a tbsp of Peanut Butter and 5 or 6 ice cubes and blend...It's really a treat!

Try Wheybolic (Chocolate) from GNC and add a tbsp of PB and a few ice cubes...it's yummy.

I was just banded 2 days ago. Thursday was icky. I felt so groggy and tired and sore. I slept when I got home from surgery for 7 hours...stayed up for 1, then went to sleep. Yesterday I was extremely sore and still groggy. I was pretty comfortable sitting, but not getting up and sitting down. I did have a heating pad by my side which gave me a lot more comfort. I also walked 60 minutes yesterday which I think helped today, because I feel great today. Still soreness, but not nearly as much. I exercised 70 minutes today....low impact, but still. I took 1 pain pill the day of surgery, that was it for me...I think the more you force yourself to exercise after the surgery, the quicker you will recover. From my understanding, the recovery is NOTHING compared to bypass surgery. And as I've been told, it's a few days of discomfort/pain, for a successful rest of your life. You pick. :-)

I was banded on Thursday morning, so just a day before you. Surgery day was wiped out and very sore. The day after (yesterday) was very hard too..getting up was a chore, lying in bed was a chore...tons of pain in the port area. Today, I feel a ton better. I'm still sore but it isn't unbearable. In fact, I offered my husband to have some friends over to cook ribs (obviously I would not partake in the eating of those ribs)...I walked an hour (broken into 15 minute slow intervals) the day after surgery and that helped a lot with the gas pains...I've already walked 30 minutes today...try that.

Yes!! It absolutely is the gas pain. I was banded just 2 days ago and I have it everywhere...even in my chest. Yesterday was my first day post op and I exercises lightly for 60 minutes. I woke up this morning and feel VERY little pain...trying walking for up to an hour (break it up). It's really supposed to help with the gas pains.

I was banded by Dr. Bauman yesterday morning!! Yipeeeeee for our fellow North Carolinians!

Wow...all 3 of us have the same band date! I was banded at 800 yesterday morning. I am so friggin sore! The gas is uncomfortable. I've already gotten 1/3 of my water in for the day and 1/3 of the protein and I walked 45 minutes so far...very slowly though. Good luck to you both!

I'll add something to all of this. Yes, your therapist has a great point. The reality is that ALL of us are emotional eaters. We are using food as a void. The band will FORCE you to find another outlet because you will no longer be able to drown yourself in food. I would highly recommend doing some introspective research to find other things that may fill that void that are HEALTHY and that will help you with peace of mind and successful weight loss.

yes, but you won't have a fill once a month...I think it'll give you peace of mind to use a doctor you're comfortable with.