TinaM

I HIGHLY recommend you stay 1 night if you get the opportunity. You have 1 - n24 hour period to have people paid to watch over you and give you pain medicine! The spouse, kids, dog and everyone else can manage. I think some people insist on being outpatient because in their minds it makes it an 'easier' surgery. My doc gave me the choice and despite a great support system at my house I am so thankful for the hospital stay. I did not have the headaches others have complained about and my gas pain was too a minimum. Every time I had a question I just rang the nurse button and asked it, I didn't have to wonder laying at home if this was right or that was right. My surgery was scheduled at 10:30AM got to my private room at 2pm. I asked for a private room upon check in so I wouldn't have to smell other people's food and stuff - it wasn't a problem. I had an IV to keep me hydrated, pain meds every 8 hours and a blood thinner every 6. Plus I had these nice boots on my legs and feet that were awesome massagers. Altogether greatly reducing my chances for complications. I got up on my own every couple of hours to walk the hall (no the nurses didn't get me up). The doc came in at 6AM and I was in the car headed home by 8AM.

welcome- ck out the threads for us banded in December- by year - click on 2009 and then December under community (across the top) social groups December 2009 We are the December Delights 2009-

the port shouldn't move - call your doctor

When I had that feeling it helped to lean back or arc my back over a chair.

Well the time of surgery is up to your surgeon - I have seen them from 6 AM to as late as 4pm. If you have a time restriction you need to check with your surgeon. I was on a 10lb restriction for 2 weeks and then 20lb for weeks 3 and 4.

good for you

My surgeon gave me 3 weeks but at my 2 week appt I asked to go back and he approved it. Seeing that many people go back to work 4 or 5 days after this surgery it may be difficult to get 6 weks w/o other circumstances.

I also checked with the state medical board to see if he had been sued for any malpractice or had any dings whatsoever in his file. (as well as the anesthesiologist) On the band itself I found articles in the American Journal for Medicine and read those. I also viewed the surgery itself on youtube and watched a couple of videos of people showing their before during and after process. I also looked for studies done independently of a band maker and reviewed the stats. Sorry I didn't keep all of that stuff or book mark it but 95% of it I found thru various google searches.

Congrats Ice_Prince!

what a great hubby you are! Everyone has given you great advice. I want to add a do not do- So I kept the surgery private - a total of 8 people know all but 3 live out of state. So my parents come in town to help me after the surgery which I LOVED them for doing it. 3 days post surgery I'm drinking a delicious cup of broth for the umpteenth time and my dad says "so when do you figure you'll need the other surgery". I looked at him and said what surgery is that dad? He said "to remove the xcess skin and put things back together, I figure you are going to lose what 180lbs with this right" I know he meant well, I have not given them any indication on what my goal is other than being healthier. Knowing now that someone in the 'inner circle' is keeping count if you will just makes me so darn nervous! I wish he would just kept that comment in.

I would say 3 - 4 weeks. I was banded Dec 15th went back to work the 29th for just 4 hours and was exhausted same with today. I teach classes from time to time and there is no way I could teach a 90 min class.

Mellie- In addition to contacting the insurance commissioner in your state, I would contact a health advocate. There are several out there just do a web search. We use this agency thru my employer - I'm sure they can give you some advice or direct you appropriately(Health Advocate 1-866-8622, answers@healthadvocate.com) Also, if your employer offers EAP services (Employee Assistance Program) there should be something there to help you advocate as well, just call the EAP number and explain the situation. Tina

AMEN!!! I was banded on December 15, 2009. A journey that started 18 months ago with me interviewing people, researching medical journal articles and many consultations with doctors. When I finally decided on MY doctor there was a 7 month process. Part of that process was several mandated Shared Medical Appointments that included people both pre and post op patients AND the patients are a mixture of banded/bypass. Those 90 minute sessions are the most valuable thing I could have done pre operatively(and still post -op). Real people talking with the physican with a nutrtionist and therapist in the room. There were about 15 - 20 patients total and everyone got a turn to speak and be heard. It gave me a real life look at situations I would encounter and how they will need to be handled differently in the future. I learned early on that many people considering the band did NOT have realistic expectations about the post op part. Thankfully my medical team does turn those away that aren't ready. I am thankful for the reserach I did on my own and the extended reserach provided by my 'bandteam'. I enjoy coming on LBT to chat with others but like most you I get very frustrated when someone isn't realistic. It is only a tool folks, that's it, if you don't have the ability to make changes in your life this will not do it for you.

Congrats on your weightloss! To answer your questions: #1: Im craving salt like no tomarrow, is this normal? To me EVERYTHING was too salty so I think its personal #2 Since it is December its very cold out and i noticed that when i go out side for walks i feel my little stomach cramping up, did you guys get that feeling too? I agree with the comment about gas and newnes after surgery - had similiar feelings #3 How easy is it to stretch out your little LAP-BAND® stomach? This shuld really be a questions for you medical team #4 Is drinking almond milk okay? For me almond and soy milk are on the approved liquid list but you really need to talk with your team or nutrionist. #5 When i went in for the surgery i was still getting over a cold, do you think me coughing would mess up the staples/stitches arround the band? No you are goo just coughing - you may want to hold a pillow over your tummy to lessen the jolting

LOVE your list

Darlean and others- Try pedialyte or the off brand version of it - yes I know its for children but the point is to keep you hydrated. I purchased a couple different flavors - apple and orange I think and drank one a day for days 3 - 7 post surgery. Also, just a note of caution on day 6 I had a bruise show up on my left calf, called the advice nurse for my PCP, she made an appt for me to come in just 20 mins from the phone call. Doc measured my calves the left was 2 cm bigger than the right so I was sent for an untrasound STAT - I was freaked out but happy they were moving so fast. In the end I didn't have a clot but please take your legs very seriously.

So I saw some other groups that had a spreadsheet going as much as 2 years after surgery to keep in touch and up with everyone's progress. The link below will take you to the spreadsheet - please fill free to add your handle and what stats you wish to share. No sign in required http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...KVzhDa0E&hl=en Good luck everyone! I'm walking about 90 minutes a day. I got the okay to get back on the treadmill last week. If you are hungry, up that protein - Isopure Clear as nasty as the aftertaste is, it fills you up for a long time. Lastly, document what goes in the mouth - EVERYTHING and if you are having problems call the nutritionist and make an appt to clear things up quickly. Cheers to 2010!:thumbup:

Excited- I have only seen posts regarding dietn and being able to stand in line. I'm 12 days post op right now and I would say DO NOT GO. Aside from the stress on your body from surgery and change in diet, you are compounding the stress by keeping a secret. Also, if you plan on riding a number of rides - no dice you can't be jerked around your body is healing! Not even the tilt a whril! Would you really want to have wasted all the work you have done to this point?(not to mention money) Is it worth popping your port? Having complications and need additional surgery? Couldn't you just plan to go spring break instead? You'd be on regular food and healed by then. Sorry to be Debbie Downer here but I can't imagine doing anything that would possibly stand in the way of my success after 7 months of waiting to get banded.

You may want to check the support group for low BMI bandsters.

the seminar should cover everything, if you are just dying to have a question ask them wil they handle the insurance approval process you can also ask if you get to choose between the realize or lap band system

As you take this journery each of you will be required to have a psych consult. I would highly recommend that the two of you have at least a couple of sessions together as well as individually. It will help prepare you as individuals and as a couple for this change.

stay home - you don't need anything else to worry about while adjusting post op

Hi Ashley, I was banded on the 15th and have lost 7 pounds since surgery. However when I can home from the hospital I was up 4 pounds so I'm actualy down 11. I asked my doc and he said I was right on track and it would take a little time. He kept me on a liquid diet until day 10 post op. He explained once I was on 'real food' the weight would come off faster. Tina

Kim- My doc said as soon as I felt like having sex I could just no acrobatics in the bedroom.

from the web The adult human gallbladder stores about 50 millilitres (1.8 imp fl oz; 1.7 US fl oz) of bile, which is released when food containing fat enters the digestive tract, stimulating the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK). The bile, produced in the liver, emulsifies fats in partly digested food. After being stored in the gallbladder, the bile becomes more concentrated than when it left the liver, increasing its potency and intensifying its effect on fats. Most digestion occurs in the duodenum. So when I was on many of my diet attempts pre-band I tried HMR a full liquid diet and lost weight super fast - so fast my gallbladder couldn't process the bile with all the fat in it fast enough. The liver stores ALOT of fat according to my MD. I ended up getting a gallbladder ultrasound and had some additional issues on top of the gb not processing bile correctly.