gbakerc

I was banded on the 23rd as well. I was getting pretty full on very little food. That is changing now. As the swelling goes down so does the feeling of restriction. Probably ok for me though. I was barely able to get in 400 calories per day until today. I am going to try to keep it at around 900 until I get a fill. My first fill will be done under flouroscopy. My Dr seems to have pretty good luck with getting some restriction with 2 fills. Greg

Welcome. According to the BMI charts you have a BMI of about 42 which is quite helpful with the Insurance process. Anything over 40 tends to make it much easier than under 40. I just had the surgery last Wednesday and contemplated it for about 6 months. The only thing tough so far is getting my head around the fact that I can eat 4 oz of food and be fine for 3 hours.

That sounds like a really bad thing to eat. If you are not feeling pain then you are probably ok. Starburst is a bit like gum I would think. If it plugs the hole and sticks throwing up may not get it out and you would need surgery. Try to avoid things that are sticky. Like I say if you are not feeling pain they probably slid into the lower section without a problem I would just avoid doing it again

Everyone is going to have an opinion. I was going to keep it relatively quiet until I realized my 11 year old is the town crier. I really don't care what they think. My Blood Pressure at my initial consult was 165 over 123. yesterday it was 128 over 77 and that is off medication. That is what is important. Your health. Greg

even with the swelling you still have an opening from the pouch to the lower stomach. Thin liquids will not stay in the pouch for more than a few seconds before draining. I would just drink fairly slowly. This is normal.

I cut back to 1200 calories the week before my pre-op diet then 2 weeks of liquids followed by another week of liquids which ends tomorrow. Mushies here I come. This has been the worst week so far as I feel as though I am about to turn into a Protein shake. On the bright side I have lost 23 pounds since the 9th of September so I am almost 25% on the way to my goal. Prior to the start of 1200 calories I ate anything I wanted. Greg Greg

Could you explain the 5 day pouch test please. Thanks, Greg

I know you are not to drink while eating and I understand the reasons why. Is this something you get used too? I am eating some blended cottage cheese and due to the consistency it will barely go down. does anyone rinse as they are eating. This is a really tough thing. This is like eating glue. Greg

I started Pre-op on September 9th. I have lost 23Lbs. Since. I got the band one week ago today. so a little more than a pound a day so far.

had it last Wednesday. Walked 2 1/2 miles after surgery. Very little pain. I have had numerous surgeries in the past. This was a piece of cake. Just make sure you walk afterwards. It takes care of the gas.

It shouldn't be the hospitals call. If your insurance will only pay outpatient then they should accomodate. They do it for self pays because ins won't pay the stay. I would make the argument that it is in a way like self pay. Greg

What I have found about doctors is that there is no consensus whatsover. Some are 2 weeks some 3 some longer and some not at all. It is a bit frustrating. What I have found that is typical is about 2 weeks. 2 or more Protein shakes and one lean protein source, and some vegtables. The first 3 days were tough and then it became easier. I was able to lose 16 pounds on my pre-op diet. Best of luck. My diet averaged about 720 calories per day, Greg

If I am not mistaken they put Carbon Dioxide in you. For some reason I did not bloat or have much gas pain. I have not had gas pain since the 1st day. (23rd) I did however have wicked heartburn on Saturday. I took a prilosec and a buch of Mylanta and it seemed to take care of it. Greg

When do you get to move to solid foods? I was banded on the 23rd and I get to start mushies on Thursday then 2 weeks on them and I move to Solid foods. I did 2 weeks prior and as of this morning I am down 20 lbs. I am finding it pretty tough right now but I try to focus on the next stage. To me Mushies open up alot more choices. chicken salad, tuna salad. Refried Beans. All kinds of stuff. Or at least all kinds of stuff relative to what I am eating now. Good luck and hang in there, Greg

I had surgery wednesday as well. I have 0 appetite. liquids go down fine but I can barely get down 500 calories. The gas pains come and go. The problem is trying to burp hurts a good bit. I am guessing because of the swelling. Also, I have wicked heartburn which I am trying to get control of with antacids. Probably doesen't help that all of the acid is churning with no food to break down. I think I am at the what the hell did I just do stage and I know I will get past it. I am walking alot but like I said burping hurts. Just a soreness. I am sure nothing is wrong but I am looking forward to getting at least a bit of an appetite back. Based on everything I read it will come back with a vengance in a few weeks.

I have tried 7 different shakes. To me far and away the best has been slim fast high Protein chocolate. Very rich, no aftertaste + it is about $10 for 14 servings.. It has 15 grams of protein when mixed with skim milk. Greg

congratulations. Usually a bmi of 40 will get it done. Some require 6 months some not. Mine was very quick. The surgery was a piece of cake. Greg

I had the 5 port and there is no pain other than my port area is a bit sore. I have heard about SILS but know vey little about it. I started walking shorly afterwards. Your throat will probably be sore. I was sucking down quite a few sugarless popcicles. You will probably have a sore throat and very very dry mouth. They then gave me ice chips and Water an hour later. Also you typically need to peeing within 10 hours it is tough because everything is swollem. I got within an hour of having to get a cathater and that is all I needed to hear and I couldn't stop. Good luck

2 Flinstones per day. I believe the 6 month supply I bout at BJ's cost me about $8.99. They have what you need. Also I take a viactive caramel calcium Chew. They are cheap as well. Greg

I felt awful for about 3 days. Day 4 I started to feel better and by the end of 2 weeks I lost 16 pounds. I did have 1/2 of a red robin burger and fries. A girl at work brought in 2 dozen fresh Krispy Cream Doughnuts 3 out of the last 4 days and I am proud to say I din't touch them. Just try to make it through the first 4 days. Good luck

I had my surgery and could not hae gone better. I remember going into the ER getting strapped down. and then I was out. Woke up about an hour later in recovery and was to my room. Within about 1 hour I was walking. Before the end of the evening I had walked close to 3 miles. Before i walked I had gas pains that were uncomfortable. Wehn I walked I felt better. By the end of the evening they were gone. I am more sore today than I was yesterday. The key is to walk,walk and walk some more. Trust me, it makes the gas dissipate faster. I had Clear liquids yesterday and I am on Full liquids for 1 week , mushies for 2 more then regular food. The only complication from the surgery is my sight for things that are close up. Everything is very blurry. My doc and nurse couldn't figure it out. I apoke to the anethstiest and she said the trans-dermal patch behind my ear and that is a side efffect. The patch will be off on saturday and it should resolve within 12 hours. For any of those scared to go through it then I would say go for it. It was easier than I every thought . Again the key is to walk as much as you can. When you are done. Rest 10 minutes and walk some more. Greg

Surgery on Wednesday. Daughter is sick ear infection, son is getting sick and I feel like I am heading down that road. I really don't want to postpone this. I have done 2 weeks of liquids and really don't want to do 2 more prior to surgery + he is typically booked out about 3 months out and if I don't get it done within the next month I have to start all over. Anyone out there have surgery with a cold? Hopefully I can hold out 2 more days. Greg

Luckily I have ins that will cover it but they told me that alot of the surgical financing options have dried up as of late. Care credit was a big finance company that covered these but I have heard that they rarely will lend out that much anymore. I don't know that for sure.

If your main concern of dying is the surgery itself then I think you should speak to your surgeon at length. The odds of dying very very low. Well under 1% I believe. As with anything there is risk. The risk of dying prematurely from heart disease or Diabetes I believe are well over 50 %. I am playing the odds and having the surgery. The fact that it is only about 40 minutes makes the risks of complications lower than with a longer procedure. Your biggest risk is anethsesia and once again it is a very small risk. Greg

Is Bandster Hell any worse than Pre-op diet. I have been essentially on liquids for 10 days. The first 3 days were awful but after that it was ok. I can't see how it could be worse than that.