Search the Community

I f I had gained any weight during my six month supervised diet I would have been denied immediately. I was not required to lose, just not allowed to gain. I might suggest jumping on the liver cleanse diet right now. It will literally only add a few days to yours and honestly it is not that hard and the pay off to your liver will be great. I know mine was 10 days of liquid only. I lost 17 lbs in those ten days. I was shocked how well I did and how I tolerated the program. You definately want the safest surgery possible. This is just a suggestion, I certainly do not know what your insurance requirements are and they are all different.

Well, today is March 19, 2007. I got up this morning and gave myself an I V anti-biotic. I took three more anti-biotics orally. I will repeat this process every eight hours all day, for at least the rest of this week. On March 8th I went to the hospital to be banded. Everything went well. I remember waking up in recovery thinking, wow, the pain really isn't that bad. I remember going to my room for my overnight stay. I was happy that the worst was over, and that I would finally have control over my out of control weight gain. Sometime later that evening, I was given ice chips to let melt, and that was when I knew something was bad wrong. As the liquid hit my stomach, I felt a searing hot pain spread from my stomach to my left side. The pain continued unabated all night long. I took morphine every time it was allowed and counted the minutes until I could get more relief from what I know was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. Sometime in the middle of the night I spiked a temperature of 102.9. I knew this wasn't normal either. In the morning I was taken for a sip test. (btw, that stuff tastes terrible) A few minutes later I was back in my room still in pain. My doctor came to my room and told me the sip test had revealed a hole in my stomach. Gastric juices and Water had been leaking into my abdomin all night. At 2:30 that afternoon, I went back to surgery. The band was removed, and the hole was repaired. I spent the next three days in TCU with an NG tube keeping my stomach empty. During that three days all I had was ice chips. On the Monday after my surgery I was taken back downstairs for another sip test to insure that the hole had been repaired. After finding no leaks, the NG tube was removed and I was given a clear liquid diet for a couple of days. During all this time I was also in the care of an infectious disease doctor, who cultured the stuff growing in my abdomin It was determined that I had a staf infection. On Thursday, eight days later, I was finally released from the hospital with a pic line.(sp) I have to continue on IV medications at home at least through the end of the week. Before I had surgery, I had done alot of research. I felt that this option was the safest option out there, and it may be. The point I guess that I am making is that nothing is for sure. I don't know where I will go from here. I have a lot of thinking and healing left to do. I know the band has been a blessing for many people, but it very nearly killed me. For those of you about to be banded I wish you luck, and pray for you to be successful. I have dealt with being overweight practically all of my adult life, and understand the desperation people feel over these issues. Just understand that odds of 200:1 are pretty good as long as you are not the "1". Regards, Keith

Hello all, I was banded 10/29/08 and keep bouncing from losing 14 pounds to 11.5 pounds - which really ticks me off! It is close to aunt flo.....so...as to be expected. I have this pair of jean capri's that fit snug this summer...and now they are actually comfy. I put them on today to lounge around the house in and found very quickly that I can't stand to wear them! I haven't put on a pair of jeans since my surgery because I was afraid my port incision would be aggravated by the jean material. So, I have been wearing track suits. So, I put these on today (and remember,they are not tight, but I have this lovely "roll" that I have been blessed with for so many years, and even though it is smaller, it is still there. So, when I sit down, this lovely roll goes over my waistband and feels like the waistband is "under" my port. It was the weirdest feeling and so I took them off and changed to my track suit. It did not hurt but it felt like the port was turning or something. I really don't know how else to explain it. My questions are: Have you experience this? Will it go away? Will I ever be able to wear tight jeans? Will I never be able to FORGET about my port? I also wear Spankies sometimes - for those who are not familiar with them...they are like spandex underwear to hold you in...and I haven't been able to wear them either since the surgery...because weird port feelings. Thanks for listening!

Here I am on Day 10 of the Optifast liquid diet and have been doing well. I try to stay away from the Tv. Seems like all the commercials are for food or anti-depressant pills! last night I was watching TV though and didn't have a problem until the commercial came on for Cesar's canine cuisine. And I started salivating!!! Tuesday (surgery day) can't get here soon enough!!:thumbup::eek:

Need advise on how to proceed getting insurance to approve/pay for replacement lapband. Original lapband wasn't working. Went into surgery to have it repaired or replaced, but lazy surgeon took it out instead of replacing it. I asked him why; said that he didn't have authorization. That was a lie...I talked to the insurance company and he had authorization. It has been 1.5 years since he took it out. It has taken me this long to get up enough trust to go back to talk with another surgeon to get it replaced. Not back to my original weight (10 lbs shy). Insurance says I don't meet criteria. What options do I have to get them to pay for it to be replaced? They were going to pay for it before, but the surgeon screwed up.

I was sleeved 9/13/21 and am about 24hours out. All in all, I have no regrets so far. I was a mess going into surgery, couldn’t stop crying and asking my husband if I was making a mistake, but I’m so relieved I did it. I feel like this is the first day of the rest of my life! A few things that I think might help those of you about to go in… 1. When I woke up, pain was about a 7/10, they gave me some meds and I felt much better. Ladies, if you’ve experienced contractions this is a walk in the park. 2. Deep breaths are uncomfortable (doc tells me this is totally normal). They have me blowing into one of those funny tubes to make me fully inflate my lungs to avoid “gunk” as they called it. 3. Minimal nausea (they give you meds that help) and no vomiting. 4. The pain today is about 4 or 5 out of 10. This is not surgical pain from the sleeve, it’s pain from the air they use to inflate your abdomen while they operate. They tell be it’ll subside in the next day or so. 5. They’re having me take 60ml of water/hr (no more) until I get to 500ml which they think will be around 3PM at which point they’ll discharge me. All I’ve tried is room temperature so far but am having no issues. If you made it this far, I hope this was helpful. I’m so thankful to have everyone here that’s always been willing to support and answer questions I have, my goal is to return the favor. Good luck everyone!!

In at 8:30, surgery at 10:45 (they were backed up), recovery at 12:00, room at 1:00, home the next morning. 23 hours is considered an outpatient procedure. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired, but no extra time and no morphine required. I am woman..hear me cough!!!

Hi All, I am also new to this site, have been reading for a couple of months now. It really helped me understand the scars, and what to expect. I am scheduled for Tuesday 10/16. I was bumped up from 10/23, and said ok. I am nervous also, worried about post-op pain, gas, ect... Any suggestions on a shopping list for post-op liquid diet. Any tips would be appreciated. I am not looking forward to tomarrow, because I am on a clear liqiud diet all day. I hope I can do it without a terrible headache. Any tips on what to eat after surgery??? What protein shakes taste best?? Well any help would be so appreciated and wish me luck.

The doctor's office told me the doctor likes to do the surgeries on tuesdays and thursdays only and i'm scheduled for Dec. 27th!!!! (my choice - because it's two slow weeks for me at work...sales, yup!) but now what that means is that I will be doing all liquid diet for 10 days prior to this date and it will be right through Christmas! That should be quite a challenge since we have our big family gathering on Xmas Eve! I will have to figure out what to be sipping on all night without anyone noticing I'm not eating - anyone have any ideas? maybe jello? that might be a little weird because who eats jello at a party! but do I have a choice? The only ones that will know about the surgery is my husband and closest friend. I am not telling anyone else, not my kids, not my parents or sisters & their family. Maybe later I will probably tell them if I start to lose a lot of weight which is why I'm getting banded. So I'm excited!

Well folks I am sure all will go well for the both of you. Iam scheduled for this Thursday at 10:30. A. M. I am not nervous about the surgery I am nervous about eating afterwards. I am not talking Immidiately afterwards but in a couple of weeks when I actually may feel hungery. I know how my appetite is, As someone stated they could eat a cow, Yep I feel the same way. I just hope that part stops after this is all over. Best of luck Donna

I was off about 10 days and then I worked 6 hour days for the rest of the first month. (got cleared to return at one week check up, but then it was the weekend. that allowed me to go back to work but still manage learning to eat and drink and walk - plus take the occasional nap

Hello all! As a recently sleeved gal (Monday 9/19) I'm still in phase 1 and will be well into next week, but will be returning back to work in my puréed food stage. As someone who has had an aversion to that texture of food since I was a kid, I'm wondering if anyone has any tricks or tips, and how you maybe made it work for being back at work? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@recordsmom 5lbs! if i could lose 5lbs a week (like i used to be able to do) I would be pretty golden. good for you! the shakes you are drinking have 27 g carbs/3g Fiber each, mine have 5g carb/3 fiber and i do not eat any fruit whatsoever, i cannot. the wonderslim cake has 9g carbs, 3 g of fiber, and that (compared to nothing or only low carb things) prevents my FBS from jumping up by 10 points in the morning (it's usually at 120 and it won't go any lower).

I had a "surprise" hiatal hernia repair at the same time as my sleeve surgery. I never had any symptoms, so it was never diagnosed. My recovery was a little rougher. I had shortness of breath, chest pain with inspirations, left shoulder pain and some jaw pain. I felt like I'd swallowed a golf ball and it was lodged in my throat. It was scary because the symptoms mimicked cardiac symptoms. I had no cardiac history, but then again... I had no symptoms of the hiatal hernia to begin with. Well, I spoke to my Doc and he reassured me I wasn't having a heart attack. Everything I was feeling was due to the hernia repair. It took about 10 days before I started feeling better. My Dr. said hiatal hernias were not unusual and he does several repairs at the same time as the sleeve surgery every week. I'm feeling a whole lot better, in fact, I'm going back to work on Monday.

Well everyone....I am in the land of the living...I was banded yesterday. It was so funny as I was watching Big Medicine the night before my surgery and saw a lady that was doing the lap band surgery...I love that show. Listen anyone who has not done this surgery...It is probably the best thing that could have every happened to me. For many years I suffered from an eating disorder and it got out of control. For anyone out there that may feel that binging and purging can make you loose weight (trust me there are people out there that feel that way). You will not you were looking at at a previous bulimic that gained 50 lbs! It's better you do what you have to do and get this band. I know this journey won't be easy but now I am in control of ME and that is the most important thing. Here is the low down: 1. I waited until 1:20 p.m. a lady met with me and brough me to OR I was put in a waiting room. 2. The nurse told me to put on a robe that could finally fit me. You know the hopital gown that you have to put two on or you will be ass out..yeah...that can't happen there! lol. I also got a took to put on.The nurse came in asked a few questions. She weighed me and to my suprise I lost 15 lbs.:whoo: 3. The anestigolist (mind my spelling) met with me to explain what he would be going and asked what meds I am on and if I am allergic to anything. 4. Then I met with Dr. Cobourn for a while. He answered all my questions. He told me he loved my touqe and not to start without him.lol. I told him I would try not too! 5. I was then taken to OR they strapped me up to the machines and sent me to lala land. 6. I woke up. The post op nurse Francine was amazing. She came me all sorts of cool drugs lol. I got some demerol and codine. 7. Dr. Cobourn met with me breifly and told me that I had a bit of a hernia and he fixed it! HA...I went to Peel for the same problem and they turned me away saying nothing was wrong. 8. I had a lot of gas pain in the shoulders which I think was the worst. 9. Got home and put a hot Water bottle on the shoulders took gas X and went beddie bye. 10. One thing that helps with the gas I found was a nice message. My hubbie gave me a message it helped move around the gas. 11. I slept on the couch for the evening as my couch has a lot of pillow which was very comfortable. 12. Woke up this morning to some gas but now soreness in the tummy. I guess the stiching is making me sore. The gas is starting to come out (gross) and is litterly a byatch to come out lol. All in all ... everything went well. I am very happy and that each and everyone of your for your support along the way. If it wasn't for you all I would be in the dark as to what to expect. At least by reading your experiences I now know what to expect. You all are amazing! Thanks again for all your support.

I'm SO excited! Got my surgery date ~ May 24, 2010!!! I'm a Medicare patient with Ft. Worth LAP-BAND® (everyone there is great!) and this 6 month pre-op has seemed like forever. WOW!!! I can't wait!!! It's a good thing my husband & I are taking a trip for 10 days so I'll have something else to think about (if I can). jlblove :thumbup:

Dr Garber was recomended to me by my cardiologist, who i also work for. I gotta say that to date the experience has been smooth. Yes they do require a lot of testing before submitting to insurance, but I can appreciate that. I think that the fact that they test for everything under the sun along with one's commitment to meeting the criteria makes it a win win situation. I am scheduled for surgery on 10/1. I feel confident that all will go well. I actually started to meet with another Dr closer to where I live ( I live in the BX) just to see what else was out there , but I decided that Dr Garber was a good choice. Check back with me after 10/1 and I'll share more of my experience with Dr Garber.

Hi Cindylou, I have a 10 cc band...don't know what that means....the defill was not as band...feel a little relief but nothing major...I guess time will tell. What was your recovery like?

broth, sf popsicles, sf jello, water.. also as far as I know ibuprofen is no longer to be taken after surgery or 10 days before- they have liquid form adult strenght tylenol at the drug store- also a heating pad is nice after for the port pain and the gas

Welcome Mom! You'll do great, I'm sure! It took me a little time to adjust to the preop diet, just continued to remind my self how important it was. My surgeon told my husband that my liver was small and looked great! I am now 10 days out, no complications and doing very well. The veterans here were/are correct with the advice of, "sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk". My current diet stage is full liquids and I find I feel better if I take a little walk, just after eating. Best wishes to you! I hope that you have an uneventful surgery, tolerable discomfort and a speedy recovery. Check back in and let us know how you are. ~Jane

Hi Paul, Thank you so much for sharing. I am a newbie and am just starting my journey. I am scheduled to go to my first consultation on sept 10 and it really helped to read your story. I hope others will take your lead tell their story on this blog. Alfie;)

For me it was about 10 days, I had to go back to university 5 days after surgery, which was so hard, but I had to. Now I'm 18 days out and I feel fantastic! My clothes fit better, seats are easier to fit in and everyone is noticing, and moving is waay easier! I only turned 20 recently, maybe this is cuz of my age =/ but I feel muchhh better, and my energy is up, so yeah, hope that helped =/

I had my surgery done at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr Bipan Chand. He was fantastic and the program was pretty good too. The nursing staff/hospital stay was a little iffy but still okay. I felt great after the surgery and returned (by my request) to work only 2 weeks later. I am now 10 weeks post op (55 lbs lighter) and feel fantastic! Most of my generic testiing that is required (ie blood test, nutrition, etc..) I was allowed to complete at my local family doctor (I live about 2 hours from Cleveland). Someone listed Dr. Meyer as a recommended surgeon... as I'm sure all surgeon and hospitals have their own horror stories, I work with a lady who had her gastric bypass done by Dr. Meyer and was on her death bed for a long time. The surgery was botched and she continues to have issue years later. Her body is now the body of an annorexic (spelling?). I'm not sure of the complete details of what actually happened but she is still not "out of the woods". Use your judgment on that but I thought I'd let you know my knowledge of that particular surgeon. Again, Dr. Chand was wonderful! I had no problems with any part of the surgery and highly recommend him. Good luck in your decision. It was well worth it for me!

Congratulations! You look 10 years younger already. Wishing you continued success.

Did you have a hiatal hernia repair? I did and what you describe sounds like what I was feeling for about the first 10 days post. As suggested, call your Dr.