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Hi Melissa! Thanks for the email earlier today and congratulations on being so close to being banded! I imagine I will feel the same way once I have a date... right now I'm just trying to be patient as I wait:cross-eye WIshing you all the best with your surgery... keep us updated... the people on this site are very supportive and friendly and there is a lot of great info in the posts. Don't worry... be Happy! Gretat... WOW... I guess Monday is a good day afterall! Good luck with your surgery and keep us updated on how you are doing. I am really trying to be prepared for what to expect after the surgery and hearing from those that are newly banded really helps me feel more at ease and more prepared. Take Care... Kathy... Two weeks and it looks like you are doing terrific with your weight-loss already! Congratulations! THanks for sharing your post-op experiences... very helpful to those waiting in line. Darcy

Hello - my name is Brandi and I'm in the process of getting approved for LapBand. It's been several weeks and I'm getting a little anxious about getting approved. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope everything goes okay. I'm glad to be a part of this board - I've been reading posts for several weeks now and am glad that there is a forum like this that we can come to for support. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone!

Hi, Tiff: Thanks for the reply. I am encouraged! I don't mind giving up but total abstinence forever is tough to hear. I think you are right about the scare tactic piece. Since yesterday, I have talked myself out of backing out of my surgery on Tuesday although I am still VERY nervous!! I am looking forward to a couple of weeks from now! By the way, congrats! You look fabulous. 145 lb loss is just amazing!

My diabetes was pretty controlled prior to surgery so I got to leave the hospital without my meds. I had to monitor my sugar 4x a day for about 2 weeks to make sure everything was fine. Now I check my blood sugar every morning and it is never over 75.

Hey newmom, I am not sure that I have heard anyone having surgery that week thus far. But, I am sure if someone is, they will pop in and let you know. Oh, and we will miss you!

@codysmom - Thanks. I plan to live the next part of my life the way I was intended to live! You are two weeks out now...How are you feeling? Doing?

I think you'll be surprised at the the Bariatic Doctor says, they do this surgery all the time. You should be glad for the referral. I remember once I had a very painful knee and my GP recommended everything under the sun ( working out more, working out less, PT,pain medicine) I went to a knee surgeon and had it fixed the next week. They will be able to help you - might take a little work on your part to make the surgery safe- but it's worth it in the long run. Word of advice- Just do what your doctor requires of you. I read on here all the time where the doctor required 2 weeks of a liquid diet to get your liver size down but the person got so excited that they started the diet a month out. That is a lonnng time to be on a liquid diet so they cheat. Well duh, It's not like we are known for our willpower! lol

For the last week I have had really bad back pain on my lower right side. The Dr. Initially thought it might be my kidneys, but all my tests have come back normal. Did anyone else have this? The Dr. said it might just be my body readjusting. I normally have a pretty high pain tolerance, but i'm hurting more now than I did after surgery.

My surgeon actually recommended it for the first 3 weeks post-op.

Hello everyone I'm new to this site I have my first appt with my surgical center on the 12th to get started reading the posts have been helpful and encouraging I'm a bit anxious I really want this but I've had had so many humiliating interactions with drs no matter your issues all they want to discuss is weight haven't been able to be treated for other things because of it it's as if u don't deserve care if your fat or dignity or even a little respect I'm in buffalo ny anyone has any tips or recommendations feel free to reply I'd sure appreciate it how do the drs and staff treat people generally at these places is it an awful experience? When I went to the seminar one of the dr said something I felt was very condescending he stated that if we have this surgery we can "once again be productive members of society" I thought what the ****? We arent productive cuz we are fat? We have jobs lives responsibilitys Hobbies hopes and dreams I'm not telling ppl that I'm even doing this don't want their opinions or comments I told my very best friend for 20 years and she gave me the silent treatment for two weeks and told me after that she doesn't agree with this decision and I'm not to bring it up with her at all she doesn't want to discuss it or hear about it as it "upsets her" I have a feeling when she figures out I've done it she will cut me out of her life it's so very painful I feel all alone I have no support except my husband lots of friends I had over the years have dropped me because of my wieght slowly I was just left out of things invitations stopped coming and invitations extended went unanswered finally one person told me I was disgusting and embarrassing apparently they don't want to be seen out with me or have me sit on their furniture I've gotten this from my sister too it's an awful feeling don't know how to deal so here I am making this decision to try and get healthy my job has even been threatened Ok thanks for listening and good luck to anyone else starting the journey

I started the whole process in Jan 2013. Finished all requirements that insurance and dr wanted so he turned the paper work in on July 3 on July 11 my insurance denied me because of weight gain during the 6 months of pcp diet. On wed July 16 Dr. Eibes of Iowa speciality Hospital called and did a peer to peer with the medical director of Aetna and convinced them that the sleeve is what I needed. Dr eibes said it was a long call and pretty tough but finally they approved my surgery. Got home and got a call from Medical coordinator and dietician and got my date. Went on my 1200 calorie diet on Thursday the 17th and dropped 11 pounds. Had to do liquid diet sat and sun and surgery was on Monday August the 4th. My surgery was done in Belmond, Iowa an amazing hospital with a staff that did everything to make you comfortable. I felt like every person working was part of my team. They encouraged me with every step I took. We live 4 hours away from Belmond so they let us come to the hospital and stay Sunday night. We walked into our room and it was a hospital suite, we had a kitchen with table and chairs. In the main room was a sofa bed and and recliner that turned into a bed and the hospital bed which was extremely comfortable. They showed use where everything was refreshments for my husband, Snacks and food vouchers so he could go done and eat for free in the cafeteria. We slept good and were up and ready by 6 and the nurse came in at 7 and took us down to the surgical unit. Once we were settled I got undressed (everything) and into my gown. Two nurses were in my room prepping me Iv, blood work, questions, anesthesia Dr came in asked questions and told me what he was going to do told me that at times he can give a fat lip ( he did but went away quickly). I asked him to just take care of me and make sure I wake up and he said he would. The or nurse came in and explained more the dr eibes came in and asked if I was ready I said yes gave brad a hug and walked into the surgical room. I said hi to everyone and then told me to lay on the bed they unsnapped my gown I layed down, they put 2 warmed blankets on me and strapped my arms down and they gave me the oxygen and something good cause the next thing I remember was being taken to my room. Surgery was at 9 and I was back in my room at 10:30. The have this hover blow up bed that transfers you from bed to bed got me into bed and vitals and all were taken then I just slept. I had a pain pump so I pressed the button whenever I needed it and just went back to sleep. My mouth was so dry they gave me ice chips to moisten my mouth. They were good but made my stomach seize a little. My new stomach was not crazy about cold. Likes room temp the best. I wanted to go to the bathroom at 12 got up it felt like I had done 100s of sit-ups but was fine. So decided to go for a walk so off we went and we went every hour. First time 4 laps 2nd time 10 then they told me 20 laps was a mile so I started to do a mile every time. I had no GAS PAIN AT ALL! And I give walking the credit. I could have stayed in bed and milked it but I wanted to be up and going. Night was not a sleeping night bp cuff kept going off it was no longer on my arm they kept forgetting to shut the machine off. Then my fluids ran out, then my pain meds ran out, then had to have vitals taken so was a short night. At 8 they came and got me for the leak test. Ok this was the most disgusting tasting stuff! They make you stand up and step up on this platform it was quite a step and drink this yellow stuff as the dr took photos. They lay you down and almost invert you to get all angles. I could have gagged but knew I had to do it so I got thru it. Back to my room and they brought me Isopure, beef broth, Jello, lemonade Needed to drink the isopure and could go home if I did. So I did. Brad took my prescriptions to the pharmacy to get filled lots of them. Pain, nausea, spasm, gallstone, acid, happy pill, and blood thinner I have to give myself two shots a day for two weeks. We took off on our 4 hour drive home. I had taken a pain pill just to take the edge off I held a pillow and slept for two hours stopped so brad could get supper. I just drank my Water. Then homeward. We got home and went thru everything and took a shower and went to bed. Woke up feeling like I could throw up but it passed in less than a min. So on wed brad went back to work and I just focused on drinking. Didn't quite get it all in 40 oz water and 60 gr of Protein. Thurs dr Jon called to check on me and said make your water a priority we will worry about protein later. Did better Thursday got 64 oz of water in and my 60 gr of protein also. Had 5 bites of cream of chicken Soup and 5 bites of applesauce. With a baby spoon. And I was done. Tummy told me enough. Friday has been good have been off all pain meds for 24 hours had been passing gas and had 2 bms. Walked outside and have this great app called waterlogged it rings every 15 minutes so that I drink I have consumed 60 oz so far and it's only 3:30. Will have another Protein shake tonight and more water. Stepped on the scale and in 2 weeks have lost 17.7 pounds. Love my sleeve so far.

I had this really horrible dream that the sutures broke lose around my. I could feel them go "pop pop pop" lol I know that is really silly, or not but can that happen? I'm three weeks out from my surgery and I think my brain is overload thinking of the "what if's" Give a newbie some advice? I am a worry wart right thinking I'll "break" my band or over eat on something because i don't have much restriction and something will happen. I know this all prob must sound familiar to some of you Thanks :thumbup:):thumbdown:

I'm on a 2 week liquid diet as well. IT SUCKS LOL Good luck we'll get through it.

What you a meal... only one meal a day... that’s all you eat? I been doing the liquid diet for a week but this last weekend I fall out of the horse... big time I eat one day 2 small slice of cheese pizza n 2inches of a sandwich this was on Saturday. On Sunday I ate only one time but a regular meal no diet. Should I be worry? My surgery is next Monday 8/8/11... I had been pretty good overall... I all ready lost 16 pounds since my last visit with my Dr. I always think that for some reason the colon should be clean too for surgery and that’s one of the reason to keep you in a liquid diet. I don't know if this has any effect on how good or bad the surgery could go post. Any other recomendations on what to ask before surgery or help with the liquid diet I will apreciate a lot!!!!!

You may not want to stock up on post-op foods just yet. I remember my taste buds being out of whack for a few weeks and things I liked pre-op just didn't taste the same. Pre-op, I bought a case of chicken Soup - 6 months later, I gave it away. I never want to see chicken soup again! :-p You will also be surprised at how little you are going to eat post-op. I had to keep reminding myself of that when I was planning for post-op eating. My 1st 10 days, post-op meals consisted of sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello and Crystal Light. If I were to do it over again, I'd buy a few bottles of my favorite Protein shakes, sugar free jello, and sugar free popsicles and maybe some chicken broth.

Did your doctor give you a diet guideline to follow? Clear Liquids, full liquids, pureed, etc? I had sample menus. Don't "stock up" because you will not be eating much. Protein drinks, broth, creamed Soups, cream of wheat, applesauce, sugar free ice pops, sugar free pudding....that is what I had for the first couple of weeks.

You were very lucky such a short wait. It was 9 months from beginning to end for me but now i am almost 3 weeks out and on my way. Best of luck to you and stay in touch. This is a good site with a lot of useful info.

I think that part of the learning curve. DH is experiencing the same thing and he'll be 4 weeks post op Thursday.he is finding that by remaking/repackaging his food into tiny storage containers is helping with portion control. But the challenge to not over eat what's in the container is still an issue.

I take a multi, B-1 (3x week), B-12, Calcium w/ vit D

My Dr said 2 weeks and now wants me out 6 weeks because of job

The nurse said the same thing 2 weeks; I'm like are you sure? She said the most was 4 weeks;????????? I'm puzzled; my friend had bypass last year; at her 2 week mark she had to have gallbladder surgery; total 6 weeks out of work. I'm kind of worried because we are 10 days full liquids prior to surgery and 16 days after full liquids. ( 5 of those clear only) therefor the gallbladder has nothing to work for and can cause stones. They found 2 small stones at the bottom of my gallbladder ; hoping he takes it at the same time. I will know I guess the morning of : 7 more days. Whoooo hoop!

Ok peeps... I need help here. I just came from a foot doctor because I have been having pain in my feet in the mornings for about 8 months now. I developed a pain in my left heel about three weeks ago that wont go away no matter what I do. I finally gave in and went to the doctor about it. Its plantar fasciitis. DAMN. I am now on prednisone for two weeks and then four more weeks of an anti inflamatory. My surgeon gave his blessing on these meds. I am going to gain weight! Its a steroid! What am I going to do??? Has anyone had to take this medicine post op and what happened? Did you gain, stay the same or loose normally? I am totally freaked out. He did say I can keep doing aerobics though. He also said I got this condition from being overweight, on my feet lot and wearing flipflops or no shoes at home. I cant wear them anymore or go barefeet. I cant win for loosing... I am so upset! Someone please tell me I am not going to gain all my weight back with these damn steroids! If my foot didnt hurt so bad and I could walk right without taking them, I would!

That is so awesome and exciting!! I had a similar situation and reaction when I finally got to have a face to face with my surgeon and then he said okay lets do it next week! I had 24 hours of being in shock but I am now super excited and getting ready to have the Gastric Sleeve surgery on Monday, April 21st. Prayers and advice welcome!!

New here. Been reading these boards for the last few weeks, my first time posting. I am scheduled for surgery at 8:30 am tomorrow morning, 12/27. Getting nervous! Excited for what this means for my life, mostly nervous about having actual surgery and complications. But it’s taken me two years to get to this point and there is no turning back now. Sit have to have faith that everything is going to be fine.

Good luck you will be fine had my surgery last week Monday. No looking back