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A few days post-op....



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Hi all! I decided to join this board after finding it in a Google search while looking for forums specifically for lap banders. ;)

After nearly three years of going back and forth to have WLS done, the day finally arrived last Thursday, March 22, when I had my lap banding surgery done by Dr. Courcoulas in Pittsburgh. I was discharged from the hospital Friday night, and I did a lot better with this than I did when my appendix was taken out 18 months ago.

I'm a little sore around the incisions where the banding was put in (nothing a heating pad or a Tylenol won't handle), but other than that, I feel great. Of course, I can't bend from the waist or carry anything heavy for awhile, but that's only temporary.

"Meals" for the next few days or so will consist of clear liquids; I need 64 oz of liquid daily..but here is the good news--I got taken off FOUR of my meds! Yippeeeeeeeeeeee! The rest I have to crush up or take out of the capsules; totally GROSS tasting!

Next week, I should be going from clear to full liquids, then on to pureed goodies after that. So far, I've dropped 12 pounds already. Heh.

About me in general, I am single with three cuddly cats, reside outside of the Pittsburgh, PA area. I enjoy reading, theater, writing, football, wrestling, travel and music. I am a freelance writer and also work in publicity part time as well.

I also am looking forward to chatting with others who have had the surgery or about to undergo the procedure. I also have a site that outlines my journey here.

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wow you are doing great- i had mine done on thursday too but have no lost that much???:phanvan

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Hi Lori......

Welcome! I reside in the Pittsburgh area as well! Like you, after quite a bit of research and thought, I have finally decided to get Lapband! I attended the info meeting at St. Clair Hospital with the Hope Bariatrics group. I received all of my paperwork last week and the first 2 appts (surgeon & dietician) are set up for April 9. Sounds like you are on your way! I can't wait until I can join you!!! ;):):lol: I look forward to following your success!!!

All the best to you, neighbor!!!!

Judi

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Four days past surgery day, and I continue to feel fantastic. The bandages fell off last night while I was getting ready for bed, and outside of some bruising around the incision sites, they look good. I'm not even sore today at all. And what a nice morning here; already 61 degrees. I'll likely be going for my walk later again.

Got some good news from the doctor's office this morning; I am going on food beginning a week from this coming Thursday (when I see the doctor), since I am tolerating liquids so well. Granted it is only the mushy stuff, but it will only be for two weeks. I had some Protein drink today and some cream of chicken Soup and no problems so far (I had to strain the Soup to get out the chicken chunks, though; hey, the cats liked them LOL).

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hi lori, and everybody else!! :) congrats on your banding!!! i am so excited to find somebody from PA, im located in scranton,pa. still in the process of getting everything together, finally found a surgeon, and found out that i am elligible (sp) if i meet the 'list', which i sure do,lol now, may i pls. ask you a couple of questions? i read soo much about lapbanding... and, to make it short, i am a bit confused at some stuff. anyway, i read about a lady, who had lapband done, and she was complaining about the 'packaging' of the wounds, she had long gaze stuck in her wounds, and was all infected.. and now HERE i read that people more or less have everything just clued? wich of course is a whole lot nicer then 'packaged', what was your experience?

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Hi LORIPA-

So glad to see your thread. :) I'm from Pgh also and have my consultation with Dr. Courcoulas in April. I'm really excited but nervous too. Like you I've had many years of dieting and considering WLS.

So here it goes, I'm really doing something this time! I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. I look forward to reading about your progress.

Does Dr. Courcoulas have a lot of experience with Lap Bands? Sounds like you were very happy with her. So far there's a lot of good feedback.

Hopefully talk to you again soon~

:wave:

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YAY Loripa...Wow! sounds like you are doing great! How exciting...the new you is just ahead! I cant wait to hear the rest of your story.

:P becky

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

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      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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