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Hello! Banded on 12/7/2007!!

Jais

By Jais, in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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Jais    0

Jais
Posted

My weight at surgery was 346 pounds and BMI of 46.9.

I live in Houston, Texas and my lapband doctor is Dr. Spivak (food. Working out has not been a problem, it has always been food intake. I did a ton of back and forth on this procedure ... sometimes I felt that I was actually "copping out," if I had the surgery done. Then came the conversation with my sister, she's a surgeon, and said that this is not a magic band ... and I will still have to work my tail off ... she was right ... I agreed with it, and tadaaaa ... I am banded :P

I have been feeling really sore today. This morning I took the liquid hrdrocodone around 7, then I decided I was not going to take it anymore. I was back on it at 4:00 p.m. ... lol.

The more I let gas out the better I feel. I went out to target today, so I could get some walking in, and I think it helped. Now I am just chilling.

Sorry for the long post, but I just had a ton to say, haha :P

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mrsgriffin2u    1

mrsgriffin2u
Posted

Thanks for the heads up. I have my seminar Monday and then an consult with my surgeon immediately afterward. So... you're sore right now... on a scale from 1-10 what's the pain like?? This is my biggest fear because I am a "hospital virgin." Never had surgery...

Good luck with your new band! I wish you all the best... :clap2:

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Jais    0

Jais
Posted

Thanks for the heads up. I have my seminar Monday and then an consult with my surgeon immediately afterward. So... you're sore right now... on a scale from 1-10 what's the pain like?? This is my biggest fear because I am a "hospital virgin." Never had surgery...

Good luck with your new band! I wish you all the best... :clap2:

The pain is between a 5 and a 6.

I was a hospital newbie as well ... don't worry too much about it, it's not so bad! I think the worst part was wearing that stupid gown, I hated that thing!

Best of luck with your surgery!

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TXbandit    4

TXbandit
Posted

Jais, your surgeon sister would tell you to take your pain meds! I took them as prescribed for 2 days, then tried to not take them, began hurting badly and ended up taking them for another 24 hours because I let the pain sneak back up...haven't had any since Sat morning at 5. I'm a nurse and know better - patients should always take their meds and not let the pain get out of control. Oh, well.....

It gets better everyday post-op, and I think it is wonderful that you got this band at your young age. My doc said it is like a guard standing over you. You still have to make the right decisions, but there is that band and it could make your life miserable if you overeat. Hope you get to feeling better soon!

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Deena716    0

Deena716
Posted

Hi everyone!

I had my surgery on 12/6. This is day 3 and I feel a lot better. I went to the support groups and I either blocked it out or no one ever really talked about the pain you feel on days 1-3. So I will share my experience in order to better prepare you.

The gas pain is the thing they don't tell you about. They fill you up w/gas during the surgery and it is suppose to absorb into your body. It made me feel bloated, like I couldn't eat. I think I'm more afraid of throwing up, so I would only eat a spoonful of food for the first 2 days out of fear that I was overeating. The gas pain lead to soreness. The soreness feels like I was in a really bad car accident. I woke up day 2 stiff as a board. It was so weird because I felt so wonderful immediately after the surgery. And then I realized the magical powers of that morphine drip!

So by the end of day 2, I called my doctor because I didn't want to get dehydrated. He explained that the bloating is making me feel full, but that is was real important to continue to drink at least 6 oz of Water an hour for the next four hours. I think I got down half that, but I started feeling better. I walked too and that does help the gas problem.

Day 3 and the pain has subsided tremendously and I feel I am now on the same road as everyone in my support group.

I hope this helps!

Deena

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Jais    0

Jais
Posted

Hi! I'm looking at getting banded too. I'm looking at Dr. Frank Felts with Lap Band Solutions. Have you heard anything good or bad about him?

Hey there! I did actually research Dr. Felts and some other doctors. Two factors made me go to Dr. Spivak's seminar first (If I didn't feel comfortable with him, I would have chosen another surgeon) ... first, he is the most experienced surgeon in Lap-Band in Texas, and his success rate is stellar. Second, my older sister is a surgeon, and she looked at his track record, and she advised me to see Dr. Spivak first, and if I didn't feel comfortable, see another doctor.

So, this is how I chose. If I were you, just do some research, then find the surgeon who you think you will feel most confident with, and the go to that surgeon's seminar.

I have to say this, I have absolutely no complaints about Dr. Spivak; himself, his nurses and his support staff have been absolutely amazing -- and he is honest about everything.

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Jais    0

Jais
Posted

Hi everyone!

I had my surgery on 12/6. This is day 3 and I feel a lot better. I went to the support groups and I either blocked it out or no one ever really talked about the pain you feel on days 1-3. So I will share my experience in order to better prepare you....

Hi Deena! Thanks for your supportive words. I have to say that the pain has lessened significantly today. I am actually laying on my side!!!! And typing this message. Cool stuff :)

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shoegirl1970    0

shoegirl1970
Posted

Thanks Jais. Thanks to you and to all the others for the heads up about the pain. I have found in my case that if I'm expecting the pain it doesn't hurt as much as if it it gets me by surprise. I've had 2 c sections.

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vballmom    0

vballmom
Posted

Hi

I am in Houston also and I will be banded on Dec 31st and I will

use UT Physcian Dr. Terry K. Scarborough. I have two friends who used him and he is very experienced in lap band. He also teaches at Baylor and his credentials are great. I have every confidence in his ability. Good luck and best wishes.

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Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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    • LeighaTR

      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!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      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

        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

        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

      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

        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!

    • Alisa_S

      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. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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