Hello Everyone! This is my first posting on the site. I have decided to get the lap band procedure. My first consultation is June 19th (yah me!) and I am so excited. Okay, here's my question: What do you wish you had known before the surgery that you know now? I know that's a broad question but I would very much like to hear your thoughts.

Take care!

This is a great question.... I too am PRE-banded and am looking for the following information.

GREAT QUESTION!!!

Deb

Hi,

I had my surgery on 4/14 and I have not had my first fill yet so at this point I can only say do your homework. I bought a book called Lap Band for Life by Dr. Ortiz. It answers a lot of questions and I was prepared for my surgery. What I didn't know was how easy it would be. If I had I would have done it a lot sooner. The band is a tool, you still get hungry in your head and you still need to control your cravings. The band is like a good pair of crutches for someone what has a bum leg. It works if you use it right. My surgery was in Mexico and it was a snap. Walk a lot after the procedure as soon as you can, I think it makes a world of difference. You are going to love your journey.

Good luck.

Sally

I wish I would of known how much the band was going to change my life....forever!! I wish I wouldn't have been so scared to "make the leap" and have it sooner. Wish the first few years of my kids' lives weren't with the "old" Mom but the new one that has energy to do things with them! Are you seeing a theme here?!?!?!

I still need to lose another 40 - 50 pounds but at this point I'm able to eat anything I want....just not as much, and not gain weight. Never in my life have I been able to do that. If I wasn't on a strict diet I would slowly gain weight. Sure I probably need another fill but at this point I'm able to eat meals with the family and not gain weight. So until I'm ready to step it up a notch and start exercising I'm going to enjoy this ride. Good luck and just do your research on before and after care....everyone is different and handles the band differently. Don't go into this with the attitude your going to lose X amount of weight.....go into it with the attitude that your going to get healthier, no matter what the weight/size is that you are, when you get to that healthy spot be happy with it!

Thanks so much Sally. I'm gonna look for that book on Amazon.com and get it.

I really do appreciate your help!

Deb

Thanks so much Sally. I'm gonna look for that book on Amazon.com and get it.

I really do appreciate your help!

Deb

Me too, I'm going to Barnes in Noble tomorrow to get that book.

That's a great reference! Thanks, I'm going to go online and order it:) Moe

Can't agree more with the comment about walking after surgery. I was up walking in the recovery area. Round and round the nurses station. Was day surgery but I couldn't leave till I peed...lol... I was taking in so much fluids, including two and a half I.V. bags. Well all this walking and taking in of liquids, I finally went about 9:00 that night (surgery was at 11:00 am.) Needless to say, I was up several times that night going to the bathroom again. DO, and I can't strees this enough, do get someone to stay at home with you the first 24 hours. To help you get up and down, walk with you, hold the garbage can if you get sick...etc.....

I wish I knew how long it took to get good restriction. It took me over 6 months to get good restriction. I have probably had 15-20 fills and unfills over 2 years.

Thanks for sharing! I will definitely get the book. I've also heard great review of WLS for Dummies on Amazon as well. Ordered that one already:)

I think you hit the nail on the head for what most of us want to know. Thank you for asking the question I didn't know how to ask.

I just bought Eating Well After Weightloss Surgery by Patt Levine and Michele Bontempo-Saray. It was reccomended on Amazon.com and it's fantastic. It's a cookbook written by a woman who got a lapband in 2003. It's full of low-fat, low-calorie, high protien meals for every stage after surgery.

Hello Everyone! This is my first posting on the site. I have decided to get the lap band procedure. My first consultation is June 19th (yah me!) and I am so excited. Okay, here's my question: What do you wish you had known before the surgery that you know now? I know that's a broad question but I would very much like to hear your thoughts.

Take care!

Great question. Here's my list:

1. If you take medications make sure your doctor writes your prescriptions for crushable and/or liquid medications before you are discharged from the hospital.

2. Make sure your insurance is accepted at the hospital pharmacy. My hospital and doctor take my insurance (UHC), but they don't take my prescription plan (weird). My hospital was the only pharmacy around that had the liquid Oxy that I needed, so consequently I never did get any pain meds (which worked out fine, but the day after surgery I wasn't happy with this news). Also my regular pharmacy that does take my R/X card didn't have my medications in liquid form nor did they have the crushable medications that I needed. It was a big cluster. I wish I'd had all this figured out BEFORE surgery.

3. A lot of people bring a lot of stuff to the hospital (if you're having an overnight). I brought myself. Period. My roommate had enough crap to fill a U-Haul truck. Personally, I don't think you need all that stuff. Just more to carry.

4. If you're keeping this a secret be sure and give your husband/boyfriend/partner a good lie to tell others. I didn't think my husbands friends would want to know the exact details of why I was having surgery, but they did and my poor husband was flumoxed. God bless him, he came up with "gall bladder surgery" on the fly. Poor thing.

5. If you can, take time off of work. I had surgery on a Tuesday and returned the following Monday. The week I returned to work, I worked half days. I could have worked full days, but I took it easy on myself and I'm glad I did. Your body will thank you.

6. Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. THE best way to get the gas out.

7. I didn't sleep in a recliner like some people do. I slept in our guest bed (I wanted more room) and slept on my back. Two pillows behind my head and a pillow on either side of me to rest my arms on. I don't know why, but this position took all the pain away and I could sleep! I'm normally a stomach and side sleeper, so not being able to sleep that way was torture at first, until I came up with this arrangement. Worked beautifully.

8. Buy lots of SF Jell-O and pudding in advance and stock the frig.

9. I stocked up on Crystal Light Iced Tea (my favorite).

10. Clean out the frig and cupboards now - get rid of all the junk food. Don't tempt yourself.

11. Stock up on SF fruit popsicles.

I didn't know some of this and some of it I did know, but didn't realize how important it would end up being. Hope it helps!

Thanks Erica! Your list really helps. I also found another list of foods for each stage of the surgery which was a huge help. I have UHC also, so I will definitely find a good pharmacy in advance. I have a feeling I'm going to need my pain meds:) I so didn't think about the fact that I can't sleep on my stomach, duh!! I'll work on that now...

I see some good posting for you. What I did was read a number of books, the two best are:

1) Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies, very easy read.

2) The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery, easy read.

Everything I wanted know I found in these two book plus more.

Good luck it worth it.

My name is Linda. My Lap-band surgery is scheduled for 6-18-08. I just met my hair dresser mom and sister for the first time tonite. They have both had Lap band surgery. They were very encouraging. I am excited.