Hi everyone,

I am going to be banded on June 6th in New Orleans and I find myself in a bit of panic mood!!!! I don't know what to do or how to fix this..

My doctor is William Richardson at Oschner...

Any advice would be appreciated...

If there is anything that you would like to know, feel free to ask!!!

It's natural to be nervous about the pending surgery. However, if you're in a panic, it might be a good idea to speak to a member of the surgeon's team before you go in for the surgery.

Well I guess you should ask yourself what you are so apprehensive about. Are you afraid of the anesthesia, or the surgical procedure itself, or the pain from recovery. While there is some mild discomfort from gas, it is very mild. Also, the surgical site pretty much feels like you did a lot of sit ups. No problem there. Or are you panicking because you are already worried that you are not going to be able to eat as much as or the same things as you do now. Well I was banded just under 5 months ago. I have lost 51 pounds and still eat the same things I ate before.....just less of it. I do work out 5-6 days a week and I do journal everyday so I keep my calories under 1000. I have had 3 fills so I have 7cc in my band. My last fill was just 2 days ago and so far no issues. I have not felt a great deal of restriction so to this point it has been mostly behavioral changes which must be made to succeed. I do not regret for one second this surgery. I still have 50 lbs to go and I know I will get there and stay there. I have never been able to say that before. I have never felt better and I have gone from a size 18/20 to a size 12/14 and am still going down. I wish you luck and hope your experience will be as positive as mine has been. I have not had a pb or thrown up or had anything get stuck.

I started my liquids about 4 weeks ago (just to get myself prepared for them when the MUST have would take place) I lost 30 pounds in about 3 weeks. I was doing liquid for breakfast and liquid for lunch and then eating a reasonable meal for supper.. Now that the liquids are a MUST, I can not do without that supper meal.... My team wanted me to lose 15 pounds before surgery, I am just worried that I can not do this entire liquid thing. I have lost the weight plus that was asked of me, think that will be enough to get the surgery done?????

I am not sure I understand. They wanted you to lose a total of 15 lbs before surgery and you have lost 30 lbs. If you are scheduled on June 6th, why do they have you on liquids now since it is generally only 2 days pre op that is liquids.....and you have already lost more weight than what they had requested?

Hi All,

I have been struggling with my weight for the last 10 years. I decided to make a change this year. I tried for 3 months on my own and lost 8 pounds. I am at 40% BMI. I decided to go for the lap band. I have visited a nutritionist, psychiatrist, and my PCP. I submitted my paperwork and I was approved. The process took about 3 weeks. I will get my band on June 16th.

I must of shouted with joy for hours after I received my phone call. :biggrin2: I have never been so happy. I am ready to change and ready to better my health. My doctor is Dr. Choi at Memorial Regional in Miramar. He is very nice and his staff was great. I absolutely love the hospital it is a lot different then any hospital I have ever been to.

I bought my clear diet food and shakes and took 3 days off from work, JIC. I am nervous, but I have had several surgeries before and I hope this one works out just as well :laugh:

I am here to answer any questions about the process, if anyone has any about the process. I am thinking about the website, does anyone already have one???

Sorry to confuse you!! Let me try to explain, it might be me over reacting.... When I went to one of the appointments, I was told that I would have to do 2 weeks liquids before my surgery date. The results from that would be for me to shrink my liver and lose a certain % of my body weight, which was set at 15 pounds. Well I was not sure if I would be able to do it cold turkey, so I began a liquid diet incorporated with my regular meals about 4 weeks ago. I would do a liquid protein shake for breakfast,then a bottle of protien water for lunch. Then for supper, I would eat a smaller portioned meal for supper. In that 4 week process, I was able to lose about 30 pounds. I have not seen the doctor since 4 weeks ago when they gave me the orders. I see them on June 3, 3 days before my surgery. My worry is that I can not remove the supper (actual meal) from my diet, and was wondering if since I have lost or actually exceeded the amount of weight they wanted me to lose, if it was OK not to do the complete 2 week liquid. For instance, I can stay like I am doing now and just eat a moderate supper, or would that hurt my surgery (like it could be postponed)))) I am trying to listen to orders, but sometimes people that have been through the procedure, can tell you the true out and ins.. So my question was, since I lost the weight, would it be OK to remain on my schedule that I am on now until I see the doctor on the 3rd???? I hope this helps explain my situation and that you are able to give me the best advice as you can????:laugh::confused:

Stay on the liquids. Call the office June 2nd to see what they say. You have already lost the amount they wanted but the liquid is still important. Having food in your stomach the day of surgery can make you sick. that wouldnt be good. Call on monday find out so you know for sure.

Jess - my doctor gave me a diet to follow that allowed a small dinner, I think I only had to do liquids for the 2 days before surgery. I think my diet was only for 14 days.

Where ya from? I'm on the Westbank.

I could only have clear liquids the day before surgery.

Who was your doctor? Mine is William Richardson. He is at Oschner. I live in Larose (down the bayou) in Lafourche Parish..

My doctor was Thomas Lavin with Surgical Specialist. Whyweight website

When I first read where your from, I was getting Larose confused with Laplace. I don't think I've ever been to Larose. My Father's family is in Thibodeaux. Mother is from Pierre Part, family now in Houma.

Oh, by the way, do you know a Tab Bychurch?