2girlsMom

I had a haital hernia repair at the same time and the larger band was used to reduce the risk of the band slipping back up thru the hernia.

Banded 1/14/11. Had gas pains and specifically left shoulder pain for about a week. I noticed it would get worse upon drinking too much too fast. Sharp shoulder pain. I also could not burp til a few days ago. Once I began to really burp gas pains subsided. Ahhhh. And the gurgling...I have that too. Very noisy. New normal?

I think standard is 11cc. Maybe someone can confirm that?

I just got banded Jan 14 and had my first post op appt today. He told me in the hospital that he gave me the large band. He repaired a haital hernia and the manufacturer recommends going with the large band in that situation. He said that it does take longer to reach that sweet spot. It could take 6 months or a year. He said the focus right now was to heal and not worry about that. He said he has two patients that he never fills because they've had good weight loss and that's the focus. He showed me a manual-I think it's the doctor version- it had the 2 sizes of bands and the recommended fill amounts. For a large band, you should have 4cc at surgery time and then 2 cc at the first actual fill. He said I probably would not feel any restriction at that point unless I ate a big mac. And that I should not do that anyway. After that it would depend on my weight loss.

I'm 9 days out. Doc said try to make it to 7 days clear liquids but if I only made it to 5 that would be ok. Now starting the second week I can add milk products. I can also have vegetable juice which I tried today and it was way to acidic for me. Every doctor is different and every patient is different. I think it's just going to be a lot of trial and error. Two weeks of clear liquids seems excessive. Adding milk (fat free lactaid and sugar free carnation instant breakfast) to my diet improved my energy levels. My intestines were starting to protest over the clear liquids-I won't go into details. Maybe it was the isopure. BUT I've done fine on cream soups, pudding, cream of wheat. Did not do well with V8, which is on the list for this time period. I'd say for sure stay away from anything acidic or spicy.

...continue sorry... but it's not ok for WLS?" Anyway, doing well. Up and around. Hope everyone is doing well.

Had mine on the 14th so just to update everyone...one week banded. Port area is stll sore. I've heard that can last weeks or even months. I went to work Thursday and I think everything would have been ok except the electricity was out and I had to walk up 5 flights to my office. Then I sweat for an hour in a freezing office. I ended up a liitle dehydrated. I'd been running a low grade temp the prior days so who knows if it was just one thing. Didn't go to work Friday...but my 3 year old was sick so I used that as an excuse. My hubby stayed home and took care of us...ok so this lap band is my BIG SECRET but I've lost 20 or so pounds since I started the pre op Jan 31. My mom kept saying not to be too concerned if no one notices before I lose 40 or 50. BUT I had a couple of people ask me if I was OK or if I was out for medical reasons. I want to let out my secret but I don't want the judgement and gossip that goes along with that. I tested the waters gently during the whole evaluation process by asking questions to co workers like, "I've heard weight loss surgery is very safe these days" when there talking about yet another diet or pill that a friend is talking. It's like it's ok to take drugs to lose weight (been there)

I also got banded on the 14th. Spent the night in the hospital. Came home early afternoon. I have pain in my left shoulder. Doc said that was normal. I have pain in the port area. I had a "pain ball" attached that slowly dripped lidocane in the area but I literally dropped the ball in the bathroom and unplugged myself. Doc said this thing was something new they were doing in the hospital and not a big thing if it came out. My abdomen is generally sore. I'm really trying to keep hydrated. I do have gas pain still. And the oddest thing is that I can't burp. That causes some discomfort too. I can't bend over very well but I can lift my hands and arms above my head no problem. Some have complained about that. Sleeping in a recliner.

I just came home from the hospital today. Surgery was yesterday. I don't know how some of you guys do it to go home the same day! Just took some lortab and phenergan for nausea. I had a hiatal hernia repair also. I think I have 4 or 5 incisions. He said that because of my hernia he used a large band instead of standard and that it would take longer to find that "sweet spot". Congrats to everyone and a healthy happy new year! Good job!

My surgery is also the 14th. I'm required to be on a clear liquid diet for 7 days post op. I supposed to drink 2 bottles of the following: isopure, cytomax protein, or proteinblitz daily. So, I got the isopure. It comes in many flavors and at the suggestion at the dietician, I'd tried a few about a month ago. I don't find much of a difference in taste but they are readily available in my area. My doc has a very specific post op timeline of what I can and cannot have and when. Not too much guesswork in the first month. Week one: clear liquids, week two: full liquids, week three & four: soft foods. My doc is convinced that I will be able to drive and go shopping the next day. We'll see.

I was supposed to get my lap band in November 2010 but I was diagnosed with gallstones. Surgeon said that needed to come out first. He said he would make 4 small incisions - one at my bellybutton. I told him I had a hernia there and asked if that would be a problem. He said no but he would NOT be able to use mesh just stitches but was confident the stitches would hold. So he removed the gallbladder and fixed the hernia at the same time. Being obese I had a large ball of fat that had pushed thru the hole and during the surgery he was unable to push it back -- so he cut it out--my tummy was way flatter after surgery! The only downside is that I was really sore and in pain from the repair for a few days. Hernia repair is a question for your surgeon. And also it will probably add some time to your recovery. I will say that my insurance pays for a 2nd procedure performed the same time at 100% so I ended up paying nothing for the repair. My lap band is now scheduled for Jan 14.

Jan 14 is also my surgery day! I started my pre op dec 31. I am using Bariatric Advantage 2 to 3 times a day and sugar free instant breakfast to make a max of five shakes a day. Those are the only two kinds my doctor allows. I'm allowed sugar free jello and sugar free Popsicles. Also allowed broth but I haven't found a canned one I like. The first few days were rough but I'm felling better. I'm staying out of the kitchen for the most part and my husband is feeding the kids to reduce temptation. I went to a girl scout cookie rally last night -- yes cookies everywhere-- and I did not take one bite!!

My surgery date is January 14. I've been on this pre-op diet since the 31st. It's 5 Bariatric Advantage shakes (nasty!) or 5 Sugar free carnation instant breakfast (not filling). I can also have broth, sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles. I felt like I had the flu the first few days. Now I am just plain hungry for some real food. I went to my first seminar in April 2010. Saw the doc in May. Then I did 6 months of dietician visits and 6 months of exercise calendars. I also had to visit a psychologist. I got approved (5'4 and 268 at the time) and was supposed to have surgery in November. Instead I had gallbladder surgery since stones showed up on my upper GI. THEN a heart issue showed up during surgery so I needed to get cardiac clearance. I did not get clearance until mid December after the cardiologist wanted to do a heart cath. So, here I am. Ready, nervous. My doc says the surgery will be a breeze but that I will probably have to spend the night due to my heart (I have "extra beats"). He said I should be able to eat broth that night and that I will be walking around soon after surgery. Oh, and I've already pre-registered and paid the hospital so no backing out now! If anyone has the same surgery date (or around that date) I'd like to hear from you. I've had the opportunity to do tons of reading and research as my surgery kept getting put off...meanwhile I'm down to 254.

I'm new to the forum too. Surgery Jan 14. Preop diet is making me nauseated so I'm concerned about being sick with the lap band. I also get sick when I go under general anesthesia. Good tips here.

I'm in Corpus Christi and Dr Griffin is my doctor. I'm on day 3 of the preop diet. My surgery is Jan 14. Dr Griffin has a very strict preop and post op compared to what I've seen on these boards. 5 shakes a day of either Bariatric advantage or sugar free carnation instant breakfast. You can also have broth, sugar free jello or sugar free Popsicles. For two weeks! Ugh. The Bariatric Advantage is filling but nasty. The instant breakfast tastes ok but not filling. Can anybody tell me what to expect post op? He says he does put a liitle bit of fluid in the band. What about post op pain? Everyone go home same day? Time off from work?