roziecakes

I started losing weight before I got my band. I got diagnosed with type II diabetes when I was 17. I was at my heaviest after I hurt my back in 2005, and my sugars used to be in the 2 or 300s and I was on glucophage. I've lost 50 pounds since then, and 25 pounds before the surgery, and I no longer take any meds, and my sugars are normal. my HgA1c was normal. My doctor says that I'm essentially no longer diabetic, but I still take my blood sugars and monitor my sugar and carb intake.

I am 3 days post-op, and I went back to work today; but I work a desk job, and I work from home, so I have the luxury of wearing comfortable jammies and being able to get up and walk around or rest when I needed to. I would home that employers do not require people with more physically active jobs to come back right after surgery. My opinion is that even if we feel really great right after surgery, we are still healing.

I guess I'm weird, but exercising is my favorite part. I've always gotten a fairly good amount of exercise, even at my heaviest; I'm just looking forward to being able to do more of it. I'm already daydreaming about running marathons and riding mountain bikes, and becoming a yoga teacher...

I'm three days post op, and my doctor says that I can't have any thick liquids like mashed potatoes until the middle of the second week. I've been eating / drinking things like protein shakes, puree'd soup, sugar free popsicles and thin pudding, plus water of course. That's about it. I've had no pain or regurgitation. I don't think I'd want to try mashed potatoes yet. I would say that if you can't eat it yet, don't! Just go back to the easier things to eat until you are ready.

As it was explained to me, losing weight before surgery accomplishes several things: 1) People who are obese / overweight sometimes have an enlarged liver, which makes surgery more difficult, losing some weight shrinks the liver. 2) The enlarged liver can also be fatty, and hard; and losing weight will soften it up. 3) The doctor can measure your level of commitment, and it helps you start to practice techniques that will help you when you get banded, and it starts you on the road to good eating habits and exercise habits. Hope that helps, and yes, I got a lap band.

what helped me is to write down every single thing I put in my mouth. Even if it's a taste of something. Then you get a really good idea of how much you're eating. And like other posters may tell you; muscle does weigh more than fat, and it's common when someone first starts exercising, etc to gain a little. It's only been a week! Just keep trying! Drink lots and lots of water!!

My doctor had me eat a 1200 calorie diet to lose 20 pounds, and then I was on a full liquid diet for a week before surgery; I hear that 2 weeks is probably the most common. I just got banded 3 days ago, and already I know that I made the right choice, and that I am so proud of myself for taking the steps. Good luck with your upcoming surgery, and I hope that you do well!

I'm a self pay also. I had my surgery scheduled after I lost 20 pounds after the first consult. Then I had one more consult the day before surgery, and then we just walked in, and paid, and that was that. What I had to have pre-op: psych eval. barium swallow blood work EKG Consult with the surgeon Chest X-ray Hope that gives you some idea!

Yep, what everyone's saying is true. When I went in for my band, they read off the 'title' of the procedure, and it was 'placement of lap band, etc etc with possible hiatal hernia repair.' I think it's something they look for just in case. I didn't have one, but I hear that it's fairly common, and they will repair it.

I am sorry that they have treated you this way. I think that 80 pounds is no small potatoes to lose. I would say try to get a different doctor; someone who will actually look at your individual case rather than just assuming that you don't need the surgery because "only" have 80 pounds to lose. We're all different, my goodness. I wish you were out here on the West Coast, I would refer you to my doctor. Best of luck!

Hooray! I'm so glad that you're doing better! That's great to hear I can't wait until I'm on mushies!

1. My surgeon is 8.5 hours away from where I live, and I think that it was very worth the expense. I made sure that the office knew how far I was driving, and they made accomodations for me to come in and do all of the pre-op stuff in a span of three days, and one drive down. I had one more pre-op consult the day before my surgery. I am down here in California for a week, because my doctor wants to see me a week after the band was placed, which will be the 15th. Then I will be driving home. So my advice would be to make sure that your office is aware how far that you have to drive and see if they can make arrangements for you to get everything done quickly, or at least to work with your schedule. 2. I also work a desk job. I work from home, so I'm able to work while I'm here in California. Today is my first day back to work, and I am 3 days post-op. I have been walking A LOT though, I think that's what's helped me have less pain, especially gas pain after surgery. And even before I was back to work today, I was on the computer using forums and answering email yesterday at 2 days postop. Remember though, that we are all different, some people have too much pain, some have none, some take a couple of weeks, it's hard to tell until you actually get the band, and it depends on your age and health before hand. 3. I saw my doctor right after surgery, and then I have an appointment to see him next week. I think that if I were having complications, I could probably call and get in to the office whenever I wanted. Hope that helps!

Congratulations!! Good luck with everything

My doctor let me have coffee right after surgery. I had read all this stuff that said I couldn't have any... but he said it was fine, especially because I have no history of reflux or heartburn. Believe it or not though, I haven't had any since I've gotten home... funny enough. I used to drink two or three cups a day.

To the topic starter? How are you feeling? Any better?

I am surprised that your doctor didn't prescribe you liquid pain meds. Darn! I think that the few times I've taken that liquid Vicodin has really helped me. It especially helped me sleep last night. Maybe you should call them and ask!

Mine didn't show up until after I left the hospital and started walking around; some people don't get them at all (lucky!), and who knows you might be one of the lucky ones. Mine are gone now after three days, and I consider myself fairly lucky.

I did not have this experience, but I am so sorry you had to go through this and I hope all gets well soon.

It's true, walking is the key. I've been walking about a mile a day since I got back from surgery three days ago, and my gas pains are gone. Granted, I was walking a lot before surgery, so I don't expect everyone to do that, but the point is, the more I walk, the more the gas pains go away. You'll get there!

I'm three days post-op, and I have pretty much no pain today. What has worked for me has been to just walk walk walk walk a lot, even though it was painful, it helped the gas move out. I also used a heating pad. As for the rash, do you have tegaderm dressings on your incisions? (The clear plastic). You might be allergic to the adhesive on the dressing, of course I'm not a medical doctor or anything, but that's a guess. My incisions don't burn, but they are a little tender. Hope I was able to help somewhat, I really hope you feel better.

It DID work! I slept so well last night Thank you for the suggestion. You made my day. I am actually back to work today, and it's good to feel rested.

I agree, I think that there would be some sort of medication that you could be given for the heart burn. Sorry to hear that you're still on clears

Congratulations! I was so happy when I got to leave the hospital, although I don't actually go home for another week; I'm at my parent's house. But still, it was so great. Best of luck to you! I'm on day 3 and doing great, I hope you have a positive experience

Ny nutritionist has encouraged legumes as being a really good source of protein for me, I love this recipe! I will definitely try it when I get to the mushy stage. Yumm! I really love Mexican food, so healthier options for Mexican food are a-ok on my list