roziecakes

Thank you for this post. I have a friend who got bariatric surgery (a stomach stapling) when it was still experimental, and he has maintained a 200 pound weightloss for many years, and is now a fire lieutenant. His greatest advice to me was "This is not a miracle, it's a tool; and if you do what you're supposed to do and work hard, then you'll lose weight. Listen to what your surgeon tells you to do." I really agree with what you said. I also read the post from the person who mentioned that some doctors have poor post-op instructions, etc. I can definitely understand that, and I certainly don't blame someone because they trust a doctor and do what that doctor says to do... But I do have to say that didn't they look into the records of those doctors? Research? Ask the doctors questions? Did they not compare doctors? I shopped around for doctors for over 2 years before going with my doctor, and I researched as much as I possibly could about what to expect with that surgery. I guess to me, that seems like it's part of the weight loss work too. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to be harsh, and I know that there is an expectation that we should trust our doctors; but knowledge is power. I guess I've always been the type to try to learn as much as I possibly can before jumping in with both feet. I am sure that everyone who gets banded knows what a huge and life changing decision this was; and I know in my case, I wanted to be sure that I got it done right by someone who knows their stuff. To the original poster, thank you again for your realistic attitude. It is encouraging.

Congrats! This is very encouraging to read

I found that I was actually feeling hungry about six hours after I got home from getting surgery. I was really shocked, and I didn't expect it! Glad to know I'm not the only one.

For me the gas pain is really the worst part of all of this so far (of course I was only banded yesterday). I walked about a half mile yesterday and so far a quarter mile this morning. I've given myself a goal of getting up every 2 hours and walking outside in the fresh air. I've been doing some shoulder stretches, which really do help, plus I'm drinking a lot of water, even though it's a little uncomfortable. I think it's preventing pain in the long run. Hope you feel better soon!

You are so smart! I'm going to sleep in the recliner tonight and see if I do better than last night.

Thank you so much! I am feeling good today, but honestly, I did NOT sleep well. Lying down was pretty uncomfortable, and I'm generally a side sleeper, which I really wasn't able to do. So I was up and down all night, plus (and sorry for the TMI) I was peeing and peeing and peeing pretty much all night long. I think I got about 3 hours of sleep in, and by 6AM when my mom got up, I gave up. However, I was able to have a full liquid Breakfast, and take a walk with my mom. Almost all my pain is gone today except for some mild shoulder and neck pain. I just feel a little swollen and slightly uncomfortable. I've been sipping Water. I'm truly relieved that I have not had one bit of nausea; and I think I owe it to the Emend pill. I've been enjoying reading other people's surgery stories; it's interesting how many different experiences there are.

Hi everyone! I'm so thrilled to be writing in this thread. Anyhoo, I was banded today; June 8th, 2011 by Dr. Ziad Hanna at Ukiah Valley Medical Center in Ukiah, CA. Yes, I drove all the way from Junction City, Oregon to have surgery in Ukiah. (About an 8 hour drive). The reason I did so, was because well, I'm from Ukiah originally, and my stepfather Michael is a nurse at the hospital. He recommended Dr. Hanna to me because he works with Dr. Hanna and knows that he has an excellent reputation for laparoscopic surgery in general, and especially bariatric surgery. Dr. Hanna and his staff are WONDERFUL, and I recommend them highly. A really cool thing is that one of Dr. Hanna's nurses was a bariatric surgery patient herself, so she is very knowledgeable and empathetic. So this morning, my mom drove me to the hospital. I took my first dose of Emend, which is an anti-nausea medication which was highly recommended by Dr. Hanna's nurse. It is supposed to help me all day today, and then I take another tomorrow. I thought for some reason that my surgery was going to be at 10:30, but I was actually scheduled for 8:30; the first patient of the day! I got there at 7AM. A very friendly nurse named Tonya helped me for Pre-op. I got weighed, she took my vitals, everything was great. My blood pressure has gone down significantly since starting the pre-op diet / exercise, I was pleased. She also gave me some nice warm blankets and ever so fashionable non-slip socks. I changed into a gown, and waited for my IV. Two of Dr. Hanna's nurses walked over from the office just to say hi and see how I was, and to wish me well. I thought that was so nice! Dr. Hanna came in and said hi. My IV got started, I got some heparin subcutaneously, which I didn't feel at all, and some antibiotic. The anaesthesiologist, Dr. Lodge came in and examined me. I got some versed, and they wheeled me in. I thought I would be waiting a really long time, so I brought a book, but I honestly never brought the book out of the bag once, they were so efficient and fun to talk to. Tonya and I talked about our pets and our families, and everyone wanted to know what my partner Greg looked like (he had to stay back up in Oregon because he just started a new job and couldn't get away). I had a great time! I remember going into the operating room. Dr. Lodge put an oxygen mask on my face, and then put some stuff (I assume it was anesthesia) into my IV, and I was out. I woke up in recovery, and I had a surprisingly small amount of pain. I felt pretty sleepy for about 20 minutes, but I was talking to the nurse, and didn't feel nauseated at all! They gave me some Water (and actually a little bit of coffee... ) which I could sip in little bits, and it was fine. I got REALLY tired of sitting there, and I had to pee, so the nurse let me get up to do that. I was a little wobbly, but it all came out alright (pardon the pun). My mom came in, and we sat and blabbed while I waited to get my last dose of heparin. I even drank some apple juice. I did need some pain medicine, I believe it was toradol (sp?), but since then I've been doing fine, no meds at all. Mom and I walked around the supermarket on the way home, and I got a crossword puzzle book and some sugar-free popsicles. I tell you what, that sugar-free popsicle that I just ate is probably the best thing I've ever eaten in my entire life. I'm not kidding. So now I'm going to read some more threads on the forum, and finish calling my nearests and dearests to let them know I'm doing well. Hope everyone has a great day!

Aaaannnndddd we're back. Just got back from the hospital. I'm shocked and amazed at how good I feel. I'm going to go post my story now in the surgery stories thread. Good luck to all other June 8th folks (and everyone else of course) I was thinking of you!

I am self-pay, and I had one. It was explained to me that most of the pre-op stuff, including the psych eval were to make sure that I was ready for the surgery physically, mentally and emotionally. What I gathered is that my doctor wants me to succeed; and people who are not prepared mentally will not succeed, and they will have then wasted their money and time. I'm not saying you're someone like that, but I do think it's important to get evaluated by a professional.

I'm surprised at how calm I feel about the whole thing. I guess part of it is that I really trust my surgeon. He is a friend of my stepdad's; (my stepdad is an ICU nurse), and he has an excellent record. I feel really excited, and I keep daydreaming about all of the things that I'm going to do to make my life better; and all the things I'll be able to do when I'm healthy. My partner, Greg, however, is freaking out. He thinks I'm going to die, and he's worried sick. Poor thing. It doesn't help that I traveled from Oregon to California to get this done, and Greg can't be here with me because he just started his new job last week, so he can't take any time off. I'm grateful to have my mom and stepdad as a support system while I'm here.

My pre-op diet was similar; I was given a goal of losing 20 pounds (I lost 25 total); and was asked that I take approximately a month to get there, but as long as I needed. I was told to call the doctor when I was getting close to the 20 pounds. I was on a 1200 calorie regular food diet. Once I got close to the 20 pounds, I called them, and they gave me my surgery date; and was told that a week before the date to be on liquids; with Clear liquids the day before. My non-liquid diet consisted of a ton of vegetables (most out of our garden, woot!), lean meats, protein shakes; and no breads, limited on other carbs like oatmeal and Pasta. Then for the liquid diet, I had pureed soups, yogurt, sugar free pudding, Protein shakes, vegetable juice. Today I've had some sugar free Jello (NASTY, but I'll do it), some fruit juice, vegetable broth, and Water. Hope that helps give you an idea of what I had to do.

I still can't believe my surgery is tomorrow! This has been a process a couple of years in the making for me between saving money and finding the right doctor, doing pre-op stuff, etc etc. Wow ! It's really happening

I had a hard time the first week of the pre-op diet too, and then it was somehow like something just fell into place, and a pattern started, and like you say, it's all about listening to your body and what it needs and wants. I also have given up coffee and diet pepsi now as well, since I figure it's good practice for afterward when I really can't have it. The other great thing I found about the pre-op diet was that I actually did really start losing, and each pound lost I felt a really great sense of pride, like "yeah, this really is the next stage!" I actually lost 25 pounds on the pre-op diet. Tomorrow I switch from full liquids to clear; and then Wednesday is the day!

I posted in the other June thread, but I'm getting banded on the 8th at 10:30 in the morning. I'm really looking forward to it. I've had my bout of nerves, but I'm excited now. I really feel like I'm turning a new page!!

Go here: http://www.tickerfactory.com/ezticker/ticker_designer.php?type=3 Then go through the steps, and at the end they give you some code to paste in your signature.

I, like the original poster have not told everyone that I know about the surgery; and I think that's okay. It's amazing to me though, that some people who I really trusted have been so negative! I am so sorry that your personal trainer is so completely ignorant; and I think your email was well-written. Go you for standing up for yourself!!!

My surgery is also on June 8th, and I'm getting nervous, mostly it's a happy nervous; I can't wait to be empowered to change my life. I wish I had done this when I was 18. You will do great! Good luck to you and to all other June 8th surgery folks. I'll be thinking of you!

Me too! Exactly the same time!

Haven't been on in a while... I've been working three jobs lately! Ick! So anyhoo, I thought I was going to be a May bandster, but I am now scheduled for June 8th! I'm leaving for California tomorrow, I have one more consult on the 7th, and that's it! I'm so ready. Ended up losing 25 pounds on my pre-surgery diet

I am so glad that this thread exists. I have always been someone who has strived very hard to be healthy, and I was truly embarrassed at first when a lap band was suggested to me. I had been living with the myth that it was okay to be fat, and that even though I was fat, I was still healthy, it was a myth and a lie that weight affected health, and that it was better for me to be an empowered fat person than someone trying to lose weight. Well... I'm so glad that I finally started thinking for myself. No, I'm not as healthy as I could be. Granted, I'm healthier than a lot of other people who weigh as much as I do, and I am fairly active; but not like I could be. I can be so much healthier and fitter, and I can do so many more things if I lose weight. And it does affect my blood pressure, my blood sugar, and my reproductive health. It's true. When I made the decision to work towards getting the surgery, my partner was discussing it with a supposedly good friend who immediately went on a huge diatribe about how I had a "Barbie Fantasy" and I shouldn't give in to what the male dominated society wanted me to look like. She told me I was making a horrible decision. And then there are those who say it's a cop-out, and the easy way out, etc etc etc. The truth is, that deep down we KNOW what our bodies need. I know that my body needs to be lighter so that I can do the things I love. It has NOTHING to do with how I look, or any Barbie fantasy or anything like that. There will always be nay-sayers, whatever we do; whether it's because of jealousy, ignorance, or fear, or for whatever reason. Just do what you feel in your heart, mind and soul is right for you. That's what I'm doing!

Yeah, my surgeon has me on the diet to shrink my liver, but he also said that he requires it to see how committed folks can be to change their lifestyle. It makes sense to me; but I could definitely see that it is a surgeon's preference. One difference I can see after reading this board for a while between my surgeon and others is that my surgeon actually advises against protein shakes, and encourages other kinds of high protein foods. I find that interesting... I personally can't see what's wrong with protein shakes.

I am also a self-pay, and trust me, I've been mulling over the money issue in my head over and over again. I just bought a new car, I want to make all kinds of improvements to my house, and travel, etc etc and then there's bills, and oh no... I get myself into a big spiral. And then I realize that this is a conscious choice that I'm making for my health, and that if I can't be healthy, I won't be able to do all the things that I keep thinking about wanting to save the money for. I really think that paying for the surgery now will help save me money in the long run.

I will try this with chicken. Thanks for the recipe!

I am 99% sure that I'll be getting mine in May. I just had my pre-op medical and psych clearance, plus clearance from the nutritionist. Now, my doc just wants me to lose 20 pounds, and I only have 8 more to go! I'll be heading back in after those 8 are gone, and then the date will be set.

Hey hey, this is my first post outside of the introductory post that I made... I'm really glad that someone brought this up. I have been mulling over the same thing, and have come to this conclusion: It's like any other private / semi-private part of my life. I think that it's a need to know basis. I have shared what I'm doing with my partner Greg, my parents, sister, and my best friends. Other folks know that I am going to be getting surgery, but I haven't told them what it's for, and I don't think that I need to. Other people I will probably just not say anything. Of course, if I'm asked I'm not going to lie, but I'm also not going to just broadcast it out to the whole world. I feel pretty okay with that. Hope that provides some insight.