SillyWillyMommy

I just got back from an information session with my doctor. (I am scheduled to be banded in June). She said something that struck me as really funny, and I wanted to share it with you. Of course, this particular doctor is maybe 110 soaking wet (as opposed to the surgeon who can barely walk across the office without breaking a sweat, and is I'm quiet sure a good candidate for the banding and bypassing he performs regularly)... anyhow, she was telling me that occasionally, the band does slip, and that if this happens it can usually be rectified non-surgically. She says "All you do is come in the office, and we'll drain the band. Then you go on a clear liquid diet for 2 weeks, and when you come back in, the band has usually fixed itself".... and I'm thinking, wait... if I could go 2 weeks on only clear liquids... I don't think I'd need a band. Have any of you done clear liquids x 2 weeks (without the restriction of a band) and survived??? :kiss2:

Denise- How are you doing now?? Have you had another fill?? More restriction???

Well.. I was just saying that the two weeks of clear liquids pre-op (yes, my doc requires two weeks of completely clear liquids, including a clear Liquid Protein shake), before the surgery seems doable, because you have the motivation of getting a band at the end of the two weeks. And post op, clear liquids doesn't seem like it'd be so much of an issue because you'll be experiencing some restriction and not much of a desire to eat anyhow. "If you know up front that there is no way you can do up to 6 weeks of liquids and 2 weeks of soft foods, you should probably rethink banding." It does seem like alot of will power will be needed, and I stand by what I said. I can only speak for myself, but I didn't become nearly 75lbs over weight by circumstance. I made bad food choices, I've over eaten, I've failed to stick to a healthy food plan. I just think it's a little naive to believe that just because a doctor tells me I need to eat a very strict diet for two weeks, that I will be abled to do it. I'm not saying by any means that I will intentionally disobey her, or that I will not try with all my heart to follow the doctors orders. I'm just saying it's going to be difficult.

Quote: Remember the lower part of your stomach is sutured up and over your band to hold it in place. the more the muscle contracts and moves around, the harder it is for sutures to "set" or heal in a moist environment. I think it depends on the doctor, but my doctor DOES suture the stomach over the band to hold it in place. It supposedly reduces the risk of slippage, and is becoming the 'norm'. Thus, I too will be on a two week clear liquid diet to prevent the stomach from contracting too much.

Phatty, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I know of no words that could possibly offer you the amount of comfort I'd like you to have, so instead, I'll just give you this hug.

A few days ago, I introduced myself on these boards. I have to apologize, because that day I was feeling a little down, and out. Feeling like it would be impossible for me to lose any weight, or stick to any kind of diet. I turned to these boards looking for support. Not a single soul replied. That's ok though, I'm not usually such a pesimist.. it's just that I was having a really bad day, and just needed some encouragement. I'm sorry to have come off as such a 'downer'. So, I'll try again... this time with some new (sort of positive, almost but not really) news to report. One of the presurgical hurdles that my doc makes us go thru is a cardio clearance. Good idea, since we all know that lap band surgery is major surgery, and your ticker should be in good shape . Yesterday I had my echo cardiogram (like a sonogram of the heart), and the technician discovered that I have a moderate aortic stenosis (my heart is not working to capacity)... this would explain why I am always tired, and out of breath, and freqeuently light headed. I assumed these were just things that happen when you're overweight. I need to go back to the cardiologist tomarrow, who will do some further tests, and likely refer me for valve replacement surgery.... Ok, so... I'm DEFINATELY not taking this lightly, but I am looking at it as a blessing.... had I not decided to undergo the lapband surgery, I would have been a walking time bomb...(according to the MD, aortic stenosis can result in sudden death)... and honestly, god has a strange way of answering prayers, because NOTHING makes you appreciate life (and want to life it healthfully) more than the threat of dying. The first thing I did when I got back from the docs (after crying my eyes out for an hour, and googling aortic stenosis about a million times), was re-commit to eat healthier, and exercise more consisitantly. Thank you guys, all of you for your support. Bot spoken, and unspoken :success1:

Ok, so I just got back from the cardiologist. After reviewing the echocardio gram, it looks like my aortic stenosis is not bad enough to warrant heart surgery... just the normal precautionary antibiotics before dental work, no extreme exersion... etc.... BUT he did find a leak in my mitral valve, and is mandating a stress test. :phanvan If the stress test goes OK, he'll sign off on my cardio clearance and I'll be all set for surgery. :clap2: Thank you guys, again... truly for all your support. You guys ROCK

Nope.. it goes under the skin... I'm still waiting for the procedure, but I think re-covery time is different for everyone.

Congratulations, Jodi!!! Did you get a date yet?

Hi Judi.. You're so funny. Welcome to the boards :-)

I am so sorry to hear about the difficulties you went through.. although I haven't been banded yet..... I have heard of hardly anyone who said that they wished they never went through the procedure (even ones who had difficulties)... I'm glad to hear that you are optimistic... keep up the positive attitude.

Cool :-) Lookin' good.

Oh my goodness... sounds like you've been going through a rough time. How are you knees feeling now? Are you still in pain?? Try to keep your head up.... You'll be up and out of the wheelchair in no time!! So, did your insurance company(ies) not cover the lap band specifically for you, or not at all?? Glad your parents are helping you self pay... what a blessing :-)

Lucy's right... self pays can have a much quicker turn around. I have Empire BCBS, and they require 6 mos of supervised weight loss. I don't think that a June date would be out of the question though... it just depends on your insurance company, and your doctor. Good luck with everything!

Two weeks of liquid diet?? That seems like alot. I know every doc's different, but that's got to be a real challenge. You're doing great so far! And I know you're going to lose so much weight even before the surgery, that you're going to have a speedy, healthy recovery. Good Luck!!!!

Good luck... and congratulations!!

Hi Jess... I'm new too. I'm due for surgery late May, early June... but I haven't an exact date yet. Nice to meet you.

Well, good luck, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!