Corrigan

Hi Joe, You've probably have a bit of a sore throat as well, from the intubation tube you had to help you breathe during surgery. Just keep it as wet as much as you can. Mine went away in three or four days. Good luck.

NorthShore University Health System Evanston, IL Level 1 Fully Accredited January 26, 2006 University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago Chicago, IL Level 1 Fully Accredited June 30, 2008 West Suburban Medical Center-RHC Oak Park, IL Level 2 Fully Accredited November 14, 2008 NorthShore University Health System Evanston, IL Level 1 Fully Accredited January 26, 2006 University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago Chicago, IL Level 1 Fully Accredited June 30, 2008 West Suburban Medical Center-RHC Oak Park, IL Level 2 Fully Accredited November 14, 2008 These are Centers of Excellence in the Chicago area. You will probably have a very good experience with any of them.

I've only been here a few months, but if there's anything I could help you with I'd be happy to.

If you're really careful with calorie control there's just no way you won't lose weight I lost 30 lbs pre-surgery with keeping my calories to about 1200 a day. I was really hungry for a while, but that gradually lessened with time. If you are really honest with yourself and write down everything that you eat, you'll have to loose weight. I know it's not easy, but good things seldom are. Best of luck to you.

I'm willing to give up many things to make a success of this Lap band, however my morning coffee isn't one of them. I usually only drink two 6 oz cups, but I really need them to get started. On the other hand, I only need 52 additional ounces to make up my 64.

Ditto. I had the band w/plication done at Cedars-Sinai a month ago. I had absolutely no problems, other that slight site discomfort. I have very little hunger and am not planning fills unless things change.

I don't think you could find a better hospital to have your surgery done. I'm a big advocate of CoEs. I'm only a month out, but I've already cut my diabetes meds in half and my blood sugar was 88 this am, sleep apnea has a way to go. My stay at the CoE I went to was the best hospital stay I've ever had. I came away with almost no pain and was able to walk almost two miles the day after my discharge. Hope your experience is just as good.

You're correct that you have to follow rules with the Lap band, but the band makes it easier. The band is safer and weight loss can be about the same in a years time. Whatever you decide, I hope all goes well.

You should get all the information you need from your seminar and classes. Each hospital approches it a little differently, but most of the instructionis are similar. Best of luck.

What's that, 60 lbs a year? I know a lot of people that would be mighty happy with that.

Yeh, how about those Red Socks? Can you spell Home Run with 2 Outs?

I was one of the lucky ones, able to sleep on my back or either side from the first night home. I had almost no pain except for just a little at my port site. Credit to that hearty, midwestern stock : > ).

Congratulations. Now get up and walk and don't forget to drink. Best of Luck.

Well Joe, lets see, you just had 4 or 5 holes cut in your stomach, you were pumped up with gas, you had a camera and a bunch of tools stuck in there. Then they put a band around part of your belly and you wonder why you feel strange? I can't imagine. You'll be up and around before you know it, hang in there. Everyone goes through the same thing.

Why say anything to burst their bubble? How and why you lost weight is your personal business and you are under no moral obligation to tell anyone.

Our nutritionist said a cup of hot tea sometimes will help. I don't know how, but it's worth a try.

Why wouldn't a Lap band work for you? A lot of people heavier than you have been successfully banded. Look through this forum, you'll find many of them who have lost all they wanted. Talk to a good hospital that does weight loss surgery and see if they can't help you, and best of luck.

Bill, I have what my doctor called the Lap band with plication where a large part of the stomach is pulled over the band and sutured in place. I had my surgery three weeks ago and haven't been very hungry yet. Maybe it's something you could look into. It has the advantages of the Lap band and the sleeve and is reversible, (supposedly).

My surgery was similar to Bromo's with the large part of the stomach pulled up over the band. I am scheduled for a fill, but my surgeon said if I'm still losing weight and hunger is not a problem it'll just be a checkup.

According to my nutritionist, bread is something we should really avoid, and liquid after bread is a certain recipe for a stuck Lap band opening. I've tried it without any problems, but all the literature says not to.

These classes are quite valuable for your success as a Lap band patient. Ask anyone who's gone through them. They contain diet, nutrition and medication information and help guarantee your future with your surgery. Most of the classes content is available elsewhere, but the classes help assure you know it when you're discharged.

The deaths in California all happened in one organization. Your doctor has performed surgery on 19 people on this forum and I haven't heard one complaint. Lapband surgery, done by a competent surgeon is probably the safest WLS there is. Follow your doctor's instructions and allow yourself time to heal and you're going to be just fine. Any questions, just ask.

Everyone's nervous going into this, it's a big step in your life. Five minutes after you're wheeled into the operating room, you won't remember anything until you wake up in recovery. I've never heard of anyone waking up during surgery. The intubation tube will cause a little discomfort after you wake, and it usually lasts a couple days, but isn't anything major. The diet before and after was a bigger problem for me. You'll probably get tired of protein drinks, but you'll still drink them. My doctor told me to drink only clear liquids 24hr before surgery, nothing after midnight, and one week after. It kinda sucks but you'll have to heal and that won't happen on steak and potatoes : > ).

I was very glad to have a pair of loose fitting, long pants so I didn't have to hold that stupid gown closed when I walked anywhere.

I've only been banded for a few weeks, but I researched it for several years and I can tell you that it takes a lot of commitment to be successful. You'll have to follow your surgeons instructions and it takes a bit of will power. There will be some (a lot) of hunger and you'll get awfully tired of protein drinks. Given all that, if you truly want to lose weight and are willing to put in the work, you'll do great. This is an excellent place for support and if you stick with it, you can meet some good friends here. Good luck and let me know if there's anything I can help you with.