Corrigan

Hi Stacey, I'm am an old, retired guy who has allowed himself to gain a little weight each year until I found myself with diabetes and sleep apnea. According to my PCP, the only way I was going to get rid of the symtoms of these was to lose weight. I've tried diets for years and always seem to gain it back so he suggested the Lap band because it was the least invasive of the WLS. I've already lost 40lbs and see no reason why I can't lose the other 60. I've already cut way back on my meds and my blood sugar is normal.

Find out if there is a Center of Excellence near you. You won't find better service or more highly trained surgeons. Search around and see other people's opinions of CoEs.

There are three Centers of Excellence in the Chicago area, one in Evanston, in the city itsself and one in Oakpark. These are hospitals with excellent reputations and well trained staffs. If you can, give one of them a call and I can almost guarantee you a great experience. (I grew up in Naperville).

I agree with Shirley, I would go to the American College of Surgeons website and find a Center of Excellence in your state and contact them to get the ball rolling. You can be assured that the care and education you receive will be as good as you'll find anywhere.

Hi Bob, What you eat postop is really important to how successful your surgery is. I went to Cedar-Sinai where the gave me a huge binder that describes, in minute detail, just what and how much to eat for the first 6 weeks. If you don't have this info when you get out, let me know and I'll be happy to share it with you. Good luck and I hope all goes well.

This is your decision entirely, Just make sure you have all the correct facts before you make up your mind. I'm a member of the forum you mentioned and I go there only to mention Lap band and watch the feathers fly. They are very GBS centric. If you want horror stories about GBS, go to Google and look up "Gastric Bypass Surgery CBS". In reality, LBS is probably safer than any other form of WLS. Try reversing GBS or the sleeve. Again, you're the one who has to live with whatever decision you make so make it an informed one. If you are going to a Center of Excellence, I can almost guarantee your success

I wouldn't think so. Start on full liquids, Protein shakes, jello and popcicles, quit lifting more than 10lbs and drink about 64 oz total liquids a day. This is a bit of a rough patch until you get your first fill, but just keep your eye on what you're trying to acheve.

There is a CBS story stating that 1 in 50 people undergoing GBS (Gastric Bypass Surgery) die within one month, and the number is greater if the surgeon is inexperienced. Look up "Weight loss surgery CBS" on Google. No WLS is absolutely foolproof. Lap band surgery has proven to be safer than any other. One of the problems is that LBS is easier to preform and some surgeons with less than adequate training, are performing it. One way to protect yourself is to seek out a Center of Excellence. The ACS has a website that names the CoEs in each state, where the proper education, physical and physiological examination is given each patient, greatly improving their chances of success.

I guess you'll have to wait and see. On day three we went for a two mile walk and I had almost no pain. I don't have any idea why some do and some don't but I suspect it has to do with the skill of the surgeon and quality of the hospital. Most patients at Centers of Excellence seem to do quite well.

Just about everyone feels that way. You'll be fine. The band technology has changed greatly over the years, as has the surgeon's level of training. Be sure to check your surgeon and hospital's record to check their level of expertice. If it were me, I'd ask my surgeon how many WLS of the type you're interested in, he's done.Don't be afraid to ask because you'll have this for a long time. Whatever, good luck.

I can't think of much I would change. My PCP suggested I undergo WLS to mitigate problems with diabetes and sleep apnea, and suggested Cedars-Sinai hospital. It's in Beverly Hills, about 150 miles from where I live and a horrific drive, but It was worth it. I didn't know it at the time, but it's a Center of Excellence, accredited by the American College of Surgeons and probably the best place in southern California to have Lap band surgery done. To date I haven't had a single significant problem. No pain except for the incisions and port and that was minor.

Aside from dehydration, lack of fluids can lead to constipation so you really should drink all that you can, and as a previous poster said, all liquids count. I had a problem with a sore throat from the intubation tube that made drinking more difficult and hot liquids seemed to go down easier. Our nutritionist suggested mint tea.

I can't imagine they would send you home without proper nutritional information. You definitely need at least 75-100 grams of protein a day. There are many pre-mixed drinks on the market, if you have a Walmart or costco near you, they both have drinks and Protein powder you mix yourself in a blender. These should be sugar free of course. What you're drinking now is fine as long as you get about 64 oz a day of liquid. You'll get a lot more advice here, this is a very helpful forum. In my opinion, you should be taking a chewable, Multivitamin w/iron and a lot more. If you really don't know what else you need, please ask, everyone here will be glad to help. All the best.

I think you're really pushing it, Your body has just been through major trauma and needs to heal. At Cedars-Sinai in LA, we were told the first week should be clear liquids, the second week, full liquids, week 3 & 4, pureed and mashed foods, week 5, chopped foods and week 6 and later, solid foods including eggs. I'm sure you know all this and to have your surgery be successful, you need to allow yourself to recover completely. I hope you have access to a nutritionist to help you through this. Good luck.

It sounds like you should be talking with a good nutritionist. I'm sure weight loss is still just as important to you as ever, you have just put it on hold. Don't forget why you started this to begin with, your kids, the way others look at you the way clothes fit. There are many people here on this forum that can help you get back on track, so good luck and I hope you can continue to keep losing.

Like the old joke goes:" Doc, it hurts when I do this." "Well, don't do that". I guess I shouldn't be smart, but our nutritionist told us that when an activity bothered us, not to do it.

I had exactly the same thing for almost a week. It was the worst part of my banding. it was the intubation as the previous poster said. If it really bothers you, a little Lortab will fix you right up : > ).

Before surgery, I had been taking fish oil caps on recommendation of my PCP. Before surgery, my surgeon asked me to discontinue them but now, after LBS, he said to begin them again. Right now, without fills that shouldn't be a problem, but after fills, with restriction I was wondering if anyone was taking these and how they went down. I'm sure not going to open them, they're nasty.

Trying to get in shape for the prom next year, Cindy ; > ).

With all the time, trouble and money you've spent on this journey, you certainly are strong enough to resist the pangs of of a little hunger so as not to jeopardize your surgery before its had time to heal. Grit your teeth, eat a Popsicle and three weeks will be gone before you know it. It's not easy, but really important things seldom are.

I really don't think I'd get Lap band surgery done by someone advertising on a billboard. Done by a properly trained surgeon, LBS is just as safe as any other surgery. If there is any way you can get yours done at a Center of Excellence, I think you should. You'll never regret it. Whatever you decide, good luck.

From reading these forums you'd think almost everyone undergoing WLS had major problems with gas, pain, etc., but It's probably that most people who don't have problems don't post about their boring recovery. In my case. I had no problems at all, except for a little site pain.

Almost everyone who's undergone Weight loss surgery felt exactly the way you do. Take a deep breath, think about the clean house you'll have when you get home and relax, you'll be fine. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

If it's in your throat, it's probably from the intubation device, and it'll go away in a few days but if it's behind your breastbone you probably should contact your physician.

My hospital asked me to bring mine, but you'ld need to ask yours if they need the machine or just your mask, which you can get on ebay for not too much. Medical supply places sell the machines for 1200 to $1500, but you can find the same ones online for about half that, if you ever need one. Weight loss will help or even cure sleep apnea, but it takes time. Good luck.