JC_GODOLPHINS

Hey Alexandra, My surgeon said it was just that the shake was too thick to deal with right now. That was his reason. I really think it was all due to swelling. Yesterday I had a fish broth, and I even went ahead and crumbled some crackers in it. It took me about 3 hours to have the whole thing, but it felt really good to actually have some nutrition, not the crap from the hospital. So I guess it's all getting better now. I got pretty scared though for a little while, he told me if things didn't get better he'd probably have to go in and remove the band. That would've sucked. Anyways, thanks for all your answers.

Hey everyone, I'm 2 days post-op today & just had my 1st few sips of my Protein shake. Although it went down OK, I've been spitting up a lot of saliva for the past hour. I'm thinking perhaps I swallowed the shake too fast. I just wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this. Also, the Dr says I have really good restriction now w/out the fill. I probably won't need a fill for a good while. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Hey folks, I'm back again. Sunday after talking to Larry I talked to my surgeon again, and he wanted me to go in and get readmitted again. He just wanted to make sure everything was okay. Man, I'll tell you I spit up mouthfuls of saliva every few minutes. Thing is I was spitting up from inside. Anyway, I feel much better, I was discharged once again yesterday, and have been having just clears. I'm pretty sore, but at least the liquids are going down. Thanks everyone for advice and support.

thing is, I am not in any type of pain. I am not really vomiting, just feels like spitting up. I don't have any of the symptoms they told me to look out for.

Larry, Thanks for the responses. I am spitting up large amounts, but I am not swallowing it either. It feels like it is coming from within. I do have the golfball feeling, and then I sort of try to swallow and (forgive me for this grossness) foamy spit just comes up. Lots of it. I had a little bit of shake and it went down okay, before that today I had some tea and Jello. Yesterday I had jello and plenty of Water in small sips and it was fine. I think I might just be overreacting.

Larry, Were you spitting up large amounts of saliva?? What was it like? I am getting scared, I think I am going to ER.

Hey Nancy, I didn't repeat the barrium swallow. After 20 minutes, there was signs that a little bit of the barrium went through. So my doc let me have liquids to see how I reacted. Well, liquids went down fine, just very very little. I could only have about 4-5 spoons of Jello and that's it. He told me that the restriction now is good, that I won't need a fill for a good time, BUT that it will get easier because I am just swollen now. I got home a couple of hours ago, and prepared me a Protein shake. It's pretty good, but I think I sipped too quickly. It went down, and stayed down, but now it sort of hurts, and I keep spitting up a lot of saliva. Is this normal?? I did have hiccups and gurgling when I drink my fluids, I just think that shake is way too thick, and I just need to take it slower.

Hey everybody, I am back and banded. I was supposed to be home yesterday, but when they did the upper GI, nothing was going through the band. They had me wait another day and try liquids to see how it went. Well, liquids go through but very slowly. I get extremely full on 2 ounces, and the doc said he didn't fill my band at all. Well, I'll tell you this isn't easy right now. I thought I'd be able to drink at least, but that is hard in itself. It's gonna take some getting used to BUT I know I am going to lose major weight these next 3 weeks. I can only have Clear Liquids and Protein shakes until then. I am drinking the original MetRx, chocolate and peanutbutter flavor, and it's pretty good. I just don't know how I am going to get my calories in. Oh well, I'll just keep trying.

Alright folks, sorry I haven't been on much, working really hard these days. Anyway, this will be the last time I log on today, so I am bidding fairwell for now, and you all will meet the new me probably Saturday or Sunday. Tomorrow morning is finally my date. My thanks go out ot everyone here who has provided me with so much info. THANKS!!

WHOA THERE, try to relax. I felt the same way you did, but when the time comes that you have your date, reality will give you a big smack in the face. Just take care of your appointments, stay on top of everything. I suggest you keep copies of everything you do, and take notes. It will make the process easier later. Just try and relax, cause it takes awhile. My whole process took from the first week of February to now. I am getting banded on Friday 8-29. SO it took right about 7 months from beginning to end. GOOD LUCK.

Thanks Wednesday!! I saw your pics at the clinic. You look fantastic.

Nancy, good luck tomorrow, and have a speedy recovery.

Kellymoos, I am assuming this is gas pressure built up inside of you. Your body will eventually absorb it and it will pass. What I do know from past experience is that you need to try and stay active. Walk around, and sit, don't lie down. The more you walk, the faster it should pass. Also, you need to do some breathing exercises. Slow deep breaths.

Doctor and nutritionalist said it is so the liver can shrink in size, to make their job easier. Since they have to lift the liver to apply the band, it is better if it is not as big. I understand all that, but then I hear of people around here say they had no pre-op diet at all. No, what's better is that the nurse called me last Wednesday saying they had a cancellation, and that I could have it done on Friday. I was like "WHOA, wait, I haven't done my shakes yet." She said it didn't matter. So if it doesn't matter, what's the big deal? Another thing, I am from a Cuban family, and we EAT. Just last weekend, we roasted a pig that weighed 100lbs. You think I was going to miss out on THAT last supper?

My psych pretty much told me why they have us do that evaluation. He said insurance companies want to make sure we are making a level-headed decision and that we are aware of the risks and positives involved. Also, make sure you do lots of research regarding the band, and also RNY. They like to see that you have researched all options. You may also mention the fact that you have met many other people who are banded via this and other message boards and support groups. Don't have unrealistic expectations from the procedure, and the evaluation will go without a hitch. Good luck JC

Kellymoos, how were you able to do clear liquids 5 days prior to surgery? I am supposed to be on protein shakes alone for 2 weeks prior, and I have had a seriously hard time with that. I think I got through one day, IF you don't include the salmon and crackers I had at night.

COOL ALEX, so glad to hear you are doing well. I get banded Friday. Nervous as hell, but I just found out that I have already met my $250 deductible, and my secondary insurance is taking care of my out of pocket expenses. HELL YEAH, I won't have to pay anything else. I am so glad to hear of all of these successful procedures in the last cou0ple of weeks. I just want to get this over with. Good luck to you all. PS, sorry I haven't posted much, I've been too busy here at work to spare the time.

My doctor, who is banding me next week, I found him on Cleveland Clinics website. I got his e-mail address, and has always responded the same day when I ask a question. Sometimes within minutes. I have enjoyed the whole process with Cleveland Clinic Weston, they've all been really nice.

Hmm, what are you concerned about? Seems like your band is doing the right thing.

Okay, this may be way off topic, but I would not like to have anything FRENCH permanently inside of me.

I see this thread is picking up. Good Stuff. Everybody say a little prayer for Alex this morning. We hope you are recovering well, and banded. I'll tell you all what. Cleveland Clinic wants us to drink Protein shakes 2 weeks prior. Man, it's hard to keep up. At first, those shakes taste yummy. By the time you have had 4 or 5 of them, they taste like crap. Anybody found a shake that actually taste good?

Hey Marsha, who is your surgeon going to be? Mine is Szomstein, and they told me the same story, 1-2 months. That was from my initial consult with the surgeon. I already had my letter of medical necessity from my PCP. They set up all the testing, and sent all the insurance papers in for me. From day 1, until surgery date, it will be almost 7 months. I'll be banded on Aug 29th. I started everything at the beginning of Feb. Erika, look around, I know there is a surgeon in Ocala that does the lapband, and that should be a lot closer to you. Find a surgeon, and they'll guide you from there. BEST OF LUCK!!

Wednesday, you are my hero. WOW, I was at my pre-op consult last week, and while I was waiting, I was looking at the before and after pictures. WOW, what cna I say. You look fantastic!!! You are truly an inspiration for all of us. Congratulations!!

Thank you all for your encouraging words. More than for my health, I think I am doing this more for how I will feel and look. I can't wait to be able to take off my shirt at the beach, and feel good about myself. I binged all of last week, and this weekend, and it all just made me feel worse. So, I just starting my low carb diet this morning. 10 more days, can't wait!

I think this could work out just fine. I know that this whole process varies for everyone, BUT we do know that Wayne is already banded, and Alex is getting banded on Tuesday, so we can all learn from what they have gone through, and what they are going through, right on this thread. I love the idea, and welcome all of your thoughts, ideas, and stories. Like I said, I am getting banded on the 29th, so I got 11 days to go. llbcurtis, how was Wayne dealing with his surgery date 2 weeks prior? 2 days prior? day of surgery? Clara, me and you will be banded very close to each other. Are you excited yet or what? I will tell you all the truth, I was weighing around 265 when I started this whole thing back in early February. Since then, the whole stress and last suppers I have had, I have ballooned to an incredible 295lbs. I feel disgusting about now. I have a closet full of clothes I can't wear. I think I am going to have to buy something, just to be able to go to work the next couple of weeks, until I go back down. Anybody else going through this dilemma?