NetteInBoulder

Raj- (tell me if you want to be called something different, k?) You're asking all the right questions. I'm not an expert- I'm only three months out but I'll share what I know from my experience and what I've read and heard from other Bandsters. I used to have a phobia about anesthesia and surgery. It turned out to be a lot easier and safer than I expected. Ask the anesthesiologist for the extra something they put in there to prevent nausea. He or she will probably say they were already planning on it but even so, it's good to ask. Tell the staff if it's your first ever surgery and they'll probably be extra patient and explain stuff. Yes, they can move you after the surgery. There are people who have WLS who weigh 500 pounds so you're not going to scare them. Most people I know are able to and encouraged/expected to be able to walk to the bathroom fairly soon after surgery. It's part of the healing process- the more you walk, the better you'll feel and the less chance of blood clots forming in your legs. My incisions felt tender (around a 2 on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being bad pain) and the nurse helped me out of bed the first few times I needed to go. About the pain, it's an individual thing. Most people I know said it was low to none. A certain percentage have a hard time with it for a few days. If that happened to me, I'd ask for more pain meds. By the time you go home, I can't imagine that 7 stairs would be a problem. You probably won't want to bound up them the first few times but I bet they won't be a problem. Gas- some people have gas pain in their shoulder from the pressure of the leftover gas used during laproscopic surgery to puff the abdomen up so they can see around in there. I hear a hot Water bottle helps that. I didn't experience that. Regular stomach gas- my first couple of days home, I felt a little bloated/gassy and Gas-X helped. Since then, no gas problems, other than a burp once in a while if I ate something quickly. Never had a feeling of acidity. As for what's not sweet to have during the liquid phase, I had lots of Soups. My favorite was to take boiling chicken broth, drop a raw egg in and stir really fast till it was in little shreds, and add a few chives for extra flavor. In a chinese restaurant, that's called "Egg Drop Soup." At first the shreds of egg seemed too chunky to me so when it cooled off, I blended it in a blender for a second or two. Sounds gross maybe, but it was delicious! Also, if you go to a chinese or thai restaurant and get "Sweet and Sour Soup" and then strain out the mushrooms and hard bits and puree the rest (tofu, etc.) it's delicious! You can have cream soups too- tomato, chicken, potato-leek, etc. If you look at some of the other Lap Band sites, (i.e. BandsterRecipes at Yahoo.com groups) you'll find lots of recipes for different stages. Phew! I hope that this board lets me post all this- this is the longest message I've ever written here : ) Relax, take care, and ask more questions as they come to you. Warm hugs, Nette

hi Shuzy Q Glad you introduced yourself. Just so you know, Sharon Osbourne telling her story is what prompted me to research the band as well! I know a few Bandsters who heard about the band the first time from reading about her. Anyway, welcome and good luck on your weight loss journey! Annette

Julie ~ Welcome to the "other side!" Let us know if you have any questions! I remember in my first few post-surgery days missing the sensation of chewing and I asked for advice from some verteran Bandsters. They suggested chewing on other, non-food things and also getting out of the house and going for walks. It helped me get through that stage. I hope that whatever comes up, you know that you're part of a community of people and you can get help just by asking for it : ) Annette

I'm a woman, 41, happily married with one young child. When I hit 257 (I'm 5'8") I began to research WLS and thought the Lap Band was a brilliant and appropriate solution for me. I had surgery with Dr. Johnell (Greeley, CO) on 5/9/03 and had a super easy recovery. Surgery on Friday, back to work on Tuesday. With the band, I've been able to EASILY lose 23 pounds in 12 weeks, even losing while on vacations. So far, I've never PB-ed though, I have, a couple of times regretted eating so much that I felt pressure or pain. Those incidents taught me to eat less, which is exactly what I had it put in there to do. I must admit wishing I could take it out when I was facing the most beautiful free buffet while on vacation, but in the end, when I lost weight on that trip, I was so glad I had the band. My family and friends have been supportive and excited about my weight loss. I recently attended a wedding and while I wasn't at goal weight (75 pounds away), I did feel and look good enough not be self-conscious about my weight for once in my life. I'm in Boulder, Colorado and would welcome any posts or questions. If anyone is within driving distance of Boulder, let me know and I'd be happy to meet sometime if you'd like to hike or talk about the band. Thanks for taking the time to read this intro : ) Annette

Thanks for the support! It sounds like you and I are similar in our highest weights, our loss so far and our goals. Let's stay in touch for support : ) Thanks for connecting with me, Annette

Yippeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for adding this!!!!

Surgery on a Friday, I could have gone back on Monday but it was a holiday so I went back Tuesday and I was FINE. Worked 10-5 and had no pain but was a little more tired than usual that night. In an ideal world, I would have taken two weeks off, hired a full time masseuse, no make that a studly masseur, and hired a spa chef to blend my Protein drinks for me. Maybe I'll do that when I get my plastic surgery in a few years Annette in Colorado

I'd really LOVE a state board to talk about local issues- who's doing fills, get togethers, etc. Annette in Colorado

Alexis- how do we change our status from the dreaded "Junior Member" to the coveted "MAgically Delicious?"

Way to go on the great weight loss! And congrats on dusting off the treadmill! Keep up the good work : ) Annette in Colorado

I'm glad to see you here and I was one of the people who used to think you were NorthernGeezer! LOL That aside, I've always enjoyed your posts. I didn't know about your filled then unfilled story. Wow....glad it's taking a turn for the better! Keep us updated. Warmest wishes on your journey, Annette in Colorado

Dee, Congratulations on your great weight loss! Imagine how great it will feel next year when the 25th anniversary and graduation pictures get taken! I just got back from a family wedding and was so grateful for the 23 pounds I'd lost since the band. I wasn't hiding from the camera for once. Well, keep up the good work! Annette in Boulder, CO

Diann~ It's cool to see a familiar face here even though we haven't met in person yet. Congrats on your weight loss sucess and continued joy on your journey. Warmest wishes, Annette

hi Dee! Congrats on going swimming again in public! I know what you mean. I recently took my little girl swimming at a local rec center and ran into a business colleague and was not completely horrified to be in my bathing suit : ) Diann! Girlfriend! You know I haven't been to any of Dr. Johnell's groups (mainly because of the 1.5 hour drive each way) and I've been curious and wanting to connect face to face with other local Bandsters. So.....I just asked my husband if he'd be cool doing child care that night, he say yes, so I think I'm good to go! Can you remind me of the day and time? Are you in Longmont? If so, maybe I could pick you up on the way and we could carpool?? :::feelin happy:::: Annette

My surgeon was Dr. Michael Johnell in Greeley, Colorado. I was directed to him by my insurance (Pacificare HMO) and have found him to be smart and thorough. He and his staff have answered a million of my questions before and after the surgery, the surgery was a breeze, and his aftercare has been great. Getting a fill was easy and actually kind of fun and educational. I've heard people say that he doesn't have much bedside manner but I found him to be a perfectionist kind of guy more than a gushy, huggy guy and I can live with that, given I wanted him as my surgeon, not my best pal. His wife Patrice is a nurse in the office and she is really warm hearted, in addition to being on top of all the latest bariatric surgery research. If you have questions about Dr. Johnell, email me at BandedMay03@aol.com : )