Sojourner

Just wanted to answer to your concern about being seen in your "birthday suit" during your surgery. The answer is "no"...during surgery they use sterile sheets/drapes to cover you so only the areas they need to have a good "visual on" are exposed (in this case, only your mid section of your abdomen). This is done to minimize any unnecessary exposure to possible infections during your surgery and time spent in the OR. On the day of your surgery, be sure to have a chapstick with you. My lips got incredibly dry, and I was thankful to have it to sooth my dry skin. Best wishes...

I had to wait 14 weeks post op for my first fill, and still have only 3.5 cc in my band. It's important to understand the difference between "head hunger" and real physical hunger. The band does nothing to help with the "head hunger". The only way I was able to loose weight initially was to use drinking Water and other SF/FF fluids to try to trip the hunger signals in my pouch to turn off. And I got skilled at using distraction as another tool to assist me. Every drawer, cabinet and closet in my house is clean, organized, and has only our essentials in them. It's been a real win-win for me. Best wishes...

I enjoyed reading your post...you've discovered early on my way to manage and cope with both the pre op and post op liquid diets...to structure your time and "meals" ( Protein shakes). And having broth is an excellent idea; I got cravings for salt several times and was so thankful for chicken broth! Very good to read that your glucose levels are already responding favorably to your new diet...and the positive rewards will keep coming. Best wishes for your success!

It would not hurt to meet with your surgeon for an additional check up. It might even be a good idea for you to ask their advice about seeking out a new surgeon in the area you will be relocating to. Other than that, you will need to make some phone calls to locate a surgeon who will accept patients whose surgery was done elsewhere. I know that mine does, but from what I've read, he is the exception and not the rule for this policy. Best wishes...

No doubt, it is a major decision...one to be made only after careful deliberation and conducting considerable research. If you want to be successful with weight loss, it will require a life long commitment to change your relationship with food, eat healthier, and exercise. If you are young enough, you are fortunate that you have no weight related comorbidities...but generally they do present with age and the physical toll of extra weight through the years. It would help for you to write down a list of the reasons why you want to have this surgery. And, if you've done your research, then you already understand that the band is only a tool; you have to learn to use it as it was designed to be successful with weight loss. It might also help if you were to locate a local support group and attend a few meetings. This forum is also a place to come and ask questions...there are many knowledgeable and successful participants here that are willing to share their best practices and information. Best wishes as you consider your options!

I usually drink between 80-90 oz of water a day. I believe that is a bit more than would be considered average. Directly post op, it was impossible to drink the amount the surgeon wanted me to but over time it became much easier. I just structure my day/evening and know by a certain point in the day that by this time, I should have 1 bottle of water down, then another 2 hours, another 18oz. and so on. And just an additional tip...it's never been difficult for me to wait an entire hour post meal before being allowed to resume sipping water if prior to beginning my meal I have had sufficient water. Some bandsters have a difficult time with this...and not having anything to drink during your meals would be an additional skill to develop as you approach your surgery date. Best wishes...

These questions would be best answered by yourself after conducting additional research and having a sincere discussion with your bariatric surgeon. The band holds me more accountable for my weight loss...and yes, it's only a tool. I believe that there are ways for you to minimize complications with your band if you are motivated to follow the bandster rules and make those necessary adjustments to the lifestyle of healthy eating and exercise. I've known more people who have failed with weight loss with other WLS than I've known to fail with a band. Other's mileage may vary...Best wishes as you consider your options!

You should discuss this with your PCP ASAP...the pain you are describing is not normal, and should be evaluated. I had a bad experience with my bariatric surgeon and his missed diagnosis of a similar pain...he totally ignored red flags on my labs, where as my PCP immediately began to investigate the origin for the pain. I'm not implying that you might have a similar experience, however my PCP is board certified in internal medicine. I have implicit trust in my PCP; and his medical opinion is my "gold standard". Best wishes...I hope you feel better!

Your calories seem to be in the "ball park"...but now your focus should be on healing. Part of your healing will be to get sufficient Protein daily and to focus on getting additional SF/FF fluids to stay properly hydrated. Reads like you are off to a great start!

You did not mention if you had any comorbidities...I was approved when my BMI was 38, however I also had 4 comorbidities. One additional, essential "habit" you can begin to develop now is to begin to drink more Water or other SF/FF liquids every day. Staying properly hydrated is mandatory for everyone, but especially for bandsters. Best wishes...

I also have a Realize band, and currently have 3.5 cc of Fluid in it. I'm not quite to the "green zone", however even .5 cc of fill has made a dramatic difference in my level of restriction. I'm not convinced that I want any additional restriction, as it's important for me to be able to swallow pills. I am totally alright with my surgeon being conservative with fills...especially after experiencing how much difference .5 cc made in my restriction. I would not view conservative fills as a way for the surgeon's practice to increase revenue. Other's mileage may vary...

It's absolutely essential for you to stay properly hydrated...I ended up in the hospital because I did not recognize the symptoms of serious dehydration. If in your situation, I would not wait until regular office hours to inform the surgeon about what is going on. Accumulating fluids when you lie down is not normal...and you should seek valid medical advice ASAP. What is to be expected so soon post op is having a major challenge to take in the quantity of fluids you have been advised to have. I struggled with this for the first month...but after that I've not had any issues, and now I drink around 80-90oz of water daily. Hope you feel better fast...

The popsicles are essentially flavored SF Water without any additional nutritional value...I never had a limit on them stated to me from my surgeon. In reality, if the liquid was SF/FF, and nearly calorie free, he approved of it, and you definitely need to stay properly hydrated. When you have questions of this nature, it's always best to get the "word" from your surgeon's office.

Any WLS will have many facets involved. I agree with Maddysgram about doing additional research to more fully understand what your options are, and to get an idea of what your role will be for success long term to both loose weight and keep it off. As others have written, the band is only a tool; and only by changing your relationship with food, exercise, and sheer determination to comply with life long lifestyle changes will you be successful with weight loss. Come back to the forum often, ask questions, research threads, and learn as much as you need to. Best wishes...

And this is only the beginning...congrats!

I'm still on daily Prevacid to control my reflux, but I do find that occasionally I have heartburn anyway. This is usually as a result of taking an Advil Liquigel...but I do have the blessing of my bariatric surgeon to do this for medical reasons. This will need to be reevaluated when I attend my next appointment.

Your daily Protein goal should actually be a range of numbers to strive for, not just one. During my pre op nutrition education class, the dietitian informed me that my daily protein goal would be between 65 to 82 grams per day. At this stage, being 6 months out, I do get most of my protein from the meals I am eating. It's good to know that you can make up any deficits with a Protein shake in the evening.

My daily Protein goal range was calculated by the dietitian...for me it is 65-82 grams per day. Reaching it is not difficult if you have a nutritionally sound Protein shake every day...like NC Girl. When I mix my Protein powder with 1% milk, my shake will have 37 g of protein...more than enough to compensate for any deficits during the day!

I also have Aetna; had to complete the 6 month medically supervised diet, and also submit 3 years of medical records to document my weight history.The surgeon's practice required the psych eval and the nutrition education. It was alot of hoops to jump through, but totally worth it...

The physician's opinion will carry the most "weight" (excuse the play on words ). They have the greatest amount of schooling and responsibility. That expertise is what you're paying top dollar for!