amrdmr

First off, I have to say I warm to your posts immediately because of your user name. The "A" in AMRDMR stands for Autumn, my grandmother, whom I adored. I still miss her, though she left this earth more than 14 years ago. You are SOOOO lucky to be losing a lot of weight on mushies! If that were true in my case, I would not be complaining. I lost weight pre-surgery by a very determined effort on my part, but since surgery, Clear Liquids, full liquids.....nada a pound has gone away, in fact since mushies, one or 2 has come back. So unfair and so difficult to explain/understand. I am certainly not freebasing ice cream, it is the usual round of mushed up chicken soup, mushed up lofat cottage cheese, mushed up Beans, etc. You'd think with 1/2 to 1 cup portion sizes, the weight would be melting off???!!! But the scale isn't moving and I am afraid to pick up a tape measure, my tummy still feels bloated from the surgery. You are right, this too, shall pass. I wonder what everyone else had for their first solid food meal after healing? All I've come up with is fish and soft veggies, maybe? AMRDMR

While I'm at it, asking about the neck/shoulder pain from the gas that was used to insufflate the abdomen during surgery, when does the abdominal bloating go away? Soon, I hope. Banded 3/20/2007 Dr. Ortiz TJ MX

Me TOO! I was just about to start the exact same thread/question. I am at exactly the same stage you are, about 3 weeks out and thought the shoulder/gas pain should be a thing of the past, but I am noticing even more now than I did right after the surgery. I am a big fan of the heating pad and am doing the GasX strips and walking routine, but I did wonder how long this takes to go away. I have been eating pureed Beans, but thought that kind of gas was unrelated to shoulder pain. Maybe I have been eating or drinking too much, I will have to watch that. amrdmr

My doctor said first fill at 6 weeks post surgery (other doctors have different rules), which makes it May 1 for me. Fills can be done "blind", that is, just by feeling for the port, inserting the needle, withdrawing and injecting sterile saline. Fluorscopy is used to locate the port specifically and also gives information about where the band is and how your pouch looks. The machine for the fluorscopy costs over $20,000, so either your surgeon buys one, or works with a hospital that has one. Thus, fluroscopically done fills cost the patient more money. Some people have successfully had fills and unfills without fluorscopy, but it is a nice option to have, if problems arise.

Yeah, didn't want to bring anyone down, but I am 18 days post surgery and keeping to the liquids, protein shake, blended soup post op diet and I am here to tell you I actually weigh a few pounds more than I did on surgery day. Totally sucks, but everyone said to expect it. I did manage by VERY determined effort to lose 20 pounds before the surgery, which is good and I have not gained alot, only a few pounds, but I can't wait for the day when I get my fill and it the band will hopefully work the way it is supposed to. I want so badly to get to Onederland, I can see the border from here. Re Kitty getting fluoroscopy: She said she is talking with the hospital about getting it, so sometime in the future, I am assuming she will have it at her disposal, which I am looking forward to as well.

Just checked and it looks like Isopure would be okay for me. Will give it a try, as the Profect was just too horribly sweet, I could hardly gag one down a day, though I did get through the 8 tubes I bought to try out. Hope Isopure works out better for me, thanks for the tip. Will let you know.:girl_hug:

Do you think the IDS New Whey dissolves well? My problem with the whey proteins I have tried is that they seem grainy to me and I don't really like the taste, even disguised with SF cocoa powder and coffee or frozen fruit. The egg white only powder seems more tolerable to me, but you have to add alot to get a good amount of protein. Has anyone tried hemp protein powder? Gosh, it would be so much easier for me if I weren't so allergic to soy:phanvan

Profect is quick and a lot of protein in a fairly small amount of fluid, but my own opinion is that they are terribly sweet. I have tried every flavor in the 2-sampler pack and they are all VERY sweet to my taste. However, mixing it with "Just Cranberry" or some other juice may help, if the sweetness is an issue. Also, it is soy protein-free, which is a must for those with soy allergy, such as I have.

To everyone with the diarrhea problem (including me)......please understand....antibiotics KILL bacteria, they do not cause them to form. What happens is the antibiotics they give you as a precaution before the surgery KILL Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is the GOOD BACTERIA that lives in your gut normally and helps keep you healthy. Did your doctor/whoever not tell you that after killing all the bacteria, including the good one, after three days on liquids, you will probably be having diarrhea??? UNLESS you start drinking or taking ACTIVE !!!! yogurt cultures (not the cheap ones, those cultures are dead, so like Activia or Nancy's brand active yogurt cultures) or taking Lactobacillus supplements (Pills) to re-colonate your gut with the good bacterium. I went to Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and his nutritionist knew that. So, if you hate plain yogurt, get the drinkable stuff that is ACTIVE CULTURE, check the label, or if you hate yogurt, get the Lactobacillus pills from the health food store. If you are afraid of eating yogurt too early, thin it with lowfat milk or something, that won't kill the Lactobacillus. Really, it does repopulate your gut with the bacteria you need, both for digestion and to avoid (excuse me, guys) yeast infections. AMRDMR

Hi "Late", I had my surgery March 20th in Mexico (Dr.Ortiz). For some reason, though I have had many surgeries before, this one really did freak me out beforehand. I was banded the same day as 2 other women and every one of us was totally surprised at how easy a time we had (everyone's different, I know that!). So, try to relax, though I sure do understand that is easier said than done. The one thing that really, really helped with MY postop soreness and gas was the heating pad EVERYONE recommends. That, plus walking as much as you can. I even survived the all day trip home, cross the border, in the San Diego airport, plane ride, airporter bus....ugh! But I was fine, just tired and sore when I got home.......and SOOOOOOO glad to be HOME! and have the surgery DONE! YAY! Oh, and although the GAS-X thing doesn't help everyone, but it sure did help me with some of the gassiness, so I would have them handy. They did give me medicine for the gas in the hospital/clinic, but the strips really helped in the first few day after the surgery. The whole postop diet/food situation seems to be so dependent on what your doc tells you, how you live, etc. I stocked up on stuff that was recommended on these boards and it turned out Dr. Ortiz's nutritionist thinks Jello is a solid. Fine with me, I have no cravings for Jello. If you are the type that wants everything pre-made, then stock up on all the things you've seen on the lists. But today is day 5 post surgery and I am supposed to be on full liquids and am bored with canned/boxed soups/chicken broth and am using the Magic bullet to whip up my own "full liquid" soups, with no chunks. Especially because, with type 2 diabetes, the juice they gave me in the hospital sent my blood sugar through the roof, so am sticking to protein-based liquids. Anyway, ramble, ramble......just wanted to let you know it is going to be FINE. And SUCH a relief! AMRDMR

Hi Everyone who has been supportive, I made it! My apprehension far outweighed the actual experience. The experience with Dr. Ortiz's staff and clinic was very positive and I felt well taken care of, more so even, than if I had stayed in an American hospital. They keep you overnight, but each patient has their own private room (wonderful) and only 3 patients, with a nurse and a doctor right there all the time. I felt pain at the port site when I first woke up from anesthesia, but they gave me pain meds and I went back to sleep. After that, when I woke up, I was sore, but not really in pain. They still kept up with the gas medication, pain medication, etc., until they send you back to the hotel for one more night. Homesickness was worse than the surgery. It was a long journey home (GOD, I thought we were going to be strip-searched at the border coming back into the States! or else have to walk across the border dragging our luggage! I advise you, really, really helps to have a passport, although they "accept" the driver's license, bring a valid passport if at all possible!) I was OK on the antiinflammatory pain med through the wait at the airport, plane ride home....the airporter bus ride it started wearing off, but I was met by my DH and was never so glad to see my humble abode in my life! I am SOOOOO glad it is over and SOOOOO glad to be home. I've got the gurglies, but when I eat my chicken broth or now runny yogurt, I seem to fill up pretty fast. I was gratified that I lost 20 lbs pre-surgery, both on my own efforts and the preop diet and hope to see more soon, because Onederland is within reach! God, that will be a happy day. Dr. Ortiz seems to skip mushies, 3 weeks of liquids, first clear, then full, then solids. Also, for some odd reason, Jello (not that I crave Jello) is considered by his nutritionist to be a solid?????? Soup and yogurt is fine right now. Still have the liquid in, liquid out problem, but I am having no problems with small pills, thank God Imodium is one. Thanks everyone on these boards for support, sharing, good thoughts and wishes, it really did help me get through to the other side. I am officially a bandster now. AMRDMR

It's 4AM and I am getting ready to catch the plane to San Diego. My day is finally here - tomorrow. All the good wishes/prayers/thoughts greatly appreciated. I will be back Thursday, will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the great support. AMRDMR

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't tried it yet. I'm not a big fan of anything too sweet, so I will have to see if I can manage to keep it down. I am having trouble finding sources of protein I can stand. I am very allergic to soy, and most protein supplements are made with soy. I have tried whey, both regular and goat's and they are really hard to gag down, they don't dissolve very well. So far, the best for me is purified egg white protein. I'll keep looking. AMRDMR

Hello o2bthin, I am going to Mexico also, for the same reason as you (but solo). I will be taking the airporter bus so I don't have to drive. I leave Monday 3/19, for surgery 3/20 with Dr. Ortiz. When and where are you going? Kitty Carmichael has been my PCP for the last 2 years, I just love her and her nurse, Robin, they are great. They are the reason I started researching the lapband. Did you know they have a lapband support group once a month? It is small, but nice. Plus close. I just went this last Thursday and it really helped with the preop jitters, which I have BAD. The good news I heard there was that the hospital is working with Kitty to get fluoro, so that made me feel even better. Who is Dr. Neal and where does he work? Good luck! AMRDMR

http://www.protica.com/store/ I don't know if this is what you are referring to, but Profect delivers 25 grams of whey, casein and collagen Protein in 2.9 Fluid ounces. The drink comes in 8 flavors and is called "Profect". FurEllie posted a thread recommending this protein supplement. AMRDMR

Hello Mrs. H. We are having our surgeries the same day and you are in my prayers. I hope I can help calm your fears a little bit by telling you that I have had the experience of waking up during a procedure (an EGD, they put a scope down your throat to look at esophagus, stomach and small bowel). So now whenever I have surgery, I tell them (and it is the truth) about that experience and the fact that my 3 brothers have the same ability to break down the anesthesia MUCH faster than the "normal" population. At my last surgery 2 years ago, the anesthesiologist could not believe how much more medication he had to give me to knock me out. Also, and this is important, the type of anesthesia they use for the lapband, I have been told, correct me if this is wrong, is called "conscious sedation" (fentanyl and Versed), which means that you are "out" but can still respond to commands. They give it to you in little tiny amounts at a time to keep you under, but then it is easy to wake you up when it is over. The other thing about conscious sedation is that it erases your memory of the procedure. So, the advice above to talk to your anesthesiologist about your previous history is absolutely spot-on. S/he will make sure to keep a close eye on you and will not let you wake up during the surgery. May we both be blessed with peace and calm. AMRDMR

Hi Berry! We'll both be sleepless Sunday night, I bet. I also have to get up at an ungodly hour, 4AM, my husband is driving me to catch a 5:30AM airporter to take me to San Diego where I will be met (please God) by Dr. Ortiz's driver to take me to the clinic. Right now, I just want Monday to be here so I am on my way. People say the waiting is the worst, and I am here to tell you, it really is.:help: Sweaty palms UNITE!

Hi, Just wanted to add my voice to the others telling you that you are not alone. My surgery date is 3 days away, March 20, and I am bouncing off the walls. It is so difficult to concentrate on anything, like work, for example (which is what I should be doing now, instead of being on these boards :nervous) . The only things I have found that help are trying to concentrate on positives. I am lucky, there is a bandster support group in my area and I went Thursday night. It is a small group, but 2 of them were banded in Mexcio, as I am going to be, and they were very reassuring. Everyone but me is already banded and the lowest weight loss was 58 pounds! I still have fears, about the surgery, about going to Mexico to have it done, about the $$$$$, that it won't work for me, worried about complications.....but I am forcing myself to think of the positives.....hopefully my type 2 diabetes will go into remission and I can lose a bunch of the meds I am currently taking. And, yes, looking and feeling better and smaller size clothing. Already with the preop diet I have gotten in jeans I wasn't able to button a few weeks ago, and yesterday I tried on another smaller pair of jeans, and although I could not possibly go out in them yet because they were so tight, I actually did get them buttoned and zipped (I couldn't breathe, but I will be able to after another 10 or so pounds:llama: ) . That helped my jitters alot. Somewhere, another person with an upcoming surgery posted about being restless and asking for advice what to do about it.....I never saw any suggestions, but if anyone has any, it would certainly help. Right now, I am obsessed with reading these boards (the positive ones, I try to stay away from the negative ones right now, just before surgery). So, that's my 2 cents. I know it is normal to be nervous just before the surgery, but it isn't much fun. Maybe we could try "holding" our sweaty palms together??? :phanvan P.S. The dancing llama is for our wonderful boy llama, Chip.

Hi Sherry, my date is Tuesday and if something doesn't calm my nerves, I'm wondering if I can make it until then? Ack! I wish you good luck and speedy recovery. I want to hear from everyone also. AMRDMR

The Arlington lapband support group is held once a month, tonight is the night this month, and, boy, do I need it to help with the jitters. I've only gone once before, but it is run by my PCP and her nurse, who has been banded for a couple of years. I really love them, they are great. It would be great if you were up in our area and wanted to come. Let me know. AMRDMR

So Mexico?? I don't know much about the healthcare system there... did you make sure you found a trustworthy doc? Good luck everyone! -Jason Hi Jason, Well, my story is that I had jumped through almost all the hoops insurance required for surgery in my area (WA), when, at the last minute, my husband's health insurance was changed to a carrier that had a specific exclusion clause for bariatric surgery. (tried to put in the appropriate angry/weepy faces, haven't learned that trick yet). As you can imagine, I was fit to be tied. Rather than wait it out for a couple of years, I decided that I would have to be self pay. My initial reaction was "what,? surgery in Mexico????" But I have lapband friends and support group around who have had their surgeries in Mexico, even taken their son or daughter. I did a lot of research and it turns out they have been doing lapband surgery longer in Mexico than they have in the states. In fact, some of the US docs have been "proctored", that is, taught by some of the Mexican docs. I read a lot of very good things about the Mexican docs on these boards. I am going to Tijuana for surgery with Dr. Ortiz.....ulp!.....very soon! My main concern other than just normal nerves about the surgery is complications and follow-up, but I do have a support group and someone who does fills in my area. Hopefully, I won't have to spend money and time flying back down to San Diego after I am banded. I sure will be extra careful! Good luck to you also! AMRDMR

Good luck to everyone! I am counting the days! Angie:) Boyoboy, I am counting also! Our surgeries are the same date, so good luck, will be thinking of you! AMRDMR

Hi Stacy! You might not get this until after your surgery, but just wanted to say, Good luck, I know you'll do great. My surgery date is right behind you, March 20 and I sure do relate to the excited/nervous see-saw. Hope to hear from you soon about how it went. AMRDMR

Hello Kaelin's G-Ma, Again, didn't get an email that you posted. I live in Arlington, about an hour north of Seattle. I don't know where Dr. Huacuz's surgery is, will you be staying in the Lucerna hotel? Maybe our paths will cross. I will be thinking good thoughts for you on our mutual surgery date! AMRDMR

Hi Tara, Sorry to be so long in replying. I get email notification about messages that are not for me, but not messages that are....don't know why that is. I hope your surgery with Dr. Ortiz goes well also. How are you feeling? I find it nerve-wracking as the days count down and just want the surgery to be over and done with. I am returning home on the 22nd, so if that is when you are coming in, we will have just missed each other, but I will be thinking good thoughts for you. AMRDMR