bigsexy

Everyone is different, I too had a pain in my chest followed by really painful hiccup/burps. They went away after 4 days though. I have not had any port pain etc at all and have been able to sleep on my belly since I was released from the hospital. Bodies react differently to surgery but the best advise i can give is take deep lung clearing breaths, walk a lot and continuously sip Water. On a healing note I followed the aforementiond and I am doing great. I am a week out and I was cleared to go golfing yesterday. I am feeling like i never had surgery. The hiccups/burps are a result of your band touching the diaphragm (sp) causing a reflex action. it forces the hiccup/burp out. It will pass. Good luck and keep moving

Week out of surgery and I got the okay to play golf again. Woo HOO!!!! I am very happy about that and the weight i have dropped. Have a great weekend. I know what i will be doing!!!!:clap2:

how long do you wait to put on maderma? i am one week post op and the glue has worn off but there is still a scab over the area. any suggestions would be great

quote=al8795;506974]I had the surgery March 3rd and recently have drop foot. Has anyone else experienced this? I do not think it is related to the surgery but it is not any fun. I'm by no means a medical professional but i remember the term foot drop during one of my physiology classes back in college. I don't want to scare you but many MS patients experience foot drop as one of their symptoms. I believe it is a nerve problem. You should definitely go seek medical testing on this.

Ellen i think this was directed to me so I will respond. The surgery went off w/o a hitch. Was wheeled into the room had a brief minute with dr t and then out went the lights. I did wake up however rather quickly after the general anestesia (sp) and I had intense shoulder pain immediately upon waking up. They gave me some serious pain killers and all was well. I ended up spending more than 3 hours in the recovery room because hartford was hit with a series of thunderstorms and the patient transport elevators were down temporarily and i could not be taken to my room. I finally got to my room and met the first of many nurses I would meet during my stay. I cannot recall her name but she was sweet and caring and made sure i was comfortable. They hooked me up to an IV pain med machine that gave me metered dosages as well as on demand if the pain got too much. Much to my suprise I really didn't need it. At shift change, I got up and walked about the unit 3 or 4 times. A less than helpful nurses aide Angie was there for the first 1/2 lap but then decided her social life was more important. Such is life she was a bitter woman that i really didnt click with. On my last lap I felt a bit nauseous so i found my new nurse and got some meds. That night I was woken up a dozen or more times for vitals etc. it was sort of annoying but i'm sure it was necessary. The next morning i was taken for the barrium swallow - this was disgusting but again a necessary event. The folks were really cool and let me watch the screens, showed me the band and port. About 2 hours later my favorite nurse christina came in to get me ready for discharge. But as she gave me my last dose of pain meds i started having massive chest pains. Like someone was standing on my chest. This sent her in to a bit of a tizzy and the whole world came crashing into my room with ekg machines, cardiologists, residents. Lets just say i made a lot of friends really quickly. The thought was that I may have thrown a clot into my lung despite the pressure boots and many heparin shots. I had many different blood tests including a blood gas which if you havent had one is not that pleasant. Essentially they take the blood from an artery rather than a vein. They took it from my radial artery which is located above the radius bone in your wrist. Not an easy target but the resident got it first try. After several hours of tests including a lung ct scan with contrast ( a radioactive material than makes you feel like you are peeing yourself) all was clear but it was too late for discharge. They kept me a second night (very unconventional) but they felt it was necessary. I was released the next morning now Friday at around 11 after a visit from Dr T. Got home and logged into work for the second half of the day. After some broth and clear protien drink I slept most of the rest of the evening and night to make up for the lack of sleep in the unit. I was able to sleep on my sides straight away so that was great. I got out and walked along the beach with my wife and son on sat and sunday. But felt pretty tired afterwards. Today I worked from home, relaxed and walked the dog a couple times. I haven't taken the lortab since saturday and don't feel i need it anymore. I am back on full liquids and dying for something with mouthfeel. Another couple days and I can be on mushies. I had one incision leak a bit and called the office - they were not to terribly concerned because the amt was minimal and I will be going into the office on thursday. I have lost 10lbs since being banded and am down 37 lbs from my original weight. Things are going great and my experience at the hospital was fantastic. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr T and his staff.

Just checking in - congrats bigshow - you are well on your way. Although newly banded - i think discipline is the key to band success. You have been successful thus far on your own. the fill is only going to help you stay on track. It is too early for me to post any before and after pics but i will as soon as i feel the weightloss is showing. On a side note - I am 5 days out now and can already sleep on my belly!!! most of the pain was gone after the first 2 days and I stopped taking the elixor after i got home from the hospital. I am dropping weight like mad. Down 10lbs since surgery. I imagine that this will slow sooner than later but i am riding the ride as long as I can. Keep up the good work guys. One question - the only irritance i have had so far are hiccups. Whenever i change position from sitting to reclining or side to side my diaphragm starts to spasm and i get sort of painfull hiccups. Anyone have experience with these? Also just realized that it is a new month - I would like to repeat the June exercise challenge if anyone is up to it. 40 Miles by the end of the month.

I take a chewable CVS generic multivitamin and it is citrus flavored. It isn't bad. I take a cherry flavored chewable calcium from GNC. it isnt great but it only takes a minute to finish. chew it and take a sip of your protien drink it will kill any chalkiness. please remember that it is more important to take these that to have something that tastes like candy. do it for your health

I was banded with the AP large last wednesday. Doc showed me the box before i went under. So far absolutely no issues.

Hi all - just wanted to report that I am back from being banded I was banded shortly after 1pm with the large AP band and am doing just fine. I did have to stay one extra night because i started having massive chest pains about 30 min before being discharged. They thought maybe I had had a Pulmonary embolism so everone and their mother came crashing into my room. I was rushed to numerous tests etc but all came back negative. By the time the last blood gas was drawn 8pm, they decided to keep me another night. Just as well i was really tired from being poked and prodded from for the previous 12 hours. I can honestly say with the exception of the major shoulder pain i had immediately in the recovery room, i have been fairly pain free. the jostling on the car ride home sort of sucked but now i am doing great. Dr said for me to get back on the treadmill starting tomorrow. On a seperate note - dr said my liver was in pristine condition and was so small from the liquid diet he didnt even need to manipulate it to place the band. I also saw my band on the flouro the next day. pretty cool. thanks for everyone for their support.

Hi all - just wanted to report that I am back from being banded I was banded shortly after 1pm with the large AP band and am doing just fine. I did have to stay one extra night because i started having massive chest pains about 30 min before being discharged. They thought maybe I had had a Pulmonary embolism so everone and their mother came crashing into my room. I was rushed to numerous tests etc but all came back negative. By the time the last blood gas was drawn 8pm, they decided to keep me another night. Just as well i was really tired from being poked and prodded from for the previous 12 hours. I can honestly say with the exception of the major shoulder pain i had immediately in the recovery room, i have been fairly pain free. the jostling on the car ride home sort of sucked but now i am doing great. Dr said for me to get back on the treadmill starting tomorrow. On a seperate note - dr said my liver was in pristine condition and was so small from the liquid diet he didnt even need to manipulate it to place the band. I also saw my band on the flouro the next day. pretty cool. thanks for everyone for their support.

Got the call a little bit ago saying I am to report to the hospital at 10:45 tomorrow with a surgery at 12:45. Any last minute tips or suggestions before going in? Think good thoughts and say a prayer for me. I will report back as soon as possible.

hey guys - tomorrow is the big day - reporting to the hospital at 10:45, with surgery to follow at 12:45. Any last minute tips suggestions or other comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your support and I will get back online as soon as possible

ROTFLMAO - way too funny - if it is mushie he should probably go have that checked out:omg:

Holy crap 6-7 times a week - will you please call my wife and tell her to get her act in gear.

Guys I lost my tracker but wanted to let you know that I have met and exceeded my goal of 40 miles. In fact i racked up 46.6 miles and still have 2 days before my surgery. I go in wednesday morning to finally get my band. It has been a bit of an emotional overhaul for me as I don't care to be out of control of things that are happening to me. Once i came to the conclusion that it was beyond my control I have felt at ease. So far I am down 19lbs on the liquid diet and a total of 23 since my initial consult. I really want to be down 4 more lbs so i can hit 299 before surgery. It has been ages since i was in the 2's so I hope this will happen. If not for anyting but a great motivator. good luck gents

EAS Advantage Carb Control - Is awesome - comes premixed and is cheap. 17 gr of protien, 2 net carbs and only 110 cals. Chocolate Fudge is my fav but reg chocolate and vanilla are good too. Can get them at anywhere - walmart too.

im going to be banded the day before you - there is a june 07 bandsters thread in the monthly support group section. Visit there - tons of nice people. good luck with your surgery

it isnt the liquid diet thing - in fact i have found that quite easy - although i was seriously tempted to stop at mcdonalds last night on the way home from work, but i just kept driving. There are two reasons i am getting cold feet. 1. I don't want to leave my son without a father (i know the risk of death is really low) but if i never had him i wouldn't think twice about having surgery. Last thing i want is for my wife to have to tell him when he is old enough to understand that his daddy died due to an elective procedure. 2. I am not sure i am ready to give up food yet. I love food and obviously have a food addiction. Otherwise I wouldnt be in the state i am now. The food is really more of a secondary thought but still has enough presence to bother me.

Hey all - I rarely post here but I am less than a week out from my surgery. I am starting to get a really bad case of cold feet. I am on my liquid diet and doing quite well - already down 16lbs but thoughts like "can I really live with this for the next 40+ years of my life" are really weighing me down. I also just found out that my insurance only allows for semi private rooms. The last thing i want is to be in a room with some stranger after surgery keeping me up all night. Anyone experience these feelings?

Yes A2 is the best!!! So many friends there that we left behind both in and out of pfizer - although most of the people I know who were let go did quite well for themselves. Sometimes i wish we were given a package. Oh how i miss the Grizzley Peak and Bells in Kalamazoo sorry for the ann arbor hyjack

I cannot say from experience yet but from what my nutritionist said - lack of protien will cause you to lose hair quickly. She recomended 60 grams of protien a day spread out over 3 meals to ensure that i don't lose what hair i hvae left. good luck

They appear to be but I'm no expert- you have to remember your stomach will be in there too so the stoma will be much smaller my dr said unfilled my stoma will be about the size of a nickel for reference

I have BCBS PPO of New Jersey and they approve lower than 40 bmi patients if they have 2 or more comobidities. I think there wont be a problem. I used to live in Ann Arbor before Pfizer transfered my wife out to CT. Man I miss it there.

Typically - the requirement for lapband surgery is a bmi of 40 or more. That being said often times it is done with bmi's a lot lower with additional comorbidities like you mentioned in your post. If your insurance covers the procedure contact them for exact requirements. If you are self pay - contact the surgeon and ask them what their requirements are. Fatty or enlarged liver actually can pose a problem for the surgeon to work around when placing the band. Often times surgeons will require a preop liquid diet to shrink the liver for just this case. I am presently on day 4 of the all liquid diet and have lost 10.5 lbs so far so i feel it is a great jumpstart to being banded next week!!!!!

Welcome aboard - there is a bounty of information on this board and people are more than willing to share. There is also a "Just For Us Guys" forum sticky under the General Lap Band Discussions area. Feel free to join in. Me personally - I am being banded next week, in fact by this time next wednesday I will be banded. The preop stuff varries from surgeon to surgeon but i suggest that you start by going to an information seminar and see if you like the surgeon before going in for a dr visit. I went to two different ones before I found my surgeon. Feel free to ask away on this or anyother forum and welcome again.