mrsto

Thanks everyone. I figured 4-6 weeks, but I'm hoping for 4

GREAT idea to do the interim pictures! The changes are clear, and it's great for motivation. You're definitely shrinking

I agree with Lose100, it's flirting with disaster. Your friend is still practicing her disease, and a big part of WLS is to retrain our habits away from sick behavior. YES......I think chewing food & spitting it out is sick behavior. I'm not saying that I haven't had some of my OWN sick behaviors, but after going through the ordeal of WLS, I would hope that the goal is to find other healthier ways to deal with the compulsion. NOT easy!!

My suggestion is to ask your doctor how much out of pocket it would be to add plication to a new band. Since plication is still investigational, it seems doctors aren't charging a tremendous amount to do it. I know "tremendous" is different for everyone, but it may be a better option over removing 3/4 of your stomach permanently. Plication makes your stomach the same size as the sleeve, without any permanent revisions. My biggest concern and fear on the sleeve, is the possibility of leakage from the staples. There are so many, and if they do leak, the hospital stay can be 4-6 weeks. VERY dangerous. If you are seriously considering that procedure, do your homework, and leave no stone unturned. There are many who have had great success, but as with all of these procedures, it's best to go in knowing all the pros & cons.

Did your doctor repair a hiatal hernia while you were under? That's pretty common, and can cause additional pain. FYI - I could barely breathe when I woke up from surgery. And it lasted for several days. It got better and better, but it was rougher than I expected. You are so fresh out of the gate.....give yourself TIME. It will get better. If you have prescription pain meds from your doctor, don't be afraid to use them. As for the drinking.....drink tiny sips often. Little by little you will get the fluids in. Just be diligent about consistency. It's a re-training, which I'm also struggling with a bit. I'm 17 days out, and it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride. But it's WAAAY better than even a week ago.

OY!!

Maybe some day your "friend" will come forth & discuss her feelings. But I agree with all of the above.......keep moving forward, and focus on the positive and ALL the people in your world that are supportive. I'm guessing there are more of them, then ones that snub you because of your choice to have WLS. I've been pretty open with my friends on my surgery. I have one friend that I don't talk with often, but we've been friends since high school (40 years). On the next phone call to catch up, I don't think I will tell her. She tends to be pretty harsh when it comes to various things; things people struggle with. I'm afraid that she will have the "why couldn't you get your sh-t together without going to extremes" attitude. Well, I don't want to hear it! I have PLENTY of support from my immediate friends and family, and knowing who she is, I will avoid this little tidbit of info.

This was my exact thought. Otherwise, I find it hard to imagine that a supposedly good friend, would distance herself because I made a decision to improve my health.

Tony - I was banded two weeks ago, and found SO much comfort, information and help on this site; just before surgery, and since. I contemplated WLS for close to a year before actually moving forward. The two I looked closely at was the gastric bypass and the lap band. I teeter tottered back & forth between the two for a long time. I was scheduled for the bypass, then freaked out about 10 days prior. In between that and my decision to go with the band (plus plication), I gave dieting one more good try. That was about a two week period, and I managed to gain three more pounds. Congrats on your decision! I'm on my path, and soon you will be, too. It's a lot of work, but even this early on, I'm finding my new "tool" is quickly becoming my new best friend

I'm guessing that the cottage cheese is a no no. Best to call your doctor's office.

MsMaui - this post is one I can wrap my head AND my heart around. Had you included your personal struggles in your post yesterday, I highly doubt the barrage of retaliation would have hit. As mentioned in my earlier post, had you included a blurb about why you were posting the article, it would not have come off like a negative gangbuster. I'm sorry to hear of all your issues. It's certainly not what any of us want or expect when going into this surgery. I hope you find resolution that is a livable solution. We have all suffered with the plague of obesity. Otherwise, we would not have resorted to such an extreme solution. None of the procedures are perfect, and it's about finding an alternative that will help you save your life, without killing you at the same time. Again.....so sorry that you're going through all of this. It sounds awful!

First, I agree with the post by CaWanna Band. On the right side of the page, this showed up as a current topic. It doesn't say where it was posted. There is nothing wrong with posting potential issues or problems. This went up without any comment from you as to why you were posting it. Some "helpful" words from you to preface the article, would probably have avoided the negative response to the post. The way it came up, felt to many of us like "the Antil-Band". Hard to digest on forum where most come for help, support and encouragement.

You will get many different versions of the post and pre op diets in this forum. Every doctor is different in what they require, but this was mine.... Two weeks prior to surgery: 1200 calories per day - low fat (they gave me a sheet on the choices of what to eat). Two days prior to surgery - full liquids: Protein shakes, cream Soups with all solids removed, broth, juice, etc. First 10 days of post-op: Full liquids at stated above. Next 10 days - smooth/mushy foods: cottage cheese, yogurt, avocados, hummus, eggs, potato (not fried), Beans, etc. More foods are added little by little through the weeks beyond this. Too much to write, but I would be happy to email you my list. PM me with your email address, and I'll send what I have. But please keep in mind, that mine most likely will not be exactly what your doctor orders. I've read so many variations; the hardest one being Clear Liquids for 4 full weeks post-op. And some doctors order a pre-op diet for many months prior to surgery. If the doctor you choose gives seminars, attend one. You will find out all that you need to know there.

Ditto to all the above. It is a big decision, and is sounds like you are taking all the right steps to prepare yourself. Bravo to you! Does your surgeon's office provide support groups? Those might be a good source for you as well. Mine has several, and they are a great resource to work through some of what you're going through. You will make it, and I believe that you'll be SO MUCH happier moving toward a healthier.....you

I know that people need to hear the good, bad & the ugly before making such a big decision. But somehow, the way this post went up, felt anything BUT supportive or helpful. Just my feeling...... Before choosing a surgery, I scoured everything thing I possibly could, and talked with any and everyone who'd been through it. My doctor felt that the bypass was a good choice, and I almost went with it. Two weeks before the surgery, I freaked out and canceled it. And I'm SO glad I did!! I sleep much better at night knowing that I'm not permanently altered. And I know a few who are having issues years out, from the malabsorption aspect of the bypass. I'm at peace with my decision.

Weight gain is possible with ALL of the surgeries. The bypass has a 12-18 month honeymoon period, where the weight starts melting off. But after that, if the person doesn't "do the work", they can end up back where they started. And now with a rewired system, that doesn't function the way God intended. I think with the band, if someone is truly motivated, and in it for the long haul, they will have long term success. As bandsters, our work starts the minute we wake up from surgery. There is no free ride with this, which for me, is just fine. At some point they all become work, and I'm totally fine starting my work right out of the gate. Congrats on your great success with the band. THESE stories are the ones I come here for

I don't know why people post this sh-t. Clearly, people come to this site for support and encouragement, not fear and negativity. I'm annoyed, but clearly we cannot control who posts what, where. I will take what I need, and leave the rest.

At least if there are serious complications, the procedure can be reversed; lap band removed & you're on your way. Can't say that once 75% of your stomach is removed, or your digestive system has been rewired. My surgeon is not a huge fan of the band, either. I don't know that many bariatric surgeons are. But even with all of its potential ongoing problems, it's STILL less risky than the other options. I remain hopeful.....

I'm only two weeks out, and I'm already there! Pain in my left shoulder after only a tiny bit of food. I guess that pain is going to become my friend. Or...at least I'll try & see it that way

I've been reading various posts by newly banded people, whose ports are flipped, tube is kinked, etc. This all makes me very nervous. How does this s-hit happen, when they're supposed to stitch the port to the muscle? I really hope that I didn't buy into something that is going to drain me financially Please keep us posted on the outcome of this. It's very unsettling.....

WOW - it's so great to hear this!!! I know you feel absolutely incredible! Good for you!

I haven't had a fill yet, but I HOPE my hunger vanishes

LOL!!!!

Thank you Because quite honestly, if the goal of the lap band was to alter my innards to the point where I didn't enjoy food anymore, I would not have done it. My goal was to alter capacity, change eating habits......bringing on weight loss. Food is one of life's greatest pleasures; one I would never choose to give up completely. Right now, on mushies, I'm not really enjoying much of anything. Once I'm completely healed and on my way, I'm sure that will change.

How long did you have the gas pains? I'm at two weeks, and it's getting really old. I only feel it in my shoulder at times, but when I do, it's pretty bad.