LoriPA

HOLY COW!:faint: I just got the statement from the hospital today for the total cost of my surgery, including hospital and medical costs, and all I can say is, thank goodness for insurance! The surgery itself was reasonable--$9,362.00--but the whole tab came for the 24 hour stay came to $26, 084.10!

I see the doctor tomorrow for my first post-op appointment; it will be exactly two weeks since my surgery. I'm advanced to soft food already!:clap2: I even tried on some jeans I hadn't worn in months because I couldn't get them past my thighs, and today, I not only got them on, they fit perfectly! Still, I feel like I ate a full Easter dinner on half a Lean Cuisine! LOL. So much for a fill...

You know, it's the funniest thing. Before I was banded, my whole attitude was different. I'd throw on the first thing I'd see when I'd open the closet door every morning (unless I was going somewhere remotely important), not even bother with makeup (unless again, I was going somewhere important), maybe shave my legs twice a week if I was lucky, not even plan a meal, but grab whatever I saw when I was hungry or just order out, and when I shopped for food, dumped whatever was on sale or whatever looked good into the cart (though I was already starting on Vitamins and had already cut out red meat--go figure). Since getting banded, though, it's a whole different story. I'm finding myself coordinating and laying out clothes the night before even if I am not planning on being anywhere the next day, putting on a little makeup (except when I have to clean, obviously) and shave on a daily basis, just for the heck of it if nothing else, reading labels when I shop for food ("energy bars" have anywhere from 13 to 18 grams of sugar! Forget those! Now I know where the so called energy comes from *snort*) and actually planning a meal now that I've reached the soft stage, and yes, even finding more fun and creative ways to exercise. It's amazing how one little thing banded around the stomach can change one's whole mind, isn't it? What was even better was being told yesterday by a total stranger was "My, how pretty you look today!" But the best is going to be my overall health and feeling good about myself as a whole--and living longer!

Coming up on two weeks this coming Thursday since I was banded, and yay, going onto soft food already! I doubt I need a fill yet because I still feel like I've had a full course meal just drinking Soup LOL. No pain at all, and my steri strips have fallen off and there is very little bruising around the incision sites now. I've been doing lots of walking, and some light exercises, but no tummy crunches or anything like that until I check with the doc this week. I guess I will have my official weigh in then too

I've been doing cream soups too without a problem, as long as I strain them (getting out chunks such as chicken, broccoli, etc). Good thing, because if I never see another cup of broth or diluted juice again, it would be too soon for me. LOL! On the other hand, I can deal with sugar free Popsicles for sweet attacks! YUM! Especially the orange and cherry ones.:biggrin1:

Just remember, though, that 10 pounds is two five pound bags of sugar!:biggrin1:

I was advised of this as well; as a matter of fact, I was taking Lodine for arthritis in the knees before I was banded, and now I found an alternative in both cortisone shots from my orthopedist as well as taking glucosomine and chondroitin--which turn out to be more effective than the Lodine ever was! The funny thing was I took 400mgs of the Lodine twice a day, whereas now I take the cortisone shots every 8 weeks and the 450 mg glucosomine and chondroitin caplets (which I call my "knee grease" and is broken up into my Protein drink at present) once a day. LOL.

Well, today has been exactly one week since I had my lap band surgery, and with walking and everything else being done to the letter since then, today was the first official weigh in. I still feel great with absolutely no pain at all, and not even hungry that much, though I am craving a grilled chicken salad like no tomorrow. LOL. Anyway....this week's official total is *drum roll*..... 23 pounds gone! Of course, things will slow down once I begin the soft diet stage; I have my first post-op doctor's appointment next Thursday. But what a running start and great motivation! On the subject of migraines, Topamax is an excellent drug used in the prevention of the onset of them and the pill is very tiny--no crushing required! Its primary purpose is the treatment of partial seizures, but it was also found to prevent migraine onset as well. I would recommend looking into that option.

Hi all! I decided to join this board after finding it in a Google search while looking for forums specifically for lap banders. After nearly three years of going back and forth to have WLS done, the day finally arrived last Thursday, March 22, when I had my lap banding surgery done by Dr. Courcoulas in Pittsburgh. I was discharged from the hospital Friday night, and I did a lot better with this than I did when my appendix was taken out 18 months ago. I'm a little sore around the incisions where the banding was put in (nothing a heating pad or a Tylenol won't handle), but other than that, I feel great. Of course, I can't bend from the waist or carry anything heavy for awhile, but that's only temporary. "Meals" for the next few days or so will consist of clear liquids; I need 64 oz of liquid daily..but here is the good news--I got taken off FOUR of my meds! Yippeeeeeeeeeeee! The rest I have to crush up or take out of the capsules; totally GROSS tasting! Next week, I should be going from clear to full liquids, then on to pureed goodies after that. So far, I've dropped 12 pounds already. Heh. About me in general, I am single with three cuddly cats, reside outside of the Pittsburgh, PA area. I enjoy reading, theater, writing, football, wrestling, travel and music. I am a freelance writer and also work in publicity part time as well. I also am looking forward to chatting with others who have had the surgery or about to undergo the procedure. I also have a site that outlines my journey here.

I was banded a week ago tomorrow and was out of bed last Thursday night and home from the hospital Friday. Had no pain, nausea and not even a sore throat from the tube. Even now I have no pain and have kept down all my liquids. They are even talking putting me on the soft stage already!

NSAIDS: Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (painkillers which includes ibuprofen. Banded people should try to avoid because they can add to ulcer risk). DRUGS THAT CLAIM / CAN DAMAGE THE POUCH: Advil Aleve Amigesic Anacin Anaprox Ansald Anthra-G Arthropan Ascriptin Aspirin Asproject Azolid Bextra Bufferin Butazolidin Celebrex Clinorial Darvon compounds Disalcid Dolobid Erythromycin Equagesic Feldene Fiorinal Ibuprofen Indocin Ketoprofen Lodine Meclomen Midol Motrin Nalfon Naprosyn Nayer Orudis Oruval Pamprin-IB Percodan Ponstel Rexolate Tandearil Tetracycline Tolecin Uracel Vioxx Voltaren DRUGS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SAFER FOR THE BAND: Benadryl Tylenol Dimetapp Robitussin Safetussin Sudafed Triaminics (All) Tylenol (cold products) Tylenol Ex Strength Gas-X Phazyme Imodium Ad Colace Dulcolax-Suppositories Fleet Enema Glycerin-Suppositories Milk of Magnesia Peri-Colace

My surgeon made the point that just like any other weight loss program, banding is NOT a cure, but a lifestyle change; therefore, adjustments have to be made. In order to be successful in our journeys, we can't go back to the habits we had before. 1-3 pounds a week is actually a very realistic, average loss. As I was also told by my PCP, "You didn't put it on overnight, don't expect it to come off overnight either." I think with developing the mentality that I CAN do this, that I HAVE to do this in order to prolong my own life and improve my health, along with being around supportive influences, can be excellent outlets. It's not going to be easy, but is anything ever worth getting is?

I never though I would say this, but I cannot wait until the day comes when I can eat solid food again, because I am craving grilled chicken salad or a veggie delite sub on wheat bread (from Subway) like no tomorrow! Right now I am on full liquid, and I don't mind the cream soups (outside of straining them after cooking *sigh*) and the milkshakes I make, among the other things that I like that are allowed, but gee, it will be good to have real meat and veggies again. I am on 60mg of Prozac for both depression and PMS symptoms as well as Topamax for partial seizures, Zantac for GERD and Synthroid for low thyroid function. I was on four other meds for cardiac problems but was recently taken off of them when the condition started reversing itself when I changed my habits. I am hoping someday to be off meds altogether!:clap2:

Breakfast--protein milkshake Lunch--strained cream of broccoli soup and vanilla pudding cup Snack--Sugar free Creamsicle Also have been sipping reduced calorie grape juice.

This was the pre-op things I did before I went into the hospital last week (I was banded March 22) 1. Cleaned all cupboards and refrigerator, replacing with food such as sugar free Jello, puddings, broths, cream soups, Splenda, decaf tea and coffee, sugar free Popsicles, plain yogurt, reduced calorie fruit juices (except citrus), unsweetened apple sauce, bottled Water, etc. 2. Throughly cleaned the house and did as much laundry as possible. You will not be permitted to bend at the waist or lift anything over ten pounds at least the first two weeks post-op. 3. Made sure there were plenty of cat supplies in (food and litter) until I was healed, and someone could come in to feed the cats while I was in the hospital. 4. Gathered up all emergency contacts, insurance information, medication lists, listed present medical conditions for admissions office, and arranged for transportation to and from hospital. 5. Packed things for hospital at least the night before--slip on shoes, my CPAP mask (I have apnea), sports bra, change of underclothes, slippers and something to put under the hospital gown so my butt wasn't "flapping in the breeze" once I was able to get out of bed to move.

I can't believe it has been almost five days since I was banded. It feels like I haven't had surgery at all! A couple of my steri-strips have fallen off, and unless I bump something, I don't feel any pain at all, plus I've taken off some weight already. I even was able to get on my tennis shoes today. Did a LOT of walking, taking advantage of the warm weather. The gas passing a couple of times was a little embarrassing; good thing no one was around.:embarassed: I'm doing full liquids already and they are talking on putting me on food already when I see the doctor next week. I think I am going to like this banding thing.:clap2:

Decaf blueberry tea this morning, then when I got the go to proceed to full liquids, my protein drink (1/2 scoop protein powder, 1/2 c. skim milk), strained cream of chicken soup, sugar free grape popsicle, protein milkshake (1/2 scoop protein powder, 1/2 c. sugar free vanilla ice cream, 1/2 c. skim milk), and now sipping reduced calorie grape juice. And of course, plenty of water in between throughout the day:)

I got the GNC Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein powder; my nutritionist advised using 1/2 scoop of it in 1/2 cup of skim milk three times a day. I also make a milkshake out of this combination by adding 1/2 c sugar free vanilla ice cream, which is very filling in addition to getting my protein.

My meds in pill form are tiny enough that I can take them whole without problems. The capsule form ones I have to remove from the capsules and empty into my protein drink and mix it. Otherwise, the taste is gross!:angry

I actually made this when I got to my full liquid stage and was amazed on how good it tasted, not to mention killed the hunger pangs and filled me up. This makes one 1-cup serving: 1/2 c. Breyer's All Natural No Sugar Added vanilla Ice Cream 1/2 c. skim milk 1/2 scoop Protein powder, flavor of choice Mix in blender until totally smooth (no lumps of ice cream are left), then pour into glass and enjoy!

I was initially considered for RNY back in 2005, until I was actually on the table and opened up. Once there, a rare condition found in 1 in 5000 adults in the United States being that of malrotated intestines (literally, my intestines were backwards; even my appendix was on the wrong side of my body) was found and resulted in the surgery not being able to be completed. From there, the option of banding was discussed and I decided to go for it. So far, I am glad I have.

Four days past surgery day, and I continue to feel fantastic. The bandages fell off last night while I was getting ready for bed, and outside of some bruising around the incision sites, they look good. I'm not even sore today at all. And what a nice morning here; already 61 degrees. I'll likely be going for my walk later again. Got some good news from the doctor's office this morning; I am going on food beginning a week from this coming Thursday (when I see the doctor), since I am tolerating liquids so well. Granted it is only the mushy stuff, but it will only be for two weeks. I had some Protein drink today and some cream of chicken Soup and no problems so far (I had to strain the soup to get out the chicken chunks, though; hey, the cats liked them LOL).

I know how you feel. Fortunately for me, I managed to gradually wean myself from my Pepsi addiction about a month before I was banded; before that, I had a terrible two-liter a day habit (that actually sounds awful now!). I also love the carbonated flavored water, but found the non-carbonated is just as good. I guess in moderation down the road it should be OK, but personally, I may pass on it altogether.

My nutritionist recommended that I take zinc daily to combat possible hair loss post-op, in addition to the multivitamin.

Insurance covered everything, including hospital stay, surgery, etc.:clap2: