live2canoe

I just had my surgery two weeks ago, so it's very fresh in my mind. I went to Mexico for my surgery, so it might be a bit different for you. I flew to San Diego and drove to Tijuana on the 14th. I was scheduled for some simple blood tests and other routine pre-op tests. That day was more boring that anything. I did take the advice of others I have heard and stuck to a liquid diet that day. The idea is that those who stick to a liquid diet have less gas pain post-op. The next day, I walked to the surgery clinic (it was a block from my hotel). The nurse greeted me and had me put on some compression stockings and gave me a pill to relax me - I was pretty relaxed anyway, but it is part of the anesthesia routine. She also started an IV. I hung around and waitied for the anesthesiologist. She came in and met me. She told me it is routine to put something in your IV to make certain you are not naseous when you wake up. They wheeled me into the OR, put something that stung into my IV (not that bad) and put a mask on my face - good night. I woke up and the worst part was that my mouth was soooo dry. Getting out of bed was tough, but doable. I was up and walking around that night. Didn't even need any pain meds in my IV. I was discharged the next day after doing a barium swallow. I traveled home by plane the next day. Because of a mix up in scheduling, I ended up waiting in the airport for 5 hours. That was a VERY long day. I shouldn't have been carrying a back pack with Water, novel, hand lotion, etc. It was too heavy. The worst part of my post-op experience was a coughing fit I had two days post op. It hurt so bad it made me cry. Any time I sneezed in the first week and a half also hurt like he**. The liquid diet wasn't too much fun, either - but it was certainly do-able. Like I said, I'm 2 weeks post-op now. Sneezing still hurts, but that's it. I just went to the gym today and rode the bicke for 45 minutes. I hope this helps give you an idea of what to expect. If you've had kids - this is waaaay easier!

OK - I survived! All I did was 45 minutes on the recumbent stationary bike and about 25 lunges. I thought that would be good for my first time back. I'll see how I feel and then do the same tomorrow!

I'm thinking I'll go back to the gym tomorrow. I'm 2 weeks post-op and feeling good. I've never had a problem exercising - just a problem with using exercise as an excuse to overeat! Before my surgery, I went to the gym 5 days a week for at least an hour and a half. Usually 45 minutes of cardio and 45 minutes of weight/strength training. Besides the usual stuff - take it easy, go slow - does anyone have any other advice or wisdom to offer?

Donali - thanks for sharing! I am all over this!! I'll have to pick out a nice bottle of wine.....

I know this is a minor thing, and that there are other, much larger more important issues that are discussed here on this board. I also know that this is only temporary and that 'before I know it', I will be able to eat real food again, but in the mean time, by gosh, I am sick and tired of Soup and skim milk banana Protein smoothies! I get to advance to 'soft foods' on Wednesday. Never in my life have I looked so forward to cottage cheese and apple sauce! Somebody slap me and tell me to quit whining! Particularly since I can't even have any cheese with my whine

Congratulations!! I'm excited for you. You have a few things going for you that most people don't: 1. You are very introspective 2. You have had plenty of time to think about this 3. You are a generous and caring person (I can tell from your posts) 4. You don't have any children. Don't get me wrong - I love kids - have one of my own I wouldn't trade for the world - but they do tend to complicate relationships. 5. You are willing to make some basic changes in your home to accomodate your SO (nice work on the patio!) We'll look forward to hearing from you after your 'honeymoon'

OOOHH! I forgot about pate' I love pate I get to start mushies on Wednesday. I can hardly wait.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post this. As someone is who REALLY LOOKING FORWARD to mushies, starting Wednesday, I find this list enlightening and VERY helpful. Wednesday can't come soon enough! I love babaganoush!

Marie - You sound like me - I'm a constant grazer, not a binger. I was worried that the band may not work for someone with a bad habit like mine. Your success has inspired me! I expect to grieve, too. Thanksgiving is going to be a tough time. That's our big family holiday. We turn it into a whole weekend. It is always so much fun - great food and wine. Listen to me - like I won't have fun if I don't stuff my face until I'm miserable and drink a bottle of wine by myself. Wow - do I have some 'head' work to do! Thank goodness for the band to help me with the rest of my 'issues'

Marie and Letha - Thanks so much for listening to me and taking my (minor) ailments to heart. I don't have a specific tummy splint, but I am aware of the method from previous abdominal surgeries I've had. I use a pillow or a couch cushion, if they are available - but it still hurts like heck! My coughing and sneezing are most likely allergy related, I'm not eating or drinking anything when a bout hits. I have been avoiding OTC allergy medicine, trying not inflame my new pouch. And truthfully, the sneezing and coughing has reduced quite a bit. I guess the pollen count has gone down with all the rain we've had lately. It is amazing how much TV advertising revolves around food, isn't it? What I've noticed is how much my social life revolves around food! It's football Sunday - a big day here in Denver. Any other Sunday I'd be at the local sports bar with my friends having some wings and a couple of beers watching the game (guess why I need the band!). Since I can't eat or drink, I'm staying home. Friends went out to dinner Friday night - I stayed home. Mom's birthday - you guessed it - dinner out - I took a rain check. I know this 'liquids only' phase is only temporary. I'll be glad when I can at least eat soft foods. Then I feel like I can go out and find something I can have. In the meantime, I'm feeling a bit 'shut-in'. One other thing, only three people know I had the surgery. I didn't want to be watched or have people asking me how much weight I've lost (or waiting for me to fail as I have on so many other occasions). Since I've chosen to do this privately, I guess I've created my own situation. October 13th (4 weeks from banding) can't come soon enough!

Hi Marie - I'm feeling better, thanks for asking. Last night was the first night I was able to sleep comfortably in my own bed all night long. I didn't have to get up and switch to the couch, and I could sleep on my side! It's those little things, ya know! A couple of days post op I had a couple of coughing fits that hurt so bad they made me cry. One happened when I was driving home from the airport and it hurt so bad I had to pull the car over to the side of the highway. I was certain I had flipped my port or damaged it. I was surprised it didn't come shooting out me the way it hurt so bad. I think all of that put me behind the healing curve a bit. Now, I'm feeling fairly normal. Coughing and sneezing still aren't any fun, but I don't cry anymore. And yes, I'm hungry! I wanna slap those folks who say, "well, since my surgery I just ' haven't been hungry " Please! I am obsessed with the thought of food right now. Tell me how you all got through this!

Even though I missed the 'Oprah' Post, and I may be the most 'newbie' bandster on here, I'll add my little bit! Penni: 4/6/04 -- 47 lbs Lisa: 5/5/04 -- 51 lbs Becky 6/03/04 - 53 lbs Denice: 8/12/04 -- 20 lbs Leatha 05/29/03 - 67 lbs Michelle 4/6/04 -- 49.75 lbs Marie 5/26/04 -- 39 lbs Donali 1/23/03 -- 102 lbs Kathy 5/21/04 -- 41 lbs Cindy 7/22/04 -- 40 lbs Teresa 5/8/04 -- 63 lbs Kelly 8/20/03 -- 65 lbs Kyleigh 9/23/03 -- 60 lbs Bright 10/28/03 -- 70 lbs Michelle 6/14/04 - 20 lbs Babs 6/23/03 -- 136 lbs Nancy 8/27/03 -- 55 lbs michelle - shellyj 8-18-03 - 130 pounds Vera 8/14/03 -- 64 lbs Jacky 4/5/04 - 40 lbs Chris S. 9/02/03 - 54 lbs Debra 7/19/04 -- 17 lbs. Janie 5/6/04 -- 41 lbs Denise 5/28/04--33 lbs. Kim 8/23/04 -- 28 lbs. Andrea 9/8/04-- 12lbs. Carol 12/2/9/03 -- 102 lbs. Maureen 3/17/04--49 lbs. Carolyn 2/27/04 -- 61lbs (-81 since 1-8-04) Greta 3/12/04---37 lbs. Anne 8/13/04 -- 20 lbs. Zoe 8/26/04 -- 16 lbs. Kim 9/15/04 -- 5 lbs Total = 1697.75

Here I sit one week until my surgery and I'm not at all worried, I'm not scared, I'm not anxious - nothing. Just kind of in a holding pattern until the 15th when I get banded by Dr. Kuri in Tijuana. And I have all of you to thank!! I feel as if I've read enough, and you have all been so generous and forth coming with information and experiences, that I feel like I know what to expect - both good and bad. I'm not going through 'last meal' syndrome. In fact, just the opposite. I've been working on the 'chew chew chew' and trying not to drink with meals (that doesn't work too well with spicy food). Thank you all for all your time. You are all an invaluable resource and I feel very blessed to have found this board.

Paula - Look at your stats!! You've lost over 20 pounsd in just 2 months! Oh My GAWD! I think that is amazing. I can't wait to get me band next week. GB isn't for everyone.

What's the deal with compression stockings? Did you all have to wear them for surgery? How long do you have to wear them? Just for surgery? Or for how long after? Do you have to provide your own? Thanks !!

Hi All - I'm new here (but I've been 'lurking' for quite a while!) Thank you all so much for sharing your victories (and disappointments). It has been very illuminating. I have sugery with Dr. Kuri in TJ scheduled for September 15th. I'm probably going about this all backwards, but I saw on a few threads folks who recommended making an appointment with your PCP prior to surgery - OK, I've done that. Now - what is it I'm supposed to ask my PCP? Or what are we supposed to discuss? Maybe she'll learn to do fills for me!!! Then everyone in the Denver Metro area who had surgery in Mexico could see her instead of having to go back every time they need a fill! Any advice or information you could share would be most appreciated Kim Scheduled 9/15/2004 Dr. Kuri 225/225/140

Hi Marie - I'm a self-pay, so I don't HAVE to go to my PCP. I don't take any medications, so I'm set there. Right now I plan to have Dr. Kuri do my fills. I'm working on getting a local band Dr. to accept Kuri's patients, but I'm not counting on it. Besides, it's still probably cheaper to fly to San Diego (about $225) and spend the night and have Kuri do my fill than pay a US doctor. Is there anything with aftercare that my PCP should be aware of or can help with? I guess that's a better question to ask you guys. Thanks again

Wow, wow, wow. Can I ask a probably stupid question? Too late - I'm gonna ask anyway..... What did you mean when you said you've been dieting and that you'll continue dieting? What do you do? Count calories or carbs? Maybe you follow weight watchers? I'm very curious. Also, since you've been dieitng, I'm guessing that the band makes the process easier, but would love to ahve your insight. Thanks a Bunch!

Hi There- My name is Kim and I'm from Denver. I've decided to have LapBand surgery, and for a variety of reasons, I've decided to go to Mexico for my surgery. Thanks to all of the information posted here, I am now aware of the 'patient coordinators' (or whatever they call themselves) and the mark-up they have on the surgery. I tried calling Dr. Kuri's office directly, and they simply transferred me to JoAnne, his 'coordinator'. I've had the same experience with trying to call Rumbaut's office in Monterrey. So, ladies (and gentlemen) please help this 'newbie' figure out the trick to getting through to the surgeon's office directly. FYI, the quoted price for my LapBand plus fills, etc, was $8,900 for Kuri and $11,000 for Runbaut. I don't know - maybe this is simply the going rate. Any information would be most appreciated. Kim Denver Deciding on Which Dr. 225 Currently 5'4"

The rule of thumb (different for different folks): Pre-menopausal women - particularly those of child bearing age - need a multi with Iron. Post-menopausal women - no additional iron. Since you're not menstrating, you don't lose all those red blood cells every month. You'll notice the Multi Vitamins tageted to those 'of a certain age'. like Centrum Silver, don't have iron in them, whereas Pre-natal vitamins have TONS of iron in them.