jennyl

Hi, I'm new here but already have an important question...... I just got approved yesterday by my insurance co. and am scheduled for surgery on July 20th. Yipeeeeeee! :whoo: The issue is....my husband, 12-year-old son, and I, are going on vacation for a week beginning August 5th, which is roughly 2 weeks after surgery. We are getting on a house boat on a lake in Arkansas. Will I be ready to do this so soon? Will I feel good enough?......What will I be eating by this time?.......Will I need to be nearer to my Dr. that soon after?......:eek: I don't have a clue as to what to expect after surgery. Can anyone help me figure this out? Thank you so much! Jenny

I haven't visited this board in months. I've been too depressed. I had my surgery in July and haven't lost a pound. I've had four fills. After every fill, I have restriction and start losing. Then, after just a few days, the restriction is gone and I'm able to eat whatever. If I could do this with willpower, I wouldn't need the band in the first place! Every time I go in for a fill, my fill doctor, whom I love (she is awesome), tests to see if all my fills are still there. And then she adds some. I have great restriction, and I'm thinking...okay, now we're talking! Then, in a few days, back to eating whatever I want! We know I'm not leaking, and she always does a real-time x-ray, so we know my pouch isn't stretched out and it hasn't slipped. I'm really down about this. This is not what I signed up for! Any advice?

Hi all you July Bandsters! I am Jenny and had the surgery on Thursday, 7/26. I usually just come on these boards and read, very rarely posting. I just didn't feel like I could offer too much support until I actually knew what I was dealing with. So, I'm here now and I hope I am welcome. Surgery went well. They started the surgery at about 9:30am and I was home by 3pm. They only problems I've had is gas and pain in the entire surgery area. So far, so good. I'll try to get to know each and everyone of you over the coming days.

cherylgymnast -- please don't come on here and try to convince someone, who is obviously at the end of trying everything they know to try, that they can go on "another diet" that you lost 20 lbs. on. She said she has over 100 lbs. to lose. You have no idea what that is like unless you have been there and done that. Thank you very much.

Boy oh boy, did I do that too!!!! I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow (yikes!) but the minute I got a surgery date, I ate everything in sight, even when I felt sick to my stomach from eating (a rare feeling for me!). So then, two weeks out, I started my pre-op diet. Well, I did really well for about a week, and then I started cheating a little here and there. At my pre-op appt. today, the nurse told me to have a "last meal." I was really surprised that she suggested that and now I'm thinking...."what can I have that I really really love that I may never be able to eat again?" There is too much to choose from!!!! HELP!

I am so confused. I feel like I have to literally "pull teeth" to get answers from the Dr.'s office. I went on Friday to get some Protein supplement for the 2-week pre-op diet. I am scheduled for 7/26 so I will start this diet on Wed. 7/11. What am I supposed to/not supposed to eat during this two weeks? I'm really stressing over this. I met a very nice patient of Dr. Collier's in the waiting room on Fri. and she recommended a book, which I have ordered and will be here on Tuesday. She said it will be like my "bible" during this period of pre and post-op. Can any one give me a sample menu for a day of pre-op dieting? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Can anyone feel their band when it is inside them? I don't mean to physically touch it and feel it from the outside. But, do you feel it's presence within you? Or do you just feel like you always have?

Yes. My BMI was 38.? when I first went to my surgeon for a consultation. But, I have high blood pressure, for which I take two different meds, and GERD (gastro-intestinal reflux disease). I had to see a nutritionist and a psychologist and get letters of recommendation from each. And I also had to provide a history of attempts to lose weight for the last ten years or more with no lasting success. My insurance is BCBS of Massachusetts (even though I live in TX). Just find out from your insurance company what their requirements are...they all differ....some more difficult to get approval than others. Good luck!

What is a pani?

I started my 2-week pre-op diet on Thursday: A.M.: pick two of the following: fruit, Cereal, oatmeal, egg, toast Noon: Protein shake (may use milk/soy milk and add fruit for taste) Dinner: one serving lean meat and one serving green vegetables P.M. Snack: another Protein Shake I am sooooooo tired. :notagree All I want to do is sleep! Is this normal? I am also still taking my regular multiple Vitamins.

The book is "Lap-Band For Life (The Complete Patient Guide to Success with the Lap-Band)" by Ariel Ortiz Lagardere, MD, FACS. I ordered on-line at Amazon.com.

Can anyone tell me what the difference is between clear and full liquids? I'm confused because, on the pre-op diet, some people say that they mix their Protein supplement (powder) with milk. But is milk a clear liquid? I'm supposed to be on an all-clear-liquid diet for two weeks before surgery. Is sugar-free yogurt okay? What about cottage cheese?

Thanks everyone for the responses. I was soooooo wrong! I called the nurse yesterday and got the REAL pre-op diet. It is not just liquids, but more of a low-cal, low-fat, low-carb thing. I was supposed to go to their office and pick up a pre-op instructions packet. Did anyone ever tell me this? No! I have had to ask every question I can think of in order to get instructions about anything from them. I guess they are just really busy. And I am an adult, so I should just be responsible for gaining my own knowledge. Which I have done by reading everything I can get my hands on. It's just the Dr.'s office that I have to drag info out of!

I was just getting ready to ask if anyone knew a good way to tell a 12-year-old boy (my son) who is very very observant. He is not obese, but has been a little "chubby" for the last two years or so. And now he is starting to like girls a little and has been trying to eat better and exercise to lose some weight around the middle. We've always stressed "health" instead of just "losing weight" with him. And I don't want him to think that surgery is the answer for him as well. So far, only my husband knows and I'm also trying to figure out a way to keep it from my co-workers. Any advice?

I was just curious.....what are the supplements like and how far in advance are you supposed to start using them? I am having the hardest time getting the staff at Dr. Collier's office to answer questions. I have been approved by my insurance co. and they have spoken to my Dr's office, so they know I am approved. But I still keep getting treated like a stranger!

Hi all! I've posted a few times here but not on this thread. My date is July 26th and I'm so excited and scared all at the same time. But, it will all be worth it if I can live long enough to know and love Grandchildren! (My son is only 12 now....lol) Oh, and to be able to wear a real belt again! That would be heaven.

Hi Juleeann! Thanks for responding to my question. Do you mind if I kept in touch with you from time to time to see how you are doing? I don't know anyone personally who has been banded and I'm really really really nervous. How do you feel so far? Was the two weeks pre-op diet difficult? Are you happy you did this? I can't wait and, at the same time, I'm scared to death. Thanks, Jenny

Just curious. Why are you driving to California to have the surgery when there are some excellent doctors in Texas? Is there some thing I should know? I am getting banded July 20th by Dr. Richard Collier in Houston. Thanks.

This Alli drug is the over-the-counter version of Xenical, which was prescribed by my doctor and was one of the many drugs I have tried to lose weight with in my past. I never even finished the first month's supply because, OMG, it was awful! I would be shopping at the mall and walking fast, you know....and sometimes when you walk fast you pass a little gas unknowingly......well......it wasn't just gas. It was greasy, yukky, stuff that soaks right into your clothes instantly and shows through!!! And one time I had it running down my leg. Thank God I was at home that day and no one saw! Anyway, I do NOT recommend this avenue of attempted weight loss.

Thanks so much for replying so quickly. I feel quite a bit better and now think that this is very do-able. I am a quick healer. After my C-section, I refused to take pain medication because I started breast-feeding right away. And I was up and walking around one day after surgery. I hate to be immobile! There is a refrigerator on the boat, and I may have to stock it with puddings, popsicles, and yogurt, and the cupboards with Soup, but that's fine with me. I have waited long enough and really don't want to postpone anything at this point, if you know what I mean! Thanks again, Jenny

Hi maryb - I am also in The Woodlands and only months different in age. I would love to be able to email you. My Dr. is Collier and I am waiting from insurance approval. I can't wait. I am getting so impatient. Please email me at jaleever@swbell.net Thanks so much. Jennifer