Hilljoy

How did your surgery go?? How expensive was it? Congrats on all your accomplishments!!

How did your surgery go? I'm thinking about getting it done but am nervous about going out of the country w/o recommendations... Thanks!!

I kinda had a similar experience. As I approached 58 I began to feel panicky about ever losing wt successfully My Ins would cover only a bypass surg so I bagan what turned out to be a long process aith a huge number of hi tech texts along the way. After about 4 months of testing they told me I was ok to have the surgery. So I went into surgery (Jan 2007) and when I awoke they said I was NOT a candidate because I had a "Massive" left diaphram hernia. Two weeks later (still a bit stunned) I'm at the specialist office. More tests. Yep, giant hernia. THe guy askes if I still want the bariatric surgery. At this point I hardly care but I say, sure...whatever. Then he changes his mind and sys no to the bypass but offers me the lap band.. (as of Jan 1 t he ins will cover it) Whatever I reply. SO! Now it's kinda like we'll do the hernia surgery, which is a big surgery and if it seems reasonable we'll do the lapband. A definate maybe right? Well on Fri the 6th of this month I go in for the hernia surgery. When I awaken 4 hours later they tell me I have no hernia. I have another issue with my diaphram (which I won't bore you with) but they did the lap band (which they think may not work d/t the diaphram issue.) There were some small but painful complications and, frankly it took me a week to get past all that and figure out that I HAVE A LAP BAND! So now I've got to figure out what to do with it. I never really expected it to happen and was not at all prepared. Had my two week check up today and all is well. I've lost 12 lbs and am being graduated to pureed foods. What does this have to do with you??? Well, life throws us curve balls. It's up to us to figure out what to do with them. You have an opportunity to make a very positive change in your life (as do I). You've already made the decision to have this procedure done. You've done the research, asked the questions, searched your soul and reached a conclusion. Don't over think it now. Move forward. Meet this opportunity head on and soar! You'll do great...The decision is made. Don't revisit it. Just move forward...I believe in you...

Contact your MD if you are not having bowel movements. Straining to pass stool is probably not ideal this close to surgery. He/she can help you. Are you taking narcotics?? That can plug you up. Walking and increased fluids might help but the MD is your best bet! (and NO it is not "normal"...common but not normal...) Good luck!!!

I had my banding done 7-6 and had to be sent home with a catheter as I could not empty my bladder. My bladder wasn't working well because of the pain medication. If you are not voiding well, contact your MD. It could be medically serious if let go for too long...My surgery was on a Fri and my voiding returned to normalacy on Mon the 9th. Take care!!