SPEBSQSAlady

I too was banded by Dr. Smith. He is one busy man and such a nice one to boot. I liked him at the first seminar I attended and even more after my first office visit with him. He is very easy to talk too, as is everyone else in his office. Best of luck to everyone waiting, I feel this is the best thing I have done for myself in a long long time. The feeling to be losing weight and not gaining it back is so great.

When were you banded? Have you been for a fill to the new young fellow? Makes getting stuck not so bad......

I have not had to purchase any new duds yet either. I have had people tell me my slacks are getting pretty baggy in the butt ! WOO-HOO, but... I am still wearing them. I read somewhere that when we are large we tend to purchase clothes that fit "snug" and as we lose weight, they begin to look like they were supposed to originally! LOL So I guess mine are at that point now. Oh well, I am saving money not having to shop yet. So looking forward to going to a store and trying on "regular" clothes. So Long Lane Bryant and Woman Within.....

Still here and shirnking slowly but surely. I don't post a lot, but I read a lot and really get great info from this site. Everyone hang in there, we WILL get there.

I was advised that coffee and tea can drain the iron out of your body. I was drinking a lot of coffee and tea to keep me awake. I cut back on both and also found a chewable vitamin that has extra iron in it and am beginning to perk up more and have more energy at the end of the day.

I was banded on Aug 21. The gas lasted for about 1 week. Then I went to a picnic and tried baked beans. :embarassed: Whoa! really wished I hadn't. I got really bad gas that lasted for about 4 days. So, your gas should be calming down, but watch what you eat and don't eat gas-y things for a while.

February 16, 1951 - Babyboomers Unite !!!!!

My doctor recommends New Whey liquid Protein (in a test tube looking thing). 42 grams Protein, 0 sugar, 0 Fat. My doctor also recommends J Robb protein powder mixed with skim milk. I am not for the protein shakes that much so I try to drink a New Whey every day. It is kind of like a watery jello.

PigsRFlying: I also had a strbx, but I went to the low carb mocha light frap. It was utterly delicious, but I ordered a venti and it is still sitting here 5 hrs later. just can't drink the whole thing. Check the strbx site for calorie and fat content of all their drinks and keep it "light".

lessnless: I also go to Dr. Smith and no one mentioned calories to me. I also am not too interested in food, but eat because I know I need too. I tried a very very small piece of York Peppermint Patty that my husband had and it had no taste and chocolate is something I lived on prior to banding. My first fill is next Monday 9/17, but I was there last Fri due to chest pain and he took some out, so don't know what will happen next week.

brandottie The spots may not be a reaction to latex. That is what I was told too when I had another surgery. I have told Drs. no latex for years. This Dr. assured me he did not use any latex and it happened again, and even blistered. Finally figured out I am having a reaction to the adhesive on the steri-strips, not the latex. I was advised to get Hydrocortizone Cream to put on it. That seems to be healing them and it also takes away the itching. I have some brusing, but the blister spots are worse.

I went to the Dr. office yesterday and saw a tech, just to get a release back to work, so I did not get any info on my band yet. I had the questions but she did not have my file and the Dr. was in surgery. So I will wait until 9/17 to get that info. But, trust me, I have lots of questions for him on that day. I was advised to know the size of your band and how much is in it just in case you move or are away and something is wrong you have the information with you.

My banding was Aug 21, 2007. From all the info on this site, I feel my Dr. is rather lack in allowing food, compared to other Drs. He is also a lapbander, so I feel he knows what he is doing and I am doing fine with his rules, so I can't complain. I can only have "canned" meats at this point, but next week I go to real meats. The only limitation is no beef or pork until after my fill on 9/17.

I had that sudden burping also. Was kind of embarrassing, but it has gone away. I was advised to use Gas-X strips and they are working really well. I was told yesterday I could have "canned" meats; i.e., fish, chicken, Vienna Sausages..... yeah I don't know about that last one. I am not a Vienna Sausage fan, but hey, it is an allowed food so maybe I will have to try it. I am allowed only 1/2 cup every meal with no restriction yet, and last night I could not finish my first 1/2 cup of tuna. Nana, I did not think of adding the egg to it. That will be great for dinner tonight. Thanks to everyone who inputs on this site. It is very helpful and since as individuals we all think differenty, we give others more ideas. Kind of like "thinking outside the box", which I am not very good at.

Hi all, I was banded Aug 21, 2007 (one week ago). I was at the hospital at 7:05. The Dr. came and saw me with a cup of Starbucks in his hand. I joked with him that was cruel. They said they would give me something to relax me at 8:00. The next think I knew I woke up in recovery. It seemed like it was 5 minutes later they said I had to stand to go have the barium x-ray. I commented that I had just woken up, but my hubby was there and said I had been awake for 1/2 hour. I don't remember coming back from the x-ray, but the next thing I knew they said I was ready to get dressed and go home. Again, my hubby said it had been about an hour. Seemed like barely a few minutes. My Dr. does not keep anyone over night unless they want it or a medical condition requires it. I got myself dressed, got into the wheel chair and my hubby was waiting for me outside. I remember the ride home, but sat in a chair and fell asleep reading the mail. I slept off and on for the day. I had some pain that evening, but after the first day I took no pain meds and haven't since. I still have some minor discomfort in the mid-chest area, but nothing major and I am planning on returning to work tomorrow after my one week Dr. checkup. The worst part for me was the pre- and post- liquid diets. I am so ready for at least mushies. Good luck to everyone.

Janno, in my case the 6 months was an insurance requirement. The insurance company wants to make sure this is something you really really want for the right reasons. Some people in my Dr's office are self pay and they pretty much have surgery as soon as they complete the pre-op diet.

WOW LapBandit. I am one week out from my Aug 21, 2007 banding. I am looking at some pretty knarly incisions right now, but if I look 1/2 as good as you at one year I will be jumping up and down. Boy you look good. Great job. Do you have any tips for us newbansters?

I was banded last Tuesday and had been doing fine until Friday during the night, when I got really bad nausea. I had nothing to drink or eat before I went to bed so I could not figure it out. After reading your posts I wonder if it was because I went to the store and did a lot of walking on Friday and did not drink enough liquids. Was not aware that could cause nausea. I am going to change that right now and start drinking, drinking, drinking. That is the only problem I have had and I don't want it again. Thanks for the advice.

My doctor required me to eat protein (meat, eggs, cheese, etc.), sugar free jello and pudding and no starches (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, etc.) for 2 weeks prior to surger. My banding was August 21 and I lost all the required weight plus a little and was fine. My surgery took less than 35 minutes and I am doing very well now. My doctor allows clear liquids for 2 days after surgery and then full liquids (soups, etc) for a week, then mushies. I am into the full liquids and it is tough because I ate too much soup the other day and it hurt, but otherwise, if I watch the portion I am doing great.

Rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They MUST be real places, names, Things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. Your Name: Diane 1. Famous singer: Dion Warwick 2. 4 letter word: Dang! 3. Street name: Dunkirk Avenue 4. Color: Dapple Gray 5. Gifts/presents: Diamonds of course 6. Vehicle: Dodge 7. Items on a menu: Donuts 8. Girl Name: Daphnie 9. Boy Name: Donald 10 Movie Title: Dumb, Dumb, and Dumber? 11. DRINK: Diet Soda 12. Occupation: Dancer 13. Flower: Daffodil 14. Celebrity: The "Duke" 15. Magazine: Do It Yourself 16. US City: Dundee, NY 17. Pro Sports Teams: Dallas Cowboys 18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Dumb drivers 19. Something U Throw Away: dirty diapers 20. Things You Shout: Dang? 21. Cartoon Character: Daffy Duck Man, I wish my name started with a "P" like Pam. I like her answers better.

I was banded on Tuesday Aug 21 so I am only 3 days out. For 2 days I had liquids I could read a newpaper through, but on day 3 (today) I went to liquids you could get through a straw. Woo-Hoo I had some tomato juice. Man it was like heaven. I have missed tomatoes for weeks and they one of my favorite foods. I also tried some Cream of Wheat thinned and it was not too bad either. I am also heading to the store to shop for soup ideas. That potato/cheese sounds really good. How are you ladies feeling? I have some pain, but nothing like I expected. I also have been burping alot. Unexpected large burps, is that normal?

I am banded tomorrow! woo-hoo. I have had other surgeries and had the deep breathing problem. I put on the tunes I like to sing along with and wow, I find I am breathing to sing and it does not hurt as bad. It takes a bit, but the music seems to help. Try singing.

SPEBSQSAlady - August 21, 2007

August 21, 2007 is my band day. My new birthday to become a new me. I am so excited. Having no trouble with the 2 week post-op. Just counting down the days.

August 21 band date. My 2 week pre-op is massive protein, low carbs, no starches, and no sugars. I can have all the veggies, cheese and meat I want, plus sugar free jello, and fat free puddings. Only if I cannot stay away from the starches and sugars, do I have to go on the liquid diet for the second week. I am staying way-away from them. Go to the hospital for my pre-op visit tomorrow and then woo-hoo I am under a week to banding. I am so excited to start a healthier life.