bigunc

JBY you and I were banded on the same day and had the same issues with broth. My biggest issue was the severe cave of loose bowels. Liquid in, liquid out someone in this forum told me. My Dr has given me a pretty detailed list of foods to eat and what day post op to start them. Today is day seven and I can eat mash potatoes, cream of wheat, well cooked vegs, veg. Soup, Beans (no rice) and baby food. Doesn't sound like much but anything is better than broth. I agree with everyone else who said 6 weeks post op before filling the band. I don't think 1 week is enough healing time without a problem with slipage if filled now. I know, not what you wanted to hear. Good luck and keep us up to date on your journey.

Melisa, I personally had very little pain to speak of. I had to stay overnight and this probably helped. I had more of a discomfort sensation than pain. I felt as though I could have went to work Thursday (had surgery on 2-25-08). I had to see my Cardiologist and PCP on Thursday so will go to work Monday (I am off on Fridays). I also had none of the "gas Problems" most people have described.

Impressive, no way! Stupid, probably! Worth the ride, most definately!!!!! I have to admit my wife was livid when she found out I took a ride. I was like a 16 yr old sneaking out after curfew yesterday. I waited until the Wife and Daughter left to go to the Mall before I hatched my plan to ride. I knew I had a good 6 to 8 hrs before they got home. What I didn't count on was getting caught. Everything was fine until my In-Laws called and asked my Wife: "what in the hell was that idiot doing riding so soon after surgery?" I didn't see them but they saw me. Busted, couldn't really say anything to prove I still had functioning brain cells so I kept quiet, smiled and took my lumps. My daughter was laughing her ass off at her 4'11' mom fussing at her 6'1" 375 lb Grizzley Bear Dad. She told me I was dumber than her 16 yr old brother. "HEY LEAVE ME OUT OF THIS!" my 16 yr old Son said. Lets see, If I wait for her to go to the grocery.... Naw, I better let this one pass over for a while. No ride scheduled for today Oh yeah, Lifting your leg high enough to get on the bike will remind you very quick that you had Lap-Band surgery 5 days earlier.

I didn't have anymore soreness or stiffness after the ride that I did before it. Mind you I have a softail frame and not a rigid frame. Rigids would probably make the ride alittle more questionable for Lab-Band patients with this short of post op time.

I sure hope not. I was banded on 2-25-08 and took a ride this morning. About 100 miles total.

Val I agree with you. I feel a need to chew on some type of textured food instead of actual hunger pains. Six days out and felt ready to do something outside. My DW saw me headed outside and wanted to know where I was going? To wash the truck I said. She looked at me like I was crazy (I am). I just had to get outside to do something. Now I had to wait for her and my 16 yr old son to come and help me. For those of you who have never experienced help from family washing your truck, try it some time. I think my truck looks dirtier today after "WE" washed it than before "WE" started. Oh well I made it outside for a change of pace. Oh yea, I feel great and life is good.

MicheleK if you polled everyone on this board you probably would find that 95% would agree that no one liked the idea of a 3/6 month diet. But... As my Surgeon told me when I asked; Why am I required to lose weight to have the Lap Band for weight loss? His answer: Look at this as trial period. Getting the band is a lifelong change, If a person can't stick too a diet for 3-6 months how will they change their eating habits for the rest of their lives. I wasn't thinking like that at the time. But what he said made a great deal of sense. Trust me, once you start the diet you will look forward to your next weigh in. I can only talk to the pre-op diet as I was only banded 2-25-08. But I do know I am better prepared to make this band work because of the strict pre-op diet. Don't get discouraged, you can do the pre-op diet if you tell yourself you have to. I don't know about your medical circumstancses but mine was to loose weight or not be around for much longer. I already have 5 of the co-morbities listed in the Aetna clinical policy bulletin for obesity surgery. So a diet was the only way for me to ensure no more health issues in the future.

I hear you Jack. For the last year I've weighed myself on a freight scale at work.

Did anyone have a medicine pump after surgery? I had one that was distributing a local anesthetic to the wound site thru a small tube into the skin. Worked great for me. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but this was great. I never really felt anything more than discomfort. I acidently pulled the tube out of my skin on day 3. That bothered me more than anything else. Also I have yet to use any of the prescribed pain meds (Loratab) given to me for post surgery.

Have you checked your blood glucose levels since you have been on the liquids?

59 lbs lost total. 8 lbs lost since 2-25-08 banding.

I am 46 and married with 3 kids. I have been overweight all of my childhood and most of my adult life. I had a span of from the ages of 20 thru 26 when I was not over weight but actually in very good shape. I have most of the co-morbitites listed in Aetna's list: Asthma, Diabeties, High BP, Congestive heart failure, Afibb & sleep apnea. My problems really started in November of 1997 when I was diagnosed with Lumbar Stenosis. In 2001 I had to be hospitalized with type II diabetes and High BP. In 2004 I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. This past April I had to be rushed to the ER and was diagnosed with Congestive Heart failure and Afibb. Yes, I was a stroke waiting to happen. My Ahrrythmia specialists told me if I didn't start to lose weight in a hurry I would not be around this time next year. The Ahrrythmia Specialists recommended I look in to the Lap-Band procedure. At my heavist I weighed 435 lbs. At my first consult I weighed 413 lbs. I weighed in at 376 lbs on 2/25/08 the day of my surgery. I My goal (besides losing weight) is to cut back on as many meds as possible. My Diabetic injectable (Lantus) has been reduced from 100 units daily to 30 units just because of the weight lost to date.

I had my surgery done Monday 2-25-08 at 7:00 am. I was scheduled for same day surgery but my Dr. decided I should stay over night to be monitored thru the night. He said he had a problem with heavy bleeding thru out my procedure and wanted to be cautios. In recovery I started bleeding again at three wound sites a couple of times. All in all it was probably better because the Nurses waited on me hand and foot. One suggestion is to get up and walk as soon as you are able. I have a high tolerance for pain so I have not used any of my pain meds yet at 3 days post op.

Loprofyl, Monday morning I weighed myself at home before surgery and again when I returned fron the hospital, I gianed 6 pounds. I know it is not because of what I ate. Monday I had one full liquid meal for Dinner. Tuesday I only had one full liquid meal for brakfast. Each meal consisted of Broth, Jello, Fruit Juice and Iced Tea. I think my fluctuations with weight are more about fluid retention in lieu of what I am eating,

Well my Lap-Band journey has now started. I was banded Monday 2-25-08. Had to report for 5:30 am on Monday because I was the first surgery of the day. The only problem of the day was during admission we had to pay a $200.00 pre admit fee according to Aetna. This was not mentioned before Modany morning. I told my wife this was a small price to pay in order to get my life back to normal. I was supposed to go home the same day but had to stay overnite. The Doctor said because of the large amount of bleeding he wanted to err on the side of caution. The hospital staff were wonderful. The Nurses took great care of me. I had a problem urinating for the 1st 8 hrs after surgery. The Nurse called the Doctor and he said if I did not urinate in the next two hours the Nurse would have to put a catherter back in me. If you have never experienced having a catherter put in while you are awake be thankful, it is not a pleasant experienc. I kept trying to urinate for about an hour and a half before I was successful. I was like my body could not remember what it had to do to make it happen. I didn't get much sleep because it seemed like every time I dosed off someone was taking my BP, temp or having to turn off one of my moniters alarms. I was alittle upset when they woke me up to see if I needed something to help me sleep. Next morning I was scheduled to do a procedure where I drank something while they x-rayed me to make sure I could still swallow properly. I was scheduled for 10:00 am but didn't get to do it untill aroud 2:00 pm. Then I had to wait for my Surgeon to get the results before I could go home. My Surgeon had surgeries he was performing until about 5:00 pm. When I finally was dischared I had to leave an OnQpainbuster pump hooked up. This a balloon type medicine pump to deliver local anesthetic to the wound sites. I expected more pain after the surgery than what I was experiencing. The only tIme I really had any pain at all was when I got out of bed to walk aroud. I had to walk around hunched over a little to keep from stretching the skin at the surgerical incisions. I have yet to experiene any of the Gas problems that all of patients have experienced. I have been home for 5 1/2 hrs and have not had to use the liquid pain meds the Surgeon prescibed for me. I am now sitting at home in my recliner as I type this up. You start to feel 100% better just by being in familar surrounding and with family. Good luck to all of you in the process of having the Lap-Band sugery. Remember the hardest part is all the pre-op requirements and not the actual surgery.

My Heart Specialist suggested I go to the seminar and hear what they had to say. He also told me that he recommended Dr. Treen because of his experience and success treating some of his other patients. I also found out that 3 people I know are patients of Dr. Treen ( 2 have the Lap-band and one is in the pre-op stage ). All 3 told me that Dr. Treen and his staff are both 1st rate. I asked them what was their dislikes about them and none of them had any complaints at all.

Crazy, PT they had me stretching and weight training. I was strictly prohibited from doing any type of cardio work by my Arrhythimia Specialist. I have a lower back condition (Lumbar Stenosis) so the Therapist geared the therapy to help my back. It helped the back tremendously but it also helped my weight loss. Aetna had no issues with this as my supervised exercise requirement.

Ok Guys I have a question about the liquid diet. I've been on a liquid diet for 3 days and my stomach has revolted. First 2 days were normal liquids and today has been clear liquids. 1 more day of clear liquids with my surgery scheduled for Monday morning. I can't seem to stay off the comode. Is this normal? Amodium has not helped. I don't remember hearing anything about possibly having this problem from the Surgical team.

Did you actually check Walmart? I thought the same thing about having to look else where for a scale. I had to have a scale that read up 400 lbs. I went to Walmart and found that they actually had 4 differant brand names that had a 400 lb range. They were in the section selling bathroom towel racks, soap dishes etc. I bought the "Taylor Lithium" model and have no regrets. It was the mid priced model. I was concerned that it was a glass scale. I hadn't paid attention in the store. I was worried at 390+ lbs I would break the scale. Down 30+ lbs and the scale hasn't shattered yet. Every time I go for a weigh in at the Surgeons office I weigh myself at home wearing everything I plan on wearing to the Doctors office. I found that my scale at home is reading exactly the same as the Doctors.

Wow, Its depressing to hear what alot of folks have had to do to get approved. I haven't experienced any of the paperwork issues/denials that some of you have. When I needed some form of documetation to continue the Nurse was ringing my phone off the hook. When I requested my 5 yr weight history from my PCP, the Bariatric Nurse was calling them twice a day until she recieved it. The Surgical Nurse kept everything in line and submitted the paperwork on the day of my last required weigh in. 5 weekdays later she called to tell me I was approved. 3 days after that I recieved the approval letter in the mail from Aetna. I think most of the issues for denial are a reflection on the Staff doing the submittals. I wish everyone were able to get their approval 1st time as I did. Its hard enough to meet all the criteia without being denied due to missing paperwork. My only problems with Aetna always were something the submitting Doctors office did wrong. Its a shame but the burden of proof is always on the patient. For everyone discouraged by the insurance requirements and denials, It will get better! Lache pas la patate! (Don't give up!)

TachaBaby505.................Natacha.......................9 January 2008 crystalcml.......................Crystal........................28 January 2008 DxMOM...........................Jennifer........................1 Febuary 2008 CynthiaMcC ....................Cynthia........................1 February 2008 Sadie..............................Sarah..........................2 February 2008 4jin02.............................Janis............................4 February 2008 Neenco...........................Dineen..........................4 February 2008 Kittenquite.......................Ko...............................4 February 2008 slbindc............................Susanne.......................4 February 2008 Babedoe4........................Babe............................4 February 2008 patticNJ..........................Patti............................5 February 2008 petergriffin......................Russ.............................5 February 2008 Big marathoner.................Amy.............................5 February 2008 Michelle9003....................michelle........................5 February 2008 Beachbum0519.................Alisa.............................5 February 2008 girlsmack........................Shannon........................6 February 2008 Peabody.........................Amanda.........................6 February 2008 JaxBandster.....................Karen...........................7 February 2008 EnchantedRuby................Ruby.............................7 February 2008 Shinyhappymommy...........Melissa...........................8 February 2008 TinaBobina......................Tina.............................11 February 2008 LilMissBand-Aid................Irene............................11 February 2008 Baby Ruth.......................Ruth.............................11 February 2008 MightyQ.........................Quinn............................11 February 2008 Angie4b1g......................Angie.............................12 February 2008 aveamora.......................Staci.............................12 February 2008 sharon160......................Sharon...........................12 February 2008 GmaDebi........................ Debi ............................ 13 February 2008 Mac the Knife..................Mac..............................13 February 2008 travel_anna....................Anna..............................13 February 2008 Princess21......................Kimberly.........................13 February 2008 Viridescence...................Viri................................14 February 2008 Nikki2001.......................Nicole.............................14 February 2008 taismommy.....................Tamika...........................14 February 2008 voxwatt.........................Cristina..........................14 February 2008 Glynda...........................Glynda..........................15 February 2008 St Louis Gal.....................Pat..............................15 February 2008 HappyOne.......................Lesly............................15 February 2008 Bluelion..........................O.................................18 February 2008 Rhapsody♥....................Lori............................. 21 February 2008 Valvinnek.......................Alyssa...........................25 February 2008 Gibson...........................Christy......................... 25 February 2008 Big Unc.........................Jeff..............................25 February 2008 Amieru...........................Amie.............................26 February 2008 Dana-k...........................Dana............................26 February 2008 hijabigirl1973...................Stephanie......................26 February 2008 Ms.Bee...........................Bee..............................26 February 2008 HunterCol.......................Guy..............................26 February 2008 Mel119...........................Melinda........................ 27 February 2008 Coolcrystal......................Crystal.........................27 February 2008 fireleo............................Jess.............................29 February 2008

Frustrated I agree. The point I was trying to make is most of us don't really know what is the right thing to eat when out in resturants. I used McD's because everyone knows it is a grease trap. But most would think when given a choice between a Big Mac and a chicken sandwich, the chicken would be the healthy choice. Not true. I guarantee the book I mentioned will open your eyes when comparing things you thought were healthy to what actually is healthy.

Thanks Kennergirl. We are almost neighbors. I live on the Westbank. I will try to post Monday when I get home to update everyone on my status. I am ready for the surgery to start now. the sooner the better. This site has been a wonderful source of info. The support from those who are already banded has helped all of us in the process of being banded. As my Grandmother use to say "Contre la force y a pas de resistance". (against strength, there is no resistance)

For my first visit to the Bariatric Surgeon I was given a book titled "Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter" by the Calorie King. In it is a section for Resturants and Food Chains. In it lists most menu items and gives you the Calories, Fat and Carbs. Most people associate Big Mac's as being the absolute worst menu item at Mickey D's (calories-540, fat-29, carbs-45). Not true, there are quite a few items worse calorie wise. How many people would have thought from a calorie and carb standpoint that a Grilled Chicken Club is worse for you (calories-570, fat-21, carbs-52)? It has been a definate eye opener. It tells you what is the best choice at plenty of resturants nationwide. This is a must read for anyone trying to limit the intake of carbs, fat, calories, protein or sodium.

Thanks for the info. I am so glad that we still have options pertaining to Boiled seafood. Personally I have always prefered "Gumbo sized Shrimp" to the larger 10-20 count. No matter how large shrimp are cooked, they will always be tougher than the smaller gumbo shrimp. I like your suggestion about the protein in the shrimp mold. Any other local food ideas you have please let me know.