Alfie

I had my gall bladder out this past Wednesday and it went so very easily that it has made me very calm for my upcoming lap band. I heard from others that gall bladder is a tad bit easier than lap band (except one person that found it the other way around). At 4 days post op, I truly feel as if I haven't had surgery except in the evenings I get tired a little easier. I had gas but without the gas pain and my tummy was just a bit sore. I'll find out my surgery date when I see the doctor on December 6. I am hoping it will be the following week. I've heard that my insurance approves pretty quickly so I hope that is so in my case. Regards, Alfie

Hi 100, I was just wondering why the doctor doesn't want you to lose more than 4 pounds prior to surgery? Regards, Alfie:hungry:

Hi Christa, I should be getting my band in December too but I don't have an exact date yet. I got my gall bladder out 2 days ago so now they have to schedule my lap band surgery. Nice to meet you. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Hi Metal, Oh ok, thats great that you had the lap band just 2 weeks later? My doc says 4 weeks for me but his co ordinator says it could be sooner, so we'll see.

Hi Heather, If you've ever had gall bladder problems in the past, I believe that your surgeon will advise you to remove. I just had my gall bladder out on wednesday and am getting my lapband in 4 weeks. My particular surgeon doesn't do both together because of the possibility of contamination of the band, but some doctors do it at the same time. In my case, I'm glad now that he didn't do both together because my gall bladder was severly inflamed and the doc said I had a very black stone in it...

Hi MizPeppy, Oh wow I feel so bad for you. I had my gall bladder out on Wednesday and when I woke up I felt kind of crummy. I didn't feel any pain but just that I felt so venerable I can't imagine what you went through waking up during your surgery. So sorry. Glad it's in your past!

I am also using the Unjury. I use mine with Lactaid milk. The Unjury tastes good and for me, the fact that it is lactose free is the best. My doctor originally had me on Optifast but after a while it was wrecking my stomach so this has been a good change for me.

Hi urnoturcar You said "I could only drink about 2 ounces of that before I felt like i had a whole Thanksgiving meal" That is so great to hear; an encouragement to say the least. I am still waiting to be banded and love getting a picture of how the band will help me in the future

Hi 150 bound. I don't have a date yet but it will be around that time. I am having gall bladder surgery on the 28th of November and the doc said lap band 4 weeks later. Later, the coordinator said that it can sometimes be done as early as 2 weeks later so I am going to try like anything to have it done earlier, if the doctor will agree. I just don't want it to be tooo close to Christmas as I want to feel ok by that time. Well, I know I can't eat but at least I don't want to be a party pooper with pain and all. I wish you all the best as you go through your Lapband Journey! Regards, Alfie

ok, thanks Deb. One question I forgot to ask, should I brown the meat first or just put it in the crock pot raw. Thanks, Alfie

Deb, you really know how to improvise. I am writing down that recipe and keeping it for when I get banded. Round steak is the cut of mean right? and the dressing you are speaking about, is it the dressing in the little envelope? Sorry for all the questions. Regards, Alfie

Hi L.H. First, I want to tell you that I wish you all the best in your lapband journey. Next, I am glad that you said that we could use your email. Of course I must change some details but I am going to send one to my family and friends as well, Thanks, Alfie

Hi Heather, I've never heard of it but has it been resolved by now?

Hi T I am using Dr. Nishimura from South Nassau Communities Hospital who is on the team with Dr Vohra. If you want to go to Manhattan, Dr Ren/Dr Fielding from NYU are wonderful doctors. So many from this site have used them. Hope that helps. Regards, Alfie

hi Lillian, Glad you're feeling good. Im in Richmond Hill just a few towns away from you. Still not banded but I have a date for my gall bladder to come out on November 28 I heard so many good things about Dr Fielding! I'm being banded by Dr Nishimura from South Nassau Communities Hospital. He also practices at a "circle of excellence" so I'm feeling confident. Take care and let us know how you are progressing.

Congratulations. You're looking really great...amazing

My doctor is Dr Nishimura who is part of the team with Dr Vohra from South Nassau Communities Hospital in Long Island, New York.

Hi Rosita, Actually, I don't have gall stones. My gall bladder is not working properly. In a manner of speaking, it's misfiring (my own words, I forgot how he put it). I have had problems with my gall bladder for many years. Long ago, I was diagnosed with sand in my gall bladder but at the time, the doctor did not recommend surgery (I don't know why). I mentioned all the problems I've had with my gall bladder to my surgeon so he wanted to have it checked out. Now, when I was tested, they said I have no sand there. Then, I went for a special test called a HIDA scan and it showed the problem. I have actually had what I call attacks for many years. Sometimes I would only have a couple a year while others times I would have one or two a month, so at this time, I'm glad it's coming out. Even though you're not having pain now, it's good that you are having it removed as weight loss can be a problem with gall stones. :sick:sick:sick:sick:sick The symptoms I get are nausea and severe pain under the right rib cage and going around the right side of my back. It usually will keep me up at night for several hours and then it disappears as fast as it came.

Hi, I have to have my gall bladder out too. I should be getting that out next week some time. My doctor does not do both surgeries at the same time. He says that the bile inside the gall bladder can contaminate the band if it leaks. Well, I know some doctors do it at the same time and from what I've read, there is controversy about whether it should be done together or not. Since I don't want to change doctors at this point, I'm going to have to trust what he says. He told me that he will do the lap band 4 weeks later.

Hi, well, i will be done in December. I was doing really well as you can see by my ticker but it was actually up to 40 but I gained back like 8 lbs. It's been difficult for me too. I think we just have to hang in there. ps. Why don't you come to chat, thats where we are hanging out and chatting. Just click on 'chat' at the top of the site and you'll be in a room with lots of banders.

I think this is the reason why we need the band, because we do go back and forth with dieting. The coordinator at my center told me that during the 6 mos weight loss, it is okay if you fluctuate as this will also show the insurance company that you do indeed need some surgical help. I'm also in the near end of my 6 mos diet.

Hi Molly, I am not banded but I'd like to share with you what my experience was. I was definate that I wanted the surgery. I too looked into it for a while. When the doctor put me on optifast in order to loser 10% of my weight, I started to be convinced that I could do this on my own (even though I've tried a gazillion diets in the past). I even went to the extent of canceling my Psych appointment. Well, I stayed on Optifast for 5 weeks doing really, really well, but then suddenly I started to go off little by little just like every other diet I've ever been on. I felt so confused as I vascillated from surgery to no surgery and back again. Well, I decided to start coming onto this board and also the chat every day and really reading about lapband surgery and life after. I bought a book called 'Lifeband for Life' which was very helpful. I can honestly say, that I have no doubts right now that the surgery is a right decision for me. I rescheduled my Psych approintment and am moving forward. The one thing that happened that is negative for me is that my husband who was supporting my decision is on the fence now on whether surgery is for me. I believe that all my indecision scared him. I wish you all the best in your decision. Regards, Alfie

Hi HoneyB, I'm thinking that we all, as Christians have questioned whether God is in this. I am so happy about this thread because to be honest, I thought I was the only one thinking like that. It's nice not to be alone and to know that it is a valid concern yet to be able to get insight from our brothers and sister in Christ as to their experiences. In Him, Alfie

Hi Scott, I think what you are feeling is is pretty normal with this or any surgery. Lord, I ask that Scott have Your peace and that You give the doctors wisdom during his surgery, guide their hands and protect him from all evil as he goes through this surgery, Give him peace that passes all understanding. Take away his fear and help him to be calm about this surgery. Let his life be a witness to who You are. I also ask that you bless every person in this thread and I thank you for them that we are able to fellowship in this way. I ask this all in the precious and mighty name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus, Amen In Him, Alfie

Hi, I'm not banded yet but the main reason that I don't like the bypass is because of the mal absorption. You have to be very mindful of eating correctly with the bypass also.