MizPeppy

I was banded 10/05/07 and I haven't had a fill yet. I leave food on my plate because I'm full. I never thought I'd be in a place that I wouldn't obsess over food on my plate but I almost never finish now. I eat on small plates and use small untensils. I, also, feel gleeful over being able to leave food. I went to a restaurant for the first time since surgery and left over half my plate. Isn't that awesome? I can't get over it!

I also had my gallbladder removed 3 weeks before my banding. It was inflamed and painful and the risk of infection was too great to do them both at once. It was a real boost for the pre-op diet. I lost 10 lbs with the gallbladder and 10 on the pre-op.

Wendell, you have a way with words. It is so important to ask your medical professional questions if you are concerned about anything. Looking forward to more posts from you!

LOL! Too funny!

The same happened to me. I worked in the yard for about 2 hours, then I was in so much pain I could barely move. I called the doc's office and the nurse said I did too much. I was fine the next day.

What everyone else said and the fact I have chronic anemia and need to be able to absorb the iron I already take daily.

I play video games when I get the head hunger or boredom. I also started scrapbooking and I reserved a huge amount of books at the library. I don't think I've read this much in years. I'm also redoing the backyard. I'm making square foot gardening on one half and planting a lot of bulbs in the other. I knew I would have problems with head hunger so I looked for ways of distracting myself before surgery so I would have every thing in place. Good luck!

I cheated a couple of times. I was on the lovely skim milk only diet. I had just lost 10 lbs prior to going on the pre-op diet and ended up losing 10 more even though I cheated.

Yikes! Why doesn't he just use heparin?

I'm a nurse and newly banded. I go back to work next week and I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll remember to drink! Beth

I, too, am in bandster hell. I can eat quite a bit. I can eat anything I want. Boo. I'm doing low carb now so I can deal with the appetite. Good luck, Beth

That's what it stands for! I can never remember past the gastro part.

Call the doctor. Explain your symptoms to the nurse. 106/69 is not usually a low enough blood pressure to cause those symptoms so it could be something else. I run between 94/60 and 118/68 as my norm. Take care of yourself first, then work. Even if you just talk to the nurse, it should give you some idea of what's going on. Please, just call.

It took me 3 months from the seminar to the surgery. I live in WA state and have Providence insurance. I was not required to be on a diet for 6 months but I had a sleep study, EKG, psych consult, sleep study, nutritionist appt and a physical therapy appt. Oh, and I had to see their regular doc and have lots of blood work too.

I was very uncomfortable for 9 days. I could not have gone back to work. I had my gallbladder out 3 weeks before banding and I felt better within 2 days so I was expecting the same with the band. I couldn't believe how much worse it was. Now I'm 13 days out and feel great, but when I do a lot of yardwork I have incredible pain at my port site.

I had an EGD because my surgeon decided I needed it. I have chronic iron deficiency anemia. He also required a colonoscopy. YIKES! They will give you versed which will make you forget the whole experience. The EGD part is easy and will go by quickly.

I also had a psych eval, a sleep study, two classes, met with their doc for extensive blood work, saw a nutritionist and a physical therapist. Now I have a post op support group. I didn't see a cardiologist because I already have one, but I had an EKG. I am now banded and I love my band. When you go through such an extensive process, you have the opportunity to have all your questions answered and get all the facts related to the band. It is worth it in the end to be so prepared. Beth

:clap2:What a great idea! With your attitude you will be so successful with the band! beth

Did you talk to a nutritionist prior to surgery? If so, maybe the nutritionist could help you. I would call your surgeon's office and see if you could substitute soy milk for cow's milk. The protien is very important for healing. My doc says it's ok to add crystal light to my water, it goes down a lot faster for me that way. I was banded on 10/5 and I am taking swallows now. I called my doc's office yesterday with some questions and the nurse was very nice and helpful. Good luck, Beth

I'm sorry you have no support, it is important. This board is great for support and bariatric centers usually have monthly support groups. I am 48 with hypertension, diabetes and angina and I think this will be the best thing I've ever done for myself. I have lost 28 lbs so far and my ankle no longer hurts. I hope it works out for you. You have to do what you think is best for you. Beth

I had the same thoughts but now that I'm banded I remind myself that I'm going to do it! I can lose weight, I just can't keep it off so I think the band will help me keep it off. I think you will be surprised at how good a tool the band can be. I also think its important to have a good support group. This is a great message board, I also joined a Yahoo message board and attend a support group at the hospital. I have very supportive friends also. I am really lucky. It really helps to have people around who are going through the same thing. Beth

My doc required a sleep study. I thought I probably had it since I am so fat, but no, no sleep apnea for me. I'm glad I had the study though, one less pre-surgery worry. Beth

This is great! I am 8 days post op and yesterday I was sooo hungry. I went shopping instead but I could eat all day! I'm glad to hear this is normal. It is hard to stick to liquids when you are sooo really hungry. Beth

Milk of Mag will work wonders.It had to be terribly uncomfortable to go through that!

Good luck to all being banded today! My prayers are with you! Jude - I was banded the day before you and I had problems getting water down for the first 12 hours. I was able to get 2 ounces of water in 15 minutes down yesterday, day 2 but even today I have trouble with protien shakes. I do feel a LOT better today so hopefully you'll get over the hump. Does your doc know that you're having problems? Good luck, Beth