Summer87

I find that two Protein shakes twice a day as suggested by my NUT with soy or skim milk helps curb my hunger between meals. I discovered unjury Protein powder, which is "medical protein powder" and I order it online and it is less expensive then buying it at Vitamin shop I ate a piece of cake yesterday. I was so mad someone brought homemade pound cake to the staff meeting at work, and I wanted to scream! I had a little piece and felt so ashamed! Have you tried Protein Shakes between meals?

Yes I noticed when I eat fast I tend to eat more. I moved my first fill appointment to Dec. 10th I could not wait. :confused:

Thanks everyone for your support!

Hi Jamie, We were banded on the same day, and I am having to really be careful about what I put in my mouth. I lost 17 pounds, however, my first fill is not scheduled until 12-17, and I am worried that I will gain the weight back before the fill. Keep us posted how your first fill goes! Donna

I smoked for several years, and in August 07 when I was a given my lap band surgery date of Oct. 24th I got really scared. I read and talked to by surgeon about how smoking can cause complications during, and after surgery and that some surgeons will not operate if you have not stopped smoking for at least six weeks prior to surgery. I quit on August 11th 07 and have not smoked since. The first few days were crazy!!! I was irritable and could not be around smokers or watch t.v or movies with anyone smoking. I thought I would climb the walls, however, I rode it out and each week it got easier and easier. I was so desperate I chewed regular gum constantly and also tried Nicorette gum. The fear of surgery is what caused me to quit. Try logging on to American Cancer Society there is a support web site for those trying to quit. I wish you the best and you can do it!! :clap2:

I had surgery Oct. 24th and have lost 15 pounds. I can relate and know it is hard during these first few weeks after surgery without any restriction, so any weight loss is a success whether or not it is two pounds or 10 pounds! Even if I do no loose much more weight until my first fill I will be happy with what I did loose. :clap2: Are you still doing Protein shakes twice day or do people stop the shakes after a certain point in their post op?

Greetings, Just checking in and saying hello to folks who are scheduled this week for surgery. I started this WLS Journey June 07, and can't believe it is actually time for the surgery. All the pre-op testing, running all over town for appointments and getting approval from insurance company is behind me! I am now ready, and just can't wait until the surgery is over..the waiting period when it is this close to the date is hard for me. I think once I get to the hospital and in a gown I will be ok..it is the anticipation and nervous energy that is building up! Next week we will be talking about post op issues so this is probably the last pre-op post I may have! How is everyone else doing? Are you excited? Nervous? :clap2:

Hello, Just checking in to see how all the October 07 Lap Band Surgery folks are doing? On pureed foods or soft foods? Is anyone getting hungry now since they are healing and there is not restriction yet? My first fill is not until 12-27, and I am worried that I am going to gain the weight back I lost since surgery!

I am four weeks Post Op and on soft foods since 11-15. It is so amazing how every surgeon/Nutritionist etc is different. I was on Clear liquids, vanilla yogurt and vanilla pudding for 8 days and then graduated to pureed foods for two weeks! I also had my surgery at a center of excellence. I have had no complications with the surgery or during the post op. I was also told no coffee ever again, and come to find out half of the people I have talked to started drinking their coffee again at about one week post op! :rolleyes I am thinking that the first two weeks post op are critical as far as diet, however, after that they just want to make sure you do not gain weight back before your first fill, and introduce the "bad" food again. So they encourage you to stay on pureed, and soft foods as long as possible before that first fill. This just confirms that every surgeon and nutritionist can be different, and I have no problem venting or calling them to ask questions!

I wish you the best on your day..and we all have to compare notes as we go!

My Surgery is on Wed also at 8:00 AM, and I realized I can get a pedicure also. I thought we had to remove all polish but it is only nail polish. Yes we can keep notes as we go!

Hello, Do not worry you are not alone..my surgery is this week on the 24th and to deal with my nerves I am trying to surround myself with everything positive. For example, I am reading positive things about the lap band either on the message boards or other educational information. I am also invisioning myself in one year, healthy, wearing a bathing suit, and running/jogging at the Race for the Cure...I am trying to think positive and not have any negative influences. I am not watching T.V much and in particular those hospital shows, ER, Greys Antamony etc. Just think next weekend we will be looking back saying we did it!!!! Wish you the best with your surgery

Help I am getting mixed signals!:heh: As you may know from previous posts, I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. (Yipee). I will not start using my CPAP machine until Tuesday or Monday night (waiting for prescription from pulmonary) MY SURGERY IS OCT. 24TH. The paperwork provided to me from the hospital states you need to have used your CPAP machine at a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery (or your surgery may have to be re-scheduled). Apparently, they like you to get used to the machine, and make sure that it is working for you. Here is the catch, On Friday I went for a pre-surgical interview at the hospital with the bariatric nurse coordinator (discussed all medical issues and tests), and she stated 7-10 days is plenty of time to be on the machine before surgery. Can anyone tell me how long they were on a CPAP for the first time before surgery?? Were some of you diagnosed with sleep apnea before surgery, and did not use a CPAP machine at all before surgery? I am so confused now..:Banane10:

HI, I suspected I had sleep apnea. I asked my surgeon to include an order for a study with all of the other pre-op tests. Turns out I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. I also saw a pulmonary doctor who read the results, and explained them to me. The Pulmonary doctor ordered a 2nd study (sleep titration). This week I had the sleep titration study to find out the exact settings I need on my CPAP machine. The pulmonary doctor (lung doctor) will determine based on the results of your study if you need a CPAP machine and explain your diagnosis. I am relieved that there is answer as to why I have been feeling exhausted, irritable and gasping for air at night! My surgery date is 10-24 and I am hoping that once I begin loose weight the sleep apnea will go away. A CPAP is not a pretty thing! However, I will tolerate it as long as I have to in order to have healthy sleep, and be safe. I have been told by doctors and nurses that it is better to find out now if you have sleep apnea before surgery. Good luck with everything!

Hello everyone, I am new to this site, and scheduled for lap band surgery Oct. 24th. Any folks out there who were banded over 4 years ago? I am curious what it is like for you long term?? I know the lap band was approved by FDA in 2001 in the USA so there is not a lot of data/studies in the USA beyond seven years. How are you all doing?!! As a soon to be banded persons I need positive encouragement! :clap2:

Hello, I was just diagnosed with mild sleep Apnea, and my surgery is scheduled for Oct. 24th. What kind of annoys me is that my surgeon did not order the sleep study! I had to ask him to include a sleep study on the Preoperative testing orders even though during the initial consult I told him I snored, and was seriously tired all day. I know the surgeon has a strong reputation in the community, however, if I had not asked for the study then I would have had the surgery anyway and the doctors and nurses caring for me would have not idea that I have sleep apnea :omg: Glad I was persistent! My pulmonary doctor is recommending a sleep titration study before the surgery and then a CPAP machine. I am a little disappointed as it appears I will have to re-schedule my surgery & the next available surgery date is mid December. Did anyone else find out they have Sleep Apnea, and had to postpone surgery until the sleep titration study was completed? Can anyone else share their experiences with sleep titration studies, and using a CPAP machine at the hospital when they had their surgery? Has anyone ever used the hospital's CPAP machines instead of waiting for your own or is that even possible? Sorry if I sound confused... I am new to all this!

One thing that bothers me is when skinny people say, "I look "fat" and they wear a size six. What also makes me mad is when I am told, "you are not fat just "thick and do not worry you have a pretty face" The fact is I have a BMI of 41, and health problems because of my obesity. I they would just try to empathize and not minimize!

That is wonderful!...I was just diagnosed and prepared to start a CPAP machine Friday. My Lap Band surgery is scheduled Oct. 24th and it is good to learn that with surgery there is hope..

I wish you the best and send peace and blessings! I am scheduled for lap band surgery 10-2407. Stay positive and your anxiety is normal! Take care...

Greetings, I started the WLS journey in June 07, and I am scheduled for lap surgery Oct. 24th. I am looking forward to the discussions on this site!

Hi, I noticed your post and wanted to ask how long you used your CPAP at home before surgery...I heard that many surgeons require you to use the CPAP at home for two-three weeks before surgery? I am newly diagnosed with sleep apnea and scheduled for surgery Oct. 24th!

Thanks for your reply! From what I understand it more important to bring your mask with you to the hospital, and the hospital can then program your correct settings on their machine (correct me if I am wrong). And The only way to get accurate settings is to have the sleep titration study. I understand a lot more now...thanks everyone for your support on this!

I do not live in NY, however, Dr. Fielding co-authored a book with Kali Ali about lap band surgery. Great book Kali Ali had lap band surgery and talks about her experience. Dr. Fielding had the lap surgery and has performed thousands of lap band surgeries! If I lived in NY I would go to NYU!

As part of my preoperative testing I had to have a EKG. I have not heard of an EGD. If a EKG is what you have to have it is simple and easy. During the visit with my Primary Care doctor a tech came in with a machine. The tech placed wires on my heart/chest and monitored my heart rate. Test took about ten minutes! Hope this helps!

Thanks for the response! I am about 110 pounds overweight. I am nervous about the surgery! (never had surgery) How is the weight for you and how, and where do you get a "ticker?"