BansterNYC

Surgery on Thursday, back at work on Monday. I felt "fragile" for about the first 9 days. The more I slept, the better I recovered. Sleep helps!!!

I like Isopure which is available at GNC. It comes in a variety of flavors and all of them taste great. 1 scoop is 100 calories, 25g of Protein, and no carbs. Some people use 2 scoops for a hearty dose of protein. I mix just one scoop with 1 cup of skim milk for Breakfast, and it keeps me full for several hours. Sometimes I'll put in 1/2 a banana with it in my Magic Bullet mixer. (The Magic Bullet Blender - Official Website) IsoPure was recommended to me by my nutritionist. They also have no carb juice that has 40g of protein. Ask the manager of the GNC store when IsoPure will be going on sale. I have seen it from $30 - $56 for a 5 lb container.

I considered banding shortly after my 28th birthday. I think I could have given traditional diets "one more try", but my surgeon pointed out NO PREGNANCY for at least 2 years after banding, and better to wait 3. I have also run 3 marathons at my heavy weight and still no significant weight loss. So frustrating, but I decided to do banding now. I am happy with my decision, and look forward to running another marathon at a lighter weight.... and improve my speed!

Here's my scar stages! I my skin does not typically heal well, and so I was nervous of how the scars would turn out. Before the surgery, my dermatologist recommended I take the pill form of Arnica Montana (available at GNC) which is a homeopathic medicine intended to promote healing. I have been taking it since 3 weeks before surgery and continue to take it. Also, at 14 days post-op I started using Kelo-Cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel (available at SkinStore.com) which was also recommended by my dermatologist. Looks like they are working!

Ok - banded a week ago today. I feel great, back at work after 4 days. I am on mushies (they had me on them before I left the hospital). I want to be gentle on the band, so I am trying to stick with more liquids than mushies thus I have a liquid Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch -- then pureed Soup or mashed potatoes for dinner. I am getting 60+ grams of protein each day. I am off pain meds and just taking liquid tylenol. Anyway, I am going on a cruise for Thanksgiving week, leaving on this Sunday! I need as much advice as I can get on how to recover well while in this situation!!! How can I best remain on mushies and liquids? I am going to bring Protein powder that I can add to skim milk for breakfast (and likely lunch). I am also going to bring the Magic Bullet to puree foods back in my room. When eating in the dining room I'll just order chicken broth or mashed potatoes for dinner. Also, what if I have a complication with the band? I am worried that I will be stranded on a ship without any help. I am going to take it easy and not do any strenuous activities. I will also keep my scars out of the sun! (Ha- like I'd ever get this body into a bikini right now!) Please give me your thoughts and advice to help me navigate this vacation.

Glad my post helped! You will have a great time 6 weeks post-op on your cruise! Just remember, when you go on solids be sure to introduce only one food at a time. This will take a while as each day you introduce 1 or 2 foods. You could easily do this on the cruise. Not sure what your doc/nutritionist recommends, but mine said to only introduce one food per meal to see what I am tolerating. Best of luck! When is your surgery?

Yes - most insurance companies require you to undergo a 6 month diet with your PCP. I have CIGNA and they require you to do this, and commercial programs don't count (no WW, Jenny Craig, etc). I was put on the weight loss medication Meridia for 9 months last year so I thought that would "count" -- my PCP wrote a letter to CIGNA showing them that I was on Meridida and did not lose much weight (13 lbs) and gained it back once taken off. She also wrote that I did Weight Watchers during this time, and my body was not responsive to these non-surgical weight loss measures. CIGNA did not count either of those, individually or together, as a "Doctor Supervised Weight Loss Plan" -- and CIGNA told me I needed to have doctor's notes every 30 days of the supervised plan recording my weight loss, or lack thereof. When you undergo the Doc Supervised Weight Loss, make sure you do it *right* so you don't have to start all over again! Also, many of the BCBS plans determine your BMI as the weight you have when you START the doc supervised program. Check with your insurance company, read the details of your ins plan, call your insurance company -- don't just rely on what your surgeon tells you. Be proactive and make this happen FOR YOU!!!

I am back from the cruise!!! Thank you all for your advice and support before my departure. This cruise was scheduled 5 months ago, and we thought my surgery was going to happen in June, and once delayed we thought it would happen in August. Due to insurance denials and doc's schedule, I had surgery on Nov 8th. Ten days later I boarded this cruise. Overall, I was so relieved to see how *easy* it was to be on a cruise just 10 days post-op! Ok, here's some of the highlights! 1. Prior to the trip I called Royal Caribbean and discussed my special diet. They allowed me to bring on Protein powers, SF yogurt and Jello packets, FF cottage cheese packets, and drinkable yogurt packets. We stopped off at a grocery store near the dock and picked up these items. We walked right on the ship with them (in grocery bags and clearly visable.) Never once did they ask us about the food. Makes me think I could have brought Snacks and alcohol on previous cruises! They cleared out our mini-bar fridge so we could store these items. 2. Once on the cruise, we requested to me moved to a 2-person table for our dinner meals, and they made it happen. I did not want to have to explain to strangers why I was on a special diet. 3. The head maitre'd took charge and said the wait staff would puree anything on the menu. I just needed to make the selection at meal time. 4. Each night at dinner I was able to always find a clear broth Soup so I ordered that. In addition, I picked an item and they pureed it for me. Typically I selected a salmon or other fish and they pureed it with mashed potatoes. They brought me a large portion, and I was only able to eat maybe 1 cup of it. 5. For Breakfast, oatmeal or soft scrambled eggs were great. lunch was a Protein shake. Between meals I would have a drinkable yogurt or jello packet. 6. Spa treatments were heavenly. I selected a package that was 4 treatments -- mini-facial, scalp massage, foot massage, and back massage. I told the technician that I was unable to lie on my stomach and would she mind skipping the back massage and instead doing a longer foot massage -- no problem! 7. I was unable to enjoy some of the highlights of the ship -- climbing the rock wall, riding the wave machine, playing dodge ball, etc. I encouraged by hubby to do all of these, and he was thrilled! 8. Doc's orders said no hot tubs, pools, or swimming for at least 2 weeks. I stuck to that. I did swim in the cold pool for a few min on Thursday which was at the 2-week mark. I put a water-proof bandage on the port-scar to ensure it would be protected. 9. Doc said no sun on the scars for at least 1 year. I don't look good in a bikini (at least not yet), so there was no worry of that! I wore a one-piece suit, and while out in the sun put a small towel draped over my belly just to make sure the sun wouldn't reach the scars! 10. I ended up leaving the Magic Bullet at home, and glad I did. I did not need it. Anyone else thinking of a cruise so soon after their surgery will likely be fine (check with your surgeon), but just be prepared, take it easy, sleep alot, and have a great time!

Yes - everyone is different. There have been a few threads posing this question (do a quick search to locate them), and the general consensus seems to be that 1 week out of work is average. It all depends on your job though. I have a desk job so it was easier for me to return on Monday (after a previous Thursday surgery). The difficulty was that my job requires me to *think* -- novel concept, I know! It was difficult to concentrate on tasks while taking pain meds. In my case, I was on Percocet, and thus difficult to actually work! I left each day around 4:30 (I usually work 9 - 6), and went home and took a nap. I made sure we didn't have any social event or after-work stuff to attend to -- I think that helped as well. As soon as I shifted off of Percocet and on to Extra Strength liquid Tylenol, that made all the difference! I was alert and able to focus at work.

I appreciate all the thoughts on this thread. However, most posters here are not saying HOW they kept it a secret. If you work from home, or are a stay-at-home-parent .... I guess it's much easier. But how did most of you keep it a secret? Pre-op and post-op diets? Recovery time? If you work, and were out for a few days or more... how did you cover that up? I work in New York City -- corporate office, and I have clients and teams to be accountable to on a daily basis. We all know each other so well in this office that I could not just use silence. Sooo, I was banded 18 days ago. I lied and told everyone I had my appendix out. On the morning of surgery, I sent a blackberry email to my boss and told him I was at the hospital and needed surgery to remove my appendix. I faked aches in my abdomen the previous day and left the office two hours early. The scars and recovery time are virtually identical. I told him I would try to be at work on Monday, but that I would need to take it easy for at least a week. It was the best cover story!!! I did work on Monday, but just for a few hours since I was hopped up on painkillers. He told me to work from home on Tuesday, and by Wednesday I was back to normal. My mother-in-law (who is a nurse) visited 5 days after surgery and even she could not tell my scars were from a lap-band surgery and not an appendix removal. The only people that know the truth are my wonderful and supportive hubby, and 2 trusted friends. I did not want to lie. I am transparent in my life and don't hold secrets. This, however, I wanted to keep private for 3 reasons. 1. I am a low BMI, and few would think I "need" the surgery. I had over 10 doctors tell me I was a candidate so I knew medically it was the right decision for me. 2. I want to be known for my humor, love of life, and loyalty -- not for WLS. Like it or not -- most people tend to get labeled with that if it's made public. 3. If you tell, you can't take it back. Sometimes relationships drift and over the years people do not feel the same loyalty as they previously did. Essentially, you can't un-ring a bell. Thoughts?

Thanks for all the great advice -- esp concerning sanitation and Magic Bullet blades! I'll report my progress and how Royal Caribbean handles the purred foods situation, etc. Yes - we're on Freedom of the Seas! I leave in the morning, and thus won't be able to post back to this thread until next Sunday (11/25).

I just called Royal Caribbean and got GREAT news!!! They have a "Special Needs" department that has noted all my foods need to be pureed, and I can work through the daily menu with the "special needs chef" once I get on the ship to sort out which foods to puree for me. Also, travelers are not permitted to bring on any foods including Protein powder, SF yogurt, etc. However, due to my situation they are allowing me to bring on those few select foods and Snacks for the week. I just have to make sure that the SF yogurt is cold enough when I board or else it will be discarded. I am thrilled! Bummer I can't enjoy the rock wall and the wave pool!!! (Doc says not strenuous activities for the first 6 weeks).

Baby - I have read this entire thread, and I am a lower BMI bandster too! Started at 36 and banded at 34 last week. Anyway, I was reading your post regarding TOM and how you are tight for at least 2 weeks out of every month. Have you considered a birth control pill that restricts your period to only 4x per year. I have been on it for a few years, and absolutely love it -- barely get my period and have little to no PMS symptoms. Just a thought to consider if your period hits your body so hard each month.

Spanx are great and I have been wearing them for years. Follow the size chart and you will be fine. Be sure to hand wash and line dry to maintain their size -- they do shrink if put in the dryer. Try the Power Panties or Higher Power (Super Control) as a first purchase. If you like them, move on to the Slim Cognito line of products which "thicker" but hold you in better, but takes a bit of time to get used to. I order mine from Spanx.com -- 100% easy returns if necessary.

Thanks for the advice. The cruise is 7 days on Royal Caribbean. We have been on cruises before, and so I understand the set menu each evening. However, the kitchen will make adjustments, especially if I tell them I just had surgery. I am also bringing bullion if for some odd reason they don't have a soup for me on a certain evening. I think I can pack the Magic Bullet in my suitcase and check the bag. No?

Surgery a week ago (Thursday 11/8) and was back to work on Monday. Desk job. Recovery wise I was fine and able to work, however the Percocet made me kind of dizzy and thus it was tough to concentrate. I have since switched to Extra Strength Liquid Tylenol, and that has made a big difference with my ability to focus.

PRE-OP Monometry Test = Procedure involves inserting a flexible tube down your nose and into your esophagus. You are fully awake and swallow several sips of water. Not a required pre-op procedure, but ensures the esophagus is normal at the gate should problems arise down the road. Ulcer Test = Just a simple blood test to ensure I did not have any ulcers in my stomach. If ulcers are present, I understand they do not prevent the lap-band procedure, but just alert the docs that ulcers need to be treated post-surgery. Upper GI Contrast Swallow = required for my pre-op where a drink is swallowed and several x-rays are taken to reveal the precise anatomical makeup of the mid-section. This test took over 30 min. POST-OP Barium Swallow = before I could leave the hospital, I had to undergo this test which ensures swallowing function is intact and the band is in place. Done drinking a liquid under x-ray. Felt similar to the Upper GI test, but was only about 5 min.

TYLENOL -- I was put on Percocet leaving the hospital, and switched to Extra Strength Liquid Tylenol. Purchased at DrugStore.com because I could not find it at 3 different local stores. I am on day 6 post-op and the Percocet was making me loopy, and the Tylenol kicks enough of the pain. While I have not had other surgeries, this feeling is more of a soreness (like I did 10,000 situps) rather than any sharp pain. SODA -- Follow what your nutritionist tells you. Mine says sodas expand the tummy due to their bubbles, and to try and limit them. For the first month post-surgery, strict rule that sodas have to be FLAT. Other items to buy: -Gas-X strips (look and feel like Listerine strips) -Milk of Magnesia liquid (to ease constipation due to pain meds) ** I also took heavy doses of Arnica Montana (pill form), a for the 2 weeks before surgery. It's a homeopathic medicine (can get it at GNC) that minimizes bruising. Lots of plastic surgery patients take it. I have barely any bruising, and I normally bruise like a peach!

Try Dannon Light & Fit Smoothie -- they are *thick* enough to feel as if you're getting substance, but *liquid* enough to go down easily. They come in packs of 4, and are made with Splenda. 0 fat, 70 calories, 5g protein -- while that's little they are filling me up as much as protein shakes with over 25g protein.

I am 6 days post-op and here's what I recommend: 1. Start doing exercises to strengthen your lower back. Since the tummy muscles are so sore, the back muscles are compensating and are quite fatigued. Had they been stronger, I think this would have been easier. 2. Buy as much as you can BEFORE surgery. A few of my key finds: Magic Bullet (mini blender - great for mushies and Protein shakes) Liquid Tylenol (Extra Strength) Danon Light & Fit drinkable yogurt Compression Garment has been a savior! I don't know too many patients that get them, but my surgeon sent me home with one and I think I'll wear it for the first 2 weeks because it minimizes the pain so much! Here's an example: Abdominal Binder with 4 Panels (Unisex) Kelo-Cote -- this is the product for scars. Buy before surgery and start using 1 week after surgery: Kelo-cote Scar Gel Skincare Product at SkinStore.com Also available for half the price on ebay. These are my few favorite recommendations! Good luck!

Here was my pre-op diet starting 12-days before surgery: The patient may have one Protein shake for Breakfast and one Protein Shake for lunch. At dinner, the patient may consume one Lean Cuisine. Protein shake = 1 scoop Iso-Pure Protein powder with up to 2 cups of skim milk. 1. No alcohol for two weeks prior to the surgery. 2. One Chromium Picolinate 400 mcg per day can be taken for fat-burning purposes. 3. One Metamucil capsule can be taken at 10:00 am and one at 3:00 pm for hunger pangs. Drink with a lot of Water. 4. 1-2 diet drinks a day are allowed, but not to be taken to excess. 5. A green salad (no colors other than green!!) may be consumed. A zero to five calorie dressing may be used, but not to excess. (Example: Wish Bone Salad Spritzer)

I was told before surgery that a catheter would likely be inserted after I was asleep. Once I woke up, they told me they did not use one.

I was banded on Thursday 11/8 and feel great. I am on Percocet (1 pill every 5 hours) and that's been wonderful. I hope to ween off of it over the next three days and switch to Extra Strength Tylenol Liquid. I don't have any shoulder pain and mild gas pains, I guess. I have some pain at the port incision and I really *feel* it when I laugh! Basically feels like I did tons of sit-ups. Walking feels great and keeps my energy and focus up. Sitting on the couch for even a hour at a time is uncomfortable, so I keep moving around. I have a compression garment on my mid-section, and I think that has really been a help. Whenever I take it off I can feel pain creeping on. Does anyone else have one? Feel the same?

I was put on a 12-day diet before surgery. For various reasons, my surgery was postponed two weeks. SO.... when I have surgery next week, I will have been on this pre-op diet for 27 DAYS!!! Diet is a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, then a lean cuisine for dinner. I have about 700 - 900 calories a day and 90+ grams of protein, and I have lost 11 pounds so far. It is much easier to follow when I am at the office since I keep myself busy, but weekends are tough. Question: Will I be *strong* enough for surgery existing on such a reduced calorie diet? My surgeon says I will be fine and to continue on the diet. Then, do clear liquids only for the 48 hours before surgery. Any thoughts or advice for me?

Dr. Brian Jacob Director of the Baricenter Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York 1010 5th Avenue, NY, NY 10028 tel = 212-879-6677 Any patients who are interested can review Dr. Jacob's website at Baricenter at The Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York, and feel free to email him as well at: BrianJacob@gmail.com (You can mention my name - Sarah - gave you this information). He also runs a free information seminars once a month at his office to describe the different operations. That schedule can be found on Welcome to LAP-BAND.com Registration for the seminar in advance is mandatory (seating is limited to 7 a session) by calling his office number 212-879-6677. The next free seminar is this Saturday at 10am.