Sandybells

I just had mine Feb. 24th and I am over all the pain and worry. Pain only last a couple days in my case and once I was rid of the gas it was great... I am doing absolutely fantastic and sure hope yours is as easy on you. Sandy

My husband when he was in the service and very young, had severe acne. The doctor told him he was 'hideous' because of all the scarring. It scarred my husband for life emotionally. They did dermabrasion on his face to reduce the scarring and now looks pretty handsome to me. Anybody had that kind of 'Help'? It still bothers him to this day and he is 58 YO. :unlove:

The institute is in Crosby, Minnesota. It is about 20 miles north of Brainerd. There are 4 surgeons all able to do the lapband. They have done over 400 lapbands and have an excellent record on complications (low) . Cuyuna Regional Medical Center is a very nice small hospital but the program for this surgery is really well setup for longterm after care. They pride themselves on being sensitive to the patients at all stages of the program. They are respectful and guard against discrimination we have been subjected to in all avenues of life. We have meetings once a month (next one March 21, 7 PM) Subject: Personal accountability The next meeting is April 18th and the Subject: Plastic surgery. They have a website if you look online. It is not as active as LapbandTalk.com But you can ask questions and a doctor or the coordinator Shar Johnson will respond. People from Duluth come to Crosby for this surgery. I have not received the first bill for surgery so I can't help with cost. The telephone number is 218-546-4343.......The Medical Campus in Crosby 320 East Main Street, Crosby, MN 56441 MIMISMN.org I hope this helps! Good Luck! Sandybells

I will be thinking of you and praying the pain dissipates with walking, walking and walking.....It is a must! After 2 days my pain quickly ended. Still have tiny amount of awareness but it isn't pain really. Take the pain meds to get you through the first couple days.. You are doing a very smart thing for yourself!!

I just got my band Friday, Started preband 190 Stats 58 years old 5' 2" 184.7 lbs size 2X Bra 44B Panties 12 TMI? Tshirt 42-44 Bust 47 Waist 44 Hips 49 I have always been considered small boned which also makes a diff' My weight is all on my belly which has always looked like I was ready to deliver...or burst...you pick? Most embarrassing....not fitting in a booth at Applebee's!!!!

Glad you are in good shape and no problems at all. SIP...sip :confused:

Great day! So little pain that I am amazed. I can cough without grabbing my belly. Kashli go lean for breakfast Ice tea with sweetNlow Cottage cheese chewed well for lunch cream of chicken soup for dinner jello/SF applesauce. Non/fat dry mild all blended and chilled overnight...Not too bad. iced tea sugarfree popcicle dropped in for extra flavor I want flavor so bad. Did take it easy for the day but... tomorrow Go to the clinic to see fill specialist or Dr.??? Just postop check I guess... Can't believe I have the band... Whooeee! Yes!!!

Great day! So little pain that I am amazed. I can cough without grabbing my belly. Kashli go lean for breakfast Ice tea with sweetNlow Cottage cheese chewed well for lunch cream of chicken soup for dinner jello/SF applesauce. Non/fat dry mild all blended and chilled overnight...Not too bad. iced tea sugarfree popcicle dropped in for extra flavor I want flavor so bad. Did take it easy for the day but... tomorrow Go to the clinic to see fill specialist or Dr.??? Just postop check I guess... Can't believe I have the band... Whooeee! Yes!!!

Anywhere close enough to drive? Minnesota Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery. MIMIS for short. Just had mine done Friday, Feb. 24, 2006, I am happy with the attitudes and care I have received. I live north of Crosby so it is the closest one. They really specialize in lapband. Hope this helps!:confused:

My journal is started today after having the surgery Feb 24,2006. Friday. Doing pretty good today

Friday surgery day Feb 24, 2006 11 AM ((((189 LB.)))) 3:30 in my room to rest. Boy do I need it! Pain in tummy pretty bad, gas, I am sure! (Ice chips yummy!) Vitals checked frequently, too Frequently! 4:30 Was able to pee with some coaxing...very.. slow.. intermitent stream 7:30 Tried to walk outside the room- Not far before I threw up nearly hitting passersby how rude am I?? 9:00 pm Sent husband home for his stint at visiting is not restful for me. Told I would be released tomorrow.Vicodin all day. Potassium drip.(LOW) Saturday Feb 25,2006 ((((184 lbs???)))):faint: 8:00 am Walked a little to dump gas. Not successful!:tired Need to say how physical this surgery seemed. I felt like every muscle in my body had been used and abused. From neck to my calves. It felt as if I had been mugged and beaten. I could not imagine why?...The GAS ... If I didn't mention this I would be cruelly:omg: misleading you>>> The feet compressor doobies kept me awake all night. Didn't know I didn't have to have them on. 11:00 am Dumped the doobies and was urged to walk and I did (Lots). Not a problem! No gas came.. 2:30 Pm Released to go home. Prescriptions faxed to drug store (closing 3:00 PM) Husband on the way but live 20 miles from the hospital. 3:40 Drugstore drives over to hospital to deliver the prescriptions. 3:50 On the way home. Bumpy road unpleasant! Vicodin??? 5:00 pain...did I mention gas pain? all night long...Pain...gas! Gas-X, Vicodin Sunday, Feb.26 8:00 am through the day Gas pain but a little less than before!Taking all liquid meds, vitamins and smaller pills. 1:00PM visitors came to the house and I announced my surgery had been done. Only inlaws so not too judgemental....My family (only my kids and hubby know)<<> 2:00 excused myself to go rest...More Gas-X 3:00 Sent them all to the only restaurant in town for dinner. That is not at all unusual since being fat has made it not fun to be in a restaurant anyway...Was nice to not have to go with them and suffer. Vicodin, Gas-X 4:30 to 7:00 restless and not really hungry.Gas-X 8:30 to bed for rest _Gas-X, Prevacid, other meds as prescribed. Monday Feb, 27 3:30am. Pain is greatly reduced suddenly...Feel I could do anything. Told my husband I could probably go to work if I had a job...Well, almost anything! Gas is moving, urine is normal, BM not so much...nothing since last Thursday before surgery.. Daytime....Rested alot. drank coffee, tea, protein shakes added P-Nut butter, chicken cream soup(strained) No lumps...Gas is moving! albeit slow. My tummy let me know when...was enough. Reassured my husband I was doing Fine. Evening. Hunger hitting. Feel weak and needy....Took an hour nap 4 to 5 PM. Watched TV drank my fluids...still needy! 8:30 Back to bed Vicodin, meds, Gas-X, all the scripts. Tuesday Feb.28. Slept pretty well until 10:30 am Up to make todays delites. SF jello (one box)... using half cup water. Other half with SF applesauce instead of the water Plus Added Non-fat Dry milk (DRY) and stirred thoroughly....Dissolved..Yeah...Tomorrows. Delites!:hungry: 12:15 Drinking Propel...Writing Journal..Not much to report except that about 10:00 am I had my first BM. A little crampy but tolerable and Lots of it. Where did that come from...??? (TMI) but fluid to solid/mix.. I don't work outside the home so good luck to those who do.:bored Drink those fluids!!!

Friday surgery day Feb 24, 2006 11 AM ((((189 LB.)))) 3:30 in my room to rest. Boy do I need it! Pain in tummy pretty bad, gas, I am sure! (Ice chips yummy!) Vitals checked frequently, too Frequently! 4:30 Was able to pee with some coaxing...very.. slow.. intermitent stream 7:30 Tried to walk outside the room- Not far before I threw up nearly hitting passersby how rude am I?? 9:00 pm Sent husband home for his stint at visiting is not restful for me. Told I would be released tomorrow.Vicodin all day. Potassium drip.(LOW) Saturday Feb 25,2006 ((((184 lbs???)))):faint: 8:00 am Walked a little to dump gas. Not successful!:tired Need to say how physical this surgery seemed. I felt like every muscle in my body had been used and abused. From neck to my calves. It felt as if I had been mugged and beaten. I could not imagine why?...The GAS ... If I didn't mention this I would be cruelly:omg: misleading you>>> The feet compressor doobies kept me awake all night. Didn't know I didn't have to have them on. 11:00 am Dumped the doobies and was urged to walk and I did (Lots). Not a problem! No gas came.. 2:30 Pm Released to go home. Prescriptions faxed to drug store (closing 3:00 PM) Husband on the way but live 20 miles from the hospital. 3:40 Drugstore drives over to hospital to deliver the prescriptions. 3:50 On the way home. Bumpy road unpleasant! Vicodin??? 5:00 pain...did I mention gas pain? all night long...Pain...gas! Gas-X, Vicodin Sunday, Feb.26 8:00 am through the day Gas pain but a little less than before!Taking all liquid meds, vitamins and smaller pills. 1:00PM visitors came to the house and I announced my surgery had been done. Only inlaws so not too judgemental....My family (only my kids and hubby know)<<> 2:00 excused myself to go rest...More Gas-X 3:00 Sent them all to the only restaurant in town for dinner. That is not at all unusual since being fat has made it not fun to be in a restaurant anyway...Was nice to not have to go with them and suffer. Vicodin, Gas-X 4:30 to 7:00 restless and not really hungry.Gas-X 8:30 to bed for rest _Gas-X, Prevacid, other meds as prescribed. Monday Feb, 27 3:30am. Pain is greatly reduced suddenly...Feel I could do anything. Told my husband I could probably go to work if I had a job...Well, almost anything! Gas is moving, urine is normal, BM not so much...nothing since last Thursday before surgery.. Daytime....Rested alot. drank coffee, tea, protein shakes added P-Nut butter, chicken cream soup(strained) No lumps...Gas is moving! albeit slow. My tummy let me know when...was enough. Reassured my husband I was doing Fine. Evening. Hunger hitting. Feel weak and needy....Took an hour nap 4 to 5 PM. Watched TV drank my fluids...still needy! 8:30 Back to bed Vicodin, meds, Gas-X, all the scripts. Tuesday Feb.28. Slept pretty well until 10:30 am Up to make todays delites. SF jello (one box)... using half cup water. Other half with SF applesauce instead of the water Plus Added Non-fat Dry milk (DRY) and stirred thoroughly....Dissolved..Yeah...Tomorrows. Delites!:hungry: 12:15 Drinking Propel...Writing Journal..Not much to report except that about 10:00 am I had my first BM. A little crampy but tolerable and Lots of it. Where did that come from...??? (TMI) but fluid to solid/mix.. I don't work outside the home so good luck to those who do.:bored Drink those fluids!!!

What a whirlwind of Lapband dates. I had the surgery Feb. 24, 2006 11:00 am. It is now Monday and after two days of gas pain and walking it off. I feel wonderful! I weighed in at 211 at the beginning of the research until today and I am at 184 Lbs. I have really no pain now...just an ever slight awareness of the port site and nothing else. Amazing Huh? I am ready to begin my life again. New Me! 58 is late to begin a new life but I knew it would be the best for me. Go For IT! :eek:

Fear was what I felt when at 33 I was told my gall bladder had to come out. I was too young I thought! While waiting for the lapband surgery and I was not nervous, anxious, worried even excited. I just wanted it done. it was my first hope of really getting healthy. Wait on that?...Not a chance! Just 'Get R done' was the way I felt. Fear of pain yes. I hate that part. But with reading all the posts I knew it was short lived if I walked and by golly it is so true. Do not fear the pain of surgery itself..it is the GAS. Just walk walk walk walk! You control it! Fear of having congestive heart failure, diabetes likely since my parents both have that. Other possibilities I won't mention but they were there waiting to pounce on me. Just "Get R Done" is my motto in life. Long life planned? 'Get R Done' so that life can begin anew!

Boy do I hurt! Thanks Penni for making my pictures smaller. Doc said he had an easy time of doing the surgery. He could have fooled me! I stayed over night because my potasium level was low. This can only get better. Please Please Please!

It's Monday after surgery Friday< I feel so much better now> The gas disippated by the time I got up this morning and I weighed in at 184lbs:faint: . How great is that? I was miserable but it looks like I'll be on the downhill slide now. My husband is one of the jewels who put lotion on my skin and catered to every whim. He is a massage therapist and has a very gentle touch. All is right with the world! Thanks again to all!

Can someone Please make me smaller in these pictures

My bestfriend when I was young (18ish) gave me the name and my husband still calls me Sandybells... I like it! (I still don't know why)

Keep in touch!

I don't know where the surgery can be done but I just got a notice from Medicare that lapband surgery is cleared for Patients above 35 BMI and one comorbidity....Yeah!:clap2: Sandybells

I will be having surgery next Friday, Feb. 24. I will have hiatal hernia surgery and very hopefully lapband placed at the same time....Yeah! So long to wait...I nearly gave up. Pray... that I am able to have the lapband with no further delay. Thanks for the support! Sandy:faint:

I read on the FDA site that only a syringe made for fill should be used. Also the needle must not be tilted or rocked while in the body. This is important to keep from damaging the port. Now since I have read that some people are being required to sit up once the needle is in and then have the flouroscope done which I assume requires more movement. Is this not a risky procedure? Could it be the reason for port failure? Leaking? I would be concerned!

Google- liquid eggs (pasturized so it is safe) mix in with your shakes. Peanut Butter, add to shakes. (Blend with a stick blender) cheese is a good source of Protein. I don't know if you are able to eat or not yet. I hope this helps!

How long have you been waiting? I have seen the surgeon already. No date though Thanks for answering Sandy

I take Wellbutrin XL 150 mg Trazadone Prozac I want to get off of them when possible.. Zocor, Diovan, Zyrtec are the other meds I take. Hope to lose them all.