Jais

My weight at surgery was 346 pounds and BMI of 46.9. I live in Houston, Texas and my lapband doctor is Dr. Spivak (food. Working out has not been a problem, it has always been food intake. I did a ton of back and forth on this procedure ... sometimes I felt that I was actually "copping out," if I had the surgery done. Then came the conversation with my sister, she's a surgeon, and said that this is not a magic band ... and I will still have to work my tail off ... she was right ... I agreed with it, and tadaaaa ... I am banded I have been feeling really sore today. This morning I took the liquid hrdrocodone around 7, then I decided I was not going to take it anymore. I was back on it at 4:00 p.m. ... lol. The more I let gas out the better I feel. I went out to target today, so I could get some walking in, and I think it helped. Now I am just chilling. Sorry for the long post, but I just had a ton to say, haha

What's your Protein and caloric intake like?

Hi everyone. These protein shakes can be really helpful .. but be careful about a couple things. First, the sugar content ... there should be virtually no sugar in your MRP (meal replacement) shake. The sugar is what makes things like slim-fast so freaking bad. So be careful for that. I use EAS Myoplex and it works pretty well for me. Also, be careful about "quick" proteins. Proteins like Whey are now marketed in quick "watery" variations ... but these variations often will not be absorbed and burned by the body -- they will run straight through. There are some great body building and training sites out there with a ton of info on this stuff. Just be careful -- people on those forums are pretty hardcore and often frown upon us bandsters. It doesn't bother me because I know it still takes hard work and dedication to get results and reach our goal -- our bands are in no way, shape or form ... "shortcuts."

Uh oh, the hunger is coming, and with a vengeance. I was banded on the 7th, and my pain has become minimal. I think it was this passed Friday that I really started to feel somewhat normal again -- and I was so happy because my shoulder pain had me in tears ... I even had to come home from work last Wednesday it was so bad. Anyhow ... I have been getting my cravings back the last few days. Today has been the worst so far ... all I can think of is FOOD!!!! I know what's coming, and people are not going to like being around me for the next week or two -- I am going to cranky and moody! Has this hunger hit anyone else yet? Kinda stinks, but this is where the hard part comes in. First week was great, didn't feel hungry -- maybe because of all the pain. Now that the pain has mostly subsided ... here it is!

Well, I talked to the nurse and my doctor today --- they said I can go onto mushies today! He also told me that I will be feeling hunger until my first fill on January 8th ... but to just hang in there -- that this first month is a big mental struggle as well. So, basically --- he just said to cope with it, and he's right -- nothing worthwhile comes easy :confused:

Thanks Danna, I will give him a call tomorrow. I am feeling better now than I was feeling earlier ... wow, I just wanted to stuff a hamburger or something in my face, it was bad. I just need to keep telling myself that stuff is the poison that put me in this position -- over and over again, lol!

Same here, I am sticking to the Protein Shakes for a bit (I was banded on 12/7). I am haven't had bad cravings, except last night -- we had poker night, and watching all the guys drink beer, eat Cookies, pizza, chips ... it was real tough on me. Thank goodness for the band, I KNEW I couldn't have anything -- my Water and I made it through the night

Sorry for being direct, but this isn't supposed to be a magic band -- self control, determination and discipline is needed to have success. I am a new bandster, but my doctor was clear about this before he put the band on -- that if I didn't diet, exercise and be committed to the band, I would fail in my goal. The band is supposed to be an aid to us, not an end all cure all. I am sorry you feel this way, but buckle down -- mind over matter, you can do this!

I use the GNC liquid Multi-vitamin ... not sure if this is for women as well, or if there is a different product for women ... GNC - Multivitamins & Vitapaks: All Multivitamins: Multivitamin Formulas: GNC Liquid Ultra Mega® Multivitamin

Your post in absolutely correct. November 2005 I was at 240 pounds ... October 2004 I was at 360 pounds. I dropped the weight through heavy exercise (got a trainer) ... but I always seemed to cheat on the diet a couple times a week. It's always been about the food for me ... this band will hopefully act as a reminder for me ... helping me not to go crazy with the food.

Hi Sheila, hope your surgery went well! My doctor didn't specify anything like that, he just said not to "chug" my water for the first month. Even after a month, he said the most I will be able to drink in a minute would be .5 liters ... which is plenty ... this is when I was asking him about working out and water intake.

Oh my ... that is awesome to read ... my shoulder started hurting me so bad yesterday, and today it is no better. I was driving to work this morning, and I was in tears! So I called my doctor's office this morning from work, and the nurse PROMISED me it is gas pain, I almost argued back and told her there is no way this can be gas pain, but I just said okay ... and we scheduled my post-op for January 8th. I was banded on 12/7. So, I went for a walk in the parking lot a couple times ... I looked like a goofball because I was swinging my arms all over the place, and it helped, it lessened the pain, but of course it would keep coming back. I am just ready for this pain to be over ... I have torn my achilles in my ankle (8 years ago), and this is rivaling that pain!

Honestly, I never asked my doctor about the pre-fill, and I kind of regret it. I am supposed to call this week to set up a post-op ... and I will ask then, if they filled any during the operation.

Wow, good to hear. I was banded on the same day, 12/7/07, and I was in the hospital a bit longer. I was in pain this weekend, but last night I felt great. I was feeling so good, I slept on my right side all night -- I hate sleeping on my back. This morning my left should has been killing me ... it was really a bad idea to sleep on my side last night, I think it set something off. Anyways, I felt a bit of hunger today because my mom (she flew in to stay with me for a week for the surgery) ordered a pizza and was eating it. Actually I ordered it for her, so it was my fault, but I had some major head cravings. All is well ... I am happy I had this done ... today's craving made me scared a little because I don't wanna eat!!! Glad things are going well for u!

Well, my insurance approval process was a bit easier than most. First, I have United Healthcare in Texas, and their supposed to be one of the easiest insurance companies to get approval from. I went in for my consult and pre-op (if we knew we wanted surgery) on Saturday 11/3/07 ... the doctor's office sent the letter out on that following Monday. I got the approval letter on 11/15/07 ... but because I was out of town for Thanksgiving, I didn't know until the doctor's office called the Monday after Thanksgiving. I just got banded on 12/7/07 ... so the whole process took about a month for me. Everyone has different experiences, but I would just like you to know that things to work out on the easier side of things sometimes

Hey there, don't worry so much! My doctor decided not to put me on any diet before surgery, he just told me not to gain anymore weight. I had surgery this past Friday. The Wednesday before, I went out to my favorite restaurant with some friends, and we ran up quite a tab. On Thursday, I had no food after 4 p.m. because I had plenty of food the night before. My surgery went "excellent" in the words of my surgeon. He didn't kick me out of the surgery room, or any other horror stories I have heard. I actually told him about our dinner Wednesday night ... all he said was "it better have been good" and laughed. Be happy about your upcoming surgery and there's a ton of good info on this site!! Stick around

I got banded on Friday, 12/7 ... I feel so much better today. I am actually laying on my side as I am typing this. Yesterday, I felt horrible, that morphine wore off, and I was really regretting it ... today has been much better. Today has made me feel wayyy more optimistic about this surgery

Hi Deena! Thanks for your supportive words. I have to say that the pain has lessened significantly today. I am actually laying on my side!!!! And typing this message. Cool stuff

Hey there! I did actually research Dr. Felts and some other doctors. Two factors made me go to Dr. Spivak's seminar first (If I didn't feel comfortable with him, I would have chosen another surgeon) ... first, he is the most experienced surgeon in Lap-Band in Texas, and his success rate is stellar. Second, my older sister is a surgeon, and she looked at his track record, and she advised me to see Dr. Spivak first, and if I didn't feel comfortable, see another doctor. So, this is how I chose. If I were you, just do some research, then find the surgeon who you think you will feel most confident with, and the go to that surgeon's seminar. I have to say this, I have absolutely no complaints about Dr. Spivak; himself, his nurses and his support staff have been absolutely amazing -- and he is honest about everything.

I got banded yesterday (12/7/07) ... I know I am jumping into this forum a bit late!

The pain is between a 5 and a 6. I was a hospital newbie as well ... don't worry too much about it, it's not so bad! I think the worst part was wearing that stupid gown, I hated that thing! Best of luck with your surgery!

I was on Tammiflu (spelling?) over Thanksgiving from being really sick ... I had my surgery 12/7. I think as long as you're well by surgery day it should be okay.

I am not sure. I had my surgery yesterday ... the anesthesiologist had me open my mouth wide open and tilt my head back ... she then looked down to see if she can get the breathing tube down. I think that is what their concern will be, whether or not they can get the breathing tube down. I don't remember them ever putting it in or out ... so I think I was out like a light then they put it in and took it out.

I got banded yesterday ... today is the second day and I am wondering the same thing ... what did I do to myself?!?!?!?! I just hope it gets better. I took some liquid hrydrocodone this morning ... I am trying to make it through without taking anymore, but I am struggling. Ugh ... Just a little less pain would be heaven