lovegrapes

Physicians are not necessarily changing the post-op diet to placate their patients. My surgeon changed the post-op diet because the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric surgery has changed their guidelines.

Does anyone else have staples? My surgery was a little more invovled so some of my stab site incisions are really big so I got staples (19 in all), and I have 8 stab sites instead of 5. They are KILLING me. I've had them before and yeah they sucked, but they are all over my abdomen this time. They actually stick out of my clothes. They are so itchy and stingy and pulling. I don't get them out til next Wednesday. I can't wait! I'm also having problems with loss of appetite. I have no desire eat anything at all. I really have to force myself to eat anything or drink any protein supplemets. I can feel that I pretty much have no restriction and could probably eat just about anything, but I really have no deisire to. Anyone else experiencing this?

I was banded a little over a week ago and had two days of what you describe. It was pretty prolific to say the least. It has gotten better. If you haven't already do yourself a favor and buy some Gas-X tabs or strips. It doesn't elminate the gas, but it breaks it up into smaller bubbles that pass more easily.

I hate to say it, but I've had problems with some of my surgeons staff. I know how frustrating it is. I have literally walked out before to avoid a melt down. Luckily I have direct access to the surgeon and PA because I work on the surgical floor. Putting that aside, you really really really need to see your doctor ASAP. Throwing up that many times is terrible for your band. Vomiting can cause a slip, not to mention you can be come dehydrated quickly. If you get worse throughout the night call your hospital and have your doctor paged or just go to the ER. Otherwise call you doctors office as soon as it opens and tell them you are seriously ill and you will be coming in to the office shortly. Don't take no for an answer!

Bottom line is that you need to do what is right for you irregardless of what one misguided friend says. I just had my band put in a couple of days ago and it's far from a "cop out." It's practically been a full time job measuring food, preparing food, drinking Protein shakes, drinking Water, taking Vitamins and staying active. I know many people out there will have a negative opinion of what I have done. It sure hurts, but being obese for as long as I have been has hurt me way more.

The band diet is high in protein, low in carbs which is perfect for someone with PCOS. It is not protein that causes problems, it is the carbs due to the insulin resistance. The weight should come off.

Hi Guys, I'm new to this thread, but I've been reading it for weeks. I'm 28, from the upper midwest. I have no kids or husband but I've been seeing my boyfriend nearly 4 years now. I have been overweight since I was 8 years old. For nearly the last two years I've worked on the surgical unit where our bariatric patients go. I never ever considered bariatric surgery an option. After getting to know the surgeon and the staff I decided it was right for me. I was banded on July 30th. Due to extensive scars and adhesions from major abdominal surgery my procedure took around 3 hours! I have eight stab sites and some of them are quite large. I consider myself extremely lucky to have such a competent and patient surgeon to have done all that work; it truly is a bonus as I have had daily pain for the last six years from all the adhesions. Hopefully the pain will soon be a distant memory! After all of that I am doing incredibly well. I have just mild to moderate discomfort and I've been able to be fairly active taking walks, going to a community outing and shopping a few times. So thats about it for now. Looking forward to getting to know you.

With a starting weight of only 86.2 a weight loss of 11lbs is fabulous! With such a low BMI you need to be more realistic, the weight isn't just going to fall off. The band is a tool, not a magic wand. Just keep working with it.

Hi Mike, I was banded on Wednesday and I've been able to drink fluids quite easily since an hour or two after my surgery. If I was having your problem with drinking I'd probably give a quick call to my doctor, it certainly can't hurt. Also the bloating for me at sometimes has been intense too, and the gas pains are almost unreal! I've finally bought some gax-x strips and they seem to be helping at least a little bit.

My surgery is July 30th too. I actually work with the bariatric surgery program I'm using. I've read posts on this forum on and off for awhile now and when I've read of pre-op anxiety I've kinda blown it off and thought the posters were crazy. Now I'm right there with them! I can imagine a million different things that can go wrong. My biggest fear is saying something embarassing or stupid when I'm coming out of anesthesia since I know everyone there!

This site has statistics on the Realize band vs. the Lap Band. Compare The Realize Band System to Lap-Band - REALIZEBand.com My surgeon wouldn't even start banding patients until the Realize band was available.

I don't get banded until next week but I have esophogeal spasm too. It seems to happen two or three days in a row, then it doesn't happen again for months. I've never had to go to the emergency room for it, but it surely takes my breath away and hurts like hell! Are you on any medications for it? My doctor suggested taking Elavil and possibly Levsin, but my symptoms are so infrequet I decided not to take anything. Good luck.

You will absolutely not be able to drive. The hospital will not release you without an appropriate escort, otherwise they would be setting themselves up to possible litigation for any accidents you may cause on your way home. Furthermore, you would be breaking a the law by driving as you would be under the influence of narcotics and sedatives.

My dietician does not allow Boost. It has way too much sugar. Their rule is that each protein supplement must have at least 15 grams of protein and no more than 5 grams of carbohydrates. Boost has 33 grams of carbs!

I haven't been banded yet, but I've got a few pieces of advice from my surgeon and others. My doctors office suggests papaya enzyme as it contains the proteolytic enzyme papain which aids in digestion of Proteins other nutrients. It is really super cheap about $3 for a bottle of 90 tabs and they were buy one get one free when I bought them at GNC. They are chewable and don't really taste all that bad. Also, I'm not a big fan of Protein shakes either. I've only tried Isopure powder so far and it made me gag badly. My coworkers sister had a RNY in December and she swears by Syntrax nectar protein shakes. They come in a lot of flavors. I have the Lemon Iced tea flavor, but I need to try it still. She really likes the fuzzy navel flavor. Just some suggestions. Good luck.

Before you go about getting a band it could be very useful to find out why you aren't losing weight. You say you have no metabolism. Have you had your basal metabolic rate tested? Have you had your thyroid checked? Do you have polycystic ovaries or some other process that causes insulin resistance? Have you sat down with a dietician and took a long hard look at your diet? Have you seen a trainer or exercise physiologist to set up an exercise program? Have you seen a psychologist to see if there is some emotional or psychological barrier to weightloss? You need to find out why you are where you are because it is not typical for someone who only eats a bowl of cheerios and a lean cuisine to be obese. What I would do is go to a seminar or education day with a band doctor and ask questions. See what resources their office has and use them.

You aren't a wimp, but you still need to start either taking your medication less frequently or start using liquid tylenol instead of the strong stuff. My surgeon, whom I also work with only gives out 10 doses of liquid Lortab (even to his RNY patients.) You would be out of medicaiton by now. Are you sure you aren't constipated or gassy? Constipation and gas can cause worse pain than the actual surgical pain. Make sure your getting up and walking every hour or two to get things moving. And most of all, if your pain is really severe (it should only be mild and moderate at most at this point) you really need to call your surgeron.

It is irresponsible to perpetuate this falsehood. All it potentially does is inspire fear in those considering surgery in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I would hope and assume those that choose <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> make an informed choice.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> That being said I will again put your story to bed. Six years ago at a healthy age of 21 years old I had surgery to remove half of my pancreas. The surgery left me with a scar from under my breastbone to three inches below my navel. The surgery took nine hours and I was an inpatient on an intermediate surgical unit for 13 days. Beyond my personal experience I work on an inpatient surgical unit and have NEVER witnessed a pancreatectomy that was done laparoscopically. Furthermore as I had already metioned that a total pancreatectomy would require stringent insulin and digestive enzyme therapy for a lifetime in order for a person with a pancreas to survive.

I need to speak up here. This is absolutely not true. Your freind has pulled your leg and basically made a fool of you. A viable pancreatectomy that preserves the life of the "donor" is a long and delicate surgery that could not be passed off as an adjustable gastric banding. Furthermore a surgery like this would require a 10 day plus stay in the ICU or a specialized surgical nursing unit. Beyond that no one could survive without artificially supplementing insulin and digestive enzymes that the pacreas produces. A person that had undergone such a procedure wouldn't all of a sudden feel ill a month later only to find themself without a pancreas.

I haven't been banded yet, but I am nauseated almost every day. Ginger containing products have been a lifesaver for me. Try some ginger tea, ginger altoids or other non-sugar ginger product.

This has had to be the best thread I've come accross on the many band sites I've been to. I had been reluctant to post anything because of all the negativity. It seems like people are depressed, trying bigger and better ways to get around their bands or just complaining incessantly. It's nice to see a positive group of people. I think everyone who gets banded should buy a half-way decent bike!

I really think the choice is a personal decision based on the individuals situation. In my case I would never choose the bypass! Vitamin deficiencies and dumping syndrome, count me out! I do however think that the gastric sleeve is a good way to go too. Unfortunetely, it is still considered experimental by most insurances. I think that you will see a gradual decline in gastric bypass and an increase in the amount of gastric sleeves. However, even with that said, I would choose the band since it is reversable in case of future complications.

I'm from the UP. My bf is from Detroit so I get down your way once or twice a year.

Do you all use a spedometer/computer to keep track of your miles? If you do what kind?

I just bought a new bike a couple of weeks ago and I love it! It's a 21 speed hybrid; a Specialized Crossroads Sport, it ran me $350 at my local shop. It is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden, not that I've done a lot of bike riding. The seat is a dream, it has awesome shocks and you ride in more of an upright position. I'm still pre-op so I've been doing a lot of short rides. I live 2 blocks from the large network of bike paths in my city. I've lived here for 10 years and have never used them, what a shame! I hope to build up enough endurance to ride to work soon and I plan to ride my bike to my pre-op testing day on Tuesday. Cheers! Angel