nine01

Hello. I recently had lap band surgery and a friend of mine is considering having it. She is currently on dialysis and was told she can't be put on a transplant list until she loses 40 lbs. Does anyone out there know of anyone who is on dialysis and has had the lap band surgery? If so, were the any complications either during or after the surgery? I would appreciate any information, she is pretty bummed about this. Thanks very much!

I am so sorry to hear about your wife. I had the surgery on 1-14-08 and i've done really well so far. I did develope an infection about 3 weeks after the surgery, my Dr. kept brushing me off, finally I was in so much pain and fed up with being brushed aside, I went to my local ER and found out I had infection. My advice to anyone is if you have pain that continues to get worse or vomiting/flu like symptoms, go the hospital right away, don't put it off. It seems like the Dr's that do these surgeries just throw you do the dogs after it's all said and done. Again, i'm very sorry for your loss.

I agree with one of the other posters. It's coming from where the port is stitched to the inside of your abdomen, it does go away eventually. I do have pain sometimes at my port but I believe it comes from whatever way i'm sitting, feels like it's rubbing my rib cage, (mine is in front for some reason, a lot of people have them on the side). Anyway, best wishes to you.

I was banded on 1-14-08 and to date have lost 48 lbs. I excercise 3-4 days a week which is mainly walking 20 minutes on a treadmill at a pretty fast pace and do some lifting too to keep toned up. I've gone down about 2 sizes in my clothes and I feel great! Best of luck to everyone.

Oh the same thing happened to me. About a month ago which would've been about 2 months post op I went to the tanning bed one evening. I work nights so I got straight up from bed and went straight to the tanning bed. I had'nt drank or ate anything all day and I got really dizzy when I was got up. Everything started getting dark, I felt like I was on fire and I got extrememly nauseated and threw up just a little. I finally figured out after thinking about it that I was dehydrated. So I think it's pretty normal for us just keep drinking as much as possible. Oh and good luck to you!

Congratulations!!! Way to go!!

Hello, I just read your post about the cottage cheese. I did'nt have to be on a special diet before the surgery but afterwards..well you know...I did. I would add 1 or 2 teaspoons of baby food applesauce and 1 packet of splenda to a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. It was pretty good.:biggrin2:

Hello Roy. It's good to hear from other law enforcement people. I'm a 911 dispatcher myself and very much appreciate the comment you made about dispatchers. Most people usually do forget about us. Anyway, glad to hear you are doing well. I had mine 1-14-08 and i'm felling good now and have lost 29 lbs. Oh, by the way, i'm in Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley. Good luck to you in the future!

Hello Lyn. I just had my surgery on 1-14-08 and so far have lost about 29 lbs. I too researched the surgeries for about 2 years before I made a final decision. To me, there were just more positives with the band than with the bypass. Yes, you do lose weight more slowly which is a plus, I think maybe it can give your skin time to catch up. It's reversible, it's a whole lot less risky and the recovery time is minimal. I don't understand about the biscuits and cake. I ate those things too and my dr. never said anything about it. Anyway, good luck on whatever you decide to do.

Hello and i'm sorry to hear you are having so much pain. I had my surgery January 14th 08 and it was about a month before I was completely pain free. Don't beat yourself up over this, I did the same thing wondering what I had done, it's very normal and it will get better, trust me. Your nausea could be coming from pain meds or the fact that you are hungry. I sipped on carnation breakfast throughout the day and it seemed to help with the hunger. Take care of yourself and just remember it is going to get better!!

Oh, by the way, I notice you have a myspace, i'll add you tomorrow.

I just wanted to let you know that I ran into a complication about 2 weeks after the surgery. I got an infection in the incision at my belly button and caused severe pain over to my right side. I'm doing much better now, it's been a month since surgery and i'm finally pain free. I'm a little dissappointed in the Dr. office, they don't call a few days after to check on you and it's very hard to get someone to call you back if you have a question, sometimes it's later that evening or the next day. In my case I wanted to talk to someone right away because of the pain. I'm not trying to discourage you but I just want you to know what to expect or in this case what not to expect. Do you have a date yet? I go back Thursday 2-14-08 for my first check up. Good luck to you!

I am a smoker (cigarettes), I smoked right up until the day before my surgery. I tried Chantix before the surgery and that stuff was awful. I do want to quit smoking eventually, I can only jump through one hoop at a time. I got to thinking, what was the use for me to go thru this surgery to lose weight and be healthy and then continue to smoke? It kinda does'nt make sense. So, Katie, i'm not bashing you for smoking weed, you do whatever you want to, but do take into consideration the health part of it.

Hello. I too struggled with the decision of which one to do. Finally I decided on the band. I went with the band because it's minimally invasive, it's reversible and the complications are fewer with this than with bypass. As well, I read somewhere that the difference between the two as far as loss goes is about 15 pounds, and I can live with that. Good luck to you on whichever you decide to do.

Hello Ashley, I'm also in Va, I guess not far from you, i'm in Page County. I was banded on 1-14-08 at UVA by Dr. Schirmer and am getting along just fine. Hope your'e doing well also.

Hello, I just read your post about being scared. Believe me, there is no bigger sissy in this world than me, you will be fine. I have had surgeries before but was convinced I would'nt wake up from anesthesia. I was crying in pre-op and the anesthesioligist had to give me something to calm me down. After that I don't remember a thing. Tell your dr. about your fears and be sure to let your nurse know that day, i'm sure they can do the same thing for you. I was just banded last Monday (1-14-08). It is over so quickly it will feel like you were only asleep a few minutes. And, I was released from the hospital the same day and was back home by 2:30 pm. You will be sore for a while afterwards, I still am but it gets better everyday, don't be afraid to take the pain meds if they give you any. Best of luck to you and if I can be of more help please let me know. Ann

Congratulations! I'm glad to hear it went well. I'm having mine Monday (1-14-08) i'm supposed to come home the same day as long as everything goes well.

I'm getting banded next Monday (1-14-08) i'm a nervous wreck! I am so afraid I'm almost ready to back out. It's getting worse day by day, I figure by Sunday i'll need to check in to a mental institute.

I will be having lap band surgery next Monday (1-14-08) at UVA by Dr. Schirmer. I will let you know how it goes for me. I live in Page County and just about everyone here has had either their band or bypass surgery by him and I have'nt heard any complaints. Good luck to you.

:help: I too am extremely petrified of having this surgery. I feel like I have been on a emotional roller coaster for the past month and it's only getting worse as each day goes by. I was told to quit smoking in October and tried Chantix, had bad experience with that so I stopped it. I'm now smoking a pack a day compared to my previous 2 packs a day. I have a major fear of blood clots in my legs because of the surgery. The nurse liason said as long as I cut back a lot the few days before surgery which is Jan. 14, 2007 that i'll be fine. I keep thinking of everything bad that "could" happen and not really focusing much on the positive things. Anyone out there could offer me some support I would be much appreciative.