Barbie54

Had surgery march 5 th. Stayed 4 days inIhospital because of swelling in stomach during the swallow test. The heparin/lovanox inj aren't bad. I did have a drain-- no problems but did hurt a tad coming out. Came home Sunday, went to get teeth cleaned Tuesday, had follow up appointment Thursday , another appointment fri. Hair cut on Monday. Feeling good enough to run everyday. I was nervous too but for no good reason! Relax and enjoy the new u,,,,,,,

Hi had surgery March 5th. Doing good. Follow up visit today. Down 15 lbs.

Hi had surgery March 5th. Doing good. Follow up visit today. Down 15 lbs.

I also lost 15 lbs in week 1.

Hi. Had my gastric sleeve done March 5th at Magee hospital in Pittsburgh. Dr Anita Courcourlas was my physician. Doing good on liquids. No pain just tired. By the way I'm 60.

Hi! Good luck on the surgery. I know you will do fine. That group of doctors are very good. I had my surgery in Aug. 08 and I am doing fine. I lost 50 lbs so far. My Dr. is Courcoulas. I only saw her once preop and now I see the physician assistant. I have 2.5cc in a 4cc band. Email me with any questions you have. I am bad about not getting on site too much now.

My surgery is tomorrow but I keep thinking that it is a life changing decision and I'm going for it. I can't do it by myself so help is on the way!! Good luck to you.

My doctor is in the same group as Dr Eid. They are all supposed to be very good. As far as eating goes, you can only eat small portions at a time. You don't have to give up food that you love, just eat smaller portions. The first 2 weeks after surgery is liquids only, the next two are mushy or semi soft and then on to more solid foods. Different kinds of food give different people some problems but I believe that we won't be hungry so we won't care as much to eat. Once the weight comes off, you will want to look and feel better so it will be worth it.

The classes are once a month for 6 months. You pick the day. It could be like the first Monday, the second Tuesday, the third Wed, or the Fourth Thursday. Then you have to go to that class every month. I picked Monday so I went the first Monday of every month. On the 4th month you get to see the doctor and after that you can see nutritionist and psch consult. BUT, that was with my insurance(UPMC). It could be different with yours. If you need any more info, ask me.

I am going to McGee to have my surgery on Aug 7th. I had to do the 6 months classes, nutritional consult, psy consult, stress test, upper gi, cardiac consult, stress echo , chest echo, labs....I'm 54 and fairly healthy but 100lbs overwt. I worked 40-50 hrs a week and still had to have all the tests. BY the way I have UPMC insurance. Good luck

Good Luck. Aug 14th is my daughter's birthday. Must be a lucky day.

Thanks for the invite. I'm scheduled for Aug 7th at McGee Hospital in Pittsburgh. I'm so excited.

My date is Aug 7th too. At McGee in Pittsburgh, Pa.

dgnlp3022, Well thanks for writing to me. I just joined a couple of weeks ago and I still am not good at the site. It is pretty good though. I went to the informational session with Dr. Courcoulas and I thought she was an excellent speaker and I hope her surgical skills are just as good. I have thought about the lap band for 6-8 months before going for the first session. I think it is an ideal surgery with few complications. I have seen alot of lap gallbladder surgeries without many serious complications and I think the lap band surgery would be quite similar. The last surgery I had in April, 2005 I had a serious complication after that so I am a little concerened over having any surgery again. I won't be able to have this surgery until after June so I'm anxious to talk to Dr Courcoulas in another month after my 3rd class. Hope your surgery is picture perfect and you will do just fine. Let us know. Barb

Sorry I didn't answer right away but my electricity was off from 1:15-8:00PM. I got on the computer to look at email and saw you emailed me. I am so new to the lap band talk that I really don't know where to look on the site.. I attended my second class last week on Monday nites at Mcgee. It really does take a lot to listen to the classes that they have. I am excited but yet skeptical about the lap band. I think it is a good idea and it really does work. Talk to you again.

I'll check and try to let you know.

I also attended 2 clasees at Mcgee and I think the lap band is a way safer procedure. I am having it if I get approved. You do know that in the future if the lap band doesn't work you can always have a RNY procedure. BUT, if you have the RNY (gastric bypass) the lap band is out of the question for you.