JillN

Everyone I'm no stranger to surgery - had my gall bladder out, umbilical hernia repair, D&C, full open hysterectomy - I think I know what to expect after surgery. However, for almost all of the above surgeries, I needed longer than the usual time to recover enough to go back to work. I'm a computer programmer so sit at a desk for 8-10 hours a day, bracketed by a 30-45 minute commute each way. My gall bladder was a laprascopic surgery, and the surgeon told me I would be fine to go back after a week - I went back to work after that week, and had to come home at noon, then had to take the rest of the week off as vacation time because I was still recovering (and hadn't filed a disability claim). I was able to go back after TWO weeks with no problem. I did make a mistake in not filing a disability claim even though I was only supposed to be out for a week - I won't make that mistake again! Similar thing with my hysterectomy - was told by surgeon 6 weeks, but when she saw me at 6 weeks to clear me to go back, it was obvious to her I needed more time to recover - ended up going back to work after 8 weeks. At least this time i had filed a disability claim, so extending the time wasn't a problem. I've learned my lesson about the disability, and will be filing a claim for my lap band surgery. But once again, the surgeon is telling me i'll be fine to go back after a week. I've told her about my prior difficulties, and I think she will go along with me on saying that I need 2 weeks out of the office before going back (though I've only emailed her and haven't discussed this in person with her yet). So my question to everyone is - how would you compare surgery and recovery for lap band to your gall bladder surgery and recovery? I'm expecting i'll need 2 weeks, the same as my gall bladder surgery. Can those of you who have had BOTH surgeries please comment on your experiences? Thanks for your help!!

I've read there is a card from Inamed that you can carry that indicates that you've had weight loss surgery, and cannot eat a lot of food at a time. I recently had a bad experience at a restaurant, where I was not allowed to order off of the children's menu, they insisted I order an adult meal. I don't know if the card would have helped in this case, but iwould have liked to have it to show, to see if they would allow me to order what I wanted. I looked on teh Inamed site, and couldn't find anything - can someone let me know where I can get teh card? My doctor does not supply them. Thanks!

At my first fill, the doctor gave me 1CC in a 4CC band. My 2nd fill, she removed what was in the band, and all of a sudden, it wasn't 1CC anymore, it was only .6 - what happened to my fill, where did it go?? I'm at 1.4 right now in a 4 CC band - but who knows what it will be when I go in for my 3rd fill. Where does the fill go? Will I see this all the time (part of my fill disappearing) or is this only something that would happen early on in the game?

It could also be the milk in your protein shakes - I had terrible diahrea and gas on my protein shakes until I remembered I almost never drank milk before surgery - now I chew one of the Lactaid tablets when I do a shake, and things are MUCH better.

Tootarts I feel bad for you that you've had such a hard time with fills - but you have to realize that the entire surgery process is just not enough for most poeple to lose weight - you need to get fills to get to the spot that's right for your body. I'd suggest scheduling that appointment, whenever it ends up being, and talking to the doctor before he does anything about your concerns. Remind him what happened the last time, find out if he should maybe do your fill under floro, so he can actually see the port, and hit it correctly the first time. Also, sometimes they'll give you a bit of numbing medication before hand - ask if this is an option, again reminding him how much pain you had last time. The band won't work unless we use it as it's supposed to be used, and that includes fills. Hope this is helpful!!

In my support group, someone told me...... "liquid in, liquid out" But you could try adding some chewable Fiber to your diet, like the chewable Benefiber - that's helped me a bit. It doesn't stop the runs, but does make them more usual or thicker. It's funny, we're always told to add fiber to our diet if we're constipated - turns out we also need to add fiber to our diet if we've got diarrhea, which I had chronically before surgery (until my GI doctor told me to add fiber to my diet). Hope this helps!!!

Well all, wanted to say hello, and it's been a difficult journey so far! I was banded on 5/16 at Brigham and Women’s in Boston - released to go home on 5/17. But ended up with complications due to nausea caused (or not prevented) by the anti-nausea medication I was sent home on. It also caused me to be CRAZY - restless, listless, and couldn't settle to anything for more than 2 minutes. Made it REALLY difficult to sleep.<O:p</O:p <O:p</O:p I finally called the resident on call on Sunday morning, and he wanted me to come in and be seen in the ER - so we drove the 1 hour distance back to the hospital, and were in the ER all day, from 9:30 to 6pm. I was re-admitted to the hospital, due to liver blood test results being not what they should be, as well as slight dehydration. <O:p The pumped me full of fluids via IV all day Sunday and Monday, plus gave me different nausea med (Zofran this time), which helped with nausea. I started drinking my CIB in the hospital again on Monday, and convinced the resident I was well enough to go home, so was released on Monday night. I was feeling basically totally back to normal all day on Monday, felt silly to be taking up a hospital bed when I felt so well and there were plenty of others that were way sicker than me, so I don't think it was really convincing the resident I should go home as her realizing how much better I was doing.<O:p Spent a quiet day at home yesterday (Tuesday), emailed the doctor and PA a couple of times. I'm not sure if this last stint in the hospital will affect my return to work date, but at this point, I’d say I’ll likely need another week off before I can go back to work. I'd originally planned for 2 weeks off (and disability insurance company approved 2 weeks), but again, I doubt I’ll be able to go back on Tuesday next week (day after Memorial Day). I needed a nap after taking a shower this morning, for example, and am really tired most of the time, and doing a lot of resting.<O:p It's all I can do to sit at the computer for 1 hour now, and as a computer programmer, I sit at the computer all day, 8-10 hours a day, so tomorrow, I’ll contact the PA (Physician Assistant), and ask her to contact the insurance company again, requesting more time off. So I will likely be out for 3 weeks total.<O:p I think the advise I would give EVERYONE is to make sure you take charge of your own healthcare, don’t be afraid to call if you think something is wrong, even if it's the middle of the night, don't be afraid to go into the ER because there MAY BE something wrong, and don't necessarily think that since everyone takes 1 week off and goes back to work, that you'll fit into that mold as well. I'm doing fine now, but it took a lot longer than I expected for me to reach this stage in my recovery - I'm now at the place I expected to be at on Friday of last week. So not everyone is the same, and all recoveries are different. <O:p

Can anyone tell me more about a low profile port? I asked my surgeon if she had converted anyone after they lost their weight, and she said that there was only 1 port that was approved for the lap band by Inamed, and wondered if doctors were putting in non-approved ports (non approved by Inamed). So, for those of you who have had low profile ports put in, can you tell me anything about them? Manufacturer name, part name, stuff like that? Thanks!

Sorry all, but I have to get this off my chest. I saw my surgeon for the first time in February - at that time, I brought the report and x-rays of my upper GI series, done less than a year before - I thought if I could avoid some tests as I’d already had them done, then great, less money and less time before scheduling surgery. The surgeon read the report, but didn't look at the x-Rays - said bring them to your pre-op and I’ll look at them then. She didn’t even want to hang onto them for her files, she wanted me to take them away and she’d look at them at the pre-op. So yesterday was my pre-op (2 weeks before surgery), I brought the x-rays, and she looked at them for the first time. Well, we both knew I had a hiatal hernia, and she did see that. But she also saw an enlargement of my esophagus, and a stricture of the opening that goes between esophagus and stomach. She now says she must have an endoscopy before surgery, to make sure I don’t have a problem called Achalasia, which could potentially be a contra-indication for Lap Band. So we have to scramble to get an endoscopy done before surgery, and in enough time to let her get the results. So Friday this week (May 5) is the only time they can fit me in. Problem is, I’ve been planning for the last year to attend a big sewing conference starting tomorrow, running through Saturday. I’ve taken the days off from work as vacation days, and I’ve signed up (and PAID FOR) several classes, including 3 on Friday, that I now have to miss due to the endoscopy.<O:p I posted in another thread asking if I could attend an evening class after an afternoon endo, so I’m hoping to only miss 1 class, and not all three that day, but I’m a bit upset with my surgeon for not looking at the x-rays when I originally brought them, and having to now scramble and get a last minute endoscopy.<O:p If I do have this achalasia, then it would need to be addressed before my lap band could be placed (if in fact it could still be placed at all) – it sounds like it is something that my grandmother had, so even though it’s a rare problem, I’m concerned that I do have it, and it will prevent me from getting a band and losing the weight. I broke crying down after we left the doctor’s office yesterday – was glad to have my hubby with me.<O:p I agree with the surgeon, that I don’t want to have a band if there is some physical reason that it wouldn’t work for me (and achalasia, untreated, would be a problem). I’m just hoping this isn’t what my grandmother had, and if it was, that I don’t have it as well – I don’t have any of the symptoms that my grandmother had (or any symptoms that are described online for the condition), so I’m a bit hopeful.<O:p PLEASE everyone keep your fingers crossed that I don’t have this achalasia, and that my surgery will continue as scheduled – I did go to my other pre-op appointments yesterday, and the surgeon is fairly certain we’ll be all set and I’ll be able to have the surgery, but she couldn’t perform it until she got the results of this endoscopy. I just had to rant to those who would understand!!<O:p</O:p

Thanks everyone for your kind words - I do really like my surgeon, she's one of the best in the area (Dr. Ashley Vernon at Brigham and Woman's). But I do wish she'd taken a look at the X-rays back in February. Oh well, life never goes as you plan - this is a fairly minor thing, especially compared to my best friend, whose father is dying in the hospital (she's in a deathbed vigil right now), and her friend, who, after surgery on both hands, got into a car accident a couple days ago, and totalled their new car (though luckily all passengers were totally fine, though the moose they hit was not)! Guess you have to put things into perspective!!

Everyone<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Well, I’m a bit upset with my surgeon - she now says she needs an endoscopy before she'll operate on me. And since surgery is 5/16, it has to be right away.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> So I’m scheduled to arrive at hospital at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time Hour="13" Minute="0">1pm</st1:time>, for an endo procedure a bit later than that I assume. They didn’t give me the procedure time, just the hospital arrival time.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> And since this is last minute, I have already scheduled 3 days off to attend a sewing conference held here locally, and I have classes in the morning, afternoon and evening on Friday. So now I have to miss some of these classes, and I’m trying to figure out which ones.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I know I’ll miss the afternoon class, as it starts at <st1:time Hour="13" Minute="0">1pm</st1:time>, but I’m wondering about my class at <st1:time Hour="18" Minute="0">6pm</st1:time>.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Can anyone tell me if you had an endoscopy around 1pm or <st1:time Hour="14" Minute="0">2pm</st1:time> in the afternoon, how you felt by <st1:time Hour="18" Minute="0">6pm</st1:time>? Well enough to attend a class (my husband would drive me, I know I’m not supposed to drive). What about operating heavy machinery (sewing machine) - I’m assuming probably not?<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I'm thinking that I'd like to at least go to the class and take some notes, and not do any sewing (or have my husband do the sewing), so I at least get some info out of it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Am I totally off base, and won't feel like doing anything at <st1:time Hour="18" Minute="0">6pm</st1:time> following an afternoon endoscopy??<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> Thanks for your help!!<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>

A couple years back, I was eating a lot of flavored mashed potatoes - they would come in a cardboard round container, you added boiling Water to it, and let it sit for a few mins, then stirred things up. I was thinking this would be great for the mushies stage of post surgery diet - but when I started looking around the grocery store for this, I can no longer find any! I've tried most the stores in my area, and no luck. Are these still made in this type of packaging? I used to really love the cheddar cheese version, and there were other flavors that were good as well. Any ideas where to find something like this? Thanks for everyone's help!!

bumping - But is the picture that Penni60 posted what everyone is talking about? Are there additional parts available (additional drink cups)? Thanks!!

When you're on mushies, and the surgeon's/nutritionist's diet sheet specifically says mashed potatoes as a valid choice, then yes, I think mashed potatoes are a good choice, esp. to add variety to the mushies diet.

I'll be a May 2006 Bandster - surgery scheduled for May 16th at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Good luck to myself and everyone else!!

All I'm prebanded, but trying to anticipate what things will be like post banding. One of the MANY reasons I chose the band was the ability to eat normal, although much smaller, meals and the ability to eat most foods. And I know that there is no way I could never eat sugar again. So my question has to do with what will be infrequent treats after banding. Cake is my all time favorite snack (almost always frosted). I was wondering that since so many people have problems eating bread, do people also have similar problems when they eat cake? Thanks for your help!!

Just had to tell everyone - I have a date! May 16th for my surgery, surgeon wants to see me 3-4 weeks before for the pre-op testing. Since I started this journey, in December 2005, it will be only about 6 months, which I'm very grateful for. Have told people at work my date, though they think it's for hiatal hernia repair only - have also told my family the same thing (except for my husband who, of course, knows the truth). Also told a couple of friends the truth, but for the most part, this is my issue (weight), and how I deal with it is my business. Just wanted to share that I got a date - looking forward (kind of) to surgery, and really more looking forward to this time next year when we'll be on a cruise, I hope to be a lot lighter! Hurray!!

Hey all, since no one at work knows i'm going to be getting the band, I had to tell someone!! Spoke to my surgeon on the phone on Tuesday afternoon - she said she had just faxed over all the docs to my insurance company, and we were waiting for an approval. I have Harvard Pilgrim, which traditionally covers the surgery with few problems, but I was still nervous. Then today I went online to their website (where you can access a bunch of good stuff) - I looked at my approvals lists - there was the approval for my lap band surgery, right there on the site! It showed up there before my doctor even heard about it! Sometimes I really love the internet!! So all I have left to do (other than find out when my surgery date will be) is: 1. PCP appointment for a full physical 2. Preop appointments 3. surgery! I'm hoping for a date in mid May, have already indicated my preferences to my surgeon. Hopefullly I'll hear back soon (as soon as I saw I was approved I emailed the surgeon to let her know). I'm not only on my way, but starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

As others have indicated, it's an allergic reaction to the steri-strips. I get the same thing, but I now know about it. Turns out, I'm not allergic to latex in the steri-strips or tape (which everyone thought) but i'm allergic to the adhesives they use on the tape/steri-strips. I can't even wear band-aids on some parts of my body, becuase my rash ends up looking exactly what you showed. Benedril may help (I never take it because it knocks me totally out). Another (topical) thing that may help is a cortizone cream - ask your doctor to presribe you something stronger than what is available over the counter. Also, heat will make them itch worse (like a hot bath/shower or a heating pad) - try to keep them away from heat as much as you can. Conversely, i'm not sure if ice would help dimish the itch or not - you might try an ice pack to see if it helps. They WILL go away, but they'll likely drive you mad for a few days (as yo'uve already discovered). Make a note in your medical records of this reaction, and ask your doctor to test you to see if you are allergic to latex (there is a blood test they can do). If you are allergic to latex, you need to get that added to your medical records - if not, then it's likely teh adhesive on the tape that you're allergic to - also make a note on your medical records, and remember for the future in case you have other surgeries. Hope you feel better soon!!

This may not be blood sugar related - do you have a diebetes monitor? If so, test your sugar to see if you actually do have a low sugar level. If so, then ask your doctor about what you can do. Even if you don't have a low sugar level, you should probably talk to your doctor/surgeon about your symptoms.

Mine was when the brand new pants I just made for myself started not fitting right (they were custom fitted). Then all my underwear that I always wore started ripping out in the seat. And I was finding it more and more difficult to wipe myself in the bathroom. That last one scared me a LOT! Turns out I had gained 20 pounds in under 6 months due to a new medication for diabetes. That's when I seriously started investigating WLS, and found this site! My doctors told me that with my age, medications and metabolism, it was extremely unlikely I'd be ever be able to loose a significant amount of weight. Then they suggested WLS if I started seeing tissue damage from my diabetes. I thought, WHY WAIT FOR THERE TO BE DAMAGE??? Let's make sure there is never any damage by getting rid of the diabetes, and the weight!

We really like our FoodSaver vacuum sucker thing - really helps keep food longer in the freezer, and since there are only two of us, it's a real help.

Does anyone know of a website where I could order sample sized packages of a variety of different protein drinks? I've tried the CIB low carb, and I think it's fine, but I suspect i'll be bored with it quickly - so wanted to also try a variety of other drinks. But I don't want to buy a tub of one kind, I want to buy 2-3 drink sized packets of a number of different brands to try. Is there a site out there where i can do this, or that has put together a sample package for us? I'm hoping to be banded in May sometime, so i'm starting early. Thanks for your help!!

My mother (who has hypothyroidism AND was a Med Tech, someone that draws the blood then actually does the tests on it) told me that i needed not only TSH, but also T3 and pre-T4. Thyroid Antibodies are also a good idea. Of course, i'm hypothyroid too (hits all women in my family around age 35) and trying to convince my doctors to have teh additional tests is a pain. They don't understand why I need them, and I can't explain either. Your best bet is to ask to be refered to a Metabolic Specialist (or it it a hormone specialist?). They will do a LOT more tests than your primary care, and know what the results actually mean.

Me too - being in the Boston area, it takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes to get to the meeting (though only 55 mins to get home). Do what you can, but see if you can find a group that you could go to, or again, as Jack suggested, start your own - if you're being banded, other people in the area must have been banded.