NancyJ1960

Due to multiple previous abdominal surgeries I was a bit of an unusual case due to my adhesions. There is nothing about my 2nd surgery that is of any concern to other patients. Dr. Cobean is technically great and if you do well you will actually do well with him. He will tell you himself he is not a 'hand holding' type of guy - so as long as patients have no expectations of him having outstanding bedside manner they will have no disappointments. Feel free to ask me anything by sending me a message. Good luck!

The Augusta center has requirements that no other center does, i.e., the $500 cash for exercise trainer - actually they charge that so that patients who have MaineCare (Medicaid) won't be able to go through their program - people who live with food stamps are less likely to be able to maintain the healthy eating that is required therefore the center would have less positive results and not achieve their Center of Excellence they are striving for. I opted out of their program because of what I perceive is discrimination. Good luck. I would recommend the Portland or Lewiston (CMMC) group.

After 2 surgeries with Dr. Cobean I agree that your impression of him is correct. His surgical skills are excellent, but I found him arrogant, pompous, and difficult to communicate with. Which is unfortunate given the very personal nature of this type of procedure. Patients will do well, however, if they bypass him and go directly to the nursing staff at the bariatric center. They are an amazing team!

I can understand your concerns and frustrations. I have had now 9 abdominal surgeries (only 7 before my lap band) and I was prepared to wake up and find out it could not be done. Fortunately for me most of my adhesions are in the lower abdomen and did not interfere with the procedure. You certainly can have the adhesions taken down, but they will regrow even thicker and can certainly interefere with a lap band if placed. There are no imagining studies that an show adhesions/scar tissue. Your doctor really did do the right thing for you. Good luck.

I'm vegetarian and a major bread lover. Unfortunately most people aren't able to eat bread products after being banded. I definitely can't. So for carb cravings I use whole grain crackers (and measure out one serving size), and also South Beach bars (low carbs but feels like eating carbs!) I also drink alot of protein shakes. When you are filled up, you don't crave anything. If you aren't ready to give up alot of food, you might want to wait a bit. I cannot eat pizza crust, rice, breads/rolls, cake or muffins.

Yes it is a problem! Actually I am unable to even sleep on my left side for more than a few minutes.

Everyone is different but it took me 3 weeks before I began to feel better and a full 8 weeks before I didn't feel like i had had surgery. Relax, get in your fluids, give your body the rest it needs, and be kind to yourself.

Unfortunately both normal, but the good news is that it resolves. You have put your body through surgery/anesthesia and the whole process really messes with your body.

you have to ask each company or look them up on line. being only 24 you might want to give this procedure alot of thought as it is a lifetime commitment. good luck.

your blender should become your best friend!

Heat, lots of moist heat will help dissipate the gas too.

Absolutely! Alternate using ice packs and a heating pad throughout the day. A small amount of an anti-inflammatory is ok. Gas-X may help. Also, as i found out, one or more of the sutures placed could be near enough to a nerve to aggrevate it, this too will resolve if it is the case. Time, rest, and patience are the answers right now!

I think it is totally normal to be apprehensive about eating. I am 7 weeks out and have tried a few items and regretted it! It's ok. It is alot of trial and error, except common sense does come into play. Meats are really hard for people to swallow anyway and require proper chewing, which most of us don't do. Small bites of moist food will be ok. Try using 'baby silverware' this helps to keep your bites small. Good luck, relax and talk to your dietician.

Every center has different guidelines. I was in the hospital for 3 days after my band and they brought me custard, ice cream, cream of wheat and jell-o the night after surgery! You simply need to let the swelling go down, if it wasn't down you would have not been able to swallow the food. Relax, don't be so literal, your body will tell you if it is ok or not.

You could be having a reflux problem. Don't let your doctor find the easy way out - of course it wasn't the ham. He just didn't want to believe you really were uncomfortable. Try some OTC liquid Maalox and see if that helps, if so, then you probably are having reflux.

I am 6 weeks post op and my pain has been relentless for all but 4 days. It is just above my port area, my lower rib cage is extremely tender and it goes right through to my back. My surgeon thinks that one of the 3 large sutures that is holding the port in place must be irritating a nerve and hopefully it will settle down. i see him again this week and I know I can't live like this for much longer. If you are still uncomfortable after 6 months, I am concerned for myself too!.

You are still a normal person. Just don't take aspirin or other blood thinning products right now. And if you cold persists use the liquid instead of capsules, just to be on the safe side.

Add a stool softener morning and evening, drink lots of water, add juice apple or prune on an empty stomach in the morning. you have changed your diet alot and fried/fatty foods cause loose stools, so you will notice alot of changes now that these are out of your life!

Add a little Benefiber to your juice and that will help with the runs. Gas pains are nasty and do eventually get better, but there is no cure for them. Don't drink/eat too fast, keep your chin up!

Anesthesia, low nutrition, life style changes, etcccccc. Totally normal and just go with it. Your physical, emotional, and spiritual body has been totally disrupted. All will settle down with time. Be really kind to yourself right now and treat yourself to comforting things - a cup of tea by candlelight!

you really do need to be very careful at this stage. add protein powder (whey or soy by EAS is great) to skim milk to maintain some nutrition or drink slim fasts, but you don't want any solid food at this time. good luck!

A week is not good. But you certainly will defacate less as you are eating less high carb foods. Your body is using the proteins it is receiving and buring off the fat, but you should be going at least once a day. Try adding Benefiber to your regimen twice a day.

You may not be ready to be banded if you are that concerned about your social life/eating out. This is a lifetime change and you must have your priorities in order - and are committed for the long haul. Eat prior to going out then you can honestly say, 'i'm just not that hungry', and order a brothy soup (ask for lots of broth), or look at the childrens menu or the sides - mashed potatoes work great, side of carrots you're all set. But please think carefully about the rest of your life and make sure this is right for you. Good luck!

I have known Dr. George Blackburn from my years of working at the Deaconess Hospital (years ago!) and he would be my recommendation. Good luck.

No one can really tell you. I planned 1 week and found that I should have 2 full weeks. I think one's age, level of physical fitness prior to surgery and if you have had prior abdominal surgeries are factors in figuring out how much time you will need. Just remember if you plan on two weeks and are ready to go back sooner great, if not then you have the time.