Long2BFree

I have gone through drepression now and again since being banded. I think it's because I want to pig out and can't. I'm also finding out that I want to slip into my old habits of eating just for the sake of it. Now I'm trying to justify spending money to join a 24 hours gym so I can go and work out when I need to release some energy and stress.

I can't imagine having the pain for that long. Once in awhile I will get pain in the neck when I eat something too fast and it kind of gets stuck, but the initial pain I had post op is gone.

Congrats, you are on your way!

It was less painful for me than the four other abdomincal surgeries I've had but I did have some pain. I'm presuming it was because I had a hiatal hernia repair and had scar tissue removed from my 14" gallbladder scar. Other than my energy being zapped I would've probably been okay.

Congrats! Tricare doesn't normally require all of the stuff, but it's hte surgeon's that do. You will be surprised at how fast they approve the surgery too. Best of luck in your journey!

I'm one month out and have lost 12 lbs but am seeing where people are losing large amounts of weight after being banded one or two months. It makes me wonder that if you are one of those people, how many calories and protein are you getting in? Are you getting enough nutrition?

Wow, your doctor is being very aggressive with giving you fills. I don't get my first one for two more weeks.

If you aren't taking your pain meds like you should then I would recommend that you take them around the clock until the pain goes away. It will aid in the healing process. Are you sipping Clear liquids only? Make sure you aren't gulping your fluids. It hurt when I sipped Water for the first 3 or 4 days but I think that's because I had a hiatal hernia repair. I never experience anything like a golf ball trying to get through the band. Now that I'm on solids I have felt a pressure in the esphogus when I've eaten meat too fast or haven't chewed it very well. Lastly, I would call the doctor if your pain level is really bad.

Congrats on your accomplishment! You must be very proud of yourself!

Yay for feeling better. The first week or so is the worst but it gets better everyday and makes you glad that you did this. For me, the unbelieveable energy I've gotten back since being banded has be wonderful.

Welcome to message boards! I would call your insurance company to find out if they cover the procedure and if they do, find out what their requirements are. I've seen many times that people go through the whole process only to find out in the end that their insurance won't cover the surgery. If they do cover it, find out if you need a referral and find out who is an authorized surgeon. You will then be on you way once you've met their guidelines. Good luck to you!

You will be fine. I too got scared a few times when reading the message boards and had to remind myself that some of the things I read are really a small percentage of the the people who have been banded. I too knew that getting the band was an answer to prayer and that being the weight I was at would greatly reduce my life and quality of life. I found praying and listening to Christian music really helped ease my nerves.

I have to get at least 70 calories of food per day. Some days are tougher than others and I have to admit that I sip on a bottle of Isopure Zero Carb drink many days to get it in since the bottle is 40 grams of Protein. I'm trying to make cream Soups and Cream of Wheat with nonfat milk or add unflavored Protein powder to help boost the protein. Greek Yogurt has 22 grams of protein per serving and lean cuts of beef are generally high in protein too. I am planning on seeing my nutritionist when I get my first fill to discuss getting enough calories and protein.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am getting in 70 grams of protein per day and am taking my Vitamins, Calcium and Biotin. I've heard that the hair loss doesn't normally happen until about 3 months after surgery so one month has been a shock. I have a lot of work related stress so I'm sure that is contributing to it also.

I am going through the same thing. I was banded on 7/17 and lost 10 lbs at my 2 week post op appointment. I have lost 2 more pounds since then... today has been four weeks since my surgery. I am more active than ever, walking everyday. Some days I don't think I'm getting enough calories and wonder if my body is going into starvation mode. I'm seeing my nutritionist in 2-weeks when I get my first fill. I'm just trying to remember that my body is still adjusting and that when I went into this I was only expecting to lose 1-2 lbs a week, though I hoped for more. I have exceeded that so far so I'll just keep doing what I need to do. Now I'm dealing with hair loss which I didn't expect to happen so soon. Hang in there! It will get better.

I would check with the surgeon before taking Milk Thistle. My doctor gave me a list of meds not to take 10 days before surgery and said to check about herbs to see if they were safe to take. Many things will thin the blood and cancel a surgery.

Why does he want you to stop taking your medication? I would find out if it's on the list of meds that would prevent you from having surgery. If not, I would call the doctor who prescribed them and find out if it's okay to do so and how you should go about doing it?

I've heard that Tricare doesn't require the tests but surgeons do. I had to attend a nutrition class held at the hospital, see a nutritionist one on one, have a psych evaluation, an EKG, and echocardiogram, numerous blood tests, and H-Pylori test and a chest x-ray.

The neck and back pain will go away. I think mine took about 10 days to go away for the neck and a little bit longer for the back, which really hurt when I would sit for longer than 5-7 minutes. As someone else mentioned, make sure you are taking your pain meds to keep on top of the pain. Your body heals better and quicker if you aren't dealing with the pain.

I'm three weeks post op and have a rash going on too. I saw my doctor this past week and he didn't know what it was but put me on antibiotics just in case. He told me not to put any lotions on my stomach but to take Benadryl instead. It relieves the horrible itching but also makes me very sleepy.

Congrats on your upcoming band date! 1. I currently walk and ride an exercise recumbant bike. I'm looking to join a gym as I'm finding that I need an outlet for needing to do something positive since I can't eat when I'm stressed anymore. 2. I have so many different kinds of shakes, that there are actually too many. I have Medifast, GNC unflavored powder, EAS Premium Protein (from costco, 20 gms protein per serving, mild taste), Low Carb Slimfast, Isopure Zero Carb. I find that the Isopure really helps on the days when I know I can't get enough protein in. It has 40 grams of protein per bottle and I just sip on it all day long. I find that the SF shakes are really more convenient than since they are premixed. The EAS Premium Protein is very mild tasting if you can't handle strong Protein Drink tastes. 3. To the hospital you should bring slippers, a robe, toiletries and an extra change of clothes. You can bring a book but probably will feel more like sleeping than reading. 4. My doctor cleared me to lift two weeks after my surgery. I asked what the weight limit was and he said their was none. I was lifting computer equipment last week but still asked others to lift the real heavy stuff because I didn't feel comfortable doing it. As far as lifting groceries and laundry, you will want to take it easy for at least a week. You will tire easily so don't overdue it.

EWWWW... Yuck!!!!

My stomach was swollen for about 2 weeks. I didn't have a whole lot of gas and did try the Gas X strips as some have suggested but it didn't really do anything. It just king of went away on its own with time.

Yay for better hair! I don't know where your purchased your products, but thought I'd mention that QVC sells them.

It is totally normal to feel what you are feeling. In fact, I told my husband a couple of days before surgery I would probably go thorugh a bunch of emotions right after surgery and I did. Now I couldn't be happier that I did this. I love my band. Make sure you take your meds as prescribed since you are having pain. It will help you heal quicker and get back to your normal self. It will get better in a few days.