jetsy62

I was banded on 9/23 and I think I am doing really well. Still swelled and some soreness but nothing that I can not tolerate. I am listening to the diet instructions so maybe that is helping. I know I need to exercise but what should I do? I am 5'3" tall and started my two week pre-op diet at 307 pounds. The day of surgery I weighed 296. How do I develop an excercise regimine that is practical but effective. That is the one thing that no one has gone over with me. Just says to "get exercise". Until I see my doctor two weeks post-op I can't lift anything over 10 pounds and they said to make sure I walk three times a day but that is it. And to rest if I feel tired. Today I did four loads of laundry (my daughter carried the baskets) and did the dishes. And went up and down the steps about 10 times. But I want to be ready to do "whatever" when my two weeks is up. Thanks for the help.

Yesterday I had my last appt. with the dietician and went to see anesthesia since my surgery is scheduled for 9/23. Both of them started out with confirming name, dob, etc. Then they said "you are having the gastric Roux-en-Y done on the 23rd". I corrected them and said I am having the band, not the bypass. This also happened when I had my blood work done. The anesthesiologist just kept going and explained how I would have an NG tube in, etc. I stopped him and told him again I am having the lap band, not the bypass. He looked confused and said he was not sure if they put in an NG tube for that. My concern is that everyone knows what the heck I am getting done! Sure don't want to wake up with a bypass when I want the band. Never discussed the bypass other than to say I am not comfortable doing that with the surgeon at initial consult. Also, why would I need an NG tube for the band? Do you think I should call my surgeon? More than one person seems confused about the procedure I am having done and it sure ain't me.

I am not going to say I agree with any of this. Nor am I going to say I disagree with any of it. Suffice it to say that someone posted ways to get around the system if needed and others posted possible consequences. Is that not what this forum is about? Offering advice, information, etc. It is not a place for judgement. We read the information posted and do with it as we wish. I am grateful for every single thing I read on here. Not all of it is applicable to me, but I will never be able to express how much I appreciate you all. So everyone, please keep posting away! Differing in opinion is great. I just don't think we should judge each other.

Took your advice and called the surgeon's office. Karen assured me that their records indicate I am a band and not a bypass. He is doing two bypasses before me then my band. I told her what happened and she said I had every right to be scared, she would notify doc what happened, but that I am scheduled as a band. I told her I was writing on my belly that I am a band not a bypass and she said to do whatever I needed to do to feel comfortable after what happened. Thanks to all of you. I am so glad I found you and that people on this site are so willing to share.

This may be a stupid question but I am going to ask anyway. I am scheduled for surgery 9/23 and am on my two week pre-op diet to shrink my liver. I know if they go in and my liver is too fatty they won't do the surgery, but is there not another way to figure out if a person has a fatty liver other than opening them up? And has anyone ever done the two week and still had a fatty liver? I am asking only because when it comes to medical issues, I always seem to be on the losing side of the odds. Thanks.

My surgery is scheduled for 9/23 and I can't wait. I have thought about this for a long time and I am at peace with the decision. Don't know how else to say this but "it feels like I am doing the right thing deep down in my belly". Hope you know what I mean. Anyway, is there anyone out there that has lost over 100 pounds or more. It seems like 100 pounds is something to really strive for. I need to lose more than that. Am I being unrealistic. The doctor said most people lose a percentage of the weight they should lose but not all of it. The numbers don't really matter to me. I just know what I want to look like and I know what I weighed when I looked like that. Frankly, I just want to look normal. Not skinny and not fat. Thanks.

Well, that turned out to be a good visit. All of my blood work, chest x-ray, EKG came back fantastic so it is a go for 9/23. I asked about the fills. Doc does them himself and he did admit there have two patients that he had to stick twice. Other than that, one stick but at times, depending on how much fat there is, he does have to search a little. He says he asks you to crunch like you are doing a sit up, he locates the port between 2 fingers, and normally all is over and done with quickly. I can handle that. Anyway, wish me luck.

I am schedueld for 9/23. I so want it to get here. I go see the doctor this morning and start my 2 week pre-op diet tomorrow. I actually kind of started it last week. Wanted to get used to it. It really is not that bad. I'll let you all know what the surgeon says today when we talk about these fills and getting stuck 8 times.

Don't worry, you have not discouraged me. But I go to see my doctor Monday and I will ask him about this. Just my personal opinion, but 8 sticks is way too many. And I would think the surgeon would not want someone working for him/her to be having this much trouble locating a port. To be honest, it is not so much the actual processing of getting stuck eight times that concerns me. It is the knowledge/skill/experites whatever you want to call it of the person doing the fills that I would question.

I have not been banded yet but this post scares the (blank) out of me. It does not make any sense at all that someone should have to be poked 8 times to get a fill. Is this even close to being normal. I don't particularly like being poked but I don't have a phobia about it. That being said, if someone stuck me 8 times I would be upset to say the least and concerned as to whether they knew what the heck they were doing. Once, twice, maybe three times but eight! Please tell me this is not normal.

I am being banded on 9/23. I have so many people telling me not to do it that it just won't work. I know it does not work for some people but there must be reasons why. Does anyone out there know what causes failure? There are so many success stories on here and I want to do everything in my power to make sure I am a success story. I think I also might be worrying because when it comes to health issues, I always seem to be on the losing side of things. I had a heart condition and when they tested me for it they said only 2% of the people that get tested have it. I was in the 2%. I got pregnant with my daughter using birth control. I guess I was that 1% or 2% also. She was a twin, I lost one but thank God carried her. So now with all this negativity around me, I am thinking maybe this will be another thinkg that will go wrong. So ... tell me the top things to do to make sure this works. Thanks to you all in advance.

Oh, I am having the surgery! That is not in question. I have researched this for two years debating between bypass, band or nothing so I am not going into this lightly. I just want ... heck I don't know what I want. I have a relative that had this done about 1.5 years ago and she is bigger now than she was before. Of course, she swears she did everything the doctor said. Well, I didn't just fall off the turnip truck. I know she is lying, mostly to herself if she believes that. I guess I want to know what pitfalls to watch for. I actually have a list I read every morning. So far I have follow the doctors pre-op diet to shrink the liver, the fills vary for everyone so be patient til he finds my correct fill amount, chewing my food is critical when I get to that point, no drinking 1/2 hour before or after meals, no straws. I just was looking for pointers, pitfalls, highlights, whatever you want to call them. Anyone want to add to my list?

Boy do I feel your pain. Exact same thing happened to me. After the six months of seeing my PCP, he informs me that he does not believe in any type of gastric surgery (bypass or band) and to just get my head on straight and lose weight the normal way. Took me two more months to get the information to my surgeon but it finally happened when I went to the office and asked for the papers in person. Show them you mean business. They are your records. She does not have to turn over originals but she does have to give you copies. Good luck and keep fighting.

I am not being banded until 9/23 but have started to ease myself into the 2 week pre-op diet because I have always had a problem with low blood pressure. In fact, one time at the doctors the nurse kept switching bp cuffs because she could not get my pressure. Obviously I had one, I was sitting there talking to her! Anyway, sure enough, today is my 5th day on my pseudo-diet (not even the real thing yet) and out I went. The problem occurs primarily in the am. I have passed out before if I did not eat breakfast and had a late lunch. What should I do? I go see the nutritionist again on 9/16 and see my surgeon on 9/8. Should I just mention this to both. I actually have it better than some. I am allowed a shake or bar for breakfast and lunch, a small piece of fruit for snack, dinner is 4 oz. of lean meat and vegetable. I am doing the breakfast and lunch right now and eating a normal dinner except for no starch. So basically, more than 4 oz. and more vegetables than the pre-op diet. And I also eat a snack in the evening (sf jello, veggie, etc.) I don't want them to think I am trying to get out of the pre-op diet so maybe I better keep my mouth shut and hope for the best. Any suggestions/opinions?

Hi Everyone, I am being banded 9/23 by Dr. Newlin in Altoona, PA. They wanted it to be 9/9 but one of my best friends is getting married 9/13 and I was afraid I would miss the wedding.

Yeah, I have not been on the board because I was extremely upset. After doing the psych eval, seeing the nutritionist, going the primary doc for 6 months, I could not get approved. Why? I am too healthy. No bp problems, no diabetes, just morbidly obese. Surgeon fought with them and said that their rationale was stupid, that I have been overweight all my adult life, no miracle was going to happen, and it was nonsense to wait for someone to develop health issues then approve the surgery. Finally got approval this week. My surgery is scheduled for September 23rd. They wanted to do it September 9th but one of my best friends is getting married September 13th and I was not risking the wedding. So that was the next date available. Wish me luck.

Get the surgeon's office to fight the battle for you. My primary care doctor got no where ... but the surgeon's office did.

Ask away, I don't mind. We are all here for each other. Mine is 46.

I went to my primary care doctor for the last of my six month appt. He still will not send my paperwork to the surgeon. Why? He says I am too healthy. I am 5'3" tall and weight 290 pounds. I have no diabetes, my cholesterol is 136, my blood pressure was 111/64, blah, blah, blah. I am morbidly obese, have been fat all my adult life, have tried ever diet under the sun and then some. He says to "get my head on right" and just lose the weight. Duh! Yeah, I am thankful I have no health problems but I know it is just a matter of time. I am 45 years old. What do I do?

Hi Everyone, Am I ever glad I found this site. I just need some people to talk to that are not so judgemental. I have attended the free seminar, seen the nutitionist, have seen my primary doctor for five of the sixth months the insurance requires and had my psyche eval done yesterday. Off to the sugeon Monday for my one on one. So many people are telling me not to have it done. I am 45 yrs old, 295 lbs. 5'3". I have no health problems of people that are obese but that is only a matter of time. I am not kidding myself. Why would people that are my friends keep telling me not to do this? I want to see my 13 year old grow up, go to college, get married, etc. I just want to be normal. They asked if I had a goal weight in mind. I don't. I have a look weight in mind. My goal is to be able to put on a pair of regular zip up jeans and not have the "muffin" look. You know, the stuff hanging out over the jeans. Oh well, like I said, great to have found you all.