Baggio

Just wanted to say hello.... I am 4 weeks banded now and healing up very nicely. I have started to begin to eat regular foods again per my doc's advice. Dr. Kim put an AP large band in so it holds 14cc but he put nothing in it during surgery so I think I have entered that period I have heard referred to as banster hell. I am limiting what I eat as I can eat way more than what I feel I should be able to eat. I'm learning, still have not gotten stuck or had any other problems, no pains from over eating etc. He said I could get a fill 4 weeks from last week which should help me limit. My port area is still sore...will that EVER go away?! I have no regrets and have lost 20 pounds so far life is good. How is everyone else doing?

I agree, I would never encourage anyone to do something to harm themselves or not follow Dr's orders. I do understand the difficulty though and that none of us are perfect. Sometimes a kick in the pants is needed, sometimes not....just making sure this stays balanced. You should not get flamed for having your opinion, you obviously care a great deal for people and that is never a bad thing.

After reading through all this I am a bit surprised. I have a huge amount of will power and I can certainly tell the difference between head hunger and real hunger. All I can do is refer to what I am experiencing. I have a large band that holds 14 cc's and my doctor put 0 Fluid in it at surgery. I can't get a fill for at least another 4 weeks so I will have some restriction. As I understand it, some doctors put fluid in at surgery and others don't so that may account for why some of us feel this and others don't. As I said in my previous post, I have not experienced any problems other than I have had to learn to limit myself because I can eat more than I should be able to without a problem. Clearly I was educated by my Dr. and realize I need to control it. My doctor informs me this will change when I find my sweet spot but first my body has to heal to be able to tolerate a fill. I have never viewed the band as anything other than a tool and know I must change my habits however, I did believe the band would offer more support at this point in time than it has, again I believe and my Dr. has confirmed it will in the near future. Just for the record, I am hungary when I sit down to eat so it is hard to stop, with restriction this is easier so I understand these feelings. I am following the rules as outlined by my Dr. and would not jeopardize anything nor do I believe this is a lack of will power or head hunger. I'm not grazing or eating all day or washing my food down with liquid or not following the rules. I'm just hungary clearly why I'm overweight to begin with....Yes often times there is boredom and head hunger but this is something different and based on the number of PM's I have received on the subject this is something many of us are struggling with and finding it hard to get support that fits....I'm disappointed that the first reaction is to jump to saying we are not doing what we are supposed to or can't tell the difference between the head hunger and hunger etc....the truth is this is something that many of us are feeling. I'm glad we can all reach out to each other and be supportive, it is nice to know that we are all in the same boat even if we don't have an answer for what we are feeling it somehow makes it easier to know we are not alone in what we feel.

I'm 2.5 weeks out and about 3 days ago hunger hit with a vengence. Once I started to eat something other than Soup it seems I have gotten really hungary really quickly. I'm worried I am over eating just like you but my DH says no. For example, yesterday for lunch I had a 1/4 of a rot. chicken breast and about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of rice a roni. All went down fine but I read about folks being full on 2 tbls of food and I just am not. I am trying hard to control the portions and think after yesterday I will only put on my plate the portion I can have but everything goes down super easy. I also haven't had the "full" feeling or the "Stuck" feeling or anything. If it were not for the port pain healing I would not even know I had surgery. Anybody else experiencing this?

Count me in.

This is an awesome idea....I would love to attend something like this.... If you need help, I would love to get involved and help out.

Hi Shannon, Welcome. You will love Dr. Kim. I am 2.5 weeks post op from Dr. Kim and TLC or Prestonwood. They were awesome! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions I can answer. Enjoy your journey.

The night before I was super nervous and didn't sleep a lot. I went from feeling excitement to scared to nervous back to excitement. I was scheduled to arrive at the surgery center at 8am. My surgery was scheduled for 9:30am. When I arrived, I was a self pay so I spent the 1st 15-20minutes taking care of the bill. Then they took me into an office and I signed a bunch of forms that explaind the risks, authorization for blood etc. My surgeon poked his head in, met my husband and said he would see me shortly. I finished with the paperwork and went back into the waiting room. The surgical nurse came to get me and told me they would prep me and then my husband could join me when they were done. I went back to the day surgery area and the first thing they did was weigh me. I was down 12 pounds with the preop diet so I was thrilled. Then it was off to the bathroom to change clothes and give them a urine sample so they could do another pregnancy test. I changed clothes gave them the sample and then they put me in a bed. They gave me slipper socks to put on, very sexy I might add. Then the doc came in and asked me several questions and verified everything on my bracelet. While that was happening the nurse was fishing for a vein for my IV. She gave me a shot of something that really burned before she put the IV in which hurt more than the IV. The IV came out before she could secure it so she went underneath my arm on my rist, repeated that process got it in and secured. Then they gave me 3 different types of medication. Some antibiotics etc. Then they gave me a shot in the stomach of blood thinner. I had heard this was really going to hurt and burn. I didn't even feel it. The IV hurt more than that shot. Then they put these new feet things on me that keep the circulation going during sugery and prevent clots. No long stockings like them much better than the stockings. Then it was hurry up and wait. I had about 5 minutes with my husband and then it was off to surgery. When I got into the OR they told me I would move to another bed and then they would start to give me the drugs to relax me. That is the last thing I remember, I was out. The next thing I knew I was in recovery and really needed to go to the bathroom. I asked if I could go. The nurse helped me to the bathroom, I went which was the first of 3 tests to go home. When I came out of the bathroom they put me in a wheel chair and wheeled me over to a kinda sitting area. They gave me some stuff for nausea as I was a bit nauseated and then gave me some ice chips. Second test for getting out. My husband came in and I spent 15 minutes or so eating the ice chips and chilling out. Then the nurse came in and asked me if I wanted to get dressed, I said sure and my husband helped me put my clothes on. The nurse went over all my incisions and talked to and gave me instructions on them. I have 6 incisions. 5 really small ones and 1 that is a couple of inches or the port incision. Apparently while I was in surgery my husband was getting a class in taking care of me. He signed more stuff than I did on instructions etc. Once I was dressed and able to keep the ice chips down I was ready to go home. I arrived home by 12:30pm. Not to bad. Felt no pain at all, took pain medication and liquid tylenol and tried to get comfortable. Slept most of the afternoon and my husband kept the pain medication flowing, had no problems swallowing anything. I sipped though. They also gave me this thing I was supposed to breath into every 15 minutes. Was supposed to keep the air sacks in my lungs open. I didn't do this as I was sleeping, I did it a couple of times. I had a very hard time getting comfortable as I am a side sleeper. Hated laying on my back. I stayed propped up and would reccommend this highly in fact if you could sleep sitting up in a chair for a few days that would be ideal. I walked as much as I could tolerate and did experience slight gas pains first day. The Gasx strips did the trick and I haven't had any problems since. The main pain I have had is from the port site. I have had redness and lots and lots of pain in that area. When I move I can feel pain in that area and getting up and down are the most painful parts. I was hoping to return to work on Monday following surgery but my port was still way to sore. I came back today and other than a bit of weakness feeling, all is good. Everyday is 100% better than the day before. Hope this post helps as I studied these the most pre surgery so I would know what to expect. You are welcome to ask me anything and I will answer if it will help. Happily banded....

Christine, Hang in there. I am now 2 weeks post op. I am down 16 pounds and feel better. It does work. My port area was the hardest part. If it weren't for the port, I don't think I would even feel like I had surgery. That area is really sore and will be for a bit longer I think but it is healing nicely. I have had not problems with anything other than wanting to move on to a full diet sooner than they will let me. This is the best decision I have ever made. Don't give up.

They will find your sweet spot soon. It just takes a while. Try and stay positive as this does work, the neat and most frustrating thing about the lap band is that it is so customized to the individual. It may take awhile to find what works best for you but remember they will get there and it does work. Just a follow up on my surgery. I am two weeks post op tomorrow and only have one more week to go before I can start eating somewhat normally again. I don't know about you guys but the mushy stage is so frustrating. If it weren't for losing a pound a day it would be unbearable. Don't get me wrong it is much better than the liquid only stage but almost a tease to the full diet phase. I would love some chicken breast. My port area is still really sore and I am still having a hard time sleeping at night but I am much better. I plan to add more exercise next week which should make me feel even better. Hope everyone is doing well.

Yep, I had one.... They told me that everyone gets one no matter what since they are paralyzing certain things for the surgery. It was put in after I was asleep and taken out before I woke up in recovery. I knew I had one because immediately when I woke up I had to go to the bathroom. That was the first thing I did when I woke up in recovery was ask to go to the bathroom. It wasn't bad don't worry about it.

My preop nurse coverd this with me before surgery.... She told me that I would be covered from my hips down and my chest up. The pre op nurse and the anesth were the only ones who were in there at that time anyway. The doctor came in after all the preop was done as I understand it. Don't worry, I doubt you have anything they will be impressed or unimpressed with...trust me they have seen it all...

I was banded on the 24th and I am still really sore in my port area. The glue is starting to come off of my incisions and I am beginning to itch like crazy. I'm still eating soups....I am going to try a scrambled egg this weekend and maybe some tuna salad....I'm a bit afraid to start eating again. I have had no problems with anything so I know it is mental but I guess still being able to see the swelling in my abdomen makes me a bit nervous that I am healing a bit slow.

Hi Guys, I'm banded and back to work today.... The surgery went well but I had no idea how much port pain I would have, had it not been for that it would have really been a snap. I'm going to do a general post under post op to go through my experience since that really helped me prior to being banded so I won't repeat it here. The port pain though is something else. I'm still taking pain medication. It is really really sore. It is still really red around it too. It is better everyday but still really hard to sleep since I'm a side sleeper. How long does it take for it to feel normal again? Loved Dr. Kim, he was so good and comforting to my DH before and after the surgery. Also can't say enough great things about TLC. What a great facility and staff. They were awesome. I'm eating cream soups which compared to optifast feels like the best food I have ever tasted. There was a discrepency in what TLC told me and the instructions Dr. Kim gave me post op...TLC said 2 weeks of cream soups before mushy, Dr. Kim says 1 week of cream soups then on to mushy...what did you guys do? It's good to be here and banded finally!!!!

OK tomorrow morning I get officially banded. I'm a bit nervous....I'm sure it is normal to feel this nervous but yikes. I went from excitement to really nervous. I know I'm doing the right thing but I'm still scared. I know Dr. Kim is great and will do a fantastic job but I wasn't prepared for the rush of emtions I'm having tonight. Talk me through this, I know you guys have been through this already....were you guys this jittery the night before?

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Headhunter.... I've read this entire thread and must say I have seen you go on and on about helping people make a decision. You have spent countless hours responding to comments, remarks and questions. However, none of us have seen "Your Story" as you put it. You have thrown out bits and pieces stating you don't have time since it is lengthy to tell. If the story was so important to put out there for everyone to see and read as a cautionary tale why did you not ever put the entire story out there for each of us to decide based on the facts as you present them for ourselves as individuals. Basically you have given hints at this or a sentance or two about that but you have never said here is my story, I hope it helps and then actually told the story. At the time of this post you have not ever put the full start to finish story out there for people to understand. You made a lot comments that forced people to make up their own ideas about what happened due to the lack of information you have provided. Sorry, the I don't have time comment doesn't fly with most of us as we are all just as busy as you are, we too have important jobs and families. My attorneys advised me also doesn't hold up as clearly we don't know who you are change whatever names necessary, attorneys have no problem with that. If it was truly your intention to help people in your "target audience" that would be me as I have not been banded yet and based off the limited information you have provided I would not base any credence on anything you have said about the procedure. Why would you not at this point take the time to give us the full story which by the way is the responsible thing to do since you have scared the beejeeses out of so many people and then let the chips fall where they may. I tend to lend more credence to someone who puts all their cards on the table and plays it straight than someone who sticks their toe in the Water and jerks it back when challenged for facts and information. I do give credence to my surgeon who has performed thousands of these procedures and does offer facts and figues about the success rates and MINIMAL discomforts, mortailty rates etc. Yes, none of us are going or have gone into this without knowing all the facts and risks. Yes there are risks but after weighing the facts from those willing to put their cards on the table they are risks I'm prepared to deal with. One last thing, if anyone is making this decision and has not weighed all the facts they should before proceeding, however I would reccomend getting all the facts from credible sources. Headhunter if you find yourself so credible, put your cards on the table and let us judge as for ourselfs as individuals....if your not willing to do that sorry but I wish you would disappear from the forum as it just further proves you have no credibility. If you have suffered, no one on this site from what I have seen would Celebrate that fact. Instead, they would be compassionate and supportive. As a word for the wise, when you come at us with information that should be a help to us you better come with facts and information because I know I and everyone here have not made this decision lightly and will defend it just as strongly as you seem to want to discredit it. I am looking forward to my band in two days and wish you the best with moving on with your life and your efforts to repair whatever damage has been done.

Jet, I'm being banded on the 24th too and yes I must say I am sick of Optifast. It's only 2 more days and you can stand on your head for 2 more days if it meant the results on the other end were great. My surgeon told me the very best thing I can do to help him is stick with the preop diet so my liver is small enough to allow for the room he needs to work. For me that was incentive enough. It is tight in there and I'm dead set on giving him whatever assistance I can by sticking with this until then even though it means going without until then....I completely sympathize with what you are feeling and tasting....When I can't handle the optifast I do a SF popsicle or SF Jello. When the cravings hit and believe me I have had them, I try to imagine him in surgery struggling because I didn't do my part or the better picture of him sailing through it with ease because I did what he asked as hard as it was. Hang in there....we can do it!

I'm being banded on the 24th here in Dallas by Dr. Kim. It's really getting close now!

Me too.... I'm excited, nervous and a bit scared all at the same time. Stay in touch and let me know how your surgery goes.....

I'm having surgery on the 24th of April in Dallas, my surgeon is Dr. Kim. I'm very excited and can't seem to wait for the 24th to get here. Anyone else out there same day same surgeon? I'm 5 days into my preop diet...he requires 2 weeks of optifast. I'm sailing through it with no problems so far. I really don't miss "Pepsi" yet which is all I drank and feared giving up the most. I have moved to Crystal light and have been enjoying the change. The only thing I have missed was having warm foods, I got some of the soup and haven't looked back. Seems like it should be harder......

I hope your right but I'm sure I will get through it. I could stand on my head at this point. Yes, it definately feels as though next Thursday will never get here. I would die if they had to reschedule me at this point....I've gone through so many emotions I can't imagine having to repeat this process. I'm just ready to get this part behind me. Question, did any of you have egg drop soup or wonton soup during this stage or post op? I have stuck to optifast and jello but DH asked me about that last night and it made me wonder if it was OK?

OK, I am 6 days into 14 day liquid preop diet. Prior to this I drank only pepsi. Really no Water....I know that is terrible but I have to be honest. I dropped it cold as I am not about to do anything that doesn't agree with the Doc's instructions. When I first started to drink crystal light I struggled to get 2 water bottles in a day, today I can't get enough have gone through 3 of them and will do another 2 or so before I go to bed. What's the deal, does your body actually crave more water when you begin drinking it? I'm not complaining as obviously it is good for me but not what I was expecting....I thought I was really going to struggle and miss my soft drinks....so not turing out to be the case. Am I weird?:rolleyes2:

Yes please, DH doesn't do needles either, he faints so I'm in bad shape here. LOL I'm sure I will survive but it really caught me by off guard....

OK....I'm so glad....I'm very needle shy....the fills won't bother me because they numb but this other shot freaked me out. As clear as Dr. Kim was I could not imagine him leaving that part out. Thanks for the quick response I was really started to worry.