Nachtigall

Hello, I could need some input. I am planning to have the lap band surgery (no date yet, not even decided which clinic, because both are good I think), but I am not sure how to organize it. I have to fly to Toronto (about 2 hours) and have nobody I could ask to come with me (just moved to Canada). I called the clinic and they told me, that I need to stay in the Toronto Area for about two to three days. Since I think it's less stress for me going by myself instead of going with my husband and the baby, I am thinking about asking the clinic to organize 24 hour care for after the surgery. But I still be one day all by myself and would need to fly back home alone. Stupid idea or doable? ~Katya

You might try dynamicweightcontrol.de It's a clinic in Munich doing Lap band operations. They might do fills, too. Good luck! ~Kat

Hi, You should be able to drink right away. I was a few days on soft foods after my first fill. Take care! ~Kat

I, too had my first fill yesterday. They put 3 cc in at the surgery and the Doctor added one more yesterday. I had my surgery July 25. I felt slightly restricted before and can feel the added liquid, too and feel less hungry. I think I could eat with no problems, but I will stay on soft foods (soups) for a few more days. Well, I had a slice of an apple. Chew, chew, chew and I was fine. I sure would not feel stuffed from one french fry. ~Kat

I had my surgery 25th of July. So far I have no fill in my band and I eat about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food three times a day. I usually don't snack between meals. I feel my limit and know when to stop. The band feels tighter in the second half of my menstrual cycle. First half of my cycle is a little harder and I am hungry from time to time. It gets harder and I am thinking about getting a fill, but since I am losing weight...and, well, I still enjoy eating. I don't count calories, but I am careful of what I put in my mouth. I avoid highly processed and "diet food" and stay with the "real stuff", but eat much less of it. I buy more organic. I exercise every other day and love it. ~Kat

Just a few thoughts... I don't think Karma is a bitch. Karma gives people what they "deserve" or what they "earn". I think it's called "poetic justice". Live in peace with yourself then you will be able to live in peace with others. ~Kat

I had coffee on my pre op diet (two cups a day) and no headaches because of withdrawal after the surgery. I still drink two small cups a day (one around 10 am and one about 2 pm) with a little 1% milk. But I also have about two liters of Water a day, that's about 8.5 cups. ~Kat

I called the clinic about ten days post surgery and the nurse told me I can peel the tapes off. I started with the small cuts and since they looked okay I peeled the "port tape" off, too. She told me when showering to wash the area really careful and to avoid hot Water and soap with fragrance for some time in this area. Oh, and no sun. Now three weeks post op the cuts look really good and I am impressed about how well they are healing. My family doctor was too. Really amazing. The smaller once will not be noticeable in a few weeks. ~Kat

Hi NadaLee, greetings from Nova Scotia. If aftercare wouldn't be such a big problem here in the Maritimes I would have gone to the US or Europe for the surgery... I actually never thought about Mexico, but read a lot good things about some Mexican clinics here. I think first you have to pick the clinic where you want to go. You pick them by doing research about them (for example here on this board or going to the clinics web page) It's good to know how many successful surgeries the doctor did, the price etc... Some clinics in Canada have a kind of warranty on the surgery and the band, offer free fills and support groups. Something to consider and include in the calculations. After you picked the clinic(s) that might interest you, you usually can schedule a consultation with the surgeon (in person or by phone). I flew to Toronto, because I wanted to see the clinic and meet the doctor. Simulaniously I would suggest you try to find a clinic (doctor) in Montreal able AND willing to do aftercare and fills for patients banded out of the country. It's important! I think it would be good to have somebody before you get the surgery scheduled. Take care! ~Kat

I had the same. I felt again like nine months pregnant and baby is sticking a foot between my rips. A nurse at the clinic told me it's internal bruising. It will go away. ~Kat

Hi, I was banded three days after you and I sometimes have pain at night... usually starting early morning about 4 or 5 am. In my case it's hunger. I am not often hungry lately, but at night I feel it that I do not really eat a lot of food (mushies). And it's not the rumbling stomach I knew on occasion pre-banding, I feel it as pain in my belly. Do I get up and eat? No, but I started to have a cup of milk or 1/3 cup of plain yogurt about an hour before I go to bed... If you want to try that, be careful, because eating late could give you reflux when laying down. Good luck! ~Kat

When I flew home three days after surgery the security alarm went off, but it was the buckles on my comfy Birkenstocks and not the band. ~Kat

I started my pureed diet last Thursday and my blender is my best friend Theoretically you can eat the baby food out of jars but the taste is actually pretty boring. It needs seasoning. The pureed baby fruits are easy on the stomach and unsweetened. And you can get them organic for a good price. Cream of wheat goes well with them. Today I made home made chicken Soup and put some meat with a little broth in my blender. It looks weird but it actually tastes good. I had some pureed broccoli and pureed potatoes with it. Yeah it looks funny on the plate but the taste is the same. My family has the same food as I do, just they can use the forks and knifes. Legumes are a good source of Protein but they can give you gas. The doctor said the food has to have the consistency of apple sauce. Get creative! ~Kat

Disagree. It's more "Pink Lady" versus "Granny Smith" The anxiety behind it is the same: weight correlating to health. ~Kat

Sorry, but scared people also do stupid stuff and tend to act unreasonable. There was a study in Germany, that many bandsters actually slip in an eating disorder because the slimming down process is to slow for them and they are scared they don't loose all the weight. So they want a lot of restriction and and accept the vomiting and malnutrition. Prof. Dr. med. Martina de Zwaan (Prof. of Psychology, University of Erlangen) said in a symposium in June, it's about 12% of people with the band that vomit because the restriction is actually to tight. They want to loose their weight to fast, because they feel like they are on a time limit. And vomiting can cause slippages, that's a proofed fact. The vomit also causes damage to the lining of the esophagus and the teeth. The malnutrition causes damage, too. And doctors want patients with "good results" and the money more patients will bring. So far I think patience, persistence and moderation is the key for me. I have to learn to listen what my body tells me. Sometimes I wish individualism would be more appreciated. Good luck to everybody! ~Kat

I got banded just 14 days ago. What I learned when researching the lapband is that different doctors means different post surgery diets (also different pre surgery diets or non pre-surgery diets... which I think can be dangerous) In some countries the doctors allow their patients much earlier mushies or soft food. One of them for example is Dr. Robert W. Sewell from Australia who wrote the book "Weight-Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band". From day seven his patients have soft foods like baked potato, cottage cheese and canned pears (page 126) I know that in some European countries they start earlier, too. I wonder if there are reliable studies about the correlation of the post-surgery-diet and slippage... I was two weeks on full liquids after the surgery and started mushies today (called the nurse and she said it's okay to start one day earlier). I know, that a different doctor in the same clinic allows his patients to star mushies already one week after surgery. I had a piece of chicken (because I wasn't thinking and it was hidden in my selfmade broth) and a few spoons of purreed peach before I was officially allowed to do so. Both went down excellent, I am happy about that and I have to admit I enjoyed chewing this piece of chicken like a crazy person, since I was on a three week Optifast pre-op diet already and didn't really have food in about a month. But I am going to stick with the mushies for one more week like I was adviced. Just because it's going down well, doesn't mean I need it. So what the heck, I can wait... ~Kat

Hi, I was banded five days ago. Well, there is gas pains and bloating and some pain but I feel okay. I am on full liquids now. I didn't feel nauseated and the water went down well without pain from the beginning. I can feel it kind of slipping over two "obstacles" after swallowing, I guess it's the swelling and the band. What I was wondering about... When I flew home (four days after surgery) I had to spend four hours on the airport and I got hungry. So I bought milk (2 cups in one carton) and had that over the time of 2 hours. Is that to much? How much liquid is to much? Will it hurt when I stretch the pouch? And I feel bloated after EVERYTHING I "eat". That will go away, right? Thanks! ~Kat

There is NOTHING wrong with suppositories and there is no reason to be afraid of them or the own behind. It's actually the much better choice for people with "stomach problems" (aka "newly banded"), because it doesn't have to be swallowed and is no danger for the stomach. I took Paracetamol (Tylenol) in suppository form, but had to order them in Europe. ~Kat

Wow, you are on a really, really tight schedule. There is not much time for recovery. I was banded Friday the 25th of July in Toronto. I flew back Monday the 28th and flying still hurt like a bi***, because of the swollen belly and the gas pain moving up into my shoulder because of pressure changes in the cabin of the aircraft. I still felt it a day later. Now, one week after the surgery I can finally say, that I am okay again. Complete recovery is going to take some more time. I understand that everybody handles pain different, but well I never took the Codeine my surgeon gave me and took just four Tylenol (Paracetamol) all together, so I don't think I am exactly a wimp. But I recovered faster from giving birth to my first child.... well, I had to. I also had a nurse taking care of me 24 hours after the surgery since my partner couldn't go with me. I have to admit, in your case, I would try to move my work schedule and take at least three days off. In case you don't spend time in a hospital, I would try to arrange for a care taker. Good luck! ~Kat

Hi Suzie, It's your big day and I am thinking of you. I wish you smooth sailing and a speedy recovery. I am back home with my family and doing okay. I have to be a little careful of my over excited 2-year-old. He has sharp knees and ellbows ~Kat

My doctor gave me liquid Codeine. I didn't take it/didn't need it. I took Tylenol (Paracetamol) a few times. ~Kat

To be honest: this does not sound very good an I would go to the Emergency Room if possible. I had my surgery two days ago and I recognize some of the pain you describe and well, pain is a very individual thing and varies form person to person, but in my opinion, after eight days your girl actually should feel okay. She should see a doctor and that soon. Take care ~Kat

You can take Arnica Montana before and after the surgery in "pill" form. I would suggest three little "pearls" a day and starting three days before surgery. I take something different, but I ordered it in Europe and I guess it's hard to come by in North America. It's called Bellis Perennis and Staphisagria. I would not advise using Arnica Cream early on the incisions without asking the doctor. ~Kat I had my surgery two days ago and I am doing okay.

Thank you Suzie! That's so nice! I will come alone to Toronto and have a nurse taking care of me the first 24 hours. I have a two-year-old and decided that I feel more comfy knowing my two men at home and doing this adventure on my own. It seems less stressful. ~Kat