slim2be

Hi Bobbie, Just be sure to follow the pre-op diet just as your doctor recommends....you don't want him or her to go in on the day of your surgery and find that your liver is too enlarged (that's the purpose of the pre-op diet, to shrink the liver). You've come this far, made up your mind to do this, so just let that be your mantra as you go through those difficult days of not eating food. Just know it won;t last forever. Before you know it, you'll be done with your surgery, eating regular food, losing weight, and feeling great! Good luck to you! Lisa :smile:

Hi Briana, Welcome to the Lapband family and congrats on your surgery! That great attitude is what will get you to your goal. Nice meeting you on-line and good luck on your journey! Lisa :smile:

The only issue I had was a blood clot in 2003 (I was just banded July 2, 2008). My doctor was fully aware of this and I self injected a blood thinner in my tummy area for 7 days after surgery. Thank God everything turned out well and I had no complications. I was nervous to have the surgery having had a blood clot in the past but my doctor took all the right precautions. Good luck to you!

That's great news....congrats and keep up the good work!

I was banded July 2, 2008 and I have that numbness too. It's gotten better but still there slightly.

Hi! I was banded July 2, 2008 and I think I know what you're feeling. I too get more tummy rumbling than I used to since being banded and sometimes when it rumbles, it can feel like hunger. I just wait a few minutes, see if it continues, and then go for something to drink. This is my routine when it's been less than 4 hours since my last meal. When I start getting to 4 1/2 - 5 hours since my last meal, then it's probably hunger. If I know I won't be eating yet, I still reach for the water or Crystal Light to drink. I find it amazing that this holds me until I'm ready to eat, and I haven't had any fills yet. I was just telling my DH the other day that since being banded, I haven't felt that "want to eat the wallpaper off the wall" hunger like I used to. It's nice to not feel that tremendous hunger that really controlled me in the past. Hope this helped.....good luck to you!

Thanks for sharing that....good luck to you!

Hi Amanda, We were banded the same day! You've had a great weight loss so far....congrats! I too am a tummy sleeper. I was able to sleep on my tummy at night 10....believe me, I was counting the days. As you've come to find out, everyone's different but I would give it maybe another month. If you still find it uncomfortable, I would mention it to your Dr. Good luck, it will happen soon!

Hi Targa, As you can see from being on this website, everyone's different. I've read that when some people start mushie to solid food, they don't lose, or may gain some weight. But then there are people like me who have been steadily losing since surgery (and 13 lbs the 1 week pre-op). I haven't had a fill yet. When I went 2 weeks ago for my check-up and first fill, the nurse said I really didn't need one because I was steadily losing and I haven't felt tremendous hunger in between meals. I definately feel some restriction, even without any fill. I can't eat anywhere near what I used to be able to eat at a meal. I have a 10cc band and the nurse said that from the surgery, I can have anywhere from .5cc to 2cc starting off in my band. I won't know the exact amout until I do get my first fill and they will aspirate what's already in there to measure, put it back in and then give you some more for a fill. I don't really understand how that small amount in my band can give me the good restriction that I have so far, but I'm greatful that it's working, I feel great, and I don't have any unpleasent side effects. And as far as telling your family, you are doing this for YOU....you'll know if the time will be right to tell anyone you feel comfortable telling. I wish you good luck in your weight loss journey!

Hi FatgirlinNY, I read in your earlier postings on this thread that you were originally interested in Dr. Geiss. I see you've made an appointment with another Dr. If I'm not prying too much, I was just wondering why you switched doctors? Good luck to you....you're going to love being banded!

First, congrats on being banded but sorry to hear your surgery and recovery are not what was expected. I have been using Bio-oil and it's made a difference so far. I was banded July 2, 2008 so it's still pretty recent but I have noticed a difference since using the Bio-oil. When I went looking for scar stuff I came across many out there with varying prices but this was resonably priced ($7.99) and the pharmacist recommended it. I also checked out Maderma but it was $30.00 a tube and even the pharmacist didn't feel it was necessary to spend that amount of money. Good luck to you!

I read everyone's posting about the article and then decided not to read it. My mind is so focused on the positives and great things the band has done for me, that I just don't want to read what sounds like nonsense. And yes, as a few people mentioned there have been people with negative results BUT there are so many success stories....this web site is proof. I remember when I first started this journey and was finding all about the Lapband. I went to my surgeons seminar and had tears in my eyes. I then knew, the first time in my life, that THIS is what was going to do it for me. I knew that I was going to finally lose the weight I've been struggling with most of my life. And I have been doing great. I'm so happy with my band. A friend of mine recently asked me if I might have been able to lose this amnount of weight so far at Weight Watchers (I've lost 33 pounds in 7 weeks). I didn't even hesitate and said, "Absolutely not." And I then added that I would eventually go off the Weight Watchers plan and start gaining, as I did so many times. With the Lapband, this is IT! This is a lifestyle that there is no going off of it. Unless you choose to eat ice cream all day but that is just not healthy. I have to also add that when I was going for all my pre-lapband testing, I was so happy and a bit surprised to see all the smiles and hear all the positive feedback about the Band from every doctor I saw. So, just listen to your heart and try not to be influenced by negative comments or articles.

When they told me to write a diet history I thought the same thing you did, "How am I going to prove this"? But the dietician just said to do the best you can from memory and that was fine. I didn't have to show proof....how could you possibly do that? So don't worry, I'm sure they'll tell you the same if you question it.

Hi Lisa, Congrats on your great weight loss! Don't worry, people have got to notice. Many people get jealous of another person losing weight and they just won't give you the satisfaction of telling you. People who are your true friends will tell you eventually. I weighed just around what you did at my starting weight and I've lost 31 pounds. I can see the difference and so can my husband and mom, but nobody else has said anything. I'm expectiong to go through just what you are. I know, even family gets jealous. Just know that you look great and keep up the good work! Lisa :wink2:

Yes it does force you to eat less because you have that "full" sensation. You just know that you've had enough and feel satisfied. And I don't even have optimum restriction yet but I still can't eat anywhere near the amount I used to eat.

Hi FatgirlinNY, It depends on who your Dr. is concerning if you have to stay overnight. My Dr. is Dr. Geiss in Syosset and he requires you to stay overnight, which I feel is a good thing. As far as pre-op, I was on a liquid diet 1 week before and it's not that bad, but you really have to have your head in a good place and be very determined to stick with it. I just kept thinking that it wouldn;t be forever and I would be able to eat real food in a few weeks. The surgery went great but there is a bit of discomfort afterward such as gas pain, stomach muscles hurting and fatigue from not being able to sleep in my normal position. On night 10 post-op, I was finally able to sleep on my sides and tummy and get a good nights sleep....that's when I really felt myself again and its been great ever since. As far as food, I've read that some people can't tolerate certain foods but I haven't experienced that. I can eat really anything at this point as long as I chew it well. I haven't had a fill yet. Went to my Dr. last Wed thinking I might get one but it was determined that I really didn't need it yet....they said I was losing weight at the rate they want and I'm really not hungry in between meals. Maybe after I need a fill things will be different but for now, the band is doing what it's supposed to do and I'm feeling great. I wish you luck on your weight loss journey! Lisa

Hi Laurab, Welcome and here's wishing you good luck with your surgery Monday. My advice is to be patient with not being able to eat food post-op for a week or 2....every Dr. is different with the amount of time they want you on liquids. Just keep in mind that it's for you to heal and it's not forever. Also, walk as much as you can, drink as often as you can and just follow your doctors rules. Before you know it you'll feel normal again and you'll be fine. Lisa

Hi Lisa, Thanks for your well wishes. I wasn't worried about my insurance approval because a co-worker had the band by Dr. Geiss (she recommended him to me) and we have the same insurance through work so I knew I would be approved. Had my initial consult with Dr. Geiss and just kept moving forward from there with all my tests and appointments and before I knew it, I got the call and approval letter and my date was then set. Don't worry, keep scheduling all you appointments and before you know it, you'll have your date. Keep me posted and ask any questions. Lisa :thumbup:

Hi Everyone, How nice to have found this thread....I didn't know there was a LI one. I too was banded by Dr. Geiss July 2 of this year and I'm so happy with the results. I look forward to chatting with you all....good luck on your weight loss journeys! Lisa :thumbup:

I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time. I never felt anything like that. I would suggest if it keeps up, call the Dr. You might not havve to go back to Mexico....if you tell them you don't have the $ to go back now, maybe they can suggest a local Dr. for you. Good luck to you. Lisa :thumbup:

Hi there and welcome! It's so nice to see a fellow Dr. Geiss patient. I live here on LI too. You will be so happy with him....he is great and so is his whole team. Whenever you call, they are always there to help and it's obvious that they care. I was banded July 2 and I'm so happy with the results. This forum had been a tremendous help with my journey and I'm sure you'll come to find that as well. If you have any questions about Dr. Geiss, the surgery, or anything please feel free to ask....I'll be happy to help if I can. Good luck to you, and I'm telling you, you're in good hands with Dr. Geiss! Lisa :thumbup:

Another thing that might help with your hunger is to drink liquids in between your meals. I find this REAlly helps me. I went this past Wednesday to my Dr. thinking I might get my first fill but the nurse asked the bunch of questions that she does and it was decided that I really didn't need a fill yet. She said I was losing weight at the rate they want and when she asked if I was hungry in between meals, I said not really but drinking in between helps. You should also be doing this to keep hydrated. Try it....hope it helps you! Good luck! Lisa

You're very welcome....glad I could help. Don't worry, hang in there, and yes, it's worth the wait. You will be so happy with your band. Keep in touch, I'd love to hear about your progress....ask any questions if you have them. Lisa :tongue_smilie:

Hi Four Paws, I too LOVE chocolate and was concernred about that before being banded but to my surprise, I haven't had any since and I don't miss it! I think it's because I only want to eat healthy and have been eating low carb....when you do that, you don't miss sweets. Don't worry, you'll do fine and if you find you really want some, just have a little, not what you used to eat. Good luck to you! Lisa :biggrin:

It depends also on how agressive you are with scheduling all you appointments. My firsr appoint. with my surgeon was April 15 and my surgery date was July 2. I was really agressive with making all my appointments. What took time was the Dr.'s office giving me my surgery date...that took about 2 weeks from after all my tests were in. So from start to finish, it was 2 1/2 months. Good luck to you on your journey! Lisa :biggrin: