Ellen86

Dr. Lahmann performed the Realize band surgery on me just over a year ago, and has been a wonderful doctor and surgeon. I was referred to him by my regular doctor, and I couldn't have asked for a better professional to work with. Not only has he been wonderful from the medical standpoint, I feel he's been very thorough and has done a great job making sure that I'm staying healthy and taking care of my body. But his bedside manner can't be beat! He's always very friendly and genuinely cares about his patients and their success with this procedure. I would gladly recommend him to anyone who is considering bariatric surgery!

I'm really glad you posted this. It's certainly an idea to keep in mind if I can't struggle through my own food issues with a filled band. I didn't realize that the band could cause many problems with eating the way you're supposed to. Trust me, after a half hour stuggling to get meat down, then coughing it back up, just to relieve the pain.. I have hit the ice cream in the freezer just because it goes down, doesn't hurt, and tastes good. I've lost about 70lbs thus far with the band, and I KNOW I could not have gotten this far without it. I just... need to figure out how to get the rest of the way...without a ton of pain. I don't regret my band, but there are times, when I'm in a restaurant with friends or family, and I have to shift around, or I'm visibly uncomfortable (despite me trying to hide it) or that I have to excuse myself and run to the bathroom, where I think "I miss eating like a normal person." I actually have avoided a fill the past few months because of a small weight gain, and also, I'm still having problems getting meat down from time to time. I'm actually in North Carolina now, visiting my boyfriend for a month. I figured I always behave on my diet here, so I'll go back once I get home... Hopefully I can lose what was gained and the doctor won't have to scold me too harshly. :thumbup:

This is so sad to hear, especially since you'd think that your significant other would be supportive of you starting a healthier life... I've been very fortunate in the fact that my boyfriend has been extremely supportive of everything with the lapband. He was a bit unsure at first of me having the surgery (this is when we were close friends, before we were dating) because he thought the surgery sounded a bit drastic and dangerous. But he came around to realize it is what I needed in the end to actually get the weight off and be healthier. Even when I've been unsure of my still pudgy tummy, he reassures me and says it'll be gone soon enough and that he's proud of how hard I'm working to get healthy. I guess in my eyes that's how someone who you love, and loves you should act. Realizing that you're doing this for your health, and not anything against them, or to attract other people. Heck, beyond the health aspect, I want to be thinner to look good not only for myself, but for him. Be able to do more with him and know that I'll be around for a long time, and be active and healthy.

Haha! Gosh, I'd never done it before being banded, but I've had no problems with it with the band. My boyfriend jokes around about it being a 'protein shake'! :cool:

I'll just give what guidelines I was given by my surgeon before I even had the procedure. -no carbonated beverages- as I recall, not only will it cause discomfort, you run the risk of stretching your pouch, and increase the possibility of your band slipping. Some people still choose to risk it, but I personally choose my health over the fizzy stuff. I've been without soda or anything carbonated for a year, I feel better, and don't feel that deprived. - no alcohol for a year. Alcoholic drinks can be LOADED with sugars, which makes it easy to gain weight if you drink them on a regular basis. On rare occasion, I've had one drink, but not until about 6 moths post-op, and even then, in the past 6 months, I've had maybe 5-6 drinks. Just remember to do things in moderation, since drinks can be so high in sugar, and because liquids go down easily, it's easy to overdo it.

Well, after this being the second or third time where I've consecutively forgotten to take my vitamins for a few days in a row, and just noticing some similarities.. I have to wonder if it's at all related. Now, despite having the doctor stress how important it is to take that handful of special lap-band formulated vitamins, co-q 10, and all.. I still manage to forget every once in a while... one day or two isnt too bad, but I kept forgetting for the span of about a week :/ i noticed that the last time this happened, just a couple weeks ago, I did feel a bit off, and for some odd reason, emotionally I feel more on edge.. :sneaky: I know we were warned that going too long without vitamins, given the strictly protein diet and all.. could even go as far to cause neurological issues :confused: So.. I have to wonder.. is my being on edge emotion-wise somehow related to this? It's just curiousity. I mean, it may very well be that i'm just being more emotional, just because. I was worried about my boyfriend because he's been under the weather, and then was just really missing him. (we had met online and are in a long distance relationship, so of course i miss him all the time, some days i just get more mushy about it than others) Yeah.. but.. just wondering/curious if it has any correlation.. ^^;

Hi there, I'm in a chicago suburb! I see an excellent Doctor in Joliet at Silver Cross hospital, I've been told that fills cost about $100. I would VERY highly recommend Dr. Lahman. the number of their office is (815)-723-8571. They're all so nice over there, they should be able to help you out!

I don't think I've really posted much at all since being banded, so I figure I probably should come here and say something! I was banded with a Realize band on August 5th by Dr. Brian Lahman at Silver Cross hospital in Joliet. The experience there was wonderful, everyone I dealt with was extremely nice, and I had a private room to stay in over night with a flat screen tv and everything. Just a very pleasant experience over all I highly recommend Dr.Lahman if you're in the area. Surgery day- surprisingly enough, I was not nervous at all, I was anxious to have it done but wasn't the slightest bit nervous. I kept thinking "oh well, I'm sure it'll settle in once I'm there, or once I'm all hooked up, or when they wheel me to the operating room." and I was just, surprisingly calm about the whole thing. I was admitted quickly, and they got me hooked up and set to go, with about an hour to go until surgery. My parents stayed with me until I went back, I was given a sedative, which actually knocked me out before the anesthesia did Next thing I knew I woke up in recovery, feeling like someone had used my tummy as a punching bag :thumbup: It was about 45 minutes to an hour before they brought me up to my room (though I slept through most of that time) I wont lie, My abdomen was very swollen and sore, and the morphine just kinda took the edge off (later that night they upped the dosage a tiny bit, which helped.) It just helped to be more medicated when I had to get up to use the bathroom and such. I had lots of visitors though, which was really nice. My parents were there, my friend and her mom stepped by, 2 of my very closest friends came and stayed for a few hours, and then my mom's cousin, who had bypass about 3 years ago came too:biggrin: It was nice, and helped keep my mind off of my sore tummy. Then even late at night when I couldn't sleep, my very close friend/sweetie stayed up online with me, making me feel better. I'm so lucky to have such an awesome support group in my friends and family! I learned quickly that warm liquids were the only thing my tummy liked, the cold made it hurt morseo.. so I lived on decaf tee for 2 days. I went home still on Clear Liquids the next day and felt pretty good with the vicodin and all that, it was the next day where the hunger/gas pain came in, and I actually got really nautious from the vicodin (clear liquids just wasnt cutting it when it came to keeping the vicodin from making me sick) So I switched to tylenol and after a few days the gas pain subsided. As for now, I feel great! I've lost 10lbs since surgery, and even though the scale hasn't moved in a week, my face, shoulders, middle, legs.. etc, are all showing signs of shrinking little by little! I must be losing it in different places then before, because I'm wearing a medium sized shirt and it's not a sausage casing! So far, I don't mind the strict Protein diet much at all. I get 4oz of protein each meal, 3 times a day, and will be doing so until 3 months post-op when i can start adding non-starchy veggies back in, after 4 months I can add fruit again, and when I lose 75% of my excess weight, or at twelve months, I can have carbs again (as in whole wheat breads/pastas/etc) It's all going to be so worth it! I already can't wait for my annual trip with friends next summer, they wont have seen me for a whole year, aside from pictures, so I can't wait to show them the results of the surgery!! I'm so glad I had this done, for the first time ever, I feel like this time, I AM going to drop the weight , I AM going to be healthier, I AM going to look and feel so much better! No more maybe's/hopefully's! :tongue:

I had surgery on tuesday, and was doing fine on the vicodin up until today. my tummy is finally starting to want more than clear liquids, and I just nearly threw up after taking the vicodin to keep the pain down. would it hurt to just let myself have a spoonfull of cottage cheese tonight to help my poor stomach handle the meds? I start on mushies in the morning tomorrow anyways.. and I'm so sore and really would like to avoid vomiting and tearing up my stomach... what to do?

and this has me worried, I don't have a fever bout my throat is sore and irritated... I'm popping vitamin C (1,000 mg) in the hopes that that and rest will have it clear up in time. but you think they'll still do surgery if there's nothing in my lungs and I dont have a fever?

At least I hope so, I got a sore throat yesterday, no fever.. but hopefully it'll clear up or they're still do surgery as long as i don't develop a fever :biggrin: for now I'm taking 1,000mg of vitamin C a day in addition to multivitamins and hoping and praying I'll still be able to have surgery Tuesday. I'm so excited and a little nervous (but now mainly just worried about being able to have surgery... )

ooh, I sure hope that's the case! I'm going to continue really taking it easy and doing everything I can to keep myself healthy so it doesn't get to the point of a cold or fever! and Lanakila, thank you for reminding me, i should try gargling!!!

Really? my only worry is that it has sugar in it.. and I've been told no sugar on the pre-op diet.. is there really a high amount of sugar in what you have to drink for it to help?

I was just curious as to if there's a difference, I was told at the education classes that they mostly put in Realize bands, but if we really wanted a Lap-Band we could discuss it with the surgeon and they'd do that. So, I'm not exactly sure if I should want one over the other or if it really makes that big of a difference. any thoughts?

After talking with my doctor, I came online and did a ton of research before the seminar. and after reading the risks, the huge dietary changes.. for a short while i thought "do i really want to pursue this?" then I thought again.. we have a history of diabetes in my family, my blood sugar has already been at 'the high end of normal" at 21, i'm too young to be dealing with the weight issues I have plus the risk of a destructive condition like diabetes. I did consider flaking out but when I really thought about it.. was me being able to eat all the junk food i could handle worth shaving years off my life, maybe not being able to eventually find a boyfriend/husband or risking being able to have kids? in the end... it really isnt. I know it's going to be a huge adjustment... but eventually it just becomes normal. and i do know a few people who have had WLS reached their goal weight, are sooo much happier, look fabulous, and y'know, now they can enjoy some of their old favorite foods (even the not so healthy ones) just in smaller amounts. It's daunting to see how much your lifestyle has to change for the surgery to work, but I think anyone who's had it and had it change their life would agree, it's so worth it. Right now, my surgery is in a little less than 2 weeks, I'm nervous, but excited! By far, talking to others who have had it, and looking at things in perspective have helped me to see that this is what needs to be done, and it's going to effect my life in a very positive way. I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide :thumbup:

well, I know I haven't visited here in a while, busy with work, convention prep, doctor appointments... but I just got my surgery date today!!! I'm going to be banded on Tuesday, August 5th!!:eek:

Alright, I figure here is one of the best places to ask, what's the best brand of Protein shake? I already picked up some from the store, and for the sake of taking off some of the weight i put on due to stress, I'm going to drink on for Breakfast every morning in the hope to shed some pounds before an upcoming trip in 5 weeks :wink_smile: I'm meeting up with a bunch of good friends, and also meeting a guy who i've known online for a couple years, and just over the last 6 months or so, well, it's possible we may decided to date each other after meeting this summer, so i'd like to look a little nicer for when we meet :tt2: yeah, yeah, pathetic i know... anyways... I'll need to know at some point which shakes to buy since i should be having surgery in a couple months or sooner. The ones I picked up at the store yesterday are called AdvantEdge carb control by EAS. the nutrition facts are as follows: Total Fat: 3g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 20mg Sodium: 260mg Potassium: 440mg Total Carbohydrate: 2g Dietary Fiber: 1g Sugars: 0g Protein: 17g What do you guys think? is there a better one out there that I should be buying after being banded? :confused2: Thank you in advance for any help!!

Last night I began the first step in the process by attending the seminar at Silver Cross hospital on bariatric surgery. One of the two surgeons who do all the surgeries was the one who gave the talk and all the information. He seemed very nice and was very informative. so while I was about 98-99% positive I wanted to have Lap-band before, after this I am 100% sure and very excited that we're getting started! The doctors who will preform the sugery (he said they always work together, so there's two of them) are Dr. Brian E. Lahmann & Dr. Christopher D. Joyce at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, IL. Naturally since the seminar was just last night I don't have anything else set up, but I'm supposed to hear back next week about if the insurance has a benefit or exclusion concerning the surgery, then we'll set up the first consultation. I also have to meet back with my regular Doctor since he wanted to talk after I attended the seminar. I'm so excited for this!

Hello, My name is Ellen and I was so pleased to find a forum all about the lap-band! I'm 21 years old and have been trying different diest and eating plans for the past 10 years, with only temporary success. My doctor, who normally is more conservative methods and does not always advocate bariatric surgery, has decided it's time to look into this. My weight has affected me for a long time, physically and mentally, so the thought that this may be more helpful is very exciting. I know it's going to be a huge lifestlye change, and it's a little scary, but I'm excited too. at almost 280 lbs, I'm tired of being big! So I decided to join here in the hopes i could learn more about this procedure, how people like it, and maybe use this as a source for support as well. So i guess first off.. those of you who have already had the procedure, what do you think of the lap-band and the new lifestyle that goes with it?

It's so reassuring to come on here and read all the positive feedback and encouragement, and to read other peoples' stories.:w00t: I'm really glad my doctor suggested this, the more i read the less worried i am about the procedure and process and the more excited I am to begin this journey! The official first step is tonight! Attending the class about the lap-band at Silver Cross Hospital tonight, then after that, my doctor wants to talk again so we can get the ball rolling!:thumbdown:

How long does it usually take to get all the necessary pre-op testing done/setting up a surgery date? I'm just curious because, well, I attend a seminar at the hospital on wednesday, then I have to go in and talk to my doctor again to get the ball rolling. I'm wondering if there's any possibilty of me being able to have everything done and have the procedure done before summer ends and fall semester begins. (since my days are decently full with babysitting for 3-5 small chikldren every week day during the school year for 5 hours each day, plus taking night classes.) It would be great to actually use some of this summer break to rest and recover as needed and start getting used to the new lifestyle. There's usually a bit of stress involved in getting re-adjusted to early mornings and a full busy week, so if i could have the procedure in say, august, that'd be great. I'm just wondering if anypne here knows if that's possible. My doctor said it could take about 6 months to get everything done, but again, i'm just curious.

Thank you to all those who replied! The positive feedback and encouragement are helping me get more and more excited about this! So far, all my family and friends have been so supportive, and reading threads on here has helped answer some of my questions and ease my fears a bit. I'm sure I'll be posting here more and more and using this as a source for support and information. I am so excited to make this change in my life! I know it's going to be a big change and going to take hard work and commitment, but I'm so ready. already spent 10 years with other diets and what not.. and I'm ready for the big change that will help me finally get to my goal! :-D