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Now, now, tarrn13, it's not abnormal at all to feel nervous about being naked in front of strangers, even if they are medical people, especially if you have body image issues, which many overweight people have. I'm sure there's many people who've been very successful with their weight loss after lap band have had the same fears.

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to get too nervous. For me, being prepared, and reading up on the surgery and what to expect helped a lot. I had laproscoptic gall bladder surgery awhile ago, and I didn't have any problems with the residual gas, so I was surprised when I kept reading about people having problems with it. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't have any real issues with the gas after my lap band surgery last week either. I was gassy and I felt bloated, but I didn't have shoulder pain or anything like that. I took a few Gas X pills after a day or two, but all in all, it wasn't even remotely painful. Maybe you'll be lucky too.

I could feel pressure too, but not as bad as you both have described. This is my seventh day post-op, and I don't feel any pressure now. Mine was more of a feeling of tightness.

Hi Mejones! You're just one day ahead of me with your surgery. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better now. I would have to say, for me, it pretty much compared to gall bladder surgery. I'm sorry you've had a rough go of it, but it will be worth it in the end!!

I was banded last Thursday, and I still feel full on my liquid diet. I start mushies tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to eating some different foods, but it's not because I'm getting hungry yet. Believe me, I'm not complaining! It's been amazing.

$13,500, Richmond Surgical Group (VA), includes one year follow up plus fills

I also had a foley catheter, so no underwear going in or coming out. However, this was all done while I was knocked out, so I didn't feel a thing. This is so routine to the doctors and nurses, don't worry about it. Like others have said, they've seen worse and they've seen better.

I like those coffees too. Occasionally, for a treat, while I've been on my post-op liquid diet, I add two tsps (which is about 20 cals give or take) to my chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast for a mocha flavor. It's makes for a nice change.

I'm taking Walgreen's High Potency A thru Z chewable for adults (it's a generic of Centrum) and two Tums sugar-free for calcium. I started off with Flintstone's chewables, but this adult formula has a much higher percentage and number of vitamins and minerals. I also like the taste better.

You have a great attitude, thin within!! I'll be keeping you in my prayers. Good Luck!

I was on a pre-op diet for two weeks, but it wasn't a liquid diet. I had two protein shakes, one fruit, one yogurt, 4 oz lean meat (turkey, chicken, etc), 2 slices light whole wheat bread, unlimited non-starchy veggies per day - (abbreviated version). It seems there are as many diets to no diet as there are doctors. I know it will be hard to handle a liquid diet while you're traveling for business. Best wishes to you.

Good Luck!! I'm sure you'll do great!! I was banded last Thursday, and I don't start mushies until later this week. I've only had a twinge of hunger. I wish I could stay like this until all my weight dropped off! It's seven in the evening here, and I still haven't had my third shake today. I want to get the protein in, but I could skip it if it weren't for that. I'm sure "bandster hell" is just around the corner for me, but for now, I'm savoring the feeling of being full with just liquids.

That's terrific news, Debbie. I'm sorry you had such an anxious week, but in the end, what a fabulous outcome. Congratulations!!

Hi Pettstar! Glad you found us. I've also learned so much from reading everyone's posts. It's one thing to read all the materials about how things "should" go, and quite another to read about the real life experiences of fellow banders. I'm just a day ahead of you; I was banded Thursday. My only pain now is in my port area. I feel tons better leaning back than sitting up straight. I also had the ON-Q Pump and loved it. What a little miracle that was. I could tell the difference when it ran out of juice. Welcome to LBT and good luck going back to work tomorrow!

Way to go, Marienola, the end is in sight now! I know it can be hard to stick to that diet, but you're half way there now. I'm so happy for you. Not that I'm obsessing about food, BUT, I took a nap today, and in my very first dream I had a big box of Krispie Kreme donuts. In my dream, I broke off a tiny bite and savored it. Then, just before I woke up, I had a box of KFC for my kids, and I couldn't resist taking a bite of a leg. OMG, it was sooo good. Just before I swallowed, I thought, NO, I can't, I'll mess up my surgery, and spit it out. Even after I woke up, for a second, I couldn't remember if it was true or just a dream. I then went and had my afternoon protein shake, and you know, it went down easier, because I really did feel rotten during my dream. I've seen it said here over and over, "Nothing tastes as good, as thin feels." That sums it up for me.

I voted no, although I'm still on the post-op liquid diet (mine is only a week, and then I move on to mushies). I didn't cheat on the pre-op diet either. I feel like this is my last chance to be thin again, and I'm not about to jeopardize everything now for a quick fix of food. I'm don't mean to be critical of anyone else, because I know the lure of food is such a challenge, but for me, I just don't have any desire to go off track.

Boost for diabetics Carnation Instant Breakfast, sugar free, in blue bottles or can I really liked both of these. Carnation only came in choc at the grocery I shop, and it was very good. I got Boost in choc, vanilla and strawberry, and they all tasted great too.

I don't mind that question at all. I was required to pay in full that morning, $13,500 :lovechoc:.

GG, I was also prescribed Oxycodone, and I've taken about five tabs (I'm allowed one or two). One tab seems to relieve the slight burning sensation that I'm having at some of the surgical sites that are not next to the bigger incision. I'm sorry to hear that you're having that painful burping, or non-burping situation. That's hurts even when you haven't had surgery.

Hi, and welcome to LBT. I think you'll find a lot of information here, that will help settle your nerves. My pre-op appointment started at around 9:00 and I was finished at 2:30. I had basically the same tests that your doctor requires. I also had to pay for my surgery that morning. I'm self-pay.

Wow, a celebrity on LBT!! Congratulations for having interview published! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to get the link to your article.

Hi Candace, and welcome to LBT!!! I'm just a day ahead of you. How are you feeling? So far, I've felt great, and have had minimal pain. There's a big group of September 08 banders. You might want to check out that forum too. Count me as one of your band buddies! :lovechoc:

Congratulations to all the new banders and everyone who recently got approved for a September date!!! YAY Are you reading my mind, gg? (haha) I just signed on to try to find out how long others have felt full on the post-op liquid diet. I know we're all going to have different experiences, but it's nice to know how long others have had this wonderful full feeling. I was just banded Thursday, so I'm hoping to hang on to this lack of appetite for at least a little longer. So, far I've had no aches from the gas the use during the surgery. I kept wondering if I would, and hoping that I wouldn't. I had gall bladder labrosoctic surgery and had no gas pains then either. I've had only minimal pain from the incisions, but as said in an earlier post, I have a catheter attached to send pain meds to the main incision areas. Sadly, I think the pouch attached is almost empty. :lovechoc:

My schedule is one week full liquids only, weeks two and three are mushies, and week four, I start adding regular food.

Hi Autumn, and welcome to LPT. I know every office is different so it really depends on how your doctor schedules you. It took me three months from the time I went to the seminar to surgery. It could have been a little quicker, but I had scehuling conflicts. I had to see a pychologist $100), which was a very fast appointment. I also had to go to a free nutrition class with about 20 people who were all having the surgery. I also had to go to a self pay seminar, which went over what happens for self-payers. One thing they gave us, was a free insurance policy that would cover us in case of emergency during the surgery. Since we're self pay, our private insurance probably would not cover (ie heart attack during surgery). Approximately two weeks prior to surgery, I had an appointment with the doctor's office and hospital, for EKG, MRI, urine and blood tests and white scan (this also was covered under the by the cost of the surgery). I hope your doctor's office moves quickly with you, and I figure they will, but if you call the doctor's office, I'm sure they'll outline everything you'll need to do. Good Luck!!