kiz

I'm sorry you don't have that kind of time to take off work; that's a big obstacle. Then you're issues with scaring is a problem too. I, of course, don't know how much scaring you'll have, but from my previous surgery with laproscope, I only have a tiny white line as scars, and unless you look for them, they're virtually invisible. Those were from back in the days with staples or stitches instead of glue. Do you know how long the scar is from belly button to stomach. I just tried to measure mine (you can't get any less scientific than this), I used my thumb to the knuckle, and it looks like about four inches. I feel like I'm scared from the heavy weight I'm carrying around, and actually the weight, for me, is much worse than a scar. I hope you know I'm trying to persuade you. I'm just telling you how I came to my decision. We're all different, and I understand you have real issues about scarring, which is understandable.

One of the consents I signed before my surgery was the possibility of my laproscopic surgery turning into open surgery. I signed figuring the chance of that happening was minuscule, at least I hoped it was, and the doctor was able to place my band by laproscope. The head surgeon from a different group, but the same hospital, only does gastric bypass, and he only does it with open surgery. He said it would require a four inch incision. I can't imagine the lap band would require more, but you should ask your doctor how big the incision is with open surgery. After coming this far, I was not about to give up just because they might have to open me up, but that's me. I know it's hard to decide, so I'll send you a cyber best wishes wish!

I was banded yesterday with the Realize band, and when I first woke up, I was very groggy. The pain was minimal, and 24 hours later, I still feel great. I've taken three pain-meds my doctor prescribed, and honestly, I really didn't need them. I do have a catheter of pain meds being pumped into the the main incision area, and I'm sure that's why I haven't really needed to other meds. Here's a detailed account of my day. Thankfully I didn't spend the night in the hospital, because it would have been a waste of time and money. From the September Surgery check-in thread in the September 08 forum: At check-in (6 a.m.) my dh was escorted to the waiting area (about 6:15 a.m.), and I was prepped for surgery (everything off, and wore a robe and pressure stockings). I got a shot of blood thinner (stung a little), and an IV inserted (no stinging at all). I was given a drip of antibiotics and anti-nausea med, and at some point pain meds. I tend to get motion sick, so I also got a patch behind my ear to ward off nausea. All the normal stats were taken, and then I talked to my surgeon, anesthesiologist, the nurse anesthetist, and other various nurses. A catheter was inserted and removed while I was under. The trachea tube (not sure what it's called was done while I was under as well). About two hours later, I woke up in recovery, with very little nausea (I've thrown up the other times I'd anesthesia, so I was very happy not to be very sick). I had a pulse and blood pressure cuffs on, and leg massagers to help ward off blood clots.I had a nasty sore throat that a throat lozenges took care of. Believe me, I kept that sucker between my teeth, in mortal fear that I would accidentally swallow it. The mostly ended my sore throat problem. I was given little med cups of crushed ice to chew on, and later, little med cups of Water. My doctor checked in on me, and said my liver had been in great condition for the surgery, so the pre-op died must have done the trick. I had to go for an MRI, and the nurse who was taking care of me left for break, (and this is the only glitch), the new nurse didn't give me the second shot of anti-nausea meds. I had to drink a normal sized drink of a bitter substance and a chalky substance for the MRI. After that, I was sent back to the recovery room to collect my things, and the nurse escorted me to the restroom. On the way, a wave of nausea took over, my ears started ringing, and I felt faint. The nurse got me the anti-nausea shot I was supposed to have right away. It worked within minutes. I also got one last shot in the stomach of blood thinner. The nurse warned me that the med might sting, but I didn't feel a thing from the needle or the med. One thing that this doctor's office uses, that I haven't heard anyone else mention is an On-Q Catheter, which is a small tube placed near my two main incisions that is connected to an infusion pump. There's a balloon type pump filled with pain med. I have a small fanny pack to carry the pump. I took a Oxycone after I returned home, although, so far, I've had very little pain. I've taken the advice of veteran banders to stay ahead of the pain, so I'll take my prescribed dosage today, and possibly tomorrow. I have liquid Tylenol to take later too.

I'm only a day out of surgery, so I don't have any experience, but at the last support meeting I attended, the doctor said use just enough milk to moisten the cereal. That doesn't sound too appetizing to me.

I chose the Realize band for many of your same reasons. Also, I liked how wide the R. band is (as you said, less chance of slippage), which I hope, will reduce the chance of prolems with it down the road.

Thanks for the tip on clothes, but I have even a better deal. My closet! I have so many sizes, because I've hung on to my "thin" clothes, just in case..lol My helpful dh asked me I thought my clothes from the 80s and early 90s would still be in style. :tongue2: But, seriously, I will have to add clothes to what I've saved over the years, and I really appreciate the tip. Boy, do I look forward to shopping and actually finding clothes the I like, and not just what will fit.

Bobbie, I'll pray for you too. Thank goodness these EKGs are done prior to surgery. You're the second person, this week, who has posted the their doctor uncovered a possible heart irregularity with their EKG.

First, I'm glad my post made you feel better! Secondly, hearing that my liver looked so good from my doctor made me smile. I also wished along the way I could take a peek at my liver to see how it was doing. :crying: Mustlove, I know at least one banster who has said she lost weight on her own diet rather than the doctor's and didn't get a liver shrink, but was banded a few weeks later. She followed her doctor's prescribed diet the second time, and that did the trick.

I followed my pre-op diet to the letter, which allowed one small fruit/day, and it was a pretty liberal died compared to others I've seen. I had my surgery today, and my surgeon said my liver was in great shape.

Hi Missy, The pain you're having is so similar to what I had when I was pregnant, except it radiated from my right side. Everything else sounds the same though. I turned out to be my gall bladder, and I had to have it removed, after I had my baby. I hope you're feeling better soon, and you're able to determine for certain what's causing your pain.

Hi September bandsters! I had my surgery today, and so far everything has gone great. I had to get the hospital at 6 am, surgery was at 8 am and my husband got a call from my doctor at 8:45 that the surgery was complete, and that all was well. If you're interested, this is how my day went (did not spend the night at the hospital): At check-in (6 a.m.) my dh was escorted to the waiting area (about 6:15 a.m.), and I was prepped for surgery (everything off, and wore a robe and pressure stockings). I got a shot of blood thinner (stung a little), and an IV inserted (no stinging at all). I was given a drip of antibiotics and anti-nausea med, and at some point pain meds. I tend to get motion sick, so I also got a patch behind my ear to ward off nausea. All the normal stats were taken, and then I talked to my surgeon, anesthesiologist, the nurse anesthetist, and other various nurses. A catheter was inserted and removed while I was under. The trachea tube (not sure what it's called was done while I was under as well). About two hours later, I woke up in recovery, with very little nausea (I've thrown up the other times I'd anesthesia, so I was very happy not to be very sick). I had a pulse and blood pressure cuffs on, and leg massagers to help ward off blood clots.I had a nasty sore throat that a throat lozenges took care of. Believe me, I kept that sucker between my teeth, in mortal fear that I would accidentally swallow it. The mostly ended my sore throat problem. I was given little med cups of crushed ice to chew on, and later, little med cups of water. My doctor checked in on me, and said my liver had been in great condition for the surgery, so the pre-op died must have done the trick. I had to go for an MRI, and the nurse who was taking care of me left for break, (and this is the only glitch), the new nurse didn't give me the second shot of anti-nausea meds. I had to drink a normal sized drink of a bitter substance and a chalky substance for the MRI. After that, I was sent back to the recovery room to collect my things, and the nurse escorted me to the restroom. On the way, a wave of nausea took over, my ears started ringing, and I felt faint. The nurse got me the anti-nausea shot I was supposed to have right away. It worked within minutes. I also got one last shot in the stomach of blood thinner. The nurse warned me that the med might sting, but I didn't feel a thing from the needle or the med. One thing that this doctor's office uses, that I haven't heard anyone else mention is an On-Q Catheter, which is a small tube placed near my two main incisions that is connected to an infusion pump. There's a balloon type pump filled with pain med. I have a small fanny pack to carry the pump. I took a Oxycone after I returned home, although, so far, I've had very little pain. I've taken the advice of veteran banders to stay ahead of the pain, so I'll take my prescribed dosage today, and possibly tomorrow. I have liquid Tylenol to take later too. :crying: sip, sip, sipping; walk, walk, walking

That's a bummer, KiKi! I don't know if you still want to use your phone after it's been sunk in the toilet, but it can be dried and possibly work again. My son jumped in the pool with his, my father-in-law jumped into a lake with his, and a friend of my son's was pushed into a pool with his. Just take out the battery, towel it dry. You can put the phone in rice, blow it dry with a blow dryer, let it set out in the sun, etc. You'll notice condensation on the screen, but in just two days, using these various methods, all their phones came back to life. There's a little dot on the inside of the phone that changes color once it's wet, so your warranty may be invalidated, but hopefully your phone work anyway. So far, my day had been good, but it's still early.

:hurray:In less than 24 hours, I'll be bandster!! I'm strangely calm, and mostly excited. ---------------------- terilynn, my pre-op diet was very doable. I've posted it on here, but if you'd like to do for your peace of mind, let me know. I'd be happy to send it to you. I think it was day two that I felt hungry, but it wasn't "starving hungry", it was very manageable, and after that, I felt satisfied most all the time.

debbie, I'm very sorry to hear that your surgery is up in the air now, and that you have signs of having had a heart attack. Thank goodness that it's been uncovered, so that you can get the medical treatment you might need for a healthy heart. I hope you will still be able to get your band.

This has no bearing on ckelly's issue, but there's such a range of pre-op diets from no diet required to the very restrictive, which sounds like what the ckelly has been prescribed. I have no clear liquid requirement prior to surgery. I just can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight prior to surgery.

ckelly, I'm so sorry you've been put on such a restrictive diet. Ten days on a clear liquid diet sounds extreme. I would definitely call your doctor tomorrow and ask about adding some protein (ie lean turkey breast) and/or non-starchy green vegetables. If the answer is a resounding "no", then I think the best bet would be to follow the diet as closely as you can.

Hi Christina, and welcome to LBT. We have an active and growing September bandsters group, and you might want to add your name to the list. We just had a report back from our first to be banded, and she's doing great. My suggestion is, if you haven't yet, be sure to get all your paperwork organized, so you know what you need when you need it. I got so much information from my doctor, from the nutritionist, on and on, that it became a tad overwhelming. Best of luck to you!! here's a link to the September 08 forum: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f184/

CONGRATS TO OUR VERY FIRST SEPTEMBER BandSTAR!! I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling pretty good, and not experiencing too much pain. I know you need your rest, but don't forget to: walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip. :tt2:

After reading about some of these other pre-op diets, I think I'll give my doctor a big hug next time I see him! lol

I just looked at my calendar, and it hit me that today was Monday (these Monday holidays always make it feel like Sunday), which means I only have two more days of my pre-op diet, and then I'll be joining the banded!! :thumbup:

I'm on my ninth day of my pre-op diet, and I'm feeling great. I'm so excited about my band-day next Thursday. I get so inspired from looking at the before and after pictures on here. I took pictures of myself, so I can compare them in a few months. I'm feeling very confident that not only will I lose the weight (as I've done many times before - and I'm sure I'm not alone in that), but this time, I will keep it off, with my LB tool.

Good Luck to you!!!! The time has really flown by for me. I started the process the first week of June with an information seminar and will be banded the first week of September.

Well, first I want to give big welcome all the new September banders! The shakes my doctor recommended, and I like all three: Boost Diabetic (Glucose Control) Carnation Instant Breakfast (No sugar added) Blue package unjury I like that the Boost and Carnation brands have added Fiber. They all seem to be pretty filling, and I don't get hungry quickly after drinking them. Nina, this is a quick list of what I can have besides the two daily shakes. I am allowed to substitute a shake for the meat and bread, but I live for that sandwich. I never thought a sandwich could taste so good. haha My diet allows for one fruit, no limit on non-starchy veggies, one low fat yogurt, two slices of light whole wheat bread, 4 oz of lean turkey/chicken/ham or roast beef, 2 oz of V8 or tomato juice, and 10 baby carrots (I've only eaten a few of those though).

As a soon to be bander, I've been following the August banders posts frequently, to help me anticipate what I might expect. What a fabulous business lunch, and a great NSV to boot. Congrats!!