psunday

I have now had my second fill and this one is doing the trick. Don't hesitate to get back with your surgeon if you aren't satisfied with your lap band. They probably have ideas for you that you hadn't thought of! Its going well, keeping up the protein, and I am feeling good. Noticing the little things like not having to have the steering wheel all the way to the top of the adjustment, and more seat belt to work with. I am looking forward to flying in February, hoping I won't need a seatbelt extention! Paula

thanks for the ideas, they sound good especially with the wind howlling tonight!!! You may want to check out www.bariatriceating.com, too. Its a great website, sometimes more about the RNY surgery than lapband but a great source for recipe ideas and protein ideas! The fill was no sweat. Numbed the area on my stomach, that stung a bit, but be brave! Over in about 5 minutes. You drink the stuff so they can see what they are doing. I was in and out in an hour, waiting for some others ahead of me, but the actual procedure was only 10-15 minutes. Paula

Hi, I had my surgery 9/2, my first fill 10/16, but will probably try to get in the next week or so for another. My efforts to maintain high protein/low carbs with 0 "white" carbs is working to keep my appetite under control. I have lost 17# since surgery, but like everyone else, would like it to go faster. I hope with one more fill I can keep the portions to where it will be more effective. I have great support at home and at work, and that really helps, too. At work we had a big open house and there were 2 cookie bouquets! That was tricky! I keep dark chocolate on hand and have had some fudgesicles and low fat ice cream sandwiches, but the carbs are high on some of these. I just don't keep them in the house so if I need something (emotionally) I go for a piece or two of the dark chocolate. Or I make decaf coffee. Evenings are the tricky time for me, I get through the day just fine. People are starting to notice, and that is really great! Paula

I had my surgery on Sept 2, and all went as planned. I think an important part of making this decision was to find a surgeon and team who has done many surgeries, and has the hospital behind his program. I was impressed by the anesthesiologist, I got a spinal shot that held off ANY pain for over 24 hours. After that I got a bit of Roxicet just before we went home, and had already gotten some for at home. Pain was alway tolerable, and the incisions are looking great. I have a big bruise from a botched IV try, but that can happen to anybody, any time.... I went back the Monday after the surgery, all was good. I go back again on this Monday, then in a month for a fill. Very supportive, he does both lap band and R-N-Y surgeries. He hand picked the team 5 years ago and he has done 1000 surgeries in those five years with this team. Its a small hospital, very personable, and I just don't think the attention and care could have been better. He is very conservative, I had all the tests anyone has mentioned, and more. I am still on Clear liquids and Proteins (harder than I even imagined!) but that will hopefully change after the next visit. I do recommend looking for an experienced surgeon with a lifetime program. I agreed to go back to see him every year, well forever, I guess. I am very pleased, going back to work next week, but actually gave an 1 1/2 hour presentation for my work to a group of about 70 people yesterday. It was fun to get back into the thick of things. I felt fine, a bit tired today, but not bad. I hope everyone is doing well. Paula

Well, we are back home, and all is well. a week tomorrow post surgery. Went back for the one week check today and they thought everything was going fine. Hard to stay on the liquid diet now, but its important not to strain the stitches that are holding the band. Anyone who is thinking of doing this, I highly recommend Dr. Glascock and his team. They have been doing this surgery and the other one for 5 years. He is very experienced, confident and totally committed to making this work for his patients. The staff in the office and in the hospital (tiny Sartori in Cedar Falls) was great, very friendly and encouraging. I was discharged Wednesday afternoon after the Tuesday surgery. The Roxicet liquid pain meds work great. The incisions don't look as bad as the missed IV marks on my arm! The Anesthesist was very friendly, young female with 4 kids! She did a spinal injection that worked for 24 hours or a bit more and it was really nice. A bit startling was that when I weighed myself after I got home I was up 15#! Back to where I started now, and hope to lose quickly on this liquid diet. I am keeping up the recommended liquids and exercise. Can't drive till I am off the Roxicet, but hope to have that tapered back by the end of the week. If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Glascock the website is www.obesityhelpiowa.com If you want to talk to me more about this I am happy to answer questions. I really liked the small hospital feel, friendliness of the staff, quite an intimate setting. Private room, too. Paula:thumbup:

Ames does have a bariatric surgeon but he only does open surgery and only RNY. Not what I wanted. Dr. Glascock is in Cedar Falls. I just got back from there this morning (we live just south of Ames) and met with him. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday Sept 2 at 9:45am. I was happy to hear he had the rest of today off, and wasn't on call this weekend. He will be happy and fired up on Tuesday!!! It has been quite an adventure, I went to his seminar in October or November in 2006! Had to get the 6 month supervised diet in. I highly recommend working with the folks up at Mary Greeley in Ames. Your doctor has to refer you to the dieticians, but Sara there really helped me not only lose weight but understand that its a lifetime change, and that I can really do it. I have lost 40# with her couseling. Then after the insurance approved the surgery, the real fun began! Cardiac testing, sleep studies, upper GI, lung x ray, stress test, lots more. So I at least know I am in good shape to start this thing! I have never had a real doubt that I wanted to do this, and am thrilled its so close. Friends and family are happy for me but it took me a LONG time to tell anyone, since it was taking so long to get the insurance coverage. I waited till nearly all the tests were done and I was close to having a surgery date before I told even my closest friends, then they were a bit mad I hadn't told them before! Paula:thumbup:

Thanks for the info and encouraging words. I will be glad to have it done and be back home! I am going to stay overnight, this surgeon requires it, which seems like a good idea. They do an x-ray the next morning and if all is good you are discharged. It will be a busy weekend, which is good. Congratulations on your weight loss! What a great start!!! Paula

We meet with the surgeon tomorrow, I hope all the ducks are finally lined up! Does anyone have suggestions for right after surgery? Should you jump right into a little protein? Stick with water/ice? How did the first day go for you? How long were you in the hospital? I am hoping/expecting to go home on Wednesday after they check the band. How long before you were back to work? Any favorite proteins or bars you like? Where can you get them? My friend Cindy likes a bar she found at Walmart, it has a pretty good carb/protein balance she said. Paula

Its on Delaware, just north of super Walmart. Between Okoboji Grill and a little cafe called Camille's. Geez, all restaurants!

I am having surgery Sept 2 with Dr. Glascock in Cedar Falls. After almost two years getting insurance approval and all the testing, we are good to go. A couple more hoops but simple compared to the past. I was excited that I don't have sleep apnea so didn't need the CPAP machine after 2 nights in the sleep lab. What a ride this has been. I have wondered how much of this pretesting they do for other people for elective surgeries? Do you need a sleep study before plastic surgery? Anyway, I am thrilled to get going with this and have a group of positive friends and family for support. Actually someone from my work had a R-N-Y last year so she knows all the good proteins and foods that work. That helps, too. If you are in the DM/Ankeny area check out the Nutri-shop in Ankeny. He is really nice and has gotten me good info on proteins. You can sample them, too, he will make them right there. Paula:thumbup: