S@ssen@ch

I had my surgery on Monday and returned on Monday..........2 weeks later. I'm so glad I took the full 2 weeks. The first week I was sore and full of that laparascopic gas. OUCH! I don't think I could have concentrated on my work, let alone tried to do anything physical. Although each day seemed to get a little better. The 2nd week I probably could have returned to work if IF I HAD TO, but I didn't. So, I concentrated on healing and getting to know my new friend

I hate to burst your bubble, but removal of the gall bladder did NOT resolve my reflux issues. It helped the pain I was having associated with the gall bladder, that bloated pressure that made me feel like I was going to explode and wish I were dead. But it certainly didn't take away the reflux. But one can hope.

http://www.unjury.com unjury is my favorite. The unflavored has little or no odor and no flavor. There are flavors available and the chocolate is great. You can get samples so you're not stuck buying a great big tub full and then not liking it.

What you could be having is residual gas pain. During laparascopic surgery, they literally blow you up with all kinds of air so the doctors can see what they're doing. That gas doesn't all come back out and stays in there. Generally your body absorbs it and gets rid of it. It takes some time and by walking around, it helps the body disperse and absorb it faster. I remember mine like it was yesterday. Sometimes I really felt such pressure in my chest I thought I was having a heart attack. I couldn't catch my breath and occasionally it brought me to tears. Position changes did nothing for it and tylenol barely touched it. It got better every day as long as I kept active, walked a little more each day and then it just faded away. As I recall, mine lasted a little over a week. I also remember having a real hard time distinguishing between the constant bloated feeling I was having and hunger. Remember, this too shall pass. It will get better every day and the next thing you know, you'll be a new you.

Often, during surgery doctors have a catheter put in because the anesthesia contains muscle relaxants as well as drugs to knock you out. That relaxes ALL of your muscles, not just the ones he's working with. So for prevention, they'll routinely put a catheter in once you're off to dream land and then they take it out just before you wake up. You'll never even know it's there. Now, some docs leave it in post op for various reasons. If your surgery is outpatient, they probably won't simply because they expect you to wake up and go home. If you're spending the night, they might leave it in for convenience although that's a pretty poor excuse because they tell you they want you to get up and walk as soon as you can. What other reason to make sure you get up than to make you get up and go to the toilet? DUH! There are VERY RARE instances of patients waking up on the table. It happens, but it's rare and as soon as the anesthesiologist notices you might be awake they shoot some more drugs in your vein and off to la la land you go.

The only time I had food regrets such as you're describing, Gummie, was when my gall bladder was acting up. Now, thanks to the miracles of surgical removal I don't have that anymore. I don't have those "emergency" trips to the bathroom either, thanks to my band because I simply don't eat all that deep fried, high fat crap. I indulge in a french fry once in a while, but nothing like before and no adverse effects as long as I keep it to a few instead of a biggie size. Good luck learning what you can and cannot eat. I HAVE heard of the lactose intolerances post banding. I, fortunately do not have it. Ice cream has been a life saver for me in those times when I wasn't feeling so great, too tight or just needed a pick me up.

Welcome Buckeye, I'm from Ohio, too. Don't let us scare you off too much. That's what forums are all about. People post their questions and problems, others answer. Those people who don't have problems don't often post and say "Hey, I'm doin' great". Sometimes you'll see something called a NSV (non-scale victory) which is a little celebration of something good that happened not directly related to the scales going down. Keep reading, you'll see that we're a great community and resource for information.

I was thinkin' the same thing. WTF? If I had a chance to sleep with Johnny Depp, I would..........sorry to those people out there who believe they couldn't live with themselves for answering honestly. It's something I fantasize about routinely. Would I be able to live with myself? I don't know. What are the chances of that happening? Slim to none, I'd say. But I can still fantasize, yes? And that's what it's all about, fantasy. He's the only one I'd consider cheating on my DH with and fortunately, Johnny Depp isn't looking in Northwest Ohio for a 30-something mother of 2 who's on the edge of obesity.

I don't think it's as common as you think, BUT remember that everyone's different. Everyone has different abilities to tolerate solid protein. The important thing is that you are GETTING the recommended amount of protein per day. Whether that's by supplements or through solid food depends on you. Personally, I do my best to get it through solid food. Since I have no difficulties with chicken, beef, turkey or fish........I do my absolute best. When I think I'm failing, I go back to keeping track of what I eat. You can guestimate all you want, but when you actually write it down and calculate it out, the proof is before your eyes. In my own experience, when I do Protein shakes I have higher caloric intake for the day and I'm not as satisfied because that liquid just moves right on through the pouch. If I do Protein Bars, that's a little better but that gets kind of tiresome. Food, much better source of protein.

The band is intended to last a lifetime. However, as others have stated the statistical data on that isn't available. Personally, I intend it to stay unless I need it out for medical reasons. If you have "issues" with things inside your body, I'd reconsider the lap band as your #1 choice. Unless of course your "issues" stem from simply not knowing all the information that would make you more comfortable. Remember, that other than the changes in your eating you really don't know it's there. The port is the only thing that you can physically feel and that's only if you make an effort to feel around for it. There have been cases where a psychological condition causes people to have a reaction to artificial devices in their body therefore rejecting the band. It's fairly rare, thanks to the pre-op psyche eval that most surgeons require. But it does happen. Once again, knowledge is power. Know the band, the procedure and the post procedure lifestyle. Know yourself and what you believe YOU can handle.

Of course this is all dependant on what you can tolerate (I've heard some bandsters have trouble with eggs). A Protein bar is good if you're on the go. When I was traveling a lot for work, I'd do a quick Protein shake in the A.M. and drink it in the car. I also used to make a few hard boiled eggs to keep in the fridge and eat one on the go/in the car. Light yogurt with 1/4 cup cheerios or honey nut cheerios serves 2 purposes-protein AND fiber. And its good, too. I know, sounds gross, but it's really good. Those yogurt smoothie drinks. oatmeal I love toast with peanutbutter and a few banana slices *I ALWAYS make an effort to have protein with breakfast, even if it's only peanutbutter or milk. It holds off my appetite and gives me energy.

Everyone has their "soft stop" signal that tells them it's time to stop or you'll find yourself uncomfortable (or worse). For some it's a hiccup or a runny nose or just a deep sigh. If you continue to eat after a "soft stop" you will come to a "hard stop" which is commonly described as a "golf ball sensation" or even a PB. It's painful and unpleasant. The key is to eat slowly and be consciously aware of how you're feeling. Everyone feels differently. You simply don't feel hungry anymore. You feel "satisfied" and you don't feel that deep desire to clean the food that remains on your plate. I can honestly say I'm a reformed "clean your plate syndrome" sufferer. For me, I feel the same sensation of "full" that I felt before only I feel it sooner and I NEVER get that feeling that I ate the whole Thanksgiving turkey. But that's me. Again, everyone's different in how they perceive sensations. You'll learn for yourself, it takes time to learn the language of your own band.

I know my surgeon does a pregnancy test the day of surgery, but what he'd do if you WERE pregnant I do not know. I would think that the risks of anesthesia drugs to a newly developing fetus might be greater than what he'd prefer to take and therefore would want to postpone your surgery. However, if you're just "running late" due to nerves and such I wouldn't think twice about it.

Make sure you're getting enough Protein, it will help with the energy levels and plenty of fluids to flush out those ketones. This is absolutely normal.

Hey, I agree whole heartedly with Bitter......Ain't nobody gonna mess with my cooter unless I give them permission, especially if they intend on causing me discomfort versus pleasure. Ditto for my funbags and my bunghole. LOL Although I gotta admit, those drugs they give ya for the procedures like colonoscopy really do put you in a great place. It's the prep that makes your life miserable. Talk about being friendly with the toilet and "ring of fire".

I didn't mean to imply that there are NO RISKS to standard cosmetic surgery, only that their primary goal is to affect a person's looks. ALL SURGERIES HAVE RISKS. One has to weigh the risks with the intended goal before making his/her decision to have any surgery, cosmetic or otherwise. Also, I said that the vanity of it should be secondary. I did not say that it did not or should not come into play. I would be lying if I said that I never considered how I'd look with some or all of my excess weight off. The mere prospect of it made me giddy with pleasure. It gave me motivation and helped me to know that what I was doing was right. But does that mean I had WLS to look good? No. I had it to spare my joints further destruction. To save that artificial joint that I had to have. To help prevent the diabetes I was heading into. To prevent hypertention, sleep apnea and any host of other obesity related issues I was prone to. I also did not intend to downplay mental health issues. Mental health is very important. Depression is a serious illness. Self esteem issues are serious concerns. But, I still contend that to have WLS as a primary treatment for these conditions would be poor treatment on the part of the doctor. Other health issues should be present to justify such a step. Other treatment modalities have proven tried and true for mental health concerns versus surgery. To say I had WLS just to make myself feel better mentally? I think I'd be ashamed of myself as a medical professional, therefore defeating the supposed intended purpose. These are just my opinions and examples from my own personal experience. I guess I should have kept them to myself, but when I saw that GeezerSue wrote basically what I was thinking, I felt compelled to respond (especially when she was met with such criticism). I've tried desperately not to judge anyone for their physical condition or their reasons for having WLS. It's difficult sometimes. I keep reminding myself that the only person I have the right to judge is myself. Good luck to all and make decisions you feel you can be proud of.

They both go down the same for me. I'm lucky. I don't have to slather them with too much sauce, either. I've had some pretty dry chicken breast and haven't had as much as a hiccup. I am getting pretty grossed out with ground beef though. All that chewing, I can actually pick out the fat and grissle. YUCK! I've been doing everything I can to convince DH to try some other dishes so that I can avoid the ground beef.

Although I've not tried them, I've heard they're wonderful and in such a small little "shot". My friends who've tried them say they're very tasty, like a jello-shot. And clear liquid, for you. http://store.bariatriceating.com/conewwhlipr.html If for some reason the site doesn't take you right to them, they're called New Whey liquid Protein. From what I can see there's 25g of protein in 1 shot. Personally, if I need extra protein at this point I just use unjury. But I don't really need it much anymore. I do my best to get all I need from solid food.

As I was reading through the first page of this, and before I got to GeezerSue's response I was thinking the same thing. I was disappointed to see how she was criticized for her opinion. I'm sorry that Hunnybun feels such strong societal pressure that she wants to have WLS to either feel good about herself or please those around her. Through my own weight journey, I have been to the place where I had tried to accept my weight. At one point, I believed I was destined to be overweight despite my every effort and I'd better just accept it. I did, or at least I thought I did. I went about my life despite the pain and difficulty it took to walk and get in and out of bed or my car. Buying clothes became a chore. food was my only comfort and that only made the problem worse. I avoided cameras because I had no desire to be reminded of how I looked even though I "felt good about myself". I didn't have diabetes or hypertension or sleep apnea...........YET. I had arthritis, but I certainly didn't have that from obesity. BECAUSE I WASN'T OBESE. NOT ME! Then I saw the photos that someone took of me on a holiday. I was appauled. I was ashamed of what I'd done to myself through denial of the problem. After a hip replacement and having been told so many times that I needed to lose weight for my joints, the reality of it sank in. I was morbidly obese and I was walking down a slow path to destruction. We all do things for our own personal reasons. IMHO to have WLS purely for cosmetic reasons is the wrong reason. Your health comes first. The vanity of looking better is only secondary. It certainly helps your self esteem, but to have WLS primarily for that reason would be like buying a new car so you look good driving it. A big expense, something that needs regular maintenance and is unnecessary. And no, I don't think there's anything wrong with having cosmetic surgery. But WLS affects your nutrition and your health. Standard cosmetic surgery only affects your looks.

Here's a great link to weight loss as it relates to hair loss. I realize it's a little over a year old, but I think it explains things pretty well. It doesn't get into great scientific detail, but it's helpful just the same and can lead you to further research in to the specifics of Iron or other nutritional deficiencies. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05256/570686.stm IMHO, regardless of the malabsorption, WLS can lead to some hair loss. Our diets change. Our hormones can change, especially those affected by the fat content of our bodies. Yes, if you have malabsorption it only adds to the problem. But, if you're doing your best to make sure you get a well-rounded diet including iron, Protein and various other Vitamins and minerals as recommended by the ADA you'll do just fine. I've had some thinning. I had some thinning before WLS. I was told I had some mild iron deficiency and had to take those rotten iron supplements. It didn't do a lot of good other than slow the shedding. Right now, I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. I've noticed an improvement. It's not a miracle, but it helps. Good luck to all those suffering with thinning hair. I think we all understand your fears and concerns.

Once you're past the initial post op period where you have to gradually upgrade your diet from liquids to puree to soft, etc........generally you'll eat normal foods. No one will even be able to tell you've had surgery. You eat smaller portions, for the most part.........NORMAL sized portions. Eating out isn't a problem. It's all in the choices YOU make. You learn quickly what foods you can tolerate and what foods you can't (if any). Make healthy choices. Share a meal, if you can. Get a to-go box and box up your meal. It's not that big of a deal. Buffets are probably a thing of the past, but who the he// cares? There's so much other GREAT food out there. It's quality versus quanity in our case. Advice: be as informed as you can about the band, the procedure and the after-life. When you're comfortable and KNOW what's happening to your body, you are less prone to those periods of remorse or fear. A little depression is normal with all the changes (good changes, but changes just the same). Knowledge is power baby!

This would be an interesting study. Amount of burping correlated with PB's. HMMM excellent question. I burp regularly. Not excessively or loudly, but comfortably and boy what a relief it is sometimes. When I was first banded, my surgeon kept telling me (if I had problems) that I'd probably swallowed too much air and "since I couldn't burp anymore" it was stuck in there causing me pain. When I told him that I burp all the time he was flabberghasted. Magic, maybe you swallow a lot of air when you eat. We all have our own "style" so to speak of chewing and swallowing. Maybe your own personal process combined with your own personal anatomy results in taking some air down with it. Just a thought.

I have: Before & After: Living & Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Susan Nuziato Leach. I bought this one knowing it was geared toward and written by a gastric bypass patient. But, I saw that it had very specific dietary recommendations and excellent advice for permanent weight loss, including a multitude of GREAT recipes. I use the recipes to this day. I've even chatted with Susan on her website. Wonderful woman. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding by Jessi Ahroni. I bought this one so that I would have something to help me understand the procedure and life after lap banding. It does that and is helpful for those: What if's and What's happening to me now's. I find it's a good resource.

Although I'm no surgeon, I was under the impression that today's bands are placed with a small amount of stomach literally sewn flapped over the band to help secure it into place and prevent slips. I would think the amount of that "flap" would depend on the surgeon as well as whether or not they do it at all. That being said, I would think there's more risk to you if you are overfilled and too tight because you would be having increased incidence of sliming and PBing. It also puts you at risk for erosion. It's my understanding that the risk for slippage is the same, filled or unfilled. It depends on you, your band, how it was installed and what you're body is going through. For example, if you're having lots of episodes of nausea, vomiting, etc you would increase your risk of having a slip because of the muscles involved in barfing. Personally, it sounds to me like you're too tight. When I was too tight, I was uncomfortable when sitting. It didn't matter if I was trying to eat or not, I was uncomfortable and yes, I felt better if I tried to eat/drink while standing. Bottom line, if you're having trouble getting solid foods down something's wrong-you're probably too tight.

I now have tears from laughing so hard. Thanks guys, I needed that. I can SO relate to the A-Ha song and the Falco. But instead, we sang it "Rock me I'm a danish". Hey, leave it to the fat kids to put a food twist on it. One song I can't figure the words out to this day is Elton John's Benny and the Jets. I used to say "She had elevator boots" instead of "electric boots" which made more sense to me. Otherwise the rest of the lyrics were pretty weird as well. And Blinded by the Light......... "Blinded by the light. Wrapped up like a douche another roller in the night." LOL I looked it up and it's: "Blinded by the light. Revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night." Personally, I liked my version better.