RestlessMonkey

Call your doc! That's what he's there for!

most people don't have complications. Those who are happy aren't as prone to write about it as those who aren't. That's just human nature.

You need to check with your insurance. Mine does.

It's normal to be hungry. I don't know if the "hard upper abdomen" is normal; I didn't mash mine. And YES it is too soon to start mushies unless your doc prescribed post op diet says you can have them day 2.

I have ALWAYS taken pills. In fact, the prescription my surgeon sent home with me post op was for a pill! (Darvocet). I take HUGE potassium pills with no problems. You know, even if you are very tight most pills dissolve. You maybe should re-confirm with your surgeon if you feel every single pill must be crushed. I always say to do what your doc says but aside from the fact that some pills should NOT ever be crushed...many really never have an issue with tablets, capsules, etc.

Frankly I'm glad my doc required the "crazy" liquid diet rather than 10%...for a 250 pound person that would be 25 pounds, for me over 40. It's way harder to lose 40 pounds than to follow a strict diet for a week or two, IMHO.

Why are you not taking zyrtec? It is available OTC... and when you say you take it "along with OTC pills" you don't mean all at the same time, do you? You can cause a rebound effect if you do that. Anyway there are lots of smallish (like claritin) Otc pills out there.

Did your doc say you could have the grits?

I think it might...but if it does, it will be for your protection and safety. I don't KNOW, so don't take this as "gospel"...you are safest to check with your surgeon.

You're probably just tired. Rest tonight and see how you feel tomorrow. If you didn't lift over about 15 pounds any one time, you're most likely fine! :laugh: AND...the odds of your band coming loose just because you did what you described are astronomical. It might slip or loosen if you ate the wrong foods too early (becaused of the churning of the stomach during digestion) but not because you just "carried" the food in! :thumbup: If you still hurt tomorrow by all means call your doc; otherwise take some tylenol and rest tonight and you should be ok!

It depends on you, your situation, your doc! I cheated because I read on here about person after person who did and "got away with it". But OOPS I didn't get away with it. I had to have my surgery re-done because my liver hadn't shrunk sufficiently. That was really vile. SO Probably you are ok (especially since you have longer to go than originally planned) but for your peace of mind, tell your doc what you ate and when...make sure it's ok. AND for post op...don't cheat at all. The restrictions are there to allow the band to heal and if you eat the wrong food too soon you can either rip your band loose OR more likley set yourself up for a slip or erosion on down the road! So good luck! You're probably ok but check and make sure!

You need to check with your doctor. Mine said no alcohol at first as we are healing and adapting... then to limit because it is empty calories. Not all of us count "sugar" and in fact many don't.

I too have given it to a few people (nursing student). I'll ask my husband (he's out running around right now) to be sure...he's been a nurse 25+ years and worked in a GI lab for a long time so will know the good AND the bad about it. I know it is just for short term...and many drugs that would have bad effects LONG term are ok for a short while. I'm totally NOT a doctor (although I will be a nurse in a month YAY :laugh: so that's why I suggested you discuss it with your surgeon (who is familiar with the lap band and complications thereof) and your primary (who is familiar with YOU and how you handle meds etc). They can help you decide. OK husband just came in He said "It's pretty benign. EVERYTHING has side effects. It doesn't help with nausea like some claim but it does speed gastric emptying. I'd take it if it were prescribed to me"... So ..you decide. I told him they wanted you to sign a release and he made the "raspberry" sound (if you know what i mean) and said again...everything has side effects. With the caveat that he is not a doc either and neither of us know you or your whole medical picture...I think you may be safe to take it. Ask your docs, think it over.

Jennifer, you need to consider the nature of a site like this. Most people need info before they get the band (research etc). THEN they want confirmation that they are "doing it right". After that learning curve? They are gone leading happy, healthy, "thinner" lives. Why would they come back? If something goes wrong, or if they just like to help "newbies", and the helpers are more scarce than not, for whatever reason. If you think of the thousands of procedures performed each year, you can see the "problems" are low. I've not had mine a year but don't regret it. There are some posters here who've had theirs longer and are happy, but again, I can't imagine having the band for 3 years and STILL posting the same stuff here...I love it, don't eat what your doc doesn't approve, yes you can cause a slip if you cheat post op, yes the gas they pump in during surgery hurts but it will abate over time and no gas x won't help that type, yes you need a fill yes you are too tight if you have sudden onset GERD or can't swallow your own saliva! Not running ANYONE down, but those are the common issues posted here. Then some poor unfortunates who have worse problems. Those questions, and newbies researching various docs, are most of the posts. See my drift? Some satisfied customers come back every so often, do a hit and run "I LOVE MY BAND" post and are gone again. Most of them...don't bother. So take everything on here as information but not gospel. It's just "a" picture, not the big picture.

Did you get your blood tested or are you due? I know my doc requires a "bariatric" set of tests about 3 months post op and much to my surprise even with a great multi, I was short thiamine and Vitamin D!! You should get checked out...it's hard to balance your electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, Calcium, sodium) on your own. Any one of those (too much or too little) could be causing trouble, or it could be something else altogether! Have your doc check you out; insurance should pay for the testing! Good luck!

Wow where are you getting the surgery that the surgeon will do it with you still smoking? That's really really rare! Good luck

Ask your doc.

Do rethink the Reglan thing...all drugs have side effects. I don't mean to endorse it or minimize the risks, but either your surgeon or your primary provider can discuss the pros and cons with you. It is commonly prescribed for that issue and can help you. (band or no) Good luck!

It depends on what your preop diet requires. For me, no way. Odds are if you have a 2-week long diet, alcohol will be forbidden. Usually the diet is used to shrink the liver and alcohol is contraindicated in that situation. You can ask your surgeon but odds are you'll either need to not drink, miss drinking this one cookout, or reschedule your surgery. Some may tell you that you can "cheat" and you'll be fine but let me tell you that isn't a given, either (in case it comes up). I read that and cheated and wasn't fine. Not worth it. Just check w/your doc and follow his lead! :thumbup:

Probably you are too tight. Best to check witgh your surgeon. Untreated, GERD can erode your esophagus and cause other issues, so it's best to follow a physician's guidance.

If you haven't been compliant with your post op diet, please call your surgeon on Monday. Depending on what you have eaten, you MAY have done some damage. When we eat food, our stomach churns to help digest food. Since, for many of us, our bands are lightly sewn into place, pending healing if you "churn" too soon you can rip it loose, or just rip loose some stitches, setting yourself up for a slip or erosion down the line. Your surgeon will be the best one to tell you if you've hurt yourself or not.

If it will make you feel better, call Monday and ask if there's a preop diet you need to be on. Please realize their lengths vary (from none to 4 weeks and beyond!) depending on surgeon and patient needs, and the actual DIET varies for the same reasons. As my granny would say, don't borrow trouble! :smile2: Call and ask, but I'm sure they will tell you if/when you need one. (Unless you are with a surgeon who has only done a few surgeries?)

I'm sorry your wife is in such a vile situation. I know in these economic times we're all greatful to be working, but I hope things improve for her. With her experience and good work ethic, maybe something "better" (read nicer, kinder, more pro-employee) will happen for her. I'm glad she stuck it out for her sake; good luck to both of you!

If your lap band is healed and you are sufficiently post op smoking will have the same deleterious effect on a "lap bander" that it does on a non-lapbander.

Sorry Merryn! You aren't an idiot! I'm just a brain fried senior who hopefully will be an RN in a month; I'm so immersed in the "lingo" right now that I forget. I do apologize...what's the use of trying to help if the post makes no sense?!! Glad you figured it out!