RestlessMonkey

Nicholeinaz...first, I don't think there IS a 15 cc band. It's possible, but in all my research I've never heard of that. Second, that is a very aggressive fill schedule...are you sure they put that much in with each fill? Having said that, some foods go down more easily even with restriction. Personally for me, crumbled hamburger and taco shells are "sliders". Have you tried roasted chicken for example? Can you eat it like before? IF so you need to talk to your surgeon. If you are 2/3 filled (in whatever size band) and feeling nothing at all...(you may not be "there" yet but you should feel SOMETHING) then you need to be checked out! Good luck! I personally refuse to diet and while I am on board with "good choices" and exercise, I haven't counted a calorie nor measured a bite of food. I gained back some post op but once I got restriction (my fill doc is way more conservative) I am losing again. So gaining isn't unheard of, but not feeling restriction if you are so filled is rare. It CAN happen, but it's rare. Confirm your band size, confirm your fill level, then meet with your nutritionist if your doc feels everything is ok.

That will be totally up to your surgeon...but I'd guess at least 2 weeks (allow for steri strips to fall off)...if not more. It will depend on how he closes you up and estimates your healing time. :laugh:

It depends on your insurance! Welcome and good luck!

I think people become morbidly obese for many many different reasons. While your situation doesn't resonate with me, I'm sure there are others in a similar boat. My issues also, I'm sure, would sound familiar to some. I don't think there are any easy answers to obesity; I think it is hereditary, biological, habitual, emotional, and everything in between (one reason it is so hard to "treat") I did do a year of behavioral therapy to try to get at the root of WHY I overate and it helped cement my desire for the band; hopefully your insights into your behavior will help keep you on the band path! And for the record, although that wasn't the point of your post, I am sorry your mother was cruel to you. That is a shame. Good for you rising above it and taking care of yourself! :laugh:

My seminar was very informative. Of course, logically, since they are all different...that will vary. Same is true of "speed"...partly it will depend on requirements of your insurance (if you have insurance that will cover the band) and partly will depend on your surgeon and his/her schedule. Pregnancy...my doctor requires we sign a form promising to wait at least one year post band to attempt to become pregnant. Since that was not a concern for me I didn't ask him for more info. However, again logically it isn't good to try to lose weight and carry a baby at the same time. Good luck to you!

Your surgeon should not have pressured you. People lose up 65% AVERAGE of their excess weight by being banded...and at 3 years out, weight loss for the bypass and the lap band is comparable. People can gain with either surgery. It IS a personal decision, and I don't want to attempt to sway you any more than I feel your surgeon should have. I will tell you I have a higher BMI and I chose the band because I did not want my stomach cut up and my intestines rerouted. I worried about what would happen to me with an impaired digestive tract as I age (and older people don't utilize what they eat as well) Plus I know of many many side effects with bypass (for example the stomach is sewn shut but still produces acid etc...the thought of it floating around in there closed off and still "working" gave me the creeps LOL) The band can be removed and in most instances, leaves no ill effects, should a need arise. Bypass...CAN be reversed, but it's dicey And finally my husband is an RN and worked in a GI lab for years and told me flat out we'd have real problems if I decided to get bypass because he's seen the bad side effects that can happen (and often do, unfortunately). Both surgeries should not be undertaken lightly. Both surgeries help people. Both surgeries can be negated by eating improperly, and both carry risks. You need to decide which is right for you. A high BMI should NOT be the only factor.

My surgeon also waits six weeks. Rarely you'll find one who will fill at 4 weeks, but lap band guidelines says 6.

If you have a cold (virus) antibiotics won't help it. AND I know you're disappointed but you don't want to have problems with oxygen while under anesthesia! The point is to get through surgery and be healthier! It will happen for you!

I had surgery on friday and back at class tues. afternoon (I'm a nursing student, not a teacher). I felt good but wasn't as sharp as I thought I was...I say take a week. That's the minimum lap band recommends. A few people are ready earlier (and I thought I was. i felt ok but my thinking was fuzzy and I didn't even realize it...and no I wasn't on pain meds LOL) You are having surgery and will be on liquids...give your body and self a time to start healing and adapt.

You're best to ask your doctor. Mine had a specific preop diet "shake" he wanted me to have...it wasn't slim fast. But you need to do what YOUR doc tells you to.

I didn't ever ask my doc about gum (not a big gum chewer) but I think it's because, once you're restricted, what if you swallow it? AND...even if you NEVER swallow it, people do. In fact, the minute you say you NEVER WILL...odds are you will! :confused: For me, just not worth it. I know they can probably go in and get it, but I just would rather not have to go to the ED because I swallowed gum and it plugged up my stomach.

I'm really shocked you get to eat chili so soon, Shellb! Docs must be really loosening up for some of you. That's great. I didn't even get protein shakes until week 2, let alone chili (blended or not).

I think you'll do great! :confused:

StephOnee I was like you but the NP at my doc's office finally got it through my head that while some people have issues...not all have all issues. She said my doc's pts. have most problems with white bread (untoasted) and stringy red meat (well who wants stringy meat anyway) BUt so far luckily I can eat anything! So keep the faith! And remember if you DO find something you can't eat, give it a few months and try again. We have to live with this....

StephOnee I don't know where you're getting your info but I think you should disregard it! :confused: NOTHING is totally off limits...except some surgeons say no carbonation, some say no caffeine (appetite stimulant) Depending on how restricted you are you personally may have issues with some foods, so maybe you got that from someone who couldn't eat shrimp. However...while most people have some food that they have an issue with (white bread is a big offender unless it's toasted, for example) there isn't anything you must stay away from, except what your surgeon tells you to avoid(ie mine said no chewing gum, no carbonation) Once banded you will STILL be able to eat! Depending on how restricted you are, your esophagus, your swallow strength etc....some things may or may not give you trouble. And realize that if something gives you trouble one time, wait a month or two and try it again. Often the "issue" resolves. Please realize too that some people may avoid certain foods because, for whatever reason, it's easier for them that way.

I had salsa on my beans and it was fine. I guess it depends on if you're used to it or not.

You sure can do it! :confused: Just be strong, and do what you need to make it through. For example, there is NO WAY I could've cooked and made it...well, no way I could've stayed sane and married that is! LOL Do what you need for yourself. It does pass quickly.

I just toughed it out. My husband did not eat in front of me, so we didn't have food smells at home and that helped. AND...since I cheated on my preop diet (that's why I had 2 surgeries!) I learned to do what my surgeon says. Hard lesson (not that I'm stubborn LOL) but that misery I felt when I came to in recovery without the band served me well post op. I'd just think how awful I'd feel if I ate something and caused my band to slip (because if you eat food your stomach moves and churns to aid in digestion....and that movement too soon can cause your band to dislodge etc) The thought of going back for more surgery because I HAD to eat was more dreadful than the hunger I felt. So I would just very firmly tell myself NO. Once I honestly sat and held a can of refried Beans and cried! Funny now but I was miserable at the time. I made it, though. I didn't eat them. And so far, so good! :confused: So just hang in there. It isn't forever, and once you get past that you probably won't often be hungry ever again. I don't diet and lost 9 pounds over the last 4 weeks (no counting, no measuring, no nada...just "good choices") Hungry for 2 weeks is better than dieting forever!

That wasn't my experience but some feel more pain etc. I tried from the very start to walk and "act normal" because I know that more walking (and sitting upright, if not moving) helps you recover more quickly. It's important to not overdo, but being TOO sedentary can put you at risk for clots and embolisms. Just move as much as you can, get your water in (more important than protein at this stage) and it will get better.

You may not be allowed "creamed soup" I wasn't! Just stick to your doc's diet, get your water in, and hang in there! It is hard. It was for me. I was starving. I wasn't even allowed protein shakes until week 2! BUT I did it and you can too. It will be worth it! If you advance too quickly now (eating foods you shouldn't) you can hurt yourself now or set yourself up later for issues like slipping. So do what your doc tells you, be strong. It will be better soon.

I was on a liquid for breakfast and lunch and 3 oz protein for dinner diet for about 5 1/2 weeks (because I cheated the 1st time and didn't get my band) and post op just liquids for 2 weeks. Post op was way way harder for me. I came to in recovery HUNGRY and stayed that way until I got mushies. It was worth every second, but it was hard.

Never heard of it being waived...but my info is limited to reading posts on this site. I'd suggest starting the requisite 6-month supervised diet thing while you research it....that way if they do waive it, no harm. If they don't, at least you'll be progressing.

Honestly I do not know a soul who eats pizza and beer (unless only occasionally) and doesn't gain, nor do I know people who are never hungry. I'm sure you aren't exaggerating, but neither am I. I guess it's just a difference in perspective...I'm a plate half full kind of a gal If you suffer overwhelming cravings and have only gotten to 80 pounds overweight at the age of 41 then you've obviously struggled and fought your weight. I understand you feel attacked by people you know and I wish that weren't true for you. I fortunately have not had that experience.

A small Wendy's chili is 19 grams of carbohydrate...for me that's too high (when I'm trying to eat low carb) but for some I guess it would be ok....

You are smart to line up fills locally BEFORE you get banded remotely. Having said that, I believe there is a surgeon in Denver who does the band for about 10K (Kirschenbaum, I believe...enter his name on the site's search engine) He does NOT take insurance and just does self pay patients. Don't let price be your only consideration though... find a surgeon who you like and trust. For example if you can find a local surgeon you like who will do your band for 15k (which is what my surgeon charges self pay patients) and he will include fills for a year (or two, or three) etc..then having someone close to home for any emergencies (they do arise for some) etc will be worth it. The fills and aftercare are as important as the surgery. So factor everything in before you pick a surgeon. Good luck!