RestlessMonkey

HEATHERO! :drool: I have been in a foreign land...NURSING SCHOOL LOL this semester is insane. Literally insane! I have missed your posts, too. I don't have much restriction yet but am just really working at learning the behavior modification (no Snacks, eat slow) that I'll be trying to use the rest of my life. Change is hard! But I am happy to be losing:) Missed you a lot, woman!

Getting the band is just the start, the aftercare is the time we actually put it into use...getting it adjusted just right and re-learning our eating habits. Since your travel will be concentrated in those 2 months, I think you're probably smart to wait! Everyone is different; some people can't sleep on their stomachs for weeks etc. I just knew that 1st night I still had lingering effects of the anesthesia and for me, that was the time to go for it. Also I didn't want adhesions (scar tissue) forming and making, um...puckers?...and stretching things out early on is good to prevent that. So I intentionally tried to stand up straight, stretch out in bed, etc. I don't know if it helped but I honestly had very very minimal post op gas or pain. Each person is different, but I think for some the "idea" of sleeping on their sides/stomachs (with the op sites) is worse than actually doing it. You know, you think "oh that's gonna hurt. ick" so you don't do it. I just did it without thinking about it LOL I did use a pillow when I slept on my side and it helped brace things. That felt good. When on my stomach I used it to "fill in" .... whatever worked. After a couple nights it was just in my way. :drool:

I slept on my side the 1st night, with a pillow to support my torso, and on my stomach night 2, so you may not have issues. I figured I might as well stretch etc while I still had some anesthesia on board. What I wish I had realized was two fold.... 1. Regardless of what great info I read on here, do what my doc tells ME to do, not anecdotal advice from the board! and 2. To realize that it is a SLOW process. I knew that in my head but didn't really KNOW it. I'm 3 months post op and have absolutely NO restriction yet. My doc said if I was still struggling (with subsequent fills) by 6 months post op, then he'd be worried. He is tightening me SLOWLY because he feels that is safest and most productive long term. From reading here I thought I'd be on my way by now. NOT! These boards are really wonderful. I've made quite a few friends here, and gotten some good tips. BUT I've foolishly sometimes let info I read here replace or work in place of questioning my surgeon and I wish I hadn't ever done that.

My doc requires 4-6 weeks between fills. Yes you're due, if you have no restriction and it's been over 4 weeks! Your surgeon can give you some guidelines; be sure and ask next time you're in!

I was banded 8/29. I have 2 fills; 3 cc's in a 14 cc band. And no my doc isn't "milking" it for ins; my fills are prepaid. What I am doing is trying to eat less, not snack, chew well, and be patient. Each fill I've found that while I can (and do) still eat "anything" (tonite was pizza) I have subtly, gently, almost unnoticed, eaten less. I''d gained back some once I went post op from liquids to mushies; now I am slowly starting to lose. My surgeon has a plan; he said he's setting me up for lifelong success. His goal is for me to be able to eat anything, never PB, never slime....just eat less, and be full longer, and not snack. His vision is my vision, so I'm doing what he says. He said personally he's found when he is more aggressive, his patients are more likely to have problems down the road. I trusted him to place the band, so while I'd LIKE to be dropping weight rapidly, I trust him now. I knew it would be slow; I didn't want bypass. I didn't know it would be THIS slow, but it'll happen. I'm just hanging in there.

They should've given you post op instructions, which you need to follow. and yes, it is too soon.

You're lucky. I was on clear liquids for 1 week post op, and week 2 I could add protein shakes. I've read of some being on liquids for 4 weeks post op! You won't feel restriction until they start tightening your band so hunger now is normal.

This is how you live your life. My doctor is aiming for portion control and smart choices, not calorie counting. Frankly, I've "been there, done that". I go NUTS if I have to count every freaking bite I eat! LOL That's the beauty of the band, however; it is your tool You use it to suit your style. My doctor bans all snacking, and that is working for me.

Hang in there! It's important that your band be able to heal right now. I was hungry from when I woke up in recovery until I got mushies so I feel your pain; but it gets better. Don't cheat (I'm sure you won't!) because it can make your stomach churn (to digest) and mess up your stitches holding your band in place around your stomach. You'll make it!

Actually the lap band has been in play here in the USA since 2001, the realize band started clinical trials in 2003, if the web site I use is correct. Logically, since it is really just "sitting' there (no strain like artificial joints, or a pacemaker, etc)...I can see how it would hold up a good long time as long as we don't vomit too much and get erosion or slippage; and even then it isn't really the "band" that fails, it just comes loose and irritates our stomachs. I plan on having mine for life. I'm still glad that if for some reason down the road I MUST have it removed, I can; but it's not my plan!

It's very individual and a question you'd need to ask your surgeon. Hospital stays can be from a few hours to a few days depending on your surgeon and how your surgery goes and how you recover; post op recovery can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on what you do, and how fast you "bounce back".

Your primary doesn't need to "support" WLS....those medical records are on YOU and YOU have a right to that information. Start out asking nicely but if she won't provide what you need, demand it. You PAID her for her services and it is your info to do with as you please.

I'm sorry; I'm not sure exactly what you are upset about. You're down 3.6 kg (about 8 pounds) What are you eating? Do you have restriction? WHY do you "need" a sugar boost after dinner? You shouldn't....are you diabetic? My doc says eat 3 meals, no snacks. What has your doctor told you to do? I would like to help you but not sure exactly what to help you with... Do you need to see a gynecologist? Why didn't you have periods before? .... I think at least a talk with your surgeon is in order.

Tell your doctor pronto. MANY many people (me included) can't take Vitamins on an empty stomach! That can cause problems! You may have an ulcer or some other issue. After all this time if your body hasn't adapted it's trying to tell you something is very wrong. Listen to it and call the doc! I don't vomit either and have in my whole long life thrown up about 6 times...but I couldn' take vitamins on an empty stomach and not have some bad issues.

My doc's nutritionist says that's a trick you can use if you want to.

I don't have any answers for you but there are many bandsters here who have gone to Mexico and will surely post for you. There are also some less expensive docs here in the US if you prefer that route. I just wanted to tell you how smart you are to realize you need to line up post op care if you have it done ANYWHERE you aren't...whether it's one state or one country away. Aftercare is vital...otherwise just getting banded but no followup would be like buying a car but never driving it anywhere! :cursing: Good luck!

Since I weighed 120 in high school when I met my husband, 170 12 years later when I married him, I don't anticipate any problems. I do expect our free time to be more fun now because as I lose I'll want to travel and do more things like bike riding etc. So it will just be more "fun" but not basically changed; the guy loves me for me. The rest is just window dressing.

That's why I always say "Ask your doctor and do what s/he says" They are all medical professionals who have done their own research and have their own opinions and plans for our recovery.

Jodi gave good advice as usual; just to warn you I was really hungry from the start postop. It's important you follow your doc's postop diet though, so that you heal properly. Depending on which band etc, it needs to heal in place and "cheating" by eating too early can do damage. That part of it isn't fun for most of us! but you just grit your teeth and get through it somehow. It really isn't bad and it's worth it for a life time of freedom!

Some people have to do a certain amount of physician-supervised dieting in order to fulfill insurance requirements, depending on what insurance they have etc. That's different from "preop" dieting...some docs require a "preop diet" for various reasons; I had to do a 3-week one to shrink my liver. AND most require only liquids etc for a while then nothing just before surgery...that's not just bariatrics, though, but most surgeons want you empty before they operate, regardless. Not sure which type you meant in your question.

My doctor didn't push either surgery; in fact he gave a fair balanced assessment of MANY types of bariatric surgery although he only does Roux-n-Y and bypass. However GERD is problematic with the lap band. Moreover I was pretty big to start and my doctor NEVER tried to steer me to bypass. He let me choose right down the line. I suggest, regardless of the "reputation", you find another surgeon and try again.

My doctor also sees no issue with pills and the band. I can take anything so far but have pretty much no restriction. I think it depends on you, actually, and how restricted you are. AND I agree ask your doctor! Always best to do that! :rolleyes2:

Honestly, the deep breathing and control MAY be a little problematic. Sometimes the diaphragm gets, um, upset? LOL when things are shoved and moved around as the band is placed. When that happens, it can cause referred shoulder pain that can be disabling. For me, for example, I was fine unless/until I exercised and the deep breathing made my neck and shoulder hurt like the dickens. I am 53, though, and I recovered VERY fast, no nausea, no problems, no restriction, only 2 doses of strong pain meds, home the same day as surgery, slept on side night 1 and stomach night 2. Your best bet is to as your surgeon what he thinks. I'm a nursing student and was back at school 3 days after surgery, but fortunately didn't have to do patient care until about 10 days out.

Congratulations! Make sure you walk a lot! Take your pain meds if they help; no reason to suffer! :rolleyes2:

You're welcome! from that it really does look like they are similar. I have a lap band ap large because that's what my surgeon uses and placed. I liked the "low profile" idea and he told me, very tactfully, that right now even finding the port would be a bit of a challenge but that when I lost enough for my port to stick out he'd gladly switch them out for me!