work_in_progress

I was banded on May 14th, I've had left sided abdominal pain since the surgery. I called my doctor today and he said this pain is normal and it's due to instruments they use to move your muscles out of the way for surgery. So, it's probably no big deal but you still may want to ask your doctor anyway.

Hi Angelo, I live in Conyers, GA and I had my surgery on 5/14/09. I'm 5'10" and I weighed 255 prior to my pre-op diet. I'm absolutely sure it's the best decision I have ever made. I am also self pay and I flew to Denver, CO and had my surgery with Dr. Kirshenbaum. He will do the surgery for $9950 (everything but travel expenses) and he's wonderful. The band is adjustable so you are satisfied with smaller meals and you stay full longer. It's much safer than gastric bypass too. You should browse around this website and you will learn much, much more. Good luck!

So, I went to the Nutrition Depot (nutrition shop in town with a smoothie bar) and told the girl I was not enjoying the protein shakes I made at home. Well, she hooked me up with a stawberry, banana and pineapple juice smoothie with protein and it was the best thing I've had all week. It was so huge it took me 4 hours to finish it, but I was not hungry and best of all not nauseated. I think I'll be her daily customer for the next few weeks. Only took Tylenol today (day 5 post op) and did fine, no more hydrocodone for this chick.

I'm returning to Denver in 4 weeks for my first fill. Dr. K said it would be in my best interest to get my first fill from him. The doctors here in Atlanta fill you very slowly and Dr. K tries to get you to restriction quickly. Sounds good to me! Anyway, does anyone know of a hotel that's within walking distance of his office? I was thinking I could take a shuttle to the hotel and save on the rental car. Dr. K does want me to stay overnight after the fill to be sure I'm not too tight. Thanks.

I'm glad to hear that this too shall pass. I was banded on May 14th. I have been nauseated, especially trying to take the liquid Lortab and while trying to drink the shakes. I haven't vomited or dry heaved but I have felt like I was going to. I'm getting about 2 shakes a day down instead of three. I will be SOOO glad when this liquid stage is over. It's nice to know we are not in this alone and we'll all be doing so much better in a few weeks. :eek:

Sorry it took so long for me to post, I've had a rough few days. I was banded on May 14th. I also had a "large" hiatal hernia repair. The only time I've had the gas pain was on the airplane home. My biggest surprise was the pain in my belly (I assume port site pain). I wasn't expecting to be in that amount of pain, it was intense. The hydrocodone does relieve it. I was able to switch to regular Tylenol today, so it's getting better. I can feel my band too, it's such a strange feeling. I'm glad to hear that will go away. I've been able to consume 2 protein shakes a day plus all the other full liquids. I'm happy to say, I'm not hungry at all so far. I'm so glad I have the hard part behind me. One day at a time to a new me :laugh:

I am 4 days post op and was wondering if it's okay to add fruit to your protein shakes during week 1 and 2? I'd like to add a banana or some strawberies for flavor. Would this still be considered full liquids since it will fit through a straw? Thanks, Susie

Hey Dr. K bandsters! I had my surgery with Dr. K on Thursday and I arrived back in Atlanta last night. Dr. K was wonderful and so was his staff and everyone at Parker Adventist hospital. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Select and was really impressed. The bed was super comfortable and everything was so upscale. Make sure you get a suite so you'll have a refrigerator. We went sightseeing in the mountains the day before surgery. I didn't feel like doing anything like that after surgery. The flight home was kinda rough. I was in pain and we went through some tough storms that were very bumpy. I'm just glad to be home. I'm feeling much better today. I'm so glad I made Dr. K my choice. I'm coming back to Denver for my first fill but will probably switch to a local Atlanta doctor after that. Anyway, if you are considering Dr. K, do so without hesitation. He's great! Susie :scared2:

I'm having my surgery with Dr. K on Thursday!! I can't believe my time has finally come. Had a consult with him over the phone last week. he was so personable and informative and he talked to me for 45 minutes. I can't wait to get to Denver and meet him in person. The pre-op diet hasn't been bad at all. I think the only thing I'm worried about is being hungry with 2 weeks of liquids. Anybody have any encouraging words in that respect? Thanks! :thumbup:

I have finished day 5 of my 7 day pre-op diet and I'm doing great. I'm on a high protein / low carb diet. I've got all my "supplies" for post op and I just can't believe surgery is in 3 days! I'm in school and finished my semester with a 4.0 today so I've got so much to be thankful for. I'm a little nervous about the 2 weeks of liquids, afraid I'll be hungry alot the second week. But if it means a healthy new me, then I can do anything for a few weeks. Wish me luck!

Well, I'm halfway through my pre-op diet. I was doing great...til this afternoon. I went to a graduation party and they had lemon pepper chicken wings, so I ate two of those. Then there was the cookie cake...had a few bites of that. Now I also ate raw veggies, if that counts for anything. So the rest of this evening I've been feeling super guilty for cheating. I know it wasn't much, but why can't I have willpower to just say no. I'm hoping the band will help me with that. I've made a promise to myself, no more cheating!! I can do this, I have to do this, for me. I want to be healthy and at a normal weight more than I want anything else. Way more than I want cookies, cakes or O'Charley's rolls. I leave for Denver in 4 days. I can't believe my surgery is this week! I'm so ready to get the surgery behind me and begin the journey to the new me. I keep trying to imagine myself next May, what will I look like? More importantly, what will I feel like? Will I be able to sit by my swimming pool without being mortified when someone shows up at the house? I really can't wait for my self confidence to return. That will be fantastic. I've been shopping. I've got my groceries for when I get home. Tomato soup, V-8, sugar free pudding, applesauce...yummy. I also bought an immersible blender so I don't have to wash out my blender every time I make a protein shake. I think I'm ready!

Well, I'm halfway through my pre-op diet. I was doing great...til this afternoon. I went to a graduation party and they had lemon pepper chicken wings, so I ate two of those. Then there was the cookie cake...had a few bites of that. Now I also ate raw veggies, if that counts for anything. So the rest of this evening I've been feeling super guilty for cheating. I know it wasn't much, but why can't I have willpower to just say no. I'm hoping the band will help me with that. I've made a promise to myself, no more cheating!! I can do this, I have to do this, for me. I want to be healthy and at a normal weight more than I want anything else. Way more than I want cookies, cakes or O'Charley's rolls. I leave for Denver in 4 days. I can't believe my surgery is this week! I'm so ready to get the surgery behind me and begin the journey to the new me. I keep trying to imagine myself next May, what will I look like? More importantly, what will I feel like? Will I be able to sit by my swimming pool without being mortified when someone shows up at the house? I really can't wait for my self confidence to return. That will be fantastic. I've been shopping. I've got my groceries for when I get home. Tomato soup, V-8, sugar free pudding, applesauce...yummy. I also bought an immersible blender so I don't have to wash out my blender every time I make a protein shake. I think I'm ready!

I'm flying to Denver next Wednesday for my surgery. There is a fantastic surgeon there named Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum that is doing my surgery for $9950. I will use an Atlanta doctor for my follow up visits. Check out www.lapbandrockies.com.

Good luck to you, poppa. Glad to hear everything is good so far. I'm getting my band in 7 days and I'm so excited the day is finally arriving!

Tomorrow is a big day for me, I start the much anticipated pre-op diet. I totally pigged out today, knowing it would be my last day to do that. I enjoyed prime rib pasta at O'Charley's and of course, 4 rolls! Then I topped it off with a slice of key lime pie tonight. Okay, I'm ready! I'm feeling lucky that I don't have to do the full liquid diet like most of the other pre-op folks. It seems they are struggling with that. I'll be on a high protein / low carb diet with no white stuff allowed. I am allowed one fruit and one yogurt per day. Two things I'll miss the most. 1) My cereal in the morning 2) My beloved diet coke. It's kinda like quitting smoking with the diet coke addiction. It'll be hard at first but then I'll get used to it and not even think about it anymore. I'm thinking positive over here! My first step in the process of becoming the new me ... the skinny chick.

Tomorrow is a big day for me, I start the much anticipated pre-op diet. I totally pigged out today, knowing it would be my last day to do that. I enjoyed prime rib pasta at O'Charley's and of course, 4 rolls! Then I topped it off with a slice of key lime pie tonight. Okay, I'm ready! I'm feeling lucky that I don't have to do the full liquid diet like most of the other pre-op folks. It seems they are struggling with that. I'll be on a high protein / low carb diet with no white stuff allowed. I am allowed one fruit and one yogurt per day. Two things I'll miss the most. 1) My cereal in the morning 2) My beloved diet coke. It's kinda like quitting smoking with the diet coke addiction. It'll be hard at first but then I'll get used to it and not even think about it anymore. I'm thinking positive over here! My first step in the process of becoming the new me ... the skinny chick. :thumbup:

I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and I had a serious pig out day today. I'll be doing 7 days of a high protein / low carb diet - no white stuff. one fruit and one yogurt per day. I feel very lucky after reading all of your posts about the protein shakes, but I will deal with those after my surgery. One week to go for me then it's on to lifetime skinnyhood! Oh yeah! :thumbup:

I can't believe my band date is creeping up so fast. I'm excited and nervous at the same time, I'm pretty sure that's normal. I've been walking a mile a few times a week, I know I should do more. I'm proud of myself for holding my own in PE class. I did 20 push ups and 43 crunches in 1 minute. Better than some of those youngsters in my class! Just wait til I'm in "Onederland", they won't be able to stop me then! I've got my plane reservations, my rental car and my hotel reservations for Denver. Still need to make my shopping lists for pre-op and post-op. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 3 weeks til pre-op diet!!!:thumbup:

Hi Drkangel, I live in Conyers and I'll be having my surgery in 11 days! I'm so excited. I have learned alot from lapbandtalk, it's a great resource for info and for support. Good luck in your journey.

Great list Karebare! I printed this out as a reference. Thanks!

I had my pre-op nutritionist appointment today. I've been instructed to start my pre-op diet 7 days before surgery (which means I start the diet on May 7th). High protein, low carb diet - lots of meats and vegetables. No protein shakes til after surgery. Dr. K thinks his patients will get tired of them too quickly. After spending an hour on the phone with the nutritionist I am so psyched and ready for this surgery! Of course, I'm still a little nervous, but I really feel my confidence building. Next Monday is my pre-op consultation with Dr. K. My plane leaves for Denver May 13th. Woo Hoo!!

That's a whole lotta new lives beginning! :drool: