falcon66

I am being banded December 30th at 10:am in SA, TX by Dr. Cavazos. My holiday preop actually starts tommorow. I cannot eat any red meat or fatty foods. On the 29th I can only eat breakfast followed by clear liquids, and do the bowel prep that afternoon and then no liquids after midnight. I have been able to enjoy the holidays. This group needs to stay together and give ourselves a name so we can stay together and chart our progress.

I have a couple of curious questions. I am being banded on Dec 30 and have a trip planned to Disneyworld in June. Can you ride extreme roller coasters with the band, and has anyone tried it. The second is about straws I know we are not supposed to use them because of getting air into the stomach. Has anyone drank from a straw and what happened? Thanks

I am being banded on the 30th and have a huge job interview 8 days after being banded where I would have to drive 3.5-4 hours. My doctors info says you can drive as soon as you are up to it. Can anyone give me any insight on what you felt like. I have read so many different things on the internet. One guy said he flew a day after surgery where some people take 3 or 4 weeks. I have had 5 previous knee surgeries and if weren't for it being the knee I could have drove the next day or two. Looking for some help. By the way my wife is working and cannot take me.

Thanks for the replies I am still looking for someone who has ridden roller coasters after being banded. My job as a dad is the most important job I have.

I know why you are not supposed to, but has anyone tried it, and what happened?

My doc showed me that mine will be on the left about halfway between belly button and chest. Mine is also going to be a low profile port ,

being a little apprehensive this last week I have spent too much time and energy to not be banded. And when it comes down to it I don't trust myself to lose weight. I have lost 10 pounds over Thanksgiving (first time ever during Thanksgiving to lose weight ) with 1 more day left. Please say a prayer for me about 11 a.m central time on Tuesday. Thanks for all the support and I will talk to you soon.

my doc even let me eat Thanksgiving dinner, and I still lost 10 pounds in a week

I am a 38 y/o male with a BMI of 40 with sleep apnea, 5 knee surgeries, and Reflux (at least my doc said my upper GI showed that, I did not know) I have went throught the 6 month diet, psych, etc. at a relaxed pace over a course of a year. My wife was not supportive at first (did not think I needed it)but now is supportive of my decision ( i now weigh 280 I graduated high school at 145). I went through considerable obstacles(time and financial) to make sure I was doing the right thing. Was at peace with my decision until two days ago and have started to re-think my surgery. I have tried numerous diets and programs and have lost weight before but did not mantain. My concerns are below any insight or opinion you could give me would be appreciated it, even if you have to call me a wuss. 1. Since this surgery has only been in the U.S since 1999 who is to say I won't have to have a future revision since I am only 38. I was clear with my doc when I told him I wanted to do surgery once(he agreed). Who is to say that band won't erode in ten to fifteen years 2. Will I be able to function at social and family gatherings and fit in at meals etc in the future. I am concerned about being on a business trip and not being able to drink a beer, or eat a steak with a future employer etc.

No I am not an alcky I have not had alcohol for 3 or 4 months, but I do like the taste of beer. Thanks for the reply

I am having a lap-band done by Dr. Cavazos in San Antonio, Texas at Foundations Surgical Hospital on 12/2. I have had to put it off a couple of weeks because of work. Started my 1 week pre-op diet and lost 4 pounds in one day. I am a little apprehensive about surgery, which seems silly since I have had 5 knee surgeries. I guess never abdominal. I am a 38 year old male that weighs 278 and have a bmi of 40 (the doc says I am a very low risk patient) I do have a couple of questions. Thanks in advance I love this site and I am going to get more active. 1. The scars do they get better with time, and what have you done to help them ?( I would like to have my shirt off in the future at the pool etc.) 2. What pain meds did you leave the hospital with, and did you have to use them? 3. How quick did you return to work?

Originally scheduled for 11/17 but had to re-schedule because of work and now the date is 12/2. I am on day 2 of pre-op diet and lost 4 pounds yesterday.

Great posts except for the few who seemed to regret the band. They are kind of scarey, and day 2 of pre-op diet is whipping my rear.

I know my liver is enlarged because of previous tests so I asked my doctor about it last week. He put me on a 1 week diet consisting of 2-3 protein shakes a day with 4 ounces of lean meat and vegetable for a dinner. He stated that he was not overly concerned about my liver being too large because I was a smaller candidate for the surgery, but this diet would shrink it a little. I can even eat Thanksgiving tommorow as my last splurge.

I have had several football knee injuries, but as I have gotten older the weight has exacerbated the problem. I like the 5K training , but will probably need to get some weight off before any running.

Thanks Aunt Lucy your info is greatly appreciated

2 or 3 days after I finished my last visit to the nutritionist. It was not much of a problem, they even set a date before I was approved. BCBS of Texas

Creed, I just got approved yesterday with BCBS of Texas (TRS). I had to do the 6 month supervised diet, I finished my last appointment last Monday the 20th. The office submitted it on the 20th and I was approved yesterday the 27th. I am scheduled for my band on November 17th. Not a particular painful process it just took the 6 months. I am 38 years old and 275 lb. and have a BMI of 41 and have sleep apnea. Hope that helps.

My doc says he believes that I ultimately will be thin enough to need a smaller low profile port to be replaced. My question is can I request this smaller port to begin with. I truly only want one surgery.

I am new to the board and I was scheduled today to be banded on November 17th. I am a 5'9, 275 lb male with severe sleep apnea and NASH (non-alcoholic hepatitis) There was NO discussion about pre-op diet, just that I would meet with the doc the week before, and do labs etc for pre-op. My liver is enlarged and my bmi is 40, does everyone have a pre-op diet, or am I not big enough to have to worry about it? I am concerned that I will not get this done on time. Can someone fill me in on pre-op diets and whether everyone has to have one ( I would assume my liver size would need to shrink) Maybe Restless Monkey can help because it is the same doctor. Maybe they will call in a couple of weeks. Thanks Dr. Cavazos San Antonio Texas Center for Medical and Surgical Weight Loss

I was scheduled for mine today for November 17th Dr. Cavazos San Antonio

I am a 38 year old married man with 3 children. I weigh 275 pounds and have a BMI of 40. I am a football coach and have decided to do something about my weight. I saw a doctor for about a year supplementing thyroid, and testosterone and it did not help. I graduated high school and went into the military weighing 145 pounds and have been skinny until about age 23. I have went through all the tests (psych, upper gi, 6month nutrition, sleep study) The main reason I want to lose weight is to feel better and sleep better, and live longer for my kids (7,9, and 18 years old). I have had 5 knee surgeries from age 18-36 and need some weight off my knees. I have been discovered to have sleep apnea (makes sense why I was tired all the time). Monday ends my 6 month nutrition required by my insurance and we will actually set a surgery date. I am using Dr. Sonny Cavazos in San Antonio, Texas Please help me with these questions Thanks, JT 1. I want to keep this fairly private what do I tell my coworkers? 2. Anyone know anything about my doctor. 3. What percentage of people banded have to have some sort of revision?

Thanks restless I only want to have surgery once that is why I asked. I have been impressed with Dr. Cavazos and I only went to a seminar then had a consultation later. He told me he thought with my body type (muscle mass) that I could probably lose a 100 pounds without having a fill. He told me I was the perfect candidate for the lap band because of my muscle mass and that I ate large meals. I will supposedly know my surgery date tommorow. Thanks for the info I will probably have more questions as we go.

The reason I ask that question is I do not want to have surgery again. I plan on following the doctor's advice.

Restless Monkey, Can you tell me what happened with not having surgery becuase of your liver and what I will have to do with that. I have the same issue, I just want to make sure I have surgery on time.