Kristi

Good job! I also had surgery in November and am down only 41 pounds. For some reason I thought it would be more, I am not complaining, yet I would like to see the scale under 200 really soon.

Oh my no carbonated beverages, it really does cause more gas and possible streching. I hope that you are doing okay otherwise.

I do not have insurance so I self paid for the procedure. The pretest was about $400.00. The procedure was $12,500 with only 6 fills then $100.00 per fill there after. The average in my area is about 12,000-15,000. Each doctor has their own final price. Good luck.:smile:

Make sure that you are eating enough. If you don't get enough calories your body will not drop any weight. Make an appt. with the dietician. You may be surprised that you are needing to eat more. I had my first fill today, which is good, because I could eat!

It seems like every doctor is different. Did you get the Lab Band booklet Post op from the hospital? The book is from the makers of the lapband. It is very informational about what to eat, how to eat, when to eat and fills. My doctor does the 3 week clear liquid diet, 1 week thicker clear liquid, 1 week mushies, 1 week chunky, then finally regular food. So I am in the middle of week 2 clear liquid. I can't stand the protein shakes anymore either, so now I am trying to figure out what to drink besides Special K protein water!!

What do you have questions about? You can email me directly or post on here. I can help you with what I know. garcspnky@aol.com

My surgery was 11/14. I have a three week clear diet to follow. The first week was fine, I lost about 10 lbs. This is Tuesday of the second week and now I am feeling hungry more often. I have also stopped losing weight over the last three days. I am not sure why, I still only have two protein shakes, 2 servings of broth and then water and protein water all day. I don't know? The pain is finally behind me!! My left shoulder, neck and left lung are still sore, but okay. The liquid Loratab never helped so I switched to liquid adult tylenol. It helped some. The heating pad was the biggest help as was Gas X strips. I tried chewing gum but it made my stomach hurt, I guess the air. I miss my daily Sonic Diet DP with lime, but it's a small sacrifice for a healthier life. If anyone has any questions, I will try to help. It's confusing, scary and yet exciting to think about where we are headed.

Yes!! I found the heating pad has been the only thing to help my shoulder and neck pain. I slept last night with it and it was wonderful. My stomach rumbles and rolls like there is an alien inside, but the gas is starting to work it's way out. I was determined to get better, so yesterday I was grocery shopping, making up the beds and trying to basically do normal household things. It really helped take me mind off the pain, helped the gas move out a bit and kept me going for the day.

I have decided that otc Tylenol (adult liquid) works way better than the very expensive liquid loratab the dr. gave me. All the loratab does is make me sleepy, the tylenol gives me some relief in my neck and shoulder pain. My abdomen doesn't bother me much, except the port site. Just my opinion, follow your dr. orders!!

To everyone that posted a response to my whining, I love you for it!! To reach out to others and have them respond is such a comfort. Only others that have gone through or are going through this understand. My husband does his best, but he's not much at 4 am when the pain the worst. I appreciate the encouragment and love from all of you!! I will pay it forward as I continue to heal. I am thankful that I am not nausea, because of the way the band was put on due to the hernia repair my band sits different than regular ones, my dr. said to avoid vomitting at all cost. (probably TMI, but hey that's what we are here for) :thumbup: I will continue to pray for my bandster friends out there in cyber space. Thank you...

My surgery was on Friday November 14. I had to arrive at 6:30 am to the hospital. Went straight back to a small room, changed into the gown, peed in the cup, IV started. Then had to answer all of the questions from the nurse. The staff was great (Innova Hospital, San Antonio, TX). They left me alone for awhile, because I was the 2nd pt to be banded. Finally saw the Dr. about 10:30 or so. The OR nurse came and gave me a dose of something in my IV to "relax" me, was wheeled to the OR, remember them telling me to scootch over onto the table, someone pulled my arm out to the side and someone else was connecting the air pumps on my legs. Next thing I remember was someone telling me to open my eyes, I was in recovery. Ended up taking 1 1/2 hours because I had a gigantic hiatal hernia, didn't know was there. Needed five stiches to fix. The Dr. told me to almost didn't band me because it was so large. Anyways, he did band me but at a different angle than normal. He said it made the pouch smaller than most. So off to the x-ray room to drink some horrible stuff, almost dropped the cup, but managed to drink enough to make someone happy and shut up! Someone kept saying you need to take a drink! I wasn't even able to open my eyes yet... :thumbup: Then off to the bathroom to get dressed and out the door I went. We left the hospital about 2:00 pm. Had a three hour drive home to pick up the children. We stopped about every hour so I could walk around. Felt okay, first night, just intense shoulder/neck pain from the gas. It is actually worse now, but my abdomen doesn't hurt other than the port site. Well there's more but will have to be in another post. Thanks for listening, hope it helps... :thumbup:

Hey guys I was banded Friday. The pain in my chest and now my shoulders in unbearable. My abdomen is fine. But I can't deal with this intense shoulder/neck pain... What can I do? I have liquid pain meds. but they don't touch this referred pain from the gas. I walk and walk but my shoulders are killing me.... I can't even lay down with my baby right now and I want to cry just like he is...

Just wanted to let you everyone know that I was banded yesterday in San Antonio with Dr. Patel. He ended having to repair a hugh hiatal hernia (which I had no idea about). So I am in a lot of discomfort... Right about 4 am I was wondering what in the H&%$ I did this to myself for!! My throat hurts, my chest hurts so bad I can hardly breath and of course my stomach hurts so much I can't even stand up straight! Then I am hungry too!! His post op diet is three solid weeks of clear liquids... So I know I am whining, but those of you that have been here, done that, let me hear from you. I would appreciate it! I have school on Monday, so how can I get through the weekend and feel "great" on Monday for school?????

Gall bladder surgery works as a good excuse. :thumbup:

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!! I am excited to get this done and begin working on the next step. Exercise and healthy choices...

Hi there, I am having the procedure done in San Antonio because that is where they perform the procedure on self pay patients. If you have ins. then you can use the local hospitals. Since I am using Dr. Patel things are moving quicker than with Dr. Griffin. Keep in touch, let me know how you are doing. Good luck!

Hey out there! I live in the Corpus Christi area. I am thinking about using Dr. Griffin. Has anyone else used him? He has an opening in Nov. and I want to fill the spot. I am a self pay, ready to complete all the pre-op consults, test, so forth. Now he thinks maybe I am feeling rushed... NOPE I want it done the sooner the better. Is there something I am missing here? Should I have to wait until January? I don't want to! Let me hear some advice from anyone out there. Thanks so much and I can't wait to be one of the banded ones!!!!:thumbup:

I have been reading so many post that show the excitement of getting that dreaded insurance approval. I don't have any insurance yet feel like the debt incurred will be okay because it will change my life forever. I would like to hear from those of you out there who, like me will be shelling out the bucks to make this life change. We are making a financial sacrifice for our family, yet in the long run will be making a positive change which will make us a better person.

Well I have the surgeon's okay, lab orders in hand and now the phone patient rep. keeps calling me. I don't know if it's helpful or just annoying. :thumbup: I have so many things to get done before next Friday!!

Well after Dr. Griffin refered me to his partner, Dr. Patel, I have a date. November 14th. Dr. Patel saw no reason not to move ahead quickly. I am excited and anxious. The pre-op diet is working out okay. I hope that it really is doing some good. Looking forward to hearing from other November Bandsters!!

Just got my date on Saturday, will be November 14th!! How exciting yet scary, we are going to change our life forever!!!! It will be a quiet Thanksgiving, we will be the only ones not to gain 5 lbs. or more!! :tongue:

Just wanted to update and let everyone know that I am going ahead with the surgery! I had the consult 11/1/08 and am scheduled for surgery 11/14/08!! The pre-op diet is in full force, growling tummy and all! I look forward to continued support from the board as I watch the numbers fall on the scale.