For My Health

I am scheduled for my 2nd fill this week, and I'm very nervous and thinking about rescheduling. My first fill did not go well at all - it took 2 needles and there was a loud pop. My doctor doesn't have very good bedside manners, so now I have to decide what to do. Most all the other posts show that the fills go easy, so should I suck it up and hope for the best or postpone it until I feel more comfortable? Right now my weight is stable - not losing or gaining, and that has been for the month since the first fill. Any suggestions or advice?

Glad to see someone that has not had complications and needed the band removed. Please give as many tips and info as you can. We're all eager to hear success stories!

My first fill didn't go as easy as I would have liked. The doctor poked around my stomach with the needle, couldn't find the port, and told me I had a very thick stomach lining. Then I heard a loud pop & I almost came off the table. He said "well, that needle is no good anymore - give me another needle". Thankfully, the 2nd needle went in smooth, I felt nothing, and then we did the x-ray and drink test. If my next fill goes as easy as the 2nd needle it will be ok, but I don't think I can handle that first experience. Has anyone else had tough first fills like that?

My doctor won't give me an amount I should be eating. His questions were: "are you stopping when you feel full (yes)", are you vomitting (no) and his response was don't worry about it. Not a firm quideline, but he didn't seem concerned with quantity. I have not had a fill yet, and I do really think I'm eating TOO much (1-2 cups of food per meal) but he is not concerned at all. I have noticed that I'm only losing 1-2 pounds per week, and I'm looking forward to my first fill.

Believe me, most people really won't notice. I had to go to a family picnic 2 days before my surgery, which I hadn't told most of them about, and only 1 person even noticed I wasn't eating. I told them I had eaten before I came and that I might get something later. They really don't pay attention, especially when they have a plate in front of them. But to make yourself feel better, do put stuff on the plate & move it around, or find something like pudding or soup that you can have and make it last. Have fun!

I have found this website to be very helpful too, and I enjoy reading everyone's experiences with this procedure. My pain was minimal - more of an annoyance and irritation when I wanted to do something I normally do, and I felt so great. There was some soreness, and I still need the pain meds to sleep well. Sometimes when I move too quickly I can feel a little twinge, but being the baby I am about pain, I really can't complain about any of this at all. I would do it again with no hesitation and I can't wait to see what the next 3-6 months will bring for me. I can't believe your doctor used staples. I would not want those, but then again, I never asked, so it was anyone's guess when I woke up what he might have done. Good luck and enjoy your recovery!

I'm ok with the slow weight loss - that's why I specifically chose the lap band. The other procedures sound scary to me. What I don't like and can't tolerate any more are the support groups at my hospital. I am the only one that has had the band, everyone else chose the other methods. It sounds like an AA meeting "hi, my name is ..... and i've lost ... pounds in 2 weeks". It gets a little overbearing to hear about the tons of weight they lose so quickly, so I'll stick to this website as my support group since we're all going through the same slow process.

That looks delicious! Do you deliver?

I have not had that happen yet - I was just banded 3 days ago. How long did it take for you to settle down & feel better? Hope you are feeling better.

I, too, have found this website to be very helpful, informative and motivational. Glad to hear you're doing so well! I have lost about 20 pounds in 2 weeks - just had surgery 3 days ago. I am very happy with everything so far and am looking forward to my changes coming up. Good luck!

My doctor said one week prior to surgery, stop any pain relievers except Tylenol.

My doctor's office supplied me with Champion Nutrition brand protein shakes. They came in vanilla, chocolate, banana cream and strawberries. They taste fine but I don't like the texture if they're done in the blender because they get too frothy, so I mix them with a hand whisk and add crushed ice. The crushed ice actually gives me something to chew on - a little mental relief. I have found that I need toast before I go to bed in order to sleep well, but that will have to change after the surgery. But it does get easier each day. Good luck!

The first doctor I had said he didn't believe in pre-op diets because patients have enough to worry about beforehand. Turns out I didn't like him, so I found another doctor, and he put me on a liquid protein diet 2 weeks before the surgery. I've done well overall, and it took some time to get over the headaches and dizziness (about 3 days). My surgery is this Tues (may 19) so I thought I would cheat and have one last steak before the big day. What a huge mistake! My stomach has been hurting all day and I've spent a lot of time running to the restroom. I don't recommend anyone try that stupid move I made..... Uggghhh.... I doubt I'll even have a shake before bed. Tomorrow I have a clear liquid diet all day, then Tuesday, under the knife. Good Luck!

My hospital is going to give me a catheter even though the surgery is short and I leave the same day. I plan to take some loose pants similar to sweat pants and a large loose shirt for the ride home. The "girls" will hang free for the day! Also, my hospital said they would provide a stomach pillow for the ride home, so the post above is right on point. Other posts I have read suggested taking Gas-X strips and something to moisten your lips, so I'm following that advice. GOOD LUCK

I told my family in small increments, - still not everyone knows. I have told NONE of my co-workers - they are gossipy and mean spirited people. As I lose weight I've decided to tell them I am eating smaller portions and working out more, which I will be doing. My surgery is Tuesday May 19th (less than 72 hours!) and I just told my mom today. She didn't seem to have feelings one way or the other. I thought she would be mad. Tell who you want when you want and be happy with your decision. I'm rooting for you and I wish you all the success!

I have a question for any of you that have done this before. My doctor wants me on a clear liquid diet the day before the surgery. I assumed that meant ginger ale, water, broth, etc. The paperwork that the hospital gave me has a diet plan to be used after the surgery, and it says that the clear liquid diet is to include jello and protein shakes. The hospital is the one that the doctor will be using, and I keep forgetting to call the doctors office when I get off work. So, do any of you know, what exactly is a clear liquid diet? What type of beverages and/or foods did you use during that time? How long did your doctor keep you on the clear liquid diet after the surgery? Thanks for all your help

Your insurance company will be the most helpful to you regarding their requirements. Each insurance company is different, and that will determine what you need to do. I did not have to start from ground zero for the diet - my doctor used my records from the past 17 years as proof. My insurance company required an upper GI, bloodwork, a visit with a nutritionist, psychiatrist, endocrinologist and a few others I don't recall. Overall it has taken me about 5 months and my surgery is next week. It did take a little longer for me because I had one surgeon last fall that was AWFUL so I left him & found another, so that made me lose about 2-3 months. The first doctor said he would not require a liquid diet before the surgery, my current doctor is requiring it, so I'm going through that stage right now. It does get easier. Good luck to you!

Good luck to you! Please keep us posted on your progress and how the surgery goes. And please, leave the cats until harder times.

YEAH! I am so excited for you! Please post more updates as you feel able. I had my pre-op yesterday and my surgery is a week from today. I am not nervous at all, but very excited! I'm glad all went well for you and I hope we hear more about your progress.

My doctor gave me Champion Nutrition brand, Ultramet Original. The flavors are ok, but I don't mix it in the blender because it makes it too frothy and it's like drinking beer foam. So I mix it with a whisk, which leaves a few lumps, but thats ok, and I add a lot of ice chips. That gives me something to chew on. I'm still hungry though. Mamadot - I share the same surgery date with you! Good luck...

My doctor has not mentioned that he would not do the surgery unless I lost any given amount of weight. He did tell me to drink 3 protein shakes per day, and any zero calorie drinks that I want. that's it. My first instinct is to cheat, but it's only me that I'm cheating on. I don't think my doctor would cancel the surgery but I don't want to find out the hard way. My nutritionist told me that the biggest reason doctors want us on the liquid diet is so that we can start getting used to drinking protein shakes and being on a liquid diet. Ask 20 people and you'll get 20 answers. Good luck toughing it out. You're not in this alone, so know that I'm suffering with you today. Good luck....

How are you doing? Hope all is well!

I can't decide when / if to tell others about my surgery. I have told most of my family but have told none of my co-workers. The atmosphere here is full of gossipy people and I prefer to keep my business to myself. Do I need to tell my co-workers why I'm out for a week or why I'm losing weight? I just can't decide if it is best to be open about the procedure or keep my personal life out of the office. Any suggestions?

You sound quite a bit like me, but you need to stop beating yourself up. Don't look at it as spending $10,000 for a lack of control issue. Look at it as a $10,000 investment in your future, so that you will be able to enjoy that home you bought, and an investment in your life overall. My surgery date is May 19th and I'm very excited to start shedding the pounds I've slowly gained over my lifetime. Good luck to you!