isaviolinist

I was just banded a few days ago but I have found since the day of surgery I have been freezing all the time. I used to live in Vermont (the most northern part). In the night in the winter the temperature used to get to -40 F. I always kept the window open and snuggled under the blanket. Now, when the air conditioning is on, it doesnt matter how many blankets I have, Im freezing.

Dear Belkys, Congrats on your decision to get healthy! One thing you can do to get informed, esp. if your surgeon or hospital doesn't offer it, is go to an information seminar on lapbanding and weight loss surgery. Any hospital in your area that performs lapband surgery will have this and it is free. You can just call them up and say you'd like to attend the free lapband intro seminar. And they can register you. This will at least give you some ideas about what you are getting yourself into. :blushing: You might want to see if there are also any support group meetings in your area. Pre-banded and post-banded attend and they usually are also free. You can ask when you go to the hospital for the seminar. This website is also a great resource. Good luck!

To the OP: Glad to hear you're going to try the soup. If you want, you can look at my blog: Violinist With A Band. I put the soup recipe up on there, with detailed instructions (although its very easy), plus nutrition facts. Let me know how you like it!

I love unjury. You can buy it online on their website: UNJURY Medical Quality Whey Protein Isolate. Great Tasting Whey Protein Supplements for Everyday Health! High Protein and High Quality.

I have the Realize-C band and my band is completely empty. My first fill will be in about 5 and a half weeks (6 weeks from surgery). Although it is empty, I am having a little bit of restriction already (I ate 8-9 oz. of broth yesterday too fast and it really took awhile for that tight, full feeling in my belly and chest to go away).

Thanks for all of the replies! There are some threads on here that SERIOUSLY bash Realize band. I know I'm only 4 days post-op but Ive had no trouble with it so far, and very minimal pain (Ive only had to take pain medication before bed, and I'm thinking I'll be able to stop doing that within the next couple of days). There are a few folks in particular that really are rude and harsh about the Realize band. At first read, it kind of made me depressed and I was thinking, "Did I make a wrong choice?" But when someone is that stubborn and appears to have such a strong inclination or bias towards one thing vs. another thing, I have to wonder about their motivations. Anyways, glad to hear many people are feeling good with their Realize bands! As for sleeping: I am also not a back sleeper. I have been rotating between sleeping on my back and my right side (I can't sleep on the left because it is close to my port incision, and I definitely won't try sleeping on my stomach yet).

I'm 4 days post op and have not cheated on my diet. Its really important to me to let me stomach heal. I don't want to create any complications. I just started full liquids today and have been taking it very slow. I had about 6 ounces of a chocolate Protein shake (with a teaspoon of organic Peanut Butter mixed in). In between just sips of Water all day and Im going to have a little bit of a strained cheese Soup tonite (I make it with sodium free broth, fat free milk, tuna (but you have to strain the tuna pieces, its more for taste), and low fat shredded cheese, plus a pinch of salt and pepper to taste). When I can move on to mushy food Ill probably add some very well steamed, really mushy broccoli and puree it after its done cooking. Eventually Id also like to add a little more spicyness but not yet. What kind of Protein Shake are you using? Do you like it? I use unjury and it tastes delicious. The chocolate tastes like chocolate milk. Also there is a thread on here with protein shake recipes (I think over 200) to help make the shakes a little less monotonous. Anyways, if you don't like your protein shake, maybe try out some other ones? I know Unjury will ship you samples so you can try it out before you buy an entire canister. I think its something like 1.75 per sample. Anyway, look in the cooking and nutrition threads, because there is also a section for recipes and its organized according to what post-op stage you are in. Try not to cheat, for you own health. In a few short weeks you can eat food again! I have lost 5 pounds since surgery and 20 pounds on the preop diet. If there is nothing else, I use the weight loss as motivation. Good luck!:blushing:

I know that everyone is different and desires different levels of pre-op/post-op care, but I would have walked out of the office the first time I was treated that way. Many physicians and staff feel that they are above their patients and can treat everyone disrespectfully (in their minds they think, "why not? I am still getting business"). Between myself and my fiancee, we have 25 or so doctor's in the family (and he pretty much grew up in the hospital with his parents), and as a result, neither of us tolerate any kind of disrespect or incompetency. Doctor's are just people, not superhuman gods. As far as this surgery specifically, I plan to have a working relationship with my surgeon and his staff. I am not the easiest patient and pre-op, he and his staff probably fielded one call and one email a day from me with all kinds of questions. I expect my follow-up care to be equally comprehensive. No one ever treated me rudely, or ignored my calls. My surgeon even gave me his cell phone number. If I were you I'd find another doctor ASAP.

I originally had a 2 week, liquid only pre-op diet which turned into 3 weeks because my surgery was postponed for a week (its a long story; you can read about it on my blog if you want: Violinist With A Band). I have to say, it boggles my mind that all surgeons don't require a 2 week preop diet. Firstly, I lost 20 pounds on the preop diet. Secondly, at surgery, my liver had shrunk quite a bit leaving much less risk for complications or even closing me up without having the band placed. And thirdly, and possibly most importantly, I was SO much more prepared for post-op because of the pre-op diet. And I follow my post-op instructions to a T. I read stories on here of people who didn't have a pre op diet or who cheated immensely their preop diet, and then 5 days after surgery they are stuffing chips and burgers and ice cream through their band (Im not saying this is the case with all of those who don't do pre-op, but I have read a lot of stories that go like that). If they had gotten used to being on liquids 2-3 weeks prior to surgery, there is a greater chance that those people would be able to cope with the liquids after surgery (and postop liquids, depending on the surgeon, can last anywhere between 2-3 weeks...). I think all pre-bandsters should do themselves a favor and get used to things before you're forced to get used to them after surgery. Just my two cents.

I have a Realize C band and there is nothing in it (surgery was 4 days ago).

If you like more generic teas than brewed teas you can just use crystal light (its caffeine and sugar free). Thats what most of the folks that I know who are banded use. And it comes in all of the usual flavors (plain, lemon, berries, etc.). There is also the crystal light lemonades which are good too.

I also have Blue Cross Blue Shield. One thing you may want to do is seek out a BCBS 'Bariatric Center of Excellence'. I was banded at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. I have some comorbidities, and I was able to provide 4 years of documented weight (I think my BMIs in that time period was 39 at the lowest to over 50 before surgery) but because of the relationship that my hospital and surgeon has with BCBS I was able to get approved in a very short period of time and with no problem. I don't know where you're having your surgery but maybe look into some other hospitals that are BCBS bariatric centers of excellence. Its worth a try.

I am 4 days post op (started full liquids today) and I just had my first unjury shake (I didn't try protein powder prior to surgery....it was the one thing I neglected to do). I had (and am currently drinking) Unjury chocolate with probably about 3/4s of a tablespoon of organic peanut butter (blended in my magic bullet). It is unbelievably delicious. Its more than just good for a protein drink, its just plain yummy. And its great because you can order samples from the website at a very low cost so you can try it before ordering a lot. Anyways, as far as the diet and nutrition part of the band goes, the protein shakes were what I was most concerned about. I was going to try a bunch of different protein powders and drinks but I'm so glad I found Unjury. No need to try anything else. It is really a quality product.

I did 3 weeks of pre-op. It may seem harsh but it certainly got me prepared for surgery and life afterwards. And by day 3 or 4, it was not that difficult. I have met a lot of people who did not do at least a week of preop dieting (or they were on the 2 week diet, and completely cheated), and when they went in for surgery their liver was too thick.

I havent been feeling chest tightness but I just drank about 1/2 of a cup of clear broth. I thought I was sipping pretty slow and now I have sort of an uneasy feeling all round my midsection - tummy, back, chest, shoulders, and I have a little headache. Is this what it feels like when you're full with the band?? I am supposed to start on thin-full liquids tomorrow. But now I am scared. I am only 3 days post op. Since it was only clear broth, I didnt injure anything, did I?

Hi - I actually don't eat poultry or red meat (just seafood) and so tofu is a big part of my diet. I was just banded 3 days ago. I am excited to be able to eat tofu again. There are all different kinds of tofu you can get. And you can use it anything like stir fry, tofu patties, grilled on top of a salad etc. If you have a cookbook that you like to use, you can use tofu in almost any of the recipes which utilize meats (just substitute the tofu for the meat, or add it to the meat recipe). Tofu is great because it is often healthier than a lot of meat and it is a great source of protein. It takes on the taste of whatever you have cooked it in. Good luck!

I am 3 days post op. I know the day after surgery I had pretty bad neck pain (all the way around the whole neck...when I would lay back it felt like I was choking). Initially I thought it was from sleeping on my back (Im a stomach sleeper). But it went away the next day and I think it was gas. I don't have shoulder or chest pains, but I think a lot of people do from gas (in fact some people say it is the worst part of surgery for them). Walking definitely helps. If you are really concerned then you should definitely call your doctor so he can either give you some reassurance that what you're feeling is normal, or so he can see you. Good luck!

Hello! Congrats on the beginning of a healthier life! I just was banded 3 days ago, and I am feeling good. I have very minimal pain and have already lost 1.5 pounds since surgery (on top of 20 pounds during the pre-op diet). Of course, I have just started my lapband journey, but as of right now, I am so happy with my choice. I also did not want my insides re-routed, and never really considered RNY. At 3 days out, I am able to walk around, get up and down from chairs and the bed on my own, take a shower, get dressed etc. The recovery time is very short. I am so excited for the pounds to start dropping off! Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear that Something similar happened to me - I was supposed to be banded June 11th and I had to postpone to the following week (June 18th). Its a long story why it happened (it's here in my blog: Violinist With A Band). Anyways, I was also really sad. Especially because at first my doc was talking about postponing the surgery for two weeks. But yes, just look at it as a small blip in a lifelong journey. Because of the delay in my surgery, after I got over the initial disappointment, I felt okay with it because it gave me extra time to do the pre-op diet, thus ensuring that I would not have any complications with my liver. I also lost an extra 5 pounds during the third extra week, so I was 20 pounds down by surgery which was also a positive. It will make you feel better to compile a list of positive things that will come of having a later surgery date. Good luck with your surgery!

I am 26 and was just banded 2 days ago. I am not having much pain at all. I was prescribed liquid tylenol with codeine and I only feel like I need to take it in the evening before I go to bed (just makes it a little easier to sleep comfortably). Since my surgery two days ago, I have already lost over a pound. And I lost 20 pounds on the pre-op diet. Although surgery is a complicated and often intimidating and nerve-wracking process, so far it has been totally worth it. I think it is also sometimes beneficial to have surgery young (not too young, but in your 20s) because there is a higher chance for us that our skin will retain its elasticity and we will have a little less floppy, extra skin. I can't wait to change my life!! Good luck to you on journey.

I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling :biggrin: Its really important that you get right back on your post-op diet. The reason why that diet is the way it is, is so your stomach has time to heal. If you are eating the way you were eating before the band, 5 days out of surgery this is a possibility of injuring the band (slippage) or injuring yourself. The reason why the band is not filled until 5-6 weeks after surgery is also so your stomach can heal. Getting a fill too soon can also cause serious problems. Additionally, it sounds like you are bingeing and not chewing very well, which also is not good. Everyone feels pretty hungry post-op - thus the phrase 'bandster hell'. Of course, it varies person to person (depending on how much inflammation and fat is around your stomach) but most feel pretty hungry, especially only on liquids. It usually gets better after a fill (or a few fills). But for your own safety, get back on the wagon!

I was banded at Temple University Hospital by Dr. Ian Soriano (so great, I would recommend him to anyone in the Philly area who many be thinking about getting banded!). How about you?

I'm from Philadelphia. Was just banded two days ago. So far so good!

This is used after most surgeries, not specifically lapband.

I would also love to hear about your experience with the band during the past 6 years. I just got my band 2 days ago and I really like to hear from those who have had the band for a long time. Especially those who have had success (seems like you have, congrats!).