Fiberartsfanatic

I also had a small hiatal hernia that was prepared while they were in there. It is important to have the entire stomach out of the chest area and into the abdominal area where it belongs before they place a band around the upper portion of it. It seems to be a common occurrence with us overeaters.

I did a lot of that burping with sips in the beginning. I think everything is just tight in there and swollen so I felt like I had to make room while sipping by burping any air out that I had swallowed. It will get easier as the swelling inside goes down.

I was banded on August 24th and was told to sleep any way that was comfortable. Until a week ago I could not sleep on my side because things inside were pulling and it was painful. I mainly slept propped up in a sitting position. I am finally sleeping normally again and it is heavenly! You'll get there!

I was banded on August 24th and am scheduled for my first fill on September 27th. I think it varies a lot depending on your physician. This is a frustrating time because you can eat a little more than initially, but from what I have read and have been told, it is a process and you will eventually get good restriction and this portion will be over with. Hang in there!

I am also 3 1/2 weeks out and the initial feeling of restriction from the swelling is gone. I am able to eat a little more but I keep it down to small portions. I have been instructed to eat 3/4 of a cup of food at a meal. I don't measure it but I do eyeball it and eat only small portions. Often I stop eating before I feel any fullness and although that makes me nervous because it is not something I am accustomed to doing, I have found that it is a good thing to do and that I will not starve if I am not uncomfortably full . Who knew? I am scheduled for a fill on the 27th and am hoping that will slow down the emptying of my stomach and keep me from getting hungry too early.

My surgery date was 8/24/10. My band was placed at Vanderbilt by Dr. Williams. I arrived at check-in at 0900. Everyone was pleasant. I had very little wait time before I was taken to a room to be prepped. The tech and nurse were great. Let me tell you, I have no veins! I knew this going in. One failed IV on the back of my hand and a lengthy search for another vein ended with a much smaller needle (22 gauge vs 18 gauge) being placed on the inside of my wrist. It was painful but I was glad to have it. The anesthesiologist came to speak to me . He was very reassuring. He said that he would place another IV once I was out, probably in my neck. I thought that was a little extreme but I am a nurse and I know he knows his job and I would rather have a good IV for emergencies. I ended up with two additional lines, one in the top of my ankle and one in my chest. So after waiting with my husband, they came to get me. This is the point I thought I would cry or have second thoughts, but I didn't. I kissed my husband and chatted with the anesthesiologists on the way down the hall. Once into the OR, I moved myself over onto the bed and they started strapping me down and arranging things. The anesthesiologist leaned over me and said, "Do you have a dream picked out?" I told him no. He said, "You better think of one" and that's all I remember. I woke up once briefly hearing myself begging someone to help me. I woke up another time to the anesthesiologist asking if he could pull the tube (this one was probably first) and he pulled it. I felt it come out my nose. I gradually woke up but had spent quite some time in recovery because I had been extremely nauseous (I overheard the nurses reporting off to each other) and they had medicated me and it made me sleepy. So my surgery was at 1100 and I didn't leave recovery until around 5pm. I got to another room, my family came in. I got up and went to the bathroom, took some pain meds and anti-nausea meds and after taking ice chips fine I was ready to go. The first night was rough because there was so much swelling in my upper abdomen from all of the manipulation in that area and the liquid Lortab wasn't halping until I got a few doses of it on board. I had some shoulder pain due to gas but not as much as I thought I would have. I am now 9 days post-op and have done great. I went back yesterday for my first visit and had lost 16 pounds from three days before the surgery when I started Clear Liquids. Tonight it appears I have an infection around the port site but am on antibiotics and am hoping for that to settle down shortly. I think this is going to be a very positive thing in my life and once I get through this initial rough patch I have confidence that things will get much better!

Cannrun...I'm 5 days past surgery and when I drink, it is usually followed by a burp and then pain as it passes through I guess? I don't know how to get 48 oz of liquid in if this keeps up. Also, my port is sore and swollen, you? I am 9 days post-op and until a day or two ago I had the same issues when drinking. I was taking small sips and could feel the liquid pass the banded area (I think). I believe it was because of swelling from the surgery. Today I am able to drink more normally and am not having as much of that sensation of the liquid squeaking past the band. I also started feeling hunger pains two days ago right before mealtime. I am on pureed foods at the moment and eat three meals a day - no Snacks. I supplement with unjury if needed to get my Protein in. I feel like most of the swelling is gone other than the port site but today that area is a little swollen and tender. I've lost 16 pounds since August 21st when I started my three days of Clear liquids and I don't know if maybe the swelling in that area is just a little more prominent or if we're on to a different stage of healing. I don't think it is infected. I am not running a fever and the area is not red, but I am going to watch it carefully.

I'm scheduled for my band on Tuesday! I am two days into a three day clear liquid diet and everything is going great! I am excited and ready to get on with it!

I start my preop liquid diet on Saturday. Luckily I only have to do this for three days. I have been told to drink 4 glasses of full sugar juice each with a scoop of unjury, have 2 cups of broth for the sodium content, and then as much sugar-free popsicles and jello I want. I think I am getting off easy compared to some of the people I work with who have had bariatric surgery. I am ready to get on with it and get my band installed next Tuesday! I am wondering what are good choices for the pureed portion of the diet? Any ideas out there that can be thrown my way?

Hi! I'm Renae and I just got approval for my band. I am scheduled for surgery August 2th and I am really excited! I am glad I found this site because I think it will give me support and answers I will need along the way. I am a little nervous about eating the right things after the surgery and whether or not I will feel deprived. Hopefully I will be able to keep myself busy with other things to replace the eating.

Hi! I just got approval for my lap band and my surgical date is August 24th! I am so excited! This whole process so far has taken about a year and a half and I am ready! I have appointments on August 18th with anesthesia and nutrition. My doctor only requires his patients to do a clear liquid diet for three days prior to the surgery so I am thankful for that. I am really looking forward to this exciting part of my life that will be starting soon!