KarenWB

I'm sure you will do fine! The nurse should keep you comfortable with medication. Just don't drink anything for awhile or take small sips because you might get nauseated. I had a real problem with that. Did your doctor order pills to put under your tongue to help ward off nausea? Mine did and they helped tremendously!! You will probably be a little sore the first two days. After that each day gets better!! Do exactly what they tell you to do and don't do what they tell you not to do!! Good Luck!! I had mine done last February.

I agree.... stay away from potatoes, pastas and breads!!! I haven't had any of those things and don't plan to. You don't need those calories or carbs!!! My surgery was Feb. 17th of this year. I just had my second fill yesterday (Monday the 23rd). I'm down 48 lbs so far.

That's scary. And I bet really uncomfortable, too. So sorry to hear. I never had any problems but I went two weeks on liquids and two weeks on soft foods. Maybe it is just too soon for any soft foods? Or did you have trouble with the Carnation Instant? If so, call your doctor's office and report this. It could be that something is wrong and needs attention! You shouldn't have to suffer like that and I'm sure you will be really paranoid to drink anything after this! GOOD LUCK!! (Take things SLOW!!)

Thank you so much for your reply. It upsets me that I might have to have further surgery. It was so painful the first time! Maybe that's why, tho... because he put it in the wrong place? Or not deep enough in the muscle? I don't know. It's VERY frustrating. And then I find out AFTER the surgery that apparently Medicare didn't approve my surgery. The doctor's office appealed but it wasn't approved. Now what? And what's weird is that I met all of the conditions except that I'm not diabetic. But that's the one thing I was trying to avoid by having the surgery. Good grief.

I had a lot of pain, too. I was released the same day. Had surgery around 1 pm and went home at 5 pm. Wish I had stayed overnight so I could get good pain medication. The place where the port is was the worst... and still is. I have to wear an abdominal brace every day or it hurts and it feels like it is tearing. My surgery was last February 17th. All should be healed by now. Very frustrating. I get my second fill on Monday. Karen Richmond, VA

I'm amazed at the amounts of weight many are losing. What's wrong with me?? Geesh! I've only had one fill since surgery on February 17th. Go for my second on the 23rd. I lost 25 lbs. before surgery and only 21 since. Very frustrating!! I'm walking A LOT!! Up and down our huge hill every day. It is about 1.5 miles total. What am I doing wrong? I try not to each much. Stick to Proteins. No potatoes, no rice, no breads. Karen in Richmond, VA

I have pain there, too... but it is the port area. I had the banding February 17th and yet the pain still persists. It is so bad that I have to wear an abdominal split to support that area. And it is still uncomfortable. I suspect this pain will stay no matter what because it should be healed by now. I don't know why it hurts. Did the surgeon not place it in the right place? Is it too shallow or too deep in the muscle? I don't know but I hate it!! Karen in Richmond, VA

It's clear that she feels very threatened by your upcoming surgery. I'm sure she's afraid you won't be friends anymore since your eating habits will change and she's worried you will be healthier than she will be since her insurance wouldn't cover her surgery. It's sad but you can't hold yourself back because of her jealousy. You don't need that kind of pressure and negativity. I would tell her this and if she doesn't change her attitude, you might have to just move on. Good luck with your surgery! I had mine February 17th of this year.

Hi Joann!! I'm so glad I saw your post. I'm a mother whose baby was removed from her at the age of 17 while being held in a maternity "home" in Washington, D.C. This was 1966. I wonder if I can be of help to you in that regard? I'm very much into activism regarding this period of time referred to as the Baby Scoop Era (post WWII through 1972)... or anyone else here who is a mother like me or adopted. My project is the Baby Scoop Era Research Initiative, www.babyscoopera.com I know many mothers and adopted people have food issues and weight problems. I'm so sorry that your afamily isn't supportive or that you are having problems getting them to understand, or whatever the issue is re them. Congratulations on taking the step to focus on YOU!!! I did the same. I had the banding on February 17th. I've lost 47 lbs so far. Please let me know if you would like to connect with me directly. My email is karenwb2@verizon.net I can steer you to some really good support groups!! KarenWB Richmond, VA

How about scrambled eggs with low fat cheese? I pretty much lived on that during the soft foods phase. You could even do egg whites to make it less calories! I also love frozen yogurt bars... I get them at Martins which is the same as Giant food. Low cal, low fat, with Protein. Another thing I did was go to Tropical smoothies if you have one. Pick out a smoothie and have them add Splenda and whey Protein to it!! Good Luck!! (I'm three months in and have lost 47 lbs. so far!) Karen in Richmond, VA

I had a lot of pain in my port site which I didn't expect. My sister in law had this done and said it was no big deal and I would be surprised at how good I would feel after the surgery but I was in great pain when I returned home BUT I went home the same day which is maybe why. Be very careful bending and reaching. I injured my port site doing that weeks after I had my surgery and it was a killer!!! I'm STILL wearing an abdominal split because of the pain. It's getting much better but I'm afraid to take off the splint until I'm absolutely sure it has completely healed!! My first fill was Monday and it was a breeze... I didn't even feel it!!

My surgery in February was very painful but I think it was mostly because I went home the same day. The port area has been the most problem... still. It is sore and for awhile I think I tore the muscle a bit. I was in agony and have been having to wear an abdominal split every day and night to support that area. I got my first fill yesterday. OMG... I didn't even feel it!!! Amazing!!!

I had the lap band surgery February 17th of this year, Cindy, and just got my first fill yesterday (only .5cc). I lost 25 lbs before surgery on the liver shrinking diet and had lost a total so far of 44 lbs. I am down to 199 but want to get down to 160 or less. Thanks for sharing your story. It would be great if we could all share the foods we are eating. I like the Martins/Giant food frozen yogurt bars. They are AWESOME and the lowest in the "bad" stuff and highest in Protein. I stick pretty much to chicken and chicken in salads so far. For Breakfast I usually have scrambled eggs with cheese and a slice or two of bacon. Not much of the eggs... my husband eats most of it. My problem is that neither of us cook very much. We eat out a lot but I'm careful in what to choose. Karen Richmond, VA

I had my band on February 17th. I had a lot of pain and nausea. But then I wasn't given good instructions about the pain medication, etc. either. Plus I went home the same day. I should have stayed overnight. After the first three days I did just fine on liquids. I had Soup, Jello, popsicles. I didn't like the Protein shakes at all. Got kind of nauseated drinking them so I stopped. I don't like plain chicken broth so I used the Lipton soup broth. So good...but a lot of salt. You should do fine. I was a bit scared to eat... but after the liquid diet I wasn't too scared anymore. The soft foods are so much better. I was really really ready for them when the time came!! Karen Richmond

Normally needles don't bother me. I'm a former nurse from eons ago! LOL But never had one go directly into my stomach!! Karen

Hi Friends, I had lap band surgery February 17th. It was so painful!! I didn't expect that since I'd had laproscopic surgery before. I haven't had my first fill yet. Can you all tell me what to expect and what I should be careful about afterwards? I'm a little nervous about it. Thanks! Karen in Richmond, VA

Hi Bandista, Thanks again for the reassurances! I only found one fill on YouTube that wasn't with Lidocaine!! I was told my doctor doesn't use numbing methods so I was a bit worried. I so appreciate everything I've been told here. Much relieved!! I've lost 42 lbs. so far even before my first fill. My surgery was February 17th but I can feel my appetite increasing so don't want to lose the gains I've accomplished!! I still have a week or so to go before I go in for my first fill. Karen Richmond, VA

Thank you again!! Didn't think of YouTube... great idea!! I did browse there before my surgery but only about the surgery... not the fills. Thanks again!! Karen

I had the lap band on February 17th here in Richmond, VA. I had a lot of pain afterwards from the port area. I'm doing okay now but wear a midsection stretch splint over my stomach because a few weeks after the banding I somehow injured the port area... possibly tore the muscle a bit. OUCH!! It wouldn't heal so I had to get the support and I love it!! I wear it day and night except the shower. I've leveled off at a loss of 42 lbs. since before my surgery (that includes the liver shrinking diet weeks). I get my first fill on May 12th. Karen

You've sure been through a lot, Sean. Nice that you could take care of your grandparents who needed you. But now is YOUR time!! Congrats on losing 15 lbs. already!! I lost 25 lbs on the liver shrinking diet and then 15 lbs since my surgery in February. I haven't gotten my first fill yet, tho. That will be May 12th so I'm looking forward to losing more after that. Karen Richmond, VA

THANK YOU so much for your reply! I really appreciate it. My sister in law had this surgery, too, and has assured me that the fill isn't a big deal. I still worry about it since it is a needle into my stomach! LOL Anything you can tell me will help. What food to avoid, etc. THANKS!!

Hi Friends, I had lap band surgery February 17th. It was so painful!! I didn't expect that since I'd had laproscopic surgery before. I haven't had my first fill yet. Can you all tell me what to expect and what I should be careful about afterwards? I'm a little nervous about it. Thanks! Karen in Richmond, VA

Well, I'm VERY distressed. I didn't know I hadto have six months of doctor diet visits PLUS I've learned that many on Aetna have been denied even with BMI's larger than mine. AND I already paid $75 for psyche eval and $100+ for the nutritionist! One day later I find out the bad news!! The doctor's office said they didn't know of "the new requirements." What?? I'm very upset about this and have just about given up. Why see a doctor for six months and pay more just to get denied?? And that other woman whose BMI was higher even appealed and lost!!!

Thank you! What is your name? I will pass your email along to her but need a name! Thanks! Was it painful?

Hi to you both and thanks for responding to my post! I know it's only a tool but I'm hoping it is a good tool because I've tried so many other things and each time I've lost, I've gained back more after. Plus I had thyroid surgery many years ago and can't take the replacement hormone. It makes me sick. So I really need a good tool!! I didn't want gastric bypass. It was too extreme for me. I've already had two previous abdominal surgeries and the idea of changing my innards permanently wasn't too appealing. Karen