catmom50

OH and also...protein protein protein. You can't eat enough of it after being banded. I add cheese to everything, eat lots of chicken, fish beef and the dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese daily.

2.5 years post op here. I hadn't had a fill in over a year, but started noticing my portions getting bigger & I hadn't lost, but gained a few lbs.etc. So I got one and have lost another 10 lbs. I do notice some burping and "slimming" if I don't chew chew chew. But if it is too uncomfortable, please call your doctor. You may need to have a small amount withdrawn. I had a problem at one point with sticking and they took out like .25 cc and it made a BIG difference. As I said I have these problem still if I don't CHEW CHEW CHEW small amounts at a time.

Hi. I am 2.5 years post op banding (80#). I too had thin hair to begin with and hair loss was my biggest worry. The couple things I did was start biotin before surgery and I also bought a shampoo, wish I could remember the name of it, from my hair salon for hair loss. It wasn't like what men use that you have to use the rest of your life, this was something like Nexus or something that helps with thinning hair. i came through without a lot of loss, just a bit here and there. But i was diligent in using the shampoo/conditioner and Biotin daily until about 1 year post op I stopped the shampoo. I still take the Biotin (5000 mcg 2xday) for my nails and hair. I believe in the stuff. Others may be able to help you with some other suggestions. Good Luck.

ditto what weas123 said above. Only difference is I am 4 months out. It's great to have clothes hang on me now, ones that were too snug to even wear but were kept for "someday". Well that day is here! Woo Hoo.....

I just turned 60 last week and have had my band 3 1/2 months. It's the best thing I could have ever done for ME! Go for it, you won't be disappointed. For once in my life I don't feel like I am on a "diet". Good luck to ya and keep us updated and post all your questions here, everyone is so helpful and kind.

My nutritionist told me to order the grilled chicken sandwich at any drive through and toss the bread, just order a side salad if you need more. Yes the chili at wendy's is not only ok to eat it is also delicious. You can just order a water if you want, although post surgery that is a no no. I told the nut that I get thirsty with my meals and really miss drinking water with. She suggested iIdrink at least 8 ounces of water 30 minutes prior to eating, and u know what, it really does make a difference. Going into town (40 miles) we spend the day shopping etc. It is always a problem with what to eat, so this last nut visit we talked mostly on fast food and restaurants. Funny how such a few ideas from her helped. I kept thinking "why didn't think of that".

Sunday I worked in the yard planting from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. I'll tell you a year ago I couldn't work but about 1/2 hour then I had to sit down and rest. I still took a couple breaks now and was tired that evening, but I was also stoked to know how much better I feel. My days are filled with so many things that are different than a year ago. Having clothes that fit, not being miserably full, not having constant heart burn/indigestion, being able to walk without puffing. It's great! I don't believe my lapbanding was a waste of time, it's the best thing I have done for myself yet!

The nutritionist was telling me last week about a lady that was very P.O.'d at the surgeon when she woke up following her lap band procedure. She hadn't stuck to her doctors orders prior to surgery and her liver was still large at the time of surgery so he had to open her up to do the lapband. So it is very important to follow orders!

I had my hiatel hernia repaired during the lap band procedure. I still can't believe what a difference it has made. I have not had to take any Prilosec since the day before surgery. I was taking 2 a day. Good luck to you.

I have Medicare and I had to first be on a 6 months supervised diet by my PCP (starting in August 2009), and go through all the usual hoops. I was able to have my surgery in March of this year.

Dr Archer did my lapband in March 2010. I have been very pleased so far. I have been followed very closely and have so far had one fill (at 7 weeks). Stephanie his P.A. does the fills and is a sweetheart, explaining everything as she goes along. I would recommend this office to anyone.

Would you do it again ? Yes, Yes, yes & Yes (I am 8 weeks post-op) What would you do differently to improve your success? Differently? Not much, I think i was pretty well prepared. What would you suggest that I not do ? Yes on the support groups, I went to about 6 before surgery and go once a month now. Oh, and also please read as much as you can on here and in books. You can't expect the doctor or P.A. to tell you everything, and when a question comes up "after hours" it's great to have a book or these great people on the forum to help.There are a couple great books out there. It helped so much. GOOD LUCK!

That's what I had 7 weeks ago also. They were put on before surgery and removed completly the next morning. Nothing sent home with me, just my instructions to keep moving.

Hi Joe. I am 7 weeks post op banding and loving every minute of it! I too had to do a 6 months supervised diet. I was expected to lose 10-12 lbs in those 6 months. I did and then I tapered off and just maintaned. I have Medicare & AARP and they used my initial weight and BMI at the surgeons office. The 6 months went by so fast. I had 3 books to read about banding (lots of good info)and I tried to practice chewing more and stocked up on things I would need post op (there is a list somewhere in the postings). I also had lots of hoops to go through, like colonoscopy/endoscopy, lung function (I have asthma), heart sonigram (I think that was it), nutritionist, psych, plus labs and oh yeah the sleep studies. So with all this the 6 months seemed to breeze by. Yours will too. After the 6 months was done, I just had surgery. the doctor asked if I felt ready, after I said yes really fast he said (and this is on a Friday) do you want it this next Tuesday or the next because I only do these on Tuesdays. So I went with the Tuesday in 4 days and so glad I did. I'm not sure what the insurance biller did as I never got any bills. Good luck to you and keep posting on the forums about your progress. Margie in Oregon

First off- I am 6 weeks post op banding. I have 3 ccs in a 10cc band, put in at time of surgery. I am Just wondering about getting something stuck. Thursday night (3 1/2 days ago) I accidently took a handful of pills all at once. How dumb! I knew as soon as I started to swallow I was in trouble. Well, since then I haven't had much of an appetite. I did have some pain between my breast a couple days. I am trying to eat but nothing sounds good. I have only been eating yogurt and scrambled eggs with melted cheese. That and warm Water is about the only thing that sounds good. Oh and I had some cream of wheat. Here it is Monday and I still have no appetite. My stomach feels "jittery" at times, if that makes sense. The pain has subsided. I just feel so weak. I do have an appointment with the surgeon day after tomorrow. They had planned on doing a fill, but I say NO! I don't think they would anyway with me feeling the way I do. My question is does this sound what others have gone through after getting something stuck? When the band slips you throw up right? Or can't get food down? Thanks

Well tonight I have made a 100% turn around. I think the not eating was just really wearing me down. i forced myself to have 3 meals today, lots of protein and I feel so much better. No wonder I was so weak, I only had about 100 calories yesterday and Saturday. Talk about dumb! Well, I have learned a lesson in not going without food while banded.

How are you doing Tam? What did they find out with you?

Welcome to you all. I am 4 weeks post-op. This forum was and is my lifesaver. It never matters, when you have a question or concern someone will always have an answer.

Good luck to all of you getting banded this week. I'm 3 weeks post op and have not had one time I regretted it.:thumbup:

Good luck Cindy, I'm 3 weeks post op and so happy I did this for ME!:thumbup:

I too was sent home with liquid pain rx and one for nausea. My larger pills at home are capsules that I will not open and mix with pudding. They go down ok so far and there is a liquid alternative for the future when I get more restriction. My other pills are small and they are no problem. I am using a chewable multi vit and calcium. My B12 is small too. I am only 23 days post op with 3cc in a 10cc band. The 3 cc was put in at time of surgery. When in doubt, check with your surgeons office or doctor that prescribed your rx and see what they say.

I got the bullit for Christmas knowing I would be wanting it post op. I have used it every day since surgery for my protein shakes, soups etc. It's a lifesaver. It makes the best fruit smoothies (with vanilla protein pwdr). I buy the big bags of fruit from Costco and use milk and top it off with a scoop of sugar free cool whip. Margie (23 days post op)

Congrats to those having surgery today. Let us know how it went. Margie (23 days post op)

I Have Medicare plus AARP. As others said there had to be co morbities, which I have bad knees, acid reflux (a big co-morb.) fibromyalgia, irritable bladder and bowel, bladder leakage (yuck). The big one too was sleep apnea. What I am trying to say is be sure you tell the surgeon's office ALL problems you have, the more the better. I also had to be on a 6 month supervised diet by my (PCP), which went by pretty fast and wasn't bad at all, I just did what I know I should do. I also had to go through sleep studies and different tests most of which were deemed necessary by my surgeon. All in all it went fast, I am now 3 weeks post op. Good luck and hope you turn into a cheerleader instead of a football player!!!