abbysbug

The gallbladder question is one that I asked early on (at the informational seminar) and they said it wouldn't be an issue. I had mine out ten years before I had the band and every nurse, doctor, and specialist told me "NO PROBLEM" :scalesno: In regard to taking it out during the lapband surgery, I doubt they would unless you already had a problem with gallstones. I have read a couple of posts where people have had it removed during the lapband surgery because of this. Good luck with the whole process!

That has happened to me as well, and my doc said that before or during your period can really tighten the band. It doesn't always happen, but it can. I don't know if this applies to you, but it's one explanation anyway. Everytime I have had a fill, I don't feel restriction until about two weeks after. Go figure! It's a temperamental little thing, isn't it!

Are you taking a calcium supplement? Often times, certain calcium supplements will cause constipation. Additionally, if you are taking a multivitamin and a calcium supplement, the combination could be too much. This happened to me and I had to try a couple of different combinations, and I was also told not to take the calcium and the vitamin at the same time because it could cause constipation as well! Anyway, I hope things get cleared up for you!

I think many of us have been there, too, experiencing real hunger for the first time in a long time. My doc said that for the stomach to heal after surgery, it is important to follow the liquid stages, but if it is absolutely unbearable, a little extra soft protein chewed very well is ok. A couple of thicker liquids that helped me a lot was egg drop soup and Nile Spice black bean soup. Both have a lot of protein in them, they go down easily, and they are much more satisfying than thinner liquids. Hang in there, and I hope you are able to get some response and encouragement from your nutritionist, too.

I went to Puget Sound Surgical Center- Dr. Robert Landerholm and Dr. Peter Billing. They are based in Edmonds, but also work in Bellingham a couple of days a week which is where I am. They are wonderful docs, and I have been very pleased with the whole process. I also have GH, and was self-pay (they have a lot of helpful info. about this). Their cost is 17,000 which includes a year of follow-up with nutritionist, doctors, and fills. Good luck on your search.

Hi Sherilynn, I can feel the anguish in your words and please know you are not alone. I have watched my dad go through the exact same journey as yours. He was so scared when he was diagnosed that he could hardly function for days. I just wanted to share a few words of encouragement with you that helped my dad... Be thankful that you are not symptomatic right now, and that you were diagnosed before something happened (vision problems, circulatory issues, diabetic shock, etc.). As frightening as it all seems right now, diabetes is very manageable. My dad's doctor said that food is ninety percent of the battle and he highly recommends the lap band. I know the whole issue of losing weight is stressful enough, but it is magnified when it becomes medically necessary. My dad said the one piece of advice that helped him the most was to take everything one step at a time--don't feel like you have to fix everything today. Become informed as you possibly can about diabetes-you have it and you can no longer ignore it. If you can, find a doctor that specializes in diabetes that you are comfortable with- you and your diabetes are unique-your needs may be different from someone elses. Then look at your weight loss options and take that one step at a time. Take a deep breath, know that you aren't alone and that the lap band is still a very good possibility for you. I wish you the very best.

Hey everybody! Thank you Losin' it for starting the thread. It feels like a new start for the next stage. I appreciate you all so much. Even though I don't post a lot, I appreciate everyone's honesty and willingness to share their experiences. It has helped me so much. I am keeping a very loose goal of 10 lbs. for the month simply because I don't know what to expect. I too have slowed down, but we have to remember what we were eating (or not eating) for the week or so before and after surgery. Though we're still not eating a lot, it makes sense that the weight loss will slow down as we are now adding more food. I think we forget the shock that our bodies have gone through, and it will take a while for them to figure this all out. I wanted to share what I made last night as I hope it may help with those that are craving some variety in the pureed stage. I adapted a recipe I used to make all the time: I had some leftover chicken that I made for the family, cut it up and threw it in the crock pot. Added 1 can chicken broth, 1/2 jar mild red salsa, 1/2 jar mild green salsa, chopped cilantro. I let it cook all day, then ran it through the blender. It was so good! And so nice to have some new flavor! Hope everyone is well! Here's to a successful September!

Happy2BMe, I started my period about 8 hours after surgery and wasn't due for almost three weeks (and, i'm on the pill). I had my one week follow up appt. yesterday and asked the doc about it. I was wondering if the surgery made BC pills ineffective, but he said the stress of surgery and sudden shift in diet (pre-op) could cause it. What timing! Like we needed one more thing to deal with! Hope you are feeling well. And congratulations to all of us! What a month! Hope we're all feeling great in September!

Hi Dieta, I shared the same surgery day with you. Glad to hear you are feeling pretty good. I had the same sensations. Everything seems to be a learning process-what is pain? hunger? gas? fullness? It seems to be getting a bit easier every day though. I hope for you, too. A good friend of mine keeps reminding me that it didn't take us a week to gain all this weight, so it's going to take a little longer to figure this new system out! Best of luck!

GE Mom, Congratulations on your accomplishments. I am so looking forward to that feeling of normalcy, too. I am five days out, and feel good, but not quite normal yet. Thanks for sharing your good news, it gives us all something to look forward to.

Hey everyone, Had surgery yesterday at 9:30 a.m. and was home by 3:30 p.m. All went well, and I could have stayed longer, but I was feeling pretty good and just wanted my own bed! I woke in the middle of the night to a very sore port area, but I took my pain meds, and was fine. I'm so glad to have the surgery over with. I empathize with you all in the pre-op diet and the worry that I didn't lose enough before the surgery. I thankfully have a very understanding surgeon who told me after the surgery that my liver could have been a bit smaller, but that everything went fine. Hang in there everybody, we all know that it will be worth it in the end. Erin Banded 8/23/06 Bellingham, WA Dr. Landerholm Starting weight: 274

Hey Jamie! Today is your day. Hope all went well and that you're feeling good soon. Mine is tomorrow, and I'm feeling the nerves! I have that "nesting" instinct going on like when I was pregnant! I'm cleaning everything in sight which I guess is better than stress eating all day! Good luck to all who are being banded in these last days of August. I'm anxious to see how many of us are in the August group. It's so great to have the support of you all. Erin Banded 8/23/06 Bellingham, WA Dr. Landerholm Start: 274 lbs.

Hello Everybody, This is my first post, and I'm so thankful to have found this group. My surgery is next Wednesday (Aug. 23). I'm nervous and excited, and really want the surgery to be behind me. It seems as though I have read and reread all the info about the surgery for soooooo long-- I'm ready to put it into practice! I'm struggling with the pre-op diet. My doc has just prescribed a low carb diet for two weeks, so I know that's nothing compared to some who have to do the all liquid thing, but dang! it's still hard. Anyone else struggle with it? Anyway, good luck to all whose surgeries are coming up. I'm anxious to see you on the other side!