dustinb

Don't get too paranoid. I think those are just effects of the anesthesia that was given to you from the operation. Also, you've had too much bed rest thus the pains. I suggest you move around to get your wounds to heal as quick as possible. Your body also will experience a lot of changes now that you have your band so don't panic too much if you seem to experience some pains here and there. I've been about 4 years with the band, and I haven't experienced lingering symptoms. Now that I'm of the proper size, I don't have any of the complications that I've had when I was big -- no more sleep apnea, knee pains, shortness of breath and even asthma attacks.

I think I choked that one time because I ate too much in such a quick pace. Well, I just wanted to get my money's worth off the 700 bucks buffet at that place. Haha Choking is a bit difficult as you feel a bit of pain in the upper tummy, you'll really feel that there's something stuck. I actually wanted to barf it out but I'm really not a fan of doing that so I kept it in. I think it took me 4 hours to feel the meat just slide through. Some people take softdrinks to burp the stuck object from the band but it varies per person. It's okay to eat slower than the usual. Let your body get used to the new diet you'll be having. But don't be too paranoid that you might nudge the band. Haha, take a bit more liquid food if you want so you won't be that hungry. Haha, having a lapband is actually something exciting. You'll be looking forward to a healthier life if you really use that tool well. I'm actually on my fourth year, had my op Apr2006 and still maintaining what I've lost via gym and avoiding chocolates and rice. Haha, well that's me. Just message if you have some questions for your post-op.

I don't remember when my bowel movement regularized but you just really need to be patient. I don't think you can do laxatives yet as your wounds are still in the early stages of healing so it might be irritating when you need to go to the bathroom. I suggest you really see how your body responds to things. I've only experienced the choking thing once, after I had dinner at Brazil Brazil some months post-op (Haha, yeah, it's dumb, I know ). If you feel that your band is getting a bit strained, don't continue what you've just ingested. Really, you're on liquid diet for four weeks? I was about 338lbs before op but I was only on liquid diet for a week after I got out of the hospital. I then slowly shifted to the mashed food just a week after? Well, i think that depends on your doctor. Oops, sorry, my bad. If liquid diet, then just experiment with different liquids. My doc told me not to be too concerned with the caloric content of the liquids; I just need to do liquids first to allow some time for my body to adjust to the foreign object attached to my tummy. Try different Soups, different beverages. There are a lot of good-tasting things not only in local Rustans groceries but also at Healthy Options. :smile2: You'll surely get through. Just give it some time.

@Ms. Donna: The bowel movement problem is normal as you are just on a liquid diet some days post-op. I was a cheater on my first week and blended hotdog as I felt awful just taking Soup or juice. How about trying some of the gerber stuff? Haha, it's weird but I've tried the different flavors of gerber (the sweet ones) and they're actually good. Haha Good luck with the band. Always have a goal weight to keep you focused on losing the excess. :smile2:

Hey, I had problems with it since I didn't go to the gym during the post-op diet so I had problems with it sagging. I had to go through some plastics just to have it removed. I do gym sessions every 2 days plus much of the Protein diet -- good to say the stretch marks lessened and those problematic sagging skin areas (which weren't operated on) look much better. :sifone:

Well, if it gets really hectic, try choosing better options in everything post-op: this low calorie food choice over the other, studying while on the treadmill than in front of facebook (haha!) or even as simple as stairs over an elevator. It will be a very challenging journey but if you really want to get thinner, make your how you want to see yourself in the future your own inspiration. :confused: haha anyway, good luck too.

Cool. I had mine at St. Lukes too but the expenses are really high but vis-a-vis with the patient care that they give, I really felt comfortable in St. Lukes. Haha, I don't know if I should even give this advice but well... for the first year and a half, I was really busy in college so I wasn't able to give much attention to exercise. I had different kinds of diets though to try out which ones would be best in losing weight. I lost about 80lbs in a year, and the remaining 110lbs in the second year post-op. I just started gym after losing about 130lbs. but I had difficulties with the look of my skin, well aesthetically since they obviously sagged from the non-exercise. I'm not sure if you can really restore your skin to its natural look, but try it out with exercise. :confused: I'm currently doing gym routines and focusing on my post-obesity issues. So far, so good.

To tell you honestly, post-op might be difficult since your tummy will be in pain. Every time you cough, it's as if your wounds are also speaking. Haha My mom also was emotional as I wasn't allowed to eat for I think just the first day after the OP and dabbing a wet tissue to moisten my lips was the only thing they did. I didn't mind it until my relatives brought a box of pizza for their dinner in my room! Come ooonnnn. Haha It really helps to think positive and try your best to move around the room, try stand up and ignore the pain. You'll get better quickly and heal faster. First week after the operation, you need to get used to liquid diet. The perks are, you get to drink (well in my case) anything non-carbonated. The first week is also crucial -- besides your body adjusting to the band, it's an opportunity to jump start your weight loss. It's nice your weight go down a bit after that week because of the diet. After that, it'll be transitional from liquid to full solid diets. You just gotta be patient and hang on. Just message if you need help with the entire thing. We can just correspond through this forums to help encourage others too. BTW, which hospital and doctor are you supposed to have your lapband with?

Hey, I'm almost 4 years post-op and I've been fairly successful with the lapband. I friend referred me to this site and told me that I might be of help to those thinking of having the operation. For Banded: 1. When did you undergo surgery? April 2006 2. Who was your doctor and where was it performed? Via St. Lukes Weight Management Center 3. How much did it cost you and were you covered by insurance or you paid for it with your own money? If insurance, what was your insurance company and what process have you undergone to be able to claim the benefit. 4. Give your medical background before and after surgery. I weighed 338lbs. before surgery, when I was about 19-20 years old. I'm now down to 153lbs and maintaining my weight so far. Haha! 5. Post any comments, suggestions or anything that you think is relevant to consider to help our fellow Filipinos. Just send me a message