shelley1057

Welcome to LapBandTalks. Stick around and you will find a ton of information that will help you along in the process. You'll even find info that may speed up the process! I just got mine Tues. after working on this for a year and a half! but it will have all been worth it. Just hang in there!:tt1:

Mine started towards the end of the Optifast pre-op diet and has gotten worst since surgery due to clear liquids only. Can't leave the house for fear of an accident. And anyone getting leg cramps or lightheadedness should be concerned about electrolyte imbalance and start drinking more Gatorade! 11 more days than full liquids!!!!!

Hey Jeanne- Sounds like you're coming along fine! I think we should take time for ourselves to heal and get use to this thing. I'm stuck in the house more because of the diarrhea than anything. It has me a bit worried about electrolyte imbalance so gonna get me some Gatorade. And the next week and a half will be a challenge on this clear liquid with my diabetes. Already had one episode today of low blood sugar and had to suck on glucose tabs. I think I'll get me some banana popsicles for mealtimes. They don't come in sugar-free and they want me to have sugar at mealtime only. Our park we live in (2200 homes) is having a huge July 4th cookout with the hamburgers and hotdogs which we'll be missing this year. I'm not that disappointed! Next year I can go and will be thin! You continue to take care of yourself and think of alll you have to look forward to! Have a happy and safe holiday!:tt1:

Did anyone else get diarrhea after surgery? I'm 2 days post-op and my gut keeps rumbling and into the bathroom I go. And I have to be on clear liquids for two weeks. Anyone have this problem? I'm afraid to leave the house.

Well time to give you all my surgery story. I saw the Dr. the day before surgery (Mon.) and found I lost 12.6 pounds on the Optifast pre-op diet. Then they told me I could eat that day!!! Yippee!!!! Had a sensible lowfat chicken salad. We picked up my daughter from the airport that night as she was coming to do the driving. My mom has macular degeneration and can't see. Tuesday morning, the 29th I was to arrive at the hospital at 12:30 for 2:30 pm time. Arrived at 12:15 and taken to a pre-op area where I answered more questions, got my IV and Lovenox injection and signed more papers. My mom and daughter were allowed in with me. We were in there until 4:30 pm and I watched others going off to surgery. I was told my Dr. ususally runs behind and he was really behind this day. Finally at 4:30 pm they wheeled me to pre-op holding area and my mom and daughter went to the family waiting room. They got very worried about 6 pm wondering why they hadn't heard anything. They thought I should surely be done by now. The nurses then called the family room and told them I hadn't even gone in yet. They decided they had enough time to go get something to eat. In the pre-op holding area but butt went to sleep and my tailbone was killing me from laying on that stretcher all that time. The nurse adjusted the stretcher and got me warm blankets for my back which felt SO GOOD!!!!! Finally my Dr. popped his head in and said very soon and then the anesthesiologist came by and asked a few questions. He then wheeled me into OR-2 with the scrub nurse at about 7 pm. After a few minutes he put a lightweight mask on me (didn't even hold it down) told me to take a deep breath and I was out by the third. Woke up in PACU with nurse shelly telling me to wake up. I remember saying to her "did I get it?" She said yes it was all over and I did very well. Asked to rate my pain which I figured was a 3 so she gave me morphine twice. By 8 pm I was in my room and mom and daughter were there to greet me. I was told I would not be getting a barium study or xray. They brought me ice chips and kept asking if I had pain or nausea. Nope to both! Then I slept the rest of the night off and on. In the morning they took off the pump stockings and I walked the hall and peed for them. Breakfast was broth , sugar-free popsicle, decaf tea, jello and some sugar-free cranberry juice. I got a few sips of broth down and the popsicle and part of the tea. Not hungry at all. Left at 11 am for ride home. Gas pains were there but more like pressure. Just so darn sleepy. Slept most of day. Got a doozy of headache but assumed it was because I didn't drink the gallon of fluids they wanted me to have. Tylenol elixir took care of it. Today is more bearable still. Just some pressure and sore. Sneezed and coughed a few times. Just hold that gut!!! Went through the papers they sent me home with including the one from LapBand themselves. My Dr. posts a diet alert sheet to the diet booklet that states he believes you can lose more weight by folllowing his plan instead of theirs. It's strictly clear liquids for two weeks and that means no protein or milk added. Week 3 and 4 I can add in cream soups, pulpy juices and protein drinks. Week 5 and 6 will be mushies and then the protein diet itself which cuts out all yogurt, sugar-free puddings and products period and no protein drinks whatever, just solid foods. Got me kind of bummed out what with all the restrictions! But right now I'm taking it one day at a time. All the nurses I encounter were extrememly polite and helpful and encouraging. Couldn't have asked for a better staff. It's all over and I'm on my way!!

Hey JMinDallas- How are you doing? Same day as Jeanne and me. Just wondering how you're feeling.

Hi Jeanne- Went well for me too. Although they were way behind.Scheduled for 2:30 pm and didn't get me in until 7;30 pm. Came out of it pretty good. not much pain. Yesterday I had some pain and gas but it was my head that hurt. Liquid tylenol really works for that. My doc won't let me have anything but clear liquids the next 2 weeks. Not even my Optifast. No milk or protein of any kind. Just broth, water, sugar-free popsicles and jello. His long-term diet does away with yogurt too! But anyway we are through the worst of it! And each day will get better. We'll keep in touch and let each other know how we're doing.

Good Luck Jeanne- Will be thinking of you! I don't go in till 12:30 pm. See ya on the other side!

Sheeeeet! Read the above and depressed myself! Congratulations to all of us having our surgery tomorrow and Wed. too! As for the nerves, as a retired RN it's normal. They will give you some "happy juice" to counteract that! Except for me! I'll probably be known as the "charity case" bitching about every cent! Anyway Good Luck to us all and see you on the other side!:scared2:

Tomorrow is my surgery as well. Saw the surgeon ( or rather his PA) today. Lost 12.6 lbs on the Optifast two week pre-op! They also told me I could eat today! We joked about hitting the various places for appetizers, entrees and dessert on the way home! Felt good to eat! Stayed sensible and had a nice lowfat chicken salad! I got home and hospital said to be there at 12:30 pm. The PA gave me some vitamins as I told her I'm on disability and didn't have the money for the EMEND they wanted me to get or for the vitamins. He charged me a $1000 "administration fee" which I find out after I paid him is non-refundable and not all drs. charge this. She told me they would use a patch instead for the nausea prevention and I could take Flintstones chewables (2) for the vitamins until I get my check next month. Now because I'm on disability, I also get Medicare in the form of Medicare Advantage which is a HMO. I also had a message from the hospital that I have to pay a co-pay tomorrow before being admitted. This is $300 and they will give me a discount of 25%. So "just $225.00". I called my insurance company and they told me they don't know where this figure comes from, it's only $100.00 co-pay. I can't wait to get there tomorrow and see if they'll give me the 25% discount on that $100.00! But the whole point is folks it doesn't matter to them, this whole thing is a racket for more money. But they prey on people that have stood up and taken charge of bettering their health. And I mean the Drs. that perform this and the hospitals. Hospitals have become big businesses and will do anything to make money. It's not about helping people anymore. And that's sad.

Hey Viv- The name of the crackers are Crunchmaster. I get them in a big box at Sam's Club. But our supermarket, Publix now has them in the deli section.

My surgery is Tuesday also and after 2 weeks of Optifast I am ready to chew the bark off the trees! But I have noticed the increase in energy and absolutely no cravings for anything sweet whatsoever! So the band has got to be a continuation of this I would think! I'm seeing my ankles for the first time in 2 years! The swelling is gone. My midsection is shrinking already. My biggest fear is my age will prevent the weight from coming off. I know it gets harder as we get older but I've always had the lousiest metabolism. Good Luck to you!

It's just xray pictures they take before during and after you drink down some barium. This is usually fruit flavored thick liquid which helps them by providing contrast in the xrays. Some pictures may be taken standing up and some lying down. If this is a scope then you will be given a sedative such as Versed which causes amnesia, positioned on your right side and they will insert a lighted scope down the esophagus and visualize the stomach. There is no pain and because of the Versed you don't remember a thing. You are not put to sleep so no anesthesia aftereffects. Rather nice! I've had it done a few times myself!

Just a thought but I understand quinoa pronounced (Keen-wa) is the latest grain getting all the attention. It's about the same texture as couscous but is very high in protein, gluten free, low glycemic index and has been shown to stabilize blood sugars. Can be found at the health food stores although some supermarkets are now carrying it. I have some gluten free crackers made from quinoa, brown rice and sesame that I just LOVE!

Here I am on Day 10 of the Optifast liquid diet and have been doing well. I try to stay away from the Tv. Seems like all the commercials are for food or anti-depressant pills! last night I was watching TV though and didn't have a problem until the commercial came on for Cesar's canine cuisine. And I started salivating!!! Tuesday (surgery day) can't get here soon enough!!:thumbup::eek:

Kind of makes me think of a waterbed. You fill the mattress with water until you achieve the desired firmness. Then months later the vinyl of the mattress has stretched so you can add more water to get back the desired firmness again. I think the band can be added to if you lose the restriction. Am I right?

Congratulations on making a decision for a healthier you! Check into this site often through your process. You can find answers to just about anything and may find some that will help you through easier. Welcome and good luck on your new journey!:smile:

I would agree you're not restricted enough. I know someone who has a 10cc band with 9cc of fill. this is what it takes to restrict her and she has lost the weight. Get a second opinion. You paid good money for that thing, make sure it works for you.

My insurance is covering the surgery but I had to pay a $1000 "administrative fee" my surgeon charges that covers his staff's time and efforts dealing with insurance, another $230 for the Optifast and the vitamins which are $39.95 and $19.95. I will also have to pay a $30 co-pay every time I see him. As time goes by some folks use protein powder which you get at vitamin stores or Walmart. New clothes?, well I'm lucky in that my mom is a few sizes smaller than me and has tons of stuff I can wear so will not have to buy new clothes until I get closer to goal. Besides this is Florida where all you need are a few pair of shorts and tees.

Was glad to hear LapBand is less painful then Gallbladder surgery! I didn't even need Tylenol after mine. The hysterectomy a year later wasn't so bad either. Don't remember a whole lot of gas but it goes away with walking anyway.

The surgeon who placed the band should be following him until they figure out what the problem is. If he won't do it then see a GI doctor. Don't give up until you find out what's wrong.

I had a hysterectomy 11 yts. ago. and was on HRT until 3 yrs. ago. Can't say I ever really had any menopausal symptoms but sure had them before the hyster! What I have noticed is over the last 10 - 15 yrs is the increase in my sweating especially with my weight going up gradually over the years. It is confined to my head and face and is medically called cranio-facial hyperhydrosis. I mean I DRIP! Literally! I can sweat profusely in 30 degree weather if I'm moving about. When I mentioned to my surgeon that I was looking forward to the day I wouldn't sweat so much, he said it was NOT related to my weight and most likely would not decrease. I've wondered if anybody else had this problem and found the sweating decreased after losing.:bored:

I don't own a scale but know I've lost weight as I have feet and ankles again! However if consuming too few calories your body will go into starvation mode and hang onto any calories you're putting in. One thing I was told about overweight, it means our bodies are working well to sustain us. Excess calories get stored and used during famine periods. You're doing cardio everyday which means you probably need more protein. Call your NT and also consider water weight.

I had been tanning for an expected southern vacation when I had my hysterectomy and asked the Dr. upon discharge how long before I could tan again. He told me pretty much when I felt up to it. Tanning does not affect your healing, just has long term effects. But it helps some folks with seasonal affect disorder and is beneficial to them so I can't condone someone else telling you it's wrong.

Gotta love the sense of humor!!!:biggrin: