medic50

135# lost and no long term restrictions. Run a lot and have done a lot of P90X stuff without any trouble. Now, if anything came lose I would ask my MD.

No, well fortunately for you no. If it is there is a problem, more than likely what you are feeling is the end of your sternum more commonly known as breast bone. The xyphoid as it is known in the medical community is a lump or protruding bone that is at the end of the stermum and it has no real purpose. It is used as a guide for placement during medical procedures. We never saw it or felt it before because it was well hidden.

You should start seeing some quick results! I am on day 7 and have lost 12 pounds since surgery. Good luck and congratulations!

I am on day six post-op. Don't worry, pain is relative to perception and procedure. If the people you know of had a great amount of pain it can be related to their thresold of pain tolerance or the procedure they had. Lapbanders sometimes go in for the band and end up with upgrades. Good surgeons will help you out by fixing potential problems or present problems. My buddy had a diaphragm hernia or tear repaired during his lapband procedure, he claimed to be in severe pain even with pain meds. I got my lap put on and that is it. I stuck with meds every 6, 20mls of Lortab. My nurse post-op forgot to give me pain meds after surgery and the pain was tolerable. Ask for pain meds! Don't wait to be in pain. Ask for it every time it is allowable.

I have been sticking to the liquid diet, protein bullets, protein soup (NJURY), broths and water. I am quite content with the menu for now, I have sat in front of my friends who eat chinese and pizza in front of me without a need to chow down 3/4 of the pizza. Ohh and Jello has been good for me also. I have lost about 12 pounds since surgery and a total of 38 since I started the process. Remarkable to see how my clothes fit me not, I got rid of my CPAP about 2 days ago!! How cool is that?! I am glad to hear your diet is going well. I am a scaredy cat so I am sticking to my diet as much as possible. I must confess last night I had a Thai soup with ground chicken and spinach in it, a squeeze of lemon, a shot of soy sauce and a spoonful of chilli in it, that was heavensent. It ran through me like a freight train and I stayed away from eathing the solids in the soup drank the broth only. I am pretty content with how my life is right now! I hope you guys are too.

Don't do it!

I would have to agree with btrieger! Listen kid, you are young and have better chances at everything rightnow. From recovery to adjusting every single aspect should be a none issue. I am not sure what NHS is but most insurances will cover apron removals based on hygene and cleanliness issue. All you have to do is create a paper trail that shows skin infections or irritations and they will pay for it. You will not get a full tummy tuck but you can get the apron removed (at least most US insurances will). Other than that the back pain, knee and ankle pain, diabetes, sleep apnea, high bloodpressure etc. is more dangerous than a little extra skin. Your time is NOW, dont wait.

Hey 2beskinny! We got banded on the same day, I have the same question. A friend who was banded a week before me is telling me that he is getting hungry every two hours. I am not sure, I do know that I get full really quick and the weight loss has been noticeable during this first week. How about you, have you lost any weight since surgery? Are you still in liquids or have you moved on?

Hello and Welcome, SoCal in the house probably the furthest south! I'm in the Imperial Valley right on the border. Good luck on your journey, I am six days post-op and I am feeling awesome! This is a great place to learn from other's experiences.

Last Mondy 07/19/2010 I was banded at San Diego's Alvarado Hospital. My surgeon was Dr. Sunil Bhoyrul. No major problems to report, the staff and doctors were excellent. Top notch in quality. So far so good!

Ok people, Today I started my pre-op diet and I am having a hard time with it, I guess you can call it withdrawals! I have a terrible headache and I am feeling a little weak. I got pots of Soup boiling everywhere I turn! So far today I have had one Protein shake, Water, propel, sugar free Jello, and Soups. Just the broth basically. I make a killer caldo de res or beef stew but I can't eat any of the veggies or meat right? Just the broth, I can already tell this is going to be a long week. On the sunny side of the hill this day is almost over. Get me to where the good recepies are! I feel like I am going to need lots of support here, feeling strong but uncomfortable. :thumbup: Cedric

Coolhanddan, take it easy! You will be fine, I was so nervous that I sat my wife down and talked to her about all the possibilities. If you have xanax take it, and on the day of your procedure ask them to give you a chill pill or shot. It will relax you! EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE! I am a Paramedic and sometimes knowing too much can be scarry. It was for me, but seeing things from the other side now makes me realize how professional everyone is and that the complications are minimal. There is risks in everything we do, driving is an example, right? Yet, we do it every day. Have happy thoughts, you will be fine, you will be halthier after surgery!

Hello MISSNURSETTE, I got banded on Monday 7/19 and I am still rolling with the liquid diet. Broths, Protein and thats about it. The only difference from now to the past week is that I can only intake so much and then I am full. I am sticking to unjury protein (unflavored and chicken flavored), Jello and Crystal light. Life is good! :thumbup:

The diet went well, I must say that I did cheat once and that was pure protein on day seven of the diet. I had my pre-op appointment and a follow-up with my surgeon and to say the least it was an emotional day. I went and had some Pho the Vietnamese soup and had the broth and about six slices of thinly sliced beef. Other than that the first day was the worse one, in talking with my dietician she explained that my weakness was related to me working. I am a firefighter and she thought that liquid only was not enough carbs and calories. Other than that I had a decent time on the diet. I just had my LAP-BAND®® placed on Monday 07/19 and I am dealing with the pain pretty well, coughing is hard and passing gas is worse! Being accostumed to the diet made the surgery alot easier since I don't have to worry about getting used to a new diet. Also, stick to the diet because the clause in the documents for surgery always read "Placement of gastric band laparascopicly possibly open." I am not sure about you guys but I would have been seriously dissapointed if I had to have an open band placement because I could not follow my diet!

Getting ready to leave for the hospital. I have my surgery this morning at 0845. Wish me luck and I will see you all on the other side of the band.

Getting ready for banding on 7/19, wish me luck. :tt1:

Congrats for all of those who got banded today! Happy for you guys. I am looking at 07/19, worried about pre-op appointment, I don't know if there would be something that could be found during pre-op that could derail my plan. Cedric :confused:

Hey guys, I could say that for me things have gone fast! Maybe too fast, but I should not be complaitning. I think it has been a relatively short period of time. Maybe it was because I have had multiple documented attempts at weight loss including Phentermine. Who knows? maybe we are at the mercy of how generous the reviewer feels that particular day. Take care, Cedric :confused:

Hey guys for those that have been banded, how and what did you do for your pre-op diet? The options are many, but most don't sound too appetizing. I am new here, so if this has been asked already (which I am sure it has!) please point me in the right direction. Cedric:cool:

So wher is everyone at today? I am going in on July 19th, any recommendations?

Hello everyone, I am on the countdown to my surgery it is going to happen on July 19th. That is my own personal independence day, like you guys I work in public safety as a Fire Captain and Paramedic. For the fire guys out there, has the port caused any problems with your uniform belt, SCBA belts or straps, rescue harnesses or turn out gear? I have always been proud of myself that even at my heaviest I have performed well and always passed my fit for duty tests. I don't know why, but now I am worried about the post-op fit for duty testing. What have been your experiences returning to work?

July 19th is my big day, I am comitted to the life after the band. I am just scared of the surgery since I have never had surgery of any kind. I shall be fine!

Hey guys, I hear your plight. But relax, if you have a good doctor who knows what he/she is doing you should be fine. You will be at the mercy of the reviewer until then. I started this whole process in mid May, dietician, diet, excercise, and visit the doctors again. I then received the green from my doc to do the band a month after I started. The approval took about 7-10 days and I called periodically into my doc's office just to keep tabs on the situation. I got my approval about a month and a half after my first visit. I really did not worry about it, I am 334 pounds and 5'10"s with a BMI of 47+ so I am not sure if this played a role in my quick approval. Try to work on your fitness level during this time, it is important in order to prevent embolisms and the like after surgery.:tt1: