coyotesvoice

I was banded on 8/18/2010. I had very little appetite the first few weeks but starting on week 3 that kicked up quite a bit. (We were told at our education class that this might happen as the swelling goes down.) I am no longer losing weight but we were told that would pick up when we get a fill. My portal incision was infected and is now healing very slowly. My first fill was set back to the end of September because of it. My biggest issue since going onto soft foods is a horrendous hemorrhoid flare up. I've been using every product on the market and am now taking metamucel in an effort to control this issue. I can't wait until next Wednesday when I can eat salads and raw vegetables. So far the only thing that I've had any issue with is rice. Everything else seems to go down nicely. Yesterday at lunch I was starving. I ate the meat our of two tiny, tiny sliders and was stuffed. Today I ate most of a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch and very little the rest of the day. Tomorrow will be another day and I'll take it one meal at a time.

At my pre-op education class last week they mentioned that they get lots of people requesting lap band surgery after going through gastric bypass. They said they can't do it. I thought that was interesting. I like the fact that my anatomy will remain intact and that any nutrients I consume will be fully absorbed. Of course the morbidity stats and complications of bypass are pretty scary too.

I just completed day four of my pre-op diet today and things are getting a little easier. I went out to dinner last Wednesday night for my last hurrah and got so sick that I had to go home with my dinner untouched. The next morning I choked down a shake and through it up an hour later. The thought of dring another shank had me gagging and I couldn't do it. Day two I threw up twice. I knew that i had to do something to get the shakes down. My daughter found sugar free chocolate Hershey's syrup @ 2 TABL for 15 calories. It totally covers up the chalky vitamin taste and I can drink them down with no problem. Day 3- I am allowed one small 500 c. meal each day. I went out to dinner with friends and looked up the menu on line. I had filet mignon as I've read that I may have trouble with steak after the surgery. I planned out my dinner and took a food scale and a tub of low calorie butter in with me. I actually measured the steak and then cut it in 2, same with the dry backed potato. Then I added the butter to the potato and steamed veggies and had a great meal. I was very satisfied and proud that I had gone out and followed the rule. Day 4- I drank my two shakes and ate my leftovers from last night. Things were definately easier and I had more energy. I think that the hardest part for me will be not drinking while I'm eating. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Gallbladder surgery is also very common after you lose a bunch of weight. At my education class last week they warned us that this was a common complication of weight loss surgery. Fortunately mine was removed three years ago so that's one thing I don't have to worry about, but your list of symptoms sure brought back memories...

I am getting banded on August 18th. I am very excited and I can't wait to start my new life! I am currently working my way through the pre-op diet. Nine more days to go!

Once the weight is lost what happens? Is the band relaxed allowing more room in your stomach? If you start to regain weight do they give you a fill? Just wondering.

I have been battling my weight all of my life. Fortunately being fat has been my only health problem until this spring when I was diagnosed with high blood sugar and high blood pressure. I've decided that drastic measures are called for! My insurance does not cover the surgery so I am going to give myself the gift of lap band surgery for my 58th birthday. I have an appointment with Dr Schwartz on July 26. I chose him because of his affiliation with Tucson Medical Center, because he has two surgeons in the operating room and for all the post-op resources that he offers. A good friend of mine was an emergency room nurse. She always told me that the best surgeons were not very sociable. I guess they spent their time studying instead of honing their social skills? Anyway, all I want is a great surgeon. Also, I like it that this is all they do. I am very excited anda little nervous. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along.:cool: