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I was banded on Friday and I could have gone back to work the following week, but I was pretty sore...so I just took some extra days...

Ok, so I have been having these pains since Weds., about 6 days now. I've been hoping it's just gas or a new kind of period cramps or something, but 6 days of this seems like a long time. On a scale from 1-10, this is a 9 on the pain scale. It feels like realllly bad gas pains, almost like labor. I get it in the lower left, and right abdomen, and it's also vaginal and rectal. Weird, I know. It's like being stabbed! Also, it's never in more than one spot at a time. It isn't consistent. Sometimes it is there for a few hours, sometimes it's just one stabbing pain for 5 seconds. Has anyone experienced this? I am almost 4 weeks post-op. If it's still bothering me tomorrow, I'm going to go in to the doctor.

Hi.. Im Kelli. Im a 27yrold single (engaged) mom to three. ages 5, 2 and 18 months. I just very recently heard about lap band. I had considered gastic bypass several time in the last few years... but was always too nervous of the risks. I heard this is something so different and definantely less risky. I would like any info you all can give me! Costs,is it allupfront? payments? risks? what to expect.... :nervous Thanks!

I swim as a workout! I do 3km a week of laps. I'm two months out and lose an average of 3lb a week (with a surgery day BMI of 36). Swimming is great for me because it's very calming, it doesn't cause my body pain and I could do it at any weight, I don't feel like a sweaty overheated mess, and I'm able to measure my successes/growth. the best workout post surgery is the one you can enjoy and stick with. ANY form of exercise is going to be incredibly beneficial to your progress, overall health and quality of life, and your ability to maintain weight loss.

So today has seen two landmarks. 1. It's 50 days since I started my 2 week pre-op and 5 weeks since the sleeve 2. Today I have lost 50lbs That's 50 in 50! I'm made up This process has changed my life already. For those pondering... As long as you can be strong and follow instruction it will be great. Yes individual results will vary. But for me it's been a fantastic experience.....so far! Positive attitude will lead to success!

I stalled for 5 days after week 1. Now I'm 3 weeks post op and have been losing again.

Yes I had the same thing! It latest about a week, it's just the nerves. But man is it painful! What saved my life was a belly band I bought at kohls. Any type of girdle type item will work, anything that puts pressure in it.

I agree with what Mini-Me said at the beginning. I week post op was very difficult for me. I was losing some weight but also feeling depressed because reality kicked in that I can't really drive to Dairy Queen and get a Blizzard (yum!) or eat at my favorite restaurants for a very long time. It was scary, but thankfully now I have learned to accept it and I'm happy with that.

I'm 2.5 weeks out...lost a good amount the first week I think it was 7 lbs. The next week I weighed on my own scale but the scale at doc and mine do not match. I'm just going with my scale and it put me at about -24lbs in 2 wks. I've been weighing daily for the past week and it seems I'm losing about .5lbs a day---so minus 3-3.5 a week. Sound about right? I think I like that number.

My surgery was April 20th (wow, 4 weeks tomorrow). I understand being tired the first 2 weeks....but now that I'm eating food...well, the "soft food" stage.... I didn't expect to still feel so tired. Has anyone experienced exhaustion? I sleep w/ my cpap mask on like I'm supposed to. I take iron and get my protein in. I exercise ( I even backed off on how much thinking my body couldn't handle it). I don't understand why even when I get a full 6 hours of undisturbed sleep... after I drop the kids off I come home and sleep for another 3 to 4 hours! Anyone else feel tired ALL the time????

The story you are about to read may be hard to believe. It is the kind of story that would occasionally make it into my email inbox, and I would scan it briefly before clicking delete and muttering about how this kind of junk gets past my spam filter. If it hadn't happened to me, I wouldn't believe it. But it did happen to me, and I pray that you read this and consider what it says. A few weeks ago, I was watching my favorite Christian television station. The show was a talk show-type discussion about hormones. I almost changed the channel, but something (Someone) made me stop and listen. The woman on the show was named Dr. Barbara Hoffman, and she was talking about her line of bio-identical progesterone creams. They discussed how progesterone balanced estrogen, and how it was very important to choose bio-identical over synthetic. Synthetic progesterone can do all kinds of awful things in the body, because the body just doesn't always know what to deal with it. This includes birth control pills and shots. I began to think back over the past few years, about how my health began a downward spiral after I had my son. Then it occurred to me that it was after I had him that I started on the depo-provera shot. I started to research progesterone, and came across all kinds of literature that talked about how progesterone deficiency can cause all kinds of problems, including some that were hauntingly familiar: fatigue, weight gain, mental fuzziness, painful periods, cravings for carbs and sweets, and body pain, to name a few. And on other pages, I read that depo-provera will cause the body to stop producing its own progesterone, since it is a synthetic form of the hormone and causes the body to think it has enough. After about a week of research, I decided to go ahead and order the cream that I had seen on tv (Better Heath Naturally ProHelp Moisture Treatment Cream). I figured that I would try it out, and if it made me feel bad I would stop, but hopefully it would help me with some of my fibromyalgia symptoms. When the cream arrived, I went ahead and put it on as per the directions on the container. That day, I didn't feel any different. The next day, I used the cream again, once in the morning, once in the evening, as the directions suggest. I thought I could notice a little bit of a difference, but brushed it off as being psychological. The third day, I woke up, went downstairs, and started making breakfast for my son before I realized that my body didn't hurt. At all. I went through the day without saying anything, because I again thought this must be a psychological thing, or I was just having a good day, or something like that. But my boyfriend noticed that I was much happier and seemed to be in less pain than normal. And after a few days, I had to say something. I had almost no pain. I was able to play with my son for the first time without hurting. I had tons of energy, and I just felt good. It just felt so good to feel good again. Then I noticed that I was starting to go longer between meals without being so hungry. While before I was counting the minutes until the next meal, now I could go for hours past "meal time" and not even notice. But what really got me was when I passed up chocolate. My son brought home some Easter candy, and was trying to feed it to me, but it just didn't sound appetizing. When it hit me that I had just passed up chocolate, I had to run and tell everybody I knew about this stuff. I have gone about a week now with no cravings at all. When I eat, I actually feel full before I am done, and it has helped me cut down on some of the high-processed carbs that are so bad for me. I sleep better at night, even though I have stopped taking my sleeping medication. Plus, I am cutting down on the meds that were previously keeping the pain in check, and am still feeling great. I feel happier, and my son loves being able to play with me without being afraid of hurting me. The scale has been going down steadily, but I have noticed that my body seems to be changing a lot more than it was. However, I'm confident that it will start going quicker soon, since I am more active and eating less. I know that no single thing is a "magic bullet" for everyone, but I just had to tell you all about how this cream has helped me. I am including a link below to the site where I bought it, and also the site of the manufacturer where you can read a little more about it. If you are considering trying this, please do some research first. Some women do fantastic on this stuff, but some don't. But if you are one of the ones that are helped by it, then it is so worth it. http://shop.daystar.com/ http://www.bhnformulas.com/

Jason...I had my lapband done in Mexico...Puerto Vallarta as my insurance would not cover the surgery in the US. That was in Feb 06. It went well and I was loving the weightloss...got down to 155 from 200 the first year. In Sept 07 I had an incident with something getting really stuck in my band. At 3pm I ate a blond brownie from Whole Foods and I knew the minute I swallowed it I had not chewed it well enough. It was extremely chewy...it got stuck and from then until 11pm that evening I was miserable. I had alot of sliming and throwing up and I tried to assist it going through the band with lots of liquids.........all of which bounced back. At 11pm it finally went through. After that I had problem after problem. It got to the point where I could only drink liquids, protien shakes, creamy soups and things like Cheetos that you could chew up into a paste before swallowing. No solid food. In November I went in to the Dr in the US who was doing my fills and had all the fluid removed from the band. Still not able to eat and steadily loosing weight. At the first of the year I was down to 135. Due to my health insurance having a 3000 deductible...I waited for my husband to start his new job that had a 1000 deductible. I went in for a endoscope in March and the Dr found the the band and some of the tubing had eroded into my stomach and it was going to have to be surgically removed the following week. I had that surgery in April and am finally back to normal. At the time of the surgery my weight was down to 118...way to skinny for my bone structure. I am back to real food and have gained 2 lbs. I am eating sensibly...I learned alot about chewing food properly from the band and I am on my way to trying to gain back about 20 lbs...sensibly. I just want to say.......if something gets stuck...let it be...it will pass through eventually and then never try that food again. Stay away from bread...shrimp, fibrous meat and always chew your food at least 20 times before swallowing. I am grateful for having the surgery and for the weight loss but more so for learning how to chew. No more chomp, chomp, swallow. Best of luck with your band. I don't mean to scare you but erosion is something that can happen. My US doctor has done 900 bands and never seen one that eroded like mine...I think he said erosion is something that can happen...1 in about 1500.

My surgeon required a 2 week pre-op diet that consisted of: Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch. 2 servings of fruit Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones for dinner and unlimited sugar free and sodium free Clear Liquids. I'm consuming around 900 cals/day but I feel great! The Protein shakes really keep me full and Pure Protein Rich chocolate powder with 8oz milk, 1/2 banana and some ice cubes is fab!!! The benefits are so much better, in my opinion, than just shrinking your liver, although that is it's primary function. The particular diet I'm following can shrink it by as much as 25%. I'm also sleeping better, in a better mood and have lost around 11lbs. I'm due to be banded in 6 days! Can't wait! Good luck on your journey!!!

I know it's different with every company, but mine was a piece of cake! No hoops to jump through and has approval less than 2 weeks after submission.

Well it was severe....I had gall stone pancreatitis with my lipase almost 6000. Fortunately it dropped very fast (passed the stone). Had my GB out yesterday and I'm now home recovering. Never planned on 2 surgergies in less then 8 weeks. My surgeon doesn't typically give Actigall to her lap band pts, but always to bypass and sleeve pts.

@@kewadiak That's great news! I am getting all my clearances now and just learned that I have gallstones.. So now I am hoping they can do revision and gallbladder removal at the same time.. Will find out what my pre op with surgeon in 9th. Really hope I will wake up and not have to be disappointed that they couldn't do it in one.. I feel like so much to get done, but all I have left is upper GI and chest X-ray, then just blood work and EKG 2 weeks before surgery. Liquid diet starts on 28th... That's next week! Crazyness. I get so much more nervous as it gets closer to the date.

Well, opinions on this will vary, and there are threads on that clinic on this site with people's opinions (see the thread titled "Complications" in the complications forum). They aren't really supposed to fill the band at the time of the surgery, to the best of my knowledge. Sometimes they'll put enough in to 'prime' it, ie; fill the tubing so your first fill has a little more effect, but not enough to actually tighten the band. Post op diets vary greatly by doctor, but for the most part, people are eating solid foods at 6 weeks post op. It sounds to me like maybe you are having a few doubts. You might consider looking into other clinics/hospitals, and finding a place that you might feel more comfortable. Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey performed my surgery at the San Jose hospital there. I highly recommend him.

HI, I am a "stomach sleeper as well" by nature, I tried sleeping on my back but it was too uncomfortable= I slept on my side the first week and I found that after about a week or so (I would put a pillow under my tummy) and fall asleep like that and it wasnt so bad! I just cannot sleep any other way. This all depends on your pain level too though! Hope this helps!

Congrats!! I know it feels so good to show a loss. I did not this week and I am bummed. I am going to re-double my efforts in the upcoming days. Carolyn

Hello Everyone! I'm on my way to getting banded and being on the losing side. I completed my survey/paperwork, was approved for the Bariatric Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. 12/6 I had my fasting blood labs and met with my nurse Melissa who explained the program, took my BP, and did an EKG, went over my bariatric packet and gave me a check list of all the things I needed to get done before I could meet a surgeon. I then met with the Medical Director, Dr. Hatchigian (Dr. H) who explained the different procedures, good, bad, risks, healing time etc and gave me a physical and went over my medical history. He also answered all my questions and encouraged me to call if I had any more after I left. He told me I needed to have an ultrasound to check for gallstones. On my way out from my appointment I stopped and spoke with the receptionist again and booked my appointments. Wahooo I was able to get most done this same week. They had a 2pm appointment with the Nutritionist that day so instead of driving the hour home we stayed. The nutrionist explained all the different ways to get protein, showed us examples and provided a nice packet to read. She also encouraged me to call with any questions. I was also able to make an appointment for my ultrasound and to meet with the psychologist. 12/7 I had my ultrasound done. It took a while to do....happens when you have extra weight UGH..they checked my gallbladder, kidneys and liver. 12/8 I met with Ronna Casper M.Ed., LCSW...she was nice. Quite the questionnaire you have to complete for that visit. Next I have to attend two different group information nights..one at BIDMC and one at a local hospital near me would be good per Ronna. I'll be attending one at BIDMC this week. So far so good....BIDMC seems to be a great place and they are very professional and friendly. Dr. H says I may be able to have my lap-band surgery in January...now wouldn't that be a great thing! I'll finally be able to keep a New Year's resolution hahaha. Not sure what else I'm suppose to put here...hmm...I'm 41, Married July 2, 2005 to John and I have one son Greg who is 15.6. Thankfully they are behind me 100% Good luck and Best wishes to all of you!

The first few days were bad. My husband cooked for himself and made lots of toast which I love the smell of normally. But when I got home from surgery, I had to go outside every time he toasted something because I wanted to throw up and I was afraid of ruining the surgery I just had. It did pass by the 2nd or 3rd week and I am back to loving the smell of toast. Don't know why that is but it was not good! Hang in there it does get better.

This has been a busy & fun week so far! I said in my last blog that I was going to announce to my bunco group that I had done the LAP-BAND®®, but decided instead to keep it to myself. I'm just not ready to "go public". Plus, I know if they are curious, they will ask! I cooked all 16 women a great, healthy dinner and some desserts that were a bit indulgent, and that did not bother me at all! I kept myself busy talking with everyone and really enjoyed myself, the night was a success! Today was my 2 week post op appt and I am down 24 & 1/2 pounds! I feel like a new woman already! Everything checked out perfect & I was released to the "mushy" food stage...oh boy! The one thing I cannot wait for is my 4 week mark, when I can get back to the gym. I have been walking almost every day, and my body really feels like it needs more. Plus, it will help tighten up skin as I continue to lose. I am excited to go to the gym after how many years?? I am embracing every step of this journey and am loving my new life! Thank you God for my continued strength!

So I got banded Tuesday the 19th, everything was great! I was healing nicely I think, I was able to drink my liquid diet fine but the gas bubble was still around. Saturday I went to get ready for church and once I got dressed in real clothes I started feeling nauseaus and really sick. I decided to go to church anyways and it was so bad we had to leave early and I had to be wheel chaired out! Talk about embarassing. I was in bed the rest of the night. Sunday was a bit better but I could barely drink anything, I had another episode and had to lay down. Monday I had two episodes then at night it got so bad that I was in mega pain and had to call 911. After being transported to the hospital I was filled with mega drugs and had tons of tests to figure out what was wrong. The issue was a mega gas bubble in my stomach that wasnt allowing anything into my stomach and when I would drink something it would irritate the bubble and make me sick. Everything was perfect with my band though and everything was moving along very well. I spent 2 nights in the hospital before I was able to go home. thankfully I am able to drink now and I'm actually hungry now! While I was on my liquid diet before the surgery I lost almost 10 lbs then since the surgery I have lost about another 14 lbs. (I posted something different in a response to someone but I totally did the math wrong! Sorry!) Its been a long road so far but I know its going to get better ... I just cant wait to progress to the mushie stage! :thumbup:

I have very sensitive skin as well. I had internal sutures and Dermabond, no staples. I broke out everywhere that there was tape or adhesive, but I took Benedryl to help with the itching. Once the Dermabond came off at about two weeks, I stopped itching, but the first two weeks were bad when it came to my skin. My doctor also gave me a prescription strength hydrocortisone cream, which helped, but I still itched myself raw in a few places.

It's really tough at first. And great job on getting back into the swing of it. My experience after surgery with liquids is that your stomach for the first week is trying to recover so you won't even be able to put much in and what liquid you take in is very filling. Yes you will come to miss chewing the most! POPSICLES are your best friend! They can give your chewing craving some satisfaction while still being liquid. Jello was good too for texture. you just have to be strong and remind yourself how much and why you want it!