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I'm a little nervous everyone in my family is now sick. I'm 10 days from surgery and afraid ill get sick too. Any suggestions to make sure I don't get sick and miss my date?

I'm 17 days post op on a mushy/ Protein diet. My surgeon does not do a purée stage. I have hot flashes after I eat my protein. It's almost immediately after my meal and lasts about 10-15 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm 10 days in after my banding and I wondered what a PB was so thank you for explaining!

Katie, I had surgery the week before you. I have lost 25.5 lbs, but I haven't lost anything in over a week. I had my first fill on May 19 and I have an appointment on June 24 at which time I hope to get my second fill. I have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band. It is a struggle at this point because I don't feel the restriction at all at this point. I think I felt it a little after my fill but it did not last long. My band started out with 4 cc's on my surgery date. My fill was for 1 more cc on May 19. I don't think being hungry 3 - 4 hours later is that bad. I think you can allow yourself a small snack in between meals. I don't snack after Breakfast and I sometimes will have a late afternoon snack (sugar free pudding or yogurt). I always have a little snack in the evening before bed. Good Luck Alice Banded April 8, 2008 271/245.5/150

It has been 19 days since i was banded, but i still have port pain every now and then, it also still looks swollen. Is that normal? :smile2:

Hey Donna, Oh babe I know everything you said to me I know already!!!! My cousin had her op two weeks before me and she has lost a whopping 27kgs I spent christma day with her and that when I thought ok wake up call you need to sort this. The beach idea is a good one I do live by the bay but time is my enemy working full time with four little ones and a sometimes 2hr commute both ways to work. I am a nurse and should know better but I have been cycling 10 mins each morning including this morning new years day before I headed to work!!!! how good am I and a half hour swim/frolic in the pool with my boys when I get home......the amazing thing is even in less than a week I feel like I have more energy. And my boys love mum in the pool with them. Thank you for replying to my thread hunny I appreciate it.....glad I found this group. All the best for a lighter fitter 2009 xxxxx

Hi, I'm 19 days post-op. The night before last I noticed the scab on my biggest incision had fallen off and it was leaking yellow fluid. It seemed to seal up overnight but today it started again, and it's more orange than yellow. Is this dangerous??

She got the information from a book and she did it for 10 days but she only had the that honey and lemon tea along with peppermint tea and lots of water, on her day 11 she did just orange juice and yesterday on her 12th day she did fruits and a little but of veggies. I can totally notice her weight loss, now she is starting to really watch what she eats.

Im cool with it. friend me...I'm still new only 10 weeks post op. Congrats on starting your new journey in life.

I'm going to start then I'll put the time as i had my second fill last night, and i'm testing it out lol (even though today is only about mushies, tomorrow i go back to solid) So far: 7:00 - 1/2cup coffee + 1/2 cup of 2%milk(i usually have soy milk but there wasnt any left) 7:30 - 1 pouched egg 9:30 - about 1-1/2 cup of fresh papaya (Now is almost 10, and my stomach is growling lol, i'm going to try to hold on until 10:30 and maybe eat another egg. Damn it, i should've ate 2 eggs at 7:30, but i thought 1 was enough)

Okay so I have Aetna insurance and I am doing the three month program. I am currently on month 2 (about to be on month 3). In November (first month) my nutritionist weighed me in at 270lbs. I have also been seeing an exercise therapist that also weighs me and in November she weighed me in at 271lbs. At the very beginning of December my exercise therapist weighed me in at 271lbs. I just had my second nutritionist appointment today 12-22-10 and she weighed me in at 280lbs! I've gained 9lbs in December! Yes, I am definitely going to blame it on the holidays. I have been to SO many Christmas parties and it's just hard. Now, I know I can lose that 9lbs by my next and final nutritionist appointment which will be in January. However, I am just a little worried that my insurance company (aetna) will see that 9lbs weight gain and deny me. I mean, I AM going to lose it by my next nutritionist visit and be at my original 270lbs. I am just worried about insurance. So my question is, has anyone gained weight during their weight-loss program but then lost it to be back down to their original level and still got approved? Thanks!

Okay so you need the following: 1. Whole black mustard seeds 2. Whole cumin 3. whole coriander 4. Cinnamon sticks 5. Whole Green Cardamom pods 6. Cayenne pepper 7. Turmeric 8. Bay leaves 9. Whole black pepper 10. Nutmeg That sounds like a lot I know, but it will set you up for success. They are so much cheaper in an indian grocery store than our typical little jars we buy at the grocery, it's worth a trip. Alternatively, whole foods, sprouts, central market, etc. all sell them loose in containers and you scoop out what you need by weight. Get yourself a fancy container like this if you want to keep them in one location: http://www.amazon.com/Matbah-Stainless-Steel-Masala-Container/dp/B009CSZA1U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1378682426&sr=8-2&keywords=indian+masala+dabba And get a cheap coffee grinder like this: http://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-203-42-Electric-Grinder-Stainless/dp/B00004SPEU/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378682491&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=coffee+grindr The differences in flavor come from either a) grinding the seeds, dry-roasting the seeds before grinding, or c) roasting in a bit of oil before grinding. Each of these tastes completely different. If you have this, you should be able to make the garam masala recipe I've posted, as well as the chicken curry. I will post some daal recipes one of these days and they will use the same spices, as would all the veggies I make. Enjoy!

I called called 10/25 or 10/26 and spoke with someone at Clark County Hospital regarding Lap Band surgery and paying for it with Care Credit. They have not called me back as of Oct 30/07. I called Caritas/St Mary's and Elizabeth Hospital and left a message today, 10/30/07 for them to call me back. Will be waiting for a call back. :help: Weight Loss Tickers

Sorry I ment I was banded on 10/27/2008 and yes all this started before my first fill. Due to my work I can not see the Dr. till monday but will be there at 8:30 am .

Tracy, I read that you are attending the seminar this Saturday. Are you attending Dr. Malley's seminar at the Holiday Inn Mission? If so, I will also be attending the 10:00 seminar. I've been reading these boards for a few months now and have written down the names of some local members so if I ever decide to do this, I can contact this group of people to get more detailed info on how they are doing since surgery. Maybe I'll see you there. Sharon

Ok, so I said I would put more up about this last night, but with the kids, getting ready for bed....I just didn't have time. The article is called "The Easier Way to Diet" by Martha Beck She talks about a five-step plan to help master your "beastie brain" and "relax the weight off." She makes four key points about our brains and how there are several layers to our brains. Basically, the "wanting to be thin" (cyberbrain) part of the brain is always at war with the "feed me now" brain (beastie). This also relates to the nervous system that goes back and forth between "fight or flight" and "rest and relaxation." Obviously, when the cyberbrain is in control you naturally restrict your intake. Repeated dieting and constant negative thoughts theoretically rev up your fight or flight/beastie brain. She has come up with five steps to combat the issue and calls it SO FAR: S - Stop - feeling anxious, hating yourself, just ate a ton? Stop and shout "Nature break!" O - Open - once you are by yourself work to get back to that "rest and relaxation" part of your brain by Opening up. Relax your body by opening your lungs, your eyes and stretch your muscles. F - Forgive - She says this is the most important step. You must forgive yourself and your body. Make a list of things that you've done right, don't just focus on having eaten those 10 Cookies (yeah, I used to be able to do that! No MORE though!). She says that eventually, you will reach self-forgiveness and the "calm observer" part of the brain will become more active. A - Accept - Once you can forgive yourself, it's time to allow things to happen as they do. (sounds sort of like the AA mantra - "accept the things I cannot control") R - Renew - From that place of "stillness, openness, forgiveness and acceptance, you can Renew your commitment to any eating plan you like." Is it over simplified? Sure. But I like the idea of forgiving myself for being overweight, for choosing poorly that day, past days and past years. I want to accept myself now and enjoy my new body as it begins to change through this process. Good luck to all of us! I look forward to our weigh ins on Friday. We have SO FAR to go in our journey, but at the same time, we really have come SO FAR...Thanks for reading...

Jpr99... I totally understand where your coming from with bring able to eat a taste of multiple things and not over eat....loving this pouch! SD: 10/10/12, Converted from Lapband to RNY, HW (before band) 263, HW (RNY) 230, Preop 219, after surgery 223, CURRENT... 191YIPPEE!!

This pouch is wonderful! It allowed me to minimize all my portions, and the thought of eating huge helpings because it was something I used to love, just made me sick. I survived Christmas Dinner this time, thank you Mr. Pouch for assisting me SD: 10/10/12, Converted from Lapband to RNY, HW (before band) 263, HW (RNY) 230, Preop 219, after surgery 223, CURRENT... 191YIPPEE!!

The BAND-ONLY support group in Sacramento meets next Saturday, Feb. 19th, 2011! ALL LapBanders are welcome! Even if you are pre-surgery!!! Sacramento Valley Bandsters Support Group third Saturday of every month from 10:30-12:30. Sutter Cancer Center Classroom 1, First Floor 2800 L Street, Sacramento Easy parking is available one short block away in covered lot on 29th Street, between K and L streets. Costs $1 per hour. This group was purposely set up so as NOT to conflict with the other support groups in the area. Any and ALL band patients from ANY doctor or hospital is welcome to attend. Please join us!

Well I finally got banded on 10/30/07. Was not a easy surgery the doc said. He said that the lining of my stomach was very thick which is the case in most men he said. Then also I had alot of fat around the stomach. Well after surgery for the next almost 2 days I could not keep down my spit. I would have the acid reflux and it would come back up. Finally after 2 days he did a upper GI with barium and saw the liquid going thru the stomach. He said I have the biggest band they make and it is wide open. He said he could go back in and see what he can do or I can go home and limp along for 3 days to 2 weeks till the swelling goes down. Well good news is the 1st week I lost 16 pounds when I went back to see him. I am fine and can eat now, but at night when I go to bed I still have the acid reflux. I do not lay in bed, I sit with my back to the wall in a sitting position and it still happens. I take 2 Nexium a day plus he just told me to start taking some Mallox. He said there is still swelling and to give it another week and come back and see him. He said it should clear up by then. I am just wondering has anyone else here had anything like this and how long did it take you to get over it? Thanks, Rob

Italian Turkey Spinach Bake Lightly oil a 2 Qt. casserole dish. Saute 1 med. finely chopped onion in 2 t. olive oil. Add 1 16 oz. bag frozen chopped spinach. Season w/ salt & pepper. Add chopped turkey meat balls (I used 1 16 oz. bag Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Turkey Meatballs). Heat through and taste for seasoning. Spread mixture in the bottom of the casserole. In small bowl mix 1 15 oz. container part skim Riccotta cheese with 1 egg, ground black pepper, and some chopped fresh basil. Dollop Riccotta mixture over spinach mixture in casserole dish. Spread with Pasta Sauce to your liking (I use 12 oz. Muir Glen Organic Tomato Basil). Sprinkle with 8 oz. shredded Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese. Bake in a 375 oven for 30 minutes or until top is brown oozy cheesy goodness. Let sit for 10 minutes or so to solidify. If you enjoy Italian food, you will love this. For friends or family members who are non-WLS people, you could add a side of pasta and a green salad and everyone would be good to go!

I will be having surgery April 16, 2012. I have to do a liquid diet for 10 days....the first 7 days regular liquids (low fat/low sugar) and the last 3 days clear liquids. Being on a diet like this helps to "shrink" the liver in order for the doctor to have more room to work with in doing the lapband. I had to attend a nutrition class a few weeks ago and it explained my pre-op and post-op diet plans. Surely, you will attend a nutrition class or your doctor will talk to you about your diet.

Hi Christine, I just recently had VSG surgery by Dr Aceves in Mexicali, on September 23. I highly recommend him. My insurance does not cover the surgery so I was self pay, and heard about the more affordable options in Mexico, so I did a lot of research for several months on physicians and facilities there. His program was my choice for a lot of reasons. First, because of his extensive experience with this particular surgery, and the fact that he does other surgery as well. He has performed over 600 VSG's. There are very few surgeons who have done this many. The research that I read in professional journals states that once a surgeon has performed over 300 of a particular operations, they have seen everything there is to see and their complication rate goes way down. His complication rate is lower than national averages that are reported in the literature. I did not want to see a surgeon who was "learning" on me! Secondly, the number of years he has been operating in general was important to me. He has 0ver 18 years experience with laparoscopic surgery and 10 years with bariatric surgery. Third, the surgery takes place in a full-service hospital, not a "surgery clinic", which is the case with some of the Mexican surgeons. I am safety conscious, so in the event there is a complication, I wanted to be in a hospital that had an ICU, blood bank, full service radiology dept, etc. Fourth, Dr Aceves' program also provides an internal medicine evaluation, and he has an assistant surgeon who also sees you regularly. You are visitied MULTIPLE times each day by the physicians. I have never seen such attentive care by physicians in US hospitals, and I have worked in many of them since I am an RN for over 30 years. Dr Aceves and Dr Campos in particular were outstandingly kind and attentive. Fifth, Dr Aceves does 3 leak tests before you leave. These are tests to be sure there are no leaks in your new sleeve, which is one of the more serious complications that can have. Some physicians don't do this number of tests. Dr Aceves is conservative about this and I was glad to learn it. His post-op diet is also conservative compared to many, because a more conservative approach can help prevent post-operative leaks. Sixth, the program was so user-friendly. They assign you a coordinator at the beginning who answers all your questions via phone or email. Their driver picks you up at the airport in San Diego, transports you to the hospital where pre-op labs/xrays/ekg are done; they drive you tor a nice hotel room that first night, they transport you back to the hospital for surgery the next day, you stay in the hospital for 4 days and then are taken directly to the airport on that 4th day. All this is included in the fee, which is about 1/2 what you would pay in the US. You pay your own airfare. When I missed my connecting flight due to weather, I immediately called my coordinator and she re-arranged my pick-up time, transportation, hotel reservation, and lab schedule and took care of everything. It was so easy, I did not have to worry one bit. I found the hospital to be very beautiful, and cleaner than any hospital I have ever been in. It is a private hospital, and has decor more attractive than any I have been in here in the USA. The staff are very nice, most of them speak good English, and they are very kind and attentive to your needs. If you have any questions or concerns at all, Dr. Aceves is right there to answer them and he truly listens, as does his assistant, Dr. Campos. They are especially concerned about pain control after surgery, and I have to tell you, I had very minimal pain after the surgery. I've had 3 prior surgeries in the US and the kind of pain management in this program was the very best. I received spinal anesthesia as well as general, which is recommended in some of the research literature I had read prior to deciding. It truly was amazing for pain management. It is important that you do your own research until you are comfortable with your own choice, and you can read a lot about various physicians and facilities on this website and the obesity help website too. At OH you can research how many surgeries various physicians have done. Read, read, read before you decide, so you are really comfortable with it. Best of luck to you!

Will be banded 10/4...in UT...looking for support:)

HI Everyone, I had my surgery 10 days ago and since starting with full fluids I am getting terrible heartburn every time I consume anything. It is even happening with water too sometimes. What can I do? I have started taking a sip of mylanta....and chew on a tums when it gets real bad. Please tell me this is going to stop? Is it oOK to take over the counter stuff like Prilosec etc Help!