Confused

lill · April 13, 2004

Hi im new and it has been abit worrying what i have been reading, my Dr hasn't really explained anything to me it wasn't until 3 days ago i realised i had no saline in band ( had surgrey 2 weeks ago), i have to have liquid food for 1 month (not like your 2 weeks) i read the lapbanding book and haven't gotten half things explain happen to me like no xray to see if band is right no diet advise except a vague photocopy that said ring the hospital kitchen for more info ( and if you knew what the kitchen ladies in this hospital are like you wouldn't ring them either) and then all the media hipe about the band i get a phone call at least once a day with people seeing people dying from this, people bursting from this yada yada yada and all in all its getting scary im glad i found this site it has helped me i was wondering why i am feeling hungry more often now i know thank you to all that have inputs to share with us new banders.

Bright · April 13, 2004

Congratulations on getting banded! I was banded in Paris, France and got precious little information from my surgeon as my french isn't too great, especially on medical terms and his english was pretty bad! Luckily for me I had three sources of information - #1 I printed out the Inamed Lap Band book (the one I think you are refering to... if not you can find it at www.inamed.com). I read this over and over before surgery and also read the whole inamed website information too. #2 I communicated regularly with someone who had the band inserted by the same surgeon - if you can find a buddy who has had pretty much the same sugery experience as you, and try to keep in touch, it will be a great help. My friend Sarah introduced me to the surgeon in the first place and as she had the operation a few weeks before me, she could advise on all the first little landmarks with great authority! #4 is, of course, the internet! Especially this forum - I find it the friendliest by far, and therefore the most helpful. If I were you (or any newbie) I would spend as much time as possilbe reading through ALL the old posts. I used to spend an hour or so every night reading thru all the old topics - it really helps to see the problems people have overcome, and got on with this journey. I also used the web to find as many bandsters sites as possible and read their journals as much as I can. For example if I'm at 12 weeks since surgery, I read a few journals at their six week mark and see how they coped! Try these sites:

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6pwwz/ ("Our" Leo's site!)

http://www.geocities.com/robinh26/lapband.html (the legendary Coffeewench's site!)

http://www.geocities.com/laylaburd/AGB/laylaslapband.html (another really good site!)

Hope this helps - good luck!

:eek:

Audrey · April 13, 2004

Hi there

I was banded in the UK on the NHS.... I also had no Fluid in my band post op... & I NEVER get my fills (or anything else) under X Ray.... every surgeon works differently... don't worry.

You will be feeling hungrier now, because the swelling in your stomach will be going back to normal & therefore your band won't be as tight. Thats perfectly normal too.

I was given scrambled egg in hospital before leaving & was put on a "sloppy" diet for 4 weeks... i.e. scrambled egg, yoghurt, mash potato & gravy, Soup... that kind of thing.

What I did... was drink as much Water as possible... it really works !

about the complications with the band.... every surgery whether Weight Loss or not, has complications... we need to weigh up (pardon the pun lol) the pro's and con's of whether is safer to live the way we did pre band... or do something about it.... like we have.... I for one, have NO regrets about my band - & If I had to do it again... I wouldn't hesitate!!!

Hope this helps a wee bit

Take Care

Audrey x

shellyj · April 13, 2004

hey lil! sounds like your dr could do better at giving your the infor you need!! i would stay with an online support group there is a wealth of 'day to day' knowledge about the band.

i would go by inameds guidlines or your dr's.

as for the media hype, do your own research make your own decisions and you'll be fine is the way i look at it.

when will you be getting a fill?