Lap-Band

Hello Denise, I am having lapband surgery on 11/13...just a week away!!! I chose the band b/c it is a bit less invasive and seems to have less chance of complications. It also helped that my sister had it about a year ago and it has worked wonders for her!!! I have been on the liquid diet for a week now, thank God, only a week more. Cat food started looking good, LOL J/K!!!! You'll get through the diet, just keep your eye on the prize...a new you!! Good luck

Congrats on just being a week away, that is so awesome! The liquid diet stinks, I'm glad you only have a week left. But being on it means we are one step closer! Whoo Hoo! Thanks for the encouragement! Denise

I'm on the surgery schedule for 11/22 for lap-band. I have a one week pre-op liquid diet, but I'm trying to "practice" for it (I'm really nervous about that part.) Many good wishes to you as you head towards the losing side! RNY stands for "Roux en Y" which is the name coined by the French inventor of that type of gastric bypass surgery. RNY can be performed open or laproscopically, although MOST surgeons have gone towards laproscopic procedures whenever possible because it's easier to heal from and presents less risk to the patient (at least I believe this is what my surgeon told me when we discussed the various surgeries.) You might find more information about when open RNY vs. Lap-RNY is indicated on that board. But you're on the right board because you're going to be a BANDSTER! Best, Stephanie

Hi Stephanie, Thanks for the information. I didn't have it quite straight! Good luck on your surgery 11/22. Now that I'm in my 3rd week of liquids, it is much easier and I am rarely hungry. So you will be fine! Take care, Denise

Hi Denise.... I am 3days post lap band. Ya-hoo! Believe me honey if you can get through that barium swallow you can get through the liquids only. I am sure you can have creamy soups, but check with your MD to make sure. Just be prepared for the awful gas pain when you are out of surgery. 3 days you can expect to have this pain. It radiates up into your shoulders, under your ribs and there is nothing you can do about it, except try to move around and it will absorb into your intestines and you will be able to expel it then. OH WHAT FUN....LOL I still can't believe it is over with tho. I am so looking forward to summer and new clothes and just to feel good again. My husband & I are planning to climb Half Dome in August to celebrate! Good luck you will be in our prayers, everything is going to be perfect and you will be a LOSER! YAAAAA! Keep in touch. Dana

Thanks, Dana! You are so sweet! I've heard rumors about the gas It sounds painful! I hope it's all gone by the time I have to go back to work. Whew, that could be embarrassing! LOL Thanks for all the good information about what post op is like. Making plans for summer is great, isn't it! I can't wait to do some of the things that have been difficult in the past. I hope you have blast hiking up Half Dome! Take Care! Denise

Hi Denise Had lap band on 10/17/06 and I feel great > Lost 21 pounds on liquid diet before the surgery and another 22 since. I felt a little sore after. Take all the pain meds they give you. Gas hurts a little but it is not that bad Keep walking right after the surgery it really helps. Have some clothes ready.. I bought leggings and matched them with some loose sweaters so I felt like I had new clothes right away and put on makeup. It really gave me a lift when people said I looked good so soon after surgery. You won't want to wear anything too tight around your waist for a while. This is the first week I am wearing pants with a button and zipper to go back to work. It really has been worth the effort. Stock up on different flavor broths and diet jello and just forget about anything else for a while. Had my first egg and piece of cheese this week It was great. My poor dog and cats are really missing their table food but the dog can stand to lose a few pounds too!!! I wish you the best. Please stay in touch with me Shelly

Wow Shelly, Your weight loss is awesome! How long were you on the liquids? I am really happy for you!! Thanks also for all the advice - I am starting to think about what to wear to the hospital and what to pack, and I forgot about how the waist band would rub . . . So how long after the surgery were you on liquids? How did your tummy handle the solid food when you could finally eat it? Okay, I'll quit asking questions. I bet your animals will be glad to have you eating solid food! My dog is in the same boat - he's been reduced to eating dog food, if you can imagine the indignity. LOL Have a great day! Denise

Hi Denise! I'm doing the band as well. I'm scheduled for the 30th. I just called my group to ask if I needed to be on any kind of pre-op diet, but they don't require anything but NPO from midnight the day of surgery. I find that a bit odd, but last time I checked, I hadn't gone to med school. I am struggling with keeping the pre-surgery weight off -- they'll kick me out of the queue if I regain the required loss (5% for my program), and I'm having trouble with that like you wouldn't believe. I don't have any advice for you, but I'm thinking of you and wishing you well. Best wishes, Donna B

Hi Donna, Thanks for the happy thoughts and right back at you for getting your 5% off. What type of program did they have you on? Good luck keeping if off, I hope you don't get kicked out of the queue! Let me know if I can help in any way. Denise