Newbie! Getting Things In Order & Questions?

I'm getting all my Ducks in a row for my Lap-Band Surgery. Hopefully I will be able to get it done in January the latest Feb. I'm located in Sarasota. Went to the Seminar, got my Psych Evaluation, and my Doctor will give me all the paperwork I need as soon as I request it. So I'm really getting Pumped! My questions are for what to expect Post Surgery? I'm not really worried about the Pain Factor I'm good there. I was wondering if anybody would share with me how there first 2 weeks went? I know that Post Surgery there's 2 weeks of just liquids. How did you deal with that? And outside of the obvious Pain of Surgery, I was curious if you could actually feel a the difference like while your eating, as in swallowing? I know that the Surgeon doesn't actually do any adjustment for 6 weeks, but there must be a difference. And after the Adjustment how did you feel after you actually ate? I know I'm rambling here, but I'm just trying to find out how different people felt. Thank you so much, and I Truly Applaud you all~~~ Take Care, Rocko

welcome to the world of WLS... i had the bypass so i have no idea what your going to go through... either way... i cant wait to hear your story!! lex

Hi Rocko, Congrats on the upcoming surgery!! I can let you know my experience with the lap band... when I had surgery there was not much pain at all. I did have really bad gas pains though, but walking, and gas x strips really worked well for me. I don't work so I wasn't in any kind of rush to get back to a job, but I can tell you that when my husband had the lap band he said he could of went back to work the 3rd day. The surgeon made him stay home for 2 weeks, so at least he got a little vacation out of it!! LOL!! As far as feeling any different with the food. As with any surgery you have, or at least in my experience after having 11 surgeries, you really don't have much of an appetite for the first few weeks. When I had the lap band I really didn't start to get my appetite bac****il about 2 months out. I had the vanguard put in and the surgeon did put a little fluid in my band during the surgery. There is a little bit of a difference, you definitley can't eat as much even with an unfilled band. When the band is placed, even though it is empty, it does form somewhat of a pouch. As far as feeling a difference when you swallow, no I never noticed anything different. Take things slow and try not to progress your diet to fast. A lot of people have trouble with meat, I never had a problem with any food. Most people that I know that have a band have the most trouble with chicken and beef. So just remember to chew chew chew and try to make things as moist a possible!! Good luck to you!! I hope that I helped you out some!! If you have any more questions or concerns please feel free to contact me anytime!! I don't have my band anymore, but I did have it for 10 months. It's a great tool if you use it properly!! Again good luck to you!! Jo Ann

Rocko! Welcome aboard the WLS train! Congrats to you for deciding to take charge of your life. Like Lexa, I'm also a 1 yr post op RNY patient, but I can relate to the type II diabetes. One year later, I'm not diabetic, I'm not hypertension, I'm running and I'm happy, truly happy @ having another chance @ life. Wishing you the best and feel free to contact us anytime. Barbi

Thank You! I'm hoping for the Best! My expectations are to Rid myself of my Diabetic probelms. And my Sleep Apnea, I actually just came home from my 2nd stay at the Sleep Clinic where last night I wore a CPAP to help me sleep. Hopefully the Weight loss will help in that Dept. to. I'll stay in-touch, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions. Thank You All! -Rocko-

PS: Sleep apnea also went away - now I'm just waiting for the company to pick up the machine. I get my full 8 hours and no more dragging, falling asleep @ the wheel of my car, my desk, during dinner parties, movies etc..... Keep smiling! PS: We're having a 3oz meeting @ the Former Cleveland clinic hospital in Naples on Tuesday in the physician's dining room. I know it's a ways but you're more than welcome to join us. It's very informative. 5:30-6:30.