Some silly questions

Hello everyone. I have been reading posts..and am curious, and trying to get prepared for having the lap band. I am at the very beginning of the process so please bear with me, and some perhaps silly seeming questions. I have read mention of "fills". What is a fill. I am assuming its perhaps getting the band inflated..? What kind of things can you eat after the surgery? I have a few classes to go to, but I would like to learn as much as I can before going. I appreciate all your help here! Sherry

Welcome Sherry, I'm just getting started in the process as well.  I'm going to CMC -- I've had my initial appointments, testing.  I need to lose 13 lbs in the next 6 weeks. Attend info sessions, preop support sessions and of course reading the posts here gives you lots of information. A fill is where they inject saline into the port of the lapband to inflate the band and it helps to give you 'restriction'. Have you chosen a center yet? Ann

Hi Ann,    Thanks for the response.  I am going to go to DHMC at Manchester, but i THINK the surgery is done at Eliot Hospital.  I went to the initial informational meeting, and I have my homework to get done.  My PCP is in my corner, and hopefully all will go smoothly, however...Murphys Law can always get the best of a well laid plan.    Sherry  

Hi there,    I just had lap-band surgery on 5/15 @ CMC & am home recovering nicely. The diet I was given is a pure liquid one, clear liquids for the 1st 24hrs after surgery & now full liquids for the next 2 weeks, until I have my post-op visits with the doc & nutritionist on the 28th, where I will then advance to a purree diet & then soft solids , so on & so on. And a fill is an injection of sterile fluid into the port in order to tighten the collar of the band & cinch the stomach tighter. Good luck in your journey to a healthier you!!  Linda 

Linda,

I was just about to post a question about how long CMC has you on liquids and you posted this -- good timing! Congrats on getting your band - how are you feeling?

How long did it take you for the whole process? I see Dr F. on June 19th and my lifestyle changes course ends on June 26th. Hopefully I will have lost my 13 lbs by then.

Ann

Hi Ann, From the time I first saw Dr.F to my surg date was approx. 2.5 to 3 months. He originally wrote the letter for the ins comp. but then I was told Dr.C was the one who would be writing another letter to the ins comp. To this day I'm still not sure who's letter went to the ins. company. The surg itself took about 1.5 hrs, no tubes or anything, just an IV. No stitches or steri strips - I have been super-glued!! I have 4 puncture sites & 1 area about 2.5" where the port is. I am hardly using the roxycet maybe once a day & last night I slept on my tummy!!  I am considered a lightwt & was instructed to not loose wt until I saw Dr.C- so be sure you don't loose to much to soon. Are you getting nutrition councelling with the OTC? I did find them helpful.   My biggest thing now is gas pains (go figure) & constipation, I'll be calling Dr.C tomorrow for her recommendations on that. Keep the faith, I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday, let me know how it turns out. Linda