Auggie

Hi Lori, Your blog entries are great and I have enjoyed reading about your journey from band to sleeve. My revision is coming up in October and I am starting to get myself motivated to begin the per-op diet. I noticed that you had PRP done as well during your recovery period. Can you tell more about this procedure? Did you have the injections everywhere or just in localized areas? Have there been noticeable results and have they lasted (if I am correct it has been about five months since your PRP). Since I'll have to be down in Mexico for a week I am thinking about it... I am 45 and need to start thinking a bit about a "preventative maintenance plan".

Hi Lori, Thanks for the picture, it really helps me visualize my sleeve size.

What size bougie does OCC generally use when performing the sleeve surgery? Is this something that is patient specific or is there a general guideline that is followed?

Hi Dottie, I am also scheduled for a band revision on October 8 so I guess the two of us will be starting the pre op diet at the same time. I was banded in October of 2009 and experienced great success during the first year. My lowest weight was 185 which was only 10lbs from my goal weight! Then one night things went bad for me after I exercised too soon after eating. I was jogging and was forced to "pull over" at the three mile mark and vomit, really hard several times, in order to remove the block. I think it was the combination of dense chicken and the jostling of the food in the pouch that irritated my band... but wow, was it bad. I kept to liquids for three days afterwards and then tried mushies, but from that point on things weren't as good. So I went in and had a partial unfill which gave me some relief for a couple of days and then for no apparent reason, things tightened up again... to the point of not being able to even get water down. My doctor completely emptied my band at that point and it remained empty for about six weeks before we started filling it again. I never again reached that "sweet spot" and started to experience acid reflux some nights. Oh, yeah, and I started gaining weight again which is pretty depressing. I finally decided that, although initially the lap band was a great tool for me, it was no longer working and had to go. I am not really looking forward to the pre op fast. It is so hard to not eat food -especially when everone around you is enjoying theirs so much! But, I am getting my head wrapped around the pre op liquid diet and am planning on starting on September 8 (one week early, I know, but I figure it can't hurt). I bought a product called Isopure: 220 calories per serving, 1g fat, 5mg cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 3g total carbs and a whopping 50g of protein per serving... oh and it mixes easily with water and comes in a dutch chocolate flavor that actually tastes pretty good. You should check it out. I am going to do everything possible to follow the pre op directives because Dr. Miranda told me that with band revisions, there is always the possibility that the revision surgery would have to be divided into two procedures: one to remove the band and the second to perform the sleeve procedure after the stomach has healed. From what I understand, not eating before hand allows the stomach to shrink and reduces any swelling caused by band irritation and it also shrink the liver which gets in the way if it is too large and fatty. So anyway, feel free to stay in touch. We could be pre op training buddies! Best, Eric

Thank you for the lead. I'll go ahead and give the folks at La Belle Vie a call.

Can anyone recommend a doctor who does fills in Seattle? I am frustrated that many doctors refuse to consult with a patient who was banded in Mexico, even if I am a self-pay. I cannot take the time away from family/job to fly to and from Mexico each time I need a fill. Thanks!

For those of you coming off of the strictly clear phase - I have found a good drinkable yogurt: DanActive Light - one serving has only 35 calories and zero fat. It is flavored with fruit juices and doesn't need to be strained. It also tastes pretty good!

Hey Odette, My port site looks like there is a lemon sewn under the skin! I really hope the swelling goes down -it looks like I have a tumor on the left side of my abdomen. I know what you mean about the port hurting when you laugh -same with me! It also hurts sometimes if I move too quickly or bend over too quickly... last night I was laying down reading and my cat jumped up on my stomach... I had to peel myself off of the ceiling because he landed right on my port. How much yogurt did you drink on the first day? Did that weak feeling go away once you started the yogurt and protein shakes? I found these great protein shakes at Costco -they are premixed individual servings that have 30 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar, low in calories and they actually taste good! I am planning on drinking one or two a day for the remainder of the 21 days.

Can I ask how much cosmed charged for the Botox and the fraxel? I sent them an online inquiry but haven't heard back yet.

Yeah!!! I have just one more day of clears only! After Thursday I get to add the drinkable yogurt. So here is a question for you seasoned folks: I had really bad gas for two days after I was banded; after the two days things calmed down and I feel great now. Can I expect my stomach to go haywire once I start drinking the cream soups and protien shakes? Thanks!

Hi Odette, I also had really bad gas for the first couple of days after the surgery... but then it went away and I feel great now. I have absolutely no hunger and am still doing just the clears... I am going to try and hold off on the yogurt until Friday (7 days post op). I am losing weight very quickly... but that might be because I am a guy. I find that hot tea really soothes my stomach and I am also drinking a lot of crystal light. Although I don't feel hungry, my big struggle is all of the psychological stuff that really messed with my weight in the past -I really have a lot of emotional connections to eating routines and I am really hoping that 21 days of liquids breaks those connections. I am amazed that I have lost 13 pounds so far! But I am not really all that surprised because I am only taking in less than 300 calories a day... I am not all that worried about the low number of calories, I have plenty of fat stores to burn. My only complaint is that I am still a bit tender where the port was placed... it is still a little swollen and bruised, but it seems to be getting better each day. Good luck and stay in touch! Best, Eric

So I have a question regarding the creamy soups stage: Are we supposed to be eating the soup during meal times only (three times a day) or are we allowed to have it more often? One other question: Is it possible to stretch out my new stomach pouch (above the band) by drinking my clears too quickly? I had my band put in last Friday and for a few days I was really tight -when I drank warm liquids I could actually feel the liquid draining through the band and into my stomach -so it was easy to monitor my fluid intake in regards to my newly adjusted stomach capacity. I think the swelling has decreased in my stomach now and I don't feel the tightness and I can't really tell if I am full or not when I drink my clears. I want to make sure that I am keeping hydrated... but I don't want to over do things.

Crystal light is amazing! Only 5 calories per packet and no sugar. I mixed two packets in an evian bottle and really enjoy the intense flavor. I have found that chewing gum also really helps with the psychological need to chew. I chew a piece of gum for about 15 minutes before my family sits down for dinner. I continue chewing the gum while sipping my beef flavored broth -I can almost convince myself that I am eating a steak! Drinking a lot of fluids is really helping me feel full. I am really looking forward to Friday when I can start the liquid yogurt! I feel a little weak at times, but hey, I have only been taking in less than 300 calories a day... The good news is that I am really noticing some changes in my body already- my weight is dropping and my clothes are getting loose.

Thanks for all of the positive support! I am interested to see how much weight I will lose during the 21 days... I figured that right now, on the clears only, I am only consuming under 300 calories per day! I imagine that continuing this for 7 days will tap into some of my fat reserves.

I was banded on Friday, October 23rd. My surgery went very smoothly and I am really looking forward to the next 21 days. I am hoping that other "newbies" out there join up so that we can form a support group of sorts. I would also really appreciate any advice from those of you who have been through this before. Peace