MrsParris

I was banded on Nov. 19th, already I can tell that the 4 small incisions won't be noticeable at all. The larger one will scar, but like the previous post stated it will probably look like a scratch. My tummy is covered with stretch marks and I have a huge C-section scar, so , I am not concerned with these scars in the least. If you are worried about them, as soon as the incisions heal you can start putting Mederma on them to help them fade and smooth out. Kimberly

I agree, except they didn't check my teeth. I got to the OCC probably around 10:00am. I was out of surgery at 1:00p.m., according to my husband. So, it all happened within a 3 hour span. They are efficient, but I never felt rushed. They will talk with you as long as you feel it necessary. Kimberly

Don't forget to add protein drinks. Kimberly

LBL applies to a lower body lift, a procedure for excess skin that some people choose to have done after major weight loss. Good luck on your pre-op diet. Everyone at the OCC is great. You won't regret your decision to have it done there. Kimberly

Thanks so much for this post Ramona. I was banded on Nov. 19th and I am still really paranoid. I drink a little, wait a while, drink a little more, then wait again. I am also doing this as I eat my creamy soups. The last thing I want to do is stretch my pouch. Can you stretch your pouch while on the liquid 21 day pre-op, as long as you are doing just liquids? Kimberly

I was banded last Wed. I met with Dr. Miranda to discuss nutrition, was weighed, and discussed my target weight. I however, did not get a handbook for my band. Let me know what they tell you. They are very efficient with emailing receipts and surgery reports, they may have an email version of the handbook, if so I would really like to have one too. Kimberly

I am 5'3" and Dr. Miranda told me between 150-168lbs. I am aiming for the low end. Kimberly

The Campbell's Cheddar Cheese soup was awesome! No chunks whatsoever. Kimberly

Congratulations! They are awesome at the OCC. So efficient, but personable and caring at the same time. Do your walking, but try to get some rest too. Kimberly

I know what you mean, When everyone else was complaining about indigestion, I felt great! Kimberly

Thanks Donna, I saved this to my documents. Kimberly

Lisa, I have two small Yorkie's also. Aren't they the greatest dogs ever!!!!!!!!!!! And they go best in pairs. Elvis and Cricket bring me so much joy every day. Kimberly

Kristy, I agree with the ones who say eat sensibly with your family. Your surgery date is 12/4/08. One meal in moderation is not going to completely sabatoge your diet. It may even help. The worst thing that can happen is you fall one pound short of your goal for surgery. They will still do the surgery. I have read on this forum about people who only lost like 4 pounds and they still had the surgery done. You have done great on your pre-op weight loss so far. Besides, the whole idea of a lapband is to not have to diet for the rest of our lives, but learn portion control and healthy choices. Just make good choices tomorrow and enjoy your meal. Since I will be 8 days post-op, I will be eating cream of chicken soup. Kimberly

That is the main reason I started my pre-op diet way earlier than I had too. You will be fine. As long as you lose the recommended amount of weight everything will be ok. I thought the same exact thing about not being able to stick to the pre-op how can I possibly stick to the 21 day post-op. I was banded a week ago and so far I have done really well on the post-op diet. I cheated on my pre-op diet, but I know my health, the $8,000 + that I have spent, and the life of my band depend on me following the post-op diet strictly. It is just a different mind-set for me. It is a no-brainer. I will not cheat on this. You don't have to count calories, you can have as much chicken broth, popsicles, etc. that you want as long as you only consume 1/2 cup at a time. This first week has flown by. I have tried to stay very busy to not focus on the food. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I already have a plan worked out on what I can eat. It is going to be tough, but I don't have any other choice but to adhere to my diet. Good luck on your pre-op. Kimberly

I am a teacher, so obviously when I took 7 days off people wanted to know why. I told most of my co-workers the truth. They were supportive, because they have seen me for so many years dieting, so they know I have struggled with this issue. I told my students I was having a hernia repaired in my stomach. I planned my surgery strategically, so that part of my recovery time would fall during the Thanksgiving Holidays. I got 2 weeks off, but only used 7 sick days. I too could have went back to work Monday, but I am so glad I took the 2 extra days. My whole restroom routine is messed up. I am so off schedule and needing to "go" has hit at some very inconvient times. I am hoping all that will straighten out by Monday. I have students that must be supervised at all times, so I really can't just up and go to the restroom without asking a co-worker to watch my class. If you have a job with a lot of flexibility in that dept. you should be fine. Kimberly

Amanda I missed you by just a day or so. I was banded on the 19th and left for home on the 22nd. I really think it may still be gas bothering you. I was so lucky on the gas pains. I had them only in my chest for a couple of days, but the Phazyme would stop that for a while. I get a real full feeling around the large incision area when I drink my broth or yogurt. I have been paranoid that I am drinking too fast or too much at one sitting. Maybe someone with more experience will let us know how fast is too fast or if you can drink too much liquid at one sitting. I just assumed that the rumbly noise I hear is my big stomach growling over its deprival. I am so excited. I get creamy soups and slim-fasts tomorrow. I have already planned on watery grits for breakfast with tomato juice mixed in. I am getting very tired of chicken broth and yogurt. Hope you feel better soon. Today was my day 6. I feel great. I think I could have worked today if I would have had to. Kimberly

Travis I so agree with Cara. It won't be long before you meet someone who will appreciate you. Kimberly

Thanks for all the replies. Since the doctor has a good reputation, the commute to his office is only 1.5 hours and the charge is only $100. I think I will give him a try. His receptionist said he could use flouro if it became necessary, she just didn't know the charge. I still don't think it would be the $550 the Fill Center charges for a first fill. Kimberly

That once a year thing sounds like a great idea. Hopefully my husband will be banded in April and I can go with him and get a fill with flouro. Kimberly

Julie, thanks. I remember when you were going through all that. I hope your restriction holds out for you. Here is my dilemma. My nearest fill center charges $550 the first fill, then $285 each additional fill. It is around a 2.5 hour drive for me. I did a lot of internet research and found a doctor in Birmingham, AL with a good reputation. His receptionist says he doesn't need to use flouro to do a fill. He has agreed to do my fills for $100 no flouro. It is about a 1.5 hour drive to his office. I am following my post-op diet religiously, and although I would love to do the fill with flouro the lure of a $100 fill is very tempting. I still owe for part of my surgery and my husband and I are trying to save up for him to be banded, hopefully in April. I can always go to the fills center if I have a problem. Thanks again for your reply. Kimberly

I know that with flouro is the best scenario. Some fill centers don't use flouro. Some physicians don't use flouro. I would like to hear from any bandsters that have had fills done without flouro. and your experience. Thanks for the help! Kimberly

I am sticking to this Post-op liquid thing. But no BM in 2 days. Dr. Miranda told me not to take my Fiber Choice chewables until I start solid food, so I am not currently adding any fiber to my liquids. Are bandsters on the liquid phase supposed to have a solid BM? Should I be taking Benefiber powder? I just assumed since I couldn't use the Fiber Choice, that I also shouldn't use the Benefiber until the 21 days are up. Kimberly

My card says 10.0cm. So, yeah!!!! I guess I got the 4cc after all. Kimberly

Just got home from the OCC today. I took powdered chicken broth mix. It tasted as good as the broth at the hotel restuarant. I just ran bottled water through the coffee pot and mixed it in a cup. It dissolves much more quickly than the bouillon. I bought it in the Hispanic section of my Wal-Mart and I got a large bottle for like $1.56. DO NOT FORGET THE PHAZYME!!! Don't stress or worry too much. Anything you need can be bought at the Plaza Rio mall. The staff at the OCC are wonderful, the clinic is extremely clean, they took awesome care of me. When you come out of surgery have someone Karate chop your back (like a massage) frequently. The nurse did that for me several times and my gas pain has been minimal. I was still high on anesthesia the first time she did it, so I just vaguely remember it, but my husband said she beat the ---- out of me. But it seemed to work, so try it. Good luck, and keep us posted. Kimberly

Hey Selena, I know what you mean about the broth. The thought of it makes me gag. I bought some popsicles. Dr. Miranda told me I could start the drinkable yogurt on day 4. She even wrote it on my papers. I bought some tonight and thought I might try it tomorrow. I had a bit of diluted apple juice on the plane home today. After nothing but broth and water it tasted great. Hang in there! Today was a bit tortuous for me also. They served cheeseburgers on the plane. I LOVE cheeseburgers! But I refuse to eat anything solid for my entire 21 days. You can do it. When I weighed tonight I had lost so that eased the hunger pangs just a bit! Stay in touch! Kimberly