SmileyTaty

Hi!

I'm getting banded in Mexico on February 6. I bought the book "Lap-Band for Life" on Amazon and that helped explain a lot of things. I don't have to start the pre-op liquid diet until 10 days before surgery, which is 2 days from now. I am really nervous about it too! Considering I have never been a successful dieter it will be a challenge for sure. It will be so worth it in the end! I just know you will have a good experience!

Eva

Hey Eva, Im gonna go buy the book right now.. Do u have to do a liquid diet or all clear liquids? Im Nervous to, but ive been waiting for this for 2 yrs. 1. I had to be on a 6 months clinical diet to see if i would lose weight (i gained lol) 2. My general doctor didnt feel comfortable with me getting the lap band until i was 21 ( i dont know why).. And What else oooo i was going to have the Sleeve and i changed my mind to the lap band, so i had to go get other test. Well so im really anxious im sure ill be super scared/excited the night before and the day of just because i cant believe its finally coming true.. Thanks again..... Tatyana

Hey Tatiana. I can't answer everything, but maybe I can help a little. I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on August 28th, so I am a few months down the road. A PB is a productive burb. It is similar to vomiting, but it just getting rid of what is in the pouch, so it is not quite so violent or acidic. Usually you "slime" first, which is think slimy saliva that comes up. The most common reasons for PBing are eating to fast or not chewing well enough. It is best to avoid PBing if you can, though is likely to happen sometimes anyway. It buts stress on the band, and can make it slip.

When something is stuck, it feels like a pain in the chest. For me, it can range from mild discomfort to one time I thought I might be having a heart attack. I don't believe you can die from getting stuck. It will move somehow, either down through the band, or up and out (PBing). But it can be painful.

You know when the band is too tight when you have trouble keeping liquids down and can not really eat anything (less than a few ounces of food). It is miserable and you will feel like you need help. You will also do a lot of PBing, as nothing will go through the band very well. You should always call your doctor if you think you need an unfill.

A band slipping is uncommon, but is often because of too much PBing, and not following the guidlines that were given to us. I have not experienced this, and hopefully never will, but I am told you will know if you have slipped. Nothing will stay down.

I am sorry to hear about all the things you have to do before surgery. Each doctor has his own methods. I can't imagine being on clear liquids before the band. I thought it was pretty band after the band. Just don't forget how important it is to follow your doctors orders. He wants you to have success with the band. And I'm sure you want that too. So you will be back to eating in no time. Good luck though and keep us updated.

Reading what other people have been through was very helpful for me. Check out the Newly Banded section. There are some great Journal type entries an other posts to explain exactly what the surgery was like and helps with what to expect.

Becki

Thank you so much Becki, thats was a lot of great info a lot of things i didnt know. Question??? Why do u think my doctor put me on all clear liquids for 2 weeks. Im soooo frustrated lol.. Ive gotten way better the first 3 days ( im on my 4th) i had to go to sleep really early because of the pain.. Do u know anything i can do to supress that?? Thanks again- Tatyana

Hi Smiley! What is it that you're concerned with? I'm new to this experience, but I'll help if I can. Are you going to Dr. Ortiz, or somewhere else? Yeah, the liquid diet isn't much fun, I had to do it over Christmas!, but if you have a good blender, you can come up with some pretty inventive meals. Just know, you're not alone!

Kim

Hey Kim,

I'm having my operation here in Miami with Dr.Whitwell. They have me on an all clear liquid diet so I can only have suger free jell-o (I've never hated Jell-o so much lol) and suger free popsicles, and crystal light. I can't blend anything. : (. There are a lot of things I don't know like PB what's that? And can u die from getting food stuck? What does it feel like when food gets stuck? When do u know when the band is too tight? What does it take to make the band slip? I'm sure there are more questions I have lol.. I just can't think of any. I go for my first medical clearence on Friday, I have to go to 3. O, 1 more question I don't know if u can answer it. I was supposed to be taking a b12 shot once a wk, I haven't done it, do u think they'll do the operation if my b12 is low? Thanks Kim w/e info u can give would be awesome.

Thanks, Tatyana

Hey my name is Tatyana and i live in Miami, Fla. And im getting banded on Feb. 5th... IM SOOO EXCITED!!!

Hey im getting banded on Feb.5 and im going nuts . Im on an all clear lquid diet and itss soo hard, I just need someone to talk to about different things. Im starting to realize that i know very little about the operation. Whatever advice you can give will be greatly welcomed.. THANKS... You can also email me SmileyTaty@aol.com.. Thanks again..

Hey I totally agree w/ you. We shouldn't just go for the easy way out and have the lap band done. But for a lot of us its the last resort. I just got approved by my insurance to have it done, I've been trying to lose weight for 2yrs. I've gone to a nutritionist and the gym for 2 yrs. It hasn't helped. I'll lose like 10 pounds gain it then lose it again. I was going to the nutritionist once a wk, the gym 5 times a wk, and my doctor bi weekly.. It has been nothing but an uphill struggle. Then finally my doctor said that I should try the gastric bypass, but that was way to intess for me. So my surgeon, told me about the lap band system. And for a lot of people this surgery is about more than just being skinny, its a chance for people to live healthier lives. Yes people can die, and yes people do die. But this surgery has cured people from knee pain all the way to something as hectic as diabetes. So hopefully u understand where a lot of people are coming from.. And u can gaurantee that there are 1 million stories of bariatric surgerys gone well. All I'm saying is to have an open mind everyone going into this operation knows the risk. I had to see over 10 different doctors because of my insurance and age and each one kept repeating to me the risks. I know what I'm getting into. And losing the weight can solve a lot of peoples problems. Just keep an open mind.. Good luck with u and urs. God Bless..

Got a call from a friend earlier this week that her bro, who had the surgery about a year ago, was in intensive care. He was throwing up when the band split (from what I understand). He was rushed to the hospital and put in intensive care on heavy morphine. During the night had an emergency surgery to try and repair the damage. Ultimately, he had a part of her stomach removed. The doctors see no improvement. He is dying slowly and in great pain. Unfortunately, he is aware of everything going on and knows it's just a matter of time.

What I need to understand is why anyone would put themselves through something so horrible just to "look good". I was 60 pounds overweight, went on a diet and in a year looked great. Anyone can diet; the problem is everyone looks for the easy way out and put their lives in danger. I will guarentee that this is one of million stories of weight loss surgery gone bad. What happens is that people who have had serious complications generally don't post or are dead!

DIET DIET DIET! For the money you are spending, get yourself into a weight loss clinic, hire yourself a personal trainer, DO ANYTHING BUT DON'T GET SURGERY!

You need to be happy with yourself on the inside. Do you think getting skinny is going to solve your problems? NO!