doclynch

Hi, my mom and I are planning on having surger but we are confused as to what option to go with, the gastric-bypass or the lapband. My Grandma had the gastric-bypass and has had a few problems with it as to what she can eat. She gets gas when she eats certain foods and cant handle other foods and I was wondering if you have those possibilities with the lapband? Also, do you have to have the band replaced after so many years? I have a Dr appt on Feb. 21st and my mom and I have to have our minds made up by then as to what option we want to do so I am hoping someone can help me with the concerns that I have! Thanks

I posted this on another topic, but I think its worth repeating:

I think Dr. Ortiz put things in perspective for me. He was sitting on the couch in my room, I was getting ready to go in for my band... I asked him about problems associated with the band. He said about 1 in 200 have problems. Erosions or slippage, that type of thing. His words "1 in 20 don't make it out of the hospital with gastric bypass". HELLO? 1 in 20 DIE before they are discharged. 1 in 200 might have a PROBLEM... not DEAD, but a problem. pb'ing and farting alot are bad, but it beats DEAD i'm pretty sure.

Randy

Lulu,

I'm gonna have to agree with Tuesday... ya gotta get up. I'm a nurse so I kinda know about this type of stuff...

The longer you stay in bed... the HARDER it will be to get out.

You need to get up and walk. Make a lap around your house, sit and rest for a min, then get up and do it again. Walk around the block, rest and do it again. Take yer dog and walk. I'm not talking miles and miles... I'm saying just get up and MOVE.

Staying in bed after surgery ANY surgery is BAD BAD BAD.

Walk around your house.... NOT TO THE KITCHEN... but around your house. It will feel yucky the first few trips, but IT WILL GET BETTER. The longer you stay down, the longer it takes to get back up, and the more problems you will have... Constipation and all sorts of yucky problems.

the hardest part is over (the surgery) now its time for the easy part. Yer dog is gonna love you for takin em.

Good luck

Randy

Pamela =D> I am SOOO proud of you.

Keep up the good work.

Randy

Yep, my stomach made a lot of noise the first week after surgery! I always have a bottle of flavored water with me. I am always sipping on something. I found that I don't have to take small sips any more. I don't guzzle it down but I can take bigger drinks than I thought I would be able to.

Becky, try those Campbell Soups at Hand (sip cup style) when you get to the full liquid phase. There is a Velvety Potato and Cream of Brocoli that are really good and they help you feel full! I love my protein shakes that I mix up with the Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl protein powder I found at Akins Health Food store. Mix it with fat free milk and some ice. I added a small spoon full of peanut butter and blended it up real good. It is really tasty.

Randy, I guess you are finally eating solid foods??? I am hoping that I feel some restriction once I start on solids. Let me know how you are doing.

I am so glad you guys are doing well. I have been on solid foods for 2 days now. I went out to dinner with my folks last night and I had one of my favorites to celebrate. I had crawfish etoufee to keep in the tradition of Mardi Gras... it was yummy. The last time I had this particular meal, I ate hush puppies, small salad and the whole plate of etoufee. Last night all I could eat was less than 1/2 of the plate... with nothing else. They looked at me like I was sick, cause I usually tear into it...

I don't think I have any restriction, but my stomach and appatite are sure smaller now.

My victories are starting to pile up. 2 belt notches and loose pants, and almost 30 lbs from Pre op weight. I'll be looking to make my fill trip to TJ the 2-3 week of march, anyone else going then?

After the fill is where the real weight loss will come, and I"m ready.

Good luck kids

Randy

Don't need to. He figured it out. He was getting ready to leave for a trip out of the country and finally commented on the weight I have lost. He asked how I did it. I happened to be holding a can of Atkin's protein shake and I held it up and just said, "Atkins."

He looked at me for a long time and said, "Okay, you aren't ready to tell me yet." Gave me a kiss and left. So, he's figured it out.

BSN,

Well I'm glad for you that that cat is almost out of the bag. I knew he'd figure it out. You girls don't give us enuff credit about noticing the small changes. Sure we might not notice of you got the 1/2 inches cut off your hair or whatever.. but believe me... if the women he loves is starting to lose weight, look better, feel better, smile more... we are gonna notice.

about the barfin... I'm glad you talked to Dr. Ortiz... if there is ANYONE around that knows the band... its him. The fact that he wanted to hear your story before he would do anything tells me he believes in what he does. Because this is an elective operation, some Dr's will take your "personal reasons" as enuff to take the band out. Dr. Ortiz is gonna want a little more. I'm sure he could take your money and take it out and never ask why, but he's got a little more character than that. If you are a BSN as yer name states... you know what i'm talking about.

I sure hope you get this figured out and everything starts working as promised, and you start feeling better. Please keep us all posted.

Randy

I am starving. I want to eat. I am freakin' starving!! I am smack dab in the middle of the liquid phase post-op. (My surgery was 3 days ago.) It is not head hunger. This is gut wrenching hunger pangs from the depths of the firey abyss. The clinic told me that I would not be hungry for a week after the surgery, but in true Becky fashion, I am the exception to the rule. I was looking forward to not having that nagging feeling of hunger that I experienced so commonly in the pre-op weight loss period, but to my surprise the morning that I was released the beast (my stomach) started to growl at me!!! Don't get me wrong, I am VERY pleased with the surgery, and I HIGHLY recommend to anyone that they let Dr. O do their band, but I am very mad at my body for not giving me a break!!!

I am counting the SECONDS until I can drink some yogurt. That's a phrase I never thought I would say.

On a positive note, I have lost 6 pounds since surgery. I am sure this is worth it.

Becky

It took my stomach a few days to start growling... Then is sounded like my big guts were fighting my little guts. I just drank more. More often and diff stuff. It does help to be sipping often. I had a bottle of juice or something in my hand the whole day.

The drinkable yogert helps a BUNCH. It gives a full feeling too. But remember to sip it too.

Just have something close at hand to drink and this too shall pass...

I have 4 more days till I get to ear REAL food again.. yayyyyyyy

and a little motivation for me.. i'm down 24 lbs so far from operation today

Keep up the good work gang... it gets better.. i promise

Randy

I burp 24/7

I'm drinking water.....burp

I'm walking to my car...buurp

I'm laying in bed to fall asleep...buuuuuuuuuuurp

Weirdness.

Empty or full, I burp.

Geeze I WISH. I can't burp to save my lift right now. My tummy gets full like a Tympany drum. And then the GROWLING really starts... my dog barks at me when that starts.... #-o

Whazzzup to my BOY BANDSTERS...

Greg and Kev... Thanks for the info and what to expect wiht my brand new VG band. Following your banter I guess I get to look forward to several fill trips. I am planning on going to TJ for my 1st fill, but after that prolly something more local.

Do they do the 1st fill under flouro there in TJ? I'd love to see my band on the xray.

looking forward to the 1st fill...

Randy

Way to go Pamela...

Hate to say it but... WE TOLD YOU... told ya you didn't have anything to worry about...

Glad you had a good experience down that, and good luck and all the strength on your journey.

Randy

Ok people... whats the deal? Why can't I burp? Not even a little teeny one. My tummy is RUMBLING and wants to let some of that out but I can't even burp a little. I'm not talking PB'n or anything like that... I'm still on liquids and mushies.

I don't get it... #-o

Oh and by the way... there is 10 lbs less of me today than there was when I left OCC... 10 lbs in 1 week is not bad. Yahoooo

Randy

Pamela,

The pain is not near what I thought it was going to be. If you read my first post... I was up out of bed checking my email and posting a note on here like 4 hrs post op. They give ya pain meds, and anti nausea meds in the hosp every few hours, and all the capri sun juice packs you want. I drank like 4 that night.

The post op diet is getting pretty old. Today is first day off clear liquids< so im having some soup. I flew back Friday and went to work Saturday. My job is pretty active EXCEPT on weekends, so I did OK.

I keep a bottle of juice close. I'm not really hungry, but the habits of eating are the hard part. My stomach is GROWLING like the lion on the INMED commercial. I'm trying to be a good "bandster".

I wish you luck on the trip. I'm 1 week Post OP and I wouldn't change a thing.... other than I wish I would have came sooner.

Randy

Linda,

well good luck with your plans. When I was thinking about how to come up with the money I figured it this way: The money I was going to save on food alone was going to add up to way more than $8500 bucks. I work 5 days a week. I didn't bring food to work, so I ate junk out of the vending machine. Energy drinks $2 each... prolly spend $6-$8 each day. That ALONE is around $1700 bucks... Not even counting the drive thru breakfast on the way in, and stopping for chow on the way home. So the money is there. You just have to RE-DIRECT it.

Even after you get your band, if you want drive thru food, you will be full with 1/2 a kids happy meal vs. getting a SUPERSIZE meal with extra something. $2 bucks vs. $8 bucks. It adds up.

Randy

Hey kids....

Just got home after my lap band trip. The flight was not too bad. The hard part was waiting for my flight sitting across from the Pizza Hut both. The smell was killing me. Oh well... thats what got me into this trouble in the first place...

Again, I am gonna sing the praises of the OCC. After 2 days to think about it and reflect, I have nothing but good words for the staff and facility. I was a HUGE skeptic as I said the other day. I could not find a single thing they could improve there. The staff was very friendly... and more importantly NON judmental. I felt like they actually cared about me, and want me to suceed.

If you worried about the pain... I took 1 of the Toradol pills they give you as you check out, before I went to bed last night. It was more a "just in case" if I rolled over funny at night. Still have 3 left and prolly gonna toss em. I've been able to drink ok. Be careful of really cold stuff, and make sure you take smaller sips than you would normally... Don't GULP stuff. You'll feel it a little and learn... Just have to pay attn to what your doing. Broth is pretty yummy. Never loved a popcycle so much...

Thats about all for now. I would love to help you with any questions you might have. I'm not a represenative of OCC so anything on here is just my opionion.. but I'll help if I can.

Good luck

Randy

How did it go? I'm anxious to hear as I am getting banded on Feb. 9th. I am worried about the clear liquid diet afterwards. Keep us posted on your progress.

Well... Here I am at the OCC. Had my bad about 4 hours ago. I've heard some say it was pain free, but no so for me. It hurts inside a little, and the incision sites hurt a little too. Did you notice i said A LITTLE. I've had more pain from a ruff day of xmas shopping. Pain...yes, but would it cause me to not do this??? Not in a million years. I know myself, and I feel well enough to travel home. They won't let me of course but thats in my best interest. I get a night here at the hospital. The room is as nice at the hotel room was, one more night there, then home on Friday.

I'll have to say, I am a HUGE skeptic about all the positive feed back on this site. I thought it wouldn't take long to find SOMETHING I could bitch about....again... not so. The staff is what makes this place. They are the best team I've delt with ANYWHERE. Everyone is ready to help, and I've been asked over and over if I have any questions. They want to make sure we know whats going on. Dr. Ortiz is awsome. He came in, sat on the couch and just put me right at ease. His mother was who picked us up at the Hotel to bring us here this morning. She is just a total sweetheart. She took care of everything. The staff at the Lucern Hotel Jump when she says jump. She has that place locked on, and they are very sharp.

To those of you sitting on the fence do it or not do it. I am sitting here 4 hours post op in pain... singin praises. I have ZERO regrets, and i'm looking forward to the next step of my life.

I'm not sure how well i'm going to handle the post of diet... liquids for several weeks and such. I'd been on a liquid diet 20 years ago when i broke my jaw, so I know some of what to expect. But you can get pretty creative about what you can pull thru a straw.

Thanks for the support and good luck with your decision. I would give my whole experience so far 5 stars.

Randy

Ok kids. Here we go. I'm going down to OCC tomorrow to get my band on Wednesday. Wish me luck.

Randy

From what others have told me, if your band slipped - you would KNOW. there would be some serious discomfort and you would likely not be able to keep anything down at all. As for the shoulder pain, that is very very normal post-op (it's the gas in your body). And, no, you didn't stretch your band out! In fact, that's impossible. You are not supposed to have any restriction at first because you are waiting for your body to heal from surgery. It is more important that you get the nutrients you need and take it slow. It may take 2-3 fills before you feel true restriction. Yes, people do vomit or PB sometimes, but the idea is to avoid that. If you do vomit regularly, something is wrong or you are too tight.

It sounds to me like things are right on track for you, but if you would like some more reasurance, I'd recomend ordering "Lap-Band for Life" and reading through it. It helped calm all of my fears and now I'm just anxious to get it done!

I've been following this thread since it started and I've GOT to say... you need to tell him.

I'm a strong believer in doing what you think you need to do, and for your own reasons. Nobody can make YOUR decisions for you... HOWEVER, you have said it yourself, a little lie, and now more and more lies to cover it up. Its a house of cards now and it WILL FALL. The deceit (lap band, spa treatments, shopping) will undermine the other good truthfull, trusting 19 years. Trust is paramount in a relationship and if you don't have trust, you don't have anything. He will find out one way or another. You guys need to give us a little more credit. We are NOT oblivious to changes like this. Some things we just avoid because we know it will spin into a fight. If you guys have any type of physical relationship I promise you he knows something and has seen the scars.

Yes he might be mad, yes I know I would be if I found out my wife did something worth $9000 behind my back too. I don't doubt your decision to get it done. I am getting mine the 31st. I DO feel its wrong to keep secrets like that from the one you call your husband. Nobody is saying you have to announce it to the whole world or stand up at church on Sunday and tell everyone there... but your HUSBAND? keeping the secret about paying $100 for a peticure is one thing. We UNDERSTAND that. A lap band that you fight about, and get it done anyway behind his back is wrong. Your body is telling you its wrong. Make it right by telling him and I'm gonna bet a zillion dollars you will feel better.

at the end of the day, look in the mirror and ask youself if your doing the right thing.

For the sake of the previous 19 years... tell him

Thanks Marissa for asking that. It's been mentioned so many times. I thought I was the only one who didn't know. Hey whats a little vomik'n between friends... >

Kevin,

First let me say thank you for the obvious time and sincerity of your reply. I could hear your voice in my head saying the same things I was thinking, but you put those words in some order.

I agree the "banding my mind" is the most important part. My story is similar to most, using food as the crutch for a myriad of reasons above just nourishment. I am a "defining moment" person, and usually need a pivitol even to change my direction. Several near misses got my attn. The high blood pressure started it... The sleep apnea... the depression... seeing 300 on the scale for the first time... but I kept my head in the sand. and my car in the drive thru. This lap band will clearly be just a tool for me. One of several to get my weight under control.

I (as a member of the boybandsters) don't deal with my feelings as well as the ladies, but maybe thats another one of my reasons I have Dominoes on my speed dial.

I plan to use board as a vessel to channel my story. I also hope to get that support that I'm sure I will need in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Randy

Randy, You want the straight scoop from a fellow Boy Bandster as you call us well here it is. Gender has nothing to do with being banded. Each individual has their own reason and experience.

Gender I believe does have a part in who chooses to relate their "experience or reason for being here" as you put it. When it comes to expressing honest feelings on this board the women here have the ability to empower and share with each other better than some of us guys. In general we just don't discuss our "feelings" on subjects like banding in open forum. We are also in the minority of Dr. Ortiz's clientele which does decrease the volume of male related data that can be found here.

Simply said the best way to find others who relate with you is tell your reasoning for wanting to be banded. The replies will usually come first from those that can relate with you both male and female.

I was banded for my health first and foremost. Secondly because a close family member experienced devastation in their life and it made me re-evaluate my own and how I chose to live it. One major component was that I was killing myself with food. No it isn't easy to say but I had to admit it before I could commit to the banding process for me and only me. Heavy stuff(no pun intended). But really good stuff that can set a person free from guilt and shame. So as I have said in past posts my mantra was to "band my brain" first and then the body. My mind had to be open to be educated on how to eat by the band before I chose to have it placed. It is a tool and not the end-all as all of us would like. I take a very intense approach to being banded compared to many on the board. This is a manifestation of my high BMI and accepting I could not persist to live my life "fat and un-happy".

Eddie Izzard, the comedian, has a bit where he talks about the Spanish inquisition and equates the flippant manner in which those who were asked to relinquish their religious beliefs or be killed to his phrase "Cake or Death". His interpretation of the dismissive way in which many were offered life or death. Ultimately it meant to the persecuted spiritual death or physical death. My mind never equated cake with death so for me I ate the cake and dismissed the thought that it was the same as death. For me to finally get my brain banded I had to equate the cake with death and eliminate the dismissive feelings I had harbored for years on addiction to food. I had fooled and victimized myself because in reality death comes to all but sooner to others if they choose the cake. Either way life is precious but being true to oneself just as valued. You either choose to work with the band or not and that choice needs to be made before you get the band. If you choose to let it teach you how to eat then you will succeed in the life-long process. If you fight it then it will fight you and the symbiosis between your mind, body and band, will be in constant conflict and may lead to ultimate failure.

I have a close friend who will be banded by Dr. Ortiz. We sat together and talked and all the questions I had early on came out into the open each having to do with the banding itself, Dr. Ortiz and his staff, and what you can or can't eat, anesthesia, hotel accommodations, etc. Once we got through the obvious questions I approached the discussion to what her mindset is going into the banding process. She was taken aback by my question and made light of her weight. That's the point where I told her of where I had been and where I was going in my mind with the banding process. I think it frightened her to be open until we got to the point where she started to look at herself and be honest about what role food played in her own life. I felt awful as I left because my reflection was maybe I petrified her into reconsidering. But in reality if we can't face ourselves how can we use the band as an effectual method? So if at that point she had changed her mind on being banded at least she would be moving forward with her eyes open.

The main reason I wanted to reply to you now is there is plenty of time to ponder the surgery and its many components as well as your life after banding. The unknown makes us all anxious to an extent. But right now it is vital you spend the time needed to prepare for this new adventure you are about to depart on. My hope is you are dedicated to living healthy and giving over your eating habits to the band so it can re-educate you on correct eating habits. Randy much success on your banding and keep us informed of when you will be banded. I will be at Dr. Ortiz's office for a fill on January 15 & 16. Look forward to hearing your progress. A fellow Boy Bandster. Kevin

I'm new to this and will be getting banded some time this month. I think its time to hear from some of the men folk to get a clear picture what i'm about to get myself into.

Ok I've read a zillion posts from you girls... This one if for us boy-bandsters. Some of our experiences and reasons for being here are the same... but some are SOOO very different.

Looking forward to getting the straight scoop

Randy