JusCallMeE

Hello Everyone,

Are there any other secret lap banders out there?

I got my lap band in TJ on 4/17/07. I haven't told any of my family or friends yet. I fell a great since of shame that I had to resort to the lap band to get control of my poor eating habits.

I live in Northern Calif and just about everyone in my life in very healthy and fit. My daughter is a nutritionist and she's always tried to help with my food issue's. I just can not tell her I did this.

It's been 3 years of working out with a personal trainer, hiking 4 or more miles a day in the forest, riding my bike whenever I can, trying to eat right but I saw so little results that I needed something more to help control the eating.

I weighed 203 the day of the surgery, I'm 190 lbs today. I don't remember what my BMI

I've had a few bad episodes that really scared me when I first started eating solid foods, i.e. choking then throwing up, bad gas, choking, pain in the chest or shoulder. I live alone and no-one knows about this so I have no-one to talk it thru when it's happen.

I've gotten very careful about how and what I eat. When I'm eating with friends and family I've told them I'm trying to healthier and slower, using a small spoon when eating really helps. Since I've been battling my weight for years they don't question my new efforts.

I've also been very careful of someone seeing my incisions, there healing really well to my suprise. One of them I can't even see and it's only been three weeks.

I was very happy with the doctor and staff in TJ considering I went down there without anyone knowing I was going let alone going for surgery. I'm going to be going back soon to get my first fill.

Well thats my story. I would love to meet other lap banders, I look forward to your replies.

I kept mine pretty much under wraps too, (at least I thought, anyway).

I told a trusted friend at work--for support...she had Gastric Bypass and really helped me decide mentally.

I told my fiance...I needed someone to go with me...hahahaaaaaaa!

Then I told my mom and my daughter...I mean, what if something happened and NO ONE knew...even a car accident.

Then I told my aunt...she lost her husband to suicide in January and if something DID happen, I wanted to spare her not knowing.

That was it...before surgery at least.

Well then my fiance told our roommate, who told his girlfriend.

Then my fiance told his co-workers-two of them had Lap-Band in November.

Then, when I came back, I told my boss...I mean, what if something happened at work...she'd need to know, right?

And I've told my sister, who told her boyfriend. And my best friend.

So it's still a secret, right? 13 people...oh what the heck...I may as well post a newspaper ad now...

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!

E >

I copied and pasted this from OCC website. Are these things still true now? Would be nice if it is. I haven't read many posts from newer banders that have explained this in their experiences.

Day 3: Recovery

The morning after the procedure, it is frequent that the patient has fully recovered, is walking and has taken a shower. Clear liquids are started and a discharge from the hospital to the hotel is usual soon after.

A recovery period of an additional 24 hours at the hotel is recommended. There, our nursing staff will attend to your needs if necessary. We will provide you with written instructions from our Nutritionist and Surgeon along with a basket of approved liquids, oral medication for pain control and an acid blocker. You are encouraged to relax by the pool, walk around the grounds and enjoy your surroundings during your recovery. The hotel restaurant is also accustomed to providing our patients with approved clear liquids as well. You will be able to enjoy clear broths, Jell-O and juices from the restaurants with your companions.

Peace,

Judy

Same here, Judy...I totally second Clynn...Just banded 03/16/07 by Dr. Ortiz

Aww man! I am May 11th. It woulda been nice to finally find someone for the same day! Oh well. I'm sure I will eventually find one person. I am so freakin excited. Almost at the one month countdown mark!! YAY!

Hey there,

My mom is going to have her surgery on the 11th...she decided to have the lapband surgery after my PHENOMENAL experience...I'll be accompanying her because I'll have my first fill that day as well. I'll keep an eye on your posts...can't wait to meet you!

E >

Today is Day 16. I've lost 0.5 lbs in the last 4 days. My first fill is scheduled for May 11th...the same day my mom will have her surgery. She started at 334lbs with a BMI of like 61.1. I'm so jazzed for her and I'm praying this will be the end of morbid obesity for her and the beginning of a healthier new life. She is doing the South Beach diet for the 6 weeks prior to her surgery...she lost 11 lbs the first week! I'm so proud of her.

Yesterday we went to a casino and I ran into my first real challenge...we were having breakfast around 8:30am and they wouldn't start serving ANY soup until after 11am...yikes! So, I improvised and got oatmeal (which luckily was verrrrry runny) and got it down fine. No problems whatsover. -whew-

Next Saturday I start solid foods, so we'll see how that goes.

E >

What's happening March 16th bandsters? How is everyone? Dr. Miranda told me not to exercise for three weeks, but I am kind of really needing it right now. Should I wait?

Stacy

Hey Stacy...Dr. Acosta told me the same thing, except he said it was ok to walk only for the first 3 weeks and then I could add in the elliptical, but no crunches or anything like that for 3 months. Maybe you could e-mail them just to check.

E >

I was banded on March 20th. TOmorrow will be 10 days post op and I am supposed to start protien shakes. How much am I supposed to drink at one time? Do I drink the whole can? or do I only drink half a cup? I know I should have 30 grams of protien a day. I'm going to use slim-fast optima. I would appreciate any help. I want to make sure I do the right thing.

Tracey,

If Doctor Ortiz did your surgery, they want you drinking 1/2 cup at a time at first. I drink 1/2 the can, then the other half about an hour later. 2 cans of the slim fast optima give you the 30 grams you need for the day. Hope that helps!

E >

The tortilla soup was awesome!

Stacy

I'm glad you liked it! I had the Baked Potato one...it was great!

Today is day 12. All is going very well. 23 pounds down, so I can tell that the weight loss is tapering off as I've added creamy soups (usually higher in fat and calories) to the routine. However this feels a little healthier anyway. My scars are looking good...I'm using Mederma...a little pricey, but you get double the amount for the same price if you go to Costco.

Vons soups are good from the Signature Deli section. And I just found out you can get them cold to store at home too...yeah!

I haven't had ANY problems keeping anything down. My first fill won't be till May 11 (my mom is having surgery that day), so I'm hoping I don't get to the point where I have NO restriction before then. I've learned and implemented and followed through on some good habits since pre-op though, so I'm thinking I can continue those positive changes to be successful if I'm not feeling restriction.

No more air inside, so all that chest pressure is gone. I'm finding it hard to burp...I usually hiccup...that's weird to me.

Get at me if you have questions! :-h

E >

>

I am scheduled to have surgery on April 18! I wonder how many they do in one day? I am traveling with my significant other on this trip but would love the company. When I return for a fill I will be alone if you would like to coordinate.

I had surgery on 03/16...there are 5 post op rooms, so I think that's the limit for how many they do in a day. Also, your S.O. won't be allowed to stay overnight at the clinic with you...it was a bummer for us to find that out at the last minute. You and your surgery buddies will have to hold down the fort and walk the tile away together that night.

E >

Hello everyone It is now 8 days post-op and hunger is starting to set in. Juices are just not doing it. Does anyone else have any reccomendations as to what to eat? cream soups are a little liquidy. Hpw about jello and chocalate pudding? Something salty? Is sour cream OK? Please advise

Yo...it's E...

Vons has cream soups in their "signature soups" deli area that eat like a meal...YUM!

>

Hi all again,

I have been reading Dr. Ortiz book Lap Band for Life and saw that other than pain meds, they give you antibiotics to make sure no infections surface after surgery. Well, I am concerned because I am prone to yeast infections and usually am able to ward them off by eating yogurt every day while taking them. Problem is, you have to consume only liquids after surgery for a couple weeks or so and so what am I gonna do in case a yeast infection comes to haunt me. I hate those buggers...lol

Thanks for any input.

Judy

Hey Judy...I'm like you and prone to them too...I didn't get one, but you can have yogurt as early as day 4, so try not to worry too much.

E <' />

I don't follow rules very often. I just tried things and they went down ok. I am really trying to stick to soups, but I am so sick of it already.

Cool...Mitchell says Dr. Miranda said ok for creamy soups as early as day 8, so I'm going for it tomorrow. I've been missing out! I've lost 11 since surgery...so when I add in the soups, it will probably slow down a little. It's really good hearing from the both of you. I wonder about the other girl, Ana, and the lady that had the yellow shirt on...any word from them?

E >

How are you doing? I have been a little hungry and soup is not doing it either. I have had pudding and it was fine for me. I also have a a small amout of thin frijoles with some melted cheese(very small amount). Other than that just yoghurt and soups. I can't wait till this phase is over.

Stacy

Wow, fellow March 16th bandsters...I haven't even moved into the creamy soups phase...still on protein shakes, liquid yogurt, and clear liquids. You aren't scared to jump ahead? How did you make the decision to move into creamy soups and the other stuff? I'm always so scared to break the rules.

E >

One of the last things on my instructions is if you can't drink it, don't eat it. I am having a difficult time with the clear broth and popsicles because I am hungry and I am only 5 days post-op. I drank a yoghurt this morning and I feel much better and a little more full. Plus broth has no protein or anything else for that matter to help me not feel so tired and weak. Dr. Miranda said for me not to drink protein shakes until day 10. Did anyone start them earlier than that? In think the earliest she said was day 7 or 8. Thanks for the support!

Stacy

Hey Stacy, it's E. I took copious notes when Dr. Miranda was talking (because she talks a little fast for my taste)...she said I could start protein shakes as early as Day 6 (which was yesterday for me & you ).

How's everything going? How's your partner handling all the changes?

E >

I was banded on 3/19 and have all the gas and stuff that I've read about here. I do have a question, Has anyone else seemed extremely tired ? Although I haven't I feel like laying down and taking a nap all the time. Any suggestions?

Linda, have you called your doctor?

My doctor's post-op instructions very specifically said "if you feel lethargic, call us immediately". Don't know why, but that's what it said. I was tired when I went back to work, but in general I have more energy...except at the END of the day when I've worn myself out. I never felt tired enough to lay down all the time. I'd call if I were you...maybe they have suggestions.

E >

Hi E

Thanks for your reply to all my questions. I am leaving on Sunday to get my surgery, I am very excited and at the same time I am trying not to think about it because it makes me nervous.

Anyways, Monday is the big day, I can't wait to be skinny and healthy! that is my goal and won't stop until I achieve it. I hope I don't get too uncomfortable with all those gas pains, I really need to get though for this. By the way how is the weather over there it seems to be a little cold but again I am in Miami where is hot all the time. So I hope is not too cold.

I have so many mix feelings about this surgery, I know I am going to be a nervous wreck this weekend.

Good luck with everything to you and everyone here. Keep up the good work!

IG

Hey, IG...

Monday is the first day of the rest of your life...congrats! The weather there was even all day and into the evening, I would guess about 65-75 which is PERFECT in my book! I wore the same type of clothes during the day as I did when we were out walking at night. The gas for me wasn't so much pain as it was pressure...and I didn't have any at all in my shoulder. It's gone now for the most part except sometimes early in the morning.

Proud of you for staying excited...don't let nerves get the best of ya! Oh, by the way...if there is anyone there getting a fill when you go, I recommend talking to them in the waiting room and asking them about their experience...all the people that were there getting fills made it soooooooo easy for me to remember that I made the right decision!

E >

So whats the typical amount of time taken off work?

I had it done on Friday, went to work Tuesday. I was exhausted though, but I've worked Tues thru today AND I still work tomorrow too. Other than that, all is well.

Hi, "E"!

I was banded on the same day you were.....exept in Kansas! I experienced some wicked CO2 gas pains for the first 2-3 days, but they're gone now. In fact, today I'm feeling really great! You and I are very similar in our weight loss thus far: for me, 21 since pre-op changes and 11 since banding. I don't go back to see my surgeon until Wednesday. I'm really ready to get my staples out.......my incisions are itching (which is a good sign), but it'll be nice to have that part done.

I (thankfully) havent' had any trouble with nausea or vomiting. I'm beginning "soft solids" today.....chew, chew, chew! :-) I"m hoping that will go smoothly. I'm really pumped about my band, and I'm really happy to have this forum for information and support.

Anyway, wishing you well!

Kelly

Hey Kelly!

Congrats and good luck! I feel like we're band-twins! hahahaaaaa!!! I didn't have staples...just stitches underneath which will dissolve and dermabond on top which eventually washes away. Thank goodness, cuz staples freak me out. How interesting it is with every surgeon. I have to be on liquids ONLY for 3 weeks and begin solids on Day 22. 1-7 clear liquids, 7-14 liquid yogurts, day 10-protein shakes, 14-21 creamy soups no chunks...it's all good though...I've been so good! So I'll be drinking protein shakes while you're chewing, chewing, chewing...let me know how that goes!

E >

E--

That is a VERY good idea. I'm sure I spend at least as much, since I eat out for lunch at work almost every single day, and where I work, it's very expensive just for a sandwich!

Question for you...what do you think you spend now?

Heather,

You know what's funny? I started pre-op on like March 4th, then surgery on March 16th, and as of today, I MAY have used my debit card twice...it's too weird. I remember thinking "hey, my debit card is right where it's supposed to be in my wallet", normally it would be in my jeans or the car or on the counter in the kitchen or wherever because I used it sooooooooo much. All I've used it for was tortilla soup at El Pollo Loco in like 3 weeks. So I'll definitely be keeping track, but it sure won't be no $500 a month like it used to be!

E >

Hi all,

I am getting close to having the chunk of money for this surgery and recently I have been thinking with all my debts and bad credit all around me, that having that big of an amount of money at one time in my hands and wondering, is this the right thing to do with that much money. I tell myself over and over again, that I need to do this and can only do this for myself, so I can continue to work to pay off my debts and won't have another bill due to having this surgery by being financed or borrowing from someone.

Yet, that thought goes through my mind alot. I have really started to believe that because I don't have hardly any support to having this surgery, then I am being rebellious and going for it just to prove something. Nobody is going to be able to fathom that I can eat sooooo little and still be full. I hope and pray I never PB or vomit at any time, but we shall see. I work in an office and don't want to have to run to the restroom often to either throw up or get control of any problems.

Just sharing my thoughts here.

Peace,

Judy

Judy,

I am with you on that...congrats on not making another bill though. =D>

This is what I did...I went online to my bank account and added up ALL the money I spent using my debit card eating out from Jan-Dec 2006. Do you know how much it was??? I'm embarrassed to say $5500.00!!! Is that UNREAL or what???????

And that only included MY card...not groceries, or even every time my fiance or someone else paid...YIKES! That was the last time I questioned the value of the $8000.

But if you still struggle...think about how much weight-related problems could cost you if you didn't have health insurance in the long run...it's a drop in the bucket!

E >

Hello everyone:

I am writing because I am actually leaving to Tijuana this Sunday, I will be having my surgery on Monday, I am starting to get really scared. I have never had surgery or been a patient in a hospital and I am scared of needles But I am trying not to think about the whole experience hopefully it won't be too painful because I am supposed to go back to work on Thursday.

Well the main reason that I am writing is because I would like to hear from all experienced patients out there. I want to stack on all the groceries I will need before I leave this weekend for my surgery so I want to see if someone gives me a list of things I should get for the first couple of weeks, I know I am going to be very limited as to what I can have so I need some help with that. I am sure that by now many people also know what types of food taste better than others. Anyhow, any help would be highly appreciated.

Also can anyone tell me what I should take with me on this trip other than comfortable clothes. Any particular medications? I have no idea what to take.

I appreciate all the input I could take.

Thanks a lot,

IG

IG...everything will be FINE. I was banded on 03/16/07...never been in a hospital other than to have my baby and didn't even have an IV when I did that, but for whatever reason I was TOTALLY at peace and never felt an ounce of worry. The staff is VERY comforting though, so if you are feeling anxiety, they will help you get through that when you are there.

As far as "stocking up" for afterwards, I didn't do that and I'm glad I didn't. I went to Vons and got a "few" broth type things and some bottled water and some sugar free popsicles. For me, you will get so bored with some of the flavors that having a lot of them at home will just frustrate you more. So what I do is go and find different flavors of things I CAN have. I have more energy now and not all broths taste the same, so walking around Sam's Club or Costco or Vons helps me find different things that I can get that fit the post-op diet. And so far THIS WORKS for me. It gets me out of the house, away from thinking only about food, and I HAVEN'T CHEATED!!! Yay for me! =D>

On day 3 I went and got liquid yogurt to start for day 4.

On day 5 I went and got protein shakes to start for day 6.

I think this whole journey is one day at a time and this is what works for me.

As far as what to take when you go, I packed 1 bag with 3 lightweight sweatsuits, plenty of undies, and my toiletries. The only other thing I took was a jacket and a couple bottles of water. If you are on medication, you DEFINITELY want to take those with you and let the doctors know. But what I packed was plenty.

Let me know if you have any other questions...and BEST WISHES!!! :-h

E

Today is 6 days post op. 22 pounds lost since I started the pre-op diet. 10 pounds lost since being banded. =D>

All that gas pressure was gone pretty much by day 4...early in the morning I do get some pressure, but from what I'm reading that may be typical.

Post-op diet...Still following this to a "T". I refuse to have ANY complications that I can avoid!!! So broth and water and juice for me till Tuesday. I was able to add in liquid yogurt on day 4 with no problems. I added SlimFast High Protein shakes today...no problem...they're 15 grams of protein each, so 2 a day give me the 30 grams that Dr. Miranda says we have to get!

Tip:

El Pollo Loco has chicken tortilla soup and the broth is GOOD!

Pre & post op patients...HANG IN THERE! It CAN be done, I'm a witness!

Get at me if you have any questions... "E" >

Hi E,

I was with you on the 16th. I'm glad to hear your doing ok. I am too, but the gas pains are killing me. I can't walk enough. Isn't Dr. Ortiz cute? That's coming from a gay women! I loved him though.

Stacy

Hi Stacy,

He was adorable...(from what I hazily remember, that is). I'm having some gas, but more up in the upper esophagus area...mostly like the onset of heartburn...I notice if I drink something warm (broth or tea) it eases up for a little bit. I also take deep breaths (pretending like I'm using those blue balls) and that helps too. And of course walking. I hope it gets better for you. You were up and walking good that night, so I know you'll do fine!

E

E, Congrats on the new band and a new life! Viva La Band! Kevin

Thanks, Kev! Love your posts...so motivating!

E

Today is Day 3 for me...feeling very good. Spent most of the day yesterday walking through the mall. Had soup at Red Robin...French Onion...removed all the onions and bread and cheese till there was only about 3 drops of broth in the bottom of the cup...so I asked the waitress to just bring me some more broth. It was more than enough, but if you order it, save yourself the work and ask for just broth to begin with. It was actually very yummy though, I was pleasantly surprised.