gistmom

Pamela, Thank you for keeping us updated on your progress. I was banded April 30 and have not had my first fill yet. It's neat to see how you have progressed since your surgery. We are taking a family vacation to San Diego the week I have my fill, June 12. Will I be able to eat at all those days after the fill or is it liquids only? gistmom

Hi there! Only a few days until your surgery - Congratulations! I only have 3 more days until I can eat solid food and boy am I excited. I don't want much, just a few bites will be perfect. We didn't order room service. We ate in the restaurant. Even after surgery, it felt good to walk down and eat (tortilla soup). The worst pain I had was from the GAS they filled me up with and the walking helped. Mrs. Ortiz has a car, quite roomy and plush. Tell your mom to enjoy the trip. The people at the hotel will help you with whatever you need, taxi, info, or whatever. Everyone is so nice. I have scheduled my fill for June 11 and am looking forward to the return trip. Good Luck!

Okay, day is two weeks post op and I finally fill almost normal! The pain in my chest quit two days ago and yes, I was gassy. Whoa! But I feel so good now, not much pain of any kind. I am craving some food tho! I've lost 8 pounds since surgery, but that was in the first few days, seems to have slowed to nothing now. I think drinking water is a key, but I can't stand it on an almost empty stomach! I made my appointment for June 11 at 11 am. I may make it earlier in the morning if possible but that day. How are you doing?

Dr. Miranda told me on the day of surgery that I was to drink clear liquids for at least 3 days, but could check my tolerance to other liquids on the 4th day. I did not have any problems with them at all. On the day after surgery I had the tortilla soup at the hotel, which it sounds like alot of the other patients have done the same. Soup seems to fill me up and if you buy some meat base, it has quite a bit of protein in it. I just water it down so it's liquid. I drink a cup of it at a time, and i wondered if it was to much, so I emailed dr. Ortiz and Dr. Miranda and they both said that was fine. Liquids don't hurt the band.

Eight days out and I am starting to feel better. Like you, it is getting easier to bend. I still can't sit straight up very long. The pain in my shoulder is mostly gone. Thank goodness. All the surgery cuts are healed and looking good. I don't feel much hunger, only if I go longer than 3 0r 4 hours before drinking soup. Juices and liquid yogurts dont stay with me, so I've been blending up soup in the blender before I heat it. Any kind works, but if it's a creamy thick kind, I had more water. It seems to satisfy me a lot longer. How much can you drink at a time? I drink a cup of soup at a time then 15 minutes or so I can drink more. I thought may be that was to much, but I emailed Dr. Miranda and Dr. Ortiz and they said it's fine as long as it's liquids.

( :-? Oh Boy! Do I know how you feel?! All this pain, is it normal? I can't hardly even sit up without hurting. I've only been banded for 6 days. I drink soup (in the blender first) and weight watchers liquid yogurts, so i'm not really hungry. I just want to feel better!

I was banded on April 30, 5 days ago. I have the same pain you are describing. I can hardly sit up to drive anywhere , it is very uncomfortable. The pain up to your neck I believe, is the after effects of the gas they fill your abdomen up with. I don't know how people go right back to work after this ! I have been taking tylenol.

Hi Judy! Yes, my surgery was on Monday. My sister and I arrived at the airport in San Diego at 10 am on Sunday. Fransico was near the luggage collection area with a paper that had my name on it and Dr. Oriz. He drove us directly to the hotel, we didn't have to stop at the border going in. The hotel was very nice. We checked in, put away our things, and then caught a taxi, which came right up to the hotel door. It cost us $5 to take us to Revolution street downtown where the fun shopping is. They were having an antique car show and harley davidson show down there that day with music and food. It was defenitely a party atmosphere. Fun! We walked around a few hours then caught a taxi ($5) back to the hotel. We ate at the restaurant at the hotel and then turned in for the night. The next morning we all met downstairs at 7:30 am and Mrs. Ortiz took the patients to the clinic first then when back for our family members. She was really sweet. We did all the preop stuff that Shannon described while our family waited. Then Dr. Ortiz came and talked to me explaining the procedure. I changed into the cute undies and gown and went to surgery. My sister waited then after I was out, she talked to me, caught a taxi back to the hotel for a few hours. She came back in the afternoon until 5:30 then she and other family members of patients went back to the hotel together and ate together. The next morning they didn't come to the clinic, we all were brought back to the hotel by 9 or 10 am. Don't be nervous. Everyone was super. My sister enjoyed her minivacation! Good luck! connie gist

Hello all of you fellow bandsters! Yesterday April 30 I was banded by the Great Ortiz. It has been the most pleasant experience I have ever had medically. The people were so nice, fun, happy, and helpful. Anything at all we wanted, they got for us. I wasn't nervous at all. I slept well after surgery and was very comfy. We had flat screen tv in our room, a comfy couch for our guest, ect... so neat, so incredibuly clean. Thanks to every one at the center for being so nice. Connie Gist

Oh good! Someone else will be there on Monday. Where are you from? I fly into San Diego from Las Vegas at around 10 am on Sunday. I am having such a hard time, because my first reaction to the diarhea is to eat something solid. I pray they don't ban me from having the surgery!

#-o Okay, I hate to be this honest! I am only down 5 pounds and I only have a few days to lose 5 more. The slim fast makes me have diarhea, the lean cuisines are making my feet swell. What's going on? What happens if I get to TJ on Monday morning and I haven't lost the weight?! Help! I'm panicing!

Hi, I'm wondering ho=w that fill went on Friday the 13th. I am going to get banded on April 30th and am wondering how long i need to wait to get another fill. I'm like you, I don't want to take a chance gaining and would rather have it sooner than later. connie gist

Hello! I am from Kingman Az. My sister lives in Vegas. She is going over with me on the 30th for my lapband. Let me know how your surgery goes! Connie gist

Hello! I've been reading your postings and am so curious as to how you feel now that you have restriction....? I want this to work so badlly!

Hello! I am getting banded by Dr. Ortiz on April 30. I am so excited! I was just wondering, after reading your thoughts on vacation without restriction, how does it feel now that you have restriction? I am excited for this experience! connie gist

Hi! My surgery was scheduled for April 23 but panicked and was afraid I wouldn't lose the 13 pounds I needed to by then, so we changed it to the 30th of April. I it hard to lose this weight, if it wasn't, we'd all be thin already and wouldn't have to get the lapband! What diet are you on? I bought a bunch of Slimfast and after 2 days, I'm sick of it. Any suggestions? Connie

Hello! Wow - it sounds like it's not so bad. I had my surgery set for April 23 but panicked and was afraid I couldn't lose the necessary 13 pounds by then so now it's April 30. I feel better about that. How long after surgery do you have to stay on the liquid diet? Gistmom

Hi, Donna! How did the surgery go? I am scheduled for April 23 and would like any info you can give me! Connie Gist

Hello, Dianne! I am going for the lapband surgery on April 23. I am so nervous! But it is exciting to know I can beat this weight problem once and for all! I am from Kingman Arizona, am married and have 4 children. My baby is graduating and headed for BYU soon and I have decided it is time for me to do something for myself - get fit! It will be great talking to all of you! Connie

Hello Lori, It was really nice to talk to you on the phone. I am excited to get the surgery on April 23. (I think) It's a little scary, but you were really helpful and it's nice to know you went through it yourself. I am anxious to talk to anyone and everyone on this subject. Gist mom (Connie)

Hello! My name is Connie and I am scheduled for surgery on April 23. I am scared to death so I am anxious to talk to anyone and everyone out there who is going on this same journey. And I'm from Arizona too, Kingman! Michele, I will keep you in my prayers tomorrow.... Connie Gist