Congratulations on your decision for a healthier life!
I have a friend who recently went thru the Lap Band procedure, on the self pay plan also. (I was amazed at how much more quickly the process went!! No jumping thru hoops to satisfy the ins. co I guess)I believe that Dr. Ponce was the surgeon who did the procedure.
My friend has done very well since the procedure - done about 7 wks ago - and has already lost close to 32lbs!!!! The only problem she encountered was with the gas they used during surgery. She did have some minor 'pain' in her shoulder due to that, but walking seemed to help her more than anything else. Oh, and a little Gas-X. She also said that she wasn't 'hungry' for about a week after the surgery because of the swelling.
I'll have to admit, I was very skeptical for her about the whole thing, but seeing the changes in her post surgery...she was right. She's told me how much better she feels already, she's sleeping better and doesn't have alot of the aches and pains she dealt with on a daily basis beforehand. She said the Dr and nurses frequently remind her that the Lap Band is a "tool" not a quick fix, and it's up to her as to how well it works.
Just remember to take it very easy for about a month after the procedure!!!! (My gf has a light duty job and they did allow her to go back to work after a couple of weeks but stressed that she "had" to take it easy.)
I wish you the best!! Can't wait to hear your success story!!
Good Luck!!
Thank you for your post and words of encouragement.
Congratulations to your friend. I was skeptical as well until I met with folks that had been banded, heard their stories, and saw their before and after photos. Wow, what a difference in them and their attitude about life.
My band is going to be my "partner for life" in my weight-loss journey. I've already been lectured by my primary care physician about how patients sabotage their bands. You've got to constantly work at losing the weight and maintaining afterwards.
I'm off to CVS today for chewable vitamins and calcium plus Gax-X strips. I really think that Gas-X has a stake in the banding industry kind of like Kingsford Charcoal has a stake in the Dutch oven cooking societies.
LOL!!
I just spoke with my gf a little bit ago. Thought I would post a quick update. She is so positive and excited!!!
She goes for a 'fill' this week, as it's 'time' on her schedule and she is getting her appetite back.
Different types of chicken (meaning the way it has been prepared) have been hard for her and she has yet to try beef - other than hamburger. She's evidently heard and listening to the "after banding" food stories of others who have been through it!!
Outside of those, she's back on regular foods and is amazed at how little she is actually eating - compared to her intake prior to banding!! She said that she feels full faster and 'by experience' is learning to eat more slowly! Looking back, she didn't think that the liquid diet (for 4 weeks !!!!) was all that bad. I guess that proves that she was really "READY" for this, both physically and emotionally.
She said giving up diet soda's was the hardest thing. It's about all she ever drank!! So, now she is on Crystal Lite products and sugar free koolaids. And like you, avoids the breakroom (vending machines)!!
We're both anxious to see how much she has lost since her last visit! (She refuses to weigh daily/weekly at home.)
Just hearing the excitement and energy in her voice, that I haven't heard for a long time, is a thrill for me!! So, GET READY!! I'm getting excited for you too!!! And, I think it's fantastic that your wife and friends are right there with you, giving you that awesome support!!!
Just hearing the excitement and energy in her voice, that I haven't heard for a long time, is a thrill for me!! So, GET READY!!
Karen
Karen, just for the record, I am not sure I can keep up with Chuck if he has MORE excitement or energy! He ran my wife and me ragged this past weekend. If he has MORE energy, I'm in big trouble!!
I had my pre-op screen yesterday. The EKG showed an irregular heart rhythm. So today I’m off to see my primary care physician to look at the EKG from yesterday and then off for a referral/appointment for a cardiologist to hopefully sign off on the go-ahead for the surgery. A couple of my blood pressure medicines may be contributing to the irregular rhythm in my heart.
I also made it through my first day of the liquid pre-op diet. I have been full but my mouth still wants something to “crunch” on. Overall I’m doing pretty okay. At least I made it through the day.
Best wishes at your upcoming appointments! We need you to be running smoothly & purring like a kitten going into this procedure. Good to hear they are checking you out thoroughly.
Perhaps it will help if you put some ice in your shake then you can crunch on the ice?
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
I've started my 3rd day of the liquid Optifast pre-op diet. Starting yesterday afternoon, I started getting light-headed and faint and had a headache almost on the verge of a migraine. (I haven't had one of those in years.) The headache is better this morning but I'm still sort of light-headed. I'm drinking a cup of coffee right now to help the headache. If symptoms don't improve by this afternoon, I'll call my primary care doctor for an appointment. I've checked my blood pressure and it's in the normal range for me.
What I am experiencing is probably my body readjusting to the different type of "fuel" it is currently receiving.
I just got back from the cardiologist. He wants to run two more tests in order to give me the "go" or "no-go" for the surgery on the 25th.
1st test - Echocardiogram - scheduled for 07/15/08 - 2:30
2nd test - Chemical nuclear stress test - TBD
He found that I have an enlarged heart. Since it has the irregular heartbeat it is only 60-70% efficient. The irregular heartbeat, and the inefficiency of my heart, is contributing to the swelling in my legs that I've been experiencing for the past 1½ years. They found out about it when I was in the hospital in December of 2006 but NO ONE told either of us about it.
I was talking to the nurse afterwards and asked how soon the test results would be back and she said probably a week or so after the stress test. After the results are back from the stress test, I will need to go in and meet with the cardiologist to discuss how to get my heart back into a natural rhythm.
So, at this point, I may be postponing the Lap-Band procedure for a couple of weeks. I'll keep everyone posted on any new news!
)I believe that Dr. Ponce was the surgeon who did the procedure. 
The only problem she encountered was with the gas they used during surgery. She did have some minor 'pain' in her shoulder due to that, but walking seemed to help her more than anything else. Oh, and a little Gas-X. 
She also said that she wasn't 'hungry' for about a week after the surgery because of the swelling.
!!!!) was all that bad. I guess that proves that she was really "READY" for this, both physically and emotionally.
