Does this band really work

[Trav]

well I'll give you my personal recommendation:

I don't respect many doctors, in fact, a lot of them are douchebags who showed up to the class long enough to get their diploma. Others are good at ONE thing and they need to stick to it, but instead try to branch off into other things like Lap Band.

There aren't many laypeople who are as well verse in the medical field as I am, I'm not bragging, that's just a fact of life. I read the high school health books in the 1st grade, I picked up my first zoology book at the age of 7 (college level), I've read countless medical journals, and even went to medical school and nursing school briefly (long story, but had to drop out due to a family illness that I'd rather not go into)....to put it bluntly, I can old my own with most doctors.

That being said, Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez...(and all the Doctors at the OCC), were not only knowledgeable, but very empathetic. They did not let their title affect how they dealt with patients, which is something you don't see often in the States. Dr. Ortiz has done thousands of procedures, and taught many surgeons how to perform this procedure. When he learned of my background, he didn't dumb it down for me, we talked about anatomy and physiology in medical terms and then again for my mother in lesser terms, and it was great to have a physician who is not only knowledgeable, but will answer any question you have. And he is in my opinion, an authority on the subject of Lap Band.

regardless of where you were banded, Dr. Ortiz's "post-op bible" is a great thing to follow. Even if it's contrary to your own doctor's post-op plan. An ounce of prevention today is worth more than a pound of revision surgery a few years down the road. While "some" people may be able to eat right away (and it happens), and suffer no ill affects, the plan Dr. Ortiz and his staff have devised, is drawn out to give the maximum amount of safety to all patients concerned. Fast healers or slow healers, the margin of complications is reduced by giving yourself that 21 days of no food. Everyone's body heals at different rates. Smokers slower than non-smokers. Men faster than women. I highly recommend anyone who's had Lap Band surgery to follow the simply 21 day plan.

Enjoy your new life.

[Danah1975]

Thanks Trav and all for your advice,

Angela is correct is saying that I was banded by another doctor. Actually not even in the US.. I was banded in the Middle East, which is why I have so many questions for you all on this forum.

According to my doctor's instructions, I am supposed to have only water, clear broth, apple juice, crystal light, protein water, etc., and sometimes a cup of tea if I need it for the first 10 days.

The next 10 days include the same as the first 10 days, but I can add SF jello, pudding, milk, and not much else.

The next 10 days is when I can add soft foods, like cottage cheese, shakes, thick soups, etc...

I cannot add real food until 1 month post op..

This is why I was asking you all about the Dr. Ortiz post op diet to see how it compared and if I was on the right track..

I am so 100% afraid of being one of those "Lap-Band Failures" on google, that I am trying to be stick to it. I am 5 days post op ( and yes it feels like 5 weeks), but I have only had the water, broth, and juice allowed.

Again I appreciate all your responses and help

[nothereanymore]

That sounds good, and make sure you stay on with us, a big part of our success stories is the support we recieve on the board. You're in a good group.

[Trav]

Thanks Trav and all for your advice,

Angela is correct is saying that I was banded by another doctor. Actually not even in the US.. I was banded in the Middle East, which is why I have so many questions for you all on this forum.

According to my doctor's instructions, I am supposed to have only water, clear broth, apple juice, crystal light, protein water, etc., and sometimes a cup of tea if I need it for the first 10 days.

The next 10 days include the same as the first 10 days, but I can add SF jello, pudding, milk, and not much else.

The next 10 days is when I can add soft foods, like cottage cheese, shakes, thick soups, etc...

I cannot add real food until 1 month post op..

This is why I was asking you all about the Dr. Ortiz post op diet to see how it compared and if I was on the right track..

I am so 100% afraid of being one of those "Lap-Band Failures" on google, that I am trying to be stick to it. I am 5 days post op ( and yes it feels like 5 weeks), but I have only had the water, broth, and juice allowed.

Again I appreciate all your responses and help

Sure thing...sounds like your doctor was err'ing on the side of caution, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It's okay to be overly cautious. This is, after all, a lifetime prosthetic appliance in our bodies, so we do have to take care of it. Where'd you have yours done? India? Israel? Other?

[Danah1975]

Thanks lisa, I always enjoy your replies and encouragement!

Trav, actually I had the operation in Kuwait.. My doctor has been doing these operations for about 10 years, and came highly recommended. I hope all goes well.

I'm feeling funny things in my chest and face today, you guys think it could still be gas?

Danah

[lapbandmom]

Hi! I'm going to give you a positive word here. I am not a band patient but the mom of one so I don't know completely where you are coming from. Listen, everyday is a new day. Whats done is done, just start today as a new day. I tried to be considerate of my daughter by not keeping bad things around but I guess you cant really expect everyone to do that. Leave the room, go for a walk, do something you enjoy. My daughter totally strugged with the liquid thing both before and after surgery and I know she cheated. Here's how I see it. If you were so totally disciplined as some people imply you should be then you probably wouldn't have needed surgery in the first place. Do the best you can. There will surely be more stuggles ahead so dont give up yet. My daughter is 11, yes 11, months out and still has not reached her sweet spot. Its been about six months or more since she lost any weight and has actually put some back on. She is at 8.2 cc in a 9 cc band and no sweet spot!! So Ithink she is feeling like you....like giving up. I begged the doc to go against his policy of no more than one fill per month. We were in last week for the .2 cc and that didn't help so he said to come in next week and they are going to take it all out under floro and see whats there and put it back. I'm sure that that information will get some people bent out of shape and they will leave me messages saying "the band is a tool" bla bla bla.... We know that. People dont seen to believe that she can't be there at 8.2 cc and so they get nasty. But believe me shes not there. Its not thats shes living on twinkies. Example. The other night for supper she ate 2 fish patties and probably about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of beans. She was perfectly comfortable doing so. Thats way more than 1/2 to 1 cup of food. She simply isn't filling up. Is she always making wise food choices? I doubt it, but she is not filling up and I believe that is the whole idea here.

On a funny note, I do understand your despiration. About 17 years ago I had jaw surgery and had my mouth wired shut for six weeks!! At about three weeks into it I had cooked supper for my family and it smelled sooooo good. I remember actually trying to shove a peice of macaroni through my teeth which was nearly impossible becuase I have a splint between the teeth to hold things in place so I had to go clear back behind the very back of my mouth where there was a small hole drilled in the splint. They put there for incase you need to throw up you wont choke to death on it. I tried to push that though there and onto my tongue so I could at least taste it!! I lived on carnation instant breakfast, fruit juices and an occasional milk shake. Its funny now that I think about it but I was quite frustrated having to feed my husband and kids and not being able to eat any myself.

HANG IN THERE!! YOU'LL BE FINE!