I invite patients in for one final preoperative visit before surgery. We can then assess how successful they were with the preoperative diet at that point. We go over the procedure that will be followed on the day of the operation and make sure that any lingering questions are addressed. I offer each patient a prescription and advise them to fill it before the scheduled surgery. They won't have to waste time looking for a drugstore when returning from the hospital. A painkiller (often a liquid rather than a pill) and an antiemetic are prescribed along with the painkiller.
Additionally, we advise our patients to stock up on the meals they will require following surgery in order to be ready for their return home. Each patient receives a postoperative diet from the dietician to follow for the first few weeks following the band placement, but they should really only stock up on the food they will need for the first few days. This includes items like Jell-O, low-calorie puddings, sugar-free drinks, and a liquid protein supplement.
I advise a preoperative visit to the hospital a few days prior to the procedure because hospitals may be fairly daunting places, so that you will be better prepared. On the day of your surgery, the nursing staff will show you around and give you detailed directions on where to go and when to arrive. At that time, blood may also be taken for any preoperative tests. Additionally, before your procedure, you'll be instructed to abstain from eating or drinking after a specific time (often midnight). This makes it possible to guarantee that your stomach will be empty throughout operation.
The anesthesiologist consultation is a crucial component of your preoperative planning. Before putting you to sleep, he or she will need to be familiar with your medical background. If you have ever experienced any issues with anesthesia, or if any members of your family have, they will be very keen to hear. Share that information without fail.
Although it would be ideal to have this conversation in person, anesthesiologists typically don't have regular business hours. Instead, they attempt to see hospital patients in between cases. Unfortunately, when preoperative patients attend the hospital, they are frequently busy administering anesthetic to other patients. Therefore, you might plan to speak with the anesthesiologist personally by phone a day or two before your procedure if you don't get the chance to do so in person. Just before the procedure, you will have the option to meet and speak with your anesthesiologist.
You will be required to sign numerous documents as part of the standard preoperative procedure. One of these might be a generic Consent to Treat form, which simply states that you consent to allowing hospital staff to administer medical care as instructed by your doctors. There will also be a particular consent form for the process, which describes the precise method as well as the hazards connected with that procedure that are more widely known.
Your consent to receive blood or blood products if necessary during the procedure is normally stated in a portion of this consent form. In most cases, you can decline blood transfusions and still undergo surgery, but you should be informed that for this kind of procedure, blood is only provided in dire life-or-death conditions. The consent for anesthesia is a different document that needs to be signed. In many institutions, the consent for the procedure and the consent for the anesthesia are combined into one document. It is crucial that you read and comprehend these forms. Ask any queries you may have.
Story of Robin
I work as a nurse, and when I was at my heaviest, I was employed at a clinic that treated diabetes patients. I had Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and severe rheumatoid arthritis when I was 266 and 5 feet, 4 inches tall. The doctor I worked for predicted that I would be in a wheelchair in five years if I didn't lose the weight. An obese patient who had dropped a significant amount of weight visited us for a follow-up. She said that she had a band when I asked her how she achieved it.
My 30 year old spouse didn't want me to have the surgery since he thought I could lose the weight on my own. I located a band surgeon, completed the pre-op exams, and then took out a second mortgage to purchase the band. It turns out that my husband had concerns in the beginning that if I slimmed down, I might date someone else. However, he felt comfortable with the answers after asking several questions at the band doctor's presentation. He thus joined in and is now quite supportive.
In spite of getting banded in February, I had only lost 14 pounds by the end of May. However, I was taking Prednisone, an anti-inflammatory steroid, to treat my arthritis. Although I was aware that the medication would influence my ability to lose weight, I was beginning to feel as though I had wasted thousands of dollars. My weight began to decline as soon as I stopped using Prednisone.
After two and a half years, I have my diabetes under control, I'm using less medicine for my arthritis, and I feel terrific. My blood sugar was over 300 and I was administering two doses of insulin every day. Furthermore, the Prednisone caused a cascade effect, making my blood sugar issues worse. My lowest weight was 189, but I now maintain a weight of around 200. I went from a size 26 to a 14 and a half, and I feel so much better. I also ride bikes and go on hikes with my husband. I used to feel worn out when I got home from work. I think my life changed from being unproductive to being productive.
I've faced several challenges. I experienced a port flip at one point. It entirely turned upside down, and it needed to be sewed back in. I've also experienced esophageal issues. My food catches in my throat and stays there for a while. To aid with the spasming, they put me on a medicine. They primarily attribute the band's esophageal issues to them. On a fluoroscopy, the fluid can be seen to pause for a few seconds before dropping down and passing straight through the band. To help, I warm up my water in the morning before taking my medicines. The spasming is exacerbated by cold items. I can't eat salads, dry food bothers me, and I heat my food. I have to focus when I eat because I have issues if I stop what I'm doing and swallow too soon. It feels like I'm relaunching the band from scratch.
I wasn't cold before I dropped weight, but now I am. I now sleep in warm pajamas instead of not wearing any at all, use flannel sheets all year round, and find myself cuddling up in my comforters. I wear a sweater even though it is 100 degrees outside.
I also started losing my hair around month four. I believed I would lose my hair because it was thin and fine already. I initially believed it wouldn't return, however it has since returned to its original location. And because I do have that apron from the hanging stomach skin, I'd like to have a belly tuck or perhaps a lower body lift.
To provide fills for people banded in Mexico and to assist diabetic patients, my friend and I decided to create our own clinic. The band's conclusion is such a good thing. It's wonderful to see people who are joyful with their weight loss. The diabetics are dissatisfied and complain a lot. A woman who had her leg amputated the previous year visited us; her blood sugar was 300. I guess I know what you did, I remarked to her. Three donuts were consumed this morning. She remarked, "I ought to be able to eat whatever I want and there ought to be a cure for this."
I sometimes act like that when I'm a band patient. I believe all I want is a french fry. I'm not giving it my all, for sure. I am aware that I need to alter my eating habits and up my workout in order to lose these final 30 pounds.
Working in a full practice and observing the locations of the doctors' ports is interesting. Mine rubs on my clothing occasionally and is located in the lower right belly. Some people position them on the left side, on the abdominal muscle, just below the ribs. When patients are fairly puffy and we only use a 2-inch needle, that can be difficult to reach. These patients occasionally have to lift their leg and head. Some doctors place them between the breasts on the sternum. Others positioned it directly below the left breast on the ribcage. Although many women initially complain that their bras rub it, it's incredibly simple to reach.
Helping people make the right choice before to surgery is one of our objectives in the fill business. People want to know what they're getting into, we say. You don't want to make a choice right away. Some doctors won't make you complete the
pre-operative liver-shrinking diet, and the liver has to be lifted out of the way. One of our patients didn't follow the pre-op diet, and as a result, they had to make a 6-inch incision and use the doctor's hand to hold the patient's big liver out of the way.
Every band patient should be required to follow the pre-op liver-shrinking diet, in my opinion. I believe that if you can't follow the liver-shrinking diet, you won't succeed as a bandit because it requires a change in lifestyle.
We have speakers as well as a support group for patients with band. Our chiropractor discussed the importance of regaining your center of balance. According to him, fat people tip back when they walk in order to maintain their equilibrium. Therefore, your body is out of balance when you lose weight. Using an exercise ball and standing on one foot while shutting your eyes, then repeating the process on the other foot are both beneficial. He claimed that after getting rid of the chairs in his classroom and replacing them with exercise balls, his kids' balance improved. I recall that after losing 50 pounds, I had to sit on a pillow for about four months since sitting injured my tailbone. I also observed that losing weight altered my balance.
I've found that you need to take the components of the program that suit you and discard the rest. I occasionally find it difficult to eat solid food. Even though I know I should have an egg for breakfast, the oatmeal is still too sticky. So periodically for breakfast I drink a protein shake. Most people can eat lunch, yet not everyone can even eat breakfast. I frequently use a George Foreman grill for lunch since the meat is so juicy.
I think that a lot of my weight problems are related to what occurred to me when I was a child. My parents passed away, and I was forced to live with my violent brother-in-law. My siblings and I ended up working for him. I was the housekeeper and babysitter, and I constantly suffered abuse. I have to resolve that-related concerns.
I observe many band patients becoming upset with society when they lose weight. They may be heard asking, "Why do people treat me kindly now but not when I was fat? I remain the same. I think letting go of other people's opinions makes things work better. I have taken that action.
My son, who is 23 years old and 6 feet, 4.5 inches tall, weighed 413 pounds. He was becoming increasingly depressed over his weight. To see a band, we took him to Mexico. He hasn't taken any fill since losing 100 pounds a year ago. He also has a lot of support from my hubby.
Regarding the changes in me, I believe that because I am no longer as hefty, people listen to me more. It's challenging to advise someone to monitor their diet when you're overweight yourself. I didn't act as an example. Doctors from all over the region sent patients to chat to me about the band after I made the decision to inform them I had the operation. I believe I have gained more respect as a result of both my weight loss and my eagerness to assist others.