Ambrosia

Linny, What LapbandformeNOW says is absolutely true. Eating is such an emotional behavior. You will read it a thousand times on this forum that the band is only a tool. It may help you control how much you put in your mouth but only you can control WHAT you put in your mouth. If you're not ready to abandon your old ways of eating then lapband is not the way to go. I researched the lapband for about a year and attended different doctors seminars before making the decision. Just like everyone else, I have been on numerous diets, did well on some, only to gain back what I lost plus more. Considering the expense of lapband (I'm self pay) I had to be absolutely certain, without a doubt, that I was going to commit to this. It's only been 3 weeks so I'm certainly not a long term example, but I can tell you this . . . the last 3 weeks have been eye opening for me. Even without my first fill and no restriction right now, I have completely changed my behaviors. It hasn't been easy, and everyday brings along a new set of challenges but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am eating like a normal person now and am no longer embarrassed by the amount of food on my plate or the choices of food on my plate. It's nothing but healthy, high Protein fare in smaller portions. And I feel so good walking away from the table feeling full and satisfied. Good luck with your decision. Read everything you can on these boards. You will find more information here than anywhere else.

Brendan, I think it's pretty normal. I was banded 2/15 and I don't feel any restriction at all. I can gulp down my Water and at times, feel as though I could eat a house. My first fill isn't until 3/26 but I am eating as though I have been filled. My portion sizes are way smaller and I only eat chicken or turkey, salad, yogurt, cottage cheese, SF popsicles, Protein shakes, etc. I am using the time between my surgery and my first fill to practice new eating behaviors, controlling portion sizes, taking smaller bites and chewing, chewing, chewing. It amazes me that I really can eat like a "normal sized" person and it's not killing me. I still battle my cravings but have not given in to them. Good luck on your recovery and keep us posted on your progress.

Nicole, I was banded 3 weeks ago and my port site is STILL sensitive to the point where it is uncomfortable putting socks and shoes on my right foot. Plus, I can feel the port and the area around it still feels swollen so I have some more healing to do. If I sleep on my side I either put a pillow up against my stomach or wrap my arm around my stomach because the port site hurts, but just a little. Other than that, I don't have any discomfort. I bowl on a weekly league and didn't bowl for 2 weeks after surgery. I bowled Wednesday night and had no problems at all.

Stacy, I weighed myself 2 days after being banded so sure I had lost weight because I only had liquids 2 days prior and nothing but a few sips of Water for 2 days after surgery. Imagine my surprise when the scale showed I was 7 pounds heavier than my surgery weight! I chalked it up to swelling and GAS. With the amount of gas pains I was having, I was certain I had at least 7 pounds floating around in me. By my first post-op appointment, I had lost 8 pounds and my doctor told me it was probably more like 10 or 12 due to the gas still being expelled from my body.

Walking helped me also but at 3 weeks post-op I still have the occasional flareup. Mostly under my left breast and in my upper left rib cage area. I, too, will be glad when it's finally gone.

Jillcrowe, You and I were banded on the same day and we have the same amount of weight to lose. I also used to live in Boston, right across the street from Mass General. It took about a week before I was up and running but I feel much better now. Just a little tenderness around the port site. Good luck to you on your journey.

Congratulations! I hope I am as successful as you are. Keep up the good work.

Teacher, I was banded on 2/15 and still get serious rib cage and below the breast pain. I assume it is gas. It doesn't happen everyday but often and usually at night around bedtime. I'll be glad when it goes away for good. It can be very painful.

Pam-Bander, I weighed myself 3 days after surgery and had gained 7 pounds from my surgery date! Since I had not eaten anything I chalked it up to gas. And from the amount of pain I was experiencing, I truly think I had 7 pounds of gas pumped into me! Anyway, it's all gone now except for the occasional "under the rib" pain.

Desi, I am 48 years old and have never been in the hospital, ever! Don't have kids, still have my tonsils, everything intact. So I was very nervous, like you, about my first surgery. I came through with flying colors. The hospital staff was incredible and I felt absolutely comfortable from the moment I walked in there until the time I walked out of there. I realize everyones experience is different but mine could not have been better. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.

It took me a week to get back to work. The first couple of days weren't so bad but then the gas pains hit and I was in alot of pain. Everyone varies, as you can see. Some people go right back to work and some people are out for a week or two. It just depends on how fast you heal. Good luck to you. You won't regret it.

Wheetsin, You lost 124 lbs in a year?! That's incredible! Good for you. What an inspiration you are. Plus, your posts are always insightful and downright witty.

Welcome! Dr. Malley did my band and he is wonderful. I was just banded 2 weeks ago and things have gone according to plan. Congratulations on your decision and keep us updated on your progress.

Welcome! I was banded 2 weeks ago by Dr. Malley and already feel better. I had a lot of pain for the first 7 days so don't be discouraged if you also experience that. It will pass, I promise. I have my first fill in about 3 1/2 weeks so I'm excited to experience that. In the meantime, I have very little restriction so I'm eating as though I do. I'm making very good choices and keeping the portion sizes small, like a normal person! Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Jacbro, Totally normal. I had alot of pain also even though I walked constantly, took Gas-X and used the heating pad. sleeping was impossible even in my recliner. I had to force myself to eat some broth because I had zero appetite. This lasted about 7 days and then everything got better . . . much better. My port site is still sensitive and today I experienced more shoulder pain but each day is better than the day before. So, hang in there it will all be over soon.

Hi, Susan, I'm from the KC/Independence area and was banded 2/15. You will be just fine. Read everything you can on these boards. They are a wealth of information. Good luck.

kntexas, I promise you it gets much better. I was banded 2/15 and had absolutely no appetite for the first week. I truly had to force broth down a tablespoon at a time. Now, 2 weeks post-op, most of the pain is gone (port site a little tender) and my appetite is back. My first fill is 4 weeks away so I am using this time to change my eating habits and my portion sizes. It's not easy, I feel I could go right back to my old way of eating. But, the 10 pounds I have lost in 2 weeks and the looser waistbands are keeping me focused. Hang in there and good luck with your new band.

Slight detour - AngelaT - The Secret should be required viewing (or reading) for everyone! A co-worker lent me her DVD several months ago when I was going through a rough period. Completely transformed me. I think Oprah did a show on it but I didn't see it. Detour over, carry on.

Bubbles, I had never even been admitted to a hospital prior to my surgery on 2/15. I am 48 years old so you can imagine how anxious I was about everything that could go wrong. I absolutely refused to attract any negative energy whatsoever. Anytime a negative or "what if" thought entered my mind, I simply pushed it out and replaced it with positive thoughts of everything I was going to be able to do once I got this weight off. Laws of attraction. Good luck with your surgery and keep positive, healthy thoughts.

Same here, Nonni. I was banded 2/15 and the first two days weren't horrible. But then, the pain hit and I thought I was going to pass out. I slept in my bed for the first time last night and I still had to get up several times to walk off some pain. I didn't think it would be this bad either but today was better. I went back to work yesterday. If I were to do this over again I would take 2 weeks off work. I'm having trouble eating also. Drinking Water isn't too much of a problem but I only have about 1/4 cup of broth or cottage cheese each day. I really struggle to get any significant amount of food in every day. But, we know from reading these boards that this will pass and I bet by the end of next week we will be feeling human again. Hang in there.

I am 2 days post-op and getting in and out of the hospital bed was the most pain I experienced. At home I have a bed that sits up high so I knew there was no way I would be able to get in or out of it. I sleep in my recliner and it isn't all the bad. I think I've been very lucky. My pain feels like a bad stomach ache with a little heartburn. And today, I feel even better. I still can't bend down but I can pretty much do everything else. I've been walking on my treadmill since we still have a lot of snow here. Hang in there. I know it will get better. Sharon

I had surgery yesterday and just got home a few hours ago. I am feeling really good. Of course, my stomach is sore but I haven't had any gas pains yet. You never realize how many stomach muscles you have until they hurt like hell. I am so glad to have found this forum. I felt completely prepared and everything went as I expected it to from reading everyone's post. The worst part of the whole deal was trying to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. That really hurt my stomach. But all in all, not too bad. Good luck to the future bandsters this month. Sharon

It sounds like everyone is doing well. My surgery is 12:45 tomorrow (Thursday) and I bet I don't sleep a wink tonight. I made it through Valentines Day on a liquid diet and I'm pretty proud of myself. There was candy, cookies, brownies, you name it, all through the office today but I stayed strong. It's funny but around 3:00 when everyone else was comatose from all the sweets, I was bursting with energy. Good luck to all the bandsters tomorrow and all throughout February. Tracy, I hope you feel better soon. Sharon

Welcome! I am being banded Thursday so the only advice I can give you is to read everything on these boards. You couldn't pay for the wealth of information you will find here. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. Sharon

Atlast, Good for you! I'm being banded on Thursday also. I am self-pay so I didn't have to wait very long either. From my consultation to my surgery date was all of about 3 weeks. I'm kinda glad it worked out that way. If too much time passed, I might have changed my mind. Keep us posted on your progress and good luck. Sharon