CP-Mike

The poll leaves a big gap. My surgeon was out of network, so we had to pay $2k to max out my "out of pocket" expenses, but the hostiptal and everything else was in network....

Hey Lee.. They should be excited to watch you lead.. Sure there are some issues, but heck, some short term pain now is far better than ending up with a heart bypass due to weight issues... Carpe Diem should be their rally cry!

Well tomorrow is one week... WOOT! So today I felt pretty good. 2nd day back at work and I wasn't as wiped out by 5pm. Yesterday I left about 4, I was "done" and sore. In general things are still progressing well. Sleeping on my right side now and uninterrupted. Still get some stomach spasms, but most are short and not too painful. I did go to a work lunch today. Ordered the Baked Potato Soup and even eating slow I didn't get much down before feeling very very full.. It was nice to see the band working. (I even used water to help make sure the soup was thin enough) I did start feeling more pronounced pain on my port site incision.. Not sure what all that is about.. I'll give it a could of days, I might have tweaked it off by twisting funny or bending over.. Oh, and Steri-Strips... arghh.. I want a numeric answer someone.. I want to know the "minimum" length of time recommended to leave them on, and then a "maximum" when more time gets you no more benefit.. I don't like these "leave em until they fall off"... that varies too much...

SWEET! Just what I was looking for... You guys have been busy with the posts, took a while to read all of them! So many fun things to talk about.. First off, mad props to OUSooner boy on reaching his goal!! AWESOME DUDE! BTW, how tall are you? - Girl overload.. yeah, I think there are waaaay more women just due to the fact that they are wired differently. They actually "communicate"... Guys "fix stuff" together.. It's great to have a buddy over to work on a car, but talk about losing weight.. screw that! lol... Seriously... I'm just glad some of us have managed to do both! - Tummy Tucks are NOT GAY, or retarded, or any other non-PC word you can think of. MY plastic surgery budget has already been spoken for by my wife who is 3 months ahead of me in banding.. She wants a boat load of stuff done (TT,Reduction,Lift,Lipo), and well frankly, she's worth it.. If I have enough loose skin at my goal, yeah, I might do something too.. - Costs.. I'm not sharing my story as the cash guys might whip my a$$.. But, just as a point of reference, a friend in the medical center business told me her clinics pay about $3,500 just for the device itself right now, so by the time everyone else gets paid, and the room, etc, $8-15K isn't all that surprising.. I just wish more of you had United Health Care Insurance. - Sex Drive and weak a$$ wifely excuses about bands.. I'd have to look back near the top of the thread, but one guy said something about his wife saying no due to concerns about his band... yeah.. riiiight... and she has a head ache too... My wife has had no complications with HER band and our "quality time".... I'm not expecting any with my band either, but I'm just now feeling up to it post-op.. Oh, and, seriously guys, every ANNUAL physical, get the doc to check your T levels.. not just basic, but FREE Testosterone... Seriously, even if you're under 40... It is worth it to get that checked, because it will suck the life force right out of you, not just sex drive. There's no shame in using medicine to be 22 again! I want to be that dirty old man next door with the hot wife.. I've got all of it but the age, and that's coming ! - Beer! PLEASE someone tell me what their post-op experience has been so far.. Now keep in mind I'm a bit of a beer snob, so if crap like Bud Light and others are too carbonated, that is fine.. But what about things like Guiness, Bass, Sam Adams, etc..? PLEASE tell me it works.. I don't mind drinking it slowly.. Only bad beer must be chugged ice cold... Mike

Are there any other "Banded Duos" out there lurking? I was banded 15 Feb 07 and DW was in Oct 06. I'm doing pretty well and am in that 1st 10 day loss period. She's getting a little frustrated cause my loss has passed her initial loss, but she honestly understands why... I was a BAD BOY just before my pre-op diet started. I got a lot of wild eating out of the way really just for the shear decadence of it.. lol So it was easy to lose that balloon weight... Anywho, I was hoping to restart the thread and see how other couples were doing out there.. I'm really optimistic about it since we really now know what each other are going through. Mike

I started back work today and was able to work from home, so that helped a lot. Working from the couch (TV OFF) all day in a comfy position sure helps... Tomorrow will be back in the office and at the cube.. weeeee I "ate" almost exclusively Atkins Shakes today and that worked fine. I did have some more very odd feelings in my gut... I think my body is still adjusting to the band and of course I am sure I still have inflamed tissues. It still ranges from just a general feeling of a big lump in my throat to real pain (4-5) that passes in about 20-30 seconds. I know some of it is me pushing some boundries too. I ended up taking some more liquid advil (kids grape) to help with some of the inflamation I was suspecting and it seemed to help a bit. Amy just made me a banana protein smoothy and it seems to be going down just fine in small sips. mmmmmmmm Once I'm fully healed and ready to start on proper foods I'll of course miss these liquid calories, but hey, enjoying them now... If you are pre-op, just know that you can get through it.. I've certainly done my fair share of "what did I do" in my mind, but they are fleeting and each day gets a bit better.. It's the journey, not the moment.

I started back work today and was able to work from home, so that helped a lot. Working from the couch (TV OFF) all day in a comfy position sure helps... Tomorrow will be back in the office and at the cube.. weeeee I "ate" almost exclusively Atkins Shakes today and that worked fine. I did have some more very odd feelings in my gut... I think my body is still adjusting to the band and of course I am sure I still have inflamed tissues. It still ranges from just a general feeling of a big lump in my throat to real pain (4-5) that passes in about 20-30 seconds. I know some of it is me pushing some boundries too. I ended up taking some more liquid advil (kids grape) to help with some of the inflamation I was suspecting and it seemed to help a bit. Amy just made me a banana protein smoothy and it seems to be going down just fine in small sips. mmmmmmmm Once I'm fully healed and ready to start on proper foods I'll of course miss these liquid calories, but hey, enjoying them now... If you are pre-op, just know that you can get through it.. I've certainly done my fair share of "what did I do" in my mind, but they are fleeting and each day gets a bit better.. It's the journey, not the moment.

Oh man.. So Amy went out and found me some more Advil (they only make kids strength in liquid...), so I really appreciate that! However, the devil inside of her decided tonight was the night she was going to make a fantastic dinner for her and my son.. Oh the smells!!! I was reduced to sucking on the juice of the meat dish.. lol... She promises to remake it in a couple of weeks.

Oh man.. So Amy went out and found me some more Advil (they only make kids strength in liquid...), so I really appreciate that! However, the devil inside of her decided tonight was the night she was going to make a fantastic dinner for her and my son.. Oh the smells!!! I was reduced to sucking on the juice of the meat dish.. lol... She promises to remake it in a couple of weeks.

I've been lucky without a lot of itching sensation, but it does mean it's healing, so it's good. It was great to finally take a shower and get the large gauze pads off. As for applesauce, I've had a bit myself, but I put just a TINY bit in my mouth and washed it down with apple juice. The Dr's guidelines are good and conservative and should work for most any body and worth following. My wife (banded in Oct) moved a little faster than the guidelines and did fine, it's really a matter of chewing well and not over doing it while you are still swollen and tight post-op. Small amounts of Yogurt has done well for me too.

Whew, what a couple of days. So the first day was a little unbelievable as I had a pretty significant surgery at 11am and was able to come home at 6pm (on a Thursday). That was cool. Friday was a pretty decent day, not too much pain, still taking a mixture of OTC Liquid Tylenol and the prescription tylenol + codeine (half dose of each). Not a fan of codeine. On Friday it was really just a day of "bed rest" and water and apple juice. I did sneak in a little hot coco, but not much. Most of the day I felt like I had a lump in my throat but thankfully, no nausea! yay! I did drink a little too much liquid and have to spit it back up, but it wasn't like a vomit, it was more of a small push from what felt like the lower part of my throat.. odd, but not terrible, and since it was apple juice & water, the taste wasn't gross. Saturday seems to be my tough day so far... I had decided Friday night that I wanted to go pain med free as I felt all the Tylenol was upsetting my stomach (general yuk). Through out the day on Saturday I had what I would call "muscle spasms" of the stomach/throat. It felt like my body was having to come to grips with this new thing wrapped around my stomach and learn how to work with it instead of against it. When I would be slowly drinking fluids, I could feel my stomach start to do it's work. Then it would begin to hurt (maybe a 4, on a 0-10 scale), but it would pass after say 20 seconds. Very odd feeling, not fun, but not horrible. By the end of the day I decided what might be happening was I was so swollen internally from the new band it was making my stomach mad and fighting it.. yes, not very scientific, but you get the picture. I ended up deciding to take some Liquid Motrin, which is ibuprofin and should help relieve swelling. It was my son's so it was a low dose / ml and I had to drink a lot of that nasty orange goop, but I got it down and went to sleep. A full night of rest, on my right side part of the time even.. YAY!!!! So today, Sunday, is going pretty well. I still feel the "spasms" but they seem to be fewer and lighter in discomfort. I am trying some very thin cream of chicken soup, just a tiny bit, and very slowly.. (I know it's too soon, but I need some flavor). I've also found that the chocolate Atkins shakes are tolerable and I can survive on them as needed for a while. Amy should be bringing back some adult strength Liquid Ibuprofin, so that hopefully will bring some more relief. So far, the experience, while not a walk in the park, is one that I would make again. I am cautiously optimistic that the worst has past. (knocking on wood)

Whew, what a couple of days. So the first day was a little unbelievable as I had a pretty significant surgery at 11am and was able to come home at 6pm (on a Thursday). That was cool. Friday was a pretty decent day, not too much pain, still taking a mixture of OTC Liquid Tylenol and the prescription tylenol + codeine (half dose of each). Not a fan of codeine. On Friday it was really just a day of "bed rest" and water and apple juice. I did sneak in a little hot coco, but not much. Most of the day I felt like I had a lump in my throat but thankfully, no nausea! yay! I did drink a little too much liquid and have to spit it back up, but it wasn't like a vomit, it was more of a small push from what felt like the lower part of my throat.. odd, but not terrible, and since it was apple juice & water, the taste wasn't gross. Saturday seems to be my tough day so far... I had decided Friday night that I wanted to go pain med free as I felt all the Tylenol was upsetting my stomach (general yuk). Through out the day on Saturday I had what I would call "muscle spasms" of the stomach/throat. It felt like my body was having to come to grips with this new thing wrapped around my stomach and learn how to work with it instead of against it. When I would be slowly drinking fluids, I could feel my stomach start to do it's work. Then it would begin to hurt (maybe a 4, on a 0-10 scale), but it would pass after say 20 seconds. Very odd feeling, not fun, but not horrible. By the end of the day I decided what might be happening was I was so swollen internally from the new band it was making my stomach mad and fighting it.. yes, not very scientific, but you get the picture. I ended up deciding to take some Liquid Motrin, which is ibuprofin and should help relieve swelling. It was my son's so it was a low dose / ml and I had to drink a lot of that nasty orange goop, but I got it down and went to sleep. A full night of rest, on my right side part of the time even.. YAY!!!! So today, Sunday, is going pretty well. I still feel the "spasms" but they seem to be fewer and lighter in discomfort. I am trying some very thin cream of chicken soup, just a tiny bit, and very slowly.. (I know it's too soon, but I need some flavor). I've also found that the chocolate Atkins shakes are tolerable and I can survive on them as needed for a while. Amy should be bringing back some adult strength Liquid Ibuprofin, so that hopefully will bring some more relief. So far, the experience, while not a walk in the park, is one that I would make again. I am cautiously optimistic that the worst has past. (knocking on wood)

Kelly, I so understand where you are coming from! Without question I was not at all happy about being "put to sleep".. In the end, it was fine.. You might call your surgeon and ask them about a Valium to take the day before, but honestly, you will be given something in the IV before they wheel you back. "Is the surgery worth it...?" Well that is a question only you can answer for yourself. I asked that same EXACT question.. Here are my thoughts "HELL YES!" I am almost 40 and I knew that if I did not get my weight under control now, I was most certainly going to end up going under the knife for something like heart issues. Remember, this is not getting plastic surgery, this is about getting healthy for life. A lapband is a fantastic tool for that effort. As for love life and weight loss.. oh man, as you can see first hand, it's tough, when you look at your 1st marriage.. My wife and I are about the same amount over weight, and we are now both banded, so we'll lose together. You didn't mention if your current hubby was chubby or not, but I have heard of cases where one side loses a LOT of weight and the other does not, and how this causes trouble. Just a general thought, our choice to band, in the end, should be about our long term health, and perhaps while selfish to say this, in the end, our health should take 1st place to anyone else's wishes. Just in my opinion only, if any bandster purposely sabotaged their success because of a chubby hubby who started getting insecure, that is a huge mistake.. (just speaking in general here, not about you) You are going to do great, focus on the road ahead and not the near term hurdle of surgery. It goes by faster than I thought, and honestly, it really was way easier than I thought it would be. Good luck! Mike

Well I'm 27 hours post op and things are going well. Surgery was odd for me, but I made it through it. My pain management is going pretty well with just Tylenol with Codeine. I can certainly feel the band there even with no fill. I am told it can hold up to 10cc's. It's a very weird feeling drinking a little juice and still being full an hour later, but I think that's the point right.. Well I better rest, but wanted to make a post at least.

Well I'm 27 hours post op and things are going well. Surgery was odd for me, but I made it through it. My pain management is going pretty well with just Tylenol with Codeine. I can certainly feel the band there even with no fill. I am told it can hold up to 10cc's. It's a very weird feeling drinking a little juice and still being full an hour later, but I think that's the point right.. Well I better rest, but wanted to make a post at least.

Surgery was successful and am back home doing better than expected..! :clap2:

Got my date, Feb 15th, 2007 at 11:00 am Central Time. Excited now, but no doubt will be very nervous as the date nears. There is no question I am going to do it, but damn, it's still surgery... guess that's better than open heart by-pass or something in 15 years!

Got my date, Feb 15th, 2007 at 11:00 am Central Time. Excited now, but no doubt will be very nervous as the date nears. There is no question I am going to do it, but damn, it's still surgery... guess that's better than open heart by-pass or something in 15 years!

It's on now! Feb 15th, 2007 at 11:00am Central Time, Seaton Hospital, Dr Clark (he ROCKS) I am NOT looking forward to being "put under". (big chicken) I AM looking forward to getting my weight back under control. I AM going to carb out for 9 more hours... Pre-op diet starts tomorrow... Woo hoo.. Bacon and Eggs for breakfast.. lol :clap2:

Good points Tracy.. Specifically.. - If DBF is having such a hard time, hopefully you will lead by example and he will follow. If not, he's killing himself slowly, like many of us were.. We all know about that.. - "cleaning the plate" is one of the WORST things my parents generation believed in. With our 7y/o the only time he is asked to eat anything is when he wiped out his starch but ignored his Protein (usually lean chicken, etc). I'll ask him to take a couple of bites of the protein to balance the starch, but I don't care if 1/2 of his food goes to waste. I'll never make him eat. He goes in cycles.. When he is about to hit a growth spurt, he eats a lot, and we monitor the carb/protein balance just to help assure it's not too skewed. once the spurt is over, he eats like a bird.. all good in my book. - We ditched most of the true junk, and the few chips are balanced with things to go with them. Apples with PB are great.. We found some good natural PB with no TransFats and we all seem to enjoy it. He also loves banannas. Carb haters can bugger off.. If my kid wants lots of fruit, he gets it. Chips/cookies/candy/soda... no.. they are very seldom in the house, and when it is, we'll have just a few and focus on savoring the taste of those few, not eating a box of them.. I want to leave him with the gift of healthy food attitudes.. Hopefully we succeed..

Wow.. That Flu was a biotch!!!! I was down hard for 6-7 full days. It's been like a decade since I was hit that hard. Then, still recovering, I went out to Tunica MS to play in the World Series of Poker... Good time, but not something to do when sick... I get back to Austin ready for my last pre-op doc appointment today, and what do we get, a freaking ICE STORM... thanks mother nature! Of course the roads are icy and the doc office cancels.. weeeee.. 2 more weeks now.... Damn, where's a DQ Blizzard when you need one.. KIDDING..... maybe.... Mike

Was supposed to schedule today at the pre-op consult, but that got canceled due to the ice storm in Austin. 2 week delay might push me out of Feb.. :-( Everything else is done...

You girls are soooo naughty! Who really wants to see boy part pictures anyway? Girl parts are much more art like and beautiful... Now back in my underwear modeling days.... j/k The WLS is only going to make it more obvious when it's on display.. For most proper usage, it should be just as effective before and after weight loss. The biggest asset after loss is going to be stamina! Ah to be 21 again..... Lipo on that little fat area above the equipment might be interesting, but it still would only be for looks and not a functional increase.. A full shave would likely get similar results...

Wow.. That Flu was a biotch!!!! I was down hard for 6-7 full days. It's been like a decade since I was hit that hard. Then, still recovering, I went out to Tunica MS to play in the World Series of Poker... Good time, but not something to do when sick... I get back to Austin ready for my last pre-op doc appointment today, and what do we get, a freaking ICE STORM... thanks mother nature! Of course the roads are icy and the doc office cancels.. weeeee.. 2 more weeks now.... Damn, where's a DQ Blizzard when you need one.. KIDDING..... maybe.... Mike

It has been a great thread to read! I have been a little surprised by the # of non-banded spouses that started eating the banded spouses left overs.. My DW is banded and I *try* to eat only the amount she does and we take the rest home. Once I am banded (Feb 07 hopefully), our plan is to try to just split the entree. If we can't agree we'll have to do two take home bags. I do have to admit I am misbehaving a bit right now on things I won't have post-op (high calorie liquids like the chocolate shake tonight.. bad boy!) I already know my biggest enemy is going to be Water with dinner.. We drink (me now) a LOT of H2O each day.. She easily used to hit 1 - 1.5 gallons. I likely got close to 1 gallon, easily 2 big glasses with dinner... Our nutrionist sad NO NO NO liquids starting 15 mins pre-meal and wait 45-60 mins post meal..... Enemy #1 right there....