wannawearabikini

I've been banded for 3 months now. I started at 208lbs, I'm now 191lbs! That's 5.666lbs. per month! I wish I would have known.... 1. It would be way way way slower than I thought 2. That I would hate life the first week after surgery 3. That even three months after surgery my port incision would still be tender, so going to the chiropractor is painful when he pushes on my back and my port goes into the table, flexing my abs is still a bit uncomfortable 4. That almost every time I eat, the first few bites are extremely uncomfortable 5. That some days I would be able to eat anything and everything while other days I can barely get milk down!!! It's the craziest thing! 6. That eating out with friends would be a little awkward because I eat so slow and sometime have a hard time getting my food to go down 7. That some days I would actually dread trying to eat and still wouldn't lose weight!! 8. That I would have to take liquid Tylenol from now on whenever I have a head ache or menstrual cramps, and that crap is so nasty...pill form was so much easier! 9. That I would get hiccups after every meal 10. That my left shoulder would hurt whenever I got really hungry or when I got too full...it's so weird I think that about does it...But I will also add, that if my band will help me get to my goal weight, it will have all been worth it!!!

One of the nurses at my doctors office actually told me that tanning helps heal the scars better. Also, tanning beds give you vitamin D and whether fat or skinny, everyone looks and feels better with a tan! PS- they say you look 10-15lbs. lighter when you're tanner So I will keep tanning!

yeah, I would have to say he's sugar coating it! Although everyone is different. I was still very sore, had major shoulder pain, and was high on pain meds and super sleepy for several days after surgery.

It's air a.k.a GAS trapped....at least it was for me. I was banded in July and had the bad shoulder pain and side pain...both were caused by gas...I never knew gas could hurt that bad!! I still get both pains back when I've eaten too much. All you can do is try to pass it. Maybe get gas-x...I heard it helps but I never actually tried it myself. Hope this helps!

I had miso soup from a Japanese restaurant (it's WAY better than store bought) also, wong ton soup but with no wong ton from a Chinese restaurant. They were both so good! The shoulder pain takes a while to go away. I'm on day 16 and it still comes and goes! Also, try a heating pad. It helped me a lot!

I know how you feel! The hunger does end...when you move onto the soft stage! I had never looked so forward to cottage cheese in my entire life! But I would have miso soup(it's a clear liquid soup) from a Japanese restaurant and it was pretty tasty!! The good thing is, you're losing lots of weight right now! I lost 10 pounds in 10 days! I'm now on day 16 and haven't lost anymore because I'm eating real food. Hang in there!! This too shall pass!!!

This sounds exactly like me!!! The gas in my left shoulder is the only thing that actually put me in tears several times!! I was banded 15 days ago and ever still I have pain. Especially when I lay down and also when I eat. It's weird! I'm hoping it goes away any day now!!! Hopefully it won't last as long for you as it has been for me.

Today is exactly one week from my band date and I still feel like crap! Inside my stomach is still very sore, my left shoulder hurts from air/gas, and I just feel so awful! I've really questioned what the heck I've done to myself. How long did it take you to feel 100% yourself again?

Thanks everyone. So hopefully in a few more days I will be feeling much better. I can't wait to feel myself again.

I had the surgery done Friday and my worst pain was from the gas. My nurse explained that when they put the gas into your stomach, it travels throughout your body and is absorbed by your tissues. For me it traveled to my shoulders and collar bone. I won't lie, it hurt like hell Friday night when I was home! And there's nothing I could do abour it. I finally took a double dose of my liquid hydrocodine and fell asleep. I do my breathing exercises several times a day and it is a little painful, especially at first. The more I do, the easier and less painful it is. It's important to do the breathing because namonia can set in very easily after surgery. So make sure you're doing it! I would rate my pain a 7. And it will be so worth it if I can reach my goal! Best luck to you!!

I was wondering if there are any oils or lotions to help restore elasticity in skin. When my sister got pregnant, she used Bio oil to prevent stretch marks and she didn't get a single one! (and she was already overweight when she got pregnant) So do you think it might work in reverse and maybe help my stomach go back a little better as I lose weight so it won't be quite as lose and saggy...that's a fear I have. I plan to try it out. But if you already have tried it, I'd like to know how it worked for you. Thanks!

yay!! My surgery date is July 8 and I can't wait!!!

My insurance will not pay for the surgery, so I will be paying out of pocket. I'm in Chattanooga Tennessee and the best price I have found is $10,000 from the Lap Band Institute. And this includes everything concerning the surgery but does not include fills (which are $125 each). Is this a good price?

I have only told my husband and a cousin I am very close to. My cousin is also overweight and she doesn't seem to be very happy for me. She NEVER brings it up or asks me any questions. When I would bring it up, she would change the subject. I've stopped talking to her about it. Also, I have an issue with people saying "you're taking the EASY way out." Not that it is easy, but even if it were easy, what they are really saying is "I think your weight loss should be hard and miserable and you should struggle you're entire life!"...That's really jacked up!!! We all take the "easy" way in life all the time!!! We have dishwashers, microwaves, cars...you name it!!! All to make life easier!!! There's no shame in that!!! I hope it will be easy!!! That would be a dream come true!

We obviously all got some sort of comfort and/or happiness from food, but now that food is not (or at least shouldn't be)the focus anymore, what is it that makes you happy? Has anything taken it's place?

I'm not sure if you're suppose to do this but...have you ever tried Phentermine? I went from 220lbs. to 173lbs. in about 6 months. They give you a lot of energy and suppress your appetite. May be a boost to help you get back on track. Maybe ask your doctor about it. Only problem for me was when I had to stop taking them, I've slowly put the weight back on (all but about 20 lbs) That's why I'm getting the lap band. Best of luck to you!

ForeverHopeful, I am much like you. I have about 75lbs that I would like to lose. I've lost and gained for the past decade. Does your insurance cover the surgery? Many will not cover it if you don't have a BMI of at least 35 with health issues. In my case, I don't have a BMI of 35 so I am having to pay for it myself. I was told because I am self pay, I don't have to have any Doctor give me "permission." All those hoops you have to jump through are usually for the insurance companies, not for the surgeons. So if you're self pay it's actually a lot easier and so much quicker! I am paying $10,000 and the way I see it is my health,happiness, and self esteem are well worth it! And I am very determined to be one of the success stories, not the failures. Best of luck to you!

OMG!!! I am laughing right now because I thought I was the only one who thought these things. I too fear being looked at naked. Will they see my boobs and cha cha??? Also, they blow up your stomach with air so they have more room to operate and I always fear I will be passing gas while I'm knocked out!!! How embarrassing would that be!!! At least we won't remember a thing!!