KHolmes

I was both excited and nervous, but kinda in shock I think. I remember just waking up in surgery and being like...That was it, I am done? Everything will be ok as long as you listen to your doctor and have everything that you need before hand.

I am taking two weeks. Even though I do have a desk job, the doctor does not want me back for two weeks. I dont have use any pto, my company offers short-term disability.

Congrats! It is hard, but I have lost 9 lbs in 4 days. That is the most I have lost in a few years. It has gotten me motivated to say the least. I am walking around the house at least 30 mins everyday. First it was just to try to get rid of the gas pain (which for me it didnt help a whole lot.) As soon as I am healed I am going to work out on our Bowflex. I am thinking about purchasing an elliptical machine. I prefer them to a regular treadmill. I am starting to get a little cabin fever. I havent left the yard since the surgery. I was planning on going to Walmart today, but my honey is working overtime today. I cant lift some of the things that I need, ie. 40lb of dog food.

I agree with everyone. This liquid stage sucks. I am dreaming of some chunky chicken salad and cucumbers. Tomorrow I start mushies. I cant wait to eat regular food. I am loosing weight though. I am taking eating slow just like the Doctor said. I have at least 5 days of mushies before I can move to soft foods. I didnt have to a pre-op diet, I now feel for the people that did. I cant wait to eat something with substance.

I am a control freak and I was sooooo nervous about going under. The doctor gave me a "cocktail" as we were going to surgery. I dont know what it was but I felt fine. It was breeze thru the surgery. I was banded on the this past Tuesday, the 20th. Last night was the first night I slept thru the night without waking up :notagree . The first few nights I kept waking up because I was not comfortable sleeping with all the pillows behind my back, proping me up. I am not a pillow person. I didnt feel that I needed a sleeping pill though. You might not either. It also depends on what pain killer the doctor gives you. My doctor gave me Toradol. Other doctors give things such as percocet and vicodin. Those would also knock you out. Talk it over with your doctor. I am scheduled to take two weeks off. Being an officer you might need a bit more time. My doctor told me not to do any strenuous work for four to six weeks. I work sitting at a desk all day :ranger: , that is why I am only taking two weeks. It is really up to your body and how fast you can heal. I am not having much pain today other than the gas pain. The only problem that I am having is apparently I am allergic to the adhesive from the steri-strips. I spoke to the doctor's office today. They said all I can do is get benadryl and hopefully the rash to go away. I have lost a bit of weight since the surgery. I know I am not getting hardly any calories. I am not hungry at all. I am making sure that I am getting plenty of fluids, I drink more than a gallon a day. If I dont, I get a really bad headache on the left side of my head. I am drinking a lot of water and Crystal Light. (God I love that stuff, especially the fruit punch.) I am also drinking my protein drink. I am having to force myself to drink it. I am glad to hear that everyone newly banded is doing good. My first week is half-way over. :wow2:

Well I am a few days out. The gas pain is terrible in my shoulder. I am also getting the bubbles. I dont know how else to explain them but they are bubbles. They feel really weird. When I am up and about they move around. I have been walking around the house. I even did some light cleaning. I am trying to get plenty of liquids. If I don't I get a really bad headache!!! I hope everyone is doing good!!

Thank you all!!! I feel so much better today. The only pain I am having is when I sit up and in my shoulder. The gas pains are sharp, I figured they would be a dull pain. Boy was I wrong. I have my heating pad on and I have done some walking. I am sleeping ok. I wake up every so often. I just get up, do some walking, drink some water and go back to bed. My honey stayed home with me today too!!! He wanted to make sure everything stayed ok and to keep me from having to do anything. Well wishes to the ones that are being banded today!!!

I had the surgery at 7:15am this moring. I am of course having pain. But I am running a fever. My Dr said to call if it gets over 101. I am currently at 100. Did anyone else run a fever after the surgery? I am kinda worried about an infection.

Were you told to take anything for the fever or just let it be?

Just wanted to say I am home from surgery. In a bit of pain. But I am now banded!!! I do have a slight fever. The Dr told me if it gets over 101 to call. It is just over 99. I hope everyone is doing good. Oh and the "cocktail" that they give you before surgery was exactly what I needed. Too bad I didnt have it the day before...lol!!!

I was banded today. I have been having some back pain since I woke up from a nap. I didnt have it at the hosptal. I think it is from being proped up with pillows. See I prefer to sleep on my stomach or flat on my back. These pillows are killing me, but they make it able for me to get out of bed by myself.

I check in the hospital at 5:45am. The day has come. I did some last minute running around today. I have the last load of laundry in the washer. I think I have everything that I need for the first couple of days. I can have my honey get something if I need it. Of course I will have to wait till he gets home from work. He has tomorrow off of course, but that is all. It will be me and the animals for most of the days. As of right now I have the next two weeks to recover. I am nervous. I am calm, but my insides are having a field day. So far I am pretty sure that I won't be able to sleep. I am going to write my letters tonight. My honey knows where everything is...finances and all. I am nervous about going under. Good luck to the other 2/20 bandsters!!! May we all wake up!!!

What, if anything, is too serious to joke about? -I would have to say anything that would hurt someone. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or one ability, what would it be? –To know how to fly!!! Whom, if anyone, do you envy enough to want to trade lives with them? –I like my life, but maybe someone with lots of money so I can shop and shop!!! If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be? – I would have had parents that taught my sister and I about money and credit. If there were a public execution on tv, would you watch it? – I hate to say it but yes. Would you rather arrive at a party underdressed or overdressed? -Overdressed What's more important: actual experiences, or the memories that remain from those experiences? The memories will always be with you. In real conversations, do you tend to talk more or listen more? - Listen If you had to chose one, would you rather be blind or deaf? - Deaf

Can someone help? I keep getting unwanted smiley’s in my messages. What is happening? Has anyone seen this or dealt with this before. It looks like this: Thank You lace>Tracylace> If it doesnt show in this message, it has appeared in my last few messages.

No that is not what I mean. I was trying to copy what it was doing.

Thank You <st1:City><st1:place>Tracy</st1:place></st1:City> I am glad to see that you stayed with us even though you have to wait a little bit longer. The April Bandsters can’t steal you away from us! Thank You Mike! My honey is not big. He has a few extra pounds but not over weight. He has been on the Adkins for about a month and has more than 18 lbs already. He supports me, but would rather me try one more time to loose it the old fashion way. Sometime he doesn’t understand. He is 5 years younger than I. He supports me because what I am doing is making me happy or going to make me happy. He has always said he loves me for who I am not what I look like. I wish everyone should have someone like him…

Thank you lapband4meNOW!!! <o:p></o:p> To hear another person’s experience start to finish is reassuring. The Butterflies in my stomach started to reproduce yesterday and are getting worse. I know I have said this before, but this is my first surgery. I am more worried about the anesthesia then the surgery itself. I want to make sure that I am going to wake up. My mother had a problem with waking up after surgeries. I have told the doctor this and I plan on telling the anesthesiologist this as well. But it is still there, at the back on my mind. <o:p></o:p> Is the surgery worth possibly not waking up? I am one of the many yo-yo dieters. I am unsure of what my exact highest weight was. My scale stopped at 320. I know that I was wearing 26-28 and they were getting tight. So I know that I weight well over 320. I out right refused to go to a doctor. I was embarrassed. I felt like a cow!!! I started on Metabolite with ephedra after seeing some of my friends loose weight. I dropped down to a size 8. I was soooooo happy!!! I was living life like there was no tomorrow. I did go to the doctor at that time. He was so happy I had lost the weight. He said I was the patient that lost the most in his office. When I told him what I did it with, he sent me to have an EKG. I hadn’t done too much damage to my heart, but the doctor ordered me to stop taking Metabolite, before I did. I stopped taking it, tried to eat healthy so I could maintain the new me. <o:p></o:p> I met my first husband during the size 8 period. He was gorgeous!! He had six pack abs and was trained in muy thai. We were married for three years. At the time that I signed the divorce papers I was a size 20!!!! He had gotten disgusted. He went to school for Personal Training, so of course he tried everything to help me loose the weight I was gaining. I stopped gaining weight for a little while. <o:p></o:p> I met my current honey when I was a size 20. Going on four years later, I now wear a size 24, coming very close to wearing a size 26 (my size 24 jeans are tight) its not pretty. <o:p></o:p> I don’t eat a lot. I try to watch what I eat. I don’t drink soda. But I don’t exercise; I sit at a desk all day. This is one on my problems. But it hurts my knees to work out. I do try to walk with my dogs, but my schedule does not permit this everyday. I have come to realize recently that I am a closet eater and an emotional eater. By getting the Lap Band I physically can’t overeat. I will hold my self responsible, because I am going thru surgery and putting myself thru this. <o:p></o:p> My honey is supportive even though he does not want me to do the surgery. He said he is willing to hold me accountable when it comes to exercise. But he will not police the food I eat. This is going to be all me.<o:p></o:p> I know that this is a long post, but it feels good to release come of this.<o:p></o:p>

Thank You Everyone!!! I spoke to a few others of Dr Carter's Patients. They all were fine without the Pre-Op diet. I do understand why people are put on the diet though. I have lost 6 lbs since signing up for the surgery...but that is just do to nerves!!!! I usually call my weight at the Dr's office; yesterday I was wrong...but pleasantly surprised!!! I love the staff at the Carter Lap Band Center and at USMD in Arlington. They did put my mind at ease about having my first surgery. Now I can't wait to be Banded and start my own adventure. Now all I am doing is waiting for Tuesday morning at 5:45pm. I am the first patient of the day. Surgery starts at 7:15am. :tape:

I have come to realize that I am one of the lucky few. I have UHC of Texas. I was approved three weeks after I put an application in to the Carter Lap Band Center... my BMI is above 40 and my mother died at age 49 due to diabetes. I found out today (during my pre-op exam) that I am lucky too because the insurance is covering the surgery 100%. I wish everyone my luck!!!! It upsets me to see so many people have to fight with their insurance. I went thru this when I was living in Florida. Up until now, none of the insurances that I have ever had covered WLS. I have never and probably will never understand this. Yes the surgery is pretty pricey, but by not having the surgery, we are going to cost the insurance company and our employer more in the long run.

DooneyJC, I am also set to be banded on the 20^th as well. It is almost time…:clap2: I am noticing that a lot of people have stated that the doctors are finding a hiatus hernia when they start the surgery. Did anyone know they had these? Did anyone have any symptoms? I know that it is just nerves, but my mind is going crazy with every scenario that could happen. <o:p> </o:p> I have my final doctors appointment before the surgery tomorrow. I was informed today that my doctor doesn’t like to prescribe a lot of pain medication. I have an ok pain tolerance, but I am worried. How long does the pain last? Should I demand pain killers?<o:p></o:p>

I was just wondering that today. My huny was asking about that today. I am due to have the surgery in a week. I have had a really bad and long period this month so he is not happy. I imagine the position also has something to do with how soon you can have “relations”. <o:p> </o:p> I am so glad that I found this forum. I have gotten so many answers about things that I was embarrassed to ask. Not only do I get the answer, I have also learned that I am not the only one with some of these problems and concerns. It is nice to know that I am not the only one out there…:whoo:<o:p></o:p>

I am 28 and I agree with everyone, If I could have had this done in my early 20’s I would have. This is the first job that I have had that the insurance covered the surgery. The one good thing is that being younger is that our skin should shrink faster. I think more younger people should be offered the LapBand, it would save money on health problems for us and our employers. I work for a really great company. I had insurance from day one and I am also able to take disability while I am out for the surgery. <o:p> </o:p> Also, my family is the same way. They would rather me “try harder” to loose weight. I have yo-yo’ed so many times I am surprised I don’t have more health problems then what I already have. I am glad that you are having it done. You will be able to enjoy more of your 20’s then some of us!!!<o:p></o:p>

Wow!!! I have woken my huny laughing my butt off. This is something that I never thought about. This is my first surgery. But I agree with a lot of people: They see so many people we are just another belly to fix.

Today is SIX WEEKS without a Cigarette!!! It was mine and my huny’s New Years Resolution. We used one package of Nicorette gun between the two of us and then we just chewed sugarfree gum and supported each other. I would call him the first week or so when I was on my breaks at work. I changed my work routine from the first day. That is the important part. You cant do the same thing and expect different results. Quiting in my opinion is a matter of wanting to quit!!! You can quit you just have to believe in yourself!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2: You can dooo it!!! LOL!!!

Welcome!! It is good that you guys are going to do it together. My huny is supportive, but he doesn’t 100% agree with the surgery. My approval took approx 3 weeks from the insurance. I understand that this is not a long time to wait, so I wish a speedy decision for you as well.