lgwallace

I am 6 weeks out of lap band surgery and have lost 27lbs and gone from 6 insulin shots a day to 2! I have noticed that I can eat more than I could 2 weeks ago, and the weight loss slowed after going back to regular food. That makes sense, but I am glad to be having my first fill tomorrow. I think the timing is perfect. I catch myself wanting to slip into old habits (unhealthy snacks, larger portions) I even missed 4 days of my Food Diary which I have been faithful with. I know I must be diligent in my behavior changes in order to be successful for life. I am using this first fill as my wake-up call and my path back to my regiment. I am also nervous that my Doctor will be disappointed with my progress. I feel like I'm not doing as well as I should be, but I know I will do better after the fill. I just don't want to be dependent on fills to keep me in line forever. This is on me and I must succeed if I want to live a longer life. Wish me luck!

I definitely think you should have all the information offered when you are in the deciding stages. The nutritionist, the psychologist, as well as your bariatric Dr. All the research makes it very clear that a percentage of patients gain their weight back if they do not make the life style changes necessary to maintain a healthy weight. We all became overweight by having unhealthy eating and exercise habits. After having uncontrolled diabetes for over 7 years, I had a heart attack last March (I'm 51) I knew I had to do something to see my Grandkids grow up. I am so aware that the success of my lap band surgery is on my shoulders. I am 6 weeks out, 27lbs lighter, and have gone from 6 insulin shots a day to 2. I have my first lap band fill tomorrow. I am keeping a calorie diary daily. I am able to walk more. I have more energy. I am going to live if I follow the instructions given to me by my team. It is not always easy and I have caught myself slipping into old habits on occasion, but I keep on because I know this is not a miracle cure. It is up to me to embrace the help the band is giving me and follow through with my part. Good luck.

I am a 50 year old wife, mother of 3 beautiful adult daughters, and Grammy to 2 small children (a boy and a girl) all of whom I love dearly. All of whom will miss me if this surgery doesn't work, because I am dying. I am an insuln dependent diabetic with uncontrolled numbers for over 5 years now. I have severe COPD from 35 years of smoking (I have quit in the last year) I have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and Gastroparesis (paralasis of the stomach) from my diabetes. In Sept. 2010 I had a stent put in my heart and in March 2011, I had a heart attack anyway. At 285 lbs the hardest thing to take is that I have done this to myself. If I don't take control of my life, my beautiful Grandchildren will not remember me, and I will not see them grow up. I wish I had taken these steps sooner but to be honest, after 7 years of research, I couldn't afford to pay the amount not covered by my insurance. I was referred to Dr. Nazarian by a friend, and he was the first one willing to work with me. I have had all of my counseling, testing, authorizations from my many Doctors, and I have 1 appt. left before we schedule surgery. I expect to have the actual surgery by the end of Oct. early Nov. I am now working on the lifestyle changes I need to make to be successful in my journey. I am chewing longer and slower, I am drinking alot of water, I am stopping my meal when I am full, and I am keeping a daily food diary and calorie count. The one thing I am worried about is the exercise regimen which I am not able to perform because of my COPD. I get out of breath just walking across the house. But I keep trying. Some days are better than others. At this point, I just want to make it through the band surgery with no complications. I just want another chance to become healthy again and I am committed to doing whatever it takes. I am scared but hopeful, and I would appreciate any tips and support anyone has to offer. I know I will need this Forum in the months and years ahead. My ultimate goal will be to achieve good health and be able to pay it forward to someone else in the future.

Well, the decision was made between my Doctors that the surgery be done in the hospital rather than outpatient. I am grateful that my surgeon is thorough and he and my cardiologist are looking out for me. Tomorrow I am being admitted for overnight cardiac observation and the next morning is my Lap Band surgery. My husband will be staying with me the entire time. We did Thanksgiving with the family today and sent all the leftovers with them as I will not need them here! I am excited that all of the testing and preparations are done, and the time has finally arrived. When next we meet...I will be a Lap Band recipient. Wish me luck!

Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement. I just returned from my final consult with my surgeon. He is very concerned with my heart condition and is now deciding if I need to have the procedure done in the hospital instead of the surgery center. Bummed me out a little, but he assures me we will still be on track for the end of Oct. or beginning of Nov. I am grateful that he is being cautious, and I know that it will come soon enough. In the meantime, I am beginning my food regime to lose a little before we start. I am looking forward to having a success story like all of you. Thanks again, Allison, Brenda, Tracie, Lucky, and New Me! You are my first lapband friends! Protein shake lunches...here I come!