wjross

I had my lapband surgery with Dr. Mayes in Arlington, VA this morning. Everything went very well and I'm super excited to get started with the rest of my life. Thank you all for your prayers and positive energy sent my way for the successful outcome of the surgery. 2012 Here I come!!!

Congrats, ur gonna love the new u!

Sounds like muscle mass to me. 4 straight days of work-out is probably not the best thing. Your muscle bulks up, so the weight appears as it if it's fat but it's muscle. Give your body/muscle time to rest after 2 maybe 3 days of work out max. Your poor muscles need a massage to relax and release and you should be back up and running in a day of good rest. Good luck!

Let me start of by saying how excited I was to get banded. My bestfriend's husband was banded in March of 2010 and had great success from his surgery. I first decided to get banded on an emergency visit to my doctor in August of 2011 after a wrist incident. I went in and did the regular weight, height checks, etc. As always, I dreaded getting my weight checked because it has never been good. Number came back in the 250's and I was fed up at that point. I then asked my Doctor if I would qualify for weight loss surgery. He went back in his office, crunched some numbers and came back and told me yes. He then gave me the name and number of a local doctor to call to set-up a consultation. Fast-forward 3 months (my insurance only requires 3. I've heard many requires 6 months plus a mandary 20 pounds weight loss) of visits to my doctor for regular checks, visits with a nutritionist, blood work, and finally the phycologist appointment which i was super nervous about. This was the final string and didn't want this woman declaring me unstable and unfit to get banded! I was finally banded on 12-29. I was super excited and a tad bit nervous. I was given my happy juice and felt nothing in the very beginning. I even remember being rolled into the operating room. It's when I looked up at the time is when I was out. I think I have figured out whey nurses tell you to count backwards. Once you're brain focuses on something, that's when you're out for the count. When I was awaken after surgery, I was suprised because it seemed as if I closed my eyes for just a second. I was in the recovery room for about an hour before I was given the greenlight to be transferred to my room. My dear husband and my 3 year old soon followed me into the room, got settled in, they had their dinner and I slept. I actually slept well throughout the night because my nurse made sure to keep the morphine drip flowing every 4hours or so, Good Man! Here is where the story turns sour. My night nurse's shift was over at 7am. Before he left, I asked about when I was scheduled for the Upper GI tract exam. For those of you who do not know, the Upper GI tract exam is a test done in the Radiology department. You drink about 8 oz of this nasty, pasty substance, and they take pictures of how it goes down. They do this to ensure there's no holes, or leaks that were created by the surgery. You cannot have anything to drink until this test is done. I woke up that morning very very thirsty. My night nurse told me the Radiology dept will come in between 8-10am to take me to the lab. When my day nurse came on, I told her that I was scheduled for this testing and to see where I am on the list so I can have a better idea. She said, don't worry, they usually come in between 8-10am and not to worry. 10:30am comes around and no word yet from the Radiology Dept. I called my day nurse and asked her to call the Radiology dept to get an update on when they are coming to get me. She reluctantly called only to tell me that I was never put on their scheduled for a GI Tract exam for that day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so pissed off. It is now Friday morning around 10:45am and the last time I had anything to drink was Wednesday night at 12 midnight. Needless to say, I was beyond thirsty to the point where I was loosing my voice and could hardly speak. I texted my husband earlier that morning and told him not to rush and come in, to make josh a good breakfast and take their time coming in so I wasn't expecting them until around noon. So, i didn't have anyone to speak on my behalf, I felt so alone and frustrated. I texted my husband and told him to rush down to the hospital. And with having a 3 year old, there's not much rushing you can actually do unfortunately. They nurse apologized and said she went ahead and put me on the schedule for the exam and that the earliest they can have someone come get me was 2pm. At this point, I can't speak because my throat is dessert dry so I agrily nodded. With the shaking of my head, and rolling my eyes, I think the clueless nurse got the picture that I was upset. Naturely, and as expected, 2:30pm came and I'm still sitting in my bed. I once again called the nurse to get an update. Luckily for her, Radiology came to get me around 2:45. With the transport to the dept, and the testing, and transportig back, that whole ordeal lasted about an hour. I was finally given a sip of water around 3:45pm that day!!!!!!!!!!!! It was the best water I've ever had. Was also given some clear soup broth and jello. YUMMO! My advise for fellow banders, find out about if and when GI tract exam is scheduled for and have your nurse confirm you're on the schedule. May seem like a small thing but it was a big ordeal for me and turned my hospital experience into a not so pleasant one. I've given birth at this hospital, had two thryroid gland removed at this hospital due to thyroid cancer and all of the hospital stays were steller! This one put a damper in my memory but does not take away too much from my overall impression of this award-winning hospital.

It's a minor procedure. just make sure to walk around while in the hospital as much as you can. You will be in some pain while in the hospital but should be fine a day or two after you return home to where you won't need the pain meds they send you home with. After you eat, walk around your house. You will literally feel the gas bubbles moving about your body trying to escape. Other then that, you'll be off to the races with the weight loss. You will loss the majority of your weight the first two weeks so enjoy!

Hello Banders, I was banded on 12-29-11 and looking for a lapband buddy in my area. I live in fort washington, md (10 minutes outside of DC, 5 Minutes outside of VA). Would love to have someone locally to chat with, exercise with, and share our experiences together.

I was banded on 12-29 and scheduled for my first fill on 1-25 about 4 weeks post-op. I would like to know how soon post-op did most people get their fills. How many fills does insurance cover? I have federal blue/cross blue shield. Also, how soon after the first fill will the second fill take place? A month/two months after?

The only restriction you have in the beginning is the swelling from the surgery itself. There's a period where regain your hunger and you're surprised to be hungry. Once you get your first fill (4-6 weeks post-op) you'll start to have more control over things and it will only get better from there.

The number that matters is at your initial consultation to validate you being approved by insurance and of course for your surgeon to start the process with you, and lastly the weight at the pre-op. If you go below the BMI needed to be approved by insurance, you may not get covered.

Thank you so much for your post. I was just banded a few weeks ago and desperately want to have another child. We have a 3 year old boy, and really want my little girl. I haven't read anything related to pregnancy except my doctor telling me to wait 2 years before attempting which is way too long for me. Glad to hear that you can still have the lapband in and go thru a normal, healthy pregnancy. I think I heard the band it self would have to come out all together upon being pregnant but that's clearly not the case with you. Are you considered at all with intaking enough nutrition to keep you and your baby going and healthy?

My first fill is scheduled for 3 weeks and simply wondering if they hurt at all. I was told by my dr that I should do a 2 day liquid diet post-fill to ensure no issues.

I was told candies like crystal light sugar free hard candies were ok even during the liquid stage. Suck on it though, no crunching yet since you're still on liquids.

My favorite thing in the word is a Burger. I'm a burger snob though. I love going to fancy restaurants and having a good, well-crafted burger with their fancy rosemary truffle oil fries, YUMMY!!!!! I am 13 days post-op and of course haven't had anything like this for several weeks. I do go out to Cheesecake Restaurant this friday with a girlfriend and afraid of what will happen because my appetite has come back with a vengance!

Start doing something small by replacing one meal a day with a protein shake. Some of them are mighty tasty. I'm having a slimfast 20g protein shake now and it's satisfying. 6 months is loads of time if you start super small now without stressing over it. Worse thing you can do is not do anything the first 4 months and try to crash the last two. Bad Idea.

Go Girl!!!

I am on day 4 of my 7 day pre-op liquid diet and not doing well at all. How mandatory is the 7 day liquid diet? I have drastically reducing the amount of solid foods. I'm doing liquid protein with my coffee in the morning, Chicken Noodle soup for dinner, but have been eating campbell's tomato soup and a tuna sandwich with it for lunch. I get very dizzy when I do not eat a solid meal. I have really bad hunger pains that gives me chest pains when I do not eat. Replacing two meals I've found is easier but I must have something solid once a day. Is my surgery in jeoperdy?

Not being able to eat wholesome meals has been very difficult for me. I get lightheaded, dizzy, and weak when I do not eat properly. I am five days post-op and already tired of freakin protein shakes. I need something high in sodium to keep my hunger from going crazy. Although I craze solids, I'm afraid of having any so I don't vomit and end up slipping the band or something. It's more than likely you're not getting enough protein/vitamins/ etc.

I was banded on 12/29. have lost close to 10 pounds so far based on my pre-op weight. Not sure if it's because my husband has been taking such great care of me but my hormones are going crazy and wondering when I can be intimate again. I am 4 days post-op and I am certainly not foolish and would not do anything that would put me in any risk of danger but would love to hear some stories (mature crowds please) of how many days/weeks post op where you able to be intimate with your partner. Was there a particular position that hurt less and made things easier to enjoy. And also, I don't remember when my doctor told me it was safe to take a shower. Is it a week out? I still have my bandaids and don't want to get any skin rashes. Thanks for your helpful responses. Willyne (Mocha Lee)

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I am 5 days post-op. I had to do a 7 day full liquid diet which was hell for me. Full liquid consist of the following: *broth Soups *Cream Based Soups *Protein Powder/Shakes (muscle milk, carnation, slimfast, etc) My surgeon and dietitian required the shakes to be at least 20 grams of protien and 180 calories or less. *sugar-free Yogurt/Pudding * 100% fruit juice *Water *Crystal light juice Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I can only imagine how difficult that must have been to deal with. I just got banded on the 29th and my husband and I are very much interested in having another baby maybe in the next year or two. Did your band have anything to do with your precious being a stillborn? Have you heard of an increased chance of miscarriages/stillborns with bands?

Congrats to you. I was banded on the 29th and was discharged lastnight. I'm home, on the couch, trying to enjoy the ringing of the new year. I am still very much sore and still require help getting in and out of the bed. I thought I would be more independent by now but I'm not. Hope tmr is easier. My doctor has me on a 10-14 day full liquid diet and then 10-14 day pureed diet. Did you have to do a pre-surgery liquid diet as well? I did a 7 day.

Your body adjust to different excercises and routines. I would suggest changing it up. Do something radical and different. I just ordered the insanity workout and I'm excited about it once I am able to work out. I got banded just yesterday, i'm actually still at the hospital, I get released tonight. Workouts such as insanity and px90 are radical and will definitely put some adreline back into your body and shock your body into changing. Good luck! I sure look forward to loosing at least 70 lbs.

You can get proteins shakes/meal replacement shakes from virtually anywhere. Your local grocery store, walmart, target, costco, bjs, sams club, and even your local walgreens, cvs will have something on their shelves. Good luck and congrats on starting this journey. I had to do a 7 day liquid diet which was hell for me. I simply could not get full off of a "sweet" sliquid. I need something savory, like a soup.