musicalmomma

For me it was more of a progression, rather than a last straw. I began considering it two years ago. This past Christmas, at 284, I just decided enough was enough...no more yo-yo diets...I HAD to do something to change my life permanently. SO, I started the process in January and was banded June 1. Glad I did! I feel great and SO hopeful that THIS time I WILL acheive my goals AND maintain them.

Hang in there Lucy, it gets better. The sore throat was the worst for me. I've had a tube down my throat for surgery twice before this one and I was by far more hoarse this time than any other time. It cleared up in a couple of days tho. Glad you're home safe and sound. Don't worry about walking around the block yet. Before you know it, you'll be itching to get out of the house and walk! :girl_hug:

I felt pretty darn good by day 4...now, 8 days out, I feel GREAT. Went for a 4 mile bike ride yesterday and swimming with the kids. I think Victoriana is right. I think age and lifestyle pre-band play a big part. I also wonder if one's weight plays a part too?? I wonder if higer BMI patients take a little longer, on average, than lower BMI. Just a thought mind you, not in any way a fact, or even an opion, just wondering.

Glad you're feeling better Yep that gas pain can REALLY be, well, painful!!! I have to ask...what is the "Ball" I hear people talking about and what's it for?

Take it easy on yourself HM. We all heal at different rates. I've always been a lightning quick healer. You'll get there before you know it. The first six weeks are for healing...everything else is icing on the cake

{{{{NINA}}}} I am SO glad it all went well for you. Glad you're feeling better all the time and NOT hungry! That's the BEST part!!! Nvalicia: Glad you're doing OK. It's pretty normal to freak a little before surgery. I am lying low from all my friends here, cuz I don't want a million questions Just got back from a 4 mile bike ride! That felt GOOD! Gonna take the kids swimming tonight...if the pool's open that is! Feels good to get active!

That's what I was thinking/hoping...I was hoping for a little restriction for vacation. I decided to ask the doc about it and he said he didn't want to give me a fill til I got back. I asked why and he said he didn't want to give me a fill and chance needing an unfill and me being 1000 miles away. Guess I'll have to use will power on the vacation...but hey, it's at the beach...I'll get lot's of exercise swimming and walking! Thanks for replying

Hi All! I'm back from my one week post-op visit. I was pleased to have shed the 10 pounds I GAINED from all the fluid they pumped in me & swelling PLUS another 3.4 pounds! I'm on my way down, down, down!!! Just noticed that I am NOW closer to 200 pounds than 300 pounds! That's a plus. Another plus....ready for this???? The doc went over the post-op diet again, 2 weeks liquid, 2 weeks mushies, 2 weeks soft, then trial and error after that. I told him I was STARVING and that the liquid wasn't cutting it and could I PLEASE try a mushie or two in the day. He said that the 6 week "guidelines" were just that. He said everyone heals differently and I must be a fast healer and have little restriction. He said to use my best judgement and go VERY slow and not to challange the pouch. He said he didn't see any reason I couldn't try to add a little mushie if I was that hungry. SO, I bought some canned chicken breast and I'm getting ready to puree that with some low fat mayo and chill it. I'll try a tablespoon full tonight and see how it goes! I think I can make it now

Hi Cookie :wave: why do you think you'd be denied? Did you meet all of the requirements? I remember worrying about the same thing, even thought I KNEW I met all the requirements. Two weeks later....approved! Let us know how you make out

YES!!!!! What a relief to know I am NOT alone...this must be normal! I just got up and haven't had anything to drink and I feel great, but I know as soon as I do, I'll be battling the air bubbles!!! I got the gas-x thin strips last night, they helped A LOT! Guess I'll be keeping them on hand for a while. Post-op appt is today...sure hope I show a loss!!! Will post when I get back...darn it's hard to keep up with the thread, it's grown so much!!

I'm sorry if I over-stepped in any way...or if you feel I took focus off the intimacy issue. It's hard for me to separate the 'reason' of lack of intimacy from just 'feeling' the lack. Does that make sense? From your posts, I feel certain that you're a strong woman of faith. Faith isn't faith, unless it's been tested and you still believe! I applaude you for keeping this before the Lord and applying your faith to this most difficult of situations. OK...back to the topic at hand. I talked to DH about this thread last night. It's been since Christmas for us, and it was about monthly for the last year before that. I asked him, point blank, if my weight causes him to have less desire. He very candidly admitted that it's HIS weight that keeps him from "putting the moves" on me. He said he feels terribly ugly at 430 pounds and that he feels I "deserve better". Then he reminded me of when we did medifast a while back...after he dropped about 30 pounds, he was ALL OVER ME...ALL THE TIME! We had LOTS of sex, because his self confidence was returning and he felt physically better. He said "I really need to fit exercise into my day...I just feel better when I do." So for him, I know it's both a matter of feeling ugly AND out of shape. Not a good combination for intimacy! Honestly, I haven't been that interested in sex myself, because I felt so terrible...emotionally and physically. Now that I'm dropping weight & exercising, I can feel my self confidence returning and physically feel better too. I know once he gets some weight off and gets active, we'll be like rabbits again. Ya know, having little kids in the house can make it difficult too. I know we started to fool around a few times over the past few months, but got interrupted! I'm glad you started this thread nume...It's been a comfort to me, not being alone in this situation

Are you saying you haven't been intimate since the night before your wedding? 8 Years ago? (((((Hugs))))) I feel for you, I really do. Wish I had some constructive advice to offer.

nume130: I TOTALLY feel your pain. My first marriage was to a gay man. He never told me. We were in bible college, so both christians. I think he wanted to be hetero so badly that he married me...I was only 19! We had 5 years of misery, when I caught him, via a friend, having a homosexual affair. We stayed together another 2 years, in counselling, because "I can change" kept coming from his lying lips. Well, a case of the crabs and a sexually transmitted virus later, I kicked his sorry butt to the curb. He went on to marry ANOTHER christian woman, whom I warned ahead of time. They lasted 2 years before she caught him cheating. We rarely had sex (enough to make 2 kids) and I always initiated it! He LOVED oral, hated giving it (sorry I know I am being VERY graphic here). He made me feel so ugly every time I would bring up the fact that I needed him to initiate it from time to time....he told me he just wasn't attracted to me because of my size...I was 220 when we married and MAYBE 250 when he said that line of bull! He's a terrible dad, abandoned his kids and only has contact with them on Birthdays and Christmas. He only pays child support because I have it docked from his wages...he's still in arrears... OK...why am I going into all of this?????? Honestly, consider, if he's not wanting sex with you, he's not truely heterosexual. Men want sex! I'm not saying he's cheating, but I am saying that he's probably not hetero. I for one believe that men can abstain from homosexual activity due to christian faith, but apart from a divine miracle, I just don't see a man being passionate about a woman after living the 'lifestyle'. I could be wrong, and hope I am. I am not a proponant of the attitude of "if I'm not happy, I'm getting out". I think people are far too lazy and selfish these days and don't care what it really does to children when they won't even try to work out differences. However, there are abusive and adultry relationships that need to be severed. I have now been married to a wonderful Christian man for almost 10 years. Our sex life right now sux...why? Because I am 250 and he is 430. It's just a physical problem, but not one of uninterest. We can't WAIT for him to be banded (probably August) and for both of us to drop enough weight to make love comfortably. He's a loving and supportive man, that still grabs my butt and boobs, kisses me and makes suggestive comments to me, so I still feel desired. I just know we need to make health improvements so we can re-ignite our passion OK, I wrote a virtual book here. So I'll stop

My surgeon set the post-op requirements. I'm drinking as I feel like it, but I've been a big water drinker in the past...I'd say I easily get in about 8 oz per half hour. Venturing from sips to bigger sips now. I can't feel my port either. My surgeon said I had a thicker skin wall than he anticipated, therefore I'd have to have fills under fluro if he can't feel it under my thick lard (erm, I mean skin). I am REALLY sick of this friggin liquid diet! My family is down there eating pizza! I just finished my yummy water! mmmm! NOT! I am in SUCH a bad mood...I know this will pass, but it sure is passing s-l-o-w-l-y!!!!

Hi Toni! I ate soup in a restaurant today too! I'm having the some concerns about not drinking while eating...probably because we're still on liquids! I am getting REALLY hungry and liquids just ain't cutting it! My 1 week post-op check is tomorrow, I'm going to beg to try mushies!

I'm with you babygrl...I'm a vain fat chick too. I know I'm no goddess, but I'm a pretty darn attractive fat chick! I don't know how I'll feel about compliments;. I've lost upwards of 50 pounds in the past, and NO ONE said a word to me about it! I KNOW I looked different because I was down 3 sizes and had curves where rolls used to be. So, if and when the compliments come...I think I'll enjoy them...shallow or not

Hi again Ducky. Thanks for the extra info. I think I'm on the same page with jetlagjane on this. You seem to have a really good head on your shoulders and are looking at this option objectively. At first I was a little concerned that you wanted her to have the band more than she wanted it. Doesn't appear that way at all now I think you're right to make her take responsibility before getting her banded. She MUST learn to overcome that insecurity that keeps her from participating in her neccessary therapy. If she refuses to learn what she needs to there, she won't learn how to work with the band. There's is MUCH more at stake than her not losing weight on the band. If she doesn't follow the rules of the band, she can cause a band slip, pouch dialation, band erosion...etc. If you take her out of the country to do it, it could be difficult to find a doctor in the states that would handle complications. This is my main reason for being so skeptical of teens getting the band. Teens today have so little impulse control!!! I know, I have two teens myself (and two younger too). She has to know and understand that this is not another diet, this is for life and that she'll have to eat right and excercise for life...the band just makes it easier to eat less. Ice cream, milk shakes, etc go down VERY easy with the band. She can outsmart it if she's strong willed enough. Like jetlagjane said, give her some goals to reach, to show she's serious. Save money, lose a little weight, begin a regular exercise regimin, participate in therapy sessions, etc. When she's done this for, I'd say at least six months, then re-evaluate. See if she still wants it. If she still does, and she's met all the agreed upon stipulations, begin the process. If she bucks the six months, tell her that MANY insurance companies require a six month pre-op diet and therapy before approving surgery, and you're just following suit Again, I think you have a good grip on the situation. Educate yourself and your daughter about every aspect of the band and I think you'll both make the right decision. Bottom line, you know you're daughter better than anyone. You'll make the right decision Keep us posted!

Lip Balm! I was SO glad I took mine. My mouth was SO dry after and you can't drink right away, so the lip balm really helps. I also packed my brush, tooth brush & paste, and a change of clothes. Oh and sock with grip on the bottom...I HATE hospital socks!

My surgeon told me that the occasional patient never needs a fill, the band is enough restriction for them. He said it's rare, but it happens. Perhaps you have enough restriction without a fill. But I agree with the rest, why even get the band if you intended to do it on your own? I KNOW I can't do it on my own...38 years of being overweight kinda proves my theory, so if/when I need a fill, I will get my butt to the doc and get one.

I'd have to have a great deal more information before even hazzarding any advice. Does SHE want the surgery? How over weight is she? Does she have any other health related issues? Have you or you husband been banded? How has she tried to lose weight in the past. At 16, her body is still changing. I don't even know if it's approved for anyone under 18. My oldest daughter is 18 and 280. She was chubby since age 8 also and steadily gained weight since her early teens. However, she has Juvenile Rhumatoid Arthritis and has dibilitating pain that makes it hard for her to exercise...not to mention she can't take NSAIDS with the band and she HAS to take them for her condition. I feel concerned that a reason you gave for considering the band was "wanting a boyfriend" and "stretch marks". Yes, these are big deals to a teenager, but not reasons to undergo surgery at such a young age.

Hey there Marlynn! I'm so excited for you! Did you get the pass port issue resolved?

It happens to everyone. They pump you SO full of Fluid that you're up 8-10 pounds when you get home. Not to mention the Water retention due to swelling. Don't worry, you'll pee that out in no time. I got home Sunday and was up 8 pounds as of today I lost it all plus 2 more! Sweet!

:clap2: I TOTALLY agree! It's time for some publicity for the lapband. Yeah, I've seen some advertisments, but it would be great to get a mini-series documentary on the lapband...follow a few patients over the course of a year and watch their journey! Now THAT would be good television! hehe

I had a bit of an "epiphany" last night...the next fat person that tells me "Oh, you took the easy way out" (or anything similar to that) I'm going to say "If it's so easy, why don't you do it!?" I'm sick of sanctimonious wind bags deciding I took an easy route. If it were easy, and it's NOT, but if it were...WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT???? I had epidurals when I gave birth...some women looked down their noses at me for it, because they did it "the natural way". I said to them..."do you have a healthy baby?" They said "of course" I said "good! SO DO I!" I am not letting ANY outside source make me feel bad about a decision that I KNOW was SO right for me For the record, I've had mostly positive responses...BUT have heard of 'whispers' about my decision. Whatever...people have been gossiping since the dawn of time and will continue to long after I leave this earth. If I can provide some entertainment for their dull existence, good for me!

Hmmm, well, I haven't had bowl movements per-say. I've been on a liquid diet since May 24th so, all that comes out is liquid (sorry to be gross) but it does come out.