Terri_121

I went to the information session the last Saturday in August, so it hasn't taken long at all for me. I took all the first avail appts no matter what time, and that has made it go super fast. I was hoping to get it done this year, and now it is looking like early November. So exciting!

I got approved Friday, got my 2 week diet, have labs and xrays tomorrow, dr. appt thursday, and my surgery on the 25th. Its going quick, but felt like forever before my approval. I am excited. I too was told the diet is to reduce liver size.

Where are you....I pray you are alright. I have my surgery in 4 days from now.
Lord...I pray for my sister that everything is ok. We send legions of angels to cover and surround her right now. We pray for a quick healing and adjustment with this new band inside her. We pray for wisdom and strategies for her to make a living with the band feel normal. You said in Your Word.....you have not because you ask not....and we asking for these things right now for our Sister in Christ. In Jesus Name we pray ~Amen !

Well, I am finally home! Whew! I wasn't able to update in the hospital for two reasons...number one the hospital internet was not connecting, and number two I did not feel like it!
Buttttt...... I am home now!
Ok...Well, the surgery itself was a breeze. I arrived at the day surgery center at 6:30am on Thursday morning. I went right on into the surgical area and they began prepping me for surgery. They gave me a gown and began my IV. Then, my doctor talked with me a moment and the anesthesiology doctor came in to talk with me. Then the anesthesia nurse came in and began to give me some sleepy meds. Actually, I believe the sleepy med was a more relaxing med than anything else.
Then, I was rolled into the Operating Room. I was talking to the surgical nurse about adoption and BAM! I didn't remember anything else until I woke up. My throat was scratchy and tickled quite a bit. I chopped on a little ice and was then rolled into my regular room. Within literally seconds my husband and my mom were with me. I did not hurt, although I did feel a lot of pressure from gas under my breasts. I immediately felt nauseated. I was given a nausea med called Zoftin? I am not sure that is exactly how it is spelled...but it didn't do anything to help me. And the gas was almost unbearable. They gave me pain meds although I was not really in big pain...and have not been...just a little sore. However, I did spend the night in the hospital due to me living so far away...at an hour and a half from my doctor.
I was allow to come home this morning and left the hospital by 10:30am. I was stillllll so nauseous. However, I took some of my pain meds and noticed that the pain meds took away my nausea! So, since I have been home I have taking my pain meds at THE right time without fail...and I notice that when it is about time for my meds to run out, I begin to feel sick again...and my gas pains seem to return.
My gas is doing MUCH better tonight. I have belched and expelled gas A LOT! Boy! I am sooooo glad! I am beginning to feel MUCH better.
As far as eating...well...drinking, I haven't had any problems except for the fact that chicken broth will NEVER enter my house again! Just something about that broth made me even sicker! So, I was able to sip just a few drops of beef broth...not much better..but little. Since I have been home, my husband brought me some ice pops and some juice. I noticed that I cannot eat anything that is salty or too sweet...Huh! Anyway, those ice pops and that juice is keeping me going for now. I am going to attempt some coffee in the morning....doc said it was cheating a little, but if I could tolerated it...then go for it!
Well, that is all I have for now...I am going to go and get some more medicine! Night all! And thank you guys for praying for me!

How awesome is that!!! Keep us posted ...so excited for you.

Hi Liz,
My heart definitely goes out to you and I sincerely hope you are able to find relief and happiness. The process to receive a band is in place for exactly the reasons you pointed out. It actually took me approximately 18 months to get approved, which gave me plenty of time to research exactly what to expect and all my available options. My doctor, dietitian, and nurses stressed and communicated the fact that the band is only a tool to assist me lose weight and not a magic pill that would work without a great deal of effort on my part. Nothing has changed, it has been and always was up to us to lose the weight, but we all felt we needed the assistance of a specialized tool to overcome weaknesses in our willpower. I lost 135 pounds through LA Weight Loss, so I know you can lose weight the good old fashioned way, but keeping it off is another story entirely. This is where I need all the help I can get from not only my band, but also the support of all my new friends on LBT. Liz, thank you for sharing your story with the group and hope you find relief soon.
Dennis

Yay!!!! I am so excited! My next appt is next thurs to get pulmonary clearance, and then abdominal ultrasound 10/23. So excited and ready to begin

I am so glad I am reading this! I get banded tomorrow morning! Tickled! Scared! Excited! Can't wait to begin my whole new life!!!! Praying for you!!!!!

Wow. I am encouraged. Will keep u posted. I know it has helped me to read other text msgs.

Hi all I had my lap band placed yesterday... Coming out of anesthesia I was cold, and groggy but in no pain. I was able to walk around, drink etc. what I couldn't do was urinate and that delayed my discharge. They wanted me to produce at least 200 ccs and i could barely manage a few dribbles. It was almost like I forgot how to do it. I needed to go I but nothing wold come out. Finally after many attempts I was able to go and get home. Now that I am home I feel some pressure in my chest and my incisions hurt if I don't take my pain meds on time but otherwise I am fine. Made Breakfast, walked my son to his bus stop and all this morning. So far no gas pains either.

I was just in your shoes last week the night before I went in to surgery not knowing what to expect. You have nothing to be nervous about I'm sure you will be fine..You need to get excited about your new life journey..put all your stresses behind you this is your beginning to happiness and health. When I woke up from the surgery I had a great experience my nurse never left my side..I of course felt groggy but thats normal...my throat was very sore from that tube they put down your throat during surgery..but trust me everything will be fine..within 30 minutes of surgery I was walking around the room (slowly of course) and taking sips of Water. I was out of surgery at 9:45 am and I was home relaxing by 12..You will do fine the most important thing you have to do is WALK once you get home...I am now 6 days post op and I have not experienced any gas pain because I am constantly walking and doing shoulder curls. I stopped taking the pain medication on day 4. However, I have not been able to sleep in my bed yet I just can not find a comfortable spot so I am still sleeping in a recliner. Good Luck tomorrow!!!! Please keep us posted on your surgery !!!!!

Just wanted to congratulate you all on beginning the lapband journey. I love my band and my new life. The pre op diet can be brutal (mentally and physically) but it will all be worth it in the end! Hang in there guys.

But so worth it we know. Banded today and feel hope about my life/diet plan for first time in years! You can do it and it doesnt last forever

I was self-pay ($16,000) worth EVERY penny.
I was banded a month before my 40th birthday. I had a complete physical a month before my surgery. My family doctor said I was a "healthy" fat person... for now. It was just a matter of time before every health problem hit me.
The only thing I had was acid reflux. I suffered from it since I was 14. My AR went away 3 days after I got my band. If I had not lost 1 pound.. I would have still paid $16 K just to have my acid reflux go away. I was on 2 prescription meds and took at least 10 Ultra Tums a day.
Tom, Toronto
Banded July 6 06
Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Thanks Terri I had a quick process because I am paying out of pocket but I am super nervous never had a surgery before!!!

I am having a lot of problems posting. Not sure but it my be my iPad. I just scheduled 2 days before Thanksgiving. Just waiting to hear from insurance company.

I have a 14 cc band (i think? I know it's the bigger of the two)
Anyhow, I asked my doc about this and he said not to worry about it because it just depends on the circumference of the esophagus. They make the decision during surgery. The size really doesn't effect weight loss pace. Restriction does
As far as the 4cc band, from what I understand they were too small and are not widely used anymore

doctor told me it depends on how much fat is around the area the cc is the length of the band to fit around the area. it doesnt matter your weight we are all differant on the inside.
Lne dancer

The size of the band has nothing to do with how fast you lose weight. It's just based on your anatomy. Some people simply require a bigger band than others due to the size of their stomach.

I have a 10 cc band, and I assumed it was because of my structure. I am large framed. I have a support meeting tonight and will try to remember to ask. It's a good question!

I am on day 3 of pro op diet.

Welcome aboard.... had surgery this May. lost 40lbs so far... pre-op diet was the hardest..it gets easier.. get used to the Protein Shakes and bars because they have become a BIG part of my diet..

Thank you everyone! Surgery is October 25th. The brand is Ultramet by champion nutrition. I have chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and banana. The chocolate was so good. The strawberry Is not, LOL its not horrible but not the best. That's awesome that You lost 4 lbs in so little time!