Krista74

I'm really excited to share that I have my lap band surgery scheduled for April 10th!! I'm so happy that my journey to a healthier me is starting.

Thank you for sharing. You've through so much! I pray this summer you get pregnant and you are able to have a healthy baby to hold soon! Unfortunately, this tragedy happens several times to some women before they are able to carry a baby to term. This does not mean that you won't have your own little angel in your arms in the future! It sounds like you have a wonderful doctor who is going to do whatever it takes to get you through a pregnancy full term. I wish you the best of luck.

I'm preop but I've heard that some insurance will cover the tummy tuck but not an arm lift. But this is just what I've heard.

I haven't gotten my LB yet, but from what I'm reading about on this website from different people's surgeries that everyone's body is unique and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another. It looks like from the ticker posted that you're having a lot of success and you're doing all the right things. I imagine though that having to go back to your surgeon for adjustments so often must get frustrating.

Smoking can have a big impact on blood flow, especially to the stomach. It can impede the healing process as well. Also, at my info session the surgeon told us that smoking and drinking alcohol are 2 big factors in the development of ulcers down the line. I feel your pain and have been struggling to quit. I don't anticipate having my surgery till April, so I have time to quit, but it has been a definite struggle. Good luck! Hopefully after your surgery you'll be so focused on what you need to do to heal and stay on track with your new lifestyle that you won't miss smoking so much.

I just got the results of my upper GI study and it showed a "small to moderate" hiatus hernia (I"m sure I spelled it wrong,lol). What I'm wondering is did anyone else discover during preop testing and how was it handled? Did the surgeon just correct it during the lap band procedure or does it need to be corrected prior to the surgery? I will be sure to ask my surgeon when I have my next meeting with her, but I was just curious what experiences other people have had.

So happy you had your surgery and all is well! Good luck in your recovery!

Thank you Chez, and I love reading your posts, I find them very informative!

Awesome, when the numbers on the scale go down it makes it all worth it! Great job! Are you finding the prep diet difficult, or manageable?

I work as a nurse on an orthopedic unit that often requires some heavy lifting. I'm fortunate in that I only work weekends. I was initially hoping to miss just one weekend (with about 1 to 1/2wks of downtime) but am starting to worry that might not be enough. How long off from work is average?

Wow! I never thought that I might need to take a month off, but we do similar jobs--heavy lifting of pt's etc. This definitely gives me food for thought. I think I'll definitely will take 2 weekends off, which will give me closer to 3 weeks off. Thanks everyone for posting!

Wow, 40 dollars for a tub of protein powder! That's really steep! You can add benefiber to a cheaper protein powder. I really like the Unjury and it's about half the price and it's very high quality.

A co-worker of mine told me the other day that she didn't think I needed the surgery. A friend of mine has been telling me he doesn't think I'm a good candidate because I "didn't give diet and exercise enough of a chance." Boy! I have shed 30,40,50 lbs before and it all comes back because after a few months of diligent diet/exercise I get tired of being hungry all the time. That's why I've made my decision to get the lap band, I'm hoping that it will keep the hungry horrors away and give me the strength to get to a healthy weight. That's exactly why most of us are doing this, we want to be healthy! For me, even though some people think I look fine, 246lbs is not healthy. Good luck on your journey!

Great job! Inspiring!

I'm really happy to hear that you don't require his support to proceed with the surgery. Wellbutrin is an ok antidepressant and weight gain isn't a side effect like many other antidepressants but if you have been managing since your father's death with therapy alone that is great. It's so hard to get off antidepressants once you start, trust me I know! And congratulations on quitting smoking since that would definitely get in the way of getting the lap band. I know what a struggle that is too! Congratulations on taking control of your life and proceed without the Wellbutrin. It sounds like you may need a new PCP, but in the end you will be happy with your decision. Good luck!

I'm anticipating having my surgery some time in early April. I'm a major caffeine addict and I know I should should start to wean off caffeine soon. Did anyone else need to wean off the coffee/energy drinks before surgery? How did you feel?

Thanks everyone for their advise. I think I'm going to start mixing decaf coffee with my reg coffee to get weaned off so I don't suffer from those nasty headaches!