Bandista

It sounds like you are in good hands with your PCP working with you ahead of time. The process at my hospital started with a mandatory information session followed by an appointment with the LB program coordinator. Then psych eval and meeting with a nutritionist (did these on the same day). This was followed by meeting the surgeon; got my surgery date at this time. One more meeting with nutritionist to get pre-op instructions, a couple of labs a week apart and then the actual surgery. People have all sorts of different lead-ups to the surgery but that's how mine went. At times it felt so slow but looking back I think the wait time was good for me. I read through all the posts here to get an idea of what makes people successful. I also got a therapist to have a place to talk about the process and address eating issues -- really examined the ways I used food to anchor, reward, relieve stress, etc. And I started a journal to track all the appointments, the tidbits I picked up from this site, thoughts and fears, etc. I'm glad I have that one notebook. I take it with me to all my appointments. Main thing I did was step up my exercise. This really helped as post-surgery I was able to walk, walk, walk -- I am convinced that walking is a big part of my success so far. Good luck to you! For me it's the best decision I've made in decades -- wish I had done it sooner. It is a gift to myself. I am choosing a happy healthy future.

Hi Sweetie, calm down -- you're doing fine! It's very common not to lose weight or even to gain during this time. You've had the band installed and are waiting now to have it adjusted. When do you go in for your first fill? It may take a few adjustments to get it working perfectly for you. That is the beauty of the adjustable Lapband system. Congratulations on getting down into the hundreds. You may want to track what you're eating so you know exactly how many calories you're consuming -- and getting exercising will help tremendously. Good luck to you!

Hi Lovebug, I had the upper left shoulder/chest area pain -- I think it's quite common to have trapped gas there. Walking through it helped me. Also using a heating pad, and one day ice packs really did the trick. I didn't take the narcotic pain meds as they just create new problems and I think they actually slow healing, but I did take Tylenol and Ibuprofen as needed. Glad you're doing so well -- congratulations on this great start to your new banded life!

You'll do great, Misty!

Yes, thank you -- studying up!

It's so funny the way we can't see ourselves. You have lost a lot of weight -- and look at that beautiful neck! You are an inspiration. Thanks for posting these!

Yippee! So happy for you. And the walking, that is the BEST. Today is my two-week anniversary and I am feeling really good. Just back from a major walk around a lake, something I don't think I could do a month ago. You're going to do beautifully, Lovebug. Hope you are able to get lots of rest and watch all the movies you want!

Thanks so much, Hazel. That is reassuring. I exercise every day and am 52. That 1,000 number may be a good eventual goal for me. Meanwhile, only eating when I'm hungry and getting used to listening to my body. Have also attempted some eating with the clock to let a minute elapse before the next little spoonful. That's quite the exercise in mindfulness. Talk about the Slow food Movement........

I started my LB process in June and am newly-banded. This is such a great place for information and support. I learned far more here than in the materials provided by the hospital or my office visits, etc. There are some very knowledgable people willing to share their individual experiences. I was not able to consider a permanent surgery to my stomach -- that was too drastic for me. I like the idea that all my organs are still intact and should it ever become necessary the band can be removed easily. I like it that the band is adjustable, that the tightness can be increased and decreased to find just the right place for my optimal weight loss. I will be seeing my surgeon weekly to assess whether I need a fill, and although that is a little time-consuming I like it that I have this partnership. The accountability. I believe that many hospitals and surgeons prefer other surgeries because this followup time with the surgeon is reduced, and thus the expense. I'm so happy my surgeon is in this not just for performing surgery but my for my long-term weight loss. I am 52 and have struggled with weight issues for 22+ years. I have been hovering in the 240s for a long time and had to hit 250 to qualify for the surgery (a BMI of 40 was my insurance company's only requirement and even though I have high BP and sleep apnea they would not consider co-morbidities). The day of surgery I was 243 (lost some on a pre-op diet) and this morning I am 232. I expect it is going to take quite a bit of time to get down to my goal weight but I am committed to a healthy weight loss. When I started my process I began a journal. First I listed all the things I want to be able to do -- all my reasons for getting surgery. It's been helpful for me to have one place to record office visit info, my own thoughts, research tidbits, guidelines, etc. Also I got a therapist. Over the summer it was helpful to meet with some one to talk over the process and help me make sure I was ready. Even though I've done so much work around my food issues and dieting, self-image, etc., I got a lot out of this because the emphasis was different. I was ready to let go of personal failure. Being unsuccessful at so many attempts to lose weight over the years is so disheartening. I feel like the band is just the aid I need to fight off the hunger and help me get back in sync with my body. Wishing you the very best. What's important is that you have decided to take charge of your health and your future. You are choosing yourself.

I had a sleep study unrelated to preparing for band surgery -- it was some years ago. The hospital had a room set up kind of like a hotel. There was a very nice technician who hooked up all the leads. There was a kind of pony tail of leads that could be disconnected if I had to get up to go to the bathroom. I arrived in the late evening and then got all set up. Watched TV for a while then lights out at 10PM. It wasn't bad. I was such a poor sleeper that I was used to it! In the morning they took off all the leads and I went home. A few days later I met with the doctor and learned that I had woken up something like every minute to a minute and a half. I was prescribed a CPAP (sleep machine) and I use it every night. It allows me to reach a deep state of sleep, something I hadn't had in years. I have nose pillows which are much less invasive than a full mask. I did think that getting proper sleep would enable me to lose weight -- that there was a connection there. Alas, no weight loss resulted from getting my CPAP. Now that I'm banded I am hoping to get enough weight off to possibily do without the CPAP. We'll see! Good luck to you. Don't work yourself up as it is really not that big of a deal. Probably good to have a little sense of humor about the whole thing.

Hi Reed, I hope you had a good night. I was banded on 11/5 and my protocol was one day clear then on to full liquids. I really thought I'd be having Protein Shakes, too. For pre-op diet I had four different ones and I really liked them then, but after my band? No way! Also I bought a couple of ready-made protein shakes (Muscle Milk, etc.). Have not even attempted those. I was able to have broth and really enjoyed the salty savoriness of that, and then some thick Soups. There's a brand called Imagine that has a potato leek Soup that comes in a carton. It's organic, no-dairy, etc. and I really enjoyed that. Also popsicles. LOVED having the popsicles. I'm a tea drinker and had plenty of tea, plus Water with a splash of juice which I like a lot. I didn't do pain medication so I didn't have to deal with any side effects from that. Even still, I had constipation and that didn't clear until I had some laxative tea. My weight was up for the first few days following surgery -- I think it was day four or five that it went down. There was a general release. One thing that has really worked for me is the walking. I started at the hospital and continued at home, getting myself up and outside to walk around the driving circle. One day I did that 40 times. I had left shoulder pain and stiff neck and that seemed to help tremendously. I used a heating pad but then one day I realized that ice works so well for inflammation. A couple of ice packs on that upper chest/shoulder area and I felt much better. This is all a distant memory now as I have felt so great the last week or so. For me it was only those first couple of days. Popsicles and movies got me through. I hope you're able to get out and about and that you can find a way to sleep well. Your body is healing more each day. And as for any feeling of regret or "what have I done?!" I think that is very common. I had a tad of that myself, not sure why as I am extremely happy with this decision. Maybe just a little shocked that it was finally all over after so many months in the works. Take it easy, give yourself all the time and room you need to heal up. Sending best wishes your way!

Guy, your name comes up as "Cannot Delete Profile" with "His Excellency" underneath -- so weird! I'm getting frustrated with the changeover -- hope those techies haven't given up because this site is not there yet! If I try to create a post the letters are all transparent. When I click the link to report this it is broken. Ok, just had to vent. CG--YOU LOOK FABULOUS!

Way to go catching yourself! And now setting yourself up for success with a case of protein shakes on hand. Way to go on the liquids and this reboot!

Hi Barb -- glad you're here...on the right track back to accountability, wanting to be healthy.....I am new at this so don't have much to offer except I've been reading a lot of posts. Some people use the five day pouch test to regroup or a few days on liquids, etc. A reboot.

I've been doing a an amended workout -- just recumbent bike and treadmill, no BowFlex or core stuff. Today I really wanted that BowFlex -- love that stretch-out feeling. First thing I thought of was the pictures of that incision popped open (thanks for sharing that, Josh!). So no stretching out like that for me or weights, etc. Just going to have to weight. Here's the thing, this is not the old me talking. Pre-band I would take any excuse not to exercise. I did it because I'm 52, have arthritis and have to move or I freeze up, but now I want to exercise. What a great thing! I feel like a switch got pulled. I don't overeat and I look forward to a walk. Who is this?

Hey, congratulations -- the way the clothes fit says it all! I reached the magic number of 20 pounds lost then the next morning naturally I was up two pounds! Next day down a pound, etc. There is so much fluctuation. I should probably put the scale out in the barn for a while and just go by the weekly weigh-ins I'll have when I start going in for the weeks 4,5,6,7 etc. appointments with the surgeon. Nice to have that affirmation from your son's visit. Wait til the holidays!

Hi there, glad you're doing so well! I am two weeks post-op tomorrow and don't feel hungry. Well I get a little hungry but then have something -- small amounts -- and am satisfied. Makes me want to weep, I am so happy! Have read about some bands being "primed" -- asked my doctor and no fluid in my band as yet.

The irony of having to be fat enough for weight loss! Glad you made weight, though. Do you know that this is the weight which will be submitted to the insurance company and you can now stop worrying? Nice to slim down a little prior to surgery. Weight that won't be coming back!

The band is a gift to myself and a way of choosing myself first. After years of taking care of others and not putting myself first, I'm finally doing it. Yippee! Thanks for a great post, Millie Kay. It's good to know what you're up against. There may be people in your life who try to sabotage. Sometimes we fit into a box -- the fat one, the quiet one, the helpful one, etc. -- and when we change something people's worlds get rocked a little bit. People are defensive about their own health and addictions, the potential for losing an eating partner, etc. Take it easy on the pre-op diet -- be gentle with yourself if things come up to the surface remember you're doing this for YOU! I love that.

Hi Ya Ya, so happy for you! Hope you have a good rest -- kind of hard with all the machines beeping and people checking on you.....

Put those medical professionals to work for you!

Hi there, I am newly-banded -- it will be two weeks tomorrow. I am 52 and spent two decades seriously struggling with weight issues. So debilitating in every way! I was 248 and am down 20 pounds, some from the pre-op diet. A pound or so a week is not slow to me, that seems very healthy. I'm in this for the long run. Chose the band because I need assistance I dimming my appetite. Did not want something as drastic as a sleeve, etc. -- I like the idea that if it is ever necessary my band can be removed. And it's adjustable so I can keep working with my surgeon to get it tweaked so it's just right for me at a given time. Very happy! Good luck on your journey. I learned so much here reading posts, asking questions, etc. Best wishes for your healthy future!

Yippee! It's like putting down two big bags of dog food, or a small bale of hay. Must feel great -- can't wait to stop carrying all this weight around!

Thinking of you! Best wishes for smooth sailing and a speedy recovery. I found I needed to get up and pee fairly frequently afterwards and when I did I put my robe on and walked as much as I could, a little more each time. Figured I was up anyway! This really started me on the road to being a walker. Now I look forward to exercise and that is not the old me, that's the banded me. Plus I think it really helps with releasing any trapped gas from the surgery and just helps the healing process in general. Good luck today -- very exciting!