Playrider

That's the spirit! Congratulations!

You will do fine. Take it slowly and follow the Dr. advise and we will see you in LapBandsville.

My surgery was today and so far very little pain. Have only taken one dose of pain meds about 6 hrs ago. Drinking/sipping warm tea or water brings on burps that removes the gas. Not sure why. Asking someone to firmly pat you on the back (like being burp' d) also may help you burp (they showed me that this morning. Lastly, walk. Good luck and hang in by there. We are going to eat this elephant one bite at a time! (sorry...couldn't resist)

Thanks again,, Catfish. Can you share how you're able to eat most foods? Is it the small bites and quantities, a certain way you prepare, brand? Any other specifics that you know now that you didn't know when you started your journey?

What an interesting day of emotions: I was banded this morning (Houston) and the conversations between the left side of my brain with the right has almost been comical. Stuff for a reality show or a new sit-com (is there a difference?). Fortunately, I created a mantra for myself a while back to handle such debates, so when I was waiting to be wheeled in to surgery and heard the voice say, "What the He!! are you doing?", the other voice was ready with the logic and facts to respond. Here's some info to share that may be helpful for others: I arrived at the center at about 7:30a and left about 12p. Completed some paperwork and was taken back into surgery area where I signed a few more papers, BP checked, temp, etc., met w anesthesiologist, had IV started w fluids, then the surgical nurses came in and gave me the shot that made began to relax me. At that point, I was taken into surgery room and the rest of the anesthesia was administered, In what seemed like a blink of an eye, I woke up banded. I stayed for about an hour longer getting my post-op instructions (most of which I had received in my pre-op meeting w my Dr) sipped on water and warm tea, then left. I am currently feeling sore but not any large or sharp pain. I plan to follow instructions to the letter so my body can heal and accept the band. I was told that warm beverages and being burped (by a friend) not hard but harder than you would a baby, helps you burp and relieve the gas and along with walking, is working. As soon as I learn how to create a new paragraph I'll do so to help organize future posts. Sorry for the epistle but hope some of this helps. God Bless and Best of Luck to us all.

Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations!

Does it grow back?

The only reason you won't have the procedure is if you or your Dr says you won't. This isn't a cancel but a postpone. There is a reason you're not supposed to have this done now so trust and dig deeper to make it happen. Not trying to be flippant but hoping this makes you all the more determined. My thoughts for strength,understanding,and perseverance go out to you. It will happen. Hang in there!

Good luck to you. I have my surgery July 2 and am ready.

Wilkenfeld is my Dr also and this morning I have my pre-op meeting (surgery next Tuesday, July 2). Can anyone tell me what happens in this meeting? I wasn't given any special instructions about what to eat/drink or not eat/drink for this meeting so I'm curious as to the purpose of the meeting if not to review the surgery, post-op diet, etc., and the ever popular paperwork. ? Have a great day everyone.

Congratulations, Terry. You won. Be proud that you're taking care of yourself. You have inspired many.

Thanks everyone for the straight talk, info, and encouragement. I am back on track.

Surgery a week from tomorrow and I am feeling depressed about foods I will no longer be able to eat. Probably more like the quantity. Is that normal? Do the cravings go away eventually? Getting so much pleasure from food for so long I hope I'm able to focus on something else and not be haunted by cravings. Any info anyone can share would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Hi everyone and thanks for being so open and honest. It helps to educate and prepare those of us beginning this journey. My surgery date is July 2 and have been on my 2 week pre-op diet for almost a week now. It's not too bad and I can tell I'm losing inches and already feel much better. I am 57 yrs old and weigh about 320. I've always been healthy and active but over the past 6-8 years, have allowed my priorities to change. I hated hearing myself make excuses for my current state (I travel, I work 60 hours per week, I have people I have to take care of, yada yada yada), when in reality, what I should have been simply saying is, "I make bad choices". So, I realized as I "mature" (nice way to put it, no?) things will only get worse physically and I have lots of things I want to do that I've lost interest in (because I physically can't or don't feel like I can). I anticipate my greatest challenge will be redefining my relationship with food. So here I go---wish me luck and best of luck to you all.

Earlier today I read a post that mentioned this phrase and I think it was referring to going off the wagon but can someone tell me what that's referring to? Thanks.

Thanks for the inspiration. I have another week to go w pre-op diet and surgery scheduled for a week from tomorrow. I woke up at 4am this morning and asked myself, what in the hell have I got myself in to? ...then realized I was talking from the space of one who overeats and makes poor choices....and all events and activities in life must include large quantities of food. How do you lose cravings? I'm already morning the idea of not being able to eat foods I love.

Does anyone know what the phrase, "eating around the band" means? I read it earlier today and it sounds like a form of "cheating" but in another sense, it could mean some kind of erosion on the band? Can anyone clarify? Thanks.

My pre-op diet consists of 2 weeks of protein shakes for 2 meals daily, then 6-8 oz of lean meat for the 3rd meal of the day and 1 cup of approved veggies (along w multi vitamin including sep calcium).