PaulaD

I was banded on May 17, 2007 by Dr. Connie Campbell at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH. Because I was not quite up to 40 for a BMI, I did not have to lose any weight before being banded. I was 253 when banded and am now 243. I look forward to lurking around this site to learn the many things I will need to know.

My Grey was "Oliver"

Hi All, From Derry, NH Banded 1 year ago May 17th. Down about 65 lbs. Good luck to all!

I have Anthem of NH for Matthew Thornton. My BMI was only 37 so I was worried. Got approval the NEXT day! Good Luck:clap2:

Welcome! I can remember how excited I was when I decided to have lap band. My first step was attending an informational meeting put on by the hospital where I had the surgery. I received quite a bit on paperwork that needed to be filled out and returned. Like you, I contacted my insurance company to find out about coverage and got a referral from my primary care Dr. I then was required to attend 2 support meetings, meet with nutritionists and get a physc. evaluation. From start to finish was about 5 months. I, too, use to get very sick coming out of surgery. That has all changed now! There are many things that now can be done so you can avoid getting sick. I had a patch behind my ear and something (sorry, not very medical) added to the medicine that put me under. No problems what so ever! Good luck on your journey. This site is a wealth of information when you are walking down a very unfamiliar path. Good luck!!!

Thank you for all the responses to the left shoulder pain. I, too, noticed that it happens more after a fill and when I drive my car! To all you newbies who are questioning this, please do not worry. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I was banded on May 17th of this year and have lost 52lbs. :whoo:

I have not been here for a while. I am so discouraged with this whole thing! I am ready to give up. I had my third fill on a Monday. I gave it four days before eating solids. Could not eat Friday night without getting sick. Seems nothing would go down. Worse on Saturday. By Sunday, I was scared. I was upset, weak and did nothing but sleep. I phoned my Dr. and her machine said if it was an emergency, call 911. It was not. The machine went on to say if you require immediate attention, page Dr. at .........., which I did. She called back immediately and went on to say, "Why didn't you call during the week?" "This could of been handled during business hours." She seemed absolutely put out that I would call on a Sunday. I was so shocked that I tuned her out and continued to cry. She said I sounded upset...no kidding. I am scheduled to see her Oct. 17th and don't even want to see her. Still not eating normal and don't care. How do I get back on track?:help:

Name....Challenge start wgt....current wgt.....chall. goal.....To go. Huntersmom... 174...................174................159...... .......15 SWEETY.........202...................202.......... .......180.............22 MJsafari..........268...................268....... ...........238............30 captdanbo.......211....................211........ . .........185.............26 PaulaD............216....................216................199...............17:D

Thank you. Just got off the phone with ask-a-nurse and there are monthy meetings at CMC for post-op patients on the last Wed. of each month from 6-7 p.m. Just may check this out to see if I am doing this right!!!

Jen, that is absolutely fantastic! Doesn't it feel great! Compliments are still very difficult for me too. I still find myself going for the plus sized clothes. Best of luck to you. Look around this site. I have learned so much too.

I am thrilled that you are doing your research and listening to all opinions. My story is I had 80lbs to lose. I have high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, high cholestrol (sp?) lower back problems and just diagnosed with fatty liver (don't even drink!) My mind was made up from the day I went to my first meeting, Jan 3, 2007 until I met with Dr. in April that I wanted by-pass. I was told that I could do just as well with the lapband and it was less tramatic on the body. Stats were explained to me and I left there with doubts in my mind. In the end, I went with the lapband on May 17th of this year and have lost 42 lbs and feel fantastic. Review all your options and good luck to you in whatever path you choose.

I don't know if Ms. New Hampshire has been introduced yet so.....Hi, My name is Paula and I am from Derry, NH and I hope for world peace!!!! LOL! Do I sound like a contestant:whoo:

Hi Goldthimble and all from NH. I am from Derry, NH and was banded on May 17th of this year at CMC by Dr. Connie Campbell. I had my second fill 2 weeks ago and doing well. Lost about 42 lbs. Kind of restricted on what I can eat now. All breads I am having a difficult time with now. Planet Fitness is opening in Derry on Sept. 4th and I have joined that. This will make me quit smoking for the final time. Dr. Campbell would kill me if she ever found out! Got out of summer school on August 3rd and started back August 16th. Another school year! How quickly they go. Good luck to all of you. Lets keep NH folks together. I really should go to more support groups. I think CMC has just started a new one for post op. on the last Wed. of each month. Does anybody know for sure?

Welcome Jen. It is an awsome journey! Keep us informed. Any questions you have can be answered here. Paula

JJB, Feel better now? Are you done beating yourself up? It's done...you know it.........now do something about it. Don't look back! It would be a boring world if we were all perfect! You said you had pain in your neck. Can you explain more? I am 7 weeks post op and have left shoulder pain almost all the time and today I can barely move my neck. We are all here to listen and help each other. Keep us informed.

Yes, it is human nature to be afraid of the unknown. I wanted the lap band more than anything and days before I was starting to doubt myself! It has been 7 weeks and I have lost 34 lbs. As for eating.......CAKE............I could of eaten cake until I vomited! The day before surgery, I almost did.....puke that is! I don't know how or why but I do not have the craving for it anymore. As for being the only one eating 1/2 cup of food, I went to a banquet 3 weeks post op........nobody pays attention to what you are eating. I sat with co-workers who knew I had the surgery and I had a bite of everything and gave them the rest!!!! People want your company and don't care about what or how much you eat! Be strong. I'll bet 99% of all who have had this done would do it again!

I tape in every week. (on too late for me) I love it!

I need a push too! PaulaD I was banded at 256. Currently 222. Labor Day Goal 200 22LBS!

:ranger:Miss New Hampshire here! (Southern)

I, too, had my first fill. It was so easy! No pain what-so-ever! It has been 6 weeks and I have lost 28 lbs! 256/228/180

Goldthimble, the process is extremely slow. I was discouraged too. I am about 6 weeks post op and doing well. I have lost 30 lbs. I am having my first fill on Wed. I am excited about that. Right now I can eat almost anything and this is where my willpower (or lack of it) comes in! The only problems I have are taking pills and left shoulder pain. I will ask her Wed. when I see her. My BMI too was below 40. I will 36 but had so many comorbidities that I was approved in two days! I was determined that if I was denied, I would eat myself to 40 BMI!! I am working summer school again this year so will keep busy through July. Let me know how your process is going. I will keep you in my thoughts.

You are absolutely right about blood pressure. My PCP told me that I could reach my goal weight and still have high blood pressure because both my parents had high blood pressure. He told me not to get my hopes up about getting off the medication entirely. He told me he has marathon runners who are on high blood pressure medicine! Yes....some things we cannot control.

I, too have bad shoulder pain in my left shoulder! I was going to ask about that today on this site! I am exaxtly one month post op. I first had it days after the surgery. I understand that. Now I have it most of the day! I can be hungry or full, doesn't seem to matter. What is it? Paula

I was banded one month today. I, too, had high blood pressure and was on two types of medication for it. Two weeks after lapband, I came off one of the medications and today my blood pressure was 118/76!! I am fortunate to work at a school and have it taken by the nurse daily. I am hoping that by losing the weight (22lbs so far) and walking daily, I will be able to get of the second medication. Paula

Gas-X!!!! By far!