littleroo1

I'll be there on the 5th. When are you scheduled for??

Hey all! I'm going in on the 5th. I'm scared and anxious and excited - all at once! I think that's a pretty normal feeling.

The band will stay with you for life unless there is a good reason to have it removed. You should not lose your hair as you will not have any mal-absorption problems like if you were to have bypass. Granted you should probably consider a supplement because it might be difficult to get in all the nutrients when you are eating only small meals.

Thank you for sharing with us!! Wishing you a very speedy recovery!

I love the account of your dinner! Thank you so much for sharing and it sounds like you had a wonderful time!!

Don't give up!! Be commited to the long term and you will have success! Let go of your previous "diet head" expectations and let it be! 3 pounds is something to celebrate! :whoo:

I am going to be banded on Sept 5th. DH just told me he might not be able to get off from work to go with me! Nuts! I am traveling from Florida to Colorado. Would it be realistic to think I could go by myself? Would I have problems driving myself back to the airport when leaving several days after surgery?? Anyone have experience doing this on their own? Thanks! Jenn

That's always a possibility but I think I need to look into a car service. I think the airport is a little far from the hospital. To and from the surgery center is probably not a big deal. I need to remind myself that I went to NYC on my own and I can do this if I have to because it is for me!! I'm not used to putting myself first... working on that!

Congratulations!! What wonderful reasons to celebrate!! Jenn

Yes, drink lots of water! I get those when I am detoxing from sugar. I never thought I ate a lot of it, but it takes just a little and when your body isn't getting it any longer, bam - headaches! They DO go away in 2-3 days but doing a big flush is going to help! Jenn

I'm being banded by Dr. K on Sept 5th. I have done the research and I personally feel very comfortable with my decision. At several points, I was considering a doctor in Mexico and I know several people that had surgery with that practice. But I could never just get comfortable with going out of the country. Logically it should be no big deal, but I was concerned about getting after care and what if I have a problem? I started making phone calls and after I talked with the staff at Dr. K's office, I knew that I had made the right choice. It feels right to me. The amount of lapband procedures didn't really factor into my decision at all but after I found out how responsive he and his staff are, I think it's a minor detail. Quality over quantity maybe? Good luck!!! Jenn

Hi everyone! I think you all definitely win for the largest thread going... :hail: I popped in once a few weeks ago but now I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. K on September 5th. I'm scared and excited all at the same time. The original plan was to wait until January because we were going to adopt a little girl this month and we wanted her to be a little older to travel well. Well it turns out that the birthparents changed their minds and I believe that I have a different path to follow right now as we are waiting for our next match. I decided I wasn't going to wait any longer and I'm doing something for me! Jenn :confused:

Wow!! Congratulations!! Jenn

I agree with valzie... it's the sugar! It will pass and soon you will say that you didn't realize how bad you always felt until you feel better! Jenn

That is fantastic news! Congratulations to you!!

At this point, I'm not sharing with anyone but my husband. My parents would be worried, it would be stress on them that they don't need. They freaked out about me getting my wisdom teeth out a few years ago! Maybe after I start really losing, I will have to say something but that is how I'm feeling right now.

Kathy, I'm in Florida too! I just wanted to wish you the best luck on Wednesday and a very speedy recovery! You can do this!

lap_dancer.... did you have your fill done in St. Pete?? Just wondering if yours was done with who I'm considering for aftercare, but her name is escaping me at the moment. Not helpful, I know!

I'm sure it will go well, but be sure to post! This is my next step as well...

Feel like I'm kinda butting in here... this is a MONSTER thread! I think it is so awesome that you all try to get together in person - how fun and supportive! I've been asking Marilyn a million questions and I understand they are crazy busy right now. Thought I'd ask the experts here... None of Marilyn's responses to me in email has discussed any pre-op testing (blood work, EKG, etc) so are you responsible to have those tests done on your own and results forwarded to Dr. K's office? I'm in Tampa, just like lap_dancer. I am hoping for surgery in January next year. Being a Floridian, am I going to freeze my tushie off? :guess Am I crazy for traveling that time of year? I'd rather not wait, but we are adopting a newborn and the birthmother is due in a few weeks! Surprise! I'm a huge planner and it's been a little nuts around here!! DH and the little one will be coming with me to CO and I'd rather her not be so young. Did Dr. K give you any restrictions as to how much weight you should not lift for a few weeks? Jennifer - I know your surgery is today. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

I've been thinking about this too.... but in the end I don't think that I can worry about it. I'd like to think that I will have less health problems down the road and that the big insurance company shouldn't scare me away from following what I think is right for me.

Congratulations!! Have a very speedy recovery and pop in to let us know how you are doing!

I wanted to ask a general question about post surgery restrictions - specifically if you were told not to lift more than 5 pounds for a certain length of time. I found this restriction in some of the research I've been doing. However, I asked a friend that just had gastric bypass and she wasn't given any restrictions. Sounds like this might be surgeon specific... We're adopting a newborn in August and I'm shooting for surgery around January. I'm afraid I won't be able to pick up my baby!

This is my surgeon's official stance - works for me! I appreciate everyone's feedback on this! Thank you!!

I'm certainly no expert here, but I just had a conversation this morning with a surgical group about this same topic. I was told there are two band sizes - small 10cm and the VG. They basically told me that it wouldn't be until the actual surgery that they would know which band to give you because it depends on your current stomach size. I'm not sure the choice is up to you, or doesn't sound like it anyway. Regarding the fills, I was told the small band usually takes 1-4 fills and the VG usually takes 3-7 fills. Have faith in your surgical group! They will take good care of you!