want2bmeagain

Colorado Crazy ~ hmmmm...a very strange experience indeed. This has the possibility of taking on a life all of it's own, especially since no one here seems to have had that experience. It is so hard to figure out why in the world people say this or say that. Who knows if, in the consult before yours, he was grilled by someone over money and told they want it explained better, and he thought that maybe he better start doing that...in the world of surgeries and lapband, $10k is not a lot of money. In the real world, on our credit cards, checkbooks, retirement accounts, medical loans, it IS a lot of money...maybe someone freaked over that..As far as the non introduction part~I honestly couldn't tell you if he introduced himself or not. In my circumstance, it seemed to be a given who he was and who I was. In a time such as making a decision this big, and meeting the person who is going to cut us open, and change our lives..can we be more acutely aware than usual at the first appointment? I don't know. Sometimes it is better to go in suspicious, sometimes it is better to trust. I didn't experience the same things that people did here with him, but I did experience what I needed to feel safe, secure, and trusting. Some docs are known to have a horrible bedside manner and repore, some are known to be warm and accomidating. He is known for the latter, even though we all experienced something different and unique to our relationship with Dr. K. I strongly feel that he needs to be made aware of how you intreperted your visit. It is VERY important. I think, in all fairness, that you should at least email Marilyn and tell her what you told us. If he WAS being off track that day (did he have a jerk of a patient, did one of the kids have something happen, was he having a crappy day?) he needs to know that a potential patient was uncomfortable with this or that. At that point, he can decide what his thoughts are about the occurance. About a year ago, I ran into a friend I have had for years, but don't see too often. We chatted, and said good-bye and went about our days. Months later, I saw her again, and she asked me if I was really mad at her or something...huh????? Apparently, I was off kilter that day (I guess, cuz I didn't know she thought that and I don't even remember how I came across) and appeared to be mad and distant. She had thought about it for all those months, and I had no idea that my actions caused her to think of me something other than what I am. I am sooo thankful she finally said something, and of course I profusely apologized and it was all cleared up. The money conversation you had with Dr. K of course sounds so wierd to all of us who never had that type of a talk with him. I don't pretend to be in his head, but with it being so unusual, it causes me to wonder if he has had people who want it all broken down, dollar for dollar. Maybe recently someone has grilled him because they thought a lower price meant subpar care and they wanted to know what their money was getting him. Regardless of what I can surmise, it is vital that you email Marilyn. She has worked with him for years, she is reasonable, and honest. Someone needs to know before this takes on a life all it's own...a life it should never have had. I am excited you are venturing to lapband! Please let us know what direction you head, and what Marilyn says. I have no "defense" for Dr. K that day..I wasn't there. But, it should be addressed so any misintepretation can be cleared up. Welcome to the board!:bounce:

Hello girls! Haven't posted for a while, but do check in...love to see these WONDERFUL pictures! Wow, Mal, I am proud of you...I live right near the high country (Ouray, Telluride, Grand Mesa) and NEVER do anything that resembles your adventure ~it always seems like so much work to pack and get out of town...but, my whole outlook on things is wonderously changing since I have been banded...Life is beginning to sparkle, and with it, I forsee much branching out and taking hold of what life has to offer! BTW, you look GREAT! Lap~ your posts are so uplifting and encouraging..thanks for sharing with us. How are your physical issues doing? Marcy ~ do you order or go get your stuff and fly it in? I have lived half an hour to 45 minutes out of town before, and can't say I want to do it again. It would have been more enjoyable had I been able to have livestock where I lived, etc. Do you homeschool? How far are you from a store if you have to run in and get milk, or something? I do believe that homesteading can be an incredibly appealing way to live for various reasons! Michelle ~ how is the IRS fun going? I hope it is going well! littleroo ~ how have you been feeling? Woof ~ how's the new port?? I am sure I forgot someone...it is hard to catch up even after a couple of days! I know you have all been losing sleep at night wondering how I have been progressing, surviving, living, and losing, so I'll update! My pain is finally minimal, and I wake up forgetting I had the surgery, instead of hunching over like an overdue woman in labor! Most of my scars are keloiding, which REALLY bums me out, but oh well...let's see..fat, scars...fat, scars...hmmmm, hard choice! ...but, they ARE kinda ugly! I am down 1.5 pant sizes...by butt and thighs could hit the down 2 sizes, but this budda belly is struggling and can't be stuffed any tighter. I have only had one.."gawd, Kelly, THAT was a stupid thing to put in your mouth" moment...soggy one day left over from family chinese food outing (which, I might add, I ordered egg drop soup!) sweet and sour chicken...it is NOT a mushie, I repeat NOT a mushie!:rose: I am enjoying the weight loss immensely...I must say watching the scale needle spaz to the left is quite a stunning, puppy head cocked to the side, experience for me. I thought the needle was super glued for the last year! I am trying to ride the wave of weight loss before it slams to a screeching halt, once food with a crunch and texture is no longer my arch enemy! Now, am I the only freak who willingly lifts up her shirt to show that I had the surgery?? Not to complete strangers, of course, but to friends and acquantances who ask what I have been up to...WRONG question to ask me right now! I feel like a giddy lapband billboard. Hope everyone is well, at peace, smiling, and embracing life. Hugs Kelly

Rumpid~ I would highly recommend that you consider Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver. He has chosen to have costs be comparable to Mexico, but to have surgery available in the states. He is a VERY experienced surgeon, who has done thousands of laproscopic surgeries. I am also self pay, and on the low BMI end. I was going to go to Mexico because they have done more bands, but it became very complicated for me to find a fill doctor that didn't cost a fortune and was willing to fill another surgeons band...And, if I ran into problems, having to go out of the country sounded a little daunting. Dr. K has done about 200 bands, but has done wonderful work, is warm and inviting, has a reputation for being a top notch surgeon. He charges $9950. When I had my surgery done, it was me (I am from CO, but a 6 hr. drive), a man from NYC (they charge $27k there), and a man from KY. They were all quite happy to spend a couple hundred bucks on a plane ticket to save on banding costs, AND have an excellent surgeon. I know for sure he has banded folks from Alaska, Canada, KY, Florida, NY and other places. His fills are free for the first 3 months, then $15 from there on. I have seen fill prices from $200-$500. If you have questions about him, feel free to post here or PM me!

Michelle~GOOD LUCK with the IRS...ugh! If you did your taxes wrong in your favor, do they give YOU money?? Question everyone Yesterday, I had to unplug my printer, which of course was a long reach behind it..I couldn't move it before unplugging it. So, my port sight pushed against the printer pretty hard, but not ridiculous. I notice today it is more sore, and feels more swollen than before. Should I worry???? Dr. K never really said anything to me about being real careful with it. I'm kind of scared. thoughts?

I am getting to the full liquid stage and need advice on what kind of drink blender/mixer to get. I bought a Magic Bullet, but it is still in the box..I wanted to get opinions first? What kind is your favorite? why? and any other advice you have! thanks!

On Dr. K's food schedule, it has days 4-9 on full liquids. Then the next page says "Week 2 - Soft food Diet". That leave out days 10-13..??? When did you start "mushies"?? :hungry:

Hi Michelle~ do you live right in Denver? I really ought to get a map of North America and stick the push pins with flags adorned with everyone's names! Would have to be all of N. America cuz we need to get Marcy on there! Hey, that might be a fun project actually!:clap2:

Wrkl8~ I was going to send you a PM (private message...took me a while to figure out what that meant!), but you must not be set up for it...can you get set up for it and PM me, or PM me your email address? Also, I am cracking up about the waiting room!! So...the brunette one (wasn't sure if I should say the brunette, or the fat one...lol) in the giggling duo against the back wall would be me! That is so funny we were there at the same time! Now, were you sitting against the same wall as the exit door is, or in the corner at the back wall? There were two black business suited gals, one blonde, one dark hair, and I thought for sure the blonde was sitting next to me at the back wall. Ooooo, tell me which one you were! This is too funny. His office should be like an AA meeting (no offense whatsoever to those who are recovering, will recover, or love someone in that place...I just pictured this type scenario in my head and am amusing myself picturing it in his busy office because we are recovering in our own way!) "My name is Kelly, I'm from Colorado, on LBT I am want2bmeagain, and...I'm fat" !!! Ha, ha, ha....we would know eachother right away...gawd, why is that thought so amusing to me right now?!! Must be cuz we sat there for 2 hours! So, yep, that was me against the back wall! Recovery~ Actually, I had just been thinking of posts I had read pre op and the gals that were at the gym in 3 days....I DON"T THINK SO! I did not feel anything close to normal until yesterday. Luckily, I had done my work schedule so that I didn't have anything I HAD to do for a week..so I was able to take narcotics:faint:, kids advil, and sleep. Guaging against posts I had read, no, I never would have thought it would be so hard, painful, and fatiguing. My 4 yr. ago hysto produced an inordinate amount of pain for the procedure...will never know why (it was so bad then, I swore I was bleeding internally). So, I wondered if I would react to this surgery "worse" than others. And, I did. Ok, so i am typing way too much on here...will bore the snore out of everyone! PM me your email, and I will email you the thoughts I have! MAL~ Late last night I finally had my first sit n read session on the toilet! :whoo: Did talk to Dr. K's new gal, Natalie (she said she worked at the surgery center till she went with Dr K a week ago)~ She recommended like Milk of Magnesia (I think)..but, isn't that the nasty white, chalky, gaggy stuff?? :car: The benefiber sounds like what I need. I swear, if I have to voluntarily subject myself to one more liquid, gross, puky medicine, I will run screaming down the middle of the street! Thanks for liking to read my posts! I am sure I get too wordy for some, but oftentimes, there aren't enough words to describe our new journey, encourage our new found friends, and to grasp the shoulder we need to cry on:think Lap~ your shots are very good! Keep that shutter going! :first:

Lap and Littleroo~ awesome shots!! Lap, what kind of camera did you get? Littleroo, how early did you come to colorado before your surgery?? I am beyond impressed at how much sight seeing you got in...gosh, I live here and haven't even seen all of that! Did you come a couple days ahead? Wrkl8...so you were the one patient I didn't get to meet! I was wondering who it was, because there was Marc (NYC), Dave (KY), me and I knew there was one more paitent, but couldn't sniff her out! I am so glad you made yourself known! Were you staying at the Holiday Inn? I just emailed Marilyn before hopping on the board. I have the OPPOSITE problem as you, I wasn't going to post it cuz I was being shy (me???), but I have had NO bowel activity for 8 days..nada,nothing, nein..is THAT normal??? Maybe I'd lose a few pounds if my plumbing was flowing! I don't know which is normal, your or my experience...I'll let you know what I find out. Treat yourself like you just had surgery and go at the pace you can handle. This may have been a "minimally invasive" surgery, but my body sure felt it. Rest every chance you get. Are you drinking protein? How are you feeling? Today was my first day I felt "normal"~thank god. I just took off the suture coverings today...several of my scars are keloiding...makes me mad..but, oh well, rather have scars than fat! goodness...Dr. K was not happy when NYC went AWOL. We got him to the hotel after his surgery. The biggest concern Dr. K had, it seemed, was that he came ALONE, and Dr. K didn't know that till that day... Nicnak ~ my appt is at 1:30, so we will definately be in the office at the same time. Will be great to meet. I will probably stay in town a few hours to trial the fill, then maybe drive home that night. Not sure, yet. My excruciating pain has now gone to soreness, and I am not quite so tired. I have been a real good girl doing what I am supposed to do. I still look like I am ready to squat and deliver a bouncing baby:faint:but that has to go down sooner or later...I have that nice stomach shelf I used to set water glasses on when I was prego...quite pleasant to the eye, I'm tellin ya! Hope to hear back soon!

Nicnak~ What time is your preop on the 15th? I will be in the office for my first fill that day, maybe we can meet ! What time is your surgery on the 16th? I will be thinking of you!

wierd, I don't know why the link I typed went crazy up there! just click the link I made on the bottom, by my ticker!

Hello~ I am also self pay. I ended up putting mine on a credit card with a pretty low interest rate, then playing the balance transfer game to get even lower interest. It was somewhat of a difficult decision, because I do have some sizable bills to pay off. But, I don't have a car payment, and I figured many people spend more than $10k on a car, and I needed the surgery. Once I committed, the rest was easy for me! There are also medical loans if you put that in a search engine, but you have to watch the interest rates. That said, I was going to go to Mexico because there are fabulous surgeons, but I hit road blocks when it came to fills. I did research and ended up choosing Dr. Kirshenbaum at Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery in Denver. He is INCREDIBLE!! TOP NOTCH surgeon, wonderful personality, and I can't say enough about him. He is doing the LapBand for $9950, as he wants an alternative to the Mexico doctors for his self pay patients. His price does NOT mean lower quality or care! I had my surgery last week. I am a 6 hour drive from him, then there was a gentleman from NYC ($27k there!), and one from Kentucky. He has had patients from Alaska, Canada, and more. His first 3 months of fills are free, then $15 from then on. Many folks get a plane ticket to come back for fills, because that is often cheaper than a local doc (if you can find one who will do a fill!) Let me know how the journedy goes!! good luck!

Faith thanks for the info~ Also, thanks everyone else who responded! I ordered online the Back to Basics personal mixer that came with the extra blade, cup, and 2 containers. I found it on Target...I am excited to get it!!! thanks for your help!

Gurlygirl~rest assured, you are in good hands! If you are staying at the Holiday Inn Select, they have a little business center with use of their computer. Be sure and keep us updated! Sunshine~ I hope the court hearing goes very well for you. That stuff can be so stressful. Did you find an outfit to wear? niknacnut~ where have you been? Woof~ I want to see a pic of your new hair! I bet it's cute! How's everyone feeling? I have lost 8 pounds since preop, 6 since surgery. When I start eating real food, will I gain weight, or hold steady since my first fill? Girls, can you give me some ideas on what you cooked for dinners during the full liquid stage? Last night, I made chuck roast with carrots and potatoes~put mine in the blender and sipped away! It was pretty good. My son was FREAKED out on what it looked like. Tonight is potato soup with chicken breast and bacon, and mine will hit the blender. A neighbor brought over some homemade choc chip cookies, I was so sad I couldn't have a bite. My son suggested I throw a couple in a blender with milk! It actually was yummy!

Forgot something hysterical...when I was at my daughter's I had a little toot, and my daughter said "Mom, did you just shart?" I said, "what??", she said "you know, sh*t and fart at the same time" OMG, I laughed!

Hi Sunshine! welcome back! Super Tasters, huh? where was the article? I sure would love to read that! If there is such a thing, cracks me up! I have never been able to adequately explain to my family why I like to eat soooo much, other than to say "gawd, it tastes sooo good I can't stop!" And I have felt like a freak with this sugar/artificial sweetner thing, but my taste buds freak out when I taste something with the fake stuff. Even having the nurse test me was quite funny! Gawd, at least you are tooting! I have had little visits from the fart fairy here and there, but would love to be like an old lady in a store who has a 5 second fart and pretends not to notice!:whoo: The wierd thing about my prego belly is that I find myself rubbing it just like when I was pregnant, 16 and 20 yrs ago! I have to watch myself that I don't unknowingly do that in a store! Man, I hope you find something you can wear to court. Is it for work? If you have a skirt, maybe you could keep it kind of unzipped, pin it, and hide it with a jacket or something? The pain is doing better, but today I feel like all I want to do is sleep. Hey~ bandster veterans...when does this duraskin, or whatever it's called, fall off? Or am I supposed to take it off after a week? I will get a hold of the office Monday and ask, but I'm being impatient! It must be good stuff. This is gross, but, under it, I still have bright red liquid blood on a few of my incisions... CONGRATULATIONS LSzeliga!!! Yep, Shelbi...the guilt we carry ~ it's time for it to go bye bye and for that to be ok with us! Marcy...sea glass!!! oooohhhh, I love that stuff! You lucky ducky!!! Well, buddies, I am going to try and get my daily shower and pretend I feel totally normal!

Yep to that thought, Michelle! The bridge from undeserving to deserving, and from not having the right to being allowed! Another hurdle, another place to surrender and accept! Great insight! Kelly

Karen and Gurlygirl~ I have given the psychological effects of the lapband inordinate hours of thought and have come up with a theory, so to speak. If we were on a knee replacement, or hysterectomy, or gallbladder message board I don't think we would be reading so many posts about totally freaking out before surgery~nor would we be freaking out if we were heading to a "non-elective" surgery. We have chosen this surgery, it is not necessary (in the surgery realm...for us fat people, it IS necessary..just wanted to clarify that)~ We have made a choice to max our credit card, get a second on our house, take out a loan, add payments to our already stretched paychecks, PLUS we have CHOSEN to put our lives at risk (the "I could die from anasthesia or infection" part)~ I believe because we have chosen something that we don't really have to do, we are stockpiling onto our already guilt ridden selves. Gosh, if I had controlled myself years ago I wouldn't have to do this, if I had discipline I wouldn't have to have this surgery, if I really cared about myself I wouldn't be in this boat...So we mentally feel like sh*t because of the self esteem joys that come with obesity~now we are piling on the guilt that, by choice, we could die~ or fail ~ because we have so far been failures on this road. Bottom line, this is elective and we are choosing something that might have complications...man, talk about panic. If we had doubled over uterine fibroids, we couldn't wait for surgery! But, we can wait, we don't have to do this, is it really necessary to go through with this? There are a million reasons to doubt, lapband isn't our only option, right? That is my summation of our reasons for such deep fear and panic. Reality is, we are very brave souls to have this procedure, we are taking control, not giving it away. We are willing to take the risks because we truly do love ourselves and our families and friends. We are having an "elective" surgery done, not for vanity, but for life. If we can truly grasp that our life, and quality of life, truly depends on this surgery, as would surgery for a physical hole in our heart~ we can only then stomp out the doubt and guilt. In a psychological sense, we are having the hole in our heart repaired, and it IS a necessary choice to make. Luckily, we are choosing a TOOL that makes it very difficult to fail. We are so used to failure in this realm, that it really is hard to imagine that we aren't just going to fail again~but, we aren't. Our soul, spirit, heart, and finances are invested. We love ourselves enough to have our surgery and we will continue to love ourselves enough to be a success! I was INSANELY panicked until I realized all of this. I had to surrender myself to the commitment I had made, buckle up, and flow with the ride. I also had to let myself trust the words of others who have gone this journey before me. Once I was able to commit to my commitment and let the rest unfold, I did much better~ Dr. K is amazing. One of the pre op nurses said that I could not be in better hands, anywhere. I had to believe and surrender to that! I am now 4 days post op...still more sore than I expected, but still going by trust and surrender, and making the choices I need to be successful. It ain't easy, but it's a hell of a lot easier than any other road I have taken to get rid of the fat and get healthier...I am looking forward to waking up energized and totally pain free! When you wake up from anasthesia (which you will!), the excitement and motivation will set in...I promise!!! I am very proud of myself for committing and doing!!

Hi Shelbi~ It's kind of funny how I was a flippin nervous wreck going into surgery and now I am at peace. When you meet Dr. K for your pre-op, your nerves will calm down considerably..that I can promise. I can only give my insight to the immediate after surgery hunger, but here goes! Dr. K is very reasonable with what we can or can't have with liquids. His only demand is DO NOT THROW UP! He gave me the go ahead to experiment with liquids, slowly, but do not get naseauos and throw up. I am 3 days out and have carefully moved on to creamed soup. I water it down, but it tastes good and helps with the hunger. I think the protein mixes will be very important in helping with hunger, too. I am still shopping around for the right protein supplement that I can stand the taste of! I do believe all of our wonderful bandsters on here will have more thoughts in our lifelong journey, and I will be looking forward to their insight. I think eating without liquids is supposed to help us long term, too. Woof~I am sorry you are so sore, but you definately have a sore sister here! You better take it easy, young lady:)! Was it wierd to be awake when he fixed it? Did he replace the tube and the port both? Ok, so it seems from the responses that I can expect to be CO2 pregnant for a while...great...! The farts are slowly coming (I love it that we can talk about this stuff!), but not with the ferocity that I have read about! My pain is better today, but still here. At least I am more in big discomfort than agony. Your words and encouragement have definitely helped get me through! A story for you~ I have worn the same one bra for well over a year or two. I refused to get a new expensive (anything over wal-mart prices!) bra until I lose weight ~ kind of like punishment, then reward. I have bought and returned several Wal Mart ones that were uncomfortable and stuck to my old black bra, that is literally held together by a few strips of fabric (my daughter said "Oh my gawd mom, that is so disgusting!" Today, my mom and I go to Penneys so I could walk and look at the smoothie mixers and she said lets look at bras...she had to drag me cuz I haven't lost the weight yet. I try, buy a pretty one, and was talking the the cashier about lap band. The lady behind me in line stops me as I am leaving and wanted to know all about it! It was really cool! I am such a dork as I say "do you want to see my owies?" ~ she was all into it. We may have a newbie onboard in the future! So, that's my story ~ I feel like a lapevangelist! Hey, what kind of sutures, closures, whatever they are called, did Dr. K use on us? I can't see anything that looks like even stitches. I asked him if I should use Vit E when the Latex stuff comes off and he said "Don't you dare touch my stitches!" ~ he's a sweetie. He must do the closures very carefully or something...how do your scars look? Ok, I am talking too much! thanks everyone!

I'm now 3 days out, and today is the first day that the pain has subsided somewhat. I am so happy I made the decision to get banded~now I can't wait for the swollen tummy to deflate some! I do think heading into my band date was much worse mentally than since the surgery. I was a flippin mess ~ just terrified! The mental part is doing ok, and my doc is very reasonable with what we can have for liquids. His concern is DO NOT THROW UP!! Besides that, he said to try in liquids what I am comfortable with, and take my time trying. I have been so hungry, that today I am trying watered down Campbells cream of potato soup..I put it in the blender long enough to liquify all the potato chunks, but not too long or it gets frothy (yuk)! It is helping with the hunger ~ woo hoo! I am wrestling with different protein drinks, so hopefully they will be fully on board soon! Up until today, I had been crushing my prescription pills I had ~ OH MY GAWD ~ horrible and bitter in juice. So, today I am using my pill splitter, and splitting till I have really little pieces, and taking one piece with a sip of water. It takes longer, but I don't taste the nasty bitter taste! What a learning experience! How are the rest of you feeling? Have you learned any tricks to get through this time?

I sure hope it goes down for you...this is flippin absurd. I had a fat stomach anyway, but it's grown by about 3 inches and is HARD...way prego. My 19 yr. old daughter said"um, mom, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you look pregnant"...she cracked me up. The other WIERD thing for me, I find myself rubbing it like I did years ago when I WAS pregnant. I can't wait to give birth to this baby! I am only 2 days out, it feels like weeks...so, I am trying to walk here and there, am taking percocet and kids advil....Hey, I did pass gas today..woo hoo!! TMI !! I am excited about what the band will do, but would prefer to go to sleep for a week and wake up feeling better!

Hey everyone how long did it take for the prego looking belly to go down for you?

oops, sent my last message too soon! I have more interesting stuff to share~ So, after all of my crazy sugar in my coffee worries, I asked Dr. K about it. Here's the deal: for the preop diet he really isn't concerned about simple sugar/carbs. He is ADEMENT (sp?) about complex carbs. He seemed to hardly care about moderate amounts of simple sugars...all that agonizing for nothing!! Also, I asked him about SUGAR popsicles...if I could have them. He said "why wouldn't you". I told him that everyone does sugar free and I thought that was all we could have. I told him I would rather have watered down juice instead of sugar free Crystal Light. He didn't care one bit if I had sugar. He told me that I could go at my pace ~ BUT DO NOT THROW UP!!!! Tonight, I am having a liquidy smoothie from Keva Juice..it's kind of like an Orange Julius. I haven't had nasua once.. I have another funny story..somehow, the "I hate artifical sweetners" conversation came up during the surgery prep with Cathy and Rhonda (did any of you have them~ Awesome gals!). After surgery, I wanted some jello. Rhonda brought me a jello cup. After two bites, I asked if they had "real" jello:) She grinned ear to ear and said "yes we do"...I then "got it" and asked her if she was testing me to see if I really could tell and couldn't stand artificial sweetners!! She smiled big, shook her head,and said "yep" what a riot!! :car: The pictures from Red Robin are AWESOME~what a great looking group of bandsters! I can't wait till I can come to a RR meeting! Did I tell you that my daughter works at RR in the Springs? It kind of seems that my posts tonight have been all about me~sorry if I look a tad selfish! I just wanted to get you up to speed on the Dr. K and surgery stuff. Thanks again so much for your encouragement! How are all of our other Sept bandsters doing??

Hey everyone! so much to share, but we'll see how long I can type, woozy on Percocet! :car: I have had way more pain than I was hoping for. But I know it is my body and my reaction to pain. I ain't no sissy either! Like I posted earlier (I think I did anyway!) my hysterectomy pain was way over the top~this isn't like that, of course. My tummy is still hard, I imagine from the gasses??? But, I don't have gas at all, if you know what I mean. What's up with that? First time in my life that I would be so happy to fart! ha, ha! I have to carefully get up and down~ blah, blah, blah I know you guys understand! Anyone reading this who is considering banding, or scheduled for it, DO NOT let my experience negatively affect your decisions. I already love the band, am so excited to utilize it! And, I KNOW this pain issue is about me and my own reaction to surgery.

I'm baaaaack! Walking around and stopped at the computer. All went well, Dr. K has got to be one of my most favorite people. He is a Gem :confused: I have been having extra problem with pain, but the same thing happened when I had a hysterectomy 4 yrs. ago. My pain was so bad then, it didn't even make sense to the doctor~it was ridiculous. Obviously, I am up and around (this is NOTHING like my hysto) , and I did expect more pain than it seems others have had~so mentally, I was prepared, but I don't like it. StephanieZ has been most helpful about it. But, I MADE IT! I am excited for my new journey! Love and hugs to all!