desertpixie

Hello troupes! Well just had my final pre-surgery consultation, met the anesthesiologist (sp?) and had bloods done. Am also going to pay for them to test my thyroid profile too as I am curious to know exactly what is going on in my blood and hormones. Pre-op diet started and am currently chugging away some chicken noodle soup. I have been given a very slack list of just yoghurt, broth and if I feel hungry - cucumbers...although i can have as much of any of these as I want. Need to pick up some Protein shakes, although I have a really good tub of chocolate Protein powder already which is only about 100cals a glass and 3g of carbs.and 20g of protein. So I'll finish this one perhaps before buying more. Surgery is at 10am on Saturday, which as most of you are USA based, means it will be all done by the time you get online so I can hopefully fill you in on everything - what it feels like, the pain, the procedure etc etc. Not going to lie, I am nervous. The idea of having surgery still seems drastic to me, but its necessary and the results are going to be brilliant. How is everyone else feeling in the run up to surgery? DP x

Hi everyone, I have my surgery date.of 4th Jan booked in. Question is what should I buy to have on hand to help through the first few days. You've all experienced the procedure and what those first few days are like. If you have any tips or recommendations on what to buy or do for those crucial first few days it would be great to hear them. Thanks!!

Thanks everyone and Merry Christmas. Sounds like Gas X is the way forward! As well as a hot water bottle. Will be dropping the surgeon another note too with questions.

Happy Christmas everyone. Isn't it great knowing how different Christmas next year will be for us all? Am so excited. Nerves are really kicking in now. My op is on the 4th. Am I the first one of us to do it? I still can't quite believe I am going to do this. It's bonkers. But I am so excited for the results, I know me and this lapband are going to get on well together.

Is everyone ready for the Christmas holidays? I can't wait to get home tomorrow and see my family

Hello! Apologies for the delayed reply, have flown back to the UK for Christmas and have spent most of it travelling around London and the north to see people. Your replies have been most helpful. Can I ask how long you had off work? Will pretty much be working from home as of the day or two afterwards. I don't see why I cant as long as I am in bed, resting I can keep my mind active as well. Thanks again and Merry Christmas DP

How much research have you all done? I feel like I still have so many questions but the lapband train is still going full steam ahead. I know I want this. I know it's the only way to help me get this weight off. I just feel like I need to know more about what to expect afterwards. From the research reports I have read the rates of slippage and removal can be high after 4/5 years. So clearly complying with the "rules" of the band are essential to success. I just feel like I don't know enough. Could be time for some more questions to the Doctor...

So I've just had my first consultation with the dr and he said I should have the sleeve instead. He reckons with 30kg to lose I would be better with that option and not the band. He said I might lose 15 - 20kg with the band and it allows you to lose 40-50% of excess weight. That most have it out in 3 - 5 years then get the sleeve. I have a feeling he is pushing the sleeve as I am self pay and its 45,000aed so twice that of the band; but still. Can I lose on a lapband, would I be wasting me time? I've come away so confused and doubtful on something I was so positive about.... Any advice would be so welcome! X

I've had my date through of 4th january. This is so exciting and also completely nerve racking. Eeeeeek

Ive just had my date through of January 4th. Need to get finance sorted and then we're ready to rock. Can't wait!

What are everyones scale and nsv goals? I'll go first.... 1. Drop 30kg - primary goal and to get past 72kg which was the lowest weight I reached just over 2 years ago. 2. NSV: to be able to cross my legs sat on a plane. I travel a lot and would appreciate the feeling of not filling the space I have entirely! 3. NSV: to be able to comfortably zip up some knee high boots that aren't wide fit! 4. NsV: do 10 pull ups. I love crossfit but can't do these. They are my ultimate exercise nemisis. 5. NSV: to get rid of my lovehandles. Almost gone but with a weight drop would hope they go forever!

That was it for me too. Actually loosing a part of your stomach. I can't deal with that. A band I can control and have as long as I do or don't want. I'm not a fan of Dr's or medical procedures so even this is pushing it haha. Will take a look at the food and nutrition pages on starting to accommodate a lapband friendly food list now so I can be as prepared as possible. That was a good idea, thanks for the suggestion.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're all so encouraging and I am loving the positivity. Truly. Some of the numbers you are all quoting as weight lost is phenomenal, I can only hope to be half as successful as you have been. I've done it and confirmed with the DR that the lap-band is the one for me. It was my first instinct and my gut feeling and I have to trust that. He is going to contact me at the weekend with a date and then I just need to get the rest organised. This is so, so exciting. It will probably be the best investment I can make for my long-term future health. Roll on 2014 now, New Year, new achievements. DP xx

Thank you all so much, your advice is really encouraging. I am definitely all still about the band, I think its the right one for me. I can control it which is more than a sleeve, the idea of having my stomache removed really freaks me out, its so permenant. The Doctor, I like, he is nice I just think because I am paying for this myself of course he is going to push the procedure that is the most expensive, I understand that. It was just the comments he was making about not losing much that confused me as I have been reading so many successful and positive stories on this forum. It made me actually doubt if having a lapband would not work for me, but it literally has to. I truly don't mind how long it takes to come off, as long as it comes off but most importantly stays off. I am such a stubborn and determined person that I am positive I would make a band successful. He gave me a reference for one of the patients he has that had it done recently, so I am going to drop her a call to ask her how it has gone for her and the results she is seeing. Thanks again for all your advice, without this forum, I would have no idea what I am doing. I'll keep doing the research but I am sure the band is for me xx

Hello everyone. I am hoping to have my op on 3rd jan. Am 30yo, from the UK but live in Dubai and work in events. Am meeting with the surgeon tomorrow to have my consultation and get the date! I keep going through the forum to get as much knowledge as possible. I have about 30kg to lose. Would love to lose it all in 2014. Woohoo x

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I completely appreciate its not a race and takes time to really get to where you need to be. The reason I asked was purely just to see how others whom started from a similar position lost their weight and where they are at post-op. Not sure about a sleeve it feels far more drastic and I like that the band is adjustable. If you could have a crystal ball to see what it would be like that would be amazing haha. In the mean time, I guess I can only ask how others have done on their journey. Thanks though DP

Hi! So, i guess this is the best place to post this question. I am currently 97kg and want to get down to 67kg. So, with 66lbs to get rid of and the surgery expected to take place early January, I am hoping by July 2014 that this will all be gone or I will be very close to goal. Question is, how long did it take you?? I know everyones journey is different and each body reacts in a different way; however with a 30kg journey ahead of me, I am really curious to know on average how long you think it will take to reach my goal weight?! The fact it is coming off, is a good enough blessing but would be awesome to know how long it took some of you? I am looking forward so much to writing my before + after post! Thanks! DP x

Hello friends, So finally next week is my consultation with the Doctor, we will be arranging the date for Surgery which they can do in as fast as a week, although I am planning on going for Friday 3rd January. I don't want to miss any essential questions, as this will be the only time I have with him face-to-face before the op. I am so excited to get banded I wish I could just do it now instead, but need to get through Christmas at home first. Questions I was going to go for: How long will I need off work, what is the % success/failure rate, what happens if it fails, how much can I expect to lose, how long can the band last for? How often should I come back for a check up, how long will I be in hospital for? There must be more essential questions to get from him?! I can't think of many but I know the second I leave his office, I'll have a tonne of them to ask again. Any suggestions would be great, Thanks so much! Desertpixie

I am really keen to know what it feels like to have the band inside you? You go in, wake up and then how would you describe it? Besides when you eat and knowing its on your stomach can you feel it? Is it really quite painful in the first few days or just uncomfortable? Thanks!

These are all such brilliant answers, thank you for taking the time to write these. It gives me much better clarity as to what to expect once it's all done. Can't wait to get the confirmation of my surgery date, I still can't quite believe this is going to happen! desertpixie

oh really! well that is certainly good to know! I wondered if it might be like a permenantly tight feeling in your stomach, or the port might either stick out a bit or you would be able to literally feel it in you and under your skin...i've never had an operation before so just really curious as to what it is like once its done. thanks

I am going to book in for the 2nd January so I can recover over the weekend! can't wait. I just wish I could do it sooner!

These are all great, thank you. Am making a giant list at the moment, am sure he will hand me a booklet and answer these quite quickly for me but its good to be prepared! Still got my fingers crossed for an early Jan surgery. Great way to start the new year!

Fingers crossed, Carolinagirl! You are all the experts at this and I am a sucker for always asking way too many questions! Would be good to hear some of the different questions people had or could ask a Dr on their first consult if they were to do it again! Thanks

Thanks everyone for the really lovely welcome. I've been still doing a lot of research and reading of the forum to find out what it's like having the band. Last night I watched a youtube video of the procedure and it looks pretty gruesome but also really quick! I've only ever had surgery once, when I was about 15 and had my tonsils removed. I try to make a point of staying away from Doctors really so I'm trying to get my head around the procedure and what will happen. How did you all feel straight afterwards, is it quite a lot of pain, or just a weird sensation? What is it like having a fill done? I also watched a video on that and do you feel anything? I am rubbish at needles and things so I guess that is definitely something I'll have to learn to love Thanks again! I have to say the idea of getting this done and losing this weight is really making me sleep better at night. Also living in the desert where you're at the beach every weekend or at a boat party, I am really looking forward to having a bit of confidence on the beach and showing a bit more flesh when the weight drops! Dubai is awesome, but the shopping and the beach and lifestyle here really doesn't suit anyone overweight imo. I sometimes wish it would be nice to be in a true Winter back in the UK where you pile on the layers and hide under a blanket to keep warm! ha! x