Joyce in VA

Never thought of it that way Jack. You should have been there when I had my surgery so you could have told me.

Mercedes, I had Dr. Robert Sass in Lebanon, Va do my surgery. I did not have a fill. So far the band itself has made a difference in the amount I eat. I guess the fact that it took the stomach up has just made me not eat as much. I am making an effort not to over eat. I am trying not to rely solely on the band. I hope it lasts a long time. He said I could have a fill when ever I felt like I needed it. I too need to lose 50 to 60 lbs but I hope to get off 75 or 80. I am not having any problems with any food so far but I am taking it easy. It's been 3 weeks and I feel great.

Mercedes, I too have not told too many friends and only a couple of family members. Those I am with all the time. I don't think most will notice any difference in what you eat and if they do just say I am trying to eat smaller portions. They won't say anything else because like most of us we have tried everything else. My surgery was 3 weeks ago and I am amazed what small amounts satisfy me. I try to quit before I get full. I don't want to PB. So far it has been easy. Will it always be easy? I doubt it but I will work it out. Hang in there and in one week you too will be glad it's over and you will be on your journey to a healthier life. That is what we all want. Good luck to ya.

Micki, Your nervous jitters are common for all of us. I kept saying "And I volunteered for this". I am glad my surgery is over. Went like clockwork. The two weeks of liquids was easy for me. I did three Protein drinks a day trying to get in at least 60 grams of protein in. Towards the end I could only do 2 but that was O.K. I did not mind at all, in fact I was amazed that i could be satisfied with only liquids. I feel wonderful now. It's been almost 3 weeks. You will do wonderful also. Good luck. Let us know how you are doing. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Mellie, You might also check with your doctor about financing the surgery. Some have a plan. I don't know what the requirements are. Just a thought. Good luck.

I had my surgery on July 6th and I had full liquids, applesauce and jello after the second day. I say the second day because the first day after surgery I really did not want anything. I also could have cottage cheese but I only had 1/2 cup the first week. I never got sick. I guess I was lucky. Never had to take anything but pain medicine and gas-x. I did use a liquid stool softner. I think it helped with some of the gas.

Cindy, So glad you did so well with the surgery. The worst is over. By day 5 you will be amazed at how you feel. I felt good -- just sore in the port area. Other than that I felt great. I beleive it was because of all the Vitamins in the shakes and not putting all that food in my mouth.

Sensy, My insurance would have paid for the gastric bypass but not the lap band. I choose to pay myself for the lap band. I did not want the health risks of the bypass. I have had my band for three weeks and I am thrilled with it. No, I don't expect to lose weight over night. I know I will have to work with the band by making the right choices. I too know people who have had the gastric bypass and have started gaining their weigh back. In order to acheive our goals we have to learn good habits. In the long run I feel that is the right choice. Hang in there. If you do not feel you are loosing fast enough then try to write down every bite you put in your mouth for a couple of days. Weigh and measure it. Are you drinking your Water and getting some exercise. It will come off just be patient.

NJCHICK - Don't get nervous yet there is a long time between where you are and getting ready for surgery. First you have to have some tests done. The process will probably take a couple of months- so calm down. Take your time. Wait and get nervous when you get a surgery date. Good luck to ya.

I think it will take a long time but we have to convince ourselves that we need to eat to live and not live to eat. I hope to convince myself of that one day soon. I have posted a pitcure of myself weighing what I want to weigh again on the refrigerator so I am hoping that will help with the head hunger. Try to picture your goal and how good that will feel. Like they say "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels". I keep telling myself that and have it posted on the refrig. for a reminder.

Darcey I am so sorry about your band slipage. I think that is my worst fear and I am trying to be real careful. I have had my band only 2 and 1/2 weeks. Do you have any ideal what caused the slipage or did it just happen. Did the doctors have any ideals about what might have caused it. Good luck to you and I am glad you got to the hospital in time.

I had my surgery on July 6th and so far I am thrilled with it. I too was extremely nervous but we went to the beach the week before surgery and most of the time I was too busy with 2 ten year old nieces to think much about it. I am glad it's over and I have my band. Don't second guess your decision. Remember the reasons you started the process anyway and how much better you are gonna feel this time next year.

I think before surgery we all get nervous and try to second guess our decision. Don't let fear of the unknown change your decision. Try to remember your reasons for starting the process in the first place. I have only had my band 2 1/2 weeks and thrilled with it. I wish I had done this a couple of years ago. Good luck to you. Let us know how you do.

Welcome Dr. Pleatman. I loved your web site especially the fact page.

At first the problem with me was trying to wake up. The meds for nausea kept me knocked out. I kept saying "And I volunteered for this". The day after surgery was the same so I don't remember much. It did hurt. I think it was a little worse than my gallbladder surgery. By the third day I was much better. The port area was somewhat sore and getting up and down out of bed was hard but other than that it was manageable. Each day got easier and by day 5 I was feeling very little pain just some soreness. When I got a little hungry some liquids protein shakes did the trick. Hope this helps.

For all you guys who are about to be banded this month I want to wish you lots of luck. I am glad I have mine and am on the up side. I have lost about 10 pounds so far. I am not really hungry. When I am a cup of Soup or a Slim Fast Low Carb drink feels me up. I can hardly beleive that. I beleive the drinks cause alot of the gas and not the surgery. I told my hubby I guess I am getting too many Vitamins. My body does not know how to react to that. So keep plenty of gas-x on hand. Also for you ladies remember to buy you a sports bra. I did not think of that until after. The surgery itsel is not that bad. After a couple of days you will feel so much better. I think I feel better because I am not putting all that food into my body. If I can be of any help let me know. Joyce

Got my band on July 6, 2005. I can't beleive it. Doing good on the liquid diet. One more week and I can go to mushies.

I am scheduled for July 6th to have this done by Dr. Sass. He will have a proctor there with him on that date because we will be his first. As far as I know my insurance will pay for this. We should find out this week. I have been very pleased with his staff. I understand they are working up many gastric bypass' and that I am not his only patience. They have been most helpful with any questions or concerns I have had. Dr Sass is a wonderful person. I may be wrong buy I don't beleive Dr. Kramer has finished training to do this yet. He too is a very nice person. Either surgeon would be great.

I too have been notified that I have to quit smoking before LB surgery. I certainly do dread it. My doc said I need to quit smoking at least 6 week before surgery. Don't have a date yet. I appreciate any advise anyone can give me. I have smoked for 30 years. I know I will feel much better after I get past it. I am just now going for some of the test. They want to do a ABG which is a blood gas and I don't want to do that. It must be routine for my doc. I hear that thing hurts like crazy. Did anyone else have to have this done.

What part of VA are you from.

Just checking to see if my tickler works right.

The doc here quoted me a price of all the pre-op stuff, operation and everything for one year for 17,500. I am still trying to decide where to go. I am from a small town and most doc's have an attitude. I am afraid if I go elsewhere he would not put me on his list of priorties. I want to get it done as soon as I can.

I live in a small town and do not have access to fill doctors so I am afraid to get the lb done anywhere else even though I know it would be cheaper to go elsewhere besides the states to get the surgery done. What about everyone else. Is there anyone else who does not have access to fill doctors? What do you do about it. There is a doctor in he next town that charges a flat fee and that includes anything you need done for 1 year. If you have to pay for blood work and fills do you really save much by going to another country to get the surgery?

My Husband says he would not go through the surgery but If I wanted to it was fine with him. Most of you have gone to other countries to get yours since it was cheaper but what do you do about the fills?

I don't think he has done any yet. He is going to start doing them in June. I talked to his nurse on Tuesday and that is what she told me. He has been doing the gastric bypasses for a while. Other than that I don't know.