RobinL123

Ieag, I started my 6 month process in October. I quit smoking on 9/29, by the end of December early January, I started smoking again. Lots of stress, the holidays, family matters etc. I picked back up. I'm now on day 2 of the 14 mg patch and doing okay. I'm fine at work all day...it's being home that makes me want to smoke. I've resisted. I hate myself for being so weak....but if you want the surgery, you have to quit. My doctor screens for nicotine. I have to be nicotine free and that includes Patches or e cigs. And to boot I have to lose at least 10lbs. I think the weight loss will be easier then the cigs, but then again, what the hell do I know. I just take it one day at a time. I will likely postpone any surgery dates until I have things under wraps. I'm so weak willed, I loathe me. Robin

I know all surgeries have risk. I wonder how this type of surgery stacks up against other elective surgeries, I will research my stats and I will flat out ask my surgeon what her statistics are. I will also see if I can research it myself.

I know all surgeries have risk. I wonder how this type of surgery stacks up against other elective surgeries, I will research my stats and I will flat out ask my surgeon what her statistics are. I will also see if I can research it myself.

Anyone? Why are hernias risks increased after surgery. Is this immediately after surgery because things have been moved around, or a potential complication for a period of time? I had 2 major abdominal surgeries in the past and they were worried about hernias but I never got any. Why does this procedure seem to be a high risk for hernias? Is it caused by strain from bowel movements or vomiting? Or something else that I haven't thought of? Robin

Hi JK, How is the liquid diet going? Did you have to start it 3 days before surgery or 10 days before surgery? I'd love to hear how you feel post op. Don't forget to update us. Good luck Robin

Wow...you got in real quick, my insurance is making me run the gauntlet, which is both good and bad. Good because you can't claim you didn't know, I'm inundated with info, bad because where does one start in a six month process? I'm not going to diet for 6 months, If I stick to a April or May surgery date, February will be the time I start trying to switch to liquid diets and cut back or cut out alcohol consumption. Read more about the diet. I don't want it to be all consuming every day of my life. I want to live normally, but with a lot less food. Lose weight, get healthy, exercise more because I've lost some weight and my feet and knees don't hurt so much. But all that comes in time, not at the snap of a finger. Robin

Hi Maggie, I just read your stats, you're at 117 lbs and your goal is to get to 140, is 117 the lowest you've been or was it lower? How do you look and feel? My cousin Deb lives in Western Mass, Becket I believe and she had the surgery Oct 1st, so far, last I heard she lost 50lbs. That was a lot and so fast. Maybe you know her? Do you feel that your life orbits around what you can and cannot eat now? Can you drink alcohol at all? What is the feedback from people you know....do they say you lost too much weight? Are you experiencing any problems? What size did you start with and drop to? That's a lot of weight loss...amazing. Robin

Hi Grateful, Don't hate yourself, get back on track. Isn't it a horrible feeling knowing that you put all the hard work into something and then caved. I did that with cigs for 3 months prior to surgery and caved. I have 3 more months or more if I want to get back on track. I will try the same things you've tried prior to surgery just to see if it can be done. However, if it's not required right now. I think you need to do the shakes for one week prior to surgery, wouldn't you agree doing it sooner is self sabotaging? How do you feel about that? I'm asking because I want to learn by you because I see myself doing the same thing. In other words, eating like you've already had the surgery for months beforehand can be self defeating and take a toll on your self esteem. How long until your surgery?

Hi JWheel, Thanks for the response. I'm definitely going to discuss this with my doctor. Because of my age and medical history I'm at a higher calculated risk. That's why I know it's so important for me to quit cigs forever, to improve many things in my life but also for this surgery. Do you have a surgery date scheduled yet or are you still in the long drawn out process prior to surgery? I see that you're from Scotland, is there socialized medicine there? Are you already approved and just waiting for a time slot? How long do they estimate that to be? Robin

Hey Shortie, How far along are you in the process? Do you have a surgery date? I can understand the freak out. I'm not worried about the surgery. I've had many invasive surgeries and the worst part of surgery is the recovery. Provided you don't drop dead from the surgery...lol. I laugh out of fear. Living with the major changes afterwards and the possibility of a life time of discomfort is what spooks me. I pray to God I'm a success story, but there's no sure things in life except death and taxes.

Wow....several people have read this, yet not one comment. I'm not writing this to scare anyone, I'm hoping someone can disprove this. Its not a very good statistic.

Folks, I'm having a terrible time navigating from the topic I posted, to the replies i'm getting in my email. When I reply through email, it bounces back to me as undelivered. I can't find the replies from my original topic matter in here. So, I'm not being rude or ignorant, I just don't have this navigation thing down yet. The person who just emailed me, why didn't I like the lap band. First off, I haven't had surgery yet, 2ndly my doctor won't do the band anymore because it has an unproven success rate.\ Robin And the gal who mentioned putting weights in your bra for your first weigh in, is a genius Wish I thought of that. Rockin Robin

Yes you will lose the girls. I have 2 friends that had drastic weight loss. One from lap band and one from stress. The lap band friend got a boob job after the weight loss. The other friends chest looks....I hate to say this.....awful. Like utters. She wears padded bras to give her some shape. I suppose the older you are the more it will affect your chest. They are in their 50's. R

I found this in the resources section of this website, under surgery complications. WHAT IS THIS? Is this true? Please tell me this is not factual.

Hey Onyx, You are not being paranoid, THEY ARE watching you. That's totally how I feel, I feel as if I have to constantly praise them for their invasive services and tell them exactly what they want to hear. Here's the real kick in the pants too, my nutritionist isn't exactly skinny minny either. She's a bit over weight, maybe not unhealthy, but far from a poster child. Shoot I hope they don't check out this site. The food police will send out drones...lol. I'm not all that paranoid, but don't kid yourself into thinking they aren't watching you like a hawk. What I need to learn is to not say anything if it isn't what they want to hear. Best to keep my big mouth shut!!! Good luck to you and your journey