dianegoe

I decided to do this self pay in October, attended the seminar and did the pre-op stuff and had my surgery out patient January 15th. I was back to work on Friday January18th. I have lost 20# so far and have my first fill on Wednesday. This is the BEST thing I have ever done. I say go for it. Good luck .Diane

I am 6 weeks out and for 9 days I only had clear liquids. On the 9th day I told my Dr. I was starving and he said I could do protein shakes and cream soups. It was better after that. Those first 9 days were hard because I felt like my stomach was eating it's self. It will be better.

Thanks. I had a NSV today also. Went to Walmart and saw a skirt in size 14 and an XL blouse. Bought them, took them home, and they fit!!! I never wear skirts, but I think I will when we cruise next month. Maybe I'll have to return them for a Large and size 12. I am wearing size 14 jeans now. Down from 16W and then 16. I am trying all my clothes on in the closet too. Even my bras are too big. I get my first fill next week. This is the BEST thing I gave ever done. I LOVE MY BAND:)))

What is an NSV? Every time I think I know what's going on, I realize I don't. Congratualtions on smaller jeans. Diane

Hi All, I just flew to California this weekend and I had no trouble with my band. I was never told you would have to empty the band to fly. I am also in smaller pants today. This is the best thing I have ever done. I have my first fill next week. I can't belive it will be 6 weeks on Tuesday since I had the band placed. I think I am down around 17# since surgery, but until I weigh at the Drs. I won't change my ticker. I have a 10cc band but he put 3cc in at surgery so I'm not sure how much he will put in. I am loosing 1-2# a week which I think is good. So maybe he will put in a cc? Have a great trip Chrisann.:thumbup:Diane

OK Ang, I'm 52 years old and you are 25. I have been walking most days for 40 minutes. I walked 20 minutes the day I came home from the hospital. If you don't just do it, you will get very loose skin. I am beginning to enjoy it. And my dogs love it too. So its good for all of us. When I don't feel like doing it outside I walk on my elliptical for 40 minutes and watch some show or movie if nothing is good on. I feel really good afterwards. You have got to make yourself exercise or you will stop loosing weight. This has to become a lifetime habit. So think about it. This is not magic. This is a tool. You have got to follow the rules or it won't work. Protein first, 64 oz water, NO Snacking and at least 30 mintues if exercise most days. Now get up and JUST DO IT!!!! Diane:)

Are you really following the rules? This is a tool, not magic. Are you eating protein first, exercising 30-40 minutes most days, drinking 64 oz. of water and NO SNACKING! We have to be honest with ourselves. Nothing will work if we are not honest with ourselves. Only you know for sure. Because I think if we use this tool as we were instructed, it will work. If we try to bend it to what we did to get ourselves fat in the first palce it won't. So really look at the "rules" and follow them. Exercise is as important as food. Hang in there. And before my surgery I asked my Dr. if he thought it would work for me? He said, "do you think ot will work for you?", I think that says it all. Good luck to you in this journey we are all on. Diane

Hi Amy, I not only had lapband surgery, but also had my ovaries removed at the same time. I was in surgery at 7:30, awake at 10:30. Left the hospital at 11:30 and took a 20 min. walk with my husband when I came home. I was given liquid percocet for pain, but I never took anything. I used a heating pad and that felt good. It was never painful. More like too many situps. I had surgery on Tuesday and was back at work Friday. I am a Nurse Practitioner so I am on my feet, up and down, not a desk job. Don't be scared of the pain, it's really easy. For me the WORST part was 9 days of only clear liquids. I finally told my Dr. on day 9 I was not trying to loose 50# in one month, I needed food. So he let me have soups and protein drinks, and it's been great ever since. Hope this helps. Diane

I was banded in 1/15/08 and 2/27/08 is my 1st fill appt. Thats 6 weeks silly, not 2:)

Hi Everyone, I was banded on the 15 and all my glue finally came off in the shower today. So, my incisions look pretty good. I think they will fade fine. I have 3cc in a 10cc band and I can only have 3 small meals so Im not sure I want a fill on the 27th when I am scheduled for my first one. I don't want to be so tight I slime and BP and all the other stuff people talk about when they get too tight. I'll ask my Dr. about it. He said as long as I loose 1-2# a week I don't need a fill and so far so good. I am afraid if I loose too fast, my skin will sag. My pants are loose though and I am happy to say today I had to use the first hooks on my bra, so soon I will go down a size, YEAH!!!

Hi Jim, I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad time. Glad you are doing better. I just thought you were doing so well you didn't need us anymore:) Glad you are better. I go for my first fill on the 27th. I'm not sure I want one though. I seem to do well on three small meals a day and don't want to be so tight I get all the bad stuff thay talk about. So if I keep loosing 1-2# a week, I think I'll see how it goes. I have a 10cc band and they put 3cc in at the time of surgery. So, I'm not sure if I need more or not. I'm so glad you are feeling better. Diane

Take care Amber. When the time is right, you will know. When you are ready it will feel right. Diane

Amber, Don't be scared. I was scared, we all were. And the first week with no food really SUCKED. But now, I can eat 1 cup of food and be really full. I love it. I don't have to worry about over eating because I feel full and stop eating. If it stays like this I think I have Finally overcome this weight problem. And you are 23, I'm 52 so how lucky that you will get a handle on this early and go on with the rest of your life. Be scared, but don't cancel the surgery. I went home the same day and did not even need pain meds and I had my ovaries removed at the same time and was back at work 3 days later. You can do this. And you will be happy you did. Not eating for the first week was worse than the surgery. :wink2: GO FOR IT!

Hi LA, Last week I was feeling sad because I was so hungry. Now that I have been eating mushie stuff I feel better. But if you need medicine for depression I would take it because it's not a sign of weakness. Studies show that people who don't get a handle on dealing with loss of food as a crutch will overspend, drink, gamble or use other substitutes that are not healthy. You need to get back on your medication and talk to a counselor about how your feeling. This is very important. Please talk to your Dr. and tell him that you are depressed. A little medicine will make you feel better and then you will have more energy to go for a walk with will help. Hope you take care of yourself. The surgery is only the first step. Diane

I was just given the go ahead to start mushies like soup or oatmeal and gradually go to soft foods. But my Dr. said to only eat 3 x a day. You have got to get away from grazing and snaking or you will just eat around the band and it won't work. I can't evan imagine eating a meatball or chili this soon. This is a time to really change your tastes and alter your behavior. I went to a meeting the other night and there was a woman there who had gastic by-pass 18 months ago. She lost 100# and has now has regained 14# because she says she has just been eating and snaking all day instead of 3 meals and exercising. This band won't work if we don't alter our eating habitis. Yesterday I had a few spoonfuls of soup, and thought I felt full. It lasted for about 31/2 hours. Then I had muscle milk for dinner and a few bites of yougrt and was satisfied. We have to stop snaking, eat 3 meals, be satisfied on less food, and let this work.Diane

What is "Bandster Hell", people refer to it and I don't know what that is. I think it's this first post op week when you cannot eat any food and you are hungry all the time. Is that it? Or do I have something esle to look forward too:redface: Diane

OK, well if's that's all it is, I think I can deal with it. I'm hoping when I see the Dr. this morning for my post op visit he will let me have Malto-Meal or Oatmeal. I'm not trying to eat "bad" stuff, just something in my stomach would help. I will let you know. I thought maybe I should go in wearing a spoon or fork around my neck so he'll feel sorry for me.:biggrin: 9 days without chewing something is a first for me!

That's great Gilli. I've lost 9# since surgery 8 days ago. I will have my official weight tomorrow when I see the Dr. I am so praying he will let me start mushies, as everyone knows I have been STARVING since Friday:). So...he better let me eat. Keep up the good work. Diane:smile:

I had my lapband surgery on 1/15 and I'm on my 5th day of liquids. I feel so shaky and lightheaded. I am drinking the protein drinks and water, but I have not had more than 200 calories since Tuesday. I am just wondering if I did the right thing. Will I be able to sit down and have a salad or piece of chicken some day. Will I eat normally? I have lost about 9 # in the last few days. But, I am not trying to loose 20# in one month. I belive slow weight loss is more healthy. And I feel starving. I thought this was suppose to take the hunger away. I drink Unjury chicken soup or Muscle Milk and they have 20 gms of protien and I'm drinking water too. But my stomach lining feels like it's being eaten by stomach acid. I did this to be healthy and now I'm windering if I will be "normal". I am not trying to become anorectic. Please tell me that when I get past this liquid stage and go to mushies that my stomach will stop hurting. I don't want to feel light headed and shaky all the time. I just want to eat 3 normal meals, feel full, loose 1-2# a week and not have my skin hanging because I lost weight too fast. Will it be better when mushie stage starts? Does anyone else think "what have I done"? Sorry for the downer post. I'm just worried.:ohmy:Diane

Thanks. Today I had a couple of spoonfuls of yogurt. It felt really good to coat my stomach. I did not have pain so I think I'll be ok. I see the Dr. on Wednesday. I will tell him, and if he gets mad at me, Oh well. I have lost weight so he should not be too mad. Thanks. Diane I might just try the oatmeal:)

This is very normal. And, you will think that in the coming week I am sure. I was banded on the 15th. and asked my husband yesterday if I did the right thing. But, then I tell myself that I am not even a week out, and this summer when I can wear shorts in public I will know I did the right thing. The surgery is not bad. I never even took pain medicine. I went in at 7:30, woke up at 10:30, went home at 11:30, and took a 20 minute walk with my husband. Then slept on and off for the next 2 days. I never took pain meds. My biggest problem was hunger day 3 and 4, but now day 7 I think I am used to not eating. I hope I will eat again. It will be OK. Good luck to you. I have lost 9 or 10 pounds already. Will have official count on Wednesday at Drs. office. Don't be scared, but it's normal. Hang in there! Diane

Hi Carol, I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I hope this week will be better. I am glad that I am able to swallow my Celebrex. I take on every day for my knee. It seems to be going down fine and I am glad I can take it. The Dr. never said I couldn't so I hope it's OK that I am. I hope you feel better soon. Diane

I was given no driving restrictions. I was banded on Tuesday the 15th and drove on Friday the 18th to work. I never took any pain meds, I haven't had any pain. The first 2 days I had soreness like when you do too many situps, but no pain. I would have rather he said you can't drive, but you can have oatmeal:)) I have a one track mind.

You guys are so LUCKY!!! I would die for pudding or cream soups. I feel like my surgeon (who does not have an ounce of fat on him) must want to punish us for being fat. I think he's so stict because he primarily does gastic sleeve and RNY proceedures. He treats everyone the same. So his lapband people have no food because his sleeve patients have no food. I can't wait for something like yogurt or applesauce, or creamy soup anything that is not a liquid protein yucky drink. Have a nice Sunday. Diane

I had surgery on Tuesday the 15th and went back to work for half the day Friday the 18th. I am fine, feel fine, and would be 100% better if they would let me Eat mushies. My appt is Wednesday and I am hoping he will let me eat oatmeal or something. Have lost 9# since Tuesday and all body functions are working:) But I AM STARVING!!! Today I was salivating over the food coupons in the Sunday Paper. Diane