SuperDaddy!

You DON'T have to give them an RnY Option! My doctor assured me that he places 99% of the requested bands. The bands have improved in the past few years. They are larger and much easier to place. My wife was terrified that I might consider the bypass. I said no....he said no problem. As it stands, my band was placed just fine 2 weeks ago...and I'm feeling great! Best of luck to you!

you DID just join an elite club. We're tops! I'm still waiting for my green sport jacket with crown emblem! Jon

Welcome to the family, Glitterqueen! I teach 3rd grade...so wahoo to you! Think about how great you'll be in your classroom with more energy! Your kids won't even recognize you! Best of luck to you. Jon

SuperDaddy is in the Hizouse! We are few and far between..but the boys are here....and we're gettin' skinny (or medium, Kirstie Alley says medium is real good). Welcome to the team, Benet! Jon

16 days no caffeine.....grrrrrrrrrrrrr ...bring on the chips, I'm halfway there. Jon

Hey Celeste, I haven't heard of any specific issues that are a greater struggle for a man. I'll tell the honest truth...I've watched my wife deliver three kids now (without medication!), and the band was a cakewalk compared to that. Tell him I'm thrilled how quickly I'm mending. He's welcome to contact me. Also...if he's ever passing through Minneapolis on a Tuesday...we have an open invitation to our group meetings at Abbot Hospital. Just FYI. I'm still new to this whole deal, though...so I'm learning as I go. Good Luck! Jon

Wow...Minnesota has come alive to today! Good to see all the new names. Actually, I've only been a bandster for one big week...and I have the steristrips to prove it. Welcome to the family, y'all! AnnaQPreston- I am back to work full time today (chasing 29 3rd graders!) and all is well. I've had zero complications whatsoever, and the pain has been very manageable. I was tired today, my first day back. But it was fun...I'm down 35 pounds, and at least 12 of that was since they last saw me...and I got some "rock star" blond highlights in my hair...and people freaked out about how different I look. It made it worth it today when I pulled out a pretty meager soupy lunch. The only drawback today was that I have now sneezed three times since the surgery...and everyone has pretty much felt like somebody shot a cannon at my stomach. Other than that...recovery is a snap. Consider it a very good thing that you hear so little about complications! For comparison sake, and assurance...visit a RnY bypass sit and see why this makes more sense! KDuckster - You found me! It was a delight to meet you the other night. That was my first small group visit, too. I wish you the very best in your days leading up to your BIG DAY! I bet I'll run into you again (two weeks?) Cloeymn36 -I can't imagine that 1/4 3x'sof total food was all they said...for real? I've never heard anybody say anything but a 3/4 cup for three meals. That's the size of the stomach pouch, I thought. And as far as stressed, I don't know anybody who doesn't say they are stressed. I think you just have to work through that somehow. best of luck to you anyway. I'll keep an eye out for you in the threads! Have a great night, Minnesota! Jon

Hmmmm...OK Betty- I'm starting to get the hang of this post thing, And I've gathered much of the shorthand. I understand LOL, and PB, and a few others...but I see "DH" a lot. I bet that stands for DEVOTED husband, or DEAR husband, or Dedicated husband... Right? RIGHT?!? Have a splendid day with your DH. Jon (Kristin's very DELIGHTFUL husband!)

Hello Anna! Did you have a chance to look online or in pre-op info meeting about the benefits and drawbacks of each? I would suggest you do some research on both and then decide the pros and cons of each. For me personally, banding was the only option that did not completely terrify my wife. The possible risks, and equally as important...the possible long-term complications of the RnY were just too much for me to consider it (well...it was too much for my wife...and it was important that I had her full support). The band is much less invasive, completely adjustable, and removeable. The recovery time is faster and easier. The big thing that secured my choice for the band was that recent studies showed that even though the band typically helps you lose weight a bit slower than RnY....if you stick to it, the results after 5 years time are that they get to about the same place on the average. You certainly have to do the work no matter what...there are no freebies either way. I've seen plenty of pictures of people who lost a ton...then went back to old ways...and gained it back, after surgery! It's a lifelong change to better health, and yet even on this site you sometimes find people who are looking simply for the golden ticket. That doesn't exist. The band is a tool, nothing more or less. With that said...I've only had a band for six days...and I've dropped 8 pounds this week! That loss, plus the weight I lost sticking to a "T" to the pre-op diet...I'm already 30 pounds off and running! Best of luck to you on your journey. I hope that you find the answers that you seek to make a sound decision! God Bless You! Jon

13 days since I had my caffeine....so if you walk by me sipping a mocha...prepare to feel the wrath of a man on the edge. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH! Whew! I feel better now. Keep up the good work, y'all! Jon

OK...this seems like something that men don't send to each other...so move over girlfriends (I just snapped my fingers in z formation), I'm getting in touch with my femanine side! 1. What is your name? Jon 2. What color shirt are you wearing? Maroon and Gold...Go Minnesota Gophers! 3. What are you listening to right now? 3 giggling children and Monsters Inc. on TV (Daddy didn't get to pick tonight!) 4. What was the last thing you ate? Applesauce and Homeade Veggie Soup 5. Do you wish on stars? No...but I pray a lot! 6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Spine-Tingling Blue 7. How is the weather right now? Cold (Welcome to Minneapolis!) 8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Real Estate Partner 9. Favorite Sport? Football (played through college...the one time it was reeeal good to be big) 10. Favorite drink? Caribou coffee chocolate Cooler (dang...I'm gonna miss those!) 11. hair color? Brown with lil' blond spikes (pretending to be a rock star!) 12. Eye color? Brown 13. Siblings? Older Sis and Younger brother 14. Favorite month? December 15. Favorite food? Pasta, pasta, and more pasta 16. What was the last movie you saw? Finding Neverland (Wife gave it thumbs up...I think I zoned off!) 17. Favorite day of the year! Christmas! 18. What do you do to vent anger? Lift car bumpers and grunt! 19. What was your favorite toy as a child? 1st 10 speed bike 20. Summer or winter? Crisp Fall! 21. Hugs or Kisses? All of the above 22. Favorite ice cream flavor? Moose Tracks Fudge (ummmmm) 23. Restaurants or home cooking? Restaurants 24. Will everyone care enough to respond? Huh? 25. When was the last time you cried? Silly question...men never cry! Well..ok...last week, about 10 minutes before they put me under for surgery, when I kissed my wife and told her I loved her. 26. What is under your bed? Large, ferocious dust monsters guarding our wedding album. 27. How long have you been a member of Lapband Talk? 2 days! 28. What did you do last night? Went out and about for the first time post-op (mall crawl with the fam) 29. What are you afraid of? failing, and clowns (try and tell me they don't give you the creeps) 30. Favorite car? The list is endless...but BMW's ROCK! 31. Favorite flower? Rose 32. How many keys on your ring? 14 33. How long have you been at your current job? Torturing 3rd graders since 1999! 34. Favorite day of the week? Sunday 35. What did you do on your birthday? Big surprise bash for turning 30! 36. How many states have you lived in? 1 37.How many cities/towns have you lived in? 5 (all north suburbs of Minneapolis, though!) 38. What is your favorite form of exercise? Rowing 39.Your favorite store for bargains? hmmm...Home Depot? (Such a guy answer!) 40. Wasn't this fun? Yes...I feel like listening to Kenny G in a bubble bath and eating bon-bons...Oh no! Time to go back out to the garage! Have a great night y'all Jon AKA SUPERDADDY!

Thanks Jo Ann for the info. I found the post button in a different forum after I asked. And the PB mystery is solved! Best of luck to you as well...I'll keep an eye out for you on the board! Hey Robin....HANG IN THERE!!! I have three lil' kiddos myself, and they are the dearest things to my heart, but I don't know if they aided in my speedy recovery much! I will pray that you are given an extra measure of Grace and Peace today. You got this far. We all have our bad days and fall. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start walking again! God Bless You! Jon

Well, I'm not in the Florida Group, I'm from Minnesota...but greetings to you from the frozen north! Actually, I was hoping you could answer a few questions, since I'm a newbie on this whole web chat and post thing...and a brand new bandlander! You all look like pros...and I don't know how to start a new post. I can reply fine, but I don't see where to start when I have questions or things to share. I also don't get all of the little shorthand things (LOL I know...but what's a PB?). Do you have time to school a rookie a little? Thanks. First week with the band is going just fine (all things considered), and I'm so happy to have stumbled across such a great support network!

Darn it darn it darn it darn it.....all right: I'm in! Since I'm kind of a newbie around here, I can't eat much of anything at the moment. But I have been reminded many times looking through here that I will have a point soon where I probably could eat and drink more than I should until my first fill. And truthfully, I put myself through college running a coffeehouse, and have been a coffee/popaholic since then...So... No caffeine of any sort for me. No coffee...pop (even diet). nada, zip. Ugh. Well...at least there's some good news: I haven't had any coffee or pop since the week before surgery...so I'm already up to 12 days! Yippee! Now...if I could just have my chip dipped in chocolate, please...

Bungle69- Hakuna Matata- No Worries, you'll do great! I just had my band placed on 10/4. They had to give me double the anasthesia (apparantly, I was pretty fociued on the picture of my wife and kiddos in front of me!). Even with the extra amount, I thought recovery was no problem. I was pretty sore for the first 2 days, but it was very manageable. I took every suggestion that they gave me for quick recovery from anasthesia: Get up and move (even if it's slow!), take lots of deep, slow breaths (this expands you lungs and protects you from pnuemonia), and hold a pillow to your stomach and try to push out little coughs (this also helps get the anasthesia out and the lungs working best). The coughing was tough....but getting out of bed as much as I could without overdoing it felt very good. The Morphine in the hospital and the Percocet out of the hospital made for a big help with pain, too. I really feel great now...and it's only been 5 days! And to make it all worthwhile...I'm already down another 6 pounds. It's going to be just fine. Do you have somebody at the hospital with you...some "cheerleaders" and people who'll pray for you? That helps! Best of luck to you. Grace and peace to you today.

Shan- You're gonna' do great! I just had my band put in on 10/04 down the road at Abbot in Mpls....and it was no problem. I was so scared at first...thinking about my wife and 3 lil' kiddos, and wondering if this was worth the risk. But truthfully, the success rate of this surgery is astounding. The procedure is relatively simple, and the surgeons are so skilled! My experience was just fine. I compiled some calm music (great hymns and praise music for me) and they kept my earbuds in the whole time. I had a picture of my family right there, and they were so encouraging throughout. When they actually put my under, they had to use twice as much anasthetic to fall alseep...I was pretty focused on that picture! It was as if no time had passed at all for me when they woke me up. The doctor said that one thing that made my surgery go so well was that I had last about 17 pounds in the weeks leading up to the surgery. The better you can do on your pre-op liquid diet, the easier it will be. The recovery was no problem, and because I was a late surgery that day I had to stay just until the x-ray the next late morning. I was so concerned about not eating at all for nearly two days because I had to wait until after the x-ray...but it was no big deal. I have been home now since Wednesday, and I already feel darn near ready to go back to the real world. What's helped me is walking everyday, but not pushing it. Also, I make sure that I alternate where I'm at sitting, laying down...just getting mobile. Another thing that has helped me greatly was the strong support of prayers from friends and family. Have they given you a good list of full liqud food options for before and after the surgery? I would see to it that you have them at home. Best of luck to you. I'll remember to pray for you on the 11th.

I bought a bunch of chucken broth...and then decided I couldn't eat it! Jello and broth maybe aren't thick enough full liquids to calm down your stomach. It's adjusting to such a different amount of food. I've stuck with some low fat creamy soups (tomato, mushroom, etc). I have been eating sugar free jello pudding...but I will probably buy the regular or low fat version instead of sugar-free. What is making a difference for me is variety. I try to have three 1/4 cup things mix and matched each meal. It doesn't sound like much...but you can savor it a little more when you're eating it over a 20 minute period! My doc had a list that included cottage cheese, natural applesauce, yogurt, cream corn, maltOmeal...anything that you could drink through a straw is fair game (just don't use a straw). One little tip that has helped me is to put my spoon down after every bite. The BEST thing that helps me is a super healthy snack later in the evening...that keeps my stomach from doing flips. I have ended my nights with about a half-scoop of a double-chocolate whey protein (GNC brand) mixed good with a very small amount of skim milk. It's only adding about 120 calories, but it also adds 14 grams of protein, and I feel much better when I lay down. Beyond that...I would have to say that having my wife being so supportive is helping best. You need a cheerleader! Rah Rah You can do it...Go Team! Keep it up, Wendy! My journey's just begun, too, so I'll look to hear good news from you in the days to come!

Rock on Minnesota! Add one more newbie to the crew! I thought you gals needed a guy around here, too! Megan, I've seen your comments on a few strands and was impressed with your honesty! I should have known you were from Vikings country! My wife is laughing at me trying to figure out how to navigate through this like i have any clue how to add posts or chat online...but it's nice to see how many others are out there feeling some of the same things I'm gonig through...so I plan to check back often! I am less then one week out from my banding at Abbot (10/4)...and all seems to be going great! I really appreciate the info on fills and being extra careful in making that switch to solids and such without that first fill. I didn't get this far to fail, though...so keep up the cheerleading, Minnesota! Victory, victory...rah rah rah! Do any of you go to the Abbot small group meetings? I'm looking forward to hearing more about how to best utilize this new tool that I've been given. God Bless You!

Hey Wendy- I just had my band placed on the 4th...so I'm feeling your pain! This is my first post, too. I've found that my stomach is doing all sorts of weird things...and it feels empty, too. I've been hard core on the diet regimen from the doc...and have already lost weight this first week (added to a good amount of pre-op weight loss. Something tells me that you just have to give your whole abdomen time to get back on track...it's just had some serious trauma. As far as sugar-free...my dietician said don't worry about the calorie count...just stick to the portion size as your body adjusts...and stick with the variety of foods as prescribed on the full-liquid diet. A a matter of fact...I've been warned on more than onoe occassion to stay away from sugar-free diet stuff. The body won't process artificial sweeteners as well..and it can actually store it! I'm eating a variety of foods 3x's a day, totalling just 3/4 cup each meal. yikes! No wonder my stomach is mad. "This too shall pass" right! ? Keep up the good work.