Turler

Yes!! I am always telling my patients "It doesn't matter if it's in the middle of the night or whenever, YOU CALL the doctor if you have ANY questions or concerns". They (doctors) take call for a reason. They know you will forget something, need something or whatever. They really do appreciate the patient that takes an active role in their healthcare!

WOW! I am a NEWBIE, a LAPBAND PATIENT, AND a NURSE!! What a great thread! I did a lot of research just as most of you did before surgery. There is always something to learn. I would NEVER take advice here over my doctor! (No offense to anyone). That should be Rule #1 for everyone! Just because someone is a nurse, doesn't make them qualified to give medical advice! It's fine to share experiences, your knowledge of a subject and give opinions. That is what this forum is all about. I like knowing I'm not the only one experiencing something. I like knowing what to expect and reading about the joys and the pitfalls of Band life. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own bodies, our own lives. We would only be doing ourselves a disservice to not contact our doctors and ask these questions. Make an appointment to just talk! You hired them. They work for you. They will make time for you! I think it's sad that so many don't respect their doctors knowledge and training enough to follow the orders. Why would anyone let someone perform surgery on them if they dont' trust them??? Okay, I'm done. I just had to say my peace. I know some of you wanted the thread to die, but I just found it and had to comment. Sorry! ~C

Am I the only one who is hungry after surgery???? LOL I swear, I am soooo hungry. I am sticking to the diet as ordered, but I am feeling jipped!

Great pics J and BG! Looks like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing!

I believe it's a personal decision whether you tell or not. Everyone has their reasons. People can be cruel as most of us have learned being fat. There are many on here who have a great support system, and there are those who don't. I don't think it's necessarily about being embarrassed or ashamed of the surgery. Why can't we do this privately? Skinny people don't have to explain themselves to us, so why should we have to answer to them? Do what works best for you and your situation! ~C

You are going to do just fine! You've put a lot of thought into this to get this far! You can do it! Our lives are changing drastically and it's wonderful! We are here for eachother! Good Luck tomorrow!!!! ~C

You know, you could just string a little lace around it and voila! SEXY!! LOL That's what I told my DH I was gonna do with mine! I can't wait to get rid of mine too. ~C

I used to be on Byetta. It didn't do anything for me. I just felt "crappy" all the time that I was on it, but never had nausea or any problems. It was just one more thing to have to do every day. Byetta has not been approved for off label use yet (at least that I know of). They have discovered that weight loss is a side effect of the drug, but not a guarantee, and not everyone will experience it. Yes, it is from the saliva of the gila monster. It is injected twice daily. You must eat within the hour of the injection or it won't work. (That isn't always easy by the way). You can't eat first and then inject. It is usually used in conjunction with Metformin for Type II Diabetes. The most common side effect is nausea. Most people don't like to stay on the drug because it can get pretty severe. I'm sure if your doctor thought you'd benefit from it, they'd prescibe it whether you have a LapBand or not. Most likely you shouldn't need it if you are banded. Maybe in the beginning when weight is still high and blood sugars aren't fully controlled yet. Hope that helps. I'd definitely talk to your doctor about it if you want to try it!

Good morning everybody! I can't get my stomach to shut-up! It just rumbles and roars all the time. My DH said he heard it all night! I do feel hungry, but I'm sticking to the portion sizes my dietician gave me. I feel tight when I sit, so I know there is something there. I am making sure that everything I put in my mouth (except the water) has protein in it! I'm a little painful with movement, but am doing just fine. DH and DD walk me regularly! I am supposed to return to work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for 12 hour shifts, but I just can't see that happening. I think I could do it if it were 8 hours, but not 12. Ugh. We'll see how I feel in 2 days! ~C

Well, it's finally a reality! I was successfully banded on April 10th. I'm home and healing! I am looking forward to a bright new future of health and happiness. I am eager to get started on this 'Band Wagon' and begin to enjoy the benefits. Thank you all for caring so much and giving me so much support. I look forward to sharing more of the journey with all of you! ~Carol

Hello fellow April Bandsters! I GOT BANDED on the 10th! Everything went well with the surgery. I'm home and doing fine. I can't wait to heal to see how all this works! Good luck everyone. Keep checkin' in! ~C

W, J, BG: Way to go!!! You all rock! HP: Feeling so much better today. I got some sleep last night, and took a nap today. Been up walking around plenty too. So cool about your NSV!!! ~C

LMAO...Juli and BG...you two are too much! Glad you are having so much fun! I will sure miss seeing you both in C-bus today. Hope the weather was decent for your ride. Try to stay out of trouble, and keep having fun! ~C

Hi girls!! I'm home! I finally got some sleep last night--thanks to Vicodin and Benadryl! I feel better today. My face is still pretty swollen and instead of welts/hives, I've got "scales" in their place. The doctors can't agree on what I was allergic to, but either way, I'm alright and I got to come home! My incisions hurt, and the muscles hurt when I get up from a chair. I am getting rest and walking some too. The pain meds help, so I am a happy girl. I could feel something tight in my chest last night when I laid down to go to bed. Must be the band. OMG, I got a Band! I am so excited that I really did get it! I really wish I could join you today. You are gonna have so much fun at the fashion show! Hopefully the clothes will be cute and afordable! I can't wait until next month...hopefully it will be on a weekend that I can come! Do we know the date yet? ~C

Hi my friends in C-bus! I am FINALLY BANDED!!!! I'm still in the hospital waiting for the doctor to release me. I am having an allergic reaction to something. They think a patch for nausea (Scopalamine), but now they're investigating that maybe it's the antibiotic. I'm doing okay though, and ready to go home! I'll check in later! ~~Carol

Hi everyone! I GOT MY BAND!!!! I am still at the hospital, waiting for my doctor to come in and discharge me home. I'm a little painful at the port site, but what's worse is the itching I got from the Scopalamine patch (a little tiny patch behind the ear to ward of nausea). They've been feeding me Benadryl for hours now. Other than that I'm doing great! I got to see my band on fluoro....That was pretty neat! I'll talk to you all later! ~~C

Signing off...will check in after Banding!!! Peace out! ~C

Mean Mommy! Okay, that's pretty funny!

Yeah, I know...I'm kinda dreading that. I was really chuckling at the "that's what he said" possibility of what I typed! LOL

Thanks! I am super excited! I can't believe I'll be joining you guys in discussions like fills, too tight (he he) and stuff like that! WOO HOO---I'm gettin' my band tomorrow!

I never knew there was a word for this! I am ready to enjoy food for quality, not quantity! I hate to cook, but love to eat...of course! I do like to watch cooking shows, but don't usually try to cook anything. Maybe now I'll give it a shot! ~C

Hi guys and gals! Y'all have a good day? I'm all set for surgery tomorrow! YAY!!!!! I am SSSOOOOOO excited! ZZ: Ibuprofen can literally 'burn' a hole in your stomach or esophagus. It's very important that you drink a lot of water when you take it to ensure that it actually goes down. It can get stuck to the sides and wreak havoc. Because you can't guzzle water with a Band, it increases your risk of ulcerations. Most docs say no more NSAIDS at all...so really pay attention to what you're taking unless your doc says otherwise. ~C

Tomorrow is the big day! I can't even begin to tell you how pleased I am that it has finally arrived! I'm a little nervous, the excited kind! I can't believe after all I've been through, that I am getting this done! I'm looking forward to my new Band, my new beginning of my life! Thank you all so much for the support you've given me! ~C

You know it!!!! I'm looking forward to serving my fellow riders this year! Next year...LOOK OUT! LOL Yeah...I'm gettin' my band. I'm totally over this liquid diet, although, it's weird. The longer I'm on it, the easier it is. Lunch time at the hospital cafeteria isn't hard at all, in fact, I'm grateful not to have to eat what they've got! LOL Oh my...I'm startin' to get nervous! The good kind of nervous...butterflies. Whoo...I am really excited! J: Sorry about your aerobars. Bummer. ZZ: Way to go on your weight loss!! Oh, and Poop and Pee and Puke and Snot and Pus don't bother me either!!!!! We nurses are so gross!

Yup, me too! I don't know what it is that is wrong with me either! I've been bitchy, irritable and just 'not right'. I'm not hungry (I'm on an all liquid diet of protein shakes), but definitely feel like I'm missing something. My mouth is bored! But, it's almost over! Hang in there...we can make it! ~C