girlie2shooz

I attended the WLS seminar 11/27/2007. I decided that Lap Band was the procedure I wanted to pursue. I attended all my requirements, and had my surgery approved 1/31/2008. I was ecstatic, finally something that could really help me achieve and MAINTAIN my weightloss goal. I had surgery 3/5/08 and today is 3/14/2008. All I can say is WOW, I feel great. I was very pleased with the surgery procedure itself. The anesthsiologist that worked with him was very diligent in monitoring my vital signs during surgery which allowed me a very quick recovery time with no residual effects of anesthesia. Upon removing my bandages over my incisions, I was very pleased to see that there was no redness, irritation, or bleeding. In fact my incisions were perfectly horizontal, which visually is much more appealing and again indicates surgeons's attention to detail. I had surgery on a Wednesday and went back to work on Friday. I had some tenderness around my incisions but nothing that a little tylenol didn't help. I spent my weekend no differently than any other, went shopping, did house work, etc etc. I walk at least a half hour a day and walk for an hour or more on the weekends. I am very pleased with my decison to have the Lap Band, and I am so thankful for the wonderful job without a doubt if I were to have to do it again, I would do it the same.

i also had a cold 2 days out from surgery, actually when i went to my preop meeting 1 week prior also. i still had a stuffy nose and cough when i had surgery. i had a chest xray with preop and my lungs were fine so the head cold evidently didn't matter. the best part.......all the antibiotics they give you for surgery, cleared up my head and cough. sooooooooooo, see how you feel. g2s

when something is truly worth having, sacrifices are just part of the game. make your choices wisely. g2s

initial seminar 11/27/2007 last hoop - psychologist 1/8/2008 request for surgery approval sent 1/25/2008 approval 1/31/2008 surgery 3/5/2008 I feel great and on my way. If someone wants to look back that is their dealio!! best wishes g2s

have you ever been with weight watchers, or any other supervised weight loss program? if not then i recommend going. they really have a comprehensive eating regime, what i call normal. they will help you make healthier choices and realize what foods (carbs, proteins, fats) really make a difference in your health. portion sizes, healthy fats, vegetables, etc. if eating easy foods has been your habit then weight watchers may be a good place to start to educate yourself with good eating habits to help succeed with the band. g2s

well a big squishy sweatshirt and jammie bottoms was a must for me. also make sure you take shoes/slippers that you can slip on. bending is a bit of a chore. don't bother with a bra, and plan on sleeping on your back. ALWAYS have a pain med with you and keep the water intake going. you will be fine, it only gets better. g2s

hey i had a hard time finding what i wanted and finally went to ebay. got the questions answered before i bought and could pick bottoms for my big butt and tops for my not so big boobs. everyone i asked questions of on items was more than willing to meaure and take additional pics if needed. plus a lot of sellers on ebay buy a whole "lot" of previous years swimsuits so you may find your favorite suit now in a smaller size. g2s

yah i was feeling a bit apprehensive until the anesthesiologist said, "...here take a couple of deep breaths and then breathe normal......." g2s

hey we were banded the same day, good for you. why fight a losing battle? why shouldn't you be healthy and thin, why shouldn't you be the one to not have to fight so hard to lose the weight? why shouldn't you be given "a break?" yes it will take work but you deserve it and you are worth it, I know i am. is it easy, no, is it the magic potion, no, will it require us to be responsible in our weight loss, yes. incisions will heal and life will go on and we will reap the rewards of our efforts. change the mindset of punishing ourselves, and realize we deserve to have a healthy life and all the good stuff that goes along with that!! be happy, you made a great decision to take control of your life!! g2s

i was submitted to insurance on a thursday and i had approval and surgery scheduled the following thursday, BCBS Anthem - Nevada. I think you may be surprised with the response time. my coordinator told me the insurance company had up to 30 days but typically replied within 2 weeks. so i got a pretty quick turn around time. best wishes. g2s p.s my bmi was 34.5

wow tuesday, good for you!! i was banded this past wednesday 3/5. the liquids just are short term, and after the surgery i really haven't been hungry, ate because healing is my main goal right now. i would recommend making sure you have your pain meds and take them. it can be uncomfortable after surgery but nothing your meds can't handle. move as soon as you can and get rid of the gas they use for inflation. eat smart, don't cut corners and eat what you are SUPPOSED to eat. it is a short period in your life, you will be fine. long term is the goal and you will have an excellent tool to be healthy and happy. listen to your body and realize when you are full and leave the extra food behind. it is not a waste, it is what will make you healthy. i have felt better each day after surgery and am aware of what my body is telling me. i have had to slow down and listen and not be in a hurry. best wishes and a speedy recovery. g2s

greetings, i was banded 3/5/08. typically i spend about 3-4 ultra heavy days with my period. i started a week early and it was the day of my surgery, all i could think was what a pain in the ass. well i got out of surgery and whammo, i had stopped. a 1 day period!! i have heard the same thing as you, surgery recovery takes priority subconsciously. now if that would just continue thru menopause.............

i certainly understand your excitement, it is a thrill knowing it is really going to help make a difference. i am still just wiggling! i feel really good tonite, i had some thicker pureed broccoli and beef broth and it was very satisfying. i really feel i am off to a good start, and i have read so many people just don't listen to docs orders and have had probs, that i am going to follow his directions to a T. i don't want to take any chances and eat stuff before i should, or food that i shouldn't eat at all. i really don't want to throw up or get stuck, no food is worth that. so i am happy as can be and i certainly share yoru excitement. keep us posted! if you have any questions ask. g2s

i was banded 3/5 and felt like crap from being inflated, got home that afternoon and took my pain meds and have felt better each day. went to work today and worked 3/4 of the day and came home because my port was starting to bother me and i didn't want to drive while medicated. my inflation is deflating and i feel a lot better. as far as food i pureed some broccoli and added it to my broth, have gatorade 2, and water, oh yah some sf hot chocolate in the morning with a scoop of instant coffee. walking has helped immensley with the deflating process. i seriously questioned my sanity when i got out of recovery, but after getting home and taking the lortab i am soooooo glad i did this!! it will only get better so hang in there everyone! g2s

i feel great, sore around the port area but i am so glad i did it! th pain from teh gas has been the worst, but i am on the mend and feel great. thanks for the kind words and keep us posted on your surgery as well. did you find someone to do the fills for you? g2s

well i did it and if i could hop up and down and not hurt i would!!!!! i felt like crap after surgery, the gas hurt more than i expected, but wasn't nauseated. i went to work today and made it 3/4 of the day, but felt i needed to take my pain meds so i came home so i wasn't busted for DUI, lol! i wouldn't change it for the world, i am so glad i did this and i would do it all over again. even though i haven't even come close to the bands potential it has really changed me mentally already. i had a cup of broth and sat it down with out finishing the whole thing and didn't even realize it until later that it still had "leftovers." leftovers didn't exist before the band, so yahooooo!!! i am sore but i am happy!

i took yesterday off and am back at work today, however i need to keep a low dose of pain meds in me. i will probabaly only work 3/4 of today as i am staring to feel the gas pain in my shoulder and back. my doc gave me suppositories for the nausea and they really help. hope you get some meds for the nausea cause that really sucks!

thanks for posting, tomorrow is the big day for me, it came up really quick. i will share as well. it's good to hear things chnage for the positive so quickly. keep on keepin on! g2s

yes the lortab is liquid, but i can certainly understand what you are saying about the small surface area with the new pouch. if i have to resort to it i will make sure i take it with liquids to get it past my pouch for absorption. thanks for the advice. only one more day and it will be band day, woo hoo!! g2s

i took some of my lortab yesterday to see how i reacted with it prior to my surgery. well i got horribly sick to my stomach and faint. now here is the question, my doc also prescribed a suppository for naseau. is this to counter the effects of the lortab or just being naseous in general? anyone know? i can certainly ask my doc before surg date but i would kind of like to know now. any hep would be great. g2s:rolleyes3:

thank you i appreciate the response. i did just that, bought some liquid tylenol as well, i believe i will save the lortab for bedtime. thanks again for the input. g2s

your doc knows best so use him. it appears that everyone has a different experience but there are some common ones as well and limited intake the first few days seems to be one of the commons. keep us posted and take care. g2s

congrats on making your choice for banding. there is a wealth of info here and so many personal experiences to draw from. GO ARMY, retired after 23 years!! again congrats on a healthy life choice. p.s. did tricare look at BMI or ht/wt? thanks g2s

rkboz you are a hero!!! what a wonderful statement, you are truly a hero. kids need someone to love them and teach them. based on everything i have read, you will fell better and better every day. i will be in your shoes come wednesday, and i can hardly wait, the banding that is. your kids will learn from your determination and willpower, that is a wonderful gift. i wish you a speedy recovery, from northern nevada! g2s

nortone, good for you for taking control!! the band is a great tool to help us succeed. as you know it takes work and don't let others tell you different. you made a great choice and i know i have as well. i have bcbs anthem and am a 34.5 bmi and i was approved first round. i believe if you have a good patient advocate your insurance hoop is a lot easier to jump thru. i am 44 and have fought it all my life. run 2-3 miles 3xweek, eat healthy, but i eat too much. i am glad to have a tool that will work. i am excited for you, it really is a gift. good for you and keep us all posted. g2s