Chi Chi

Hello K Podski and other Mainers, The wait, or what I call "The Process", can get frustrating, but hang in there. Your date is coming soon. I was banded two weeks ago and I have to say the first week and 1/2 was rough for me. I wasn't prepared for the "gas" pain from the surgery to be so severe, and I wasn't prepared to feel so tired.:cryin: But everyone told me to get out and walk, walk, walk, and it did help. Each day got a little better and a little better. I am still a bit tender where the incisions are, but everything seems to be healing up okay. I am back to work now and feeling fine. Gotta love protein drinks and liquid diets. I already feel better and have lost some weight. It is great to see some more Mainers logging on and replying. Anyone out there attending the Maine Bariatric Center in Augusta? How has your experience been?

I am so happy someone asked this question. This was something I struggled with when I decided to do the lapband. I took my mom to the initial seminar and swore her to secrecy. She didn't agree with going this route, she has struggled with weight almost her entire life, but she was trying to lose weight without "aids". However, she was supportive of me. She wanted to make sure this was the right decision for me and that I wasn't being impulsive in the decision. Well, as we all come to realize, there is nothing impulsive about this decision. The "process" was about 9 months long for me, the meetings, the appointments, the nutrition and trainer appointments, the psych eval...it took a long time to get here and it wasn't a quick decision. She realized that over time. She was the only one who knew for months. Initially, I didn't even tell my husband about this, I didn't want him to influence me either way. Eventually I told my dad and that was it until I got my final consult date. Then I told my husband. He was very supportive and continues to be during my post-op period - which hasn't been easy. I knew I was going to need support from my family as the recover was going to be challenging for me. It was at that time that I needed his support. :biggrin: For me, the fewer people who knew the better until I felt like I was making progess in the process. Now, my boss knows. And a couple women at work who had the lapband done a few years ago know and have been very helpful. I had the band done on 2/13/08 - a week out and just started on soft solids. I don't feel like it is anyone's business, but mine, and those I choose to tell. This is a diet, just like any other diet, and all I need to tell people, when and if they ask is that I watch what I eat, exercise and try to take better care of myself. This is a personal choice for everyone, I chose to keep this decision close to me for a while. This was about me and my health and I had to make sure it was the right decision for me before everyone else put their two-cents worth in.:biggrin2: Good luck:teeth_smile:

HI - I was just banded on Feb 13 in Augusta. I was VERY nervous for the surgery, but everything went well and I was home the same day. Dr. Trieu was wonderful and from my experience with the Bariatric Center in Augusta, the staff is great too. It is a LONG process. I started in April of 2007 and was finally approved in January. I did have to reschedule a couple of appointments, which set me back a month or two. Now, three days out, I do have some discomfort, tightness in my abdomen. It is difficult to get up and down, but it is getting better. It is difficult getting much liquids down right now. But overall, I feel okay. I know that each day will get better. Gotta LOVE the liquid diet! I have already lost a few pounds, (water weight of course) but am so excited to finally have had the surgery and am on my way to better health. The support groups in Augusta & Waterville are helpful, I recommend that you attend if you can. Any recent lap-bands out there from Maine that can offer support or advice for a newbie? I could use some! Banded and recovering,