serenity55

Yes, you will be intubated, but you really won't know. I didn't even have a sore throat when I woke up. I'm afraid of that too, but it's so worth it to have the band. The longest I've heard of is six months for weight loss before being approved. .

I'm assuming you have to join yahoo groups to read the messages, so unfortunately I can't. What I can tell you is that I have had no problems with my band, nothing has gotten stuck, I can eat anything I want, in moderation, and didn't have any problems immediately after surgery. It's true that most people who are doing well don't bother to come back and let those who need that assurance know. But there are quite a few people on this site who are success stories already, or in the making. It isn't easy. The emotional part is the hardest for me, but the band is fantastic, and I would do it again. And I HATE needles! Debbie

Hi JazzyRayne, congratulations, and welcome to Lap Band Talk! I remember how excited I was, when it was coming down to the wire, so I know exactly what you mean. I hope some June 3rd bandsters come along. In the meantime, good luck, please keep us posted. It really is an exciting time! Debbie!

Hello, and welcome to LBT! From what I've read, ports seem to be placed in different areas, below the skin. Mine is on the left side and, though I'm not good at guessing these things, it's a few inches above my navel. There may be threads on the location of ports if you do a search. Hopefully others will come along, including someone who may be able to shed light on the kind of work you do and the port. Your surgeon will be able to provide information as well. Good luck! Debbie

Rene, like so many others have said, this tool keeps me from eating the way I used to. It is for that reason that, even though I am not where I'd hoped to be, I'm not where I was, and I don't believe I will ever go back to my highest weight again, because I have this band. I too wish you much success on your weight loss journey. Debbie

Hi Wynter, It may take some time before you get to your sweet spot, but don't be discouraged. 52 pounds is fantastic! Congratulations! You will get there. I find it really helpful to come to this site when I'm struggling, and if you can find someone to whom you can talk on a daily basis that might help to, sort of a buddy to whom you can commit what you're going to eat that day. Whatever you decide to do, know that there are a lot of us who are dealing with the same thing, making the right choices when it comes to food, myself included. Good luck. Debbie

Hi Beth, Right after surgery you may be required to be on liquids. The length of time varies with each surgeon. I had to stay on liquids for two weeks after surgery, followed by two weeks of soft foods--mushies--and gradually introduce solid foods back in to my life. For the liquid stage I had Protein Shakes, sugar free puddings and Jello, fudgecicles, Soups. Your surgeon's office should give you a list of the things you can have. Good luck. Debbie

I grew up with a lot of physical neglect. I went to a school for blind and visually impaired children. There was a girl there who was cruel beyond belief. She said some very hurtful things about me. She went away for a while, had surgery, and got a good deal more vision. She came back to my school for awhile, but her attitude hadn't changed. I guess she felt superior to me, and others because she could see and we were blind. A few years ago I heard that this person had lost all her sight. She is now totally blind. . I couldn't help thinking, Payback is a bitch! Ha!!

Thank you Leigha and Humming Bird. I couldn't help laughing at her, because her reaction was just so unnecessary. She must be a very unhappy person. Debbie

My best friend and I went grocery shopping yesterday. She is visually impaired and I am totally blind. We have a shopping cart which folds, which we use to carry things home in, since neither of us can drive. It was folded up, and I was carrying it, holding it close to my right side. We were walking down an aisle, I forget what we were looking for, when a woman started pushing past us. She hit our cart, not hard, but she kept trying to get past. My friend said, "Hey, lady, cool it!" She snapped, "I wasn't going to run you down!" "It sure looks like it," my friend answered, to which the woman responded, "Oh, f*** you!" I turned then, and said, "Hey, watch your language." And she told me to shut up. I asked her what her problem was, then asked if she'd had nails for Breakfast. She said something I can't remember, and somehow managed to get past us. I think she must have gone around on the left, which let me know she could have done that in the first place. . My friend followed her, saying she should be ashamed of herself for talking to anyone that way, let alone someone with a disability. The woman spat out her apology, which I said Ididn't want. She didn't have to say what she did to my friend. I can use that kind of language with the best of them, but that was totally unnecessary. There had been a similar incident with a cashier at the same store, with that same person. She told the cashier she was no good, and that if she'd been in charge of things, the cashier wouldn't have a job. My friend had been present for that, and spoke up in defense of the cashier, who wanted to just let the incident pass. . I don't like to play the race card, but the cashier was black, and so am I. I started a thread about racism on the LBT Rants and Raves, and don't want to repeat that, I simply wanted to vent. I laughed at the situation, because it amazes me that someone who sounded as old as she did, seemed to just want to fight. If you've read this far, thank you. Debbie.

Hi, I posted on the Fabulous February Bandsters Unite! thread on the post op forum, that if there was some interest we could have a check in, maybe once a week, or more, just to see how everyone is doing. It might just be a way for us to keep in touch and stay motivated when the going get rough. So ...

Do you still check to see how long it takes you to eat? Do you calculate the hours between meals from the end of Breakfast, for example, to the beginning of lunch? Or from the beginning of breakfast to the beginning of lunch? ? Do you just eat when you're hungry? Does any of this make sense? LOL Debbie

Don't feel defeated. I've been told that sometimes we can gain weight before the first fill. You're not going to have restriction this early in the game, and I don't think you can stretch your pouch. These are all things I've read here. Sounds like you're right on track. Hang in there! Debbie

For years I have had swollen legs and ankles at the end of the day. I have a desk job, and always thought it was because of my weight. I went to my doctor a couple of weeks ago and was told that I have edema, and she suggested that I get support hose. There are places on my legs that actually feel sore. At first I thought I might have varicose veins, but she saw no varicosity. Not only are they sore, sort of bruised feeling, I guess, but they also itch sometimes. My doctor gave me a cream, and I have been using Aveeno, which seems to help with the itching, but what I didn't think to ask her was if this could effect my ability to lose weight. I'm walking at least three times a week, and that doesn't bother me. The weight resistance I do doesn't bother me, either. Does anyone have any thoughts? Debbie

Dianna, I went to my doctor again about two weeks ago, and she sent me for ultrasounds on both legs. She told me I might have peripheral vascular disease, and gave me antibiotics for the itching, which I haven't used, though I know I should. The itching, she said, could be a skin infection. . The results of my ultrasound are negative normal. I received a call from my doctor's office today, and that's what the message said. I have an appointment to see her in May. I weighed myself last weekend, and had lost a pound. My legs do feel better with the combination of the support hose, and the increase in a diuretic combined with a blood pressure medication I have been taking. I still want to find out if this has affected my weight at all. I feel like I've lost some since last weekend, but haven't checked. Thank you for responding to my post. . Debbie.

Wow! I'm glad you were able to have emergency surgery and that you didn't have any pain. Did you get another band or was your doctor able to reposition the one you have. I have a friend whose band slipped. She was rebanded, and had pretty much what you're saying you have, full liquids, which included creamy Soups, yogurt, coffee or tea, if you drink those, sugar free puddings and popcicles, Crystal lite. Hope this helps. Congratulations on getting rebanded, and good luck. . Debbie

My port was still sore when I had my first fill. My doctor said it might take some time for the soreness to go away, but it didn't hurt. I was pleasantly surprised, because I absolutely hate needles! Debbie

I don't mean to upset anyone, but if you gained 20 pounds in order to have the surgery, and you only have 60 to lose total, it sounds like you may be making the right choice for you. I wish you success, and as Leigha said, I hope you continue to visit the site. Keep us posted. Debbie.

Sue, I walk a mile when I'm on the track, but I'm up to 3.2 miles on the treadmill. It doesn't really hurt when I walk, but the places that are sore can irritate, and they're warm to the touch. I'm hoping my doctor will refer me to a cardiovascular specialist, just to be sure. Thank you very much. Debbie

I have an appointment with my primary care doctor this Tuesday. I plan to ask for a referral. I just learned from my niece that one of my sisters had a lump on her leg that the doctors tried to drain. She's not sure what the results were, but this sister died from heart failure. I have a nephew who also died from a heart attack, so, although I'm not really afraid that will be my fate, I'm going to the doctor to make sure that it isn't. I do exercise. I walk a mile on the track where I work, at least three times a week, and go on my treadmill as well. I've started getting up from my desk; I am a switchboard operator, so can't go very far. Debbie

My surgeon requires patients to go to support groups before the surgery, and it is suggested that we continue after surgery as well. At first, it seemed that the groups were mostly made up of bypass patients, so a group of bandsters, pre and post op, got together and started meeting at one person's home. The bandster who had been there longest took it up with our nutritionist and last year a once a month group for lap band patients was started, with quite a good turn-out. It's nice to have people in my area to get together with on a weekly basis; but, as someone else said, this website is an absolute must for me as far as support is concerned. Debbie

For years I have had swelling in my legs and ankles. I have a desk job and thought it was weight related. I went to my PCP a couple of weeks ago, because I thought I might have varicose veins, but she saw no varicosity. She says it's edema. There are places on my legs that are sore, and itchy, though that has improved a little. I bought some support hose at Right Aid. A friend recommended a medical supply place not far from me where they measure your legs, I suppose, for the best fit. I put my feet up when I can, and I think there is an improvement, but there is still soreness. What I'd like to know is if edema affects weight loss. Can it cause you to gain, or make it hard to take it off? Debbie

Hi MelMel, You say you're afraid of the surgery. Do you mean the actual procedure? Have you tried diets before? How successful were they? There are risks involved with everything we do, but I've found that, with the band I've lowered mine. I've been taken off one of my blood pressure meds. There are so many things that I couldn't do before that I can now. I think it's natural for you to be afraid; I was, as I'm sure many others were. I've found a tool that has helped me lose weight, and though I still have a long way to go, this is weight I know I couldn't have lost on my own. Only you can make that final choice, but for me, it has been worth all the fear I had. Keep in touch. Let us know what you decide, and the best of luck! Debbie.

I named my band Larry because of the Sit'n'sleep commercials here in California. I don't know if they are nationwide. My hairdresser's name is also Larry, and he thought it was for him! Ha! I also named my port. Debbie!

Plain, though I can't really consider myself an old timer, for the two years I've been here, I can honestly say that your not being here would be a loss. I hope all is well with you, and the heartbreak diet will soon be over, if it isn't already. Or at least, the heartbreak. Your quick wit is a gift I would certainly miss. Debbie.