Sunshine_68

The port really won't bother u at all. When u are larger u won't even notice it much. Your kids will think that it is cool though. As u lose weight it will be more noticable. When I lie down, I can see mine but that is after 100lbs. I think of mine as the link to my best friend, the band. Fills are not that painful. As a matter of fact, when I got my first fill I was extremely nervous, but the more fills I had the better it got. If you are thinking about getting the band just make sure that it is exactly what u want. It is a life long decision that I am glad I made. I tell people do not get it unless you are 100% sure that u are willing to change your life for the better. Good luck on your decison making.

I wanna know about this oatmeal thing. I really hate the protein shakes, but I love oatmeal. Could ya'll let me in on this. I have trouble keeping down the shakes I guess cause they are cold liquid. Sometimes I have more trouble keeping down liquids than solids. Weird I guess! Thanks

When i got my last fill, they asked me if I wanted the deadning shot. I was really scared, but they said that it was not that bad to just have the needle put into my port. I tried it and it was much better than the shot. I couldn't believe it. As for you putting in for a job at your drs. office, I think that is amazing. My surgeon has about 4 or 5 women that work for him that have been banded. They are very understanding and can help answer any of my questions or concerns. Good luck and hopefully you'll get the job and the success. I agree that the liquids are much harder than the fill itself!

Ya'll sound just like me. I thought that I would never make it to my first goal, then my second and so forth. I was scared to death to get banded because I didn't know how to live as a thinner person. I didn't want to be like so many other people that I knew that had lost weight and thought that they were better than the overweight people around them. They seemed to have forgotten that they were FAT at one time too. So far everyone says that my personality has changed for the better and it is due to my renewed self esteem. I want all of you to follow the rules the doctor gives u no matter how much u may hate them. If you don't go by the rules, then u won't lose as well. Good luck to you all and if I can do anything for you just message me.

Congratulations to both of you for your decisions that you have made to become bandsters. I've been banded for 2 1/2 yrs and I have never regretted it. Just remember no matter how hard it gets, it is really worth it. The hardest part for me was my mourning for food. Food was my best friend and I could no longer take advantage of that friendship. That was so hard for me! Right after surgery I was asking myself, why did I do this? The liquid phase was the hardest for me, but my surgeon said that I could have anything that I could get through a straw--except high cal. milkshakes-darn't. Anyway, good luck and keep me informed on your progress.

What a bummer that u can't have the surgery yet. But you just need to remember that another week is not that bad at least you have your life to live!! I've never heard of a surgeon putting a band pt. on diet pills either. I have heard of the dreadful liquid diet, but luckily my surgeon doesn't even do that very often. Good luck with your band and I hope you end up feeling about yours the same way I feel about mine, it's my best friend of almost 2 1/2 yrs. God Bless You

I think that it is wonderful that both of you are being banded on the same day. At least you have someone to babysit you. I want you to remember that the first 2 weeks are the HARDEST!!! My surgeon told me that the first 2 weeks is when you are training your mind that you are not really hungry. He was sooo right. I've been banded for 2 1/2 yrs and I have never regretted it. Since I've been banded many of my friends and family have got banded as well. As far as the throwing up, I just have to say that your number will most definitely increase. I call mine spitting up more that throwing up. I've always told people that are considering it the good, bad and the ugly. It most definitely the most life changing decision you will ever make and it is going to be even better since your wife is doing it with you. Just think of all the money you will save not eating the way you used to. Good luck and God Bless you both.

I agree with many of the others about the Meat thing. My surgeon recommends that you eat protein first and then your veggies and such. I have trouble with white chicken, pork, and steak. Now, I've found that if the meat is tender and not dry, then I usually can eat it as long as I cut it in very small bites and dip it in steak sauce, ranch or something like that. I've become a "dipper". As for carbonated drinks, my surgeon doesn't recommend them within a few days of a fill and after that you can have them as long as you can tollerate them. They make me belch a lot and fill weird. It's hard to drink them when you are "tight". I do eat some ice cream, but I make sure it is low in carbs and sugar. Before you jump into surgery, make sure that you want it 100 percent. If you aren't ready, then don't do it. It is a lifechanging experience and it is the best decision I ever made. I love my band and it is my best friend. Good luck thinking about it.

I've found that it takes about a week for me to tell how good a fill I got. I had to have an unfill almost 2 weeks after a fill last week. The way I know that I'm too tight is when it interferes with my sleep. Night coughing and regurgitating are miserable. Make sure you do not eat or drink 3 hours prior to going to bed!! My doctor says that is very important. If you are too tight you will need to go back to liquids for a couple of days and then mushies. If that doesn't work, contact your doctor. Good luck!!

I really do not think you are too tight either. I had to have an unfill last week and it was because I was unable to eat ANYTHING!!! I was on liquids and even throwing them up. Also, at night I was regurgitating and coughing, very miserable. You might just need to monitor how much you are eating and go back to liquids a few days and then mushies. Take your time and it will be alright. If you are too tight, you most definately know it!! Good luck!

I most definitely recommend Dr. Wellborn in Little Rock. They have always been like family to me and everyone else that I know that has been banded. If I cannot get an answer on the phone, I send an e-mail and they answer it very quickly. Also, when I was too tight, Suzan met me at the office and unfilled me on a Sunday afternoon!! Wonderful. Their website is arkansasobesitysurgery.com. Good Luck!! Dr. Baker was trained by Dr. Wellborn on how to do the band so I think he is ok too.

I don't like the protein shakes either. My doctor is handing out some powders from Chike. They say they are really good you add the powder to water and shake it well, don't mix it. Their website is Chike - Gluten-Free Nutrition Drinks. 1 serving has 28gm of protein with 170 calories. Other than that, just use a straw and PRAY!! I'll remember u when I'm drinking mine.