kiz

Beth, to be honest, if you're bumping against 300 pounds, this is not a cosmetic problem you're facing, it's a real health risk. There are no guarantees, but I would have to believe you are risking a much shorter life if you don't do something soon. It sounds like you're in a loving relationship with your husband, and he has tried in the past to accommodate your needs, but he fails. I would tell him what you've said here, and treat this obesity problem for what it is, it's a disease. If you had a cancer that could be controlled by diet, I'm sure he would make darn sure you had his complete support. As far as going out to eat, there are so many great choices on the menu, if we look for them. Also, since the band restricts the amount of food we can eat, even a somewhat bad choice occasionally won't derail us.

I got out of my sweats and into my pants two days post-op because there was a going away party for a close family friend that I really needed to attend. Nobody knows I had the surgery except my husband and kids, and nobody was the wiser. I meant to take my extra strength Tylenol before the event, but I forgot. I could definitely tell I had been standing for two hours when I got home, but I did just fine. I still had some abdominal swelling, but I guess with the weight I lost pre-op my pants weren't too tight.

I asked my doctor at the consultation where he would place my port, and this was before I decided on which band to get. He said he bases it on the shape of the stomach area, and told me where mine would go. It's on my left side, just above my waist line. At my two week check-up the nurse practitioner showed me how to feel it (I can't feel it all unless I do the maneuver she showed me). While I was laying down, she had me put my right hand behind my head, and to raise my upper body a little. She put my hand on my port, and I could feel it then. She said as I lose weight, it would probably shift up a little higher. The port incision is just above the port.

Somebody (cough ^^^) must have gone to the fair. LOL

very funny!!!

Hi Trina, and welcome to the forum! First off, don't be too anxious about the surgery, it's really not that bad. I know some people have a lot of issues with gas pain up to a week after surgery, including left shoulder pain, so be prepared for that. I, unfortunately, was not a surgery "virgin", but I knew that I always throw-up (sorry for the TMI) at least once after anesthesia, so I asked for extra meds. Because I get motion sick, I got a motion sickness patch behind my ear, and an extra shot after surgery to ward off getting ill. If you tend to get motion sickness, let your doctor know (I was told to tell the anesthesiologist, <-- thank goodness for spell check, the morning of surgery). The IV doesn't hurt, and at most a little sting as the nurse is inserting it. Read all you can to prepare, and ask questions, because someone here will have an answer.

Congratulations, and welcome to LBT, Nu life!! As far as sleeping on your stomach, I think everyone is different as far as when it's comfortable due to their incisions, the port, and bloating. I'm pretty sure I was sleeping on my stomach at about a week. I could sleep on my left side the second night, although I could feel the port. After a couple of weeks, I couldn't even feel any pressure from the port site.

Rhonda, that's a great link. Very informative. Thanks. I started walking, slowly, around my neighborhood at one week. It was more of a walk to stretch, than to burn calories. I had been doing the elliptical for 40 mins three to four days a week for several months, so I was used to getting some exercise prior to surgery. At my two-week check-up the doctor said my walking was fine, and to continue with that. Last week (three weeks post-op), I added the elliptical back, without doing the arms, and at a slow pace for 30 mins. Since I was doing the elliptical in the a.m., I decided to keep my walking up in the p.m. I cannot believe how much more energy I have with just a twenty pound weight loss. So, I know I'm pushing a little, by about a week. This week, week four, I included the arm exercise on my elliptical and increased my time back to the 40 mins I was doing before surgery, and I've added a little jogging to my walking. Not a lot though, just enough to get my heart rate up. In fact, I was going to get new walking shoes for my 20 lb weight loss gift to myself, but now I'm thinking of getting running shoes. :cool2: As far as weight strengthening exercise, I believe my doctor says to wait six weeks, but I need to get clarification on that. I'm definitely not going to push that, even by a week. First and foremost, go by your doctor's recommendations. Although, I am very overweight, I'm pretty fit as far as cardio because I've been exercising for months, and I'm also a fast healer. I also didn't push the speed of my cardio workout until I had absolutely no port pain. At that, I'm probably like Ricky Bobby in the movie Talladega Nights when he gets back to racing, and he feels like he's flying on the race track, when in actuality, he's barely moving at all. If you haven't seen that movie (I have boys, so I've seen it), that scene is hilarious.

My elliptical is beside my bed. I get up early, have a glass of water, turn on the TV, and keep my heart rate up for 40 mins. I have another 16 oz of water afterward and have breakfast about two hours later. I'm really not the least bit hungry after the exercise. I also go on a 3 mile brisk walk/jog about an hour after dinner. I also have water before and after my walk/jog. I have a healthy snack a couple of hours later, although the exercise and water take away my appetite for the most part. We have a family gym membership. Due to post-op recovery, I can't go anyway, but I'm hoping to start in the near future. It's crazy thinking, I know, but I want to lose another 20 lbs before I put on stretchy clothes and work out among the trim and toned.

I'm supposed to have three 1/2 cup meals (heavy on the protein) and one healthy snack. Since I don't have a fill yet, a protein snack such as Greek Yogurt to help keep me sated was suggested by the doctor. After I have a fill, the diet sheet gives SF Jello as one recommendation for a snack. Fingers crossed, so far, no "bandster's hell".

All this talk made me curious. I did a search for Sandy R, and although it's a registered screen name, there are no matching posts.

Good for you, froggi!!! It's hard to believe you're almost there. I was in P-burg a few weeks ago, and saw a billboard ad for lap band surgery at Camden Clark, and I thought about you and how far you've come. Keep up the good work!!!

I voted that I don't eat carbs after reading your clarification (carbs = bad carbs). I've been wanting to reduce bad carbs in my diet for along time, because I don't think they're particularly good for you. I didn't have to make a big sacrifice after banding, because I'd eliminated a lot of bad carb choices already. I won't say that I'll *never* have a bad carb. I ate half a homemade roll last weekend, for instance, and as time passes. I'm sure I'll include some in my diet, but for the most part, I want to make them a thing of my past. I eat veggies, fruits, whole grains, and greek yogurt now for my carb intake. At 1/2 cup meals 3x day, plus a healthy snack, there's not a lot of room for unhealthy choices anyway. I lost my sugar tooth during my pre-op diet, so I do believe there's something to be said for eliminating the bad carbs, at least for me.

I had the same concerns. I just couldn't imagine not drinking with meals. My doctor said some sips are okay though, as well as a small glass of wine, occasionally. At home, I don't drink anything, even a sip. When I'm out to eat, with the water they bring, I have taken a few baby sips, but not a whole lot. Do I miss it? Nope. I drink so much between meals, more than I've ever have in my life, I'm completely hydrated when it's time to eat. There's a family restaurant outside a small town in VA that has the best sweet tea on earth, and they bring you a carafe of it at a time. Now that was hard to pass on because of just how good it is. However, I've cut out bad carbs, so I took a small sip of my husband's for the flavor, and I got it out of my system. I do think the trick is to keep very well hydrated during the day. Also, I read a tip on here to have a mint after a meal, and that works well. I bought Altoids Wintergreen mini's, and they're really great, and so small that I don't worry about accidental swallowing one and getting stuck. It's so amazing to feel full after such a small amount of food, and that positive re-inforcement keeps me honest. I've also read that for some people, after they've have tight restriction, it actually hurts to drink during a meal, so there may be some negative re-inforcement down the road too.

I had a friend who was quite obese. Her mother was tall and willowy. It was such a contrast. A few years ago my friend said she was going to have GBS. As we were talking about it, she told me her mom had had the surgery years before. I would have never guessed it, and her mom looked healthy, fit, and trim. My friend moved out of state after the surgery, and we've lost contact. I hope she was as successful. It's heartbreaking to hear about the people who have gone through so much to get healthy and then to end up gaining it all back. My heart goes out to them. After failing at so many diets, I do worry about the longterm effectiveness of LBS. I'm very determined to make this my way of life, but it's hard not to let worry creep in occasionally.

:drool::cheers2: :cheers2::frown::cheers2: As September comes to an end, cheers, best wishes, and good luck to all the September banders!!! :thumbdown::Banane34::cursing::Banane34::thumbup::Banane34::crying::Banane34:

Every doctor has their reasons (I'd like to know what they are!) for such different pre and post op diets. I had full liquids for week one, mushies for weeks 2 and 3, and a regular diet starting week 4. With the small amount of slips you've had, I'm sure you'll be fine. You might want to call your doctor if you're worried.

I'm sorry you've all gone through those stuck episodes, but thanks for sharing how it happened and the results. I'm still so new and learning. I haven't had my first fill yet, so I'm still very loose. I did buy a bottle of Papaya/Pineapple supplements in case I get stuck. How much do they help, and do they work for something that's not a protein like bread?

I've been going to the same stylist for years, and I give a 20% tip (more $$ at Christmas and a gift). When my kids a cut at a quick cut salon, I tip more than 20% because the price is so cheap - $5 tip for a $12 cut.

During the post-op diet, my doctor says to wait before drinking additional liquids after protein shakes. Unless you're pretty restricted, I would think the shake would go straight through. I don't drink them that often now that I'm on regular foods, but I'd still wait. I want to hang on to any sense of fullness a shake might give me without watering it down, but that's just me. No scientific proof behind it, maybe it's just psychological.

At my two-week appt, the doctor said I could use Vitamin E or Aloe Vera on my incisions for itchiness and to help them heal. Mine weren't itchy, but I have a great Vit E and Aloe Lotion that I used because the incisions were feeling a little dry. I use it twice a day.

Beth, I'm sorry to hear that your mom can't just get the surgery she wants and needs without the hassle. After all she's gone through, it seems the doctor would understand and support her want and need to skip the reconstructive surgery. Geesh, at 66, you'd think the doctor would give her credit to fully make her own decision in whether she need reconstution or not. :thumbup: I wasn't the least bit interested in getting GBS for the exact same reasons you said. Lap band may require more work on my part, but being less invasive and far less body altering, it was the only type of WLS I was willing to consider. For 17 miles, I know I'd go to my first choice of doctors too.

Hi Beth and welcome... I'm from Richmond. What part of VA are you from? I went to two seminars, but both practices are from the same hospital. The first seminar left me very disheartened and thinking that the lap band would be ineffective. The doctor who presented the info is very pro-gastric bypass, and I was definitely not going that route. His info was very one-sided, and I left the seminar thinking the lap band was a gimmick and falling out of favor. Thankfully, I came here (LBT), and found another doctor and attended the seminar from his practice, and while not offering a get skinny quick card, he offered a very balanced and informative seminar with the pros and cons of LB and GB. Both surgeons required the patients to attend the free seminar prior to a consultation, so chances are, you'll need to go at some point anyway. I'm not sure how far you're traveling, but you have to keep in mind that you'll need to go back to that office for follow-up visits and fills. Good luck!

Many doctors give very detailed diet plans prior to surgery, but some don't. The diets vary from a total liquid diet to mixed liquids and low carb/high protein meals. Some don't give any sort of pre-op diet plan. If you're not sure about what your doctor wants, you should call to verify or check the information that you've gotten from his/her office. It's very important to follow your doctor's recommendations, so that you have a safe surgery. Also, welcome to LBT!

Cheryl, you look fabulous! I hope you've been taking measurements. You've lost in the middle, but your weight loss really shows up in your face. Your arms are more slender too, and I bet you've lost in your hiney. :-) Congratulations, and keep up the good work!!!