RestlessMonkey

Jack's right (as usual!) that you should've been given direction. Having said that; the band is your tool and you work it as you see fit. Some diet and count calories, some join organizations like WW, some do low carb, Atkins-esque diets. I just eat "normally" but less. I DO try to "think healthy" when in the store...fruit instead of Cookies, no chips, wheat Fiber enriched bread, etc, but I do eat normal food. Not all have that approach. If I diet I obsess and eventually burn out. This more "lifestyle" approach works best for me, but we are all different. You'll find the way that works for you.

Where in Mexico is he located? (assuming that he is) If it's near the border, be VERY careful. I live in Texas and they are telling us NOT to travel to Mexico.

Steph...I think I sounded more harsh than I intended, since I just reread that today. I hope I didn't sound snippy but if i did, I apologize. That being said...maybe he likes you fat. Some men (it's sad but true) prefer fat women because of self esteem issues. I hope that isn't the case in your situation. (and some men just like chubby chicks like some men prefer long legs...) My DH loves me as I am but would also love to have someone to go places and do things with and I've been so heavy that's not possible, in many instances. Either way, you're young and have your whole life ahead. Yeah, that's a cliche, but it's true. Don't let him hold you back if you decide this is right for you. Don't wait until you're my age (they didn't have the band when I was your age or I'd have JUMPED on that thing!). If you two are meant to be, he'll come around. If not, well, you know ...more fish in the sea. Good luck!

Where in Texas are you? I'm in San Antonio. Good Luck!

Ashley, sounds like you are already on full liquids and mushies. Are you sure you get to eat all that so soon? If so, you are one lucky chickie! :laugh: (it's possible...all docs are different)...

Congratulations, and welcome! :laugh:

Do you have a stylist or beautician you trust? If so, check with him or her. I don't think head and shoulders is really good for your hair...and it sounds to me (in my very limited experience) like you may be too dry (because of the breakage). Usually dandruff is caused by too MUCH oil. If you don't have enough and are using that you can just be making things worse. Dry brittle hair will break easily; you may not be getting enough fat/oil in your diet. If you are taking a good Vitamin and drinking your Water and getting your Protein in, then I'd look at fat. You know we need SOME fat for health and cellular function. If you don't want to add olive or canola (or some such) oil back into your diet, maybe try an Omega complex pill? It will take it a while to work though. In the interim a good stylist should be able to help you minimize the damage.

Ah ok thanks! In that case...no way would I have surgery there. (That's personal choice) Being obese, as I am, I have more risk than the normal person for ANY surgery. I'd want to be in a hospital where there are pros in case I code, etc. People DO die during bariatric surgery; not as much as they used to, and the band is laparoscopic and not as invasive, but there are still risks. I'd want a hospital. In fact, my surgeon is the head of bariatrics at a local hospital on the other side of town from me (45 minutes away) but occasionally performs surgery at a hospital near where I live (15 minutes away). I made sure I scheduled the surgery to be at his normal hospital with his "team"...because they are used to bariatric surgery and know what to do in case things go south. I waited an extra week to get him and his team at the hospital where he does most of his surgeries. Not to say he isn't competent, or the medical personnel weren't competent, at the other hospital....I just want to do what I can to optimize a good outcome. To me, outpatient surgery clinic (unless it's a division in a real hospital) is not an option.

Ask your surgeon. You may have an infection there. It shouldn't still "hurt like a mo fo" when you bend over. A little soreness, yes. Bad pain...no.

Ok. With the caveat that they are both good options... I have the lap band and I am glad I do. It comes in sizes and so my doc was able to fit me during surgery with the one that was the least traumatic to my stomach. I have the AP Large. I like the fact that I have 14 ccs to "play" with. I like the construction. The port is larger than the one with the realize band (I think) but as my surgeon said, in obese people, finding the port is a challenge (at the start, before we lose) and he said when I lost he'd cheerfully put in a low profile port for me...no big deal. I also don't like the thought of the port being clamped to my abdominal wall, and that's how the realize band's port is placed (I think). Lastly my surgeon uses the lap band because it's been in the USA the longest and it's the one he's familiar with. Having said all that, people who have the realize band also lose weight and thrive. I think it's like MP3 players...many different brands with small differences but they all play music!

Hi Emilie! I lost your email address...can you drop me a line? I've had your problem, too and maybe we can give each other some tips! :laugh: jeffthurston55@gmail.com I know you changed your address and can't find the new one.

That's why so many of us keep saying "we're all different" and "check with YOUR doctor"...because, we are all different! :laugh: You apparently are either healing well, or have a doctor who feels the 14 days (or 21, or 42 as I've read) is excessive! Just count yourself lucky and enjoy the mushies! :thumbup:

What specifically frightens you? Perhaps I (or another poster) can put your mind at ease.

I don't know what a surgery center is....but I know any surgery I have where I am under anesthesia, I want a hospital. A GOOD hospital. Just in case.

Your surgery date will depend on the schedule of your surgeon. Most self pay patients get scheduled quickly because there isn't all the insurance "red tape" My surgeon gave us time lines; yours should be able to do the same.

Please don't eat! It can cause you damage. You may have hurt yourself eating so soon post op. Can you call your surgeon and ask? (a drawback to being banded by someone away from your home) My surgeon stressed how very important it is to follow post op guidelines to keep from tearing the band loose before it heals well. I hope you didn't do that...if you are just stuck, what works for me is standing very straight, breathing deeply, and coughing. Good luck; hope you didn't do permanent damage...and call your surgeon as soon as you can.

There are some really good books on lap band surgery on the market...I found mine on amazon (where they have the client ratings) but a half price bookstore, a library, or a bookstore of your choice will have a good selection. Also many surgeons have seminars that you can attend free of charge...that will answer some questions and give you more questions. It is a big step, getting any surgery, no matter how welcome it may be. Now that you know it's intended to be permanent (but can be removed, in most instances, should a medical emergency require that) and you do still have to use the old gray matter to make good choices etc, (and you must exercise)....knowing that, if you're still interested, at least you have a starting point! Whatever you decide, good luck to you!

Hello! I think researching is smart. For one thing, the lap band isn't designed to be removed and in fact, most who have it removed gain their weight back unless they have some other type of weight loss surgery. Further I don't know how tall you are and how much you weigh but it's possible just being 80 pounds overweight that you would have to pay for the surgery yourself; most insurance companies have BMI's and weights you must meet or exceed before they'll pay. The surgery can be pricey. Respectfully, because all most all of us here are unhappy with our weight and I'm sure you too are unhappy, I would suggest you try losing weight by more traditional methods. Something caused you to gain; that won't magically go away. And most of us bandsters can still eat "one more candy bar" without trouble. That's what's called a slider food and many calorie and fat laden foods are sliders. (Cookies, cake, ice cream, fries all come to mind). If you don't feel overweight and don't feel motivated to try to lose, at 60 the last thing you should do is have a surgery that you aren't prepared to embrace and work at. If you don't have health issues, nor problems with your weight, then surgery is likely not for you. If you did get the band, odds are you'd be very unhappy without some serious rethinking. If you are just an 80-pound overweight otherwise happy and healthy person, then something like Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers might give you the motivation you need to lose those pounds. The lap band is a miracle, but it is just a tool. It's for life, it's a lifestyle. I don't think you mentally are in the right spot for that. I don't know you and it's possible I'm wrong, but from what you've posted, other options would be better and safer and more productive for you!

My bikini days are long gone but when I was a younger woman, I totally would've felt differently about them. There are things you can put on them to help minimize; ask your surgeon for a recommendation!

Welcome! I'm in S Texas too... Yes I almost starved preop and post op. LOL It was tough but worth it. I slept the first night (night of my surgery; I didn't stay in the hospital overnight...thank goodness surgeon let me go) on my side in my bed, night 2 on my stomach (my usualy sleep position). I slept like a rock. It was wonderful. I was a LITTLe stiff getting up but just took deep breaths and did it slowly. By the 3rd night I felt normal. I don't have a single regret. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Mine are bad but I am fair skinned, older, and was operated on twice. I honestly don't care...I'd never wear a bikini now anyway and in an odd way I'm proud of them; they are like a badge of honor. How much you'll scar though depends on many things...age, skin type, how dry your skin is, heredity, etc etc.

You know; to tell or not is a personal choice and we all have a right to make that choice. But I was thinking about Carrie C who said something about someone who'd lost but didn't have the band...well, how does she know that for sure? I think if more of us spoke up about the band, it would be more accepted. Just my two cents. I don't think there's any shame in it, and I think it is common for people to wonder. There are nasty people out there, but there are also nice people who may have a loved one they'd like to help, or who may see themselves as needing help. Then there are some who should just be gagged and left in a corner! LOL Good luck to everyone, anyway.

if you trust him then odds are it's exactly as he says. Good luck...I hope you get your fill. If it were me I'd probably agitate to have him "fix" it!

I didn't have to do a 6-month diet thing...but then I was over twice what I should weigh. However, if insurance required me to diet for 6 months before they'd pay, I'd have done that. While I won't lie and say I wish I'd had to diet for 6 months (I've dieted almost half my life, it seems, anyway) I don't think it's bad to weed out people who aren't really committed, sure, or ready for the change. Just last week there was a poster who felt she'd done the wrong thing and was hysterical because her doc wouldn't remove her band...she'd had it only a week or two. That is a rarity...but had she needed to diet for 6 months, she might have changed her mind, or been ready for the band. I am sure it's largely money driven, but it can be a good thing, for all that. I wanted the band since 2003 but my ins didn't cover it until 2008, so I waited a lot longer than 6 months to get my band. It gave me a lot of time to change my mind back and forth.