LisaFromCali

Great post---I have been worrying about the same thing...I'm a teacher and a substitute teacher can take my place while I'm gone, so I don't mind being away from work; however, I didn't want to use up all of my sick days at once and being off a week will do just that. So, I really like the idea another teacher replied to in this thread, which is to work half days for a few days to ease my way in back to work. It will probably be easier to build our bodies up to be being back at work and it may give us enough time to rest so that our healing isn't delayed or hindered anymore than it needs to be.

Has anyone lost a great deal of weight and not had problems with saggy skin? I am 31, 5' 6", weight 230 lbs, and I am really worried about saggy skin after losing weight from the band. My surgery is Nov. 18th. I'm wondering if I should ask my doctor to restrict me only enough where I can average about a pound a week of weight loss. I have seen many people lose weight and then they have to have cosmetic surgery to remove the excess skin. I'm just wondering how many success stories are out there where skin has not sagged after weight loss, so please share out if you have one...AND please also share if you have had trouble with saggy skin after weight loss...I would like to know how fast you lost it and if you think the speed in which you lost it has anything to do with how saggy the skin can get. On the show, "The Biggest Loser" some contestants have no flabby skin after their dramatic weight loss and some do (when they wave good-bye it's really noticeable, if know what I mean). I'm getting my band to improve my health and it's worth saggy skin, but if there is a way to avoid it, then I want to explore that for sure...thanks for your reply posts and good luck to all!!!

I am freaking out with all the posts regarding HAIR LOSS after surgery! My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 18th. Has anyone had their surgery and NOT lost their hair? If yes, what do you think you did that helped you maintain your hair? Is there anything that anyone would recommend doing BEFORE surgery to help PREVENT hair loss? And AFTER surgery to help prevent hair loss? Your posts are greatly appreciated!!!

TRAYRENEE! MY SURGERY IS NOV. 15th!!! I AM SO EXCITED! However...this all liquids business is freaking me out...Just this week I am substituting Protein shakes for Breakfast and dinner and that is tough enough...I can't imagine ALL liquids. Are you already on all liquids? I've read from others on this site that after the first week of all liquids it isn't as that bad, so I guess just getting past that first week of all liquids will be the biggest struggle. Anyway, it's great to hear from someone who is basically in the same timeline I'm in, because it's just comforting to know someone is going through the same stages at pretty much the same time I am. Let me introduce myself, my name is Lisa and I'm from California, Bakersfield area, I'm 31 and I'm a teacher, elementary grades, I have a great support network of family and friends, but Lapband is completely new to all of them, so they just cheer me on as best they know how and I love them for it... Have a great rest of your day and I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you so much for your post, Zoe---as in any medical case, we do have to be our own health advocates, because no one knows our bodies better than we do and we should always pay attention to the signals our bodies give us. Hopefully, we will all be as persistent with our doctors as you were...

Hey girl--I TOTALLY hear you...my surgery is scheduled for next month, Nov. 15th, and I just KEEP gaining weight! I have to get weighed every week in my surgeon's office and I am a nervous wreck every time I have to go in, because I am always a little heavier! I really think the advice the nurse (she weighs me every week) gave me was probably not the best for me...she said, "Ok, so now that we are starting this process you should have your last steak, pizza, whatever it is that you like to get it out of your system." Since she said that I have been doing the old "this is my last pizza, donut, etc.," saying EVERY OTHER DAY! I think a better strategy for people who are basically addicted to bad carbs, such as myself, is to actually plan how to slowly stop eating bad carbs everyday, instead of absolutely none at all, immediately. That is too absolute for me. Once she said I COULDN'T eat those foods anymore, I wanted them more than ever in my life. I used to have pizza maybe once a month----all of a sudden I was craving it EVERYDAY. But anyway, I wanted to reply to your post, because this week was different for me---I started doing the Protein shake in the morning and dinner as meals and I have only cheated twice. I know that's not very good considering we are only three days into the week and I have already cheated twice, but it's a PERSONAL TRIUPH---I DIDN'T HAVE PIZZA!!! I cheated with some pickles, Doritos and a couple Peanut Butter Cookies. All in single serving sizes, but still not cool because I'm not supposed to be snacking on stuff with fat or sugar. So, hang in there sister! We can get through this for the big reward at the end of this difficult part...a healthier more energetic you! I'm thinking of starting a---I don't know what it is called---a group? thread? blog?---a place where all of us who are in the liquids only preop stage can support one another, because it is supposed to really suck from what I hear...and I don't doubt it, just having liquids for Breakfast and dinner is pretty tough for me. Good luck---keep trying---we are almost there!!!

I am sooooo not looking forward to those liquid only days. I feel for you. Hang in there, think of how healthy and wonderful you are going to feel as a result of following the rules to the band process. You are going to be so glad you stuck through it! Think healthy, wonderful, unstoppable!!!

I asked the same thing a few days ago and I heard different responses. One person said she waited up to 5 weeks and most people simply said they waited until they felt better. I am personally going to wait for at least a month, because I think it is going to be something I regret afterwards due to all of the ab work involved. Well...ab work is required on my part if I want to have a...um...religious experience. My surgery is Nov. 18th! Good luck!

I hope I don't make anyone uncomfortable, but I am honestly concerned about how, if at all, having sex changes after the surgery. I mean after you are healed completely---Is it dangerous to feel weight on your abdominal area from your partner? Also, sex at times can require a significant deal of abdominal work---sorry everybody, I really don't mean to get x-rated here, but I'm trying to explain myself as scienifically as possible here---is abdominal work dangerous? If so, does that ever change, I mean when will it NOT be dangerous? I'm sorry if this was weird. I'm having surgery next month, November, and I'm trying to get as informed as I can get. Thank you for your replies everybody.

Hilarious Linksmom! Do you do ALL kinds of exercises or do you have to stay away from some kinds of exercises now that you had the surgery?

Thanks for your reply, Sherry. So, after surgery, we can all kinds of exercise, including abdominal work, i.e. crunches?

Hi everybody - my name is Lisa and I'm from California - my surgery is scheduled for this November 2008. I thought it would probably be a good idea to have some kind of online support and here you all are!!! Pleased to me you!

Hi Cindy! I've heard the liquids only phase is really tough...are you hungry a big part of the day, or are you just getting used to it?

OMG! Thursday already?!!! WOW---Good Luck!!!

Hi FV--I'm having surgery in Bakersfield---have you been banded already?

Annabella---THAT WAS HILARIOUS!!! You handled yourself with the grace and dignity I could only hope to have someday...I would have gone old school on him!!! Brilliant!

Hi ladies! I am Lisa from California and my surgery is scheduled Nov. 18th...I am really excited and very much expecting to have a difficult first 2-7 days post surgery days from what I have read on this helpful site. I'm glad I found this site, because the real and honest responses from the members of this site are helping me prepare mentally, physically, and emotionally for the best and the worst. And the responses have been so positive regarding all the weight loss after the band, that I am even more encouraged that the band is so totally worth it. Good luck in November--it's going to be great!!!