kpdgal

Well, I can't believe this 6months process has already come to a head. It seems just like yesterday I was making my first appt. just to see what this lap-band thing was all about! I am going with the Realize band at my surgeons suggestion. I have no fear or hesitation what-so-ever about having this procedure done. I can not wait to get this process started. I have been on a 2 week liquid only diet. I had one slip up on my 7th day when the "I'll never have again's..." thinking about my favorite meal (which I wont discuss for all those who are trying to make it thru their fasts without skinned knees!) anyways, had my "last,last" meal and next day was right back at it...I have lost 8 lbs so far in 12 days, so I think im doing very well. I get married in Sept. Hoping I have enough time to make a difference in my appearance by then!:w00t:

Dear Dirt Track... Well my hospital experience may be a little diff than yours will be, but here goes mine... Got to the hosp. 2 hrs before surgery to register. Just got comfy in waiting room and they call my name. They take my fiance and I to a room where I get into my gown. Several nurses come in and ask questions. They hook me up to a IV, and give me a herprin shot in my stomach. Anestestia (sorry about spelling!) comes in and asks if you have any ?'s. Then they come and get you to take you to the OR. But not before you get a shot of happy juice. You are aware, but dont have a care in the world once you get to OR. I was out before the mask hit my face. Next thing I know, Im in recovery and its time to get up and get walking..!!! It was a very good experience for me, I was never nervous or scared. Just happy to get it over with. It was scary swallowing the liquid they give you to xray your pouch cuz i didnt know what to expect when I swallowed, but it was really the same as always, and still is. I have the Realize band and my doc put it in empty, I get my 1st fill 4 weeks post op.. Well hope this helps! Im here for what ever questions you have..!!!

Post-Op Day 4. Resting comfortably on my couch, take a deep cautious breath in, and it happens, mouth full of dog fur! AGGGGG I coughed and gagged so much I hurt myself. Here's the culprit now! [ATTACH]130[/ATTACH] This is my 4 yr old Pom Pearl. Shes getting shaved tonight!!!!

Post-Op Day 4. Resting comfortably on my couch, take a deep cautious breath in, and it happens, mouth full of dog fur! AGGGGG I coughed and gagged so much I hurt myself. Here's the culprit now! [ATTACH]130[/ATTACH] This is my 4 yr old Pom Pearl. Shes getting shaved tonight!!!!

This is the problem with the band, you only get out of it what you put into it. There is no way we can go back to eating the way we did pre-band. You have to commit to eat less even when you have restriction. Log your food on fitday,daily plate etc and see what you are really taking in.. Get with your doctor and get a calorie/carb/fat guideline. The band (and you will hear this a million times on this forum) is only a TOOL. Good luck with your journey. You will find your stride, there are a lot of helpful people who only want the best for you here. You were strong enough to have the surgery, so I know you are strong enough to make this work for you!:cursing:

Ok, so Day 3 Post-Op my Fiance and I decide to go on a little drive to his fathers house. I thought since I had seat heaters, I could use the time to soothe my aching back and get some fresh air at the same time!!! Armed with my sippy cup I decide some fresh unsweet tea from MCd's would be lovely. Stopped at first one, got my tea in my sippy cup put in my sweet and low and take a big swig...........GROSS, TOO SWEET!!!! I start thinking, well I guess I forgot what sugared goodness tasted like and away we go.. Take one more swig and decide its too good to be true, and try the tea I hadn't sweetened... And Of COURSE! Sweet Tea!!! ugh... so we drive to Bojangles a few exits down, order another UNSWEET Tea, same thing, this time I stay at the drive-thru for my test sample.. I go through the sun-roof!!!!! How hard is it to take orders and give people what they asked for?!?!?! So it took 3 attempts to get my tea, sippy cup armed, off we go.... Coming back home, I suddenly get the biggest pain in my chest, I don't know whether to crap or go blind!!! so I start yelling pull-over! pull-over!!! I have to get out and walk!!!! So here I go on the side of I-40 walking around doubled over with my fiance close behind!! I let out the burp of the gods!!!! It was sweet music!!! Got back in, made it home, went to bed!!! Ugh.. Anyways, first road trip post-op, im going to have to call that one a loss!! Better luck next time I guess!!!

Ok, so Day 3 Post-Op my Fiance and I decide to go on a little drive to his fathers house. I thought since I had seat heaters, I could use the time to soothe my aching back and get some fresh air at the same time!!! Armed with my sippy cup I decide some fresh unsweet tea from MCd's would be lovely. Stopped at first one, got my tea in my sippy cup put in my sweet and low and take a big swig...........GROSS, TOO SWEET!!!! I start thinking, well I guess I forgot what sugared goodness tasted like and away we go.. Take one more swig and decide its too good to be true, and try the tea I hadn't sweetened... And Of COURSE! Sweet Tea!!! ugh... so we drive to Bojangles a few exits down, order another UNSWEET Tea, same thing, this time I stay at the drive-thru for my test sample.. I go through the sun-roof!!!!! How hard is it to take orders and give people what they asked for?!?!?! So it took 3 attempts to get my tea, sippy cup armed, off we go.... Coming back home, I suddenly get the biggest pain in my chest, I don't know whether to crap or go blind!!! so I start yelling pull-over! pull-over!!! I have to get out and walk!!!! So here I go on the side of I-40 walking around doubled over with my fiance close behind!! I let out the burp of the gods!!!! It was sweet music!!! Got back in, made it home, went to bed!!! Ugh.. Anyways, first road trip post-op, im going to have to call that one a loss!! Better luck next time I guess!!!

Day 4, still no hunger pains per-say, but I do get very nauseous very quick and have to get something down THAT MINUTE. Must be my new hunger trigger, yay! ugh... Havent found out what happens if I let it pass cuz I am scared of vomiting... Have been able to sleep on both sides with lots of pillow support. I went to GNC and got a couple of 45gram protien bullets, I aim for 2 a day, I was told during liquid pre-op to get atleast 100grams of protien in a day, so I think 90 with just those is pretty good, and I sip on ispoure 40 gram drinks all day.

Well I am on day 2 and am finding after a few teaspoons of chicken broth that I dont want anymore. So I stop, it is an all day process to get your protein in.. I caught myself taking my sippy cup into the shower with me!! Ya that's right, I got a sippy cup! I didnt want to chance getting caught up with too big of a swallow..! I love it, anyways, I bought 2 bottles of Isopure 40grms of protien in a 20oz bottle, which literally takes me all day to drink, and then I got a couple of protein bullets that have 45grams in 3 oz and I take those in a medicine cup like its medicine, otherwise I cant stand it! (Fiance's idea!) I am still very sore and can only sleep on my back, which I never do, so that's causing me back and neck pain, but it does get better everyday!

Well I am on day 2 and am finding after a few teaspoons of chicken broth that I dont want anymore. So I stop, it is an all day process to get your protein in.. I caught myself taking my sippy cup into the shower with me!! Ya that's right, I got a sippy cup! I didnt want to chance getting caught up with too big of a swallow..! I love it, anyways, I bought 2 bottles of Isopure 40grms of protien in a 20oz bottle, which literally takes me all day to drink, and then I got a couple of protein bullets that have 45grams in 3 oz and I take those in a medicine cup like its medicine, otherwise I cant stand it! (Fiance's idea!) I am still very sore and can only sleep on my back, which I never do, so that's causing me back and neck pain, but it does get better everyday!

Well had my surgery today at 10, was home by 2! I really don't remember much, every one was very nice and I never felt nervous or the "what have I gotten myself into's" Not a whole lot of gas or pressure pains that I was expecting, I feel like I have had a c-section tho! My pain meds are keeping it at bay tho. I had a bout of hiccups that about put me under, but they quickly passed... Im surprised about the fact that I cant tell the band is there, I was afraid to swallow, I didn't want to feel that restriction right off, and so far I havent! Drinking 6 oz of watered down juice every hour as per dr.'s order along w/some other clear liquids for the week, then back to protien shakes..!! Whoo whoo!

Well had my surgery today at 10, was home by 2! I really don't remember much, every one was very nice and I never felt nervous or the "what have I gotten myself into's" Not a whole lot of gas or pressure pains that I was expecting, I feel like I have had a c-section tho! My pain meds are keeping it at bay tho. I had a bout of hiccups that about put me under, but they quickly passed... Im surprised about the fact that I cant tell the band is there, I was afraid to swallow, I didn't want to feel that restriction right off, and so far I havent! Drinking 6 oz of watered down juice every hour as per dr.'s order along w/some other clear liquids for the week, then back to protien shakes..!! Whoo whoo!

Today I ran around like an expectant mom, getting my nest ready to come home after surgery! I had to have every piece of laundry cleaned, beds stripped, all floors swept! everything organized. I knew it was stuff I didn't want to see this week un-done because I would over-do it fixing it later. So all clean!!! Spent the evening shopping for clear protein drinks and juices for post-op diet...Dang expensive!!! I found Isopure 20oz drinks for 5 bucks a bottle, only bought 2! Still not nervous, more concerned on how I am going to work out being a 100% belly sleeper after surgery that anything else. I have 100% trust in my Doc!.. Anyways, will update everyone tomorrow evening!!! Take care

Today I ran around like an expectant mom, getting my nest ready to come home after surgery! I had to have every piece of laundry cleaned, beds stripped, all floors swept! everything organized. I knew it was stuff I didn't want to see this week un-done because I would over-do it fixing it later. So all clean!!! Spent the evening shopping for clear protein drinks and juices for post-op diet...Dang expensive!!! I found Isopure 20oz drinks for 5 bucks a bottle, only bought 2! Still not nervous, more concerned on how I am going to work out being a 100% belly sleeper after surgery that anything else. I have 100% trust in my Doc!.. Anyways, will update everyone tomorrow evening!!! Take care

Three months is going to fly by!! All the hoops you have to jump through keep you busy and before you know it, your working around the house to get ready for surgery! Which is what I am doing right now..!!! Knocking around the idea of whether I should shave my legs or not!!!! hahaha after all that's not the end of the body they are worried about!! hheheh

Well, I can't believe this 6months process has already come to a head. It seems just like yesterday I was making my first appt. just to see what this lap-band thing was all about! I am going with the Realize band at my surgeons suggestion. I have no fear or hesitation what-so-ever about having this procedure done. I can not wait to get this process started. I have been on a 2 week liquid only diet. I had one slip up on my 7th day when the "I'll never have again's..." thinking about my favorite meal (which I wont discuss for all those who are trying to make it thru their fasts without skinned knees!) anyways, had my "last,last" meal and next day was right back at it...I have lost 8 lbs so far in 12 days, so I think im doing very well. I get married in Sept. Hoping I have enough time to make a difference in my appearance by then!:wub:

Welcome and good luck on your journey, lots of helpful info and people on this site.

i think its normal, my doc gave me a rx for ambien to rest more comfortably until you get used to it. he told me its normal to feel alittle claustaphobic (excuse the spelling) first time out with the machine. Good news is, after the surgery the apena should go away with weight loss!

Well today ends day 5 of liquids. 9 more days to go... Not really having any issues, I am drinking Carnation Instant No Sugar with the powdered milk add in they tell you to do and it pretty much keeps me full. Im just getting bored. Went for my surgeon meeting on tues and did the pre-op testing today, now all i have to do is show up for surgery. The RN told me today that I am nice and healthy and will do great in surgery and that they will give me a sedative in the waiting room before even going to surgery so I prob wont remember any of it! FINE WITH ME!!!!:crying: The less I know the better...!!! QUESTION! What is everyone getting put in? My surgeon told me he is going to use the Realize Band.....