Telly

OMG Paula!:heh: That's the secret eh? Senokot, here I come..Woot!

Ok, not to be a pain in the arse, but I hate that the doc gave you staples!!!! Damnit, they have skin tape!

I saw this video in the May Bandsters thread. Thought everyone would want to see this. I was curious myself, though I have had it done already. Though graphic, it is very informative. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band

Shoot! Did he say 6? Geesh. LMAO!

Ok, for those not banded yet and are interested in a lap band actual surgery video, watch this. I won't lie, they answered about 20 questions I had, such as abdominal workouts post surgery, slippage, etc. This video was live. Here is my thread link. I just had the band placed a few weeks ago and I can't stress enough how important it is to follow the rules in order to not only preserve your band's position but to also lose your weight. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=17732

Cool, as long as it helps people. I liked the way that it was live and had live calls in from people where they asked questions during the procedure. Pretty crazy! Oh also, what freaked me out that I didn't know before I watched it was that the doctor said, alot of slippage occurs if the patient vomits (PB's) too often too soon after the surgery. That's good to know. I've had the gag effect and PB twice since I've been home. I don't want to be a victim of a slippage though. Also, he stated that with the band, the patient should drop 1 - 2lbs per week. Gradual weight loss is what the band is for, not rapid weight loss such as Gastric Bypass surgery. Average monthly weight loss is supposed to be around 4 - 10lbs per month, per that doctor. Also, I just heard the doctor say, it's ok and good to start walking and biking within 1 week of the procedure, if it's comfortable but, any abdominal workouts are not recommended for a minimum of 4 weeks, so that herniation does not occur:omg: . They say this can cause herniation and may even dislodge the port. Walking and biking or even jogging is fine. That's good to know. I'm soo stupid. I did try to 5 crunches with the ab roller but it hurt too much so I stopped. Geesh, I'm glad I watched that video!

Yeah. It's pretty awesome. I had no idea that my procedure was ..sooo involved. Trocars and caps, retraction and fat stuff in there. Yuck dude! Im glad that part is over with. But I watched the whole video. It's pretty amazing.

Sarah, the feeling you speak of was exactly what I felt. I felt like I was having a painful hicup, though the hicup sound never happened, it was gas. Gas X or Malox. I know I am not a doctor but I know that I had exactly what you had and it went away in a day. I struggled that whole first night in the hospital. I was literally passing gas through the band and it hurt my chest and throat. Think of the Malox commercial, where when you drink it...it coats your stomach wall and pushes out the gas. Get that Malox and start drinking.

Ok, this will sound ridiculous but, I have friends tell me that I look prettier now. Mind you, my friends have seen me before and after weight gain. Even if it was a lie, they made me feel good by overlooking my weight publicly. Regardless of my insecurities, the comments make me feel good. But in retrospect and to be honest with you, since the weight gain, people in general are relentless in making you feel less than they are. In restaurants especially. One woman looked at me, (as I carried my kids food to them) as if she wanted to PB just b/c she looked at me. My husband is obese too so he was sitting there. She was probably 5ft 4inches and 120lbs. Her and her hubby were very lean but eating junk. I felt soo bad. I lost my appetite, was actually scared to eat. She kept staring at us. Sorry to hijack this.

I think Levi's would look pretty good on me. Just as soon as I lose another 50lbs. lol! God I hope I get some great shape to my butt. I'd hate to think I'd lose all of this weight and have no ass.

Sounds great to me! Weights it is... (next month). I just want to do enough cardio first and build up my endurance, then i'll cross train.

I don't recommend anything chewable hon. Gas X or Malox Plus liquids. If you drink enough, each time you feel the gas or after you drink broth or so, you'll pass it in a day or 2. It took me 1 whole day and took my friend about 3 days (she didn't take her malox, finally did after the 3rd day and it went away). Malox was my answer. Bowel movement?? Stay on the liquids and it will come (trust me)..be careful though, it will be mostly liquid(y). Sorry for graphics.

How incredible do you look?!?!? I can certainly see a major difference. Your hips are dramatically different, arms nicely toned, nice color too! That's pretty awesome! You look great in that bathing suit, so purdy! Keep up the excellent work. I am not going to use weights for at least another month, for the sake of weight loss/scale weight loss. Then off to weights. I hope to look as nice as you Diane.

Hehehe. Oh stop. It's weird but I was going to say that I have never, ever seen soo many BBW women, cept for my Lane Bryant Catalogue, ever in one place before. Ty sweets! Too too kind! Too purdy as well.

The womanwithin, I get my sauna suits at Walmart in the sporting goods section, $6.95??? it's cheap but the damn pants are always ripping. :(Too much friction

:faint: It's been 2 weeks tomorrow, post op for me. I haven't had ice cream, caffeine or anything solid for 2 straight weeks. Im not saying I'm doing great or feeling great about some hunger pangs I get while I cook, but Im starting to get used to the idea that Im not eating food. Dr. Rumbaut gave me nice imagery. He said, "Treat your new belly as if it was a new born baby's belly. Drink only liquids and wean it on food, progressively." Something to that effect. Not verbatim.

I have these size 10 pants hanging in my closet. They are my inspiration. I am a size 18 now but they are very loose almost a 16 but not quite 100% comfy in them. Also, I have a corney story too. I spoke with a psychic a few years ago (I'm not into psychic's, it was for shits and giggles) who told me all that I have done thus far. (Maybe her predictions influenced my actions, that's why everything she said happened). She told me one thing that has always stuck in my brain. She said, "wow, you will live in your late 80's, very very long time!" As I packed on the pounds, I wondered, is this the only one she could be wrong about? I think not!!!!!! Not anymore baby!

1. I can't wait to stop hiding behind the nearest pillow as I sit down on my sofa or anyone's sofa, counter top or bar. 2. I can't wait to be able to shop in my favorite clothes store again and be able to pick out something I like, in a very nice and normal size. 3. I can't wait to turn my own head in the mirror. 4. I can't wait to see my sister and mother who hasn't seen me since I've started to lose weight. Last they saw me was at a weight of 240lbs. 5. I can't wait to hop into my bed and call my husband over for a nice whisper of sweet nothings in his ear and feel completely confident and sexy about it. 6. I can't wait to jump out of my SUV...after pulling into the beach parking lot and thighs, belly and breasts all....PADDDOWWWW! I want a nice dark, golden tan and not be ashamed to show myself to get it. 7. Being finally happy with my self image and feeling like a big loser all at the same time 8. Take up ballroom dancing and look good doing it. Hip Hop classes too.

Welcome back Indy and congratulations on your banding! I had mine on 04/11/2006 with Dr. Rumbaut as well. I had some similar issues with appointments but the taxi cab thing was perfect for me. I never paid, just tipped b/c I didn't really spend any money while I was there. How are you feeling and have you weighed yourself? I couldn't wait to weigh in.

lMAO!!!! I can just see your facial expressions as you guys type your "demises". I see your eyes, closing.....tongue licking your lips and hands rubbing together as you describe it. SLAP!

Hey Seminole. I am completely closed up. My port site is perfect, just a little red because I've been scratching it. Other than that, the only one giving me problems is the one under my breasts. It keeps rubbing up against my sports bra and I keep forgetting to put on a bandaid before I head out to exercise. I sweat alot so the sweat drips right through that area . What to do? It keeps trying to heal but I'm not letting it.

ROFL!!!! This cracks me up soo much! I am staring mine down as we speak.

Ok, no sweat! (hehe, bad pun) You just let me know. I'm not going anywhere but down. (Another bad pun)

Hi Jewels, I wasn't sure if you were asking me, but you have nothing, absolutely nothing to be scared of. I was a little nervous as well but when there was a very smiley, taxi cab driver with my name on a big piece of paper, stood there and greeted me in Monterrey, I felt an overwhelming feeling of relief. Everything was happening exactly as the patient coordinator stated. I chose Dr. Rumbaut, after googling "gastric bypass". I discovered that there was a Doctor in Mexico, who gave the best service, per the testimonials and at a reasonable cost. I did further research and actually did a who's who on him. I called their office after hours and recieved an immediate response the next day. I loved their coordinator. She was very informative as well as spoke from her own experiences. Everything just felt right. That's why I picked him. It was the response, the reputation, the "very clear pre-op, post-op instructions and Q&A's" it was everything. Everything was covered and all of my questions answered. I can't make you make up your mind. Only you truly know what you need to do for yourself. For me, I didn't feel I had a choice. I needed something and this was it for me. The surgery went very well, some pain after the surgery but that is expected. I experienced gas pockets but Malox fixed that in 1 day. Put it this way, I went to Monterrey alone. No one came with me. I left, alone with my 2 bags and 1 extra one from doing some shopping. I felt great enough to do it all on my own. So can you.

Hey and thanks Seminole for the compliment. I am currently still on liquids and per my doctors recommendations. Dr. Rumbaut stated that 3 weeks of liquids will give the tissue around the band, time enough to scar well. He said it takes approximately 1 good month for this to happen. I don't want adhesions or slipping issues therefore I am holding out. Being on a full liquid diet is not as bad as I thought. I do have hunger issues for food, only when I cook for my family though. I started at 240lbs, and I lost 8lbs before I went to the Bahamas on 4/5/06 - 04/09/06 and gained 3lbs back:faint: . Then in Mexico, I weighed in at 235lbs, so I lost really only 5lbs. Crazy thing though, from 4/10/06 (weigh in day at pre-ops) I was 235 and when I got home on 4/14/06 I weighed 226lbs. I lost 9lbs, that was 2.25lbs per day . My scale is new. I actually bought a $40.00 scale and bought a commercial digital scale that goes up to 300lbs. Both were accurate. Since I've been home, I've lost an additional 7lbs, (haven't weighed myself in a few days, wanna wait till Tuesday, April 25th, tomorrow - my 2 week anniversary.) I hope I lost more. I was also told that it's normal to lose alot of weight the first few weeks to a month, but I am working my ass off too. I bike an average of 10miles per day. Some days 7 miles, other's 12 - 15. I walk a minimum of 2 miles per day. In the morning I walk 2 miles on my treadmill and in the evening, around 5pm, I set out on my bike and go. I can get 12 miles done in 1 hour and 5 min. I try to race the dark I have my Spiru-tein shakes and dannon light yogurt drinks and a bunch of Water. (Always on the toilet) This is how I'm doing it. I hope this helps you.