HAL380

Hello Kitty Kat; I am so sorry about your dad's reaction. I was banded 7/1, and still have no restriction, and my weight loss is only from my new eating pattern. I have only told my wife, and would not have told her if I could have driven myself home from the hospital. I have been reading the forums for over a year. From all my readings, I see no benefit from telling others of our decision. I realize we want suport and affirmation. However the uninformed judgements made by our "Loved Ones" and Well intentioned (????) co-workers are not worth it. Since you have done a proper job of research, and have submitted yourself to a psych and Nut. professional assesment you have been found sane and able to make informed decisions. Have confidence in yourself and go forward with head held high. Few things are more attractive in a person than self assurance. Warm regards Hal

Whom to tell???? My advise is tell no one. I have read too many posts here, where someone told a "TRUSTED FRIEND" only to have that "Friend" accuse them of taking the easy way out etc etc. Everyone who subsequently knows will feel obliged to give you "Good Advise" or stories of someone who knows someone who had a bad outcome. If/since you have done your research, you know what is best for you. Try to avoid seeking support from uninformed well wishers. Alittle story: I only told my wife, (cus i needed her to pick me up after surgery). Then from guilt, I called my elderly mother, and told her because we have an agreement not to keep heath secrets from each other, (mostly so I can keep track of her health). Well, donchya know, when I did not call her immediately after surgery, I was in recovery, she became terribly worried, and called my sister to say that "Hal is in the hospital and I don't know how he is". Well you can guess the rest. There is more unhappiness from telling people than there is from not telling. Just my not so humble opinion. Warm Regards Hal I

Good luck Newbie; I was banded 7/1, weight loss is progresseing ok, I have had one fill and still no or very little restriction. Any weight loss I have is 99% due to my eating habits, vs band activity. Now to the point of your post --- There are more females here than males. There are many many sucessful females. Don't look too much at your family members. The male may have been highly motivated and the female, perhaps less so. Even if men lose more easily than women, so what? It just means you have to work harder, maybe not fair, but life is not fair. Not being harsh, but lets look the truth in the face and then we can deal with it. As I said -- Good luck to you Regards Hal

Hello Lovely; Sometimes men tend to be too much of the problem solvers, while women are better at "Understanding" things. That having been said, here is what I would do if I were you. Take a piece of paper and make a list of all the things you are worried about. Try to be very specific. Don't say, "I am worried I might fail". - Too general. Also make another list of all the good that you want from the band. Now that you have a list of the things you are worried about, you can ask specific question of others who have gone before you, and ask them about their experiences regarding the things you were worried about. I have been reading this forum every day since january. I have not read of anyone who wishes they did not have the band. Yes I have read of people who have had pain, getting stuck, have had friends and family criticize them for the "Easy way out" etc. I was banded 7/1/10. My trip has been very easy. No pain, I am losing weight, I don't have hungar, and my blood sugar is much lower than before. Even now with only less than a month into the trip, I can notice that I can move better, I see in the mirror that my face shows some weight lose. Naturally you are worried or concerned, it is only natural. I am sure you will be just fine. Maybe you should post a request for others who were worried or scared to tell you how they feel now that they have been banded. I have read of several who were really stressed, but now are so happy they went ahead. I know this has rambeled a bit, but just think of the guys giving you a smile, and how you will look and feel in all your new clothes. Regards Hal

Hello Feel :smile: The 850 is approximate, but very close to real. I have had no hungar at all. I have been watching my Protein very closely and am always above 55g's. Could I eat more? -- Yes, but I generally don't. Sometimes when I am in the kitchen, I will open the cottage cheeze and take a tea spoon snack - not for hungar, but for taste. I was banded 7/1 and have absolutely no restriction. I have not tested my limits, but can drink liquids in gulps, and my scramble eggs go down like before the band. Hope this helps. Hal

Good Morning Everyone; I have been banded since 7/1 and have learned a lot from the experience so far. One of the things I have picked up was the need to journal my food and weight. There is a free site that allows you to do just that. Its called Fitday. Try this link and check it out. Protein. It also graphs your weight loss. It makes the trip much easier to follow. So if you are pre-band or post, this is a good site. Hope this helps Hal

Good Afternoon; I have had an amazing week. Surgery Thursday AM, overnight at the hospital, and home Friday afternoon. No Pain, just gas discomfort. Took naps friday, saturday & Sunday. Was able to sleep on my side friday night - no problem. I now have no gas probs, and I have sneezed several times with no pain. I can bend over and tie my shoes etc. I am not bragging, but it is so opposite of what I was expecting. I hope this is an encouragement to anyone who is contemplating this surgery. Stay positive and follow the rules. Regards Hal

Hello Sheesh825 Thanks for the reply - I believe I am getting enough water/vitamin water/coffee(decaf)clear Soup etc. The Miralax seems to have solved the problem. Regards Hal

Good Morning; I was banded 7/1 and have been following my Dr's eating plan. This has resulted in constipation with no movement for 3 days at least. I tried prune juice, xlax tabs and chocholate. No help. I finally tried Miralax. This is a powder when mixed has no taste. I mix mine with Chystal Lite and I don't even know its there. I don't want to do TMI, but it works just fine. When I was only a few days old with the band I didn't want to strain, but I also didn't want to get bound up. This may be "Old News", but I wanted to pass this along. Regards Hal

Hello 2beskinny; I have not worked out at all before the surgery. Not bragging, but I am a real estate appraiser, and that is a very sedentary work. I dont believe it is anything I did in preparation, other than a very positive attitude. The positive extends to admitting the truth that I really regretted that I had to resort to this operation to gain control of my life. I told my wife that I wanted to be the poster child of LabBand surgery. I intend/ed to follow the Dr's orders to the "T". I believe in research. One of my "sayings" is "If you don't have the answer yet, you need to do more research" I keep reading about people who are anxious on these forums. I have also said elsewhere that knowledge dispells fear. We only fear the unknown. There is so much information out there about this operation, there is nothing that should remain unknown. I am sorry "2", you asked a simple quick question and you get a sermon back.:thumbup: Regards and best of luck Hal

Good Afternoon All; Time here is 2:10 PM Friday. I just got back from my stay at the hospital 15 mins ago. I know everyone in the post op page has been banded, except for those who, like me, have come here to get some first hand scoop on what to expect. No. 1 - It has gone exceptionally well, almost no incision pain, cant even say I have gas pain, more accurate to call it gas discomfort. No shoulder pain, but gas discomfort just under the rib cage at the diaphram. I had made elaborate plans to sleep in the living room on a recliner, nope, will now sleep upstairs in my bed. Thought I would have problem going to the bathroom in regard to sitting down and getting up - nope. I tried to have everyting prepared for recovery. Bought the recmmended MOM, that crap tastes like dead fish. Now have chocolate exlax and will just let it melt in my mouth and then just swallow the liquid. I am surprisingly bloated. I know about the gas thing, but wow, looks like I am pregnant. I am being exceptionally cautious about eating too much or too fast. I am on clear liquids for 2 weeks. I only sip water, and chicken broth, and the Boost. I will not experiment or push the envelope. I had a wonderful nursing staff at Yale New Haven Hospital. Of course each phase of the hospital process was slower than I had hoped for, but I have to remember this is just ordinary routine surgery, and they have real case that may demand priority. Never the less I had my own room and a TV with remote (A guy thing). If any pre-banders haven any questions, please feel free to ask. Each Dr is different, and we all respond to experiences differently, but if I can be of any assistance just ask. Regards Hal

I have removed my post. It was not my intention to cause angst among us. I apologize if I touched a raw nerve. Regards Hal

Hello Layla's Grandmother; My name is Hal and I was banded last thursday, 7/1. This has been a piece of cake. I know you cannot talk someone out of a fear. But knowledge eliminates fear. I don't know how long you have been reading the forum, but I read it since january. I read almost post. I read the surgery day stories. By the time I went in I was prepared. As a matter of fact I went in alone. My wife dropped me off on her way to work and I just went in. Here is an assignment for you if you care to accept it. Make a list of each of your worries, concerns, fears. Write them down in the order of importance. Then read the forum and research as much as you can about each issue you have. Yes you can post for input. Then pretend your fear becomes true - for example you get stuck. What is the outcome? You caugh, it hurts, and it comes back up. You won't do that again. There is nothing about the band that is dangerous - even the surgery. It is minimally invasive and is considered routine. Now make a list of all the advantages you will gain. No. 1 is that you will live long enough to see Layla's school plays, graduation, wedding and her own children. You would run into a buring building to save Layla wouldn't you? So now you have to do something else hard for her. If you do it for her and you it will give reason and strength to you. Warm Regards Hal

Good Afternoon All; Banded 7/1 in Yale New Haven Hospital. No real pain, gas under control, sleeping alot, can sleep on my side. Been losing some weight but that is cus I am not getting many calories, its not the band yet. First NSV - my swelled ankles are back to normal already, wow, been years. 2nd NSV blood sugar is now below 100. Regards Hal

For those who weigh multiple times per day, just say you are getting your step exercizes. Regards Hal

This is exactly why I have not told anyone except my mother. She and I have a pact that we will not "protect" each other from any news about our health. When you tell others, who have not done the research that you have, you give them license to advise and intrude. They are not as well informed as you and often not well intentioned. I understand that we want support, but I believe you should have the strength of your own convictions to do this on your own. Many before you have had this proceedure and it is a proven success. Take heart in this and go foreward. When others try to give you their opinion, simply and directly tell them this is not a subject that is open for discussion. Best Regards Hal

Good morning all; Tomorrow at this time I will be in the hospital awaiting the proceedure. I still feel no anxiety, nada, zilch, zero. I have found that in my life, if something makes "sense to me" then I can do anything with no emotion. A few years ago, I had my dog - Major, (beautiful German Shepard) put down. He was old, and in pain with bad hips, and bowel control issuses. It would have been selfish of me to keep him around - for me, for a bit longer. Yes I got teary, but left the vets office comforted by knowing I did the right thing. That's the way I feel about this LAP-BAND®. I really dont want to do it, but I know I must. All else has failed. Take care and I will see you on the other side. Regards Hal

Thank you each and every one of you. I appreciate your kind words. I have sometimes doubted myself in terms of my ability to feel empathy. As I said, if something makes sense, then I am ok with it. That having been said, if I could give comfort to anyone following me I would be more than happy. And I do take comfort in your kindesses. Up to now, I have only told my wife. I finally broke down and called my mom. We have a pact that we will not "Protect" each other from any bad health news we have. She is in Fla, and I am in Conn. I was feeling guilty in breaking my word to her. So I called the dear sweet woman and told her. We talked abit and I promised her a phone call on Saturday. Well that's about it for now. Take care all Warm Regards Hal

Good Morning All: Getting my band day after tomorrow - 7/1. Doc has me on the Atkins diet for 1 week pre-op. Its been wonderful. Not pigging out but have a hamberger patty and 2 eggs for B'fast, chef's salad for lunch, and a good protien dinner, typically steak, cod fish, chicken, or pork. Been an easy trip, and been losing weight too. My reward for the short term sacrifice of the band is to go deep sea fishing Sept. 17th. I go out of Gloucster Ma and usually come back with 35 lbs of Cod fillets. Last time I was out there was this past January - 0 degrees at the dock. I know alittle off topic but wanted to share. Good luck to everyone Hal

67 Here and being banded this thursday. Good luck to you. Hal

I had my pre-op visit with the anathesiologist. One of the things we talked about was the Left Shoulder Pain. Here is his explaination, (paraphrased) "CO2 gas is used to expand the abdominal cavity so the surgeon can "see" inside. When the surgery is finished they try to remove the gas, but not all of it gets out. When you sit up, the remainging gas as a bubble rises to the highest part of the abdomin. That happens to be just under the diaphram on the left side. Since we never really feel pain from the diaphram, when the diaphram is irritated by the gas bubble it sends a "message" to the brain saying, "I have pain". But since the brain is not used to receiving "Pain" messages from the diaphram, the brain thinks the pain is in the left shoulder, and hence we feel pain in the left shoulder." As I said -- this is how it was explained to me by the Dr. Seems to make some kind of sense. Take care and have a great evening Hal

Good Afternoon Everyone; Next week at this time I will be in the hospital being banded. I have hardly given it a thought. I have done all my evals, had blood work and EKG. Tomorrow is my Pre-admit visit with the anathesiologist. Tomorrow I start my pre-op diet. With all of this, I don't feel the least bit anxious. I have done my research and I understand the whole process. I realize there will be some pain, gas, hungar, perhaps nausia. I am aware that this is a life changing proceedure. A good change, but one that will take away some liberties from me. In exhange I will gain a full measure of health. Some may say "Hal, What's your point?" I don't know, I just feel strange having so little emotion about this surgery next thursday. I have read many posts of people who were nervous, or even terrified about this trip. Are there any like me? If you're out there please let' hear from you. Regards Hal

Good Morning Everyone; I have read - here and there - of slippage and erosion when banded. This is a concern to me. I think there is more experience in europe with the band and they are reporting erosion. Maybe something different in the band they use? In any case please let us know how long you have been banded and if you have had any real problems. Not just inconveniences. Regards Hal

Good Morning everyone; As part of my Pre-Op count down, I had my wife take my picture. I was undressed except for my briefs. We took 4 pics, Front, Back and 2 sides. All I can say is WOW!! I really didn't realize that is how I looked. I guess I have had a way of not looking in the mirror very critically. When I have seen other obese people, I would think to myself, "Don't they know what they look like? Don't they use a mirror? If you have not done it, I would recommend a "Photo Shoot". Great motivation. I will keep these pictures to my self. When discouraged, or tempted to cheat, that's when I will look them over. Have you done your pictures? Regards Hal