dreamer69

Its normal to be scared. Its already been about two years since I had my lapband and I have only lost around 40ish pounds. Its not as much as I wanted to be because as you stated, I LOVE TO EAT! lol I have found out that this is all a process; its a journey. You'll come to terms with everything and the biggest best advice I can give you is to seek professional therapy to why you have gained weight and why you love to eat. I have been in therapy for about 4 years now and I'm so happy now, so better then I was before I had my lapband, that now I don't care what I weigh or etc. But now that I'm truly happy, I'm ready to lose weight, for me, to be healthy and live a longer life. I had my lapband appointment last week and lost 2 lbs. And I realized that I haven't gained anything back!!! So I'm def happy and grateful for that. Best of luck to you! Chris

Hello All, Thank God, I have had no complications or any serious problems with my band, that's what keeps me motivated, well, at times haha. Anyway, I know I'm not in the best shape of my life but I never felt this way. I noticed that after my filling (3rd one) for the last 2 weeks, I have been out of breath easily, I get winded even going down the stairs. I don't get dizzy, or anything like that. Can it be due to the filling? Maybe because I'm not eating as much? I haven't been eating anything just crackers, cheese and Soup mostly. Does anyone else get like that after a filling? Thanks, Chris

I remember being in so much pain after my surgery, but because I had so much gas in my stomach, I thought my stomach was rejecting my band. I had nausea as well and sometimes I had the feeling of throwing up but it all passed after 2 weeks. Give it time, stay positive and think why you got the band in the first place. I just don't understand or see the point of filling the band at surgery? Thats insane, I really don't hear that in NYC. Feel better!

I'm in the same boat, you can see my port, its like a big lump just sitting there but it really doesn't bother me, actually I kinda like it, its a daily reminder why I went for surgery and to never go back to where I was. Lost 36lbs so far! And I showed my Nurse, doctor and they said its fine, nothing to worry about hehe Chris

I just had my first fill yesterday (3 cc) and I felt the liquid go in... it was wierd but I personally felt it... The nurse had no problems getting into my port ( thank God) Best of luck Chris

Hey guys, question here. Well, I got banded 4/2 (yay go me!) lol Well tomorrow I start eating mushee stuff and im very excited but I've been researching alot of post about what to eat, what not to eat, etc... I'm noticing that most or alot of people seem to all agree that bread is a big no no... why is that? why does bread get easily stuck for many? Are there some out there that have no problem eating bread? I'm asking because I'm a huge bread eater (whole wheat or whole grain of course)... and I'm hoping I can still have bread lol... Thanks Chris

When everytime you pass by your co-workers and they shout out, "hey there SKINNY!" I love this lol

Well lets hope I wont have any problems lol What I miss most is Rice, chicken and bread, oh yea and eggs hehe yum! Thanks

I understand what you mean Kimo, I'm like well, I can do these changes without the band, so why bother? But I then saw the band as a "tool" instead as an answer to my obesity. Before, I would go straight to the store from work buy junk food especially Icecream and go home, have dinner and eat a pint of icecream with whip cream right after dinner lol... I can't do that now... My problem is PORTAIN control.. I knew that band would help me with that. Of course, I have other emotional eating problems but I'm seeking therepy for that and it helps, I'm not perfect but I know that the band is going to lead me to the right direction. You have to do what works for you and there's no easy way when you're battling to losing weight. Goodluck on your journey. Chris

Please keep us updated.... Hope all is well with you.

Yea, I remember the first time i went to semenar, right off the back i wasn't qualified because I was under 5lbs or so... i was so mad, well............ a year later, i was like 25lbs over! lol... banned 4/2... and lost about 33lbs so far hehe...

I was banned 4/2... it didnt hit me till the nite before surgery lol its normal, and is the best decision i could had made. keep us posted.

Hey Guys, I finally got banned 4/2! I woke up from the hospital in moderate pain but most of it was half pain and half of discomfort. Well, I have a few concerns now and I need your guys opinions who have been banned already. At first, I need ALOT of gas and unfortunately I wasn't passing them so that didn't help, I got home 2 days after and was up till 4 am because I felt like I needed to throw up. I had diarrhea and felt nausea due to having so much gas and not being able to pass it. I had eaten at the hospital (liquids, Jello) and felt ok. Thank God that 2 days later I was passing them and was able to feel a bit better. But now I have this tightness that extends from my throat to all the way to my stomach. I don't think its the band, although I can't be sure. The doctor had told me that I had a small hernia on my throat ( I think throat) and if they felt if it was going to be a problem they would fix it, if not they would leave it alone. Now every time I drink something I can feel my chest getting real tight (no pain just discomfort where I have to lay down) and where I get the urge to hiccup. I haven't called the doctors because I don't feel its an emergency but I will call him tomorrow and set an appointment. I'm kinda upset he didn't tell him if he fixed it or not...Grrr... Anyway, do you guys know this feeling? Is this normal or something I should be concerned about? All I had to "eat" today was a 1/4 of Protein shake, 1/4 apple juice and 1/4 Water and I feel like I ate a freaking cow lol... Thanks for reading Chris

I had to do the 6month pre-op diet documentation...Grrrrr... But its basically the same process. 1- Attend a seminar of your choice, I choose a location as near as it could be where I lived lol 2- I had to get some (alot) test of course, you send all that info to your doctor and your bariatric surgeon etc. 3- Follow up with your doctor 6months. 4- See a nutrionist, psychologist and Nurse so they can further explain the process 5- When 6months are up, send all info to the Nurse, they fax the info to the insurance co. 6- Wait.................... to hear a reply LOL 7- Nurse calls, tells you if you were approved or not for sugery. I was approved :ohmy: 8- Make an appointment with my Nutrtionist to take measurements of my body fat, etc... Further explain what I'll be eating or not for liquid diet 2 weeks. 9- Had to see the surgeon so he can again explain the lapband etc... 10- They call, and tell you date of surgery. 9- Surgury Date 4/2 WOOT! Thats basically it, seems complicated but it really isn't. Luckily, the staff are so friendly, helpful and so professional that they remember me everytime I call lol I love them. Best, Chris

Yea, I had headaches for the first 2 days.... Its normal.. Pre-op diet does suck... lol but you have to do it to make sure you're liver is small enough for them to do sugery on you. So keep it up :tongue_smilie: Best, Chris

Well, the good news is that you know you're insurance will cover it... so be thankful for that, you're just gonna have to wait a few more days/weeks... But trust me, I know the feeling. They had to re-sechdule my sugery as well due to an emergency with the doctor *ugh*.... I would had been banded on the 15th of March, now I have to wait till 4/2... *Wahhhhhhhh* lol but at least I know that I have two more weeks and I'll be banded! woot! Keep us updated :tongue_smilie: Best, Chris

Not till I was put on the 2 week liquid diet did I realize what HUNGER really is! LOL.... And as many have said here, you have to make the band work for you, its a tool, its not gonna just help you lose weight on its own. Think of it like this, the lap band is like 10% of helping you lose weight, the other 90% is where you come in, Mentally. Make it work for you. Notice what you're eating, what time, and why you're eating and ask yourself, I'm I really hungry or just want to eat to satisfy myself? Trust me, I know its NOT easy. We all been here, I know I'm still learning and growing but just take it one step at a time. Best, Chris

I'll put your mind at ease... NOBODY has ever died from a lap band surgery.... lol... I'm sorry for laughing but awwww there is NOTHING to be worried about... Trust me, all will be well when you wake up. I have researched this surgery over and over and asked more then one doctor and they all stated no one has ever dead... Even if you do get a blood clog, it can be detected and fixed right away. You'll know if you have a blood clog because you'll be in extreme pain, it hurts like hell. But why think negatively? Think positive! It’s perfectly normal to be scared or nervous but to think that you'll die? Don’t be silly girl.... Me on the other hand, my surgery is on 4/2 and I've never been so HAPPY and excited!!! Whether I die, get some complications or etc, I know that FINALLY I'm taking actions towards my obesity. You have to look at the bigger picture here. Where do you see yourself in the end result? Stay positive! Best, Chris

I'm sure everything will work out in the end :tt2: Stay positive! & its normal to be nervous for surgery, you're human! Best Chris

Hi guys, I'm new to the board... I went through the whole 6months diet documentation, and was actually approved by my insurance within days!!! I was sooooooo excited. My Surgery date was suppose to be for March 13! Unfortunately, the doctor had an emergency and had to re-schedule the appointment for surgery. So, 3 weeks later, while sticking to my liquid diet, people are already commentating how well I look that I've lost weight. And many are saying that maybe the doctor will not want to do the surgery since I've lost weight, and probably can stick to it... but lets be realistic, who can be on liquids forever? My concern and worry is that is this true? Can the doctor tell me this? I'm so worried because I know I do need the surgery! I'm only 25 years old but I've been over weight all my life and tried EVERY damn diet there is... The only reason why I've been sticking to the liquid diet is because I want to make sure that my liver is small enough for surgery although the nurse had told me to go off on it till 2 week prior my surgery but said if I wanted to stick to it that was ok. Please help! Should I be worry or I'm I just making something out of nothing? Thanks! Chris

I totally agree :tt2: Thanks Jane

You have a beautiful family :tt2: I will have to post some pictures of me as well and show the before and after surgery lol Most of my weight is all well proportioned but its mostly in my gut area, the place where is most unhealthy. I have thick muscular legs because I walk a lot and use to do a lot of karate. But it’s all about being healthy and NOT being 100 lbs over weight. I feel a lot better now, I know that my doctors will just be happy and glad that I stuck to my “diet” and they will be confident that I am truly a perfect candidate for this surgery. I live in Brooklyn, New York J How about you? Best, Chris

congrats!!! I know how exciting it feels, my surgery date is 4/2!!! Yippy!

thank you debbie, you're right :tt2: I feel a bit better now.

Thanks Nik. The thing is that if you were to look at me, and not know my weight, you would think I was nuts if I were to tell you I was going for weight loss surgery. A lot of people have commented that I don’t look like an obese person, even with all the appointments I had with the lap band, all the doctors kept telling me, ‘if you just lose 20lbs you’ll be fine, you don’t look like someone who is 100lbs over weight, you carry it well’, etc LOL… I may carry it well but I’m sure my insides are not happy, I’m sure that my heart has to work extra hard to carry that 100 extra pounds. So what if I carry it well or don’t look like an obese person? When I step on that damn scale, it shows 306lbs!!! I’m only 25 years old, 5’11, yes, I’m broad shoulders but at my age, height and even if that not, nobody should be over 100lbs; that’s unhealthy. Maybe I’m answering my own question as I vent lol… I haven’t weighed myself since the 3 weeks liquid diet but I can tell in my clothes that I’ve lost a good amount and probably just lost inches, not lbs anyway. I have another 2 weeks to go. These 2 weeks starting Monday I’m suppose to go on my liquid diet, (surgery is 4/2) not sure if I’ll stick to it fully, maybe I’ll have a chicken salad or Soup etc. just in case! LOL… But thank you, I appreciate your positive thoughts! Btw, I also suffer from mild sleep apnea which is why I think it helped a lot towards my insurance accepting it. I don’t suffer from diabetics, high blood pressure or etc and I’m not going to sit around and wait either. I want to change now! And avoid this happening to me. Anyway, congrats on your recent weight loss and keep me updated! Wish you all the best.