luceparis

I started looking into the lap-band surgery in June of 2008.  I was on a different insurance at the time that required a 6 month waiting period and only paid up to $8,000 of surgery cost.  I changed insurance in January of 2009 and was approved for surgery within a month of applying in Jan.  1 month after that I had the surgery.  The process was very easy for me and my doctor was great.  I had a lap-band, because I have a medical history with stomach ulcers and was not eligible for bypass.  However, I would not have chosen bypass anyway.  I did not want to do anything that drastic and was good with the fills and having to work a little harder to lose weight.  I had an endoscopy 1 week before surgery to ensure there were not any stomach ulcers in the way of the lap-band.  I was so excited about being able to have the surgery that I completely forgot about being scared of the pain post-op.  I do not deal with pain well at all.  It was an out-patient surgery, so I did not spend the night at hospital.  Everyone at the hospital was really nice and excited for me.  My mom took me back to my brother's house the night of surgery with a bottle of liquid hydrocodone.  The drive home was pretty uncomfortable.  I slept most of the night and next day.  I did get up every 3-4 hours to take medicine and walk around the house to keep up blood circulation.  I remember being so excited when I was able to walk downstairs for a bit of soup the next day.  I stayed there and on medicine for about 4 or 5 days.  I went to my sister's house after that.  She had just had a c-section with her 3rd child.  My mom and I stayed there for the next week while sister was in hospital recovering.  We watched the kids and took care of them and me all at the same time.  It was a bit hectic.  I was still in a bit of pain, but not so much that I needed pain medicine. I went to post-op follow up doctor appointment 2 weeks after surgery.  Had 1 more week off from work, but was able to go home alone and work from laptop.  I went back to work after 3 weeks, but could have gone back after 2 if it were really necessary.  It took me about 3 months to get my band to a point where I was losing weight consistently.  I am now 8 months post-op and so very happy with my lap-band and new lease on life.  My cholesterol is perfect and no ulcers at all.  I drink protein shakes (2 scopes of slim fast high protein with 32 oz of water) for most of the morning and afternoon.  I have a little dinner and a Popsicle for dessert.  :)  I have also started really working out.  I can walk 3 miles outside at the park and go to the gym with my sister occasionally.All-in-all having lap-band surgery was the best thing I have done for myself ever.  It is a tool that I will be able to use my entire life.  And now thanks to the surgery, my quality of life is greatly increased!!!