debi717

Well, I had my surgery on February 12 and I'm still not feeling too well. I still have pain in my upper abdomen and upper back. The physician's assistant says it's probably due to my hiatal hernia repair. I also had my gallbladder removed. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised that I'm not feeling better by now, but I really thought I would. Does anyone else who had their surgery around 2/12 still have discomfort? Just wondering. I'm also still on this awful liquid diet. Almost 4 weeks now! I can't wait to start mushies next week. That sounds pathetic. Regards... Debbie

Denise, are you sure your surgeon didn't repair your hernia when he put in the band? My surgeon said he wouldn't place the band without fixing a hiatal hernia because the reflux problems would be awful. He knew about mine ahead of time, but it sounded to me like he would fix a hernia for any patient after he got in there and had a look. Gerbera, thanks for the encouragement. I'm feeling a little better now. I even went out yesterday -- first time since surgery. I was feeling bored with being cooped up in the house, so that's a good sign. I think 3 weeks sounds like a reasonable time before you feel back to normal. I'm actually happy you said that because it helps me feel that I'm okay. This is my first week post-surgery today and I'm very glad I took the extra time off from work. I really wouldn't feel like going back to work tomorrow. Thanks for all the good thoughts. Regards... Debbie

Had my sugery on Monday. I'm still not feelng very well. I think that's because, in addition to getting a lapband, I had a hiatal hernia repair and my gallbladder removed. The pain in my left shoulder is awful. Sometimes it gets so bad it hurts to pick up a cup. I still have lots of gas. I've used Gas=X, I've walked -- nothing much is helping. I left a message on the nurse practictioner's voce mail. Hoping he has some advice. Debbie

Thanks, BJean & mfw, for the good wishes. I will definitely keep you posted. Hopefully, I'll be able to post an update later in the week. Debbie

Thanks to all who continue to contribute to this thread. You are all such a source of support and inspiration. When I started looking into getting the lapband, I had my concerns about being 55 and being as successful as some of the younger people on this board. All of you have certainly helped to encourage me and help me realize that success is up to me and the lapband will make it easier for me to focus on the journey ahead. I'm two days away from surgery. I'm nervous, but I'll be happy to have it behind me. I'll also be happy when I can actually chew something again. That won't be for a while yet, but it's getting closer. I've lost 11 lbs. on the liquid diet, so I'm off to a good start. This is going to be followed by 2 weeks of a thin liquid diet after surgery. If that doesn't help the lapband get off to a good start, nothing will. Kebsa, good luck to you on Monday. My surgery is scheduled for 3:00 pm (eastern time). I'll be thinking of you. Debbie

Thank you, Mary & Green, for sharing your perspective on this. I think so many of us have been taught to "put your nose to the grindstone", "pull yourself up by your bootstraps", "get off your dead a_ _ onto your dying feet". There's even the more recent Nike mantra, "just do it". I don't know why needing intervention to lose weight feels like a character flaw, but in some odd way it does. We don't frown on a patch that helps people quite smoking. Washing machines and dryers, dishwashers and microwaves are tools that make our lives easier and most of use wouldn't want to be without them. However, being overweight seems to be an issue of self-control and that makes it feel like going outside oneself for help is a cop out. The head says that's ridiculous, but the heart and, yes, even society, makes it feel wrong. I'm sure I'll get over it when the pounds come off and I'm feeling better, but I certainly identify with the self doubts people feel. Debbie

Gerbera, almost forgot -- thanks for the info on the Ab Twist. I'm going to give it a try. Walking and some other mild exercise is a good place ot start. I know I can... I know I can... I know I can... Debbie

Hi, Gerbera. I have 5 days until surgery. My date is February 12. Almost here! Definitely I'm having mixed emotions. I feel like a human see-saw. One hour I'm thinking all kinds of positive thoughts -- I'm going to feel good, look good... next hour I'm down on myself for having to resort to WLS to get rid of this weight and worried that I'll fail. I'm feeling like a crazy woman! I think my husband will be happy to be rid of me for a couple of days. Now, that said, I know that I have a far greater chance of success to get this weight off by getting the lapband. I sure haven't managed it on my succession of diets. I have co-morbidities chasing me and my quality of life has gone down dramatically with these last 50 lbs. I've gained. The statistics for losing weight and keeping it off when you have more than 50 lbs. to lose are so NOT in my favor that I can't believe I even let myself think I could lose this 150 lbs. without surgery. I think I'm just scared. It helps to read about the satisfied cusomers and positive outcomes. I know there are some people who haven't been thrilled with their results, but like the statistics, I'm going with the majority and assuming I'll be one of them. I'll tell you though, as soon as I can have mushies, I'm have pureed meatballs and Pasta. Amen. (:

Gerbera, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have bad arthritis in my back too. I'm hoping weight loss helps the discomfort somewhat. Walking is great exercise. That's where I'll start and see where it goes from there. What is an Ab Twist? I'll be glad when the surgery is over and I can think about something else. This waiting is emotionally exhausting. I'm also in the 2nd week of my liquid fast. That's exhausting too. I'm feeling less hungry, but I miss chewing and I keep thinking about meatballs. Do you think I miss my Italian food? Debbie

Well, I'm less then a week away from getting banded. February 12 is my day too, Kedasmom. I am getting more nervous everday. Even though I'm excited, I'm still worried about how life is going to be with the band. I guess that's normal. Unlike most of you, I don't have any grandchildren to play with (and my 2 kids are in their 30's), but I will be so happy to be able to do so many little things again -- tie my shoes, keep up with my husband when we're walking, get up from a chair without risking a hernia, not dreading a fire drill at work because of the stairs... What are you planning to do for exercise. It's so cold here. I tried going for a walk and it was so cold my teeth hurt. I may have to break down and join a gym on a month by month basis in order to get some exercise. Good luck to us all. Debbie

My doctor says it's okay. Pre-op with skim milk. Post-op however you like it.

I'm scheduled for surgery on February 12. It's been 6 months since I started looking into the lapband. With lots of research and pre-op tests behind me, I'm ready. I've had time to decide and then reconsider and ask more than my share of questions. Now, I'm looking forward to having the surgery and losing some weight. Thanks to all for taking the time to answer my questions and offer your support. Regards, Debbie

Hi, lapbandformenow. It would be great to keep in touch with you. We can start this journey together. By reading the different posts, I think it must be very normal to second guess ourselves about something so important. I'm sure it's a fear of the unknown, fear of committment to a new way of life, fear of things going wrong... however, we're very fortunate to have these boards where we can learn from so many people who have gone through this before us. The majority would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm very nervous. After my surgery, I'm going to have to find something new to think about. Private message me anytime you want to. Keep in touch. Looks like you get to go first (I'm having surgery on Feb. 12). If you're able, let me know how you're doing. Good luck! Did you notice that we share the same birthday?. We're both Virgo's, which means, my daughter tells, that I think about things too much. So, driving ourselves crazy by thinking about this surgery from every angle is something we come by naturally! Debbie

Sophrosyne, I get the "eye roll". I've been married 36 years. I have a bad back and the weight definitely works against it. I'm hoping that losing 100 lbs. will relieve some of the discomfort when I stand or walk. I don't know if I could call myself a legitimate yo-yo dieter since I can't seem to get very far with dieting before I burn out. The most I ever lost was 60 lbs. Usually, I manage to lose 25 lbs and then lose steam. Unfortunately, 25 lost means 30 gained. All I can say is I hope my road to heaven is lined with restaurants serving every kind of food imaginable and none of it will have a calorie that counts against me. Debbie

Mommy0105, Your pics look great! Debbie

Thanks, Pat & Mommy0105. I needed some reinforcements. I need to keep telling myself "I am not weak, I am not weak..." Sometimes we just need to hear our story from another perspective. I appreciate your taking time to share with me. This surgery is a first for me, except for a tonsillectomy when I was 4 years old (many years ago), so I'm really nervous about that too. It helps to know that you felt the same way I do. In a way, I can't wait until it's over with so I can stop thinking about it and follow your advice, Pat, to just get over it and move forward. Debbie

This post really hits home for me. I just got a date for surgery about 2 weeks ago. I'll be banded on February 12. I've been on an emotional roller coaster since I got my date. One day I'm so ready for the surgery and the next I'm backing up and questioning my decision. I watched Oprah on Monday (day off from work for Martin Luther King Day). She had her nutritionist/trainer, Bob Greene, on the show, along with some guests who had lost a lot of weight following his eating plan. Oprah and Bob Greene said there's no miracle to weight loss: eat less, exercise more. They made it sound so damn simple and it makes me want to kick myself because I can't seem to see a diet through to the end. I feel like I've failed a major character test. Now, I've researched getting the band for 6 months. I have asked questions and gotten great responses, but I still feel like I'm trying to take the easy way out. My head knows that isn't true, but I have trouble forgiving myself for this weakness. I know weight loss with the lapband is not a free gift and we have to give as much as we get. I guess I wonder if people get the band just because their willpower sucks, or because they are so overwhelmed trying to do it on their own. I really need some help here. Are my feelings normal? Do any of you look back and say, "Why did I do this to myself when all I needed to do was eat less and exercise more?" Do any of you have regrets? I don't think I've ever thought so much about something. HELP! Thanks for listening. Debbie <!-- / message -->

I'm scheduled for February 12. I am sooooo nervous. Debbie

Kedasmom, Great news! Are you being banded on February 12? That's when I'm scheduled for surgery. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm nervous too. I'm about to enter a new world where food and I are going to have a very different relationship. I want it to be a successful one and I know that's up to me. I'm so glad for these forums where you can read and learn about other peoples experiences. r2ht4u, I think 35 lbs. since September is great. That's a little over 8 lbs. a month. I'm 55 and I know I'm not going to knock my 150 lbs. off like someone 20 years younger. Do you exercise? I know I have to that to help the weight loss, especially at my age. It's really hard to make time for yourself when you work full-time. I can't imagine how people who work full-time and have young children manage it. In my case, I leave the house at 7:45 to be at work by 9:00 and I get home around 6:30. I'm such a slug by that time. I'm going to have to do something in the morning, before the day starts. I'm soooo going to have to force myself to do that. Debbie

Julie, I'm 55. I really don't expect to drop the pounds quickly. If I lose 1 lb per week at a steady pace, I'd be grateful. If I sometimes lose more than that, I'll be thrilled, but I am going to try not to expect it. I've never been a fast loser, which is why sticking to a diet with so much weight to lose has always been so frustrating. At least with the lapband I won't be hungry most of the day. Losing 40 lbs. prior to surgery is great! That couldn't have been easy. Debbie

Thanks, Julie. Wow, your doing great. If I'm reading your ticker correctly, you've lost almost 80 lbs. in 7 months. I'll be thrilled if I lose that in one year, and you can remind me if that I said that. Debbie

Thanks all for your good wishes. This is exciting and scary at the same time. Kelsy, I'll be thinking of you. I don't know what time my surgery will be, but I'll be staying overnight, especially since I'm having my gallbladder removed at the same time. I already have gallstones. My surgeon doesn't see the sense in my waiting for problems to start a year down the road(which inevitably will once I start losing weight) and then having to come back for surgery. I know surgeons have different points of view about this, but I'm going to trust Dr. Fielding. He's done thousands of the lapbands (I think it's something like 4,500--maybe more). He's probably run into more than his share of gallstones along the way. Tracy, hope you get your date for February too. Regards... Debbie

Carlene, thanks for responding. You confirmed my understanding of how the band works after goal. Everytime I see someone post that they are having or have had the surgery because they don't want to gain the weight back, I think of my former co-worker and hope they understand that they CAN gain join the ranks of overweight again. In my case, if you took away my Pasta and bread, and cut my portions in half, I'd probably lose weight. However, I'd still have to deal with the snacking to be really successful and keep the weight where I'd like it to be. It's good to know that there are people over 50 who are successful with the lapband. When I first started looking into the lapband, I kept thinking that it might work for someone with a young metabolism, but not for someone my age. I was really happy to see how many of us have done this -- and it's working. By the way, the woman I worked with had gotten her band back in 2002, very soon after it was first approved in the US. She had a slip last year, had it repaired, and is now back on track losing the 50 lbs. she gained back. She a lot wiser for the experience. Regards... Debbie

Carlene, I'm glad you mentioned that you have to work to maintain your weight loss. I read so many posts where people say they got the lapband because once they lose the weight it won't come back, but that's not necessarily the case. If you're not careful about what you eat, you'll gain it back. I worked with a woman who got the lapband, lost over a 100 pounds and gained back 50 because she kept eating candy. I think we will always have to fight our weight, but it sounds to me like the band helps us if we make good food choices. Do you think you have the ability to gain back the weight as easily as you did before the band? Do you feel the band keeps you somewhat in check? I was surprise at my former co-worker weight gain, but she's a candy nut. Her name is still engraved on our vending machine.

I don't want to reinvent the wheel (my intestines). The wheel isn't broken. Too much food is the problem, so that's the problem I want to fix. The lap band will help me do that. I don't see a need to take it further than that. I'm not a rush to lose all my weight either. I think I'll look and feel better by losing at a more moderate pace, which is what the lapband helps us to do. Good luck. Debbie