~Michelle~

So I am almost 3 weeks post op now. My incisions are healing great, and I don't think the scars will be too bad. My visit with my surgeon was pretty quick, and unfortunately I did not get a fill, that will be at my next appointment. Basically went over how I was doing, what kind of foods I can start introducing, and answering all my questions. I really like my surgeon he's an easy going guy, who is very patient. He was pretty impressed with the weight I had lost, but informed me that the weight loss is going to slow, and I may even gain weight as I introduce food into my diet. I was kind of bummed out by that, but so far no weight gain. On the down side no loss either. I have gone down a size though. Now I need to learn how to sew. I would hate to buy more clothes until I go down at least a few sizes, and I have some clothes I just hate to give up. Last couple of days there has been stuff posted on the forum that really kind of has me worried about my decision. I am reading so much about how that years after people get the band they start having problems. I knew going into this that there were possible complications, but the numbers seemed so low, but on here is seems the numbers are very high. The other surgery I was considering was the sleeve. And on here it seems that a number of people have converted to the sleeve, and have had much better results with no complications. Its a bit depressing reading these things, and it has me kind of freaked that 3-4 years from now I am going to end up with some major problems. I wanted a life change, but a good one. Now everytime something feels a little funny or when some pain kicks in I am wondering if its the beginning of something major. I have to keep reminding myself that I am only 3 weeks pre-op and I feel pretty damn good considering. I also have to keep reminding myself why I chose Lapband over the sleeve. There is no getting back that part of your stomach they take away. If I do have problems with the band I can have it removed. But all the talk about has gotten me pretty discouraged about the whole thing. I already am dealing with some serious emotions of loosing food as a comfort, and quitting smoking. So I guess I need to stay away from the threads that shed a pretty negative light on banding, and has posters bashing eachother left and right.:thumbup: I started comming here for support, because there is no support group where I am at, and the nearest one is 2 hours away. So I will just stick to the threads that are more supportive, even though the ones that become a day time soap opera can get interesting its hard not to want to see what is next. But those threads just aren't productive. I like this site a lot though, and it has been very helpful so far.

I saw my surgeon last Thursday, 2 weeks post-op. He told me I might stop loosing weight, and also I might even gain some, and that it is normal as I start introducing foods into my diet. Luckily I haven't gained any, but I am not loosing either right now. I also had surgery on the 5th and I do get hungry right now. It is taking a lot of self control. Drinking plenty of Water has helped me, and also having a protien shake or a glass of milk, or some cheese between meals helps. My surgeon ok'd this though. Hopefully after I get a fill I won't be as hungry.

This thread and the Anges thread really has me second guessing the decsion I made to have Lapband. I mean I went to two seminars, seen 2 different dr's, did all kinds of research, but seemed to have failed on the band revision to bypass, or sleeve research. I've only been banded a short time, and really there is not much I can do now, being a self pay, but I am feeling pretty down about things right now. I feel like I just made one huge big mistake. I really tossed around the idea of the sleeve, but truely felt in was more invasive, and I didn't like the idea that I would loose a part of my stomach, but now I am thinking it would have been better then the band. I do hope there are some people out there that are happy with their bands.

I was very, very sore the first 5-6 days after surgery. It was hard to get up and down, and bending over was very painful. I had surgery on a Friday. I thought for sure I'd be able to be back at work the following Monday, because my friend was back to work that quick, but there was no way. I started working from home that Tuesday, so I could work, and still take my pain meds. I was ok enough to get out and about a little. It was a 3 hour drive home the following day, and right after they let me go after surgery I went and did some shopping. I didn't walk, but I managed to hang in there for about 45 mins. I didn't feel like doing much though the first few days. Everyone is different, and everyone will handle the pain differently. Some people get shoulder pain, I didn't get any of that. Most of my pain felt like muscle pain.

Thanks for the encouragment. I think it will be easier when I can have a real meal. Right now it's still mostly mushies, and slowly introducing new foods. I am only allowed 2oz or 4 tablespoons of food per meal, with very little restriction. Its good to know I am not the only one who feels this way.

Pain has gotten a little better, but I am still sore where the big incision is, and still have some bruising and swelling. Also I pulled my steri strips off too soon I think. They were very itchy, and I am somewhat OCD. Thankfully I go to the DR tomorrow. I have lost 30lbs since 2 weeks pre-op according to my scale. But tomorrow could be a different story when they weigh me at the Dr's. I didn't own a scale before. I hated seeing how much I wieghed. Mushies stage is going really good for me. I even had some chicken breast boiled in broth, and that was probably the best chicken breast ever. Only problem so far is that I get hungry between meals, and sometimes my meals leave me feeling hungry afterwards. Hoping I will get a fill tomorrow, and that will help. I have also been feeling a little down. I knew some drepression was a possiblity, but really didn't think it would happen to me. I was so sure I wanted this surgery. But there have been a few days where I really felt like I made the biggest mistake of my life. I think about how I can't have fast food anymore, and all the other foods I am missing out on, and it just makes me sad. I never noticed before how many food commercials there are on TV. I hoping that this will get easier with some restriction. I also have come to the realization that food has always been my comfort not only when I am stressed, but when I am sad. I really enjoy food, and I almost feel like I took something from myself, that I can't give back, and the I worry because of the way I am feeling I am going to end up failing at this. But then I look at the overall picture, and think of the benefits, and know I will learn to enjoy food in a healthy way. I know I am going to slip up, and that's ok as long as I get back on track. I am going to be thin and healthy and that's the most important thing. I do want the lap band, and I wouldn't change anything.

I started my pre-op diet today. I am already having a hard time with it. My Dr has me on Slim Fast, nothing but Slim Fast. I also quit smoking recently so this is becomming very difficult. Anybody else on the pre-op diet? I really am feeling like I can't do this...already cheated a little by eating some chicken breast....has me second guessing everything, but I know I truely want this, and if I had some kind of restriction this pre-op diet would be so much easier!!! I am so hungry right now, and I can't imagine how hungry I am going to be in a few days!!!

I did have a problem with faintness, and weakness, and my blood sugar dropped way down. That is why I was allowed some salad and chicken. But really after the first 5 days or so it got much better. Still got a little shaky, but that was about it.

For me the pre-op diet got easier around day 5, but then the weekend came, but I just kept telling myself it would all be worth it in the end. I did cheat a little here and there, but I did eat healthy things. My dietician and nurse said I could throw in some chicken breast with salad, and FF dressing, and some SF jello. My dietician really didn't want me to, but said if I do to follow those guidelines. So at night I would have a very small portion of salad. On surgery day, my liver was not fatty, but it was still kind of large. It made my surgery go longer, and it was harder for the surgeon. I imagine if I would have stuck to the slim fast, my surgery probably would have been easier. So hang in there, it will be worth it when surgery day comes. If I could do it over again, I would have stuck to the slim fast to the book.

Never blogged before, but figure I need something to keep track of things. I am now on day 5 post surgery. Surgery went smoothly for the most part, I kind of freaked when I woke up, and I am still sore and gasy. I am trying not to take any pain med today, and I am still haning in there, but don't think I can for much longer. I am back at work, and probably shouldn't be, but have to get some very important things taken care of, and then I will answer the phones from home. Tomorrow is my first day that I get to add some solid food to my diet. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I really don't want to do anything to screw this up. But I am starting to feel some hunger for the first time today, so I am ready for some solids. :crying:

Never blogged before, but figure I need something to keep track of things. I am now on day 5 post surgery. Surgery went smoothly for the most part, I kind of freaked when I woke up, and I am still sore and gasy. I am trying not to take any pain med today, and I am still haning in there, but don't think I can for much longer. I am back at work, and probably shouldn't be, but have to get some very important things taken care of, and then I will answer the phones from home. Tomorrow is my first day that I get to add some solid food to my diet. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I really don't want to do anything to screw this up. But I am starting to feel some hunger for the first time today, so I am ready for some solids. :wub:

Friday I had surgery, and went well for the most part. My first surgery ever, and I woke up pretty freaked out. I guess my liver was a little big, so it took a little longer. I didn't get to talk to my surgeon afterwards because he had another surgery, and I was released before he was done, but he did talk to my husband. Yesterday we had to drive 3 hours to get home, and that was rough. Today would have been a much better day to drive home, because I am not as sore. I am still sore today, mostly the gas I think. My incesions only hurt when I get up and down. My stomach is still a little swollen, not sure if I should be worried about that or not. I have never had any kind of surgery, so not sure what to expect really. I got to have some cream of wheat today so that was really nice. I am really happy I had this done even though I am not very comfortable right now.

Funny I was going to ask this very same question. I have several tattoos, and a few of them a very new. The one on my calf is not finished, and I have decided to wait until I loose most of my weight to finish it. It is a lotus on the outside, and then a betta fish on the inner. It will come together with some more wind bars, waves, and such, to make a half sock. I also have one on my outer thigh. I plan to walk a lot, and ride a bike to keep my legs toned. My Dr said that I shouldn't have problems with them, because the skin won't sag much there.

Everyone has been supportive to my face, and I guess that's all that really matters. I have one friend who told me she could "fix" me by running me behind her car, because that is how she got her dog to loose weight. I imagine she realized how rediculous her comment was, because now she is very supportive, even though she doesn't agree with it.

My surgery is Friday also, I am nervous, and I have cheated a little on my pre-op diet. Actually my nurse, and dietician told me I could add a little salad, and chicken brest, also SF jello, and SF popsicles. I had some pork chop last night, and I felt guilty, but today I am back on, and plan to stick to it to perfectly. I am hoping my slip up doesn't cost me. Right now its really hard, because I am a stress eater, something I just recently discovered about myself. But I just keep telling myself this will all be worth it in the end.

Guess I really didn't think of that.....I really don't care if people know though. Besides if they hear about through gossip, then that's all it really is, I live in a small town so I am used to it...lol

My surgery is Friday also, I am very nervous, tons of anxiety. I am afraid of the surgery itself, complications, not waking up, the whole nine yards. And then there are the fears of regretting it, and fears it won't help and I'll still be over weight, fears that it will have adverse effects on my marriage. So I think being nervous at this point is normal, I know I am, its right around the corner. I am not going to have finger nails left by Friday..LOL

I had to take an intelligence test...and then a q & a test, and then we just chatted a bit. I think mainly they want to make sure that you are making an informed, and non-impulsive decision. My phyc also told me they want to make sure that if do have any kind of issues... eating disorders.... depression..etc..that they are addressed.

My family, and closest friends are the only one who know about my surgery. I guess the people I think should know about it know. I really don't want a lot of people knowing at this point. I also told my haridresser, only because she had it done also, and was one of the people who helped encourage me to get it done.