MyBandJourney2009

Hello everyone:-) Well, it's down to the wire with me having all my things in line to turn into my insurance company. My doctor knew what Cigna would require, so he's had me taking care of that for the past 6 months. TODAY I have the Psyc appointment that Cigna requires. I'm a bit nervous,,, do they have to see that I'm not going to go crazy when I get thin? LOL Well, actually I will go a little nuts,,, buying new clothes!!! SO, has anyone had to do this sort of thing with the psyc doc? Just wondering what to expect when I get to her office.

I'm so sorry to hear about your gain. I've not been banded yet, but this exact thing is something that I've wondered about many times. My surgery is in early October, so I'm gathering information like crazy to get prepared. Like Sunshine2 said,,, you did it once, you can do it again,,, and you don't even have to go through surgery this time!! What a plus:-) Good luck!

Jennyr1222,,,, Good Morning and I hope that the monday after your surgery you are feeling great! I'm very interested in how you are feeling 3 days out from Surgery? How was the process for you,,, he day of surgery,,, did you get to go home that same day? How are you sleeping? A lot of pain while moving around? Any sick stomach? Nothing like playing 20 questions so early in the morning hu, lol:-)

This is good information to have! I've had a lot of questions about the time afterwards and how long to feel better. Thanks for all the information! :-)

That's a good question that I keep forgetting to ask my doctor! I'm afraid that the port will be weird? It's good to know that after a while,,, there's no pain. Can you feel it when you touch the spot it's in? What about when you loose the weight,,, can you see it or can you feel it more then? SO many questions about so many little things,,, but I'm excited!!! I've done my 6 months of post op requirements from the insurance company and I'm waiting for their approval!!!! WOOOO HOOOO !

I'm so glad that I read your blog. I am very excited for you to have gone past the surgery now and into life after the band. I wish my surgery date was come and gone. The wait is killing me,,, I think the more time that goes by, the more I second guess my decision to go for it. I'm very interested in hearing how your days after the band are going,,, when you are up to it. My biggest worry is the cuts and how soon I can get back to doing things. I know right,,, with all the other things involved,,, I'm worried about the cuts, lol:-) Well, I won't keep you on here,,, I know you are still recovering. I look forward to whatever news you have to share:-) My prayers for a speedy recovery are with you!

You are awesome,,, I've enjoyed all that you had to say. Most of it matches with what I've learned from my doctor and the dietitian I met with. As far as my expectations go,,, to go to the length of surgery for weight loss,,, I WILL make this work. I'm sure if it's a rough go at the beginning,,, I will be on here asking for all the verbal support I can get. I have read so many things and talked to so many people,,, I want as much info as I can get before hand. With my paperwork going to the insurance company the end of next week,,, I've started to practice some of the habits now,,, like taking dime size bites and chewing 30 or more times before swallowing,,, I've even started doing protein shakes for breakfast,,, tried yesterday to do it for breakfast and lunch,,, but ended up eating what my 3 year old left on her plate,,, but hey, it's a start,,, baby steps, lol:-) I walk the stairs during the day,,, walk some, it's SO hot here in Houston,,, and ride my bike after the sun goes down,,, I'm hoping that if I'm in a little better shape,,, then it will be a little better on me after surgery. I had a c-section with my daughter 3 years ago and I did great afterwards,,, of course I overdid it as the doctor told me not to,,, but I could tell if I was doing too much and I'd slow down. I remember my mom came to stay with us the week after Julie was born and she ended up holding the baby and I was doing the laundry and cooking, lol. But,,, I'm 3 years older now and 50 pounds heavier,,, but I'm praying for the best. Did you stay overnight because you had a rough time and needed the rest,,,, or is that what your doc required? My doc said that if everything went well, I would have it that morning and be home that afternoon. I'm praying for the day long thing,,, I'm planning on feeling better within the week as I did with the c-section,,, so if that's my mind set,,, then that's what I'll work towards:-) I can deal with some pain,,, what put's me under is the sick stomach feeling and needing to throw-up,,,, blahhhhhh,,,, Speaking of that,,, did you get sick at your stomach afterwards? I know some people do just from the meds to put you to sleep. My doctor told me that I shouldn't have problems with being sick at my stomach if I followed what he told me to do,,,, and you can bet,,, I will do anything he says if it means no throwing up! LOL He said that if I were to ever get some sort of sick stomach virus during the process,,, he would call me in some sort of meds to try and stop it,,,, COOL :-) Did you know before the surgery all the pros and cons? Meaning,,, did you know about the dime size bites,,, no drinking during your meal,,, drinking all the water,,, eating the protein first and so on? Did you do the puree meat week? I'm so looking forward to that! LOL The dietitian said it would be good to cook some meat,,, puree it and freeze it in ice cube trays before the surgery,,, that way, when it was time and I may or may not feel well,,, I would have it ready,,, could pop in the microwave and have a nice little tasty treat, lol:-) Well,,, we just came home from The Rainforest Cafe in which I DID eat some of the volcano desert,,, so I'm feeling that "Thanksgiving Full" right now. BUT,,, I'm so interested in any information you have for me regarding the days before surgery,,, 10 days of protein shakes,,, and the week following surgery. I feel that we have some of the same views on things,,, so your thoughts will help me prepare:-) Thanks for everything so far,,,, have a great Sunday!

Just thought I'd see if anyone out there was in the same time frame as me. I'm all done with what my insurance will require of me and I'm down to the waiting game,,, the insurance company can take as long as 45 days to approve,,, but I'm hoping with me doing all that they require before submitting it,,, I'll not have to wait so long. I've heard so many stories on here,,, some not so good, but some very helpful. But I'm sitting here drinking my 2nd cup of coffee and wondering if there are any thoughts from people doing the waiting game as I am:-) Have a wonderful day and hope to hear some comments soon:thumbup:

Girl,, I hear ya. During your six month wait,,, do you have doctor appointments that are required,,, I had to do one diet appointment a month, 6 total, a dietitian appointment and a psyc appointment before I even send it in. The doctor said that he knew that's what my insurance would require. I wish the day would get here,,, then again,, the longer I wait, the more info I will have to be better prepared.

Hey Band_Groupie:-) Maybe I was confused just a little. Reading a lot of what people are saying,,, it seems that they still want to eat so badly,,, so I was turning that into the head game that one must always have when on any diet, with the difference being you were banded and along with that knowledge,,, would help my head game eating more than willpower alone. Ok,,, with that said. I'm very interested in your last comments about eating what you want, feeling satisfied and such. You feel satisfied? Example,,, weight watchers dinners,,, eat one for lunch and want another one to really feel satisfied,,, with the band,,, you still eat the weight watchers dinner,,, but eat only one or perhaps part of one and get the same satisfaction as you did with two full dinners,,, right? Part of the satisfaction being eating what you did before as well as feeling full due to the band. I hate to keep bothering you for info,,, and I hope you don't mind,,, but I have a few questions. After surgery,,, could you walk around by that day or for sure the next? I've been told that my c-section was a lot worse than this will be. I have a little girl and I'm worried about being able to care for her during the day,,, my husband can't take off 6 weeks with me, lol:-) Also on that subject,,, I've been told by many people that it's almost like the feeling you get from working out your abs a LOT,,, the soreness you get afterwards. I know I won't be able to life my daughter,,, but what about moving around the house and cooking or folding laundry,,, guess I'm asking how restricted were you in the few days that followed surgery. It sounds like we are on the same page as far as not living on chicken broth for the rest of our lives. Me personally, I'm already dreading eating all my food separat,,, protien, fiber, carbs in order. BUT,,, I am willing to do so to make this work,,,with the thoughts that one day when I reach my goal,,, I will eat my foods together again,,, like spaghetti sauce mixed in with the noodles. I laugh thinking about how many things I cook that are all mixed in together and how funny it will look to make spaghetti with my little separate piles of meat, tomatoe sauce and noodles, lol:-) I like that you are eating what you normally did with the portion control and doing it with your band filled,,, I thought I might have to wait till I was at my goal weight,,, perhaps my experience will be different than yours,,, but knowing there is a chance that it can be a good experience like you are having is great! My cousin had her's done a year ago and still has to throw up,,, last night she ate a plum and got sick. I have a friend that got banded in March and has only lost 9 pounds,,, she's had no problems of sickness,,, has had around 5 fills and still she eat's quarter pounders and fries like always. Along with some other stories of people I know and people on here,,, it wasn't looking like a positive experience. I think it's like you said,,, it's more likely that people are on here with problems because they need support more than people that are zooming through with little problems. Anyway,,, I'm glad that you sent me your information. I'll be interested in hearing how you felt the first 3 to 4 days after surgery. Thanks for everything!! :-)

Just thought I'd see if anyone out there was in the same time frame as me. I'm all done with what my insurance will require of me and I'm down to the waiting game,,, the insurance company can take as long as 45 days to approve,,, but I'm hoping with me doing all that they require before submitting it,,, I'll not have to wait so long. I've heard so many stories on here,,, some not so good, but some very helpful. But I'm sitting here drinking my 2nd cup of coffee and wondering if there are any thoughts from people doing the waiting game as I am:-) Have a wonderful day and hope to hear some comments soon:thumbup:

Band_Groupie,,,, I want to thank you so much. Reading what you had to say is like reading my own thoughts,,, on the expectations of what will happen. My insurance required an appointment with a dietitian and as I first thought it was a waste of money, it was probably the best 150.00 I will ever spend. She's the one that told me about the importance of dime size bites, chewing till applesauce consistency, what overeating would cause, not to drink during a meal,,, eating in order of protein, fiber then starch to make sure you get all your protein in a day,,, ALL the things that a person is suppose to do to make the band work for you. I will admit, after leaving her office that day, my first thought was if I had to work that hard,,, why go through a surgery,,, just go on yet another diet. Then by the time I got home and telling my husband about the appointment,,, I realized that unlike any other diet that I usually would loose on,,, this was something that would make the weight stay off,,, a tool that would always be with me so that the weight would never come back,,, making all the HARD work that comes with any diet worth it this time,,, because for every pound you loose,,, for every pound marker you met,,, that would be the last time you saw that on your scale. It is exactly like you said,,, it's a mind game more than a hunger game. You are the first person that I've heard say that,,, I thought perhaps I was thinking something so strange,,, even my husband said,,, "if it's a mind game, then why are the diets so hard for you" He really is the most supportive man I know,,, but for an engineer, and a man, it's hard for him to understand how a person can want something so bad and your mind not let you obtain it. So anyway,,, correct me if this isn't what you meant,,, but my thoughts are,,, the mind part of the band comes to play by knowing the band is there,,, When I overeat now, or eat something that's too fatty,,, I know I shouldn't eat it,,, but that mind game of eating comes in and I convince myself I will work out that night and it will be ok,,, whereas with the band,,, you think you just have to have that cookie and milk,,, or the cheeseburger,,, knowing that due to the band,,, you have a possibility of feeling sick, Trowing up, or having pain,,, that head game is much stronger in my opinion to get you to stick to what you should eat. Sorta sad I know,,, thinking that I have NO willpower anymore,,, but going through surgery and having my stomach banded,,,, would stop me from eating wrong. Does all that make sense? Talk about someone rambbling, lol:-) Anyway,,, I like what you had to say,,, I'm very sad for denuement and her problems. I can't even imagine going through all that,,, it is a fear that mine will go wrong,,, but the doctor and the dietitian have promised me that even though there will be rough days,,, sticking to all the little food rules will bring results with minimum negatives. I'm very nervous about the surgery,,, first off, because I've never been put to sleep and that frightens me,,, then the thought of having a port that will get a needle poked in it for a fill is a litlte freaky for me. I use to think that the surgery was a cop out,,, that I was going through surgery just because I didn't want to stay on a diet and workout. WELL,,, just let me tell you,,, after the past 6 months and all that I've read and been told,,, this is certainly NOT the easy way out! Perhaps that's what so many people think,,, that you put one bite in your mouth and you are full for the day. Honestly,,, that's what I use to think, lol. I'm worried that I will do something wrong, get sick, and throw up making my band slip. Once I do the surgery thing,,, don't want to do that part again! I was totally surprised to find that the band stays in even after you reach a goal weight. Don't know what I thought,,, but my doctor smiled at me when I asked if the removal of the band was included in the total price,,, he smiled and said,,, how would this be the most successful diet you will ever be on if I took the band out? With the band in,,, you are assured that the weight will never come back,,, That was an eye opener,,, it hit me like a ton of bricks,,,, :-) Ok,,, so I get it,,,, you reach your goal weight,,, you adjust the band as needed and if you ever were to start gaining,,, you can have it tightened again,,,,,,,,,, :-) WOW,,, so many things to learn about this process and I'm so glad that you shared your story with me. I look forward to any additional information that you want to give me:-) All my paperwork will be at the insurance company by the 18th of this month,,, then I have a waiting game for them to give their approval,,, but my doctor is wonderful and has had me do everything that my insurance would require me do,,, hopefully by the end of September I will be banded!! Hope to hear more good things from you Band_Groupie!

I had an appointment with the dietitian and she told me about not drinking while I eat or 45 min. after. That one will be tough, I always tried to drink a lot with my meals when dieting,,, you know, get filled up with water and you won't eat as much thing,,, guess that didn't work so well or I wouldn't be here, lol:-) Did they also tell you about taking dime size bites and chewing 30 times before swallowing? I've practiced that one a lot,,, it will take a lot more concentration to get that one right. Do yall feel as hungry or have all the same cravings as always? I'm thinking that knowing the port is on my stomach and over eating will cause pain,,, is more powerful than willpower ever was, lol.

OK!!! I'm so glad to hear that all is going well for you! I'm about a month away from my lapband date and I've really been worried about it. I'm getting a lot of friends not wanting me to go through with it and then a lot that say go for it,,, I have been so excited about the process till lately when it seems everyone seems to be worried about me getting it done. I read a lot where people are having a lot of trouble, whether it be the surgery itself or afterwards of being so hungry and not loosing weight. Anyway,,, I am glad to hear that all is going good for you. Makes me think I should just go with my gut and try not to listen to my friends,,, I know they are just looking out for me,,, but I've battled this weight for the past 19 years and I want the next 19+ years to be filled with no weight worry. Ok,,, so thanks for all that you had to say,,, I look forward to hearing all the other blogs about your success!

What sort of pain? I too have been told the pain afterwards isn't as bad as a c-section,,, Just curious to followup and see if it's the horrible gas pains that hopefulmechelle is talking about or something other that I need to consider?

I'm really struggling with my decision to do lapband. I've read SO many of the blogs and it seems that everyone is having a very hard time with weight loss after surgery. I know lapband doesn't promote weight loss all by itself,,, but I really thought it was going to make it a little easier to not over eat. You know how it is at times,,, you go out to eat with friends,,, have friends over and you just seem to eat way more than you were actually hungry for,,, the band should stop this sort of thing,,,, or so I thought. Perhaps it's a struggle until the doctor get's your exact fill amount right? I'm just wanting something more than relying on my willpower,,, at 44 years of age,,, 3 kid's and my mother in law in the house with us,,, I seem to have lost the ability to rely only on willpower. I also have many friends that just plain don't want me to do the surgery,,, I have friends that tell me to do what I feel I should, some that support and a husband that is wonderful and says he will support whatever I do,,, perhaps the friends that are telling me to not do it are right? Maybe my gut telling me to do it is right???? O MY LORD,,, I'm SO CONFUSED!

One more month to go,,, I'm almost done with what my insurance required of me and I'm finding that I'm second guessing my decision to have the surgery. I hear of so many success stories, but it's the stories you hear about where someone has lost only 9 pounds in 5 months, or that they get sick very easily that get me worried. SO,,, today I found this website and I'm looking forward to being able to hear more good stories to put my mind back at ease. 2 months and counting:thumbup:

SO glad to hear a couple of good stories! I must say, CHEFLA mentioned the puree food,,, SO not looking forward to that, lol,,,, does puree steak possibly look like a chocolate shake??? LOL I use to be worried about the surgery itself,,, besides my c-section, I've never had surgery that I was put to sleep for,,, sorta freaked out about that part,,,, but lately, I'm more worried about going through all the trouble and still having to fight with myself to eat the right things. I mean, I know it's going to still be hard,,, but to hear that some people are miserable because they are hungry all day long is a bit of a bummer. The whole lap band tool is intended to help you feel full and not feel hungry,,, so I thought. It's amazing how many little things you have to do afterwards. I met with the dietition last month and the dime size bites and chewing 30 times to get it at applesauce consistency is hard! I've been practicing that and not having anything to drink while eating or for the hour that follows,,, that one is really hard. If you are trying to stay close to the doctor's orders as how and what to eat,,, is it hard for you getting the amount of protien in each day? She told me how you can get malnutritioned,,, and of course, that worries me! I was told to try and stay clear of protien shakes,,, so many little things,,,definately not the easy way out! Thanks a lot for yall's thoughts.

Hello,,, new to all this posting about my weight thing,,, always wanted to pretend I was just cuddly,,, can't classify yourself as cuddly if your talking about weight loss surgery I guess, lol. Anyway,,, you mentioned staying overnight? My doctor said it would be a day thing,,, I wonder if I misunderstood him?

One more month to go,,, I'm almost done with what my insurance required of me and I'm finding that I'm second guessing my decision to have the surgery. I hear of so many success stories, but it's the stories you hear about where someone has lost only 9 pounds in 5 months, or that they get sick very easily that get me worried. SO,,, today I found this website and I'm looking forward to being able to hear more good stories to put my mind back at ease. 2 months and counting:thumbup: