Monihottie

UPDATE: Please still read the following message, but know that I have created the FB group! It is a SECRET group meaning that nothing will show up in your profile, and your friends will have no idea you're even a member. The group will not even show up in searches!!! Just wanted to add this info in case you were hesitant about getting too public....I haven't told many people yet, and there have been no references to banding or my surgery on FB, so I COMPLETELY understand!!! Soooo, go ahead, friend me and join our group!!! I've been spending a LOT of time on this site since my surgery, but after I go back to work on Monday, I'm afraid I won't be able to devote as much time to the forum. :sad: I'm also looking to specifically work with fellow August Bandsters - Auggies?!?!? I was hoping to maybe create a private group on Facebook where we can keep in closer contact on a more frequent basis. I feel like that medium may be easier to meet each other on a deeper level, and form a tight group that sticks together for a long time! Feel free to send me a message there: Monica Wroblewski, Washington, DC. If there's enough interest, I'll go ahead and create a group. However, it's only two or three of us, maybe a group won't be necessary, but we can still use FB to keep up with each other. I've never really posted to boards like these before, and it is REALLY hard for me to keep track of everyone. I'm really interested in forming a closer relationship than I feel can be developed here. Hope to hear from you on FB!!!

LOL, Kari...sorry to freak you out...let me explain my ticker! I also included the numbers above the ticker as: 310 was my highest weight, but when I went for my first office visit (about a month before my surgery), I was 293. I really don't know what I was right before surgery...maybe about 285. So, not sure if my ticker's right, but I weighed in today at 272; therefore, I would say that since the day I was banded, I've actually lost 13 pounds. Hope that puts you at ease...boy do I wish I had lost 30 pounds since the 10th, though!!!! Anyway, this means that our loss since surgery is the same! :biggrin:

Hi!!! I can understand, I started to get nervous and scared too. Try to keep yourself really busy....it definitely helped! The surgery is intimidating, but it was over quickly, and I never felt horrible. I stayed one night in the hospital, but would totally have been fine going home the same day. I had the surgery on a Monday and stayed out that whole week. I could have used an extra day or two. In that respect, if you work a normal Monday through Friday schedule, you have a good arrangement having your surgery at the end of the week and taking off the next week. I wanted my surgery on a Friday, but my surgeon only did procedures on Monday and Tuesday. Anyway, if you're on FB, come find me!!!

We're still reaching out to fellow August bandsters! We're a pretty diverse group and look forward to welcoming new members! Come join us!!!!!

Two to three weeks does seem like a long time, unless you have a high impact job! I had my surgery on a Monday and was out the entire week. I just returned to work this Monday, and I feel like I could have used a few more days. Sitting up in the chair all day definitely makes my incisions and stomach hurt. Also, I've been having severe lower back pain....all combined, I wish I could still be at home! So, I would say at least a week, but maybe a little more. The people who posted above seem to have been very fortunate with wonderful recoveries!!!

WOW...great story...very relateable! Congratulations on your success...especially since you started with a complication! I'm proud of your success and hope to follow in your footsteps! Again, congratulations!

I also felt scared and excited....but now I'm just excited...for the new me and a new life!!!! Hang in there, and stick with that diet. I had to do one week of ALL liquids, so at least you get to chew something!!! lol. I have read about people's surgeries being cancelled mid procedure b/c the liver was still too fatty...who wants to risk that? I feel that strict, though it sucks, is GOOD. I think it shows that the doctor is genuinely concerned for our well being....he/she is not simply trying to punish us. Also, sticking to it will give you a great sense of pride and accomplishment! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure you won't be reading this before your surgery, so let me say, YAY, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! =) I hope you're feeling comfortable and remember that walking REALLY does help the pain! Looking forward to seeing you on FB!!!!

Are you currently on Facebook? I searched your full name, and didn't find you. I also searched your first and last name, but there were a lot of results. So, first let me know if you're currently on FB, if not, it'll be up to you whether you're interested in creating a FB profile so you can join our group. Just let me know!!!

Excellent! Find me, friend me, and I'll send you a group invite! Are you excited?!?!?!? Best of luck as you prepare for the big day!

Banded on 8/10/09, and I'm also still having port pain. I find it interesting that the "younger" patients seem to take longer to recover! I'm going back to work tomorrow, and that scares me b/c I don't think I'm ready to sit up in a chair all day...yikes! Guess we all just have to hang in there and focus on the better days ahead!!! Feel better soon, everyone!

Yes, the pre-op liquid diet was a bit of a struggle, but I did not cheat once, and I am SOOOO proud! You will be too. I got through it by constantly reminding myself that I CHOSE this, no one was forcing it upon me. Also, one week is so short compared to the infinite happy time you'll have after losing weight. Just keep up with the positive self-talk...it will help! Good luck, hang in there...it will all be worth it. Also keep reminding yourself that sticking to this pre-op diet will make surgery safer, which is what you no doubt want anyway!!!

Hi all - I'm a new member posting for the first time! I was banded successfully yesterday at 7:30 AM, spent the night in the hospital, and came home this afternoon. Overall, the pain has been less than expected...phew! I used to think that WLS was the EASY way out...now I realize that I was completely misinformed. This is going to be a long and tough journey, but I know I have my little helper in place. I've affectionately named my band Willa (Derived from "Weight Loss Assistant"), and I know she's there to work with me not for me!!! A little about me: My name's Monica, and I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and currently live just outside of Washington, DC. My 30th birthday is quickly approaching (10/10), but right now I'm focused on my rebirth date (8/10)! I live with my partner, and our four precious little kitties. I work for the government...fun times! I'm an avid reader and spend a little too much time online. Anyway, I look forward to meeting and working with many of you as we help each other achieve our goals together. To other newbies out there looking to "band" together (hehe) as we begin our journey - hit me up! Best of luck to everyone....better, happier, and healthier days are ahead for us all!

There are many different sites you can obtain tickers from, and I may be changing b/c I've seen some tickers way cuter than mine!!! Anyway, mine is from www.tickerfactory.com. Go there and create your ticker. When you're done, it will give you code to use on the bottom of the page. Copy that code and paste it into your lapbandtalk signature. I see you don't have any signature yet, so in case you don't know how to create one, you select UserCP from the main screen...under the LapBandTalk logo and Home; then, on the right select edit my signature. Let me know if you need more help than that. Good luck!

Go ahead and send me a friend request, and I'll send you the group invite! Since the big day there has been a lot of sleeping! Judging from reading everything on here, I would say that my pain/recovery experience was/is about average. It was honestly less pain than I expected, and mostly due to gas from the surgery! Otherwise, I've just been focused on getting in some walking...luckily we have a treadmill b/c it is SOOO hot and humid outside! I've also been really faithful to the post op liquid diet and have been getting my 70+ grams of Protein by adding unflavored whey Protein powder to everything I consume! The scariest part for me was being wheeled into the OR. Had I known, I probably would have prepared better...knowledge helps me combat fear, so I probably would have done more research on the OR experience and what to expect. Along with some focused thinking or deep breathing. Instead, I let my anxiety peak, and I was shaking in fear as I was being prepped in the OR. Honestly, it wasn't even that scary...I made it scary. Fortunately for me, though, I was knocked out before I even had to count!!! Anyway, I look forward to seeing you FB where we'll talk more! Good luck with your pre-op diet...DON'T CHEAT, you'll only be cheating yourself, and trust me, you'll feel sooooo proud of yourself after completing that part of the process!

I'm happy to find someone banded on the same day...what better way to compare current experiences/progress/etc. I'm still having some significant gas pain, as well. Are you walking? I've been doing small stints on the treadmill...today's really worked a lot of gas out. I don't mean to be gross, but obviously, they (my medical team) wasn't lying about walking to alleviate gas pains!!! I've been using GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein (Unflavored). It's pretty reasonably priced, has great nutrition facts, and blends well into cold and hot (not above 130 degrees!!!) drinks and Soups. I put it in everything, so I've been consuming the 70+ grams of protein recommended so far. I'm sure I'll still use it after I'm well into eating regular foods. How many incisions do you have? I have 5, and they're starting to itch, and not scratching is sooooooo hard! I was a little afraid at first to shower, but now I enjoy it...I just use the gentlest setting on the shower head. Let's continue to keep each other updated!!! :biggrin:

Thanks! I honestly have to say that my thoughts up until recently were the complete opposite of those I'm speaking of now. I decided to do a TOTAL life makeover, so I'm working on the way I think. I know I still have a lot of work to do, but so far, I am LOVING the new positive, Monica! By the time this initial journey is over I'm going to be a brand new package. I think this freaks out some of the people I love who love me, but honestly if you loved me for who/what I was, and I'm only improving, this can only benefit everyone! Do you have a surgery date, yet?

LOL!!! ....um, NO!!!

...and I'm sure I speak for everyone by saying that we are very happy that we were able to help! Sooo glad you're feeling a little better, too. One more thing...my doctor said it's ok to lay on your stomach, and I have been....I think that's been helping to work some of the gas out, which again, is the primary cause of most of our pain. Continue to rest up and feel better! :thumbup:

I was banded on 8/10 and am definitely interested in bonding with other August bandsters! I'm wondering if anyone else would like to join a private group on FB...we could be the Auggies! Let me know, I'll create it! Find me there: Monica Wroblewski, Washington DC. Cat, it definitely sounds like all gas pain...laying on my stomach, which my doctor said was ok, actually helped get some of it out. Walking helped, too. I took Gas X the other day, but it's hard to say whether or not it made a difference. I can't say I've ever prayed for farts before, but man I'm happy when they come...less air in my body!!! Hope that feels better soon. I'm also dealing with itchy incisions right now...I HATE THAT! I am also totally planning on whipping out the Mederma as soon as everything is closed up, I'm hoping that it will really minimize the scarring. Good luck to everyone!

Thanks for the support and encouragement! I still say awesome, so there are two possibilities: 1. It is still commonly used, or 2. We're just both dorks! =)

I was just banded on 8/10, so I don't have much experience, but I can tell you a little of what I know.... The no drinking while eating (and no soda) were HUGE concerns for me. Evidently, the reason we are not supposed to drink while eating is b/c we'll help the food through the opening, thus reducing the time we feel full, which is the point. It's not harmful from what I understand. The soda however, is a problem b/c of the gas....some people can tolerate it from what I've heard, though. So, I've thought about all the pros and cons and chose to proceed even if I'll have to adapt to not drinking while eating. Will I ever drink a bit while eating, I'm sure of it, but the point is to do more good than bad consistently. The issue with alcohol is twofold: 1. Consuming alcohol equates to consuming a large amount of empty calories. 2. After being banded, the alcohol will absorb more quickly, which means we'll be cheap dates...haha! It's not that we are "not allowed" or "never able" to drink. Excess skin depends on age, how much your skin has been stretched, how much you do cardio and weight training while losing weight, and a variety of other factors. I am trying not to think about that, and I am hoping that at 30 my skin will bounce back....I mean look at the Biggest Loser contestants, I don't see a whole lot of extra skin there. Plus, the sagging skin is a bigger problem for bypass patients because they lose so much faster, thus not giving the skin much time to shrink. Know, however, that it is HIGHLY unlikely that insurance would pay for a skin removal surgery as it is considered cosmetic. As with all things, there are exeptions...sometimes an overwhelming medical need for skin removal will fall into your coverage. This also depends on the type of policy you have and who your provider is...some are better than others. As far as being known as the LapBand girl...it is a personal decision who you tell and do not tell. Personally, I am a VERY open person and will tell anyone who wants to listen. Through this, I also hope to help other people who are experiencing the same struggles that led me to being banded. I'm sure I'll get some of what you're afraid of, but I will be the first to point out that I may have gotten the band, but I am still working extremely hard to get in better shape. The band doesn't fix anything...it helps us fix us. So, if you want to keep it private, there is nothing wrong with that! Finally, I just want you to know that if I were able to go back in time and change my mind...I WOULD NOT!!! I am happy with my decision, but I did all my research and had every one of my questions answered, which is what you seem to be doing. Compile the facts and look within. Make your decision, then, no matter what it is...stick with it. NO REGRETS!!!! Best of luck.........

Sorry you're feeling this way. I was banded the day before you, but I can honestly say that the only time I thought, "What have I done..." was when they wheeled me into the OR. I was ready to back out at the last minute, but then the drugs knocked me out! I'm still feeling disbelief, but not in a bad way. I am also still in pain, but I actually just got off of the treadmill...a 20 minute walk @ a very slow 2 mph. It definitely helps work out the gas, which is definitely responsible for most of our pain. As far as the hunger, I bought unflavored Protein powder and add it to every single thing I drink. Luckily, I haven't felt hungry. However, last night I REALLY wanted food, but that was more mental than physical...so I went to bed, instead. Try to look on the bright side, this is a temporary phase. We can't lie to ourselves, there's a lot of work ahead, but seriously think of all of the things we'll be able to do once healthy that we couldn't or wouldn't while overweight. Our overall health will improve, we're decreasing our risks for certain diseases, and hopefully we're extending our life spans! Our brains are also going to be free of negative weight related thoughts, which I would say consumed a good 70+% of my daily thinking. We will be able to buy cute clothes and walk comfortably and confidently on the beach without covering up, and we'll be able to cross our legs and wear skirts without our thighs chafing....I could go on forever. To wrap up though, let me answer your question: YOU HAVE DONE A DAMN GOOD THING. BE PROUD. HANG IN THERE. WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!!!!! :thumbup:

The "pizza" sure does sound yummy...can't wait until I'm able to try it! Overall, I'm doing ok on the liquids, but last night I REALLY, REALLY wanted something to eat. I just had to go to sleep....it was overwhelming. I woke up and enjoyed some delicious broth! So what you all are saying is that I didn't coin the term furrybaby???? LOL!!!!

At your point, I was VERY, VERY excited; however, closer to my surgery I became very scared. I was banded on Monday (8/10), and I can honestly say that it really wasn't scary!!! I agree, tell us what specifically is scary to you, and we'll be able to provide better insight. I'm still somewhat in disbelief that I've really gone through this process, but I am really excited and ready to start my new life!!!!!!!!!