Astrasmom

It's actually 64lbs according to the doctors scale from yesterday. My scale is a bugger. This is my total weight actually from my pre-op diet. Since surgery I have actually lost 54lbs. My pre-op started 2 weeks before surgery. :smile2: But thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS! You will soon be sitting with us on the Losers bench. Keep us posted on your progress.

Have you tried some Gas-X strips? Hang in there. I also had the runs the first week or so after surgery. Things do get better. You have to make sure that you get the protein in so that you can heal. Even if you don't feel hungry you have to force yourself to get the protein and the fluids in. CONGRATULATIONS!!

CONGRATULATIONS!! You are in for a life changing experience. This surgery is awesome and probably the best thing that you could have ever done for yourself. Please keep reading and reading and reading. Be sure to ask questions along the way. The people here are wonderful and very supportive. Please keep us posted on your progress.

You can expect a great change in your life:) Really expect some pain. But take your pain medication that the doctor gives to you. Don't over do it, but make sure that you walk as much as possible so the air comes out that they pump into you during surgery. You might want to get yourself some Gas-X strips for gas pains (which is from the air). Recliners are good to sit in after surgery. If you don't have one make sure you prop a pillow under your left side (If that is where your port is going) when you lie down. Body pillows are great too. It takes a good 2 weeks before you are totally back to normal. Make sure you drink your fluids. And don't cheat. Stick to the plan that the doctor gives to you. It's important for your body to heal. Most of all don't be upset if you don't lose much weight the first few weeks. It's all about the healing process. Get yourself some sugar free ice pops. Not only are they good but they help with the swelling too. Good luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress. CONGRATULATIONS!! Do you have a surgery date yet?

You can still bing, but the band will prevent you from overeating. You won't be able to get as much in as you normally do. With the swelling at first you probably won't want to eat much at all. As the swelling goes down you will become hungry. DON'T OVER EAT. Until you are filled for the first time, you are pretty much on will power (otherwise known as Banders Hell). But don't get discouraged if you don't lose anything at first because for the first month it's all about healing. Make sure you follow the plan that the doctor gives to you. Make sure you weigh your food. And make sure that you drink your fluids. Some people do get fills when they have their surgery. It all depends on your surgeon. Drink your protein supplements. When you move up to puree make sure you pick foods that are higher in protein (fish and chicken). Always eat your protein first.

Wow sorry to hear that you were in the hospital but glad that you are feeling better. You should have it alot easier after you have your surgery. Your tastes change after surgery. I used to love that fatty food. But now I've kind of trimmed things down a bit. Please feel free to email me if you like.

So many people will say that lapband surgery is the easy way out but there really is nothing easy about this process. I was banded on Oct 23, 2009 and I have thus far lost a total of 67lbs. Let me tell you what I had to do to get there. So before I had my surgery I was a whopping 304lbs. YIKES. Figure it out as to how much I weigh now. :redface: I have about 87lbs to go. Anyway in 2001 I had open heart surgery for an Aortic Anuerysm and a valve replacement. Since a porcine valve (Pigs valve..no bacon jokes please) was used I will need to have the surgery again in another couple of years because unfortunately they don't last more then 10 years. Why did I have that kind of valve put in? Because I was young and didn't fancy the idea of taking a blood thinner for the rest of my life. So I have been following a Cardiologist. Anyway for years I have been battleing a weight problem. I have tried every diet that you can think of. And I have actually lost weight. Only to gain it back again by hitting a major sink hole on the highway. One day at a check up my Cardiologist told me that it was time to start thinking about my surgery again. Then told me that if I didn't really think about losing weight I could possibly die on the table or run the risk of several infections. So I think that was the day that I really woke up and said, "Hey you need to do something about this." So I started doing research. And after attending a Bariatric Weightloss Seminar and 6 months of nutrional visits along with other types of doctor visits I finally had my surgery. So now I am down 67lbs and EXERCISING!! But along with that weight loss comes endless calorie counting, vitamin intake, making sure you chew your food so it doesn't get stuck. And lots of will power. People think once you get that lapband in you aren't gong to be hungry. BULL CRAP. You are hungry and the thing is it does take alot of will power because you can keep eating. You have to teach yourself the difference between head hunger and real hunger. You can't let food control you. The band is a tool. It's not a get thin quick type of deal. It does require alot of work. And you can eat pretty much anything in moderation. I don't do bread, pasta or beef. They don't agree with me. So here I am riding the Highway of Life without hitting the pot holes anymore. Oh I do hit those speed bumps once and awhile. I'm only human. I have to 'cheat' once and awhile. But unlike before I know how to control myself. And I know that if I want to be healthy and stay alive, this is the end of the road for me. I have to be serious. This is probably the best thing that I have ever done for myself. I have NO regrets and if I had it to do over again, I would.

CONGRATULATIONS in starting your journey. Everyone is required to attend a seminar in order to get a consult. Its just to inform you of what you will be going through. After that you set up your first consult. Going to the seminar doesn't necessarily tell everyone you are getting weightloss surgery. I honestly wouldn't worry about it. As for how long for the self pay. Unfortunately I was insurance which took 6 months but from what i have read and heard usually 1-3 months from the time of your consult until surgery. The best of luck to you. Please keep us posted.:frown:

I do have one regret from being banned.............That I didn't get it done sooner. I am the happiest and most confident now then I have ever been in my life. My self confidence was pretty much in the crapper. Now I have pulled myself out of the crapper and tossed the crapper in the trash..lol It's a lifestyle change that takes some time getting used to but it's well worth it. If you follow the plan that your doctor gives to you. I PROMISE you will be happy also because you will be amazed by the results that you get. Congratulations on your banding. See you on the Losers bench. :frown:

As with everyone else. DO the shakes and you might want to drink a low sodium V8 once and awhile for your veggies.

CONGRATULATIONS! You were banned on my birthday. :sad: Welcome to band world. I wish you lost of success in your journey. Please keep us posted with your progress. :frown:

First let me say BLESS YOU. You certainly have your hands full. But kids are such a blessing. Next let me say CONGRATULATIONS. I am glad that you have a friend to help you through this as well. I wish you all the best and do keep us posted with your progress. Good luck with your pre-op diet. BTW I had a umbilical hernia too but had that repaired way before my lapband surgery. I did have a hiatal hernia repaired during surgery though.

The LapBand is a tool. It's not a miracle cure. If you want to lose weight bad enough you will make it work. As someone stated it will help you with portion control but it won't stop you from putting things in your mouth. This is a lifestyle change. You don't have to give up living. Don't deprive yourself of the good things in life once and awhile. Or you will fail. If you feel like having a peice of cake sometime. Then do it. Just make it a small one, not an entire cake. If you want to have a cooking once and awhile or some ice cream. Then do it. Just don't eat the entire package. Food is an evil thing that YOU need to take control over. You can't let food control you. As my saying goes, "Life is a highway, and I'm riding it MY way." Everyone is going to mess up once and awhile. Just get back on the path and try again. We can't all worry about the "What if's" in life. We just have to be ready when things hit us. Before you binge, ask yourself how far back will this set you if you were to eat it? Or even make a Pro's and Con's list and put it on your fridge. Write down the food. The pro's of having this food. And the con's of having this food. Before you binge, wait 30 seconds before you eat and then see what happens. If you still feel after 30 seconds you need to eat, then by all means go ahead but just a bite.

Congratulations to you!! Anything is possible if you apply yourself. And it sounds like you have a good attitude. Stick with the plan that the doctor gives you and work hard, and soon your grandchildren will be telling you to slow down because they can't keep up with you. Please keep us posted on your progress.

My doc said no carbonation because it will hurt. I've also heard that it can cause damage to your band if you drink it enough. So I gave up soda and coffee (because of the caffine) in August. I drink Crystal Light and decaf ice tea.

Thank you so much for sharing your website. You are truly and inspiration. And you look awesome!!

Yes I would say it's probably from the breathing tube also. As for the water going right into your stomach. Chances are you will feel that happen with almost all of your food because your band isn't restricted after surgery. There are some that have a fill during surgery and others that don't. You will experience several different things while you are healing. You may start feeling port pain also. Just remember that your port is attached to a muscle so you might get some spasms. Just remember to keep walking, and drinking your fluids. You'll be better in no time. It takes a good week 1/2 to 2 weeks to get back to normal.

"There is no better taste in the world than the taste of me being thin again." Someone at my support group said that. And I think that is an awesome quote. This band is a tool. It's NOT going to automatically make you stop eating. An alarm isn't going to go off if you eat too much or the wrong things. If there is anyone out there that has already been banned that thought this was going to be easy, honey you are in for a failure. This is not an easy road to follow. How you use the band all depends on how badly you want to be healthy again. And how badly you want to lose that extra baggage that you carry around all of the time. If you want it bad enough, you will work for it. Sometimes we all have to step back and examine our metal state of mind. We have to take a stand and not let food control us. Yes I know that's easier said then done. Believe me, you are talking to the number one muncher in the world. The doctor gives us a food plan to follow for a reason. Once and awhile we might step off that path but we have to be strong and pull ourselves back onto the track. Or else the rose thorns will take over and you will be so far in, you won't be able to pull yourself back. You ARE human. And everyone makes mistakes. We all have to learn to make better choices. And that doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the better things in life once and awhile. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. Don't take big chances that could ultimately set you back for awhile. Talk to your doctors or nutritionists. That's what they are there for. NONE of us can do this alone. Use the support that you have infront of you. Best of luck to everyone. Here's to a healthier you. :redface:

Congratulations and the best of luck to you. We will all save you a seat on the Losers bench. Do keep us posted.

I take Walgreens brand. They are called Creamies with Vitamin D. They are very yummy.

Welcome to Banders Hell. Unfortunately this stage in the phase totally sucks. You really have to rely on will power. Measure your food and eat the higher Protein foods like fish and chicken. Even if you THINK you are still hungry, stop yourself after you have eaten the portion that you have measured out. For some people it does get easier after the first fill, for others it takes a few fills. I have had 2 fills so far and am doing well. Follow the plan that your doctor gave to you and you will do fine. Best of luck to you.

Listen. This is a lifestyle change. No one said you have to give up living. Once and awhile a drink is good. I enjoy a glass of red wine, maybe once a week. I won't drink the mixed drinks because they do have alot of empty calories in them. If we deprive ourselves of rewards once and awhile, we will fail. That's why all of those diets failed for us. EVERYTHING IN MODERATION. I also enjoy a peice of pizza once and awhile. I am 4 months post op and I have lost 67lbs. My point? Be careful but enjoy the finer things in life once and awhile. We have all worked hard to get where we are today. We deserve it once and awhile.:thumbup: