Astrasmom

When you have to burp or you feel gas, sit up and rock back and forth with a pillow pushed up against your stomach. It helps a bit. Most of all make sure that you are walking as much as you can handle because it really does help to move that gas around. I had surgery on 10/23. It took me about a week to get rid of all of that gas and start feeling better. By the way. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Good luck to you. I hope everything works out with your insurance. Hope to see you on the loosers bench in the near future!!:wink2:

With any surgery there are complications. However I think there are probably more success stories then there are complications. I for one would do it all over again if I had to. I'm a little over 3 weeks in now and feeling great. I'm down 20lbs since surgery and 36lbs since the pre-surgical diet. Best thing is, I'm not hungry. I'm able to do more things now then I have been able to do in a very long time. I have a long way to go but the energy level I have now is awesome. It's great that you do your research. Remember when it comes to the actual surgery, no matter what anyone has said to you or you have read, it's your decision. Good luck in your journeys. Stay positive.

I had surgery on Friday and went back to work the Following Tuesday. It was hard but I did it.

I'm in. Would like to be another 10lbs by Valentines Day.

Strong yes. Thank you. Claim to know everything. NO WAY. I may sound like I have been banded for years but I've only been banded since Oct. 23, 2009. I've learned to be strong from all of the ups and downs that I have been through in my life. My son who was born with Down Syndrome has made me very strong. Also having open heart surgery in 2001 for an Aortic Anuerysm. I'm just a person who is fed up with food controlling me all of my life. I'm ready to kick some FOOD butt. I'm down 37lbs since I started this war against food and I plan on keep going. :wink2:

Hi I'm new here. I was banded on Oct. 23, 2009. So far I'm doing great but would like someone to hold my hand and help me walk through this journey. Once and awhile I would love to bend your ear about things. I'm a bit nervous about walking the path but have no intetions of looking back until I get further to the end. And then when I DO look back it's just to pat myself on the back and see how far I have gone to get where I am. :thumbdown:

Well yesterday we celebrated my son's 21st birthday. It was a very monumental birthday too. You see my son was born with Down Syndrome. He makes my life a very joyous one and I had to repay him for all of the times that he's pulled me out of the dark hole called life. No matter how down you might be, Matt always seems to pull you out into the light. My other son is 18 and attends college on a full scholarship. So I'm proud of both of my kids. Anyhow we took my 21 year old son to the Casino last night. Before that we ate at Red Lobster. Beings that I'm on the mushies, the Broiled Salmon and Mashed Potatoes hit the spot. My son had a blast at the Casino. He learned what it's like to lose your money after being ahead $40. Oh well.lol. I told him when he goes again, he needs to learn how to push the button that says, "CASH OUT". Needless to say he hugged me and told me that this was the best birthday that he ever had and that he loves me. So it all made me start thinking how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. And it makes me want to work even harder to lose this weight that I have so that I can be around for many years to see each birthday that my kids reach and keep watching that smile on Matt's face. I want to be there for Matt just like he is there for me everyday. Making me understand that life has many obstacles but no matter how hard they are to climb, you can get to the top of them if you keep trying. :thumbup:

Jessica, CONGRATS on your surgery. And I loved your video. Thanks so much for sharing with us. I hope that you are feeling better today. Things will keep getting easier for you as you go along. I wish you all the best.

I was told that those are the soft signs of being full. Some people burp, some sneeze, some hiccup. You have to be aware of them because if you eat or drink too much after you have them, you will bring stuff back up. I tend to hiccup.

My BOSS sat there 3 months before I had the surgery, and before I even told them I was having surgery and was talking about WLS to another co-worker. His words were "I have heard that people that do that WLS take up other addictions, like sex, alcohol, etc." So a week before my surgery I told him that I was having the surgery. Then proceeded to tell him my husband will be a very happy man because of my addiction... Point is, everyone has their own idea about WLS. Some will say it's the easy way. Some will make fun. Some will act jealous..ect. It is my experience as a mother of a 21 year old son born with Down Syndrome that the reason people make fun of you is because they are 1> Afraid to ask questions. <2 Have no clue about what the procedure (or in my case disability is> so it's easier to pick it apart. So what I do with people who do that stuff to me, and insist on eating infront of me and staying stuff. Even if it DOES bother me, I tell them, "Nope it doesn't bother me at all. I have no desire for sweets or stuff anymore. I want to be one of those statistical people that live a long and healthy life. So if you want to continue to be silly like you are, then go right ahead." 9 X out of 10, they stop because they see that it's not bothering you. Those people are called food bullies. When bullies see that you aren't going to let them bother you anymore, they usually stop. You will have all types of Food Bullies along the way. Whether it be the ones that tell you, you are losing TO MUCH weight. Or the ones like your co-workers. It's hard but stand strong and don't let them get to you. Since your surgery was on 9-18-2009, I'm assuming that your co-workers have taken on a different light now that they see you have been losing weight???

Will I be successful with the Lap Band? Only one day at a time will tell. But I am working alot harder with this then I did with all of the other 'looser' diets that I was on. However this isn't a diet. This is a lifestyle change. Thus far it is working for me and I am happy with my results even if it is only 3 weeks in. Will I fail? I have been a 'failure' for way to long when it comes to weightloss so I refuse to let food take me over anymore. The PR-OP DIET SUCKS!! LOL that's all I can say about that. I did stay on it but I did cheat and have 2 peices of cheese and a peice of ham while I was on it. I just couldn't go with that food anymore. All that said, all of the questions that are going on in your head right now are normal. The Lap Band is a tool to help you with your journey. It's not easy and does take will power, however it's alot easier to stay on track with the Lap Band because 1> It's impossible to eat as much as you did before. 2> It will help you to keep the weight off. There is also another book out Weight Loss surgery for dummies. Also another good book.

My husband tells everyone also. But instead of getting angry I just let him do it. I think of it in a different way. If he tells everyone about it, he's supporting me in my efforts because he's talking about it. Which in turn means that he's proud of me.

I went to my first support meeting this month and I found it to be quite helpful. Ours are also only once a month and if they had them weekly I would also go. I do plan on attending every month. There is great support on this site but there really is nothing like seeing people face to face and hearing their stories and getting ideas to help you through your journey. I recommend attending support meetings to everyone. Some can make this journey on their own. Others like myself need as much support as they can get. All I can tell you, is try it, if you like it then keep going.

I have been on every diet that you can imagine. I have lost several pounds, only to gain them back because I couldn't stick with the diet. The lap band was my last resort. I have no regrets at all about getting banded. This is the tool that will help me reach my goal weight and be able to keep it off. Of course it won't be easy and it does take work, but I plan on working hard at it and this time, I REFUSE to give up. If I had to do the lap band over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. Good luck on your journey. You are doing the right thing by researching and asking questions.

CONGRATULATIONS. For a few days after surgery you will be a little sore. Don't be afraid to use your pain medication. Make sure you walk as much as your body will let you, but don't over do it. This will help with the gas that you might have. Be sure to drink your fluids even if you aren't hungry so that you do dehydrate. Take things one day at a time and you'll be fine. I'm 3 weeks out and feeling great. I'm on the mushies now and I'm not really that hungry. I go on Nov 16 and will probably move up to stage 3 which is soft foods. Good luck to you and if you have questions along the way, ask away. There is always someone around that can try and answer your questions. Keep up posted.

Listen this is what my doc said. The lapband is a lifestyle CHANGE. You don't have to give up living just because you have the lap band. You have to be sensible about your eating and drinking. What works for some might not work for others. Use your own common judgment. My doc also said no carbonation what so ever. So I am choosing NOT to have it. Your choices may be different and I'm not going to judge you. We are all in this together no matter what size we are, no matter what color we are, no matter where we live, no matter what doctor we have. I have been judged all my life because of my weight and because of this I refuse to judge people for what they do. It's hurtful and frankly that's what got us, or at least that's what got me here in the first place. Good luck to everyone of you. I wish you peace and lots of happiness on your journeys.

Welcome Cindy and good luck on your journey. The most important thing is to read as much as you can. Remember there are good and bad in everything. If you have any questions along the way, there are plenty of us to try and answer them for you.

Wow congrats to you also sooclchic. And Congrats on your surgery. You should also be fine since you have lost 70lbs. You will do great!! Don't be to nervous guys. It's honestly not that bad. A little painful but use your pain medication. That's what it's there for. Not everyone experiences the nausea. I didn't. And most of all, make sure you walk after surgery to get rid of the gas which can be a little painful. Good luck to both of you.

Both very normal side effects. I'm 3 weeks out and feeling great. I had the pain and the run. Use your pain pills, that's what they are there for. Don't try to rush back into things to fast. And as someone state take some Imodium or other liquid form of anti-diaherea medication. The pain and all the rest is worth it. If I had to do it over again I would do it in a hearbeat. CONGRATULATIONS to you. Remember to walk walk walk.

Funny you should mention this. I'm 3 weeks in myself and that's what they were talking about in the support group last night too. And then there were people that said they never had problems. I told my husband that it's good that I hear this stuff because I learn from it. I can't say that you will never get stuck but if you follow the 'RULES' you should be fine. Biggest thing is learn how to chew. Don't be in a hurry to get the food down because you will forget to chew chew chew and it will get stuck. We all tend to get talking or get wrapped up in other things and we forget to chew. We are always in a hurry. Just remember the rule of chewing and putting your spoon/fork down inbetween. Don't let it scare you away. Let it be a learning experience like it has me.

Good luck to you. And Kudos for losing 111 lbs. If you can do it on your own, you will have NO problems with the band. You will be doing great in no time.

I had BC/BS. However once you get through your tests and classes it shouldn't take long now. Even with my insurance once I got done with all of the tests and classes that I needed to have done (which was 6 months) it took them about a week to send me the approval letter.

My doctor told me that if you follow the lifestyle you should lose about 50% of your current weight in the first year. But as everyone said, it's up to you how much you lose.