wantstosucceed

Bri, Good luck to you, you can do it!! Good luck with your surgery too! I hope all goes well for you. Tina

Ginger, I just had my surgery on March 18th. It went very well, and I was released from the hospital the same day, after being told most patients including myself would have to spend the night in the hospital. I myself am taking two weeks off from my job. I don't believe that I would of went back to work 2 days after my surgery. For one, my surgeon puts the "On-Q" on us, and you have to keep it on for 3 days. That said though, on the 3rd day when my boyfriend pulled it out for me, I have been pretty much pain free, and able to do most things that I did before, except lifting. I also had a hernia which I didn't know about, so I'm to take it easy for awhile, and I intend on doing so. Everyone is different in how they heal, etc., however, this is a big change in everyone's life, so if you have the time, I would certainly take it. Like you, when you had children, I was out of bed within 20 min. of having them. I did the same thing as soon as I was out of recovery and into my own room, I just couldn't lay in that bed any longer. In the room next to me, another lady had the same surgery done by a different surgeon, and by listening to her, she was in terrible pain, from all the gas. I myself didn't have the gas pains after surgery, which, I'm thankful, people say they can be very painful. The nurse even warned me that the gas pains can creep up into your shoulders and such and be extremely painful. But, that said, they say the more your up and walking, the better your chances are of not having any gas pains. So, I would just really play it by ear and see how you feel, your body will let you know what your capable of, and it will tell you what your not. Good luck to you on your surgery, keep us posted on how you make out! Best wishes, Tina

Bri, You did the right thing by cutting back. I myself smoked 2 packs a day when I went to my first seminar back in Sept. '09 and they straight up told me I had to quit. I myself couldn't imagine quitting cold turkey and trying to remain on a diet. So, after finally meeting with my surgeon, he even advised me to not do both at once. I had my surgery on March 18th, and now I smoke less than half a pack a day. I'm not proud that I still smoke, however, for me it's "baby-steps." My surgery all went fine and I was actually discharged the day of my surgery, instead of having to spend a night in the hospital. I'm still working on cutting back to the point of quitting and I know I'll get there! Good luck with your journey, you'll do great. Keep your head up! Tina

Erin, Gosh, no wonder you've had no sleep. Hopefully things will settle down for you. I know myself, I've had a few sleepless night. I too am in college and in my last class for my BA in Crminal Justice, plus, I work 2 jobs. Thankfully, both jobs are letting me have some time off. I'm glad to hear your not feeling as weak as you were, I'm sure the good sleep and getting more liquids in you sure helps. Keep up the sleep and such, and good luck on your boards, I know you'll succeed! Good luck, Tina

Kuj, Well, finally home from the hospital. Actually I came home the same day I was banded, which, was Thursday the 18th. My doctor said my surgery went very well! I don't recall much of pre-op, other than them getting me ready, cap, gown, etc. and giving me something to calm my nerves. Otherwise when I woke up in recovery, I was sooo thirsty, they did let me have a few cups of ice. I got to my room, I was allowed to get up and goto the bathroom, then I decided I needed to walk and put some clothes on. A little while later, they rolled me off to have my upper GI done.. stuff was nasty, but they confirmed all went well. Then, they let me sit in the hall for 20 minutes, well, I got tired of waiting for "transport" and went and found a nurses station and gave them heck about it, and then I was on my way to my room. For the rest of the afternoon, it was just sipping liquids, and getting a load of antibiotics before my release. Signed paper work, got the low down on my On-Q and then "transport" was on the way to take me to my boyfriend and daughter who were ahead of me to get the car. Funny, when the "transport" guy came, he says "can I see your band," I immediately said (all drugged up) "your not a doctor and I"m not lifting my shirt to show you anything!" haha.. he said "no no no, I mean the band on your arm to ensure I"m picking up the right patient." LOL.. I just said ohhh forgive me, I'm just a lil high on these drugs they gave me! Trip home was good, the boyfriend stopped and got me my prescriptions filled and lots of liquid stuff. We got home and he turned into a lil susie homemaker, making jello and pudding, and ensuring I was all comfy. Today, I feel pretty good, however, I'm really trying to get all these liquids in and I feel full all the time, with really no appetite, but don't want to get dehydrated, and I have no fill in my band. Strange, but the Dr. said alot of his patients are like that. So.. the journey begins....Good luck to you, I hope your progressing well!! Keep in touch!

Hi Ruth, I'm getting banded tomorrow. I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am.. I'm a bit nervous, but that's really because I hate hospitals.. I'm sure you'll do fine. Good luck in your journey, and keep us posted how your doing :cursing: Best wishes, Tina

Kuj, Thanks, it was nice meeting you too! I'm sure all will go well. I'll be sure to post after surgery to let you know how it goes. How are you feeling? Everything going alright for you?

Date of Surgery: March 18th Where Surgery will be: Richmond, VA Doctor/Center: Dr. Schroeder Seminar date: September 2009 1st consult date: October, 2009 2nd consult: November Consults and tests completed: Cardiologist. Pulmonologist, sleep Study, Nutritionist, Psych Test Tests still needed: None How is surgery funded? Insurance Concerns? My biggest concern is the hospital stay; I am paranoid about hospitals and I'm dreading the "You have to spend a night in the hospital." Reason for banding? Tired of being over weight and know that it's time to do something about it, that will last me forever, instead of a quick fix.

Thanks Wayne! :wub: I hope your feeling a bit better.

Wayne, Good luck on your recovery, I'm sure the next few months will go well for you. I go in Thursday the 18th for my band, I'm excited, yet I hate hospitals, so I'm praying all goes well for me! Good luck, Tina

Wow, that's awesome. Good luck to you! Let us know how your doing after you get banded. Best wishes on your journey! Tina

Take, I just want to say I think you have a heart of gold for the offer you mentioned in your post. Everyone on this forum just seems to be so helpful and generous with their advice and information. I couldn't have found a better forum to be a part of, and I'm thankful that there are wondeful people on here, just like yourself. Good luck in your weight loss journey! Sincerely, Tina

Ash, Your more than welcome. I myself am also getting excited! I'm ready to take on this new journey in my life. Best of luck to you... keep in touch!

Shonette, Like you, my family has been overweight much of my life. My mom died at the age of 39, not from obesity, as she lost her weight years before dying, however, she died from a brain aneuryism. My mom's mother, was extremely obese, and as a child, I can remember my mom making fun of her and not allowing her in our home because she was afraid she was a bad influence on us as kids. Sadly, my grandma died of obesity related causes. Like you, I know that being overweight does not have to be apart of my family now either. There is certainly hope, and I know that you will be a success at whatever you set out to accomplish. Good luck to you and your weight loss goals! Tina

Wow, that is awesome. Congrats on your success thus far! Keep up the amazing work. You'll reach your goal in no time. Way to go!

Nerolid, I think we all have to remember, that the lapband is a tool, and to properly lose weight you have to know how to use the tool that is given to you. I have a friend who had gastric by-pass done, a year after she had it done, she regained all her weight. Why? because she didn't follow what she was suppose to, went back to eating junk food, and lots of carbs like she did prior to her surgery. This is a lifetime commitment. Something we have to want to commit to and give it our all. Like so many people here, I myself have tried many diets and pills in order to help me lose weight, which, I succeeded at, however as soon as I quit the diet, or quit taking the pills, I gained the weight back, plus some. I am dedicated to the lapband and making this work for me, not only because I want to lose weight, but because I want to be healthy. I feel that the lapband is the tool that I need to succeed. I do hope that you find what is right for you. Good luck in your decision, and your weight loss goals Best of Luck, Tina

Stacey, Congrats!! I'm happy to hear that you finally got your date! Good luck, and keep us posted on your status. Best of luck to you! Tina

Ash, Just remember, everyone here has to go through all the steps too. We might not have to finance however, in order to get the band we all have to go through the steps. Just remember this is about you, and your future...Don't give up! I know myself I'm getting anxious, I've done everything except a chest x-ray and my last blood work...the psych evaluation and my other appointments were cake.. they scheduled them right after my seminar which was Sept. 09...the worst thing for me was that my Dr. made me get a sleep study done...I won't even tell you how bad it was ..it was awful.. but regardless, just hang in there, and know that we're all here, going through the same thing...don't second guess yourself :thumbup:

Hi ash, I'm sure you'll figure out who you want to do your surgery. When I went to my seminar, the surgeon there specifically told us, that if our insurance didn't cover the surgery, that they had an "in-house" program to help. Maybe you could inquire with whomever you choose as your surgeon to find out what for financing programs they have. Good luck, keep us posted on how your making out. Tina

Sunny, Thanks for the welcome! There really is a wealth of information on here, whether your just thinking of going to a seminar or you've already had the band done. Good luck to you, and keep in touch to let me know how your making out. Tina

Hi everyone! Just a newbie here, looking around the forum. Thought I'd take a moment and say hello. This site looks to be pretty informative with many already having the surgery. I myself have gone through the seminar, psych evaluation, sleep study, etc., just waiting on more blood work, chest x-ray, and a surgery date. 'm actually getting excited, and have been for a long time. The lap-band seems to be the tool that I will need. I wish you all much success and hopefully will be looking for more support and advice in my journey! Good luck to all. Tina

Congrats on your band! Your right what a way to start out the New Year! Hopefully the New Year brings many "new" things for you.