BandaCat

I drove about 15 minutes on my 2rd day Post Op. Alittle more on day 3. But it's not so easy. My port incision is right at the crease of my waist. So sitting for any extended amount of time is difficult. Especially sitting and leaning forward, ouchy. Also, stamina has been a problem for me. I went shopping at Target and Trader Joe's yesterday (Day 5 Post-Op) and it wiped me out. It was difficult to even drive myself home because I was so exhausted. And the shoulder pain when I drive is TERRIBLE! If you really can't get someone to drive you home, maybe you could plan a scenic route home and take breaks every 30minutes to an hour to rest and recharge. (My surgeon recommends getting up to walk every hour or 2 in the early post op stage to aid in healing and prevent blood clots.) It may take longer than 3 hours to get home but at least you'll be safe. Today is Day 6 Post Op for me. I'm going back to work today. Wish me luck!

I'm home from surgery!! I was banded on Oct. 5. I feel surprisingly great. Yes I have some of the expected shoulder pain and almost no stamina. But I feel great. My friend who was banded two weeks ago had me up and walking every hour as soon as possible after surgery. That helped tremendously. By the next morning I felt almost like myself again. I'm trying not to overdo it because I know my body needs its energy to heal my insides. But really this has been a very smooth process. Good luck to all of you who are scheduled this month. Remember to take a heating pad to the hospital and keep walking!!!

That is my Question!!! I will have my band in a couple of days and then the liquid/mushies stage for the month so I don't really have to worry about calories for a bit. But I'm wondering people's thoughts on calorie counting. I've been counting calories off and on since I was 8 years old. (Now 31) I'm just plain sick of it. That's part of the reason that I want the band. I've been reading the forum for about a month and I haven't gotten a clear picture on the calorie counting issue. I guess I've just figured that as long as your not filling up on milkshakes/desserts, the band will keep you from going overboard on calories. Isn't that the whole point? Am I deluding myself? I'd love to hear eveyone's experience with the whole calorie counting game. I'd especially love to hear from those who aren't counting calories and still finding success.

I guess I'll learn as I go on this journey. If I have to count calories I will because the ultimate goal is shedding the weight. But I find that when I do food diaries, Fitday, and calorie counting, my every waking minute is consumed with food. There is also some serious emotional baggage attached to food diaries for me. They bring back all the feelings of inadequacy that I had as an 8 year old put on a diet and not understanding why. (Turns out in pictures I've seen, I wasn't all that overweight, but my mom thought she was preventing it. Kinda backfired.) Anyways, I'm hoping that the band will release me from all that.

Thank goodness, I only have a week to go until surgery! This is crazy. I have gained 10lbs since I decided to get banded. Talk about evil demons controlling my eating habits right now. I am now back to my highest weight ever which I haven't seen in awhile. UGH! I need to STOP THE MADNESS!

My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2006. I am soooo looking forward to this being the answer to my life long struggle with weight. I'm not expecting this to be magic, but it sounds like most people are really happy with their band and have had great success. I'm a little nervous about recovery time because I'm a massage therapist and use my full body for work. I'm hoping that I will have a quick recovery so that I can get back to work. Being self-employed means no sick leave. About me & weight: I'm almost 32. My first diet started age 8. I've yo-yo dieted for 24 years. I know I can lose the weight. It's the keeping the weight off that I struggle with. I'm hoping the band will keep me from binging. About me: I live at the beach with my 2 dogs. Love my job. I work a lot, play a little. But it's not work when you love what you're doing. The plan: By next summer, I will be having a great time in my cute little bathing suit at the beach!

there is a yahoo group called mexicanbandsters. I recommend signing up with that group to see what advice you can get from people who have already been there. My friend got banded a couple of days ago in Mex and she said it was totally no problem. Just a little bit of language barrier with the night nurses but she said it was no big deal.

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm not worried about Mexico at all. I speak fluent Spanish and have spent my whole life travelling down there. My dad even lives in Mexico now. I also only live 25 minutes from the Mexico border so getting fills will be super easy for me!

I will be banded on Oct. 5, 2006. My friend just got banded a couple of days ago and I'm super anxious to get started. My biggest concern right now is my typical "pre-diet" behavior of binging on what I think I'm going to be missing. I gained 5 lbs this week due to that behavior. I don't have to go on a pre-surgery fast but I better do something to get this under control. Two weeks!!!! I can do it!