Elation

I had a funny experience last week. I was in the tub and when I laid back to relax I thought I was sitting on something hard, then I realized it was my butt bone!!

I too developed Gallbladder problems one month post-op. The symptoms are exactly what you describe. It is an excruciating pain that feels like what I imagine a heart attack would feel like. I had mine removed just over a month after getting the band and feel much better. Good luck!

For me personally, exercise makes me feel empowered. The band is awesome but taking control of my own health has been even more awesome! For the first time in my life I actually enjoy working out. Now get to the gym!

My advice is to stay off of the scale for the first month after being banded. This is a time for healing and you may not lose much weight if any at all in the beginning. I used to weigh at the same time each day because I felt like it kept me on track. If my weight was up, it made me even more intentional with my diet and exercise that day. As of recently though, I have put the scale in another room because my weight loss is slowing down a bit and I don't want to get frustrated. Now I'm able to focus more on my workouts and not so much on the scale.

Hello and congrats on your surgery! I realize you are frustrated right now, but you have done so AWESOME! I had some of the same feelings my first month being banded. You aren't expected to lose a ton during this time (even though you have!) You are in the healing phase right now. Just follow your surgeon's instructions and hang in there until your fill appointment. Don't beat yourself up over the occasional cheat, it's going to happen. This is a journey, not a race and you have endless support here.

Sorry to hear what an ass your PCP was. My PCP is Cindi Jones Woods at Stonecrest Medical in Smyrna, TN. She was great and really helped me out with everything that I needed to get my approval. Who is your surgeon? Baptist Metabolic was great and I highly recommend them! Good luck with everything.

First I just want to say congrats on your upcoming surgery. Believe me, it is life changing. Now for the pre-op....I was allowed to drink No Sugar Added Carnation Instant Breakfast rather than an actual protein shakes. This saved me because I hated the protein shakes. I agree with others that the pre-op gets easier as you go. The first two days were the hardest. During this time, you will find strength and self control that you didn't know existed within yourself. This is just the beginning of all sorts of positive feelings towards yourself that you're not used to! Hang in there and enjoy the ride!

I think 25 lbs. is awesome. Don't beat yourself up when you should be celebrating! I was banded February 15th and have now lost 34 lbs. There have been times since being banded that I don't lose and it gets frustrating but I now know that if I keep on doing the right things, the scale will start to move again. These first few months most doctors want us to heal and adjust to this new lifestyle and do not expect huge amounts of weight loss from us. At this point in the game it's a bonus. Hang in there and know that you are not alone. You are doing great!

My doc said to let pain be my guide. If it hurts....stop. He said that there really isn't much you can do to hurt it.

Did you use the coupon code at 24 hour fitness? That's where I bought mine last night and it worked fine. I placed a second order using a different coupon for 10% off on the digital display.

I used a coupon code that saved an additional $15.00. Type in skinnyscoopbb at checkout. It makes it $164 with free shipping.

I'm in the same boat. I had surgery on February 15th. I was able to introduce solid foods on day 5. I am eating significantly less than I did pre-band and I am making conscious decisions on what I will be eating at each meal. I have lost about a pound since surgery. I have read so much about the Lap-Band® and have spoken with my dietician about my own weight loss. She suggested that I stay off the scale during this time to avoid becoming frustrated. You and I both know that we're not going to stay off the scale! We have to be patient and wait for our fills so we can get the proper restriction. At least this is what I tell myself everyday. Good luck on your journey!

I was banded on February 15th. I was able to lose 11.5lbs on the pre-op diet but have only lost 1lb since surgery. My surgeon allows you to go on solids on day 5 which I did with no problems. I have been very good about eating my protein and in the correct portions. I experienced hunger for the first time yesterday. My dietician told me to stay off the scale during this time for this very reason, but I think we all know how difficult that is. I am very proud of the success I have achieved so far, I am just ready for the scale to move just a little. Did anyone else experience this immediately after surgery and if so, how long did it take for the scale to move? I have an appointment on the 4th, and I'm not sure if they are doing a fill at that time or not. My band does have some fluid from surgery. Just curious what other bandsters have experienced during the newbie phase.

Thanks everyone. I have been on LB Talk for months and months and I know the answer to my own question, I guess it is comforting to know that you're not alone. As far as being on liquids until my first fill, I'm sure that would work because it certainly did on the pre-op. I just don't know if I should stray from what he told me to do. I want to do everything right so I can be successful. The other thing that I think about a lot since surgery is, when does this new life become normal because at this stage, it takes a very conscious effort to follow the bandster rules (eat, wait, drink, drink, drink). This has been surprisingly easy to adjust to so far. I'm just excited to be banded and look forward to more progress.

The day before my pre-op diet, I went to Sams Club and spent a bunch of money on EAS and Atkins. I tried to drink them for 2 days and after that I gagged at the thought. I called the dietician and she said that CIB no sugar added would be fine. I lived on it for the 2 weeks and I'm still drinking it now that I had surgery this week. Good luck on your pre-op. It's a challenge, but it is so worth it.

I was banded this past Monday. Before surgery the nurse put a Scopolamine patch behind my ear to help with nausea. She told me to avoid touching because if you do and then you touch your eyes it will cause them to dilate. I woke from surgery and was shown a pretty cool picture of my band around my stomach. I could see it fine. I got home and took about a 2 hour nap. When I got up, I went into the kitchen to get water and I noticed that I wasn't able to see the numbers on the microwave. So I picked up a piece of paper and I could NOT see the words on the page. Before surgery I could see perfectly. I was terrified that I was one of the very rare cases and I was going blind. I had my surgeon paged the next morning and when he called back he said that he'd heard it before and that it was most likely the patch. He thought that it would get better by that night. He was right and I started to see improvement. Thank God! I don't recall touching it but I suppose it could've happened during recovery. All I do know is that it was very scary. Just thought I'd tell every one of my experience in case the same thing happens to you. Hopefully you won't panic like I did. Good luck to all of you!

Definitely! I'm about to turn 32, I have no kids yet I have stretch marks! I was thin until I went off to college and I've packed on the pounds since. I remember weighing myself obsessively when I was a teenager thinking how "fat" I was. I was probably 120lbs soaking wet. It's amazing how our minds play tricks on us. Now that I've been overweight for a number of years, I wonder how it will feel once I'm banded (on Feb. 15th) and start to lose the weight. Will I always feel like a big girl or will my mind match my body? I don't know about you, but I can't wait to find out.

So, I start my two week pre-op diet in the morning. I am far more nervous about it than I am the surgery itself. I stocked up on my protein shakes for the next two weeks, but it's my mental toughness I'm worried about. I, like many of you, have spent many hours on this site and I feel confident that it has helped to prepare me for the journey ahead. Any advice that all of you have to offer for a successful pre-op diet would be great. Wish me luck and good luck to all of you! Let's do it!!!!:thumbup:

#1. Surgery date - February 15, 2010 #2. State you live in - Tennessee #3. Doctor/Surgery Center - Dr. Spaw, Metabolic Surgery Center, Nashville, TN #4. Insurance or self pay - Aetna Insurance #5. Age and height - 31 5'2" #6. Current weight and goal weight - 205 and my goal is ~125 #7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery - I have sleep apnea and I am tired of being so unhappy with myself all the time. #7. Do you have the support of family and friends? Definitely my family. Most of my friends are supportive but there is the occasional sarcastic comment made. For once in my life, I don't give a damn what anyone thinks! #8. Concerns and questions? I am not at all nervous about surgery, but I do have anxiety about the pre-op diet that I have to start on Monday.

I met with both my surgeon and the dietician just yesterday and was told to stay between 25 and 60 carbs per day. This seems reasonable since I won't be eating bread anymore.

I know exactly how you're feeling right now. I started the process in April of last year with my 6 months of PCP visits as well as all of the testing. My BMI is under 40 so not only was I excited at the thought of having the surgery, I wasn't sure if I'd even qualify under the terms of my insurance. It consumed me. I just had to find something else to occupy my mind. Hopefully it won't take the full amount of time to hear back. I have Aetna and my claim was submitted on a Friday and I got a call from the Dr.'s office on the following Monday morning with my APPROVAL! My appt. with the surgeon is on Jan. 27th and I will schedule a date then. Hang in there and good luck!