phenry

Oh yes...I do want to focus on the benefits...but it's just human nature to let yourself wander over to what could happen. I am sure that surgery and risks are all worth it as long as I am successful! I am praying I can follow procedures on what I need to do to succeed. Thanks for posting your thoughts...it really does help to hear from those who have been there and done that!

Yeah! Good for you!

I am lucky that we have some really nice Goodwill stores in our area. I am hoping to donate my old clothes and shop in their store until I get to my ideal weight. To me its a great way to help the community and to dress nice as my size transitions. They have such cute things! I won't have any problem dressing nice for cheap. I sure hope my feet lose weight! I would LOVE to get into some cute shoes again! Now those I buy new...I just can't wear someone elses shoes...just a thing with me!

I live in Indiana but am having surgery in Kentucky. What part of Indiana do you live? I am sure if you research lap band surgeons in Indiana, you will find one near you.

Rats...I like Jammin June Bugs! Guess we have to draw a line somewhere...just naming the group could take awhile otherwise!

Lucky for me I don't have to do the pre-op diet except for two days before surgery I go on clear liquids. I would find it tough, but maybe the farther you get in to it, the easier. I hope that is the case. If things get hard, just pop in here and we can offer support! It really is nice to have somewhere to turn.

You aren't alone sahsue! I see many who are excited...can't wait...and I wish I felt that way too. I am unsure and nervous, but it isn't as bad as last week! As I had posted previously (somewhere) I know this is what I have to do if I want to lose weight. After all nothing else has worked. Those are not just words, it is a fact! BUT...I still am pretty nervous and I know as surgery gets closer...that will intensify. I am sure I won't back out or anything, I just am making an observation on how people feel before they go through with it.

It's nice to hear the stories from people who have taken the plunge and now have no regrets! That is great support for anyone like me who is still "unbanded" and waiting.

It seems that people have all sorts of reactions to getting the band. I am being banded June 12th. I have had and will have plenty of moments where I have to ask myself...is this really necessary....I have to be honest and say...yes. I have gone over in my mind why I am doing this and I keep getting the same answer. Because I am fat...and I don't want to be fat and I can't get it off myself. If I stay fat...my health is going to keep going downhill. So...by reasoning it out, I know I need this band. Scary as it seems...I need something to help me. Funny thing about being upset about things is it can change over night. I didn't need anyone to convince me of anything, I just went in the bathrooom and looked at my naked body in the mirror. No words needed.

mine says clear liquids and nothing that is red or purple for sure!

Hi everybody! Here is my question and I am hoping that someone can maybe tell me if they had a narrow esophagus opening and had the lap band surgery. I have been approved...I have a surgery date of June 12th. Last year I had a study done on my esophagus because I had difficulty in swallowing. Sometimes food would just get stuck and I would have to wait for it to go on down. I guess this has been in the back of my mind but I haven't addressed it with the surgeon yet, and well, nobody ever asked if I had a swallowing problem throughout this entire process. Not making any excuses...it's just that other people surely have this condition, and I am wondering how much it would affect me with a band in place. I of course will speak to my surgeons office this week and ask this question, but I was thinking maybe someone out there has some info for me. When I was found to have this condition, the gastro whatever doc widened the opening with a balloon. I don't know how long that will last. Maybe forever...maybe not. Maybe once I get the band and if the opening narrows again..they just open it again. I'm just not sure if this may be a reason to NOT get the band. I would hate that because I really fear any other type of surgery.

Thanks for your input RM. I agree totally, having food stuck is a bad feeling without the band, with the band...I can only imagine. By the way...I love San Antonio...one of my favorite cities.

From what I have researched, it sounds like he is a capable surgeon. That is what matters most to me at this point. A smile and gentle nature can feel reassuring, but even smiling docs can botch a surgery, so....I am hoping my surgery goes well. Did you stay in the hospital "all things"...geeezzz...I hate calling you all things...but you didn't leave a name!!! LOL!

I think you are very brave and honest to come forward with your problem. I haven't been banded yet, (June 12th) but I think a trip to see your surgeon is a great idea. Maybe they can't fix the problem for you, but maybe they can give you some new found inspiration. Don't give up! Don't let your mind trick you in to excepting your weight as it is now...and make you think that's all your going to lose. Summer is nearly here...it is a great time to try to increase your activity level. Do some serious soul searching and reach down in there deep and grab some encouragement!!!! Maybe join weight watchers to jump start you again. Even if your diet needs to be a little different than what they offer...the support you get from the group is always helpful. Maybe you can find someone in your area who has had the surgery and join forces! You CAN do this. You HAVE to...that's what this is all about. I wish you the very best of luck and really hope you can change up something in your life just a little to give you that extra boost you need right now!

I am just going through the motions right now. My surgery date is still a couple of months away...gives me plenty of time to ponder the why am I doing this part. Of course it's easy to answer that one. I just go look in the mirror! I have all my testing dates marked on the calendar, with the first one being May 4th. Then the rest are May 14th. That date also includes one more meeting to attend for any questions and I am required to bring along hubby so he can ask whatever is on his mind too. Then two day before surgery I go on a liquid diet. After surgery I need to have shots to keep from getting blood clots. I haven't heard anyone speak of this...but it's in my instructions. Hu8bby will need to give me a shot daily for a few days.

Hopefully by now you are feeling alot better!

thanks for the info. It is reassuring to know what to expect ahead of time. My insurance approved me as an outpatient...but the surgeons office said when they go to pre-register me at the hospital, they always ask for the patient to stay over night and it is usually approved...so I don't know 100% it I will be an overnight guest...but it may work out that way. I am just going through all the motions with this surgery as it still seems like a dream or something. Kind of scary, kind of exciting.

Thanks! Yep...sounds like something I will definately be needing! I even have a bigger disadvantage. I don't have my bottom chewing molars on the right side. I am concerned about being able to chew well enough.

Congrats!!! Now if you are like me...you are really going to start researching on here...this is now a reality and it is happening!

That's good to know. There really is a huge difference from one hospital to the next. Some I wouldn't take my dog to.

I am thinking about buying a food processer and just experimenting a little with mushing up food and see what foods do well and not look like...well...something disgusting!

good luck! Let us know how it goes!

can't wait to hear how you did with your surgery! Those of you who have been through this provide us the very best way for the rest of us to get the facts and know what we are learning is from a first hand experience.

Kimber...let us know how you do!

well...I ended up going with Dr. Shina...I can't remember now since it was a while back when I posted on here, but I think he was the one who was a provider with my insurance. Anyway, he does the surgery at Norton's Suburban. Does anyone know anything about that hospital? I hope they are nice!