BriBri90

Have any of you used him as your surgeon? My surgery date is scheduled with him for March 26th..Any feedback will be highly appreciated :smile2:

Hey everyone... I'm really starting to feel like a failure, and I would like some insight as to whether or not what I'm going through is normal. I had my surgery on March 26th of this year, so I'm a few days shy of 2 months post op. I have my second fill scheduled for June 5th, and my first one was done on May 8th, and it was 3cc in a 10cc band. For about a week after my first fill, I had really good restriction. After that week, I started to get very hungry. I feel like I'm eating wayyyy more than I'm supposed to (approximately 8-9oz a sitting) because anything less keeps me feeling like I'm still very hungry. The satisfied feeling comes only after about 8oz or so. I'm sure this is what everyone calls "bandster hell", but my question is, am I doing damage by eating that amount? I'm never uncomfortably FULL after I eat, I just feel satisfied after that amount. I understand true restriction comes with time and fills, but in the meantime, am I causing damage? Am I streching my pouch? And how am I supposed to eat less if I'm still VERY hungry after 4oz?? As soon as I pass 4oz and keep eating more, I start feeling like a failure even though I'm not forcing myself, and its NOT head hunger. Has anyone else went through this??? Any advice would be HIGHLY appreciated...:tongue2:

I personally chose the Lap Band over Gastric Bypass because I believe we were given our natural anatomy for a reason, and it is not to be messed with. The idea that bypass alters your natural anatomy forever was more than enough to convince me that the band is the right choice. As far as not being able to eat sugar ever again, that is sooo unbelievably false, and I will give you a perfect REAL LIFE example. Both my aunt and my cousin had gastric bypass surgery a few years ago around the same time. My aunt just went in to get all the excess skin removed... it was estimated to weigh around 40lbs. She now weighs around or just a little over 200. My cousin on the other hand, lost about 200lbs, but in this last year and a half, he gained it ALL back and is now around 400lbs AGAIN. My father asked him not too long ago, "You went through a MAJOR surgery, you altered your insides, please explain to me how its possible that you allowed yourself to get to this point again???".... His reply: "I love food too much, I cant help it" And by food he means sweets and soda as well. So Its not entirely true that you cant hold sugar down, that is only temporary when it does happen. Both Gastric and Lap Band are a means to change your LIFESTYLE. Neither are miracle workers, nor will either curb your addiciton to sugar. Addiction to sugar is just like any other addiction, and to get rid of it, it has to come from within. Its more mental than anything else. And with the band, you can always get adjusted and stay tight. With gastric, your stomach stretches out and there you go, you went through such an intense surgery for practically nothing. Weigh your options, and before deciding to do a surgery such as gastric bypass, make sure that you really do your research on the pros and cons, but most importantly, try your BEST to work with the band, if that doesnt help, then you can look further. Good Luck!:confused:

The BEST thing you can do to have a great BM with absolutely no cramps, take liquid magnesium. The one I take and recommend is Peter Gillham's Natural Calm. It works like a charm. It tastes lemon-y, and it also relaxes you. I dont know what I would do without it. I think thats your best choice. You can drink it every day, and do good for your body at the same time rather than drinking over the counter medications.

It took me 3 days to finally get enough energy to sit down and actually post this, but I AM OFFICIALLY 3 DAYS BANDED!!!!!! So excited for my new life. Anybody else banded on or around March 26th?? How is your experience coming along so far? I must say the gas pain post op was no fun, but its hardly there anymore. I'm going back to work tomorrow. Its been a crazy ride so far, but I'm looking forward to this journey!

So I'm officially banded, all thanks to the wonderful Dr. Davtyan. (Who I now refer to as my angel). I didnt get many replies here when I originally posted, but I see quite a few views so just in case anyone is interested or looking in to him, let me tell you how I feel. This man is AMAZING. I couldnt be happier with my choice of surgeon. His bedside manner is OUTSTANDING, he thoroughly answers any and all questions that you have and then some, and he trully guides you to your way to success. It also doesnt hurt that he is a wonderful person with a big heart. His staff- I cant say enough about them. All of his staff are so welcoming, warm, kind and helpful. They all make you feel so important. And they make you feel genuine care. They dont treat you as though you are another patient to check off the list. Its all about YOU. My surgery went flawless, my incisions are tiny, and the after care is amazing. I HIGHLY recommend this doctor to anyone in the Los Angeles area and surrounding. You REALLY wont be disappointed. Dont even think twice. He was the best decision I could have made. I have an appointment coming up tomorrow and as crazy as it sounds, I CANT WAIT to see them all again! They have trully made this experience better tenfold! If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to contact me.

Good luck & I wish you a speedy recovery!! It will be done before you know it!!! :frown:

Boyy does it feel good to see someone is going through the EXACT same thing as me. I'm a medical secretary. I too dont feel totally ready to go to work but I really feel guilty not going, my job kind of "needs" me there. I'll try to hang for a few hours if I wont be able to handle it, I'll request to go home. I'm definitely still sore, and yes definitely hungry too at times but like you said, its mostly nausea. I assume its the pain meds as well. The nausea kind of subsided today though, thank goodness. My incisions are CRAZY itching as well!!! lol... i try to itch around the areas away from the incisions and it helps, I guess it tricks your mind into thinking your itching the actual spot. We definitely have an interesting journey ahead of us, but skinny people stores, here we come!!!! lol... Good luck to you!! And if you want to compare some more, my pleasure! Contact me anytime. Lets keep track of our success!:thumbup:

Okay Pleaaase help. I was doing SOOOOO good with the pre op diet until last night. It was my sisters bday and they got my favorite pastries.. I fought it but then finally said "Well its your birthday one day wont hurt" and I ate a whole pastry. I feel sooooooooooooooo quilty I'm not touching anything... I'm just so worried that it will make a big difference with my liver...:laugh:

Hey everyone. I'm kind of struggling right now. Kind of ashamed to admit, I've been reading everyones "pre-op" posts and kind of thinking to myself how are all of these people actually COMPLAINING or having a hard time with the pre op process?? Just knowing that its needed to go through with surgery makes it incredibly easy. So here I am, 10 days before surgery, freaking out over this pre-op thing. I was truly under the impression that I didnt even need a pre-op diet, because the office didnt put any emphasis on it what-so-ever... until pre-op day. Now I'm stuck wondering if I'm eating the right broth, and wondering if I'm doing everything right. STARVING and craving real food. But thats the smallest issue of it all. Here is my biggest problem. I'm a smoker. I thought FOR SURE it would be more than enough to quit, knowing that its for this surgery. Last night was supposed to be my last time smoking. I went to work this morning, struggled to keep it together, and by lunchtime, I was in panic mode. I NEEDED a ciggarette. And of course, had one. And then another. Total of three for the day. I feel so quilty, but I'm having SO much trouble quitting. I intend to stop again for good tomorrow. I better... Any suggestions???? :scared2:

My first Dr. visit (initial consult) was 2/13/10, my pre-op was 3/13/10 and my surgery is scheduled for 3/26/10... Good luck to you!!!

Yeah its definitely a VERY stupid temptation to fall into... but its definitely over powering sometimes. Godd luck, I hope all goes well. I'm very nevous myself because that was the fattest thing I could have probably cheated with..... So so so so dumb of me!!!!

lol thanks, I sure will. I'm usually really strict with myself when it comes to things like that... I dont know what got into me... the problem is that my surgery is in 4 more days...thats why I'm worried :laugh:(((

I'm soooo excited!!! Just five (full) more days until surgery!!!! I'm soooo ready for this life changing journey to begin!! The day is coming sooo fast! Is anyone else getting banded on the same day as me??

Yay us!!! I wish you a speedy recovery!!! It did feel like a long time coming, but at the same time it came really fast! Crazy how that works! Good luck & what a great journey we have in front of us!!!

Thanks so much everyone for all this support! I REALLY appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! Dont know what I would do without you guys! Just to update you, I'm still struggling with totally putting the ciggs down, but I'm getting much better. I plan to completely quit 100% by Monday. I dont really have much of a choice at this point. And I want it to be the end, I dont plan to start again. I just met with my surgeon today, all is going as planned. Surgery is happening next Fri, the 26th and I am beyond excited! The liquid diet has been somewhat difficult, but totally manageable. I'm so excited for my new life to begin... Good luck everyone and thanks soooo much for all of your support! We will ALL win this battle TOGETHER!

First and foremost let me say this... I told absolutely EVERYONE. I am not one of those people that can keep my mouth shut when it comes to something I really want and am excited for. All of my co-workers, boss, and everyone in my office building that I communicate with, and all of my friends and family and basically everyone who talks to me, KNOWS. I cant even tell you how many times I heard EXACTLY what your co-worker said. How many people and how many times somebody told me something negative about this decision. But you know what? Of course I defended myself, and tried to explain the struggle (which they will NEVER understand because they NEVER went through it)...but regardless of what anyone had to say, in my mind I'm thinking "Well, when your clothes are going to be too big on me, and you'll see a drastic transformation right in front of your eyes, we'll see who gets the last word." And thats the truth. I guarentee you once you lose the weight, and get that burst of confidence, they'll shy away from you and feel like s*&% after what they said. Only YOU know whats best for you, and if your happy with your decision, then do it and dont pay attention to the people who dont know your struggle. I do, because I'm living it, and I'll say... GO FOR IT. I sure am :frown: Keep your head up!

Omg the day is almost here... I'm shedding bricks!!! So excited and nervous all at the same time. I dont have a pre-op diet, but I guess its because I'm considered a "Light weight"... I weighed myself this morning on an empty stomach.. 215.5 lbs. I'm getting banded by Dr. David Davtyan in Glendale... any feedback would be nice and very appreciated Have any of you had him? Any body else getting banded on the 26th?? :smile2:

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it. I hope everything goes as planned...And I will for SURE keep you posted. I just cant wait for my last post in the pre-op thread and move on to the post-op! LOL!:smile2:

I'm getting banded March 26th as well! Yay us!!! Yes its totally normal to be scared, because I'm VERY scared myself. The positive in me is preparing for a new life and a new look, but the negative in me is living every day until March 26 as my last. Weird I know, but thats how it feels. Aside from the fear of complications, its also failing after the surgery. And based off of what everyone says, they too have the same fears. I'm fearing the anesthesia more than anything though, but everyones fears are different. Its perfectly normal to be scared prior to surgery. After all, this surgery is life changing. Just be positive and all will be great. Good luck to us!!!!:smile2:

I'm soooo excited. This is a dream come true for me. I have been fighting to lose weight my whole life with no success. My surgery is scheduled for March 26th. I'm freaking out. I'm having so many different emotions. I feel like I failed myself that I cant do it on my own, but I also feel like this is an answer and solution to my life-long struggle. My biggest fear is the anesthesia... being put to sleep. I'm scared of never waking up or going into a coma... or anesthesia awareness. I almost changed my mind on having the surgery because of the anesthesia but I'm too determined. Have any of you had the same fears????:wink2: