reverie

I was banded when I was 19 so I know how you feel. I weighed 245lbs and didn't wanna get any bigger. Since last May I've lost 112lbs! I was scared too as Lapband was my first surgery, so I had all sorts of emotions flowing through my head. I don't have hypothyrodism but I just wanted to say I don't regret my decision in the least! Your out of pocket pay will depend on your insurance company. Mine covered 85%, I had to pay the remaining 15%, which wasn't much at all, $500-700 maybe, I forget. You can easily find out by calling your insurance company and asking if weight-loss surgery is covered, etc. Good luck!

I'm not a May 2011 bander, but a May 2010 bander. Just wanted to say good luck to you guys! Can't believe it's almost been a year.

Congrats. Hope you find a shake you like.

Glad to hear your revision went well! I too need to learn how to slow down and chew.

The pre-op diet will help shrink your liver, so you'll probably be okay! I've lost 112lbs with the band so it is very doable

Love it!! Totally shows that it is okay to indulge once in awhile, especially if it's a planned one. I am glad you posted this. Hopefully it will show others that food isn't off limits with the band. It's all about control and proper planning

Just remember to REST. Remember that for these next 6 weeks, weight-loss is your last goal. You want to heal and give your body enough time to do so. Take Gas-X strips with you, sip your Water, and bring a pillow to hold against your tummy for the ride home. Good luck!

Vomiting, unable to keep any sort of food down including liquids, acid reflux, sudden loss of restriction, etc.

Sliming = slime. When you eat too fast/take too big of a bite of food it can get stuck which then causes you to slime. It's a really thick liquid that is like spit just much thicker.

Aww! Congrats. I was wearing 20s too! I was amazed at how quickly I dropped sizes. I'm in 4s now...loose 4s.

Try ricotta cheese baked with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella. I liked black beans mashed with salsa, cheddar cheese, and a little sour cream. Hummus. Cottage cheese baked with pumpkin and sweetened is good as well.

Congrats! We're about the same age. Hope your appointment goes well. Per the skin issue, it depends on your genetics, how long you've been overweight, etc. I was banded pretty young and my skin hasn't/won't go back to normal, but nothing surgery can't fix. Good luck!

There are plenty of success stories around here! My journey thus far has been easier than I ever expected. Surgery went well, I left the hospital the same day. I was uncomfortable from the gas pains for 3-4 days, but they are tolerable. Started off doing low carb for 7-8 months, lost about 112lbs, and I'm slowly working the remaining 12lbs off! No longer doing low carb, just eating well and exercising like a man person. I didn't ever imagine losing so quickly, especially without having a fill, but the band alone gives me the level of restriction I'm comfortable with. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Ahhh last supper syndrome. Great thing about the band is that no foods are off limits really. If you want pizza, have a slice, or make your own flatbread pizza at home. A lot of people think that being banded means you're automatically done away with certain foods when really that is untrue. It all depends on the level of restriction you find best for you. I eat bread, rice, etc. while others cannot.

First 6 weeks are about healing; weight-loss should be the last thing on your mind, especially after all the complications you've already had. Let your body heal and stay off the scale for a little. The transfer from liquids to mushies and mushies to solids often stall weight-loss, as your body is getting used to normal food again.

The psych eval is the easy part! I was all worried when I went but soon realized I was stressing over nothing! Though to be fair I did really dislike my psych as he kept stressing how I could die from surgery, haha. I could have also died driving to see him.

None. I eat what I want. I exercise. My band keeps me full; that's all I needed. Down 112lbs in 10 months and I couldn't be happier. Remember that the band isn't drastic really. You're not saying goodbye to food, you're just leaving behind the overeating, the poor eating habits, etc. and making a new lifestyle for yourself.

How many calories are you eating? Exercise?

Normal. You usually don't get "good" restriction until after a few fills.

Some people continue to drink sodas, diet or not, but my surgeon strictly told me to stay away from them. Nothing good comes from drinking them, diet sodas are just as bad as normal sodas, and they may irritate your pouch.

Just wanted to say welcome and congrats on deciding to be banded. Are you able to use any other type of Protein shake? If so you may want to stop around. Good luck!

Welcome and congrats on your date! At the hospital I brought Gas-X strips, loose clothing (tshirt/sweats) to go home in, a book, my iPod, my phone, slippers/socks, and that's about it. I didn't have to stay overnight though. A pillow to hold against your tummy for the ride home is good as well. When I got home I was best friend with my pain meds for 3 days, Gas-X, and a heating pad. Some people choose to sleep in a recliner; I slept in my bed as sleeping sitting up is not for me. Good luck!

Naaah you're fine. I do crazy ab workouts (350+ ab moves in 18 mins), I roll all over the floor (LOL), my dog has jumped up on me near my port, my nephew has play punched me near it, I've ran into kitchen counters... As long as it's sewn in well I think you'll be fine!

Everyone's pre-op diet is different. Some surgeons allow their patients a low carb meal, some do strictly liquids. I was on liquids for 2 weeks so I know your pain. I'm not sure it's punishment, I just saw it as something I had to do to be ready for surgery. I wasn't a big fan of Protein Shakes but I have started using them again as a pre-workout meal. I like Muscle Milk Light, Labrada Lean body on the go, Syntha X, Xtreme Formulations, and BSN Lean Dessert. Try using milk or heavy whipping cream as opposed to water; helps a bit. Good luck!

The pre-op diet really isn't for weight-loss; some lose, some don't. It's to get rid of the fat that surrounds your liver as well as to prep your body for surgery. I lost 12lbs but I didn't go into the diet with a weight-loss goal..